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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Michael Murillo

Toys for Tots delivers holiday cheer

November 25, 2015 By Michael Murillo

When a doctor told a mother that her son suffering from a muscular diseases needed a bicycle to keep his muscles moving, she turned to the Toys for Tots for help.

She couldn’t afford a bicycle, so she went to the organization’s toy distribution event a couple of years ago.

“When she got there, she was about the third to the last parent there, and we had one bike left. We handed that bike to her, and she crumbled right there in front of us,” recalled Herb Roshell, captain of the Toys for Tots efforts in Land O’ Lakes and part of Lutz.

“It’s those kinds of experiences that keep us empowered to do this,” he said.

The United States Marine Corps Reserve has been doing this for more than 65 years, creating a national program that distributes toys to needy children during the holidays.

In Roshell’s area alone, the program has distributed to more than 500 children from nearly 400 families last year.

Each child gets two to three toys, plus games for the family and stocking stuffers.

Toys are laid out so parents and guardians can go ‘shopping’ and choose the right toys for their children. They depend on drop-off boxes at local businesses and the Dec. 5 postal service pickup for the bulk of donations. (Photo courtesy of Bob Loring)
Toys are laid out so parents and guardians can go ‘shopping’ and choose the right toys for their children. They depend on drop-off boxes at local businesses and the Dec. 5 postal service pickup for the bulk of donations.
(Photo courtesy of Bob Loring)

To keep up with this year’s demand, the program is back with its familiar toy drop-off boxes in various businesses in the community.

Roshell estimates that around 100 locations will sign up for the boxes, and collect new, unwrapped toys for children of various ages.

The U.S. Postal Service also will collect toys that residents leave out by their mailboxes on Dec. 5.

Toys will be distributed Dec. 19 at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., beginning at 8 a.m.

Those toys might not seem like much in the big picture, but to a mother struggling to provide for her family or a child who sees their peers with gifts, it means a lot.

“If we didn’t have it, it would really hurt our community a lot,” Roshell said.

His wife, Stephanie, knows that firsthand. As a young single mother, she used Toys for Tots when she moved and found out her job had been eliminated. She now spends her time helping those in need, and recognizes the empowerment of simple kindnesses.

“I was homeless as a teenager and vowed that if I ever came out of my poverty state that I would never, ever forget about the children and the youth that are struggling,” Stephanie said. “I’ve stood in their shoes before, and I know personally how it made me feel, so I want them to feel that same sense of gratification that I felt.”

Parents or guardians who utilize Toys for Tots feel like they’re shopping when the toys are selected.

At the distribution center Dec. 19, they get assistance from “deputized elves” to help pick out just the right gift for their children. The “elves” are volunteers who meet with regional coordinator Bob Loring, and pledge to offer support and encouragement at the event to help parents choose gifts.

Just being able to provide some holiday cheer for their family boosts family bonds, according to the Roshells.

“It bridges that gap in the family, so the child is looking to that parent as still being that hero,” Stephanie said.

For those parents to remain heroes, the Roshells and many others in the Toys for Tots program work hard to make each year a success.

In the Land O’ Lakes area they expect to collect 1,700 to 2,000 items for distribution. And, unless there’s a large need elsewhere or they have a surplus, the toys donated within the community, stay here.

While individuals and businesses are generous with donations, there are specific needs each year that pose a challenge.

Children between 8 and 12, especially boys, usually receive the least donations, Herb Roshell said.

Boys that age like handheld games and girls enjoy makeup kits, and Toys for Tots wants to make sure there are enough to go around.

The postal service pickup is an important method of toy collection, but response has dropped off in recent years.

The postal service doesn’t cover the organization’s postage anymore, so it’s up to them to get the word out about the Dec. 5 collection date.

Helping those in need makes Dec. 19 a special day for families who wouldn’t otherwise have presents for their children.

And, it’s pretty special for the Toys for Tots family, too, since they get to see their efforts pay off with a bounty of gifts going to local homes, making families’ holidays a little brighter.

For people like Stephanie Roshell, who has been on both sides, it’s an important part of the holiday season.

For information about the Toys for Tots program, and to find out how to apply for assistance, contact the Roshells at or call (813) 713-5197.

Published November 25, 2015

Zephyrhills resident causing ‘Sugar Rush’ with cake pops

November 25, 2015 By Michael Murillo

When she was a student at Zephyrhills High School, Cassie Lenz had a cake-decorating project. Over the course of the project, there was a dilemma: What to do with the extra cake?

“I looked online, and I found cake pops,” Lenz said. “It was interesting to find something new.”

People found them more than interesting. They found them delicious. The decorated balls of cake and frosting on a stick were a hit, and she would make them for friends and bring them to parties.

Cassie Lenz shows off just a few of her tasty creations. A high school project eventually led to her business. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Cassie Lenz shows off just a few of her tasty creations. A high school project eventually led to her business.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Now 23, and a student at the University of South Florida, Lenz made 200 cake pops in a variety of flavors for a friend’s wedding earlier this year. They were so popular the bride and groom didn’t even get to try any of them.

Lenz has received a lot of praise for her cake pops. Now, she has a business.

Sugar Rush operates out of the kitchen Lenz shares with her family, though they know not to interfere when she’s working. In just a couple of hours, she can make about 40 cake pops out of a single cake. Adding different styles takes more time, but provides a lot of variety in the desserts: chocolate cake, red velvet cake, marshmallows and funfetti are just some of the cake pop options.

If you can think of a cake, Lenz can turn it into a treat on a stick.

“(For) each one, you have to do something special. That’s pretty fun,” she said.

That means not only hand-making the pops, but also decorating and wrapping them one by one. Some are elaborate and others are simple, but she enjoys catering to different occasions, styles and tastes.

It’s not easy work. Each type of cake pop has a process that ensures it holds its shape and stays on the stick. She might accept some help wrapping the finished product, but she does all of the baking and decorating.

There’s also some trial and error with her creations. Vanilla cake isn’t as popular as other flavors like funfetti and chocolate, but even that ranking can change by season. At a recent church event, she didn’t sell as many of the funfetti as she expected. But, she sold out of pumpkin.

Cassie Lenz makes each cake pop by hand, including the artful decorations many of them carry.
Cassie Lenz makes each cake pop by hand, including the artful decorations many of them carry.

As orders come in, Lenz spends more time on her new business. But, as a college student who already has a job, she has to be smart with her time.

Fortunately, her father, Nils, is a self-employed accountant. That entrepreneurial experience has been a valuable resource for Lenz, and she prepares promotional materials to get the word out about her new business.

Having business experience in the family is a big reason why she’s felt confident enough to take on her own project.

“I think that if nobody in my family did (own a business), then I probably wouldn’t have done it,” she said.

For now, she’s put together business cards, flyers and a Facebook page, which will be used to show off her creations and solicit new orders. She finds time to make her cake pops in between taking courses on information studies in college and working her regular job.

And, while it can be time-consuming, making tasty treats is never boring for Lenz.

“People think it’s so tedious, but I get into it,” she said. “Seeing people’s faces when they see (them), I just get so excited.”

For more information about Sugar Rush, visit Facebook.com/SugarRushbyCassie, or email Lenz at .

Published November 25, 2015

Sunlake notches winning season, playoff berth

November 25, 2015 By Michael Murillo

Sunlake coach Bill Browning isn’t one to make excuses when his team doesn’t win. But a quick look at the injury list shows that the Seahawks’ team wasn’t at full strength when it fell to Vanguard on Nov. 13 by a 40-12 margin.

Take Sunlake’s starting receivers, for example. They weren’t on the field.

Two of Browning’s top wideouts were nursing broken collarbones. Another had a broken ankle. And those guys only made up part of the injury list, which included linebackers, linemen, special teams players and even a couple of players who were lost before the season even started.

The Sunlake Seahawks fought through assorted injuries, but reached the playoffs before falling to Vanguard. (Courtesy of Kendall Browning)
The Sunlake Seahawks fought through assorted injuries, but reached the playoffs before falling to Vanguard.
(Courtesy of Kendall Browning)

“We had five broken bones this year. I’ve never had five broken bones in a year, I don’t think,” Browning said. “By the end of the season, the injury bug had really gotten us bad.”

The end of the season also provided the toughest part of the schedule.

After Sunlake raced to a 7-0 start despite some injuries, they found tough competition at the end of the year. Losses to district champion Mitchell and St. Petersburg were followed by a 1-point win over River Ridge to finish the season 8-2.

By the time Vanguard (the team Sunlake beat 24-6 in last year’s playoffs) defeated the Seahawks, the team had dropped three of its last four games.

Still, Browning’s healthy athletes gave it all they had.

They played the Knights tough early, cutting the lead to 14-10, at one point in the game. But, their opponent proved to be too powerful to compete against at anything less than full strength.

“They’re a very good football team this year. They’ve got excellent speed, and they’re big and athletic,” Browning said of Vanguard, who fell to Gainesville, 35-28, on Nov. 20.

“Our kids gave great effort on the field,” Browning said.

That effort didn’t result in a playoff win, but it did mean another season with at least eight wins, the sixth straight for the program. Playoff berths have become common, and the team is recognized as a force in 6A-6, considered a challenging district with Mitchell, Springstead, Pasco and Land O’ Lakes.

And while it might be a bit early to speculate on 2016, Browning acknowledged he’ll have some important players coming back next year. Two-way athletes Ryan Clark and Cris Galdos will join quarterback Justin Hall as they try to build on this year’s success.

But, they’ll have to do it with a new offensive line. That unit was made up of seniors, which means it will be Browning’s main building project before the regular season.

The team has a history of setting high goals and reaching them. Sunlake claimed its first district title last season. And, Browning said he’d like to see them eventually get farther than the second round — the school’s best.

Browning realizes that such achievements are not possible every year, especially when players don’t stay healthy. In many cases those injuries could mean a lost season, but at Sunlake it still resulted in a playoff berth.

Despite the early exit from the playoffs, this year is still recognized as a successful season, and is a source of pride for a coach who wants to see his team give it their all, no matter the circumstances.

“They battled the whole way,” Browning said, referring to his athletes. “We went as far as we could go this year.”

Published November 25, 2015

Flapjack 5K held in coach Keppel’s memory

November 25, 2015 By Michael Murillo

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host the 22nd Annual Flapjack 5K (and 1-mile fun run) on Dec. 13 at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. The race will be held in memory of Kris Keppel, the popular Land O’ Lakes High School cross-country coach who passed away earlier this year from pancreatic cancer.

Registrations must be received by Nov. 27 for a T-shirt. Sponsorships are available. For information or to register, visit CentralPascoChamber.com, or email .

Two Saint Leo runners excel at cross-country championships

November 25, 2015 By Michael Murillo

Two runners for Saint Leo stood out at the 2015 NCAA Division II championships, on Nov. 21 in Joplin, Missouri.

For the women, sophomore Colett Rampf finished 23rd overall. She was the only runner from her team to finish in the top 100 at the event.

For the men, senior Valentin Lenz finished 79th overall, setting a school record for the 10K race. His 31:08.3 time was nearly a full minute better than the previous Saint Leo record.

Prep Sports Board

November 25, 2015 By Michael Murillo

Nov. 16
Boys Soccer
Sunlake 3, Fivay 0
Land O’ Lakes 1, Gulf 1
Wesley Chapel 6, Hernando 0
Mitchell 3, Pasco 1
Girls Soccer
Land O’ Lakes 8, Gulf 0
Sunlake 2, Fivay 1
Wesley Chapel 9, Hernando 0
Mitchell 6, Pasco 0
Nature Coast Tech 9, Zephyrhills 2
Boys Basketball
Clearwater 77, Sunlake 33
Girls Basketball
Clearwater 69, Sunlake 23

Nov. 17
Boys Soccer
Steinbrenner 7, Wharton 0
Wiregrass Ranch 1, Palm Harbor University 1
Leto 4, Freedom 1
Girls Soccer
Wharton 1, Steinbrenner 1
Palm Harbor University 1, Wiregrass Ranch 0
Boys Basketball
Steinbrenner 39, Chamberlain 38
Wesley Chapel 56, Anclote 31
Zephyrhills 70, Fivay 24
Pasco 80, Gulf 54
Wharton 70, Strawberry Crest 33
Girls Basketball
Land O’ Lakes 36, Lecanto 31
Steinbrenner 34, Chamberlain 8
Anclote 53, Wesley Chapel 31
Fivay 49, Zephyrhills 18
Pasco 55, Gulf 34
Strawberry Crest 60, Wharton 19

Nov. 18
Boys Soccer
Sunlake 4, Gulf 0
Land O’ Lakes 4, Hudson 0
Weeki Wachee 2, Wesley Chapel 1
Girls Soccer
Land O’ Lakes 6, Hudson 0
Sunlake 8, Gulf 0
Hernando 2, Zephyrhills 0
Boys Basketball
Sickles 49, Steinbrenner 27
Wharton 77, Wiregrass Ranch 43
Freedom 74, Leto 70
Girls Basketball
Steinbrenner 33, Sickles 27
Wiregrass Ranch 54, Wharton 47
Freedom 69, Leto 17

Nov. 19
Boys Soccer
Steinbrenner 5, Chamberlain 0
Girls Soccer
Steinbrenner 8, Chamberlain 0
Wharton 3, Wiregrass Ranch 0
Pasco 11, Ridgewood 0
Boys Basketball
Zephyrhills 70, Ridgewood 46
Pasco 83, River Ridge 74
Girls Basketball
Academy at the Lakes 56, Land O’ Lakes 20
Steinbrenner 46, Gaither 34
Wiregrass Ranch 71, Mitchell 38
Sunlake 50, Wesley Chapel 14
Zephyrhills 34, Ridgewood 30
River Ridge 61, Pasco 55 (OT)

Nov. 20
Boys Soccer
Wharton 3, Tampa Bay Tech 0
Pasco 1, Springstead 1
Girls Soccer
Land O’ Lakes 8, Zephyrhills 0
Freedom 8, Armwood 1
Wharton 9 Tampa Bay Tech 1
Boys Basketball
Tarpon Springs 73, Sunlake 42
Steinbrenner 63, Gaither 40
Wiregrass Ranch 83, Leto 65
Wesley Chapel 57, Gulf 20
Hudson 66, Pasco 62 (OT)
Sickles 62, Freedom 54
Girls Basketball
Wiregrass Ranch 62, Leto 20
Gulf 44, Wesley Chapel 30
Sickles 67, Freedom 44
Plant 72, Wharton 46

Nov. 21
Boys Basketball
Freedom 54, Trinity Prep 46
Newsome 48, Wharton 43

Nov. 27
Boys Basketball
Freedom at Palmetto, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Land O’ Lakes vs. Kathleen, 3 p.m. (tournament)
Wharton vs. Southeast, 2:30 p.m. (tournament)

Nov. 28
Boys Basketball
Freedom vs. Bradenton Christian (tournament)
Freedom vs. Southeast (tournament)
Girls Basketball
Wharton vs. Venice, 2:30 p.m. (tournament)

Nov. 30
Boys Soccer
Sunlake at Ridgewood, 7:30 p.m.
River Ridge at Land O’ Lakes, 7:45 p.m.
Citrus at Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30 p.m.
Zephyrhills at Pasco, 7:30 p.m.
Nature Coast Tech at Wesley Chapel, 8 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Nature Coast Tech at Wesley Chapel, 7:30 p.m.
Pasco at Zephyrhills, 8 p.m.
Land O’ Lakes at Anclote, 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Ridgewood at Land O’ Lakes, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 1
Boys Soccer
Wesley Chapel at Sunlake, 7:30 p.m.
Robinson at Steinbrenner, 8 p.m.
Jesuit at Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30 p.m.
Freedom at Wharton, 8 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Land O’ Lakes at Academy of the Holy Names, 7:45 p.m.
Robinson at Steinbrenner, 6 p.m.
Wiregrass Ranch at Gulf, 6 p.m.
Freedom at Wharton, 6 p.m.
Boys Basketball
Plant at Steinbrenner, 6:30 p.m.
Wesley Chapel at Fivay, 7:30 p.m.
Zephyrhills at Hudson, 7:30 p.m.
Pasco at Mitchell, 7:30 p.m.
Freedom at Wharton, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Plant at Steinbrenner, 8 p.m.
Fivay at Wesley Chapel, 7:30 p.m.
Hudson at Zephyrhills, 7:30 p.m.
Mitchell at Pasco, 7:30 p.m.
Freedom at Wharton, 8 p.m.

Sources: MaxPreps, various

Fall Festival introduces new stables to Wesley Chapel

November 18, 2015 By Michael Murillo

Sarah Russell took horse-riding lessons when she was 4.

At age 7, she got her first American Saddlebred.

By the time she was 15, she was a world champion equestrian.

“It’s just my passion,” Russell said.

Now, it’s her business as well.

Before Sarah Russell owned her own stables, she was a successful saddleseat competitor. At age 17, she was already a three-time world champion. (Courtesy of Sarah Russell)
Before Sarah Russell owned her own stables, she was a successful saddleseat competitor. At age 17, she was already a three-time world champion.
(Courtesy of Sarah Russell)

Russell opened Sarah Russell Stables Oct. 1, with a 24-stall barn, covered arena and a half-dozen training horses. She lives on the property, located at 29319 Hadlock Drive in Wesley Chapel, with her husband, Ross, and son, Kellan.

They’ll host a free Fall Festival event on Nov. 29 to serve as an open house of sorts, and introduce the business to the community.

Russell has worked in stables locally, and in places like Kentucky.

The 29-year-old has spent her life competing and caring for horses, and has noticed the good and bad characteristics of various stables.

She has taken the best of her experiences and put them into one Wesley Chapel business.

“I think the Wesley Chapel area is really an untapped market for our business. It’s such a growing and booming town, it was a great opportunity to start something like (a new stable) there.”

Russell has taken advantage of the opportunity by offering riding lessons for all levels of riders. She specializes in saddleseat training, a challenging discipline which requires riders to handle a double bridle when guiding their horse. As a competitive rider, Russell claimed multiple national and world championships, and memorabilia of her titles are displayed at her business.

Stephanie Burchette, who works at Ross Russell's veterinary practice, takes a horse out for a little sunshine and fresh air. Millionheir’s Row is one of the client horses at Sarah Russell Stables in Wesley Chapel, which opened on Oct. 1. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Stephanie Burchette, who works at Ross Russell’s veterinary practice, takes a horse out for a little sunshine and fresh air. Millionheir’s Row is one of the client horses at Sarah Russell Stables in Wesley Chapel, which opened on Oct. 1. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

But, you don’t have to be an aspiring world champion to get something out of horse riding, she said. She’s taught adults who had never been on a horse, and they came away with a new passion and pastime. One adult student went from never riding before to owning three horses.

While grownups can enjoy valuable experiences by riding, children and young adults learn lessons that stay with them when they’re out of the saddle.

“It’s such a commitment. It teaches you dedication, and determination and hard work,” Russell said. “You learn to develop a connection between you and your horse which is so good for so many other aspects of life.”

The stalls are already filling up with students who board their horses there, and Russell keeps the training up even when the owners aren’t around. The students still come by frequently to bond with their horse, she said.

Russell and her husband are originally from Michigan. When they moved to the area, they lived in a more traditional subdivision.

But, that wasn’t the life she wanted, and having her own business on 18 acres suits her much better.

Her husband is a veterinarian whose office also is on the property, and Kellan, while only 2, already enjoys being around and sitting on horses.

In a couple of years, he’ll be his mother’s age when she started taking lessons, and Russell believes he’ll take to it like she did.

Owning a stable isn’t easy, Russell admits.

While she already has clients whose horses get trained on a daily basis, there’s still a lot of work to do less than two months into her new career.

“It’s a lot of work. It’s a big undertaking and a huge commitment, but it’s what I’ve always wanted to do, so it’s a great thing,” she said. “It’s totally worth it. Every minute of it.”

The Fall Festival will run from noon until 4 p.m. It will include local vendors, face painting, a bounce house and pony rides. For information about the festival or the stables, contact Russell at (810) 955-5023 or .

Published November 18, 2015

Carrollwood Day School speaker supports cancer research

November 18, 2015 By Michael Murillo

More than two decades ago, Charlotte Embody watched a televised speech by a basketball coach, who had been diagnosed with cancer and was accepting an award.

The March 3, 1993 speech was uplifting, but Embody didn’t expect it to have a personal impact on her family.

“Of course, it was emotional, but it didn’t become a big thing in my life,” Embody said.

Over time, that would change.

The coach making the speech was Jim Valvano, former head coach of North Carolina State and an analyst for ESPN.

George Bodenheimer, longtime president of ESPN and now its executive chairman, will speak and sign books on Nov. 18 at Carrollwood Day School. He donates all author royalties to the V Foundation. (Image Courtesy of V Foundation for Cancer Research)
George Bodenheimer, longtime president of ESPN and now its executive chairman, will speak and sign books on Nov. 18 at Carrollwood Day School. He donates all author royalties to the V Foundation.
(Image Courtesy of V Foundation for Cancer Research)

He was accepting the first Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the inaugural ESPY Awards, ESPN’s awards show.

And, the speech would become an iconic 10 minutes of inspirational television.

Valvano succumbed to cancer the following month, but his legacy continued far beyond his coaching accolades or the frequent replays of his famous speech.

Valvano founded the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which has donated more than $150 million in research grants over the years.

Now, Embody has organized a speaking and book-signing event on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., at Carrollwood Day School, 1515 W. Bearss Ave. in Tampa. The public is welcome to attend, and there is no admission charge.

The school and the V Foundation will host former ESPN President George Bodenheimer, who will be talking about his book, “Every Town is a Sports Town: Business Leadership at ESPN, from the Mailroom to the Boardroom.”

Bodenheimer donates all of the royalties from his book to the cancer foundation.

Embody and her husband, Derek, also have donated to the V Foundation over the years, but the famous speech became a part of her family’s activities as well. Her sons attended Carrollwood Day School, and her oldest son, Billy, was given the speech to read in fifth grade.

“He performed it for competitions at the bay area Forensics League,” Embody explained. Eventually, he won first place with the speech, and his younger brother, Andy, took it on and performed it as well.

The entire family all knew the speech by that point, and after the boys lost a friend to cancer, it took on even more meaning.

Now, helping the foundation is a special cause for the Embodys. When the V Foundation let her know that Bodenheimer would be in town on that date, Embody wanted to set something up at the school her children once attended.

“We’ve known who he is for years, and I’ve just been in awe of everything he’s done,” Embody said, referring to Bodenheimer.

They met at a gala event last year, and Embody found him to be both inspiring and down-to-earth.

As president of ESPN for more than a dozen years, Bodenheimer led the company through a period of expansion, including launching high definition, Spanish language and college sports networks to grow the brand.

Often cited in most-influential lists of sports executives, he got his start as a mailroom clerk at the network, and left the position of president in 2012 to become the network’s executive chairman.

Embody is glad to have someone of his caliber speaking to the community, especially local children. Sometimes they need positive messages from someone other than their parents, she said. And finding the right person to deliver a thought-provoking message isn’t easy.

“In this day and age, it’s really hard to find someone with good character and ethics and integrity that you want your kids to look up to,” she said.

Bodenheimer is that good-character influence for both children and adults, Embody said. Her children are in their 20s, but the speech from Valvano and the V Foundation still resonates with her family.

She hopes for a good turnout for Bodenheimer at the Carrollwood Day School Theatre, and is glad to have him speak at the school her children attended, and where they were first given that inspirational speech to recite.

“It’s sort of where our story really took root with the V Foundation,” Embody said.

Copies of Bodenheimer’s book will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information, call the school at (813) 920-2288, or visit CarrollwoodDaySchool.org.

Published November 18, 2015

Saint Leo’s cross-country team heads to nationals

November 18, 2015 By Michael Murillo

When Saint Leo University’s men’s cross-country team qualified for nationals, coach Kent Reiber was quick to do what successful coaches do: Spread the credit around.

“We have a really good coaching staff here, and everybody plays a part in making the program work together,” Reiber said. “It’s just about putting the right training together with the right athletes.”

But, that doesn’t tell the entire story.

It’s about the right coach as well.

From left, Anthony Deleva, Carl Dunne, Niclas Bez, Joe Marrah, Valentin Lenz and Joe Fuller celebrate their regional victory. They'll travel to Missouri for the Nov. 21 national competition. (Photos courtesy of Erin Skoczylas)
From left, Anthony Deleva, Carl Dunne, Niclas Bez, Joe Marrah, Valentin Lenz and Joe Fuller celebrate their regional victory. They’ll travel to Missouri for the Nov. 21 national competition.
(Photos courtesy of Erin Skoczylas)

This is Reiber’s first year as head coach after being on staff since 2011. It’s also the first year the team captured a regional title.

After making nationals the previous two years, the Lions will enter the 10K race on Nov. 21 in Joplin, Missouri, this year as NCAA Division II South Region champions.

While he won’t take much credit for himself (Reiber was also named both Sunshine State Conference and South Region coach of the year), he does admit to having a specific coaching style.

“My belief is running for the team. With our sport, it’s hard to have that team atmosphere, but I really encourage our kids to run for each other and find that reason within the team to run,” he said.

That team spirit can affect the results on the course, Reiber said. If a runner passes a teammate, they’re encouraged to pull them to their faster level so Saint Leo can run more as a pack. And, when a pack runs up to and past an opponent, it can be mentally intimidating to the competition.

That philosophy also means running less during the week than other programs. While some schools have their runners put in 100 miles or more each week, Saint Leo prefers a more-targeted running schedule to keep everyone focused.

“We’re more of a program where we do a lot more quality as opposed to quantity, so we tend not to have many of our runners running the high mileage. We stick to a lower mileage, but we make those shorter runs a little more quality based, and just putting in the right workouts at the right time,” Reiber said.

Niclas Bez, and his teammates, ran hard at regionals, and came away with the school's first title at that level.
Niclas Bez, and his teammates, ran hard at regionals, and came away with the school’s first title at that level.

Saint Leo’s team trip to nationals is even more impressive, considering the entire team didn’t finish the race at the regional championship.

Junior Rafal Matuszczak, one of the team’s top runners, fell and was unable to finish the race due to the heat. Normally, that would grant the title to another team with a full complement of finishers, but the Lions’ other runners stepped up and finished fast enough to garner the lowest score (a lower score is better in cross country). As a result, they edged past Lee University for the school’s first regional crown.

They’ll have their full slate of runners for Missouri (Matuszczak is expected to be ready for nationals), but they won’t have home-field advantage they enjoyed at regionals.

That competition was at Saint Leo this year, and the race was at The Abbey, the university’s golf course.

Hundreds came to show their support, and their cheers and excitement made a difference to the athletes, Reiber said.

“It’s a huge confidence booster, being able to run a race on your home course and know that the people who are cheering are cheering for you,” the coach said. “It kind of gives you a little more motivation to push when you’re not feeling so good, or pass one more person at the end.”

Still, he feels that his teams can accomplish a lot in Missouri.

Besides coaching the men’s cross-country team, Reiber also coaches the women’s cross-country team, and they also qualified for their national tournament. They finished second in their regional competition and are headed to the national competition, too.

If things go their way, his teams have a shot at top-15 finishes in the country, he said.

While the Lions are looking forward and working hard toward a good showing at nationals, Reiber acknowledged that the school’s first regional title is an impressive accomplishment for the men’s cross country squad, and their first-year coach.

“Words can barely describe the feeling I had after finding out that we won the regional title,” Reiber said. “The regional title kind of solidifies everything that we’ve been doing and all the hard work we’ve been putting in.”

Published November 18, 2015

Prep Sports Board

November 18, 2015 By Michael Murillo

Nov. 9
Boys Soccer
Sunlake 8, Hudson 0
Land O’ Lakes 5, Anclote 1
Pasco 5, Wesley Chapel 1
Girls Soccer
Wesley Chapel 4, Pasco 2

Nov. 10
Boys Soccer
Sunlake 2, Springstead 0
Steinbrenner 4, Sickles 3
Plant 1, Wiregrass Ranch 0
Strawberry Crest 3, Freedom 2
Plant City 5, Wharton 3
Girls Soccer
Sickles 3, Steinbrenner 2
Wiregrass Ranch 2, Plant 0
Strawberry Crest 4, Freedom 3
Wharton 2, Plant City 1

Nov. 11
Boys Soccer
Sunlake 5, River Ridge 2
Land O’ Lakes 3, Ridgewood 0
Girls Soccer
Land O’ Lakes 8, Ridgewood 0
Sunlake 5, River Ridge 5

Nov. 12
Boys Soccer
Wiregrass Ranch 3, Land O’ Lakes 0
Zephyrhills 1, Weeki Wachee 1
Pasco 5, Nature Coast Tech 3
Girls Soccer
Land O’ Lakes 2, Wiregrass Ranch 0
Pasco 5, Nature Coast Tech 1
Zephyrhills 3, Weeki Wachee 2

Nov. 13
Playoff Football
Vanguard 40, Sunlake 12
Dr. Phillips 30, Steinbrenner 18
Nature Coast Tech 42, Zephyrhills 13
Boys Soccer
Steinbrenner 1, Alonso 1
Mitchell 3, Freedom 1
Palm Harbor University 4, Wharton 0
Girls Soccer
Sunlake 7, Hernando 0
Alonso 2, Steinbrenner 1
Mitchell 9, Freedom 1
Palm Harbor University 4, Wharton 1

Nov. 16
Boys Soccer
Fivay at Sunlake, 7:45 p.m.
Gulf at Land O’ Lakes, 7:45 p.m.
Wesley Chapel at Hernando, 7:30 p.m.
Mitchell at Pasco, 7:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Land O’ Lakes at Gulf, 7:45 p.m.
Sunlake at Fivay, 7:45 p.m.
Hernando at Wesley Chapel, 8 p.m.
Pasco at Mitchell, 7:30 p.m.
Nature Coast Tech at Zephyrhills, 8 p.m.

Nov. 17
Boys Soccer
Wharton at Steinbrenner, 6 p.m.
Palm Harbor University at Wiregrass Ranch, 6 p.m.
Freedom at Leto, 6 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Wharton at Steinbrenner, 8 p.m.
Palm Harbor University at Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 18
Boys Soccer
Sunlake at Gulf, 7:30 p.m.
Hudson at Land O’ Lakes, 7:45 p.m.
Wesley Chapel at Weeki Wachee, 7:30 p.m.
Springstead at Pasco, 8 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Land O’ Lakes at Hudson, 7:45 p.m.
Gulf at Sunlake, 7:45 p.m.
Weeki Wachee at Wesley Chapel, 7:30 p.m.
Pasco at Springstead, 7:30 p.m.
Hernando at Zephyrhills, 8 p.m.

Nov. 19
Boys Soccer
Steinbrenner at Chamberlain, 6 p.m.
Wiregrass Ranch at Anclote, 7:45 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Steinbrenner at Chamberlain, 8 p.m.
Wharton at Wiregrass Ranch, 6 p.m.
Fivay at Wesley Chapel, 7:30 p.m.
Ridgewood at Pasco, 6 p.m.

Nov. 20
Boys Soccer
Wiregrass Ranch at Hudson, 7:30 p.m.
Zephyrhills at Land O’ Lakes, 7:45 p.m.
Armwood at Freedom, 6 p.m.
Wharton at Tampa Bay Tech, 6 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Land O’ Lakes at Zephyrhills, 8 p.m.
Wiregrass Ranch at Sunlake, 7:45 p.m.
Armwood at Freedom, 8 p.m.
Wharton at Tampa Bay Tech, 8 p.m.

Sources: MaxPreps, various

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