The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Michael Murillo

Two games, two wins, no hits for Saint Leo junior

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Saint Leo University softball coach John Conway was so focused on the score of a recent contest, he wasn’t paying full attention to the game’s stats.

Saint Leo University junior Ashley Ehlers threw a no-hitter in game one of a doubleheader against Florida Southern College last month. In the second game, she came on in relief to record another victory. (Courtesy of Mike Carlson)
Saint Leo University junior Ashley Ehlers threw a no-hitter in game one of a doubleheader against Florida Southern College last month. In the second game, she came on in relief to record another victory.
(Courtesy of Mike Carlson)

It was only after the Lions had secured a tight 1-0 victory over Florida Southern College that he found out something interesting: His pitcher, Ashley Ehlers, hadn’t given up many hits.

In fact, she didn’t give up any.

“I didn’t know it was a no-hitter until the game was over,” Conway said. “My pitching coach had to tell me it was a no-hitter.”

Ehlers struck out two and walked three to give Saint Leo the first game of a double-header against the Moccasins on April 19. It also boosted her record to 11-5 on the year.

Conway may not have realized what was happening at the time, but he’s not surprised Ehlers, a junior, came through for the Lions when the team needed strong pitching.

“She’s one of these pitchers who works very hard,” he said. “She has gotten better every year that she’s been here.”

The game’s score probably added some pressure for Ehlers because it was a close contest with little room for error, Conway said. One mistake might not only have cost her the no-hitter, but cost Saint Leo the game as well. That she preserved the no-hitter and the win makes the accomplishment even more impressive.

But there were more impressive accomplishments for the Lions and Ehlers that day. In the second game, pitcher Alana Tabel went above and beyond a game’s worth of no-hit ball, pitching 8-1/3 innings before the Moccasins finally registered a couple of hits.

With the game still a scoreless tie in the 10th inning, Saint Leo went back to Ehlers for some extra work and she responded with another inning without giving up any hits. That proved to be enough, as the Lions broke through in the bottom of the 10th inning to claim a second 1-0 victory, and make Ehlers the winning pitcher of record in both games.

Ehlers had pitched no-hitters in high school, but recording one at the college level was special for her.

“I feel like this one means a lot more,” she said. “In high school there are only a couple of girls on every high school team who are going to college (and play softball), and in college it’s all the dominant players.”

As a competitor, Ehlers said earning the victory was more important than preserving the no-hitter. Competing in the tough Sunshine State Conference means every game matters, and conference games are even more important. So taking two from fellow SSC member Florida Southern was particularly satisfying.

Her strong junior year campaign is also a source of pride for Ehlers because she comes from a family of softball players. Her younger sister, Aubrey, is a pitcher for Dunedin High School, and was excited to hear about the no-hitter.

“She thought it was so awesome,” Ehlers said. “My little sister looks up to me so much. Everything that I do in my success, I want her to see that and know that she can do that as well.”

Her older sister, Amber, was also a pitcher when she attended Hillsborough Community College, and was proud to hear about her little sister’s accomplishment.

Ehlers said the confidence she gained from the no-hitter would likely carry over into future games, and it did: She earned another victory against Barry University the following weekend.

Her own no-hitter aside, Ehlers also was impressed with Tabel’s pitching in the second game, which would have marked another no-hitter if the Lions had scored in regulation.

“She threw an awesome game,” Ehlers said.

And Conway agrees.

“I just think both my pitchers were throwing a good game that day,” he said. “They both were on.”

Published May 7, 2014

‘Oklahoma!’ at Straz features Lutz actor, dancer

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The play may be called “Oklahoma!” but some of its cast members call Lutz home.

The Patel Conservatory is presenting the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical from May 1 through May 10 at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Art’s Teco Theater, 1010 N. MacInnes Place in Tampa. The production features students in grades five through 12, as well as some professional actors.

Lutz resident Ryan Santello takes on the lead role of Curly in ‘Oklahoma!,’ which wraps up its run this week at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. His sister, Victoria, is a featured dancer in the play. (Courtesy of Patel Conservatory)
Lutz resident Ryan Santello takes on the lead role of Curly in ‘Oklahoma!,’ which wraps up its run this week at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. His sister, Victoria, is a featured dancer in the play.
(Courtesy of Patel Conservatory)

“Oklahoma!” is the story of Curly McLain, his love interest Laurey Williams, and his rival, Jud Fry. Set in the territory of Oklahoma in 1906 as the area approaches statehood, those characters and others resolve their romantic relationships with a social dance as a backdrop.

It has enjoyed several runs on Broadway and London’s West End, as well as national tours, film and audio recordings since its first run in 1943.

Among the 60 performers in the play are siblings Ryan and Victoria Santello of Lutz. Ryan plays Curly McLain, the show’s leading man. Victoria is a featured dancer.

They’re both excited to be part of the production.

“I love doing it because it’s a rush of energy. So many people are watching you, and they’re all enjoying it,” 15-year-old Victoria said.

After opening night, she offered this assessment: “It went well.”

Her performance requires a considerable amount of enthusiastic dancing, so it’s important that she has the right mindset going on stage each night. Since she doesn’t play a specific character, Victoria created one in her mind so she would have a role to play while dancing. The character has a flirty, bubbly personality, and she uses that identity to get the most out of her dancing and help convey the story.

For his part, 17-year-old Ryan had to challenge himself to take on the lead role. He watched Hugh Jackman’s take on Curly from the 1999 film around 30 times, revisiting certain scenes over and over. That was in addition to the hours of rehearsals each week in the months leading up to opening night.

Both Santellos attend Steinbrenner High.

Victoria said she appreciates being able to perform with her brother and watch him grow as an actor. She admits she was unsure how Ryan would fare in his first leading role, but was happy to see him grow into the part successfully.

“When we were in rehearsal, I would always be nervous for him,” Victoria said. “He’s doing really well. He’s come a long way from the first rehearsal.”

Ryan also is impressed with his sister’s performance. Since dancing takes so much work and energy, he didn’t want her getting hurt or struggling with the dances. But those concerns were put to rest once he saw her on stage.

“She’s doing awesome. Before the show, I didn’t know she could dance like that,” he said.

For Ryan, the hardest part wasn’t the singing or learning all the necessary lines. It was the way he had to say them.

“It’s the accent. It’s easy to get, but it’s hard to keep for a two-and-a-half hour show,” he said.

As a Florida native, a country accent isn’t his natural speaking style, but he focused on maintaining his pronunciation and is now able to keep it consistently. In fact, Ryan said it takes time to lose it when each performance is finished, so he’ll still be talking like his character is the car or at home that night.

Kara Goldberg, the play’s stage manager, said the Santellos’ hard work is paying off. While Victoria might not have a lead acting role, Goldberg said that a featured dancer requires at least as much rehearsal time and effort as any other part. The way the play is set up, dancing is integral to the play’s progress.

“She and all the other lead dancers, they help to tell story,” Goldberg said. “They do a great job of that. I’m up in the lighting booth, and I see her always ‘on’ when she’s on stage. She’s always in character, and that’s really something that we need in this show in particular.”

And while this was the first play where she’s worked with Ryan, Goldberg has taken note of his ability and work ethic.

“I can tell that he’s doing his homework,” she said. “When you’re an actor you have to do your homework, you have to look up words you don’t know in the script and you have to study your lines really well.”

With just a little encouragement, he was soon rehearsing off-book, meaning he didn’t have to refer to a script to practice.

Goldberg, who has been involved in theater for about 15 years, said at first she wasn’t sure how the play would turn out since it had so many young performers. But once she saw the dress rehearsal, she knew everyone was ready, and has been impressed as both a stage manager and a fan of the theater.

And the Santellos have been a big part of that. They’re doing great,” she said. I just think that they really enjoy performing.”

For information, call (813) 229-7827 or visit StrazCenter.org.

Published May 7, 2014

LOL’s Poore closes out track career with trip to state

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Land O’ Lakes High School senior Jake Poore added several titles to his track and field resume this past season: Conference champion. District champion. Regional champion. State qualifier and sixth-place finisher for Class 3A for the two-mile run.

But a late-season injury almost prevented it from happening.

Jake Poore’s hard work has paid off in his senior season, entering state competition as a conference, district and regional champion. His two-mile time at state was good for sixth place. (Courtesy of Tedd Thomas)
Jake Poore’s hard work has paid off in his senior season, entering state competition as a conference, district and regional champion. His two-mile time at state was good for sixth place.
(Courtesy of Tedd Thomas)

“I hyper-extended my knee, and that was five days before the district meet. I couldn’t even walk after the race,” Poore said. “The doctor was saying that I might not be able to run, and I was telling her, ‘I’m going up to the starting line no matter what because if I don’t, my season is over.’”

His knee improved, and he went on to win district and regional competitions and compete in his individual category as well as the 4-x-800 relay.

That Poore was able to recover so quickly is a testament to his work ethic and rigorous training regimen. This season he broke down his workouts into what he labels “easy,” “medium” and “hard” days.

A day of gym workouts with cross-training and maybe a light run is what Poore considers “easy.” They only get more difficult from there, with a warm-up, off-track runs, interval workouts with short rests, and another run and cool-down making up a “hard” day.

The idea was to make practice so challenging that actual competition seemed easier by comparison, he said. Only once every couple of weeks did he allow himself a day with absolutely nothing on his schedule, and Poore admitted his dedication to track had consequences outside the sport.

“I was working so hard,” he said. “Even on my easy days I was so tired and had to get my sleep in, and made sure I did my schoolwork whenever I had a chance. I lost some friends, I guess, because I couldn’t go hang out.”

But he said the results in competition made the sacrifice worth it.

Those results included a strong showing in state competition. Although he finished sixth, that ranking is deceiving due to the caliber of competition in Class 3A. If Poore had been in one of the other divisions, he would have been state champion.

And while the 4-x-800 team finished 15th, he was thrilled with his time of 1 minute, 57 seconds.

Another motivator for his successful year — and for the entire team, which enjoyed conference and district titles — was the memory of Bill Schmitz, a track coach at Land O’ Lakes High School, who died last year. Poore and his friends wore “We Run For Schmitz” T-shirts during the year, and followed through on team goals the coach set before he died.

As captain, Poore used the coach’s expectations to help motivate his teammates, and he would reference Schmitz during his regular prayers before meets.

He credits the coach with helping him improve his abilities and become a more successful athlete.

He wasn’t the best track runner earlier in his track career, Poore admits. But his hard work and dedication paid off, and he’ll leave Land O’ Lakes a conference, district and regional champion. But that’s not the end of his running career: He’ll attend the University of Tampa in the fall with an athletic scholarship, a new challenge in collegiate-level track, and a desire to reach the Olympic Games in 2016, held in Rio de Janeiro.

Away from meets, he’ll take a pre-med course load with a goal of becoming an anesthesiologist when he graduates. And since college doesn’t start until later this year, he’s looking forward to a long break from his regular regimen before his summer training — long by his standards, anyway.

“I have two weeks off, and then I start working out for college,” he said. “I’m going to get right back in it. It’s just another day at work for me.”

Published May 7, 2014

Eat, drink and help charity with wine walk

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Next Wednesday, patrons at The Shops at Wiregrass will drink wine, sample food, listen to live music, and do a little shopping.

And they’ll help a charity at the same time.

Hundreds of people helped The Shops at Wiregrass raise more than $8,000 at last month’s Wine Walk Wednesday. Next week’s event will be the last one until September. (Courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass)
Hundreds of people helped The Shops at Wiregrass raise more than $8,000 at last month’s Wine Walk Wednesday. Next week’s event will be the last one until September.
(Courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass)

Wine Walk Wednesdays, a series of four events scheduled for this year, continues on May 7 at the shopping center, 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel. The annual charity series benefits the Jason Ackerman Foundation, an organization that provides educational opportunities and entertainment experiences for young people who have endured various types of tragic circumstances.

They provide scholarship funds directly to four-year universities, community colleges and vocational training schools to benefit recipients based on financial need and their desire to make a positive impact on the community.

Wine Walk Wednesdays is fun for anyone looking for a fun destination, said Shops marketing director Debbie Detweiler.

“It’s a great thing not only for ‘girls night out,’ but also for couples as well,” she said. “And there are families who come out and they’re enjoying the entertainment and activities. It’s really casual and just a fun night, and it’s all for a great cause.”

Those who want to eat and drink will receive “passports” and a map, showing them the location of each tasting station. In addition to sampling wine and food, visitors can enjoy live music on two stages, mini-massages and models showing off the latest fashions.

There also will be caricature artists and free painting classes available.

While Wine Walk Wednesdays has been happening for a few years, the format changed for 2014. Instead of having it on four consecutive Wednesdays in one month each year, The Shops decided to host it on the first Wednesday in four different months: April, May, September and October.

Detweiler admitted that she wasn’t sure how the new format would be received, and was a little nervous before last month’s event. But when she saw people lining up for their passports, she knew it was going to be a success.

Judging by the final numbers, the change was a good one: April’s Wine Walk Wednesday attracted 560 participants and raised about $8,400 for the charity, making it the biggest opening of any year so far. While the first event is normally a bit slower, the strong start in 2014 allowed them to pace well ahead of their annual goal of $20,000.

The event is a true collaborative effort, Detweiler said, with several sponsors donating wine, food and many activities so the community can come together and support a good cause.

“It’s all of us working together, we’re going to be able to put a lot of scholarship dollars in the hands of these students,” she said. “We’re doing a lot of good for the community.”

The Jason Ackerman Foundation also takes an active role in the event, providing volunteers and helping put it together.

“They’re just a great organization and have a strong source of volunteers who are committed to the cause,” Detweiler said. “They’ve been a great partner for us the last three years and we’re really excited too work with them again this year.”

Wine Walk Wednesday runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free, but participating in the wine and food tasting has a donation request of $15, of which 100 percent goes to the charity.

And in thanks for their donation, each participant also receives a wine tumbler to keep.

For information on Wine Walk Wednesdays, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com, or call (813) 994-2242.

For information about the Jason Ackerman Foundation, visit JasonAckermanFoundation.org, or call (813) 915-2766.

Published April 30, 2014

Ready for the ring: Amateurs prepare for May 3 event

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On a weekend evening, hundreds of people gather for fight night.

They cheer for two boxers, who punch, jab and defend their way through round after round in the ring.

Benjamin Vazquez, 15, prepares for his amateur boxing debut at the American Olympic League’s May 3 event. The fights are sanctioned by USA Boxing. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Benjamin Vazquez, 15, prepares for his amateur boxing debut at the American Olympic League’s May 3 event. The fights are sanctioned by USA Boxing.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

In the end one emerges victorious, sometimes by knockout and other times after the judges reveal their scoring. Records improve or fall, momentum will be gained or lost, and fans applaud the winner and await the next two competitors.

That scene occurs at boxing events all over the country, as professional and amateur fighters compete in front of fans for a shot at advancing their career. It could be in New York, or Las Vegas, or Atlantic City.

It also happens in Wesley Chapel.

The American Olympic League hosts regular boxing events at its home, 5807 Ellerbee Road in Wesley Chapel. The organization trains athletes and has classes in disciplines such as boxing, wrestling, judo, jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. But their regular fight nights draw hundreds, and the next event on May 3 will feature several amateur boxers of all age ranges who are ready to show off their skills in the ring.

“It’s amazing the talent that you can find, you see these kids have ambition and you see it carry through with their skill level,” said Carlos Valle, who serves as general manager and promoter.

The boxing events normally feature between 17 and 20 fights, with competitors usually ranging from 7-year-olds to teenagers. Some adult amateurs also compete, but the event is mostly for younger fighters who will eventually turn pro.

All fights are sanctioned by USA Boxing, so the format, protective gear, officials and judges all meet the standards required for a bout that counts toward a fighter’s record.

But Valle explained that American Olympic League isn’t about just selling tickets to events or having classes. They also sponsor Sports League of Wesley Chapel, a non-profit where Valle also is active. The two organizations work together to help area underprivileged kids learn a new skill and stay focused on their schoolwork.

“They really can’t afford to train, the uniforms, the gloves, the headgear. It gets expensive,” Valle explained. “So we pick them up from school, we bring them here and we help them with homework. We have a tutor here who helps them, and when they’re done with homework, then they come here and box.”

In addition to those participants, the events draw other groups and fighters who are interested in adding to their record. And even the younger fighters can run up significant stats.

“I was impressed when I saw some of the kids, 8-year-olds with 45 to 50 fights, because they’re competing every month and sometimes twice a month,” Valle said.

The boxing event also is a chance for less-experienced fighters to start their path into the ring. Benjamin Vazquez, a 15-year-old freshman at Wesley Chapel High School, will be on the card May 3, marking his first amateur fight after months of preparation.

“I’m ready for it. I feel confident,” Vazquez said during a training session. His confidence stems from his previous experience competing in karate, and also a strict regimen where he trains every day after school.

Shadow boxing in the ring, instruction and more boxing with a trainer who wears pads and timed work on a punching bag, are part of his daily routine.

Vazquez is ready for his match against a to-be-named opponent, and said that his training has required a lot of hard work.

“The conditioning is intense. There’s a lot of stamina, running. It’s not easy,” he said.

While his fight will be a one-on-one battle with his opponent, Vazquez won’t be alone that night. His mother, Maribel, will be one of around a dozen friends and family who will be there cheering him on and watching him compete.

“I can’t wait,” she said. “He’s going to have uncles, sister, brothers, friends” at the fight.

Maribel grew up watching boxing, and won’t hide her eyes while her son competes. She wants to watch the entire fight, and believes his hard work has prepared him well for his first boxing match.

“He trains very hard, and he has a good coach,” she said. “I have confidence in my son.”

The event begins at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The cost is $15.

For information, call (813) 284-8888.

Published April 30, 2014

Rediscovering the Old Lutz School

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When you meet a child, you might ask them what school they attend. There are several elementary schools in the area, so you’d have no way of knowing unless you asked.

The Old Lutz School back when it wasn’t so old, as featured in the book ‘Going, Going, Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories.’ (Courtesy of Elizabeth R. Macmanus and Susan A. Macmanus)
The Old Lutz School back when it wasn’t so old, as featured in the book ‘Going, Going, Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories.’
(Courtesy of Elizabeth R. Macmanus and Susan A. Macmanus)

But if you lived in Lutz around 80 years ago, you’d never have to ask that question. You’d know exactly what school they attended, and you’d know exactly where it was. That’s because there was just one school and everyone went there.

The Old Lutz School was a two-story brick structure on North U.S. 41 — and actually, it still is. You’ve probably driven by it at some point, and it might even be part of the view on your daily commute.

It’s kind of hard to miss, since it doesn’t look like anything else. It’s not a school anymore, of course. But it is in the National Register of Historic Places, and it looks awfully good for a building that’s older than FM radio and the ballpoint pen.

OK, it was built in the 1920s, so you know it’s old. For decades it was where local children went until they grew up and went to work, or war, or wherever life sent them.

They all had that one building in common. But when does a location go from just being some old building to a community treasure? For the Old Lutz School, it was around 1977.

And this is the school today. Not much difference, is there? (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
And this is the school today. Not much difference, is there?
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

A couple years earlier, it had stopped functioning as an actual school after nearly 50 years in service, and was a candidate to be torn down. The school board saw an old building: Something that required maintenance and resources when money was tight and actual schools (and their students) needed those funds.

But longtime residents — Lutz is still one of those places where you can actually find longtime residents — saw a community treasure, and stepped up to save it. They worked out an arrangement where the building would stay, but the maintenance and upkeep wouldn’t burden the county.

Today, the county owns the building, but leases it to a group called Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building for a token sum, and they keep it looking pretty much the way it’s always looked.

It does have an unusual look. Its architecture is textbook Georgian Revival. If that doesn’t mean much to you, don’t feel bad. I had to look it up myself.

Back when the school was built, it was popular to emulate the American Colonial style that was used often back in the 1700s. So, this historic school was actually designed as a “modern” tribute to an even older style.

Typically, that means a two-story building with evenly spaced windows in the front. And if you drive by the Old Lutz School today, that’s exactly what you’ll see.

And when it was built, the school was pretty modern. It has indoor plumbing, after all. And there were no water pumps; it had a fancy water tower instead. There wasn’t any air conditioning, of course, but it had a prime location right by the dirt road that we now know as North U.S. 41.

That is a state-of-the-art facility, my friends.

Or it was, anyway. We know all that sounds quaint by today’s standards. So why go to the trouble of saving an old school, anyway? Schools pop up all the time. What’s one more or less?

Well, it has to do with the school, but also the people who live here. Lutz is proud of its heritage. Its history means something, and it’s important to protect it. So with some effort and community support, that’s what they did.

By the way, the Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building really is just that: A small group of citizens who care about the school and the area’s history. It’s not a well-funded organization with a large staff dedicated to overseeing this historical landmark.

In reality, it’s maybe 10 regular volunteers who find creative ways of keeping this building looking nice. And it’s not cheap, either. Utilities can run in the hundreds per month, insurance in the thousands each year, and larger maintenance tasks can only be done in sections. But they do a great job.

If you look at an older photo and compare it to a modern one (like, say, the photos that accompany this story), you’ll see many more similarities than differences. That’s pretty impressive.

Usually you have to seek out local history, and spend a few hours in a museum or go out of your way to see a historic building. But not this one. You can see it every day.

You could get in your car and go there right now if you wanted. I’d prefer you finish reading this story first, though, because I spent a lot of time on it. I even stood in the median to take the photo, and I’m still not completely sure that’s legal.

But the school is probably just minutes away from you. Lutz history is right there, not far from a cellular phone store and right in front of three lanes of paved asphalt going in either direction.

Maybe you’ve seen it, but didn’t know what it was. Or maybe you know all about it, but you’re busy and don’t really notice it anymore. My advice is to pay attention to it when you can. And when they have events, attend them and support the school’s maintenance. They just had one last weekend, but they’ll have more.

Help your neighbors keep it looking nice. And if you have a skill or some time to donate, give them a call. They’re not picky, and they could use the help.

You can reach them by calling Suzin Carr (our current Guv’na) at (813) 453-5256. They also have a Facebook page (after all, what self-respecting historical landmark built in the 1920s doesn’t have a healthy social media presence?). Just look up the group’s name.

So reach out and help if you can, but either way, you should take note of it as you drive by. Even though it hasn’t been an actual school for nearly 40 years, there’s a history lesson waiting for you there.

Published April 23, 2014

Saffore set to represent Sunlake at collegiate level

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Sunlake High School has never had a premier volleyball team. Before this season, they had never won more than six games in a single campaign, and compiled a 15-91 record across six seasons.

Senior Malika Saffore wasn’t just a part of Sunlake’s best volleyball season in school history, she’ll be the first Seahawks volleyball player to continue her career in college. (Courtesy of Malika Saffore)
Senior Malika Saffore wasn’t just a part of Sunlake’s best volleyball season in school history, she’ll be the first Seahawks volleyball player to continue her career in college.
(Courtesy of Malika Saffore)

While they played hard, they’ve never seen much success, and have never had a player continue their volleyball career in college.

But a lot can change in a year.

The Seahawks finished the 2013 season with a 16-10 record, tallying more wins in one season than in their entire history combined. They made the playoffs for the first time in school history. And now, also for the first time, a volleyball player will continue their career at the college level.

Senior Malika Saffore will attend school and play volleyball for Florida Southern College, an NCAA Division II school located in Lakeland. She signed a letter of intent last week and said she’s excited about the opportunity to continue her athletic career.

“I’m so excited to play next season,” she said. “I was definitely honored that I was the first person to get a scholarship who was on the volleyball team.”

While most people have seen volleyball in some form, Saffore said her sport isn’t always understood as a complex one. Keeping the team motivated and working well together is just as important as hitting the ball hard.

“Volleyball is such a momentum-built sport. It depends on whether one team has more energy than the other, and I don’t think people realize that,” Saffore said.

A lot of the skill goes beyond physical ability, and includes thinking several moves ahead and utilizing what she calls “volleyball intellect.”

Saffore has no problem using her intellect both on and off the court. She’ll actually attend Florida Southern on scholarships — both athletic and academic. When coupled with a 3.8 GPA, her dedication to volleyball means most of her time is spent working on school or sports.

Saffore spends about 15 hours a week practicing on the court, plus another five hours in the gym staying in shape. After allotting time for studying and homework, free time is scarce, but she’s been able to find balance between the two priorities in her life.

In college, Saffore plans to study nursing, so her time will continue to be limited. But she said that the skills she’s learned on the court often translate to success in the classroom.

“I think it gives me a sense of self-control,” she said. “If I feel overwhelmed about the amount of homework I have or a test that’s coming up, I collect myself and think, OK, I have to prepare myself in these different aspects and I follow that plan just like I do with volleyball.”

Florida Southern was a good fit with Saffore for several reasons, she said. She said she was immediately impressed with the campus and her new teammates, but she also was attracted to the idea of staying local. She’s very close to her family and enjoys the Florida sunshine, so the opportunity to keep playing volleyball (including beach volleyball, which she enjoys) and stay close to home for a school she liked was too good to pass up.

And while she’s proven her abilities and has earned a scholarship thanks to her volleyball talent, Saffore knows that this is the beginning of competition, not the end. The Moccasins — Mocs for short — are a good volleyball team, posting a 22-14 record last year, including a 10-6 record in the competitive Sunshine State Conference.

She’ll have to continue proving herself to succeed at a school that’s used to playing at a high level against top talent, and she’s ready for that challenge.

“When you get to college, you have to actually compete for the position that you want to play,” Saffore said. “I know I have to work 10 times harder than I do now, and compete not only on the court against the team we’re going to play, but compete for a spot on the team to be on the court.”

Published April 23, 2014

Wiregrass Ranch’s Handman ready for college lacrosse

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If a high school athlete excels at their sport, it’s not unusual for them to continue playing after they graduate.

Jeffrey Handman only started playing lacrosse when Wiregrass Ranch High School started its program a few years ago, but his skills have earned him a scholarship with Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. (Courtesy of Eric Handman)
Jeffrey Handman only started playing lacrosse when Wiregrass Ranch High School started its program a few years ago, but his skills have earned him a scholarship with Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee.
(Courtesy of Eric Handman)

Players do their best to find a place in the college ranks, perhaps even with a school affiliated with the National College Athletic Association. At local schools it happens with athletes in many sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and others.

Wiregrass Ranch High School can now add lacrosse to that list.

Although the lacrosse program at the school is just four years old, Wiregrass Ranch now has its first player recruited by an NCAA school.

Senior Jeffrey Handman is a goalie for the Bulls’ lacrosse team, and has committed to play for Lincoln Memorial University, a Division II school located in Harrogate, Tenn. He’ll head up there with an athletic scholarship and a desire to be part of the new lacrosse program for the Railsplitters.

But if he had been a little better at a different sport, none of it would have happened.

“I decided that I wasn’t good enough to play high school baseball, so I decided to give lacrosse a try,” Handman said. “If I could hit a baseball I probably never would have played lacrosse.”

Fortunately, he picked up a stick and eventually found himself defending the goal. Now he has a new favorite sport and a desire to make an impact at the next level.

Lacrosse, a sport where teammates use sticks to pass and catch a rubber ball while trying to score on the opponents’ goal, is popular at the collegiate level and up north. It’s also working its way into high schools and local clubs.

Wiregrass Ranch began its own program back in 2011. That’s the same year Handman first entered the school, picked up a lacrosse stick and gave a new sport a try. And at goalie, he found a position that makes the most of his talents and allows him to excel.

Handman isn’t a boastful athlete. He takes honest stock of his abilities, and finds ways to maximize them on the field.

“Being a goalie, you have to be quick,” Handman said. “I’m not fast. I’m not going to dazzle any one with a 40 (yard dash), but I’m quick reaction-wise.”

He might have been late to the game, but once he got involved with lacrosse, Handman enjoyed it so much he found other outlets where he could participate. He’s a member of New Tampa Chill, a club league that participates in the Florida Gulf Coast Lacrosse League as part of New Tampa Lacrosse. He also referees lacrosse games for youth leagues in places like Wesley Chapel, South Tampa and New Tampa.

Handman eventually wants to coach the sport when he’s done playing, but before that happens, he’ll test his skills against Division II competition.

It wasn’t an easy path, however, going from being a first-time player to finding a spot with a college team. Unlike football, Central Florida isn’t known as a magnet for lacrosse scouts.

“Florida’s not a hotbed for the sport. Especially not Tampa,” Handman said.

The sport is growing and the players are enthusiastic and talented, but even a good player can’t afford to just sit back and wait for offers. And according to Wiregrass Ranch lacrosse coach Garrett Linquist, Handman isn’t the type to be passive and hope things go his way.

Handman approached his coaches and asked what he should be doing to give himself a good chance to play at the next level.

“He’s one of those kids who wanted to go and play in college,” Linquist said. “He went to a lot of good recruiting camps, he played for Team Florida (where Linquist also coached), and that was a great opportunity. He had a little bit more drive to go through the process.”

The process included filming his games, making a highlight video, and sending it to around 100 different coaches, Handman said. But his perseverance paid off, and he’ll be both playing lacrosse and studying business at Lincoln Memorial.

While Handman is proud of his accomplishments, he didn’t get this far by resting on his laurels. When he gets to college, he’ll show up with the same drive he used to stand out when tackling a new sport.

“I actually put more pressure on myself than other people. Personally, I feel the pressure to succeed. That’s my goal,” Handman said. “I’m not going to play college athletics up in Tennessee to sit on the bench for four years or not try my hardest to compete.”

Published April 23, 2014

Finally! PHSC gets first no-hitter after 23 years

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Steve Winterling has been coaching at Pasco-Hernando State College since the school began its baseball program back in 1992.

Freshman Danny Rodriguez, a Steinbrenner High School graduate, threw Pasco-Hernando State College’s first no-hitter in the 23-year history of the baseball program. (Courtesy of Steve Winterling)
Freshman Danny Rodriguez, a Steinbrenner High School graduate, threw Pasco-Hernando State College’s first no-hitter in the 23-year history of the baseball program.
(Courtesy of Steve Winterling)

He’s seen a lot of things on the field during that time, but on March 26 he saw something he had never seen before: One of his pitchers throw a no-hitter.

Freshman Danny Rodriguez struck out nine batters in seven innings of work in the Conquistadors’ 13-0 victory against Morton College. The game was seven innings long because it was part of a double-header, which is common at the collegiate level.

His efforts however earned Rodriguez National Junior College Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week for Division II baseball.

“It’s always exciting when you get those,” Winterling said. “We’ve had several one-hitters over the years. They (no-hitters) just don’t happen a whole lot.”

While he was excited for his player and team, Winterling isn’t obsessed with game statistics. He had to go back to his office and confirm that it was indeed the first no-hitter in school history.

The no-hitter itself also was special because it was executed so well, Winterling said. Morton College only had two men reach base all game, and both of those were due to PHSC errors. Rodriguez didn’t walk a single batter in the contest.

It also was an impressive accomplishment because the Conquistadors had a large lead, Winterling said, which sometimes allows pitchers to relax and lose focus since the game is likely in hand.

Because the school only gets its athletes for a couple of years, Winterling said he’s used to relying on freshmen for success on the field, and Rodriguez has the characteristics he likes in young players. Specifically, he prefers athletes who are able to keep cool under pressure and not let emotions dominate their play.

“He has a very good baseball mind. He’s got a good temperament,” Winterling said of Rodriguez. “He’s not an emotional kid, really. He’s in control of himself.”

Rodriguez hasn’t let his no-hitter affect that control or his focus on continuing his strong freshman campaign. He said it was a great moment, but he was just doing what he’s supposed to do.

“I wasn’t trying to (throw a no-hitter) at all. I was just trying to do my job and keep the ball down,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez showed prowess as a pitcher, but one interesting fact about his past on the baseball diamond is that he was a starter at Steinbrenner High School — at shortstop.

He didn’t see much time on the mound during his high school campaign. But with a 6-2 record in his freshman year for PHSC, and a no-hitter already under his belt, Rodriguez is feeling comfortable in that role.

However, he hasn’t abandoned his old position entirely.

“Now I think of myself more as a pitcher, but I still think of myself as a middle infielder, too,” he said. “I still practice with them.”

As rewarding as it was to record a no-hitter for the individual, the team and the school, both player and coach are on the same page regarding how long they allowed themselves to bask in the moment: Not long.

“I didn’t forget about it, but I know I have to work on my next start and keep focused on that, Rodriguez said. The no-hitter “was nice, but I have to stay focused.”

That focus paid off in his next start, a win April 4 against Clearwater Christian College.

After the no-hitter, Winterling didn’t spend much time celebrating, either, opting instead to focus on the team’s next game and their effort to reach the postseason. As the only NJCAA Division II school in the state, PHSC has to qualify for a regional tournament in North Carolina by playing at least .500 baseball during the season.

After starting the year 1-6, the Conquistadors found their footing and won 17 of their next 22 games. As a result, the team is on the cusp of the tournament despite a recent cold streak.

So while the accomplishment is one for the record books, both coach and player have moved on to the team’s goals.

“I let the kids enjoy it. That’s something for the kids to enjoy,” Winterling said. “I go back and do my work and get ready for the next game.”

Published April 16, 2014

Pets give patients a paw-inspiring boost at St. Joseph’s

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Hospital patients enjoy getting visitors, whether they’re friends, family, neighbors or church members.

Jason, left, and Journey are two of the volunteer therapy dogs at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. The program, which began last July, now has six dogs visiting patients during the week. (Courtesy of St. Joseph's Hospital-North)
Jason, left, and Journey are two of the volunteer therapy dogs at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. The program, which began last July, now has six dogs visiting patients during the week.
(Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

But sometimes it’s the visitors on four legs that bring out the biggest smiles.

“Everybody enjoys a visit from a therapy dog,” said Ron Graff, whose Golden Retrievers, Journey and Jason, make weekly visits to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North on Van Dyke Road in Lutz. “I get comments from patients all the time that many of them are missing the pets that they have at home, and it was just great to be able to spend a little bit of time talking to the dog or petting the dog.”

Graff brings one of his dogs to either the St. Joseph’s location in Lutz or Tampa a couple of times a week, and spends about 90 minutes walking the halls and seeing if patients would like a visit from a therapy dog. Many say yes, and each session lasts up to 15 minutes as patients interact with them and enjoy a break from the routine life of a hospital stay.

Patients also like to hear information and stories about the dogs, especially Journey. Born without a front left paw, the 5-year-old gets around just fine with the help of prosthetics.

So when Journey at 75 pounds and Jason at 90 pounds make their way down the hallway, they attract attention for several reasons, and find themselves welcome in many rooms.

Graff pointed to studies showing health benefits of human interaction with pets, but said the response from seeing one of his dogs on visiting day is immediate and easy to see.

“There are certainly situations where patients are very quiet and somewhat withdrawn,” he said. “They just brighten up when the dogs come in, and as we leave, they’re clearly feeling much better about it.”

Nurses also will direct him toward patients who might be having a tough day, received difficult news, are struggling with treatment, or simply could use a visitor.

It’s not just the patients who look forward to their visits, volunteer resources auxiliary coordinator Karen Telfer said.

“At the nurse station, as soon as they see them approaching you can tell that they can’t wait to come and say hello,” she said. “They know all the dogs by name. It just seems like a real morale booster for the staff.”

There are currently six dogs in the rotation at St. Joseph’s-North — Graff’s dogs are two of them, Telfer said. Each one is trained, evaluated and certified by a nationally recognized dog therapy organization.

All of the dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations and shots and undergo health screenings. The owners also go through normal hospital volunteer protocol.

While the pet therapy has been around for a while at the Tampa location, it’s relatively new in Lutz: St. Joseph’s-North began its program just last July. In that time, Telfer believes the program has already reaped dividends in the form of happier patients and genuine anticipation of their visits.

“It cheers them up and boosts their morale,” she said. “We’ve actually had one patient say they hoped they were still there the next week to see that dog again.”

In fact, the feedback has been so positive and implementation so easy, Telfer would like to see it expanded at some point in the future. Right now they have one service dog coming each weekday between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Her goals for the program include expanding so two or three service dogs could be scheduled on those days, as well as finding possible weekend options.

Graff enjoys giving back to the community and volunteering his time, along with Journey and Jason, to benefit others. But he said the best part of the experience is being able to reflect on what they accomplish after each visit.

“My favorite part is really just seeing the reaction from patients, and after about an hour or an hour-and-a-half, heading home and knowing that we’ve been able to make at least one person feel better even though they’re in the hospital,” Graff said.

Published April 16, 2014