Michael Murillo

A little coincidence: Three Bulls headed to Bethel

February 20, 2014 By Michael Murillo

At first glance, the Wiregrass Ranch Bulls didn’t have a spectacular football campaign last season.

Jordan Mutcherson, center, make a key tackle for Wiregrass Ranch in a game against Ridgewood last season. Mutcherson and two other teammates will continue to play together at Bethel College in Kansas. (Courtesy of Sniper-shots.com)

They finished 0-5 in Class 7A-District 7 play, and 4-6 overall. However, their points for and points against numbers were respectable, and a couple games were losses by just one score. But their performance on the field attracted the interest of some college football teams.

One school in Kansas was paying particular attention.

Bethel College, a Christian liberal arts college in North Newton, will welcome three Wiregrass Ranch football players as incoming freshmen this fall: Jordan Mutcherson, Giomani Davis and John Harris-Scott IV. And the players consider having familiar faces in the locker room to be an advantage.

“I feel like I’ll have somebody to rely on. Two people, now,” said Harris-Scott, who will play at either running back or safety for Bethel.

Harris-Scott said David and Mutcherson were his good friends, but they didn’t discuss going to Bethel together until they had individually decided to accept their offers.

Davis, who will available at tailback and slot receiver, agrees that it helps to know some teammates before setting foot on campus.

“It’s like good competition, to see who’s doing better and see who’s seeing the field first,” he said. “Also they’re people to motivate you because they know your full potential and what you can do.”

The Bethel College Threshers play in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, which is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. While the NAIA represents smaller colleges than the more-famous National Collegiate Athletic Association, it represents more than 250 schools and has almost two dozen championships across various sports.

Although games might not be in the mammoth 80,000-seat stadiums found in NCAA Division I football, Mutcherson is looking forward to suiting up. He isn’t worried about how many people are in the stands – Thresher Stadium seats 2,500– as long as he can compete.

“I have love for the game so it really doesn’t matter,” he said. “Many people don’t get the opportunity to go to the next level and play a little football.”

Mutcherson will be considered at linebacker and defensive end for his college team.

The trio will look to help out a Threshers football program that has struggled recently. The team has produced two winless seasons and a pair of two-win seasons over the past four years. But they ended last season with a victory, have a new coach at the helm and an incoming group of freshmen who hope to contribute immediately.

The Wiregrass Ranch players aren’t intimidated by the pressure to improve a struggling program, Mutcherson said, because they just did the same thing this past football season.

“We had a big turnaround for the school here,” he said.

The Bulls’ 4-6 record looks average on paper, except Wiregrass Ranch was coming off back-to-back 0-10 seasons. First-year coach Mike Lawrence gave the team a new attitude and work ethic, and that translated into success and respectability on the field.

“Coach Lawrence instilled more discipline. We just had a change in thinking, and we were working out harder,” said Davis, who endured one of the winless seasons before the turnaround. “It just changed our program.”

The players believe they can bring the same intensity to Bethel College.

They’ll also have to get used to a change in climate, as snow could be a part of their football forecasts. But Harris-Scott said it won’t be a concern for him.

“It’s going to be real cold. I’m from up north, so I’m OK with the snow,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the change” in weather.

Of course, there’s more to college life than football, and all three said they want to direct their studies toward business. Harris-Scott wants to focus on the home health field, Mutcherson is looking toward sports management, and Davis wants to consider entrepreneurial opportunities.

The three student-athletes are planning a group trip to Kansas in the near future and are looking forward to college life in the fall. And whatever happens on the field and on campus, they know they won’t have to face it alone.

“When we signed, we sat next to each other,” Mutcherson said. “After we signed we shook each other’s hands and said ‘See you in Bethel.’“

Published Feb. 19, 2014

Exotic birds spread their wings in Wesley Chapel

February 13, 2014 By Michael Murillo

People typically love exotic birds. They have beautiful, colorful feathers. They can talk. And they maintain an elegant look throughout their lives.

More than 350 feathered creatures live at the Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary in Wesley Chapel, residing in custom-built cages where they can find comfort and companionship, and spend their decades-long lives in safety. The organization is planning a move to a larger property in Hudson where they hope to eventually provide a home for 1,000 birds. (Photo by Michael Murillo)

But it’s their lives that also can cause problems for their owners: Those same birds can live for 60, 80 or even 100 years. When you take a Macaw in as a pet, there’s an excellent chance it will outlive you.

And that’s just one reason why an exotic bird can be displaced from its home. Life changes, such as marriage, divorce and the addition of children can, which can leave a bird in need of a new place to live. And if it goes to a new family, it might only be a matter of time before another situation occurs and the cycle starts all over again.

But Wesley Chapel resident Patricia Norton is doing everything she can to prevent that from happening. Her original plans to open her own veterinary clinic more than 13 years ago changed when she decided to do something very different to help animals.

“I found that the need for a sanctuary was greater than the need for another vet clinic,” she said.

So Norton did just that, turning the one-acre property where she lives into the Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary. It’s now the nation’s second-largest bird sanctuary in the United States, she said, and with 370 feathered residents currently, it’s actually the largest still accepting new birds.

With a small staff and some volunteers, Norton’s organization houses them, supplies them with 1,500 pounds of food (costing around $2,500 a month), and has a veterinarian visit the location every week to maintain their health. The birds are nursed back from injury or sickness if necessary, paired up when possible, and acclimated to their own species as well as an outdoor climate.

The end result is a safer environment, happier birds and a place for them to spend the rest of their lives, she said.

Norton, the organization’s president and executive director, is more comfortable with the title “Birdmother.” She’s also very hands-on when it comes to creating a safe environment for her lifelong guests.

The sanctuary builds its own cages, with the founder designing all of them herself.

“I lay awake at night designing,” Norton admits. “It’s something I enjoy. After about 13 years of building cages, I’ve pretty much come up with what I think is the perfect cage to meet all of their needs at a lower expense.”

Bird owners often help with the expense of building the cages their birds will use.

Those cage designs not only allow for more flight and interaction with fellow parrots (as well as isolation for those whose behavior indicates they’re not ready for full assimilation), they’re also designed to prevent adding to the overpopulation problem. Parrots that are accepted will never be adopted or sold into a private home, and the sanctuary doesn’t want them breeding, either.

Even though the birds can mate, they won’t lay eggs if the environment isn’t conducive to nesting, Norton said. The sanctuary designs cages so that won’t happen, meaning the birds can enjoy companionship without adding to its ranks.

Since there is no lack of parrots that need a good home, there are always more of them waiting for a spot than the sanctuary can accommodate. Rather than refuse new admissions, Norton wants the sanctuary to accept all requests, with room to grow. That means finding a bigger home for the sanctuary so they can provide a bigger home for more birds.

“We have probably another 200 on a waiting list, which is why we’re really needing to expand and put the funds together for the expansion project, not only to purchase the property, but to build new flight cages,” she said.

The sanctuary has selected a five-acre property in Hudson as its new home, and Norton’s goal is to have 1,000 birds under its care within the next five years.

While the changes are necessary, they’re also expensive: Norton estimates the new property will cost around $300,000, and must be raised even while the sanctuary goes through its estimated $6,000 in monthly operating costs. The sanctuary is more than a year into a capital campaign, called “Spreading Our Wings,” and is open for tours by appointment to raise awareness and attract interested donors to their cause.

They also keep their community presence high by participating frequently in Fresh Market at Wiregrass, the first and third Saturdays of each month at The Shops At Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

But regardless of their location, Norton is determined that the sanctuary will remain a safe haven where owners can bring their parrots with a sense of relief and a clear conscience.

“I’ve had people get in their cars and drive all the way from Michigan, Wisconsin and all the way across the country to bring parrots here,” she said. “And that’s only because they feel very secure that these birds are going to be safe here.”

For more information about the Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary, or to schedule a tour, visit FlaBirdSanctuary.com, or call (813) 545-5406.

Published Feb. 12, 2014

Deadline approaching fast for this year’s Spotlight on Talent

February 13, 2014 By Michael Murillo

Hundreds of participants will soon be evaluated by industry professionals for a chance to win cash and prizes. If it sounds like one of those famous televised talent searches, it’s not.

It’s actually been around a lot longer.

Shelby Martin of Pasco High School was the first winner of the Pasco Heritage Scholarship at least year’s Spotlight on Talent event. Martin now attends Florida State University. (Courtesy of Heritage Arts Center) — Shelby Martin of Pasco High School was the first winner of the Pasco Heritage Scholarship at least year’s Spotlight on Talent event. Martin now attends Florida State University.
(Courtesy of Heritage Arts Center)

Heritage Arts Center Association will host its 31st annual Spotlight on Talent on March 29 at Wesley Chapel High School. The auditions to see who will make the finals will take place March 1, with applications due no later than Feb. 13.

The contest is open to children of any age through high school seniors, and includes any kind of performance talent. Heritage Arts Center is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the performing and visual arts. And according to Barbara Friedman, the event’s producer and a Heritage board member, the organization wants to give children who have those talents the kind of notoriety and recognition normally reserved for student-athletes.

“There’s a lot of ways that the children talented in sports get recognition (with) lots of awards banquets and newspaper coverage,” she said. “I think the arts are equally important, even though different, and so I want these children who have spent so much time and effort to be rewarded.”

Getting children recognition is a complicated and expensive process for Heritage Arts, Friedman said. Every applicant is invited to perform in front of a panel of five judges, each a respected professional in a discipline of the arts. Those who score the highest will move on to the finals, which will be in two shows, divided based on age.

Those shows also will be judged by a similar panel, but with an audience in attendance as well. Winners at those events will receive $150 and a trophy for first place, with other top finishers receiving money as well.

In all, more than $4,000 in cash and prizes will go to the winners. Figuring in the costs of paying the judges and renting the venue, Heritage Arts will spend more than $14,000 on the event, Friedman said.

The organization recoups that money by attracting sponsors, selling tickets to the final shows, as well as a $40 application fee.

The prize money includes a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a graduating senior and Pasco County resident, which was added last year. The first winner, Pasco High School’s Shelby Martin, sang and danced at the 2013 event. She now attends Florida State University where she studies communications and sociology.

The contest is open to both individuals and groups — with an additional $5 fee per extra performer — and not restricted to residents of any particular area.

For more information and to apply by the Feb. 13 deadline, visit HeritageArts.org.

Published Feb. 12, 2014

Meditation, massage, yoga provide different Valentine’s Day event

February 13, 2014 By Michael Murillo

While many couples will spend the days leading up to Valentine’s Day scrambling for dinner reservations and buying the traditional (and expected) flowers and chocolates, a few will be doing things very differently.

Energia Wellness Studio offers a variety of yoga classes, but its couples yoga event Feb. 13 combines yoga, meditation and massage techniques just in time for Valentine’s Day. (Courtesy of Virna Lichter) — Energia Wellness Studio offers a variety of yoga classes, but its couples yoga event Feb. 13 combines yoga, meditation and massage techniques just in time for Valentine’s Day.
(Courtesy of Virna Lichter)

They’ll provide balance for each other, meditating, and learning how to give soothing hand massages.

Energia Wellness Studio in Wesley Chapel is having a couples yoga class Feb. 13. The class, which is limited to just 10 couples, will include a one-hour yoga session, followed by meditation and hand massage instruction.

Virna Lichter, who owns the studio and will run the meditation portion of the class, said that making yoga and meditation part of a couple’s schedule this week will provide a more interactive experience than the traditional Valentine’s Day routine.

“One of the things, of course, is connecting with each other,” she said. “It’s a time when people are going to be relaxed and they’re going to be having fun, and they’re going to be helping each other.”

In contrast to a crowded restaurant, the yoga and meditation session will only have up to nine other like-minded couples in a relaxed setting.

Lichter also explained that previous yoga experience is not necessary, and couples shouldn’t rule out participating because of poor flexibility. In fact, flexibility issues should be more incentive to consider trying yoga.

“A lot of people say ‘I can’t do yoga because I’m not flexible.’ Well, that’s one of the reasons you should do yoga, so that you can become flexible,” she said. “This is a good opportunity for them to see that anyone can do yoga.”

Yoga instructor Nancy Sayle, who will run the physical yoga portion, also believes that couples will not only get to experience something different together, they’ll also learn about each other by interacting in a yoga setting.

“You’ll see your partner’s strengths and weaknesses, and you’ll surprise each other,” she said. Couples will be in constant physical contact as they distribute weight in order to achieve balance, and work together to complete the pose correctly. Both partners also will have a chance to give and receive hand massages, learning techniques that they can take with them when they leave the studio.

There can be even more benefits if one person has yoga experience but the other is a novice, Lichter said. An opportunity to see a partner doing something in a comfortable setting allows them to view each other in a different light, no matter how long they’ve been together.

And Lichter knows from experience: Although she has been a yoga instructor herself for six years, her husband of 15 years saw her in a class for the first time just last week. The experience, she said, was enlightening and positive.

“He saw me in a very different light that he had never seen before,” Lichter said. “He was so thrilled. He said ‘Wow, you’re so good at this!’ It was a really interesting connection.”

The idea is to feel connected with a partner and comfortable with the idea that they tried something new together, Lichter said, but mostly to leave with a positive state of mind and a degree of happiness they might not have had before.

“You don’t have to have a reason to be joyful,” she said. “The meditation and the yoga, together, it teaches you how to breathe again and to be joyful.”

The class starts at 6 p.m. at the studio, located at 3836 Flatiron Loop, Suite 101 in Wesley Chapel. The cost is $35 per couple if reservations are made in advance, and $40 per couple if made on Feb. 13.

Couples should bring yoga mats and wear comfortable workout clothing when participating.

For more information, visit EnergiaWellnessStudio.com, or call (813) 973-7300.

Published Feb. 12, 2014

Wiregrass Ranch’s Melosky eclipses 1,000 points

February 13, 2014 By Michael Murillo

A high-scoring basketball player in her junior year might consider scoring 1,000 points a realistic goal before her senior year. But Wiregrass Ranch’s Amanda Melosky won’t even be thinking about that milestone next year.

Not many players reach 1,000 points in a high school career, and even fewer accomplish it their junior year like Wiregrass Ranch’s Amanda Melosky. (File Photo)

It’s not that Melosky isn’t a talented scorer. In fact, she’s so good that she didn’t need her senior year to reach 1,000 points. She eclipsed that mark on Jan. 23 in a win at home against Anclote.

When that 1,000th point was scored, the game was stopped and her teammates came out to cheer her for reaching the milestone. Melosky even received a game ball to commemorate the accomplishment.

And according to Bulls coach John Gant, she didn’t get those points with uncontested baskets or a lot of long-range shots. She collected them in hard-fought battles to the basket.

“She’s earning them in the trenches, in the paint, working hard and getting put-back, getting rebounds, working to get position,” he said. “She’s earning everything she’s getting. She’s one of the hardest-working individuals I’ve ever coached.”

That’s high praise from Gant, who completed his third year at Wiregrass Ranch, but has been coaching for more than three decades. He said that it’s one thing to find a player with talent, but the really good ones — like Melosky — have a lot of drive, a strong desire to succeed and consistently work hard to improve their skills and abilities.

Melosky is proud of achieving the 1,000-point mark, but is especially happy it occurred during a successful campaign for Wiregrass Ranch.

“I feel like it’s a big milestone. It was a good year to do it because we’re having a very successful season,” she said. “I’d rather the team have a good year than me reach a milestone any day. I like winning more than anything.”

While Melosky was scoring, the Bulls were certainly winning a lot of games. Although they fell in the playoffs to Strawberry Crest on Feb. 6, they finished with a 26-4 record, including a 13-game win streak in the middle of the season. She said that team success is important to her, so while she takes shots when she thinks she has an opportunity to score, she also won’t hesitate to pass to a teammate if they’re open.

Big numbers are a part of Melosky’s basketball game, but they’re also present in her records off the court as well: She’s maintained a 3.9 GPA. She attributes a successful balance of sports (Melosky also plays soccer) and school success to time management and making sure that neither side of her school career is neglected.

“When I’m not practicing, I’m normally doing my homework. I don’t normally have time to do much else, but that’s more important,” she said.

While she’s already eclipsed the 1,000-point mark, Melosky still has a couple of goals in her sights for next season. She has a realistic shot of reaching 1,500 points for her career, and she’s just 310 rebounds away from recording 1,000 there as well.

Gant recalled when college football great Herschel Walker was a junior at Georgia, his coach said the best thing about him was that he’d be coming back for another year. Walker ended up turning pro, and didn’t come back.

But this isn’t college, and Gant can be more confident in Melosky’s return to help the Bulls continue putting up points and winning games.

“Since it’s high school, I’m comfortable saying that the best thing about Amanda Melosky is she’s coming back,” he said.

Published Feb. 12, 2014

Local businesses reach out to help shooting victim’s family

February 6, 2014 By Michael Murillo

The management and employees at World of Beer and Moe’s Southwest Grill in Land O’Lakes hope that patrons spend a lot of money on Feb. 8. But it’s not an attempt to maximize profits.

Chad Oulson, right, was killed Jan. 13 during an altercation at Cobb Theatres Grove 16 & CineBistro, leaving behind his wife, Nicole, and daughter Alexis. A fundraiser is slated for Feb. 8 in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Oulson Family)

Instead, it’s a benefit event designed to help a local family after a horrific loss.

Chad Oulson was shot and killed Jan. 13 in a dispute at the Cobb Theatres Grove 16 & CineBistro movie theater in Wesley Chapel. The story made national news and a suspect is in custody. But now his widow, Nicole, and their young daughter, Alexis, must continue without him.

World of Beer and Moe’s, located on Collier Parkway, decided that hosting an event to raise money would be a good way to help.

“We want to be tied in with our community, and what better way than to help out in this tragic situation,” said Amanda Edwards, general manager at World of Beer Land O’Lakes. While the tavern has no direct ties to the Oulson family, they were enthusiastic to host the event when contacted by Edwards’ booking agent.

They hope to raise at least $5,000 for the family, Edwards said.

To reach that goal, World of Beer is donating $1 from every draft beer sold from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. that evening. They also will have an auction for a gift basket containing World of Beer and other brewery items.

In addition, there will be a raffle in which half the money will go to the winner and the other half to the Oulson family.

Moe’s Southwest Grill also is contributing to the event by pledging 25 percent of its sales for the entire day.

“I grew up in Lutz (and) Land O’Lakes my whole life. It’s such a small, tight-knit community. It’s all about family out here,” said Ryan Campbell, general manager of Moe’s. “We’ve always stuck together, so why not stick together in a time of hurt?” Campbell is the son of Guy Campbell, who owns both businesses involved in the event.

The benefit falls on a busy night for Moe’s, which should lead to a larger donation for the family, Campbell said. But his young employees also have helped get the word out to make sure the evening is as busy as possible.

“They’ve all been passing out flyers at school, trying to get people on board and trying to get people in so we can raise as much money as possible,” Campbell said.

While helping out is important to Edwards, as a member of the community it also hits close to home in other ways. Oulson left behind a daughter just shy of her second birthday. Edwards, a mother of two girls herself, delivered a son just last week. She said that the family’s loss made an impression on her, and it became important to help from a personal standpoint.

“Being a mother, I couldn’t imagine being left without a husband, and I know the monetary burden of a death in the family,” she said.

The event begins at 7 p.m., and patrons must be at least 21 to attend. Live music will be performed by Keko & Mo’ Gravy.

World of Beer is located at 2081 Collier Parkway, and Moe’s Southwest Grill is located at 2087 Collier Parkway.

For more information, call (813) 948-9400.

If you go
WHAT: Fundraiser for Oulson family
WHEN: Feb. 8, beginning at 7 p.m.
WHERE: World of Beer, 2081 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes; Moe’s Southwest Grill, 2087 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
INFO: (813) 948-9400

Update: This story was clarified on 2/19/14 to identify the booking agent as belonging to Amanda Edwards.

Published Feb. 5, 2014

Liberty runs away with coveted spots in county championships

February 6, 2014 By Michael Murillo

Liberty Middle School’s track team began the season with a coach who wasn’t just new to the school, she was new to coaching. And she wasn’t going to hide her enthusiasm when it came to supporting her team.

Under first-year coach Toni Kuzmicki, far right, Liberty Middle School’s track team sent 17 athletes to the county championship. (Courtesy of Liberty Middle School)

“If you had seen me at the track meet, I was the one in the middle of the field screaming her head off,” Toni Kuzmicki said.

Kuzmicki’s enthusiasm paid off for the school, which excelled at their cluster track meet, where athletes from different schools compete in eight events: shot put, long jump, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter open, 800-meter run, 4-x-100 meter relay and 4-x-200 meter relay. Only the top two in each category move on to the county championships, where the top finishers in cluster track meets from across the county compete for spots in the finals.

Liberty not only sent 17 athletes to the county championships, but was represented in the finals in the long jump, 100-meter dash, 800-meter run and the 4-x-100 meter relay.

While Kuzmicki was learning the ropes when it came to coaching, she already had plenty of experience with track events. She was a district champion four years in a row at her high school in Miami, participating in the one-mile and two-mile competitions. She also ran track in college at Nova Southeastern University, and was able to use that background to educate and motivate her team to excel.

The athletes responded to Kuzmicki’s coaching style.

“She worked with the sprinters and she was able to really give them good advice,” runner Alejandro Michel said of his coach. “We were able to take a lot more kids to county than last year.”

He went on to reach the finals and placed seventh in the 800-meter run. Michel also ran track in the sixth and seventh grades, but said that the athletes now have an especially good attitude and relationship with the coaching staff.

Charisma Henry, an eighth-grader who was part of the group that went to the finals, agrees that Kuzmicki and her coaches made a big difference.

“The way they coached, it was cool because we raced against each other and they timed us,” she said. “And we kept on doing that, trying to get better times. And we also conditioned before and after practice.”

Henry believes that the practices set the tone for the team to take things more seriously, and produced better times as a result. In Henry’s case, this year’s trip to the finals was her first.

She also said that even though they raced against each other in practice, the team had strong camaraderie during the races. When she was running, she could hear people cheering and rooting for them.

“You could hear Liberty from miles away. It was really great,” she said.

Kuzmicki is proud of her team’s accomplishments and praised her coaching staff — Jessica Macrae, Stephanie Padilla and Katie Smith — noting that they were all first-time coaches. But she’s also started thinking about how to build on this year’s success.

A number of her top performers were sixth-graders, meaning they still have a couple of years to grow and succeed on the team. Kuzmicki told them to build on the success they achieved.

She’s also looking forward to growing as a coach, and improving the regimen she planned for her athletes. Conditioning is already one area designated to become a priority next year.

“We kind of just took their natural ability and ran with that, but next year we’ll know to get that muscle memory formed at the beginning, and then push them as we go,” Kuzmicki said.

Published Feb. 5, 2014

Rangers join youth soccer elite, take national showcase

January 30, 2014 By Michael Murillo

December’s Disney Soccer Showcase attracted teams from all over the country, including Ohio, New York, Texas, Tennessee and Michigan. But the winner of the Boys Under-16 division traveled less than 90 miles to get to the tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee.

The FC Tampa Rangers, based in Lutz, won the Under-16 boys division at the Disney Soccer Showcase in December. The victory gave them national notoriety in youth soccer circles. (Courtesy of Mike Connell)

The FC Tampa Rangers, based in Lutz, won the U-16 tournament Dec. 27-30. They got past three other teams in their bracket, winning against all three while allowing just one goal in the process, and reached the finals to face the winner of the other bracket.

That opponent, Dix Hills from New York, is ranked No. 2 in the country and hadn’t allowed a single goal in their bracket play.

The end result? A 4-1 victory for the Rangers and more notoriety for an organization that’s becoming known for strong play and a competitive spirit on the national stage.

“I’m incredibly proud of the boys and the way they represented themselves and the club,” said Mike Connell, director of coaching for the Rangers organization. “It was a huge step for the club because the performance put the FC Tampa Rangers on the national soccer map.”

While he doesn’t think the team was taken lightly, Connell believes the Rangers played at a level their opponents probably didn’t expect, either. In just a few years, the players have become well educated in the game and have a good feel for their roles on the pitch; and Connell said that college scouts at the tournament took note of the team’s impressive play.

While the Rangers strive to be one of the best youth soccer clubs in the country, they have a global perspective regarding the game they play. Connell wants them thinking about winning soccer as its played in other continents like Europe, Africa and South America. The team takes a European-style approach to the game, which involves controlled passing and a patient tempo, as opposed to just kicking the ball and using speed to chase it down.

The style they emulate is being used by successful professional clubs such as Barcelona FC in Spain’s La Liga, AFC Ajax from the Netherlands and Arsenal from the English Premier League, Connell said.

And Connell knows a thing or two about winning soccer himself. As a member of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in their heyday, he was part of the team’s North American Soccer League championship in 1975. The two-time NASL all-star defender played for the Rowdies until 1984, and is now a big part of local youth soccer. His ability to teach beyond the fundamentals of the game, and provide insight to playing at a championship level, has had a positive effect on the team’s players.

“He’s probably the best coach I’ve ever had,” said Steve Rudderham, the Rangers’ center midfielder, who has been playing the game for more than a decade. Connell is popular with the players, but won’t hesitate to be tough on them if they’re not listening or showing proper respect for the game, he added.

The result has been a very successful youth club, and also a different experience than Rudderham has found on other teams. He lives in Pinellas County and plays for his school’s team, and says the Rangers play better soccer than he’s found at the high school level.

“You don’t get much training in high school. It’s just a thrown-together team, whereas in club you have good coaches and good players, and they all want to be there,” Rudderham said. “They all take it seriously.”

While a high school soccer team works with the players who attend the school and are interested in playing, a youth soccer club draws from an entire area, meaning more competition and better talent. Rudderham estimates between 50 and 60 athletes tried out for the Rangers, with only perhaps half of that number trying out for his high school soccer team.

The Rangers have parlayed that talent and coaching into a winning team with a new trophy on its mantle, but its season isn’t over yet. After more league play, the State Cup will begin this spring, which is considered the main tournament.

It’s also a chance for the Rangers to take another step forward: Last year (as Under-15 players) the Rangers reached the final four at the state competition. Now, with an extra year of experience and a confidence boost from successful play against opponents from around the country, Rudderham thinks the team can go even further and compete for a championship.

To do that, they’ll have to get past rival Sunrise, who won last year’s State Cup for U-15 boys. Like the old Tampa Bay Rowdies-Ft. Lauderdale Strikers battles from decades past, Connell believes that a healthy rivalry against a quality opponent makes a team better, and helps players focus on playing with a purpose.

“You can play soccer just for the sake of playing soccer, or you can play soccer with an ambition,” Connell said. “We try to strive that there’s always an ambition ahead of you.”

Published Jan. 29, 2014

A vet’s best friend: Richardson wins Dalmatian Award

January 22, 2014 By Michael Murillo

Santa Claus has elves to help him, and firefighters have Dalmatians in the firehouse as team players. So who does Central Pasco Veterinary Care have?

Zachary Novak poses with Santa, portrayed here by Vern Richardson, as part of the ‘Pet Photos with Santa Day’ project. The project helps raise money each year to provide specialized oxygen masks for animals in fires and accidents. (Courtesy of Matt McEachern)

They have Vern Richardson.

“I love animals. I’m a dog lover. I’ve had them for years,” he said.

But Richardson’s pug, Thor, isn’t the only animal that benefits from his fondness for pets. And now he’s being recognized for it.

Richardson, who actually plays Santa Claus at Central Pasco Veterinary Care’s fundraisers, won the 2013 Pasco Hernando Veterinary Medical Association Dalmatian Award, given to local residents who go above and beyond with their efforts to help veterinarians in their area. Award winners are recognized as special contributors, volunteering their time for charitable causes and community service projects.

In Richardson’s case, he poses with his red suit (just a costume) and white beard (it’s real) with four-legged friends in the “Pet Photos with Santa Day” project. The annual event, organized by Dr. Jo Ann Daniels and her staff, raises money to purchase pet oxygen masks for local fire trucks when they provide aid to furry victims as well as humans.

Daniels, the medical association’s vice president, nominated Richardson for the award and was happy that her regular helper for the past four years has finally been recognized for his work.

“We’re very fortunate to have such a wonderful person who volunteers his time, and who has the same philosophy as ours — trying to give back to the community, supporting veterinarians and supporting veterinary medicine,” Daniels said.

This past year, the photos enabled Daniels to provide five sets of masks for fire trucks. Each set of oxygen masks has three different sizes, allowing fire rescue personnel to help a variety of pets when the need arises. Daniels also provides training on how to use them.

And the masks are used. Just a few months ago, first responders were able to resuscitate a cat thanks to the special equipment.

“These pet oxygen masks have already saved lives in the community, and (Richardson) has been a big part of that,” she said.

Helping save the lives of beloved pets might be a new experience for Richardson, but posing for photos as Santa Claus is a familiar one. He used to work in malls in South Florida before settling in Land O’ Lakes. Having pets on his lap is different than posing with humans, and he prefers his current job to his old one.

“I think dogs are easier to handle than children,” he said with a jolly laugh.

While Thor lives a comfortable, carefree life in Richardson’s care, he knows many animals don’t enjoy those luxuries. That’s why he often donates a 50-poung bag of dog food when he goes shopping to stock up on his own supplies.

Like many animal lovers, Richardson said it bothers him to hear about pets that aren’t being cared for properly, and it motivates him to help make sure they have an opportunity to live healthier, happier lives.

“Every time I see some story about an abused animal, I just cringe,” he said. “It just amazes me that people can do that. Whatever we can do to help out these animals, especially if they’re homeless or abandoned or sick, I’m good with that.”

While Richardson was both appreciative and surprised when he found out he was the Dalmatian Award recipient, Daniels said he’s been a rare and valuable find for a veterinarian.

“He’s just really special,” she said. “He’s just been really generous over the years in his volunteerism and his generosity toward helping animals.”

Sunlake perfect in district, poised for playoffs

January 22, 2014 By Michael Murillo

When the Sunlake High School boys soccer team defeated the Pasco Pirates 3-2 on Jan. 9, they probably weren’t surprised they won the game. The victory meant the team completed district play for the season with a perfect 16-0 record.

A perfect 16-0 record, and 23-1-1 overall, has the Sunlake Seahawks in position to go all the way to the top in boys soccer. And after a disappointing loss in the state semis last year, they’re ready to do just that. (Photo courtesy of Sam Koleduk)

If anything, they might have wondered how they gave up two goals. Adding those two, the team gave up just four goals in 16 district games for Class 3A-District 8.

On the other side of the ledger, the Seahawks scored 101 goals in those same contests. They registered 13 shutouts, including six by the score of 8-0.

While they’ve dominated their district, they’re almost as good in overall play. They’ve collected a 23-1-1 record with 138 goals scored. But amazingly, that record is actually a slight drop-off from last year, when they won 30 straight games before losing in the Class 3A state semifinals to Ponte Vedra 2-1.

By the numbers, it might look like the Seahawks are an offense-first team. But according to Coach Sam Koleduk, that’s not really the case.

“We’re more of a complete team, I think,” he said. “Right now we’re the leading scoring team in the country, and we’ve also given up the least amount of goals, also.”

There are a few factors that go into building the kind of success they’re having at Sunlake, Koleduk said. The team has a lot of players who also participate in local clubs, so they’re not just thinking about soccer for their school schedule. That extra work allows them to stay on top of their game so they’re ready to play at practice and during games.

Their junior varsity program also is strong — the team was undefeated this past season. Koleduk said it allows him to replace skilled players who graduate with talented, experienced athletes who are ready to play at the varsity level.

Finally, having a good team allows them to adjust their style of play to put more pressure on their opponent. Instead of a more traditional 4-4-2 formation — with four players in the back, four in the middle and two attacking up front — Sunlake often plays a 3-4-3 formation, putting an extra attacker up front and forcing an opponent into a more defensive posture from the start.

But that type of attack also means fewer players on defense if the opponent breaks through, so the goalkeeper has to be ready to make the necessary saves. Fortunately for the Seahawks, sophomore Danny Hrenko has been up to the task. Picking up where he left off as a freshman, Hrenko is frustrating opponents on the rare occasions they create a scoring opportunity.

He said that while he’s the man in front of the net, his teammates are the ones who deserve credit for shutting down opponents.

“The key is really my defense, to be honest,” Hrenko said. “It’s all about organizing them.”

Even when there are fewer players in the back, the team’s style doesn’t put him in difficult situations, and the defenders are able to neutralize the opponent most of the time.

But when the team has had relatively close games, Hrenko has usually helped them come out of them with a win. He said he enjoys making tough saves and proving the team is as tough defensively as it is prolific on offense.

“I like when I have a good shot against me and I make a good save. It makes me feel like I’ve done my part on this team,” he said.

With many players doing their part — sophomore Remi Pimm leads the nation in scoring — getting a step farther than last year seems like a reasonable goal. And while Koleduk — who has been with the team since the school opened back in 2007 — acknowledges his Seahawks are a talented team with a lot of promise, he said there are more variables that go into a trip to the state finals and a potential championship.

And not all of them are in the team’s control.

“We’ve got to stay focused, and it sounds funny, but a little bit of luck,” he said. “To make it all the way through without losing, you have to have a little luck on your side also, I think.

“Basically, you have to stay focused and healthy.”