Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Hallie Grimes admitted she felt so nervous that she was shaking as she prepared to start the 400 meters final during the Class 3A track and field meet May 3.

The Land O’ Lakes junior had won state medals as a freshman and sophomore and didn’t want that trend to stop.

“I was extremely nervous because freshman year I got fifth, and then last year I got sixth, so I definitely wanted to get a better place than that,” Grimes said.

She overcame her anxiety to finish in 57.59 seconds to place third despite constant rain and gusty winds at the University of North Florida.

“I was actually thinking third was going to be possible today,” Grimes said. “With the weather, that usually doesn’t affect me so, if it brought down anyone else with their times, I thought I could do it. I just knew I could do it if I ran as fast as I can.”

Gators coach Rock Ridgeway said Grimes took third despite suffering a leg cramp during the prelims. He added that her ability to overcome the weather, cramping and the pressure speaks volumes about her.

“She’s just a solid girl, and the best one I’ve ever had,” Ridgeway said. “Nicole Woodard did more events, but she’s the best one in one event. She’s just super, and I’m glad to have her back next year when she’s a senior and wins the state championship.”

Grimes said the performance gives her confidence moving forward.

“I’m extremely motivated to get better, and I want to get my whole team motivated so we can get more of us to state next year,” Grimes said. “Hoping to have the 4×400 come next year, so I want to get them pumped up.”

Land O’ Lakes junior Tyler Stahl captured a medal in his first state appearance by placing seventh in the 1,600 (4:27.05).

“I’m really happy,” Stahl said. “I knew getting top eight would be tough, but I did and I’ve still got next year to do even better.”

Stahl was near the back of the pack halfway through the race, but made a push forward midway through the third of four laps.

“The competition was so great, and I think that’s what really pushed me,” Stahl said. “At first I thought that maybe I should hang back, but I felt like I had something left to get in the top eight.”

Gators’ pole vaulter Colin Defant was unable to compete in the event after earning his first state berth the week before at regionals. Land O’ Lakes coach Bill Schmitz said the senior was taking his International Baccalaureate (IB) English exam that morning, which is a test that cannot be made up.

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Samson Moore has heard all the grumbling, snickering and second-guessing this season.

The Gaither sophomore took second at the Class 3A track and field meet last year in the 110-meter hurdles. He set the program record in the event as a freshman, and the anticipation was he would return, capture a state title and be on his way to multiple trips to the top of the podium.

Moore and his coaches had a different plan.

He focused on sprint events this season to build his speed for future years. Moore didn’t know what to expect in terms of placing and advancement in the postseason.

What he got was a sixth-place medal in the 200 during the 3A final May 3 at the University of North Florida by finishing in 21.95 seconds.

“I wasn’t expecting to make the finals at states, or even make states, so it just shows that hard work pays off,” Moore said. “It’s a huge boost to be able to get this far even though I’ve only done it for one season. … I feel so much faster now, and having that speed is going to be a big help.”

Moore also set the program record in the 200 the week before by finishing as the regional runner-up in 21.75.

Moore wasn’t disappointed about his time at states because heavy rains and constant winds made putting up low numbers difficult. He was, in fact, pleased with how he navigated the conditions.

“On (May 1) it was pouring, and coach told us to practice anyway because what if it rains at states?” Moore said. “Well, it rained at states. I think that practice helped me get out of the blocks and not worry about the rain.”

Moore is ready to get back to the hurdles, along with the 400, for his final high school seasons, but said he really enjoyed the energy that comes with running the 200 and 100.

“The thing is I really like doing the sprints, especially the training,” Moore said. “I do not like the training for the 400 because you have to really have that strategy and be thinking while you’re running. With the 200 and 100 it’s just go as fast as you can the entire way. Everybody is like five yards apart. It’s intense.”

Gaither junior Rachel Cazares took fifth in the girls 800 by finishing in 2:19.50 to earn her first state medal.

Cazares was 10th at states during her freshman season, but missed advancing out of regionals by one place last year.

She said getting a medal around her neck is much better than watching from the stands like she was forced to in 2012

“I’m so happy,” Cazares said. “I was going for top five, and that’s what I did.”

Cazares was pleased with her placing, but not with the fact that state champion Kristin Zarrella from Lakewood Ranch won in 2:16.45.

“I know I can do that, so that’s just more motivation for next year,” said Cazares, who owns the program record of 2:17.20. “This is incredible motivation. Next year I want to win, and I’m serious about that. I’m not just saying I want to win states because that’s what everybody wants. I’m going for it.”

Gaither senior Kiana Bryant closed out her high school career by claiming her first state medal with an eighth-place performance in the 100 (12.40).

Steinbrenner senior Matt Magee captured fifth place during the 1,600 (4:26.70) in his first individual event at states. He led from near the start until the final 200.

“I just wanted to stick with the top leaders,” Magee said. “I tried to do that, but I kind of died out a little bit and four guys passed me. Fifth is fine though.”

Magee, who has accepted a preferred walk-on spot to run at Florida State University, is part of the Warriors 4×800 relay that was seeded sixth and returned all its members from last year when they finished fourth.

The Steinbrenner 4×800 did not finish the race, and Magee said that was motivation entering the 1,600.

“I’m so happy to be walking away with a medal,” Magee said. “I thought the 4×800 team this morning would have been the best chance to do that, but it didn’t happen, so I just wanted to get a medal in my last high school meet.”

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Rain poured down and wind swirled during the Class 3A state track and field meet May 3 at the University of North Florida.

Few competitors were able to put up their best performances because of the conditions, especially pole vaulters because of their grip, speed and steps being affected by the weather.

Wiregrass Ranch sophomore Casey Chitty didn’t let the weather slow her down. In fact, she matched her personal record (PR) of 9-feet, 6-inches to take sixth in her first state appearance.

“I actually do pretty well in bad conditions like this,” Chitty said. “I got my PR in a meet when it was raining and the wind was blowing just like this. I figure everyone has to jump in the same conditions, so it doesn’t really bother me.”

What was a bigger obstacle were her nerves.

“I didn’t think I’d get a medal, not at all,” Chitty said. “I was seeded almost last, and I really thought I’d get ninth or worse, so I’m so happy with what I did. … In warm-ups I was feeling a little bit nervous, but I tried to treat it like it was any other meet.”

Bob Leidel, Chitty’s coach with Florida Pole Vault Academy, said she has “really progressed very well” since joining the club two years ago.

“The only issue is when she goes to vault she’s not standing up as tall as she needs to, so when the pole snaps her up it’s sending her into the bar instead of right over it,” Leidel said. “That’s something that we will be able to fix with more practice.”

Chitty said the performance gives her confidence for the next two years.

“To get sixth at states as a sophomore, never thought that would be possible,” Chitty said.

Wiregrass Ranch senior Elijah Boston placed eighth in the boys discus throw (149-06), becoming the first in program history to earn a state medal in the event.

“Honestly, I’m just happy to have made the finals,” Boston said. “With this weather, and so many good throwers, I didn’t think I’d make it this far.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Wharton baseball coach Scott Hoffman smiled, shrugged his shoulders and tried his best to describe his team’s improbable postseason run coming to a halt at East Lake in the Class 8A regional quarterfinals May 2.

“They battled their butts off, man,” he said. “If you had said we’d be here two weeks ago, you’d be crazy.”

Wildcats (12-15) starting pitcher Tristan DeLuna tossed eight shutout innings, but the Eagles (24-3) found a way to walk-off with a 1-0 win in the 10th.

East Lake’s Tyler Neuhaus walked to open the 10th against Wharton reliever Collin Britch, followed by Cameron Churchill’s single. Both advanced on a double steal to set up Troy Strominger.

With a full count, Strominger hammered a hanging curveball for the game-winning RBI.

“Tonight, they were the better team and the better ballclub in the end,” Hoffman said. “We had some opportunities, and we left like nine or 10 runners in scoring position, and when you strike out as many times as we did you’re not going to win very many games.”

The Wildcats’ first scoring chance came when they loaded the bases with one out in the second inning.

Ryan Lawson singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Mike Gonzalez. Brian Morand reached on an error, followed by East Lake pitcher Ryan Wall walking Milton Figueroa. The Eagles ended the threat when Lawson was tagged at the plate trying to score from third on a fielder’s choice, and Alex Kranick popped out.

Wharton worked out of jam in the third.

DeLuna walked Churchill with one out and allowed Sawyer Wirth to reach on an infield single, but the Eagles ran their way out of the inning as both Churchill and Wirth were nabbed trying to steal third base.

“Definitely got to give tons of props to my defense there,” said DeLuna, who gave up five hits, walked four and struck out 10. “I just wanted to come out here and give it all that I could and just leave everything out on the field.”

The Wildcats loaded the bases again in the fifth when Figueroa singled, Tyler Hathcoat reached on a bunt and Tucker Neuhaus walked, but Wall and reliever Brad Depperman, who came in with two outs, combined to strike out the side.

“We’ve seen a lot of good pitching in our district and (East Lake) was pretty darn good,” Hoffman said. “They kept us off balance.”

Wharton got runners to second in the seventh and eighth, but Depperman continued on his roll by striking out eight of 12 batters and didn’t allow a hit until the 10th, an infield blooper by Kranick, to pick up the win.

Hoffman was still pleased with his team’s late surge to make the playoffs after going winless in district play during the regular season.

“You’re happy to see guys succeed after toughing out a bad year districtwise,” Hoffman said. “But we won some games and it was a good season all-in-all.”

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Saint Leo University (SLU) third-year softball coach John Conway wasn’t sure what 2013 would hold his squad.

The Lions were coming off a 22-32 season, including 7-17 in Sunshine State Conference (SSC) play to finish seventh. SLU also lost six seniors to graduation, all of whom played in more than half of the squad’s games.

“It takes time to bring in the players who play your style,” Conway said. “A lot of building from the bottom up had to be done. … I thought it would take a little more time to really turn things around to be honest, but the players have stepped up and responded.”

The response — a 40-14 record, a No. 22 national ranking and the first SSC championship in the program’s 32-year history.

Senior pitcher Megan Still (12-4, 1.91 ERA, 93 strikeouts) said the turnaround wasn’t something any of them anticipated.

“We were ranked seventh in the preseason in the conference,” Still said. “It’s now sinking in, and we know there is still more potential with this team. … We’re going to try and take this a little farther.”

Senior third baseman Rachelle Gremo (.294, 25 RBI) said a preseason game against the University of South Florida, which advanced to the College World Series last season, showed them they can compete with anyone.

“We didn’t win, but we were getting hits off USF and playing with them,” Gremo said. “Then we were putting in a lot of hard work in the weight room, and everyone was pushing themselves. Everyone was really locked in.”

Sophomore left fielder McKenzie Burns (.342, .422 on-base percentage, 50 runs) said the season is “a complete 360” from 2012.

“This time last year we were already all home enjoying out summer,” Burns said. “We don’t want to go home, and it’s a completely different mindset and attitude.”

Much of the success has come from the Lions putting pressure on the opposing defense by stealing 142 bases, besting the program’s previous season record of 131 swiped in 1987.

“In 11 years of coaching college ball my teams have probably stolen over 100 bases every year,” Conway said. “This is the most, but I like to put pressure on the defense. Make them think about what they’re doing more with people on base. … Speed never goes in a slump.”

Leading the theft charge has been Burns, who has set a program record by stealing 54 bases this season.

Burns’ 74 career steals are the second most all-time in program history, just 13 off the record held by Denyve Duncan who played from 2002 to 2005.

“I haven’t really stopped and thought that I have that record,” Burns said. “Probably after the season it’ll hit me, and then next year I’ll want to break it again.”

SLU’s leadoff hitter said she is fully recovered from a torn ACL in her right knee suffered as a senior in high school.

“All through high school my coaches had me steal bases, but I had to work back from the ACL,” Burns said. “I think it’s made me faster for this year because of the extra work I had to put in to get back on the field.”

Conway said the pitching staff has also been a strength. Still said they’ve been successful because of the different styles they have.

“All four of us complement each other very well,” Still said. “I have the lowest speed on the staff with my pitches and try to throw a lot of movement. Alana (Tabel) throws a great dropball, and the other two have speed and movement. Sarah (Steiner) is a lefty, so that changes things for the hitters.”

Tabel has amassed a 15-5 record with 89 strikeouts and a 1.63 ERA as a freshman. Her last win was a 4-2 decision over Florida Southern April 26, which clinched the conference title.

“It was nerve racking, but I love being in those situations,” Tabel said. “I like being pressured because that’s what you feel in important games.”

Conway said winning the SSC has made the Lions battle tested for the upcoming Division II NCAA Tournament.

“This conference, it’s like the SEC of Division II softball,” Conway said. “To be able to win a conference with teams like Tampa, Rollins, Florida Southern, Barry, that’s pretty special because it really means something in the Sunshine State Conference.”

The Lions will play SSC rival University of Tampa in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Valdosta State University May 10 at 4:30 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

One of Freedom’s more versatile student-athletes has committed to play in college.

Ashle Thompson has accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne.

“I’m very happy,” Thompson said. “I had the option to go to the University of Florida as a student, but I could not see not playing basketball. That’s why I chose Florida Tech.”

The 5-foot-8 Thompson played every position for the Patriots last season, helping them to a 25-4 record, a district championship and the first final four appearance in the program’s 11-year history. She said she will likely play a small forward/shooting guard position in college.

Thompson picked up basketball during her freshman year. She started playing so late because she didn’t make the squad while at Liberty Middle in New Tampa.

“I was really bad my freshman year, and I really wasn’t that good my sophomore year either,” Thompson said. “The sport didn’t come extremely naturally to me, but I really liked the sport and the challenge.”

Thompson averaged 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds as a senior.

She said the decision to attend Florida Tech had as much to do with her anticipated major.

“It has all the engineering fields,” Thompson said. “I don’t know which one I wanted to go in, so wherever I went had to have every engineering field. … I had a couple other schools looking at me, but they didn’t have engineering so I didn’t even look at them.”

Thompson also played volleyball for Freedom, helping the squad to playoff berths the last three years. She put up 49 kills and 37 blocks as a rightside hitter last season.

The versatile Patriot also played linebacker and slot receiver for Freedom’s flag football team. She had a team-high 586 receiving yards with six touchdowns while leading her squad with 36 flag pulls.

Florida Tech is a Division II program in the Sunshine State Conference.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

Turntine-Ivy, Pacholke commit

Two starters from the first Freedom girls basketball team to make the final four have decided on where to play in college.

Guards Whitney Turntine-Ivy and Neena Pacholke will play at Johnson and Wales University in North Miami and the University of South Florida (USF), respectively, according to Patriots coach Laurie Pacholke.

Turntine-Ivy accepted a scholarship, while Neena turned down several offers to take a preferred walk-on spot at USF. Laurie said Neena, her daughter, has been attending Bulls games since age 6, which played into her decision.

Turntine-Ivy transferred from Plant for her senior year. She averaged 6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals last season.

Neena was a four-year member of the Patriots. She posted 3.0 points and 2.1 assists as a senior.

Johnson and Wales is an NAIA program in the Sun Conference.

USF is a Division I program in the Big East Conference.

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Jamari Cord was planning to leave the Gaither football program two years ago.

The outside linebacker had just gone through 1-9 and 3-7 seasons with the Cowboys as a freshman and sophomore, respectively, and was looking for a fresh start.

That’s what Jason Stokes offered when he took over as Gaither’s coach.

“He came and had a meeting with the parents and players before my junior year, and I sat down and listened and really bought into what he had to say,” Cord said. “I’m glad I did, because if I’d left I probably wouldn’t be signing today.”

Cord signed April 30 to play at Hampton University in Virginia. He was joined by teammate Justyn Jacoby, a lineman who inked with University of Charleston in West Virginia.

The duo helped Gaither win 17 games the last two years, which included two playoff berths, a regional finals appearance and a district championship as seniors.

“It taught me no matter what the score you got to keep pushing. At the end of the day you’re going to get the fruits of your labor,” said Cord, who plans to major in both business administration and computer science.

Cord and Jacoby both played multiple positions for the Cowboys.

Cord posted 100 tackles, five sacks and four fumble recoveries while at linebacker as a senior, but also played most of Gaither’s offensive snaps as a full back.

Jacoby saw time on the offensive and defensive lines, but focused on center in his final high school season.

“Center was where I felt best,” said Jacoby, who will major in athletic training. “That’s what I’m going to play in college, but I’ll do whatever they ask.”

Cord and Jacoby said that willingness to play any position was created by their desire to help the team win.

“Both of them, when I first got here, they told me they’d do whatever it takes,” Stokes said. “They knew they had to be more disciplined and work harder, and they were hungry. They were really receptive to everything the coaches asked them to do and every position they were asked to play.”

Hampton is a Division I program in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Pirates were 3-7 last season.

Charleston is a Division II program in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Golden Eagles were 9-2 last season.

 

Mollett rises above injury

Josh Mollett was projected as the Gaither baseball team’s No. 1 pitcher entering his senior season, but disaster struck before he could take the mound this year.

The righty partially tore his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow. The injury did not need Tommy John surgery to correct, but it cost Mollett his entire season.

“I was getting ready to start the first game this year, and I injured it,” Mollett said. “I was in a brace for two months, and after that I started throwing just 45 feet to get back in shape.”

Mollett showed enough in his rehab and during his junior season, when he went 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA and 26 strikeouts in as many innings, to interest Saint Leo University (SLU). He signed with the Lions April 30.

“I’d be even more devastated if this was the way my career ended,” Mollett said. “I hate that I missed my senior year, but at least I get to keep playing.”

Cowboys coach Frank Permuy said they could have used the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Mollett on the mound this season.

“He’s the kind of pitcher who makes a difference on any team,” Permuy said.

Mollett, who will study business, said his four years at Gaither are the reason he gets to play in college.

“I have nothing but thanks for this program,” Mollett said. “If it wasn’t for Gaither baseball I wouldn’t be signing today. I’m very thankful I was a Cowboy.”

SLU is a Division II program in the Sunshine State Conference. The Lions are 32-14-1 this season.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Don Howard said the 2013 season is his last as the Wiregrass Ranch girls track and field coach.

Howard has led the Bulls for four seasons, which included four Sunshine Athletic Conference and district championships.

“I still want to help out the program,” Howard said. “When the new coach comes in, I’m going to ask if I can come out a couple days a week to help with the workouts, so hopefully I’ll still be around.”

Howard will remain as Wiregrass Ranch’s girls cross country coach, a program he has led since the school opened seven years ago.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker