The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pet Point Animal Hospital: Where pet love and human compassion meet

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Pet Point Animal Hospital is the newest veterinarian clinic in central Pasco, opening its doors in late March in a retail center at SR 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard, directly across from Ferman Auto.

Pet Point’s staff: Receptionist Mary Straub, veterinarian/owner Dr. Moses Kawalya and vet tech Jennifer Leali.
Pet Point’s staff: Receptionist Mary Straub, veterinarian/owner Dr. Moses Kawalya and vet tech Jennifer Leali.

The hospital’s staff is experienced and compassionate, so much that it has adopted as its slogan, “Where pet love and human compassion meet.”

“We are very focused on providing top quality pet care and strive to become partners in the lifelong care of family pets,” said Dr. Moses Kawalya, the veterinarian owner of Pet Point.

In addition to providing care at his new clinic, Dr. Kawalya also makes house calls — a service rarely offered by vets who specialize in small animals like cats and dogs.

“Many older people do not have the means or the transportation to get their pet to the vet,” said Dr. Kawalya. “We will pick up and drop off pets, and if necessary, will go to the pet’s home to provide medical care.”

Dr. Kawalya has been a small animal veterinarian for over 10 years. He spent eight years at Banfield Pet Hospital, the veterinarian clinic inside Pet Smart retail stores, most recently at the Citrus Park Banfield.

Working alongside Dr. Kawalya at his new clinic are Jenifer Leali a veterinarian technician with 13 years experience, and Mary Straub, the receptionist with 20 years experience.

Along with its experienced medical team, Pet Point offers all-new, high-tech medical equipment, including a digital X-ray machine that allows instant image visualization, is less stressful for pets as it reduces the need for retakes, and makes it possible to transmit the images electronically to a radiologist if needed.

The clinic also has an in-house laboratory for quick test results and a state- of-the-art dental cleaning machine.

“I’ve always wanted to own my own practice — this is my dream come true,” said Dr. Kawalya. “The clinic is a big venture for me, but it’s worth the investment because I want the latitude to practice veterinary medicine with the interest of my patients as a priority.”

Preventative care is the most important aspect of Dr. Kawalya’s practice. To this end Dr. Kawalya stresses regular exams, individualized vaccine schedules, parasite control and preventive lab testing as needed. Affordable wellness plans are offered to clients to ease the financial burden of providing care to their beloved pets.

“I want to diagnose and treat diseases early before they develop into something more serious,” he said.

Dr. Kawalya is from Uganda, where he completed his veterinarian education in 1993.

He moved to Ohio to join his sister in 1995 and to pursue his veterinarian license in the U.S. Soon after arriving, he met his future wife, Mary, and the couple moved to Michigan so that Dr. Kawalya could gain experience working in a practice with family pets. (In Uganda, veterinarians are trained to primarily care for livestock.)

While in Michigan, Dr. Kawalya worked as a research assistant at Michigan State University and then University of Michigan working with lab animals. During this period he sat and passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). He then went on to complete an internship at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama.

In 2004, Dr. Kawalya moved to Wesley Chapel with his wife, three children and two dogs. He is currently working on board certification with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Pet Point Animal Hospital is located at 24416 State Road 54, Lutz. They can be reached at (813) 428-6994, or by email at . Visit them on the Web at www.PetPointAnimalHospital.com.

This story is a feature of the advertising department. 

Romo makes Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame

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By B.C. Manion

 

Margarita Romo will be the first to tell you that she is a flawed woman and that some people simply do not like her.

But the path she’s traveled led her to advocating for farm workers, immigrants and the poor. Her work has been recognized by Gov. Rick Scott, who selected her to be inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

The honor goes to people who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of minorities and all Florida citizens.

Margarita Romo sits in her office on Lock Street. She will be inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame on April 24. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

Romo, 76, founded Farmworkers Self-Help in Dade City, a nonprofit organization that has focused on education, advocacy and addressing the needs of migrant farmworkers and immigrants for more than three decades.

The organization helps with immigration issues, gives bread to the poor, advocates for legislative changes and seeks to improve conditions for the impoverished. It has been particularly active in seeking improvements for Tommytown, a community northwest of downtown Dade City.

“It wasn’t anything that I purposely went out to do,” Romo said. Her involvement began when she was asked to translate church services at migrant camps.

Her commitment grew from there.

Romo said she didn’t have a strategic or systematic method for helping people. She said they came to her with a need and she explored ways to help them.

As time went on, Romo became more knowledgeable and established more relationships — making it possible for her to help more people.

“In my wildest dreams I never thought I’d be doing this, especially with the history that I had. It seemed like there was just disaster after disaster,” Romo said.

***

Romo was born in Texas, and at age 3, her mother died. Her father placed her in an orphanage and sent her three brothers to another orphanage. They stayed there a couple of years until he remarried.

“I went in as Margarita and I came out as Margaret,” Romo said, and she was no longer speaking Spanish.

She joined the convent when she was 15 and left two years later with the hopes of mending a strained relationship with her stepmother, which never happened.

Romo has been divorced three times, and along the way she had six children.

She believes her personal failings and the challenges she’s faced have helped her become more compassionate.

“We all have issues, and we’ll always have issues. There’s no one who is ever going to be perfect, but I think knowing your own imperfections causes you to be more understanding about others,” Romo said.

She also understands despair.

She was so despondent after her first divorce that she attempted to take her own life, she said. She’d taken some pills and someone found her — otherwise, her life would have ended then, she said.

“I’m a real miracle, walking,” Romo said.

That experience made her realize how important it is for people to seek counseling when they need it, Romo said. “I’m a real champion about mental health.”

She also understands poverty.

***

Romo needed help after one of her divorces, and a woman from a migrant camp understood that need.

“I’ll never forget — she gave me some of her food stamps,” Romo said.

While she is being honored for her work, Romo is quick to give credit to those who have helped her to help others.

“It’s not about me,” Romo said. “If it hadn’t been for those undocumented farmworkers, we wouldn’t be here. They’re the ones who walked with me. They went to Washington, D.C. They went to Tallahassee.”

She also said mentors she’s met have helped her to be more effective.

Romo views herself as an activist, but uses a different approach than many young organizers whom she sees as being more aggressive and eager to take on the world.

When she goes to Tallahassee to advocate for changes, she said she reads scripture to lawmakers and prays for God to guide them.

“We need God to go in front of us,” Romo said. “We need to do battle with the Bible in our hand. I really believe that God has to be called in, and I believe God hasn’t been called into the middle of all of the crises. God has got to be in the middle of everything we do.”

Sometimes, she feels conflicted.

“Being a pastor and being an activist organizer is just a real difficult place. You have to constantly forgive, and at the same time you’re in the middle of a battle,” said Romo, who became an ordained minister 10 years ago.

She was reaching out spiritually to children in her community even before she was ordained: “I started telling parents, if you want to bring me your children, we’re going to have children’s church on Sunday morning. You can go wash. You can go to the flea market. We’ll take care of the children.”

***

Romo is being inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame on April 24

alongside Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore and Judge James B. Sanderlin.

They were among the nominees the Florida Commission on Human Relations recommended to Scott.

“As Florida marks its 500 year anniversary, we want to honor individuals who have stood for equality in our state’s history even in the face of adversity. These champions of freedom have paved the way for equal rights among all Floridians,” Scott said, in a Feb. 27 release.

Romo said she’s not really sure what the induction means.

“If they really want to do something, then give us (Florida) KidCare (low-cost or free health insurance) for legal immigrant children,” she said.

She’d also like to have a conversation with lawmakers about the negative impacts she believes zero tolerance has on kids. She also thinks the state should allow immigrants who arrived here before age 16 and who have no criminal record to attend Florida colleges at in-state tuition rates.

“You can pick enough oranges to pay in-state tuition, but you cannot pick enough oranges to pay out-of-state tuition,” Romo said. “That’s just the bottom line.”

Romo could go on and on about injustices that need to be addressed and opportunities that need to be offered.

She tackles what she can in Tallahassee, in the community and her office, a humble white house on Lock Street.

***

Photographs on the walls of her office serve as constant reminders of the work that remains.

One photo shows a smiling girl who died before she reached age 5 because she could not get the medical care she needed quickly enough.

Another photo shows an old man standing in a dumpster. He’d rummage around wherever he could to find cans he could sell, Romo said. When he died, it cost $800 to buy his ashes so his life could be honored.

There’s also a photo of a young man who died from AIDS and another of a man who died from prostate cancer.

Romo said she remembers those people when she thinks about the work she needs to do.

She also thinks about tragic things that have happened because of dangerous working conditions. She thinks of workers who have “lost their eyesight because of pesticide” or “fallen off ladders and broke their back and got no compensation.”

Romo aims to help people help themselves.

“We need to think for ourselves,” Romo said. “If we’re really about teaching people to be free, then you’ve got to give them the tools to do that. … To help us learn to think for ourselves is where the real work comes in and the real love,” said Romo, whose organization encourages students to attain their GED, enroll in college and seek job training.

She said she feels blessed to do the work she does.

“When you’re a community organizer and you help organize your community, then that community grows and it becomes a whole different place and everybody who received the benefit of that growth takes it with them and plants it somewhere else, and it never stops growing.”

No matter how dark things can get at times, Romo hangs on.

“Thirty-three years and we’re still here.”

 

HART’s ridership soars, funding lags

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) finds itself in a bit of a quandary.

HART has set ridership records each year since 2010, up to 14.2 million people using the authority’s fleet of buses and vans to get around the county in 2012, according to public information officer Sandra Pinto.

But while ridership continues to grow, the funding has started lagging behind the increasing demand.

HART will have to delay buying new buses despite setting ridership records the last three years. (File photo)

HART planned to replace 91 buses and 76 other vehicles between this year and 2018, but questions about funding sources have put that timeframe in doubt, Pinto said. Early estimations have the authority coming between $8.3 million and $24.7 million short of that goal.

Pinto said HART still plans to replace 11 buses and 13 vans this year. The $11.3 million price tag of those new vehicles will be paid for during the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years.

Ridership on the 20X Pasco/Lutz Express line, which runs between downtown Tampa and Lutz, and 51X New Tampa/Pasco Express, which connects downtown with Wesley Chapel, has also increased the last few years.

The 20X line has seen a 2 percent increase from 2011 to 2012, up to 19,678 riders. The 51X route grew by 9 percent during that same time, up to 15,549.

HART’s Northdale Flex program, which runs between Carrollwood and Lutz, had a ridership of 47,105 in 2012, its first full year of operation.

Pinto credits the rise in ridership the last few years in part to increased public awareness about HART’s services while gas prices go up.

“Plus, HART has had a program of reducing or eliminating poorly producing services and segments and reinvesting operating dollars in areas that provide a better return on investment,” Pinto said.

Pinto said HART still plans to roll out its Metro Rapid service in late May or early June. The line will allow faster access between the 17.5-miles between Tampa and Fletcher Avenue along Nebraska Avenue.

HART will add 12 new buses to its fleet for Metro Rapid, which does not include the 11 used to replace old vehicles serving other lines.

Pinto said the authority will look to add Metro Rapid lines in the future, including one that would service New Tampa along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. She said the new concept is just one of several things HART is doing to offer better transportation in the area.

“Record ridership for the third straight year in a row shows that the community has noticed HART’s transformation from the bus system of an earlier time,” Pinto said. “We have numerous capital projects going on, and we’re moving forward with significant transit system improvements.”

For more information about HART and its services, visit www.gohart.org.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

HART Ridership

2010: 12,264,357

2011: 13,702,653

2012: 14,218,868

 

Splash serves up seafood specialties

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By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

For the last 12 years, Splash in Lutz has weathered the changing economic climate while continuing to serve up oceanic delicacies.

The local restaurant offers a unique dining experience for anyone looking to break from the monotonous, assembly-line corporate places, and has events and specials that cater to a multitude of people and palates.

Co-owners Tom Perkins and Chip Roehl have their roots in seafood dining and hospitality.

Splash owners Chip Roehl, left, and Tom Perkins inside the Lutz restaurant. (Photo by Andy Warrener)

They both helped the Shells franchise grow in Tampa. Perkins was the director of operations for 15 years, while Roehl had a few positions, including vice president.

Perkins is a Leto High graduate who flipped hamburgers in his first job out of school.

Roehl grew up in the hospitality business and ventured into advertising. It’s what took Roehl to New York and then brought him back to Tampa again in 1982. Just three years later, Roehl started with Shells, and that’s where he met Perkins and the concept for Splash was born.

“There are myriad of landmines in this business,” Roehl said. “It’s always a battle.”

Roehl and Perkins wanted to carve out something different for themselves — something that didn’t hem them in the way a corporate place like Shells did.

“We wanted to create better, chef-driven food,” Roehl said. “You don’t have that flexibility with a corporate restaurant.”

Roehl was disappointed when a great idea for a dish would come out, and then they would “dumb down” the recipe to make is easier for a chef of lesser skill.

Enter chef Lenny Terlaje, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York.

Perkins and Roehl met Terlaje when they tried to expand into an Italian seafood restaurant they called Paesans. It didn’t work out, but the connection with Terlaje was cemented, and after four years he went to work at Splash.

The mother ship at Splash nearly got pulled under the waves, too.

“The first few months we were open, business was great,” Roehl said. “That was three months prior to 9/11.”

The restaurant industry, especially the fine dining one, took a huge hit. As Roehl put it, “people started cocooning.

“But we knew we had the right product, the right experience,” Roehl said.

 

So they hung on. Then the crash in the late 2000s served another blow.

“Before, people would go out to eat once a week; now they would go out once a month,” Roehl said. “We had to start looking at some promotions to bring people in.”

Roehl figured out that the most expensive thing in a restaurant was “an empty seat” and he and Perkins set about creating some options to bring diners into the restaurant.

Outside of the original menu, designed by Perkins and Roehl, Terlaje began coming up with his own daily or weekly specials.

Then the creativity with pricing set in.

“Whatever inspires the chef that week, we make changes as long as it is culinarily appropriate,” Roehl said.

The promotions extend beyond the food as well.

On weekends, a baby grand piano in the corner of the main dining room provides entertainment. On Thursdays, Splash has an open mic night on their outdoor patio.

“People come here three, four, five nights a week,” server Emily Spak said. “I’ve come here on a Saturday and had to wait to get a seat.”

The promotions and slight uptick in the economy have Splash back sailing on smooth waters, and the food is as top notch as it has ever been.

“The prices are pretty fair, especially for lunch,” said Land O’ Lakes resident Mary Ann Fullerton. “I had the lobster bisque and it was awesome.”

Fellow diner Dianne Dlouhy of Lutz was complimentary of the wait staff, citing their “nonstop” service.

Splash fancies itself on building regular clientele.

“We have customers come in that ask for specific servers,” hostess Rebecca Galloway said.

Impossible to miss are the caricatures done by Dan Smith.

Some lean toward portraits, but none are of celebrities or sports figures. They are all portraits of diners who frequent the restaurant.

The small business model is finally starting to help instead of hinder Splash.

“People’s appreciation of small business is on the rise,” Roehl said.

Chalk Talk

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Students appear in the Wiregrass Ranch High production of Bye Bye Birdie. From left Chelsea Davis, Nicolette Doria, Abrayle Coe, Gabby Dion and Taylor Jenniges. (Photo courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High)

Students appear in the Wiregrass Ranch High production of Bye Bye Birdie. From left Chelsea Davis, Nicolette Doria, Abrayle Coe, Gabby Dion and Taylor Jenniges. (Photo courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High)

 

Bye Bye Birdie

Wiregrass Ranch High is presenting Bye Bye Birdie April 11 through 14 at the Center for the Arts, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

Curtain time is 7 p.m. April 11 through 13 and 2 p.m. April 14.

Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and $5 for children younger than 12. Tickets can be purchased online at www.seatyourself.biz/wrhs.

For more information, call the school at (813) 346-6000.

 

Cultural center classes

The Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa, will offer classes this spring and summer, including introductory courses in Italian and Spanish. To view a class schedule, visit www.CarrollwoodCenter.org/classes or call (813) 269-1310 for more information. The Carrollwood Cultural Center is a partnership between Hillsborough County and the Friends of Carrollwood Cultural Center.

 

Moore Mickens students of the month

These Moore Mickens Education Center students were chosen as student of the month for January: Dustin Chancey, Derrik Holley, Tyler Bedell and Maria Montes. Amber Denney was selected as the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce student of the month.

These students were chosen as student of the month for February: Shay Cook, Chad McGahan, Ambar Moreno and Maribel Guerrero. Heather Mitchell was selected as the chamber student of the month.

 

MOSI summer camps

Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry is offering Forward Thinking Initiatives’ (FTI) Teen Business and Innovation Camps.

FTI, a Tampa Bay nonprofit, teaches entrepreneurship, innovation and creative thinking to teenagers. The camps are designed for kids entering grades six through 12.

FTI’s camps will focus on two different themes.

The theme for Week 1, June 17 through June 21, is Toys and Games: Serious Business. The theme for the second week, June 24 through June 28, is Hockey Business, The Business and Science Behind the Sport.

For more information or to register, contact Debra Campbell at or call (813) 760-7860. For more information about Forward Thinking Initiatives, visit www.forwardthinkinginitiatives.com.

 

Steinbrenner wrestling team yard sale

Steinbrenner High’s wrestling team is having a yard sale, with proceeds helping to cover travel expenses to an Oklahoma State University Wrestling Camp in June. The yard sale will be from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on April 20 at the masonic lodge at the northwest corner of W. Lutz Lake Fern Road and Sunlake Boulevard.

 

Lutz student named to dean’s list

Kathryn Holliday, of Lutz, has achieved the dean’s list at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga.

 

Pasco Education Foundation scholarships

The Pasco Education Foundation awarded scholarships valued at more than $730,000 at its March 21 ceremony at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey. The event was presented by Bright House Networks, Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Foundation and Will Weatherford, speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

In total, 117 Pasco County Schools seniors were recognized for their achievements, with more than 400 guests in attendance. Pasco superintendent Kurt Browning congratulated the students and thanked sponsors for making the scholarships possible.

To learn more about the Pasco Education Foundation’s scholarship programs, contact Stacey Capogrosso, associate director, at (813) 794-2705 or visitwww.pascoeducationfoundation.org

 

Wesley Chapel Chamber seeks sponsors`

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors for an event that honors the community’s top students. This year’s event is April 30 at the Wesley Chapel High Performing Arts Center. Superintendent Kurt Browning will be the master of ceremonies. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact the chamber for more information at (813) 994-8534.

 

Veterans Elementary golf tournament

Veterans Elementary’s Parent-Teacher Association will have its third annual golf tournament April 20 at Lexington Oaks Golf Club. The proceeds will be used to help provide a playground shade covering, new technology, classroom supplies and equipment for the school.

The tournament is open to adults of all skill levels up to a maximum of 144 participants. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Registration and payment may be completed online at www.veteranspta.com or may be mailed in to: Veterans Elementary School, attention: PTA, 26940 Progress Parkway, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544.

Registration must be received no later than April 16. Checks should be made payable to VES PTA. Local businesses and individuals may also support the tournament through hole sponsorships and raffle prize donations. For more information about the tournament, email .

 

FEMA seeks youth leaders

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is looking for young leaders to become national advocates for youth disaster preparedness.

Those between the ages of 12 and 17 who are interested in serving on FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council should apply now. They will represent the youth perspective on emergency planning and share that information with their communities.

Youths can apply themselves or be nominated by adults. The deadline is midnight April 18.

To obtain application materials and instructions, visit www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness.

The Boss Cross rules county championships

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

Steinbrenner boys dominated the distance events at the Hillsborough County track championships April 2 at Jefferson.

The Warriors distance program, also known as The Boss Cross, won the 4×800-meter relay in 8 minutes, 2.09 seconds to open the event, and followed with victories by seniors Matt Magee (4:31.01) and Tyler Lima (9:46.57) in the 1,600 and 3,200, respectively.

“We wanted to dominate these distance events, so it felt good to come out and represent The Boss Cross,” Lima said, “We want to be the best distance program in this county, and this helps solidify that point.”

Steinbrenner senior Matt Magee, right, wins the 1,600 by 0.01 seconds over Newsome’s Lars Benner during the Hillsborough County championships April 2 at Jefferson. (Photo by Kyle LoJacono)

Steinbrenner switched up the order of its 4×800, which took fourth at the Class 3A state meet last year. Normal anchor Magee ran leadoff, and Tanner Biles moved from the third to fourth leg for the first time this season.

Bloomingdale had a slim lead when Biles got the baton. The senior said he was nervous but had a game plan that helped lead to the win of more than two seconds.

“I was just going to let him take it out and run behind him and give everything for the last 200,” Biles said. “

Magee held off Newsome’s Lars Benner by 0.01 seconds for the 1,600 title. Benner fell forward at the finish line, but a close exam by race officials confirmed Magee’s chest crossed first.

“I definitely felt his presence all down that final stretch,” Magee said. “He dove and almost got me.”

Magee went away from his normal tactic of holding back until the end of the race in claiming the title. He took the lead midway through the third lap, which he held for most of the remainder of the event.

“I was actually supposed to not go out until the last 200, but I ended up taking the lead,” Magee said. “I’ve been boxed in before, and that’s tough when you get boxed in and can’t go.”

Lima cruised to his win in the 3,200 by more than 13 seconds.

“I knew a couple of the guys in this race had already run in the 1,600, and I had only done the 4×800, so I knew if I wanted to win I had to take it to a place that they didn’t want to go to,” Lima said, “That’s what I did, took it out at a hard pace to start and knew they wouldn’t want to mentally run another race. … I have a kick for the end, but I decided to just go out hard and stretch it out.”

The Boss Cross accounted for 39 of the Warriors’ 48 points at the event, which was good enough for third place. Hillsborough won the team title (68), Gaither took eighth (27) and Freedom was tied for 17th (17) at the 27-team meet.

On the girls side, Freedom placed third with 75 points, 17 behind Plant’s championship pace. Gaither finished seventh (30) and Steinbrenner was ninth (26).

The Patriots captured a pair of county championships, with Sandra Akachukwu taking the long jump (18-feet, 10-inches) and Faith Woodard winning the high jump (5-09) with a new school record.

“I just wanted to come out here and do my best,” Woodard said. “My coach and my parents were telling me that I’m capable of doing anything, so I wanted to go out there and do just that. … This is county and everybody is here, so I was excited to do my best.”

It’s the third county title in the event for Woodard, who also won as a freshman and sophomore but was beat by Akachukwu last season. Woodard also scored in the 400 (third place, 1:00.08) and the 200 (eighth place, 26.21).

Akachukwu bested Alonso’s Quatasia Fantroy (18-07), the defending long jump champion, on her final attempt.

“I always go in with a positive mindset, and I’m always trying to PR,” Akachukwu said. “I don’t try and worry about what other people are doing because anything can happen, and I’m just looking at what I can do. … I knew what she’d jumped and I know I’ve jumped farther, so I just focused on what my coach always says to me about picking up my feet and hold it for as long as I can.”

Akachukwu also took second in the high jump (5-06), 100 (11.86) and 200 (24.75) to score 34 points for her squad.

Gaither’s Rachel Cazares won her first county championship by claiming the 800 in 2:22.25. The junior led the same race last week at the Western Conference American Division meet before Plant’s Scarlett Fox passed her in the final 50 meters.

Cazares was in the lead for the entire race at the county championships and won by 2.42.

“I was waiting for Scarlett to come at the end, so I knew I had to just keep pushing the whole time,” Cazares said. “My coach told me to stay behind someone, but he also told me to not slow down, so I didn’t.”

Cazares had a big smile as she crossed with the comfortable win.

“I didn’t know how close they were, but I couldn’t see them, and I knew if I couldn’t see them then they wouldn’t be able to pass me with so little time left,” Cazares said. She added, “I was a little unsure, but I kept telling myself that I was sure and I think that helped. I’ve never beaten Scarlett Fox before, and I needed a meet like this.”

Cowboys senior Kiana Bryant took third in the 100 with a 12.15, breaking the school record by 0.04.

“I’ve been practicing harder the last few weeks, and we’ve been lifting more weights, so I think that’s what got me stronger,” Bryant said. She added, “Breaking the record has been my goal since I came to Gaither. I saw the record when I was a freshman, and I wanted to break it before I graduated.”

Steinbrenner travels to Gaither for the Class 3A-District 8 meet April 17. Freedom competes at Tampa Bay Tech in the 4A-6 meet April 16.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

Wharton takes second at Hillsborough County meet

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wharton girls held off cross-town rival Freedom for runner-up honors at the Hillsborough County track championships April 2 at Jefferson.

The Wildcats totaled 84 points, eight off Plant’s championship pace. The Patriots took third (75) at the 27-team meet.

Freedom led Wharton by one going into the 4×400-meter relay, the day’s last race. The Wildcats left nothing to chance by winning the event in 3 minutes, 55.71 seconds, besting Hillsborough by 0.04.

Wharton seniors Tyler Watson, left, and Mikayla Barber finished first and second in the hurdles, with Barber taking the 100 and Watson claiming the 300 at the Hillsborough County championships April 2 at Jefferson. (Photo by Kyle LoJacono)

“That race came from the rivalry between our 4×400 and Hillsborough’s 4×400,” said Wildcats coach Wes Newton. “Hillsborough has been the top of the mountain all year, so I’m happy my girls were able to win this.”

The Terriers beat Wharton by 0.6 at the Western Conference National Division meet the week before by passing Kiana Outen in the final meters.

It appeared Hillsborough would pull off the same late-race comeback at the county meet when Marilyn Hawkins got around Outen at the final turn, but the Wharton junior jumped to the outside and overtook her competitor steps before the finish line.

“That was the same girl who passed me with 10 meters left last week, so I had to beat her this time,” said Outen, who is in her first season running track. “I had to pick it up and not die at the end.”

It was the last of four county championships won by the Wildcats at the meet, including seniors Mikayla Barber and Tyler Watson sweeping the top two spots in both hurdle events.

Barber captured the 100 hurdles (14.87), besting Watson by 0.05. She had a single message as she was preparing to win her first county title.

“When I was lining up I was just thinking use everything your coaches have told you,” Barber said. “Think about my technique and staying focused.”

Watson followed up by claiming the 300 hurdles with a personal record (PR) 43.37, 0.65 faster than Barber.

“My best time before today was 45.1 at regionals last year, and now I’ve broken that with about a month before regionals, and that’s really exciting,” Watson said. “I had confidence today. Sometimes I tend to focus on (Barber) than I do my own race, so today I was just in my zone.”

The Wildcats duo shares a message before their events.

“We go into every race and tell each other one/two,” Barber said. “Let’s finish first and second no matter who is first. In the end we are racing against each other, so let’s finish one/two instead of having someone else up there.”

Watson added, “We love each other and try to push each other. We’re going to win sometimes and we’re going to lose sometimes, but we want to both be there finishing first/second.”

Pole vaulter Britainy Smith repeated as county champ by clearing 10-feet, 6-inches. The Wharton senior said she was looking to better her PR of 11, but was pleased with her performance.

“I think I’m improving each week, and as long as I keep working hard and keep my speed good and get stronger I feel like I’m on the road to going to states,” Smith said.

Freedom captured a pair of county championships, with Sandra Akachukwu taking the long jump (18-10) and Faith Woodard winning the high jump (5-09) with a new school record.

“I just wanted to come out here and do my best,” Woodard said. “My coach and my parents were telling me that I’m capable of doing anything, so I wanted to go out there and do just that. … This is county and everybody is here, so I was excited to do my best.”

It’s the third county title in the event for Woodard, who also won as a freshman and sophomore but was beat by Akachukwu last season. Woodard also scored in the 400 (third place, 1:00.08) and the 200 (eighth place, 26.21).

Akachukwu bested Alonso’s Quatasia Fantroy (18-07), the defending long jump champion, on her final jump.

“I always go in with a positive mindset, and I’m always trying to PR,” Akachukwu said. “I don’t try and worry about what other people are doing because anything can happen, and I’m just looking at what I can do. … I knew what she’d jumped and I know I’ve jumped farther, so I just focused on what my coach always says to me about picking up my feet and hold it for as long as I can.”

Akachukwu also took second in the high jump (5-06), 100 (11.86) and 200 (24.75) to score 34 points for her squad.

Wharton and Freedom compete at Tampa Bay Tech in the Class 4A-District 6 meet April 16.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

Wiregrass Ranch boys cruise to district title

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wiregrass Ranch boys tennis team did something it’s grown accustomed to in winning the program’s fourth straight district championship at home April 3 — dominate.

The Bulls won all five singles and two doubles titles to earn the maximum 21 points in the six-team Class 4A-District 5 tournament, besting second-place Plant City by seven. The Raiders matched up with Wiregrass Ranch in the seven finals.

“This is what you’re hoping happens, but to once again not drop a set anywhere is even more impressive,” said Wiregrass Ranch coach Dave Wilson. “We haven’t lost a set in any match this year. … To win four district titles in a row, that says we’re almost as good as our girls cross country teams, who I think has won the last five.”

The district title sends the seventh-year program to the playoffs for the sixth straight season.

Wiregrass Ranch freshman Agie Moreno won the No. 2 singles title while teaming with Bulls ace Courage Okungbowa to capture the top doubles crown. (Photo by Kyle LoJacono)

The closest contest was at No. 1 singles where Courage Okungbowa (18-0) won 7-5, 6-2. The FAMU signee had to get by training partner Harrison Heysek for his third straight district title.

“It was just a matter of staying in the point because we know each other,” Courage said.

Courage was ahead 5-2 in the first and had a couple set points at 5-4, including one with an open court that he hit into the net when one of his strings broke. Heysek tied the contest 5-5 and had a chance to take his first lead, but the senior hit a forehand long and opened the door for Courage to earn an individual spot in states regardless of how the team does in regionals.

“I was the last one still playing, so I felt like there was a lot riding on me because I didn’t want to be the only one to not win,” said Courage, the 4A state singles runner-up last season. “I was actually thinking about who I was playing and the fact that I was going for my third district title, so I was doing a bunch of superstitious stuff. … I had my bag in the same spot. I put my clothes and shoes in the same spot as I did yesterday. I really wanted to be focused for this.”

Sophomore Foresight Okungbowa, Courage’s brother, had the only 6-0, 6-0 singles win on the second day to claim the No. 5 title. Fellow sophomore Alejandro Feliciano won at No. 4, 6-1, 6-1.

Courage teamed with freshman Agie Moreno to win the No. 1 doubles championship, earning the duo a state berth.

Moreno, the No. 2 singles champ (6-2, 6-1), is part of a freshman duo in the Bulls top five with No. 3 Niels van Dam, who won his title 6-0, 6-3.

“We’re definitely a step ahead, especially with the freshmen who came in,” Foresight said. “Those new guys have been a big impact. We lost two seniors, but gained some really good freshmen.”

That depth is what van Dam said has pushed them to get better.

“To move up and stay with the others you have to get better yourself,” van Dam said. “Courage is our star, and we’re trying to get to his level.”

Moreno called it an “honor” to be on the squad because “this could be one of the best teams the school has ever had, and maybe even in Pasco County. We know it’s a possibility that this is our year.”

Wilson points out that the road to the program’s second regional title won’t be easy because they have to get through Plant, Wharton and/or Plant City to reach states. The Wildcats defeated the Bulls in the first round last year.

“Over the last five years Wharton has won three state titles, and Plant has gotten to the state tournament the last two years,” Wilson said.

Feliciano said they are “a step ahead” of last season and thinks, “we have a better chance of winning this year. The players are more confident, and we’ve practiced a lot more this year.”

Wilson said they do have one big advantage.

“Right now our kids don’t know how to lose, so they expect to win when they go in,” Wilson said. “That’s half the battle.”

Wiregrass Ranch hosts Plant April 9 in the regional semifinals at 3 p.m. A victory would pit the Bulls with the winner of the Wharton-Plant City match April 11 for a spot at states.

 

//Bulls girls advance as runner-up

Wiregrass Ranch girls tennis was unable to win consecutive district titles, finishing as the Class 4A-District 5 runner-up to Newsome 17-16.

The Bulls got victories over the Wolves at Nos. 1 and 2 singles from sophomores Star Makarome (6-0, 6-0) and Victoria Chavez (6-1, 6-1) and No. 1 doubles, but Newsome took the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 singles titles for the one-point win.

“The girls have worked so hard to replace those three seniors we lost,” said Wiregrass Ranch coach Jewell Fye. “We didn’t win districts, but we’re going on to regionals, and that’s a great accomplishment.”

Makarome (9-0) earned consecutive individual state berths regardless of how the squad does in regionals. She has lost only two games all year.

“I was just hoping to qualify for states automatically like I did last year,” said Makarome, who finished as the 4A singles runner-up as a freshman. “The kids I played have improved so much from when I played them last year, so I knew it was going to be a tough match. The score doesn’t reflect the play in between. There were a lot of points that were long, and I just happen to convert on some of the bigger points.”

Makarome had to battle in an opening game that lasted more than 15 minutes and faced game point twice but fought back to get the early break that appeared to give her momentum.

“That was a bit unnerving in the beginning, but I settled down and got my game back,” Makarome said. “It’s always good to play tough games earlier to settle in for me.”

Makarome teamed with sophomore Tiffany Garner, the squad’s third ranked player, to win consecutive No. 1 doubles titles 6-1, 6-2 and earn a state berth. Makarome said the duo has “chemistry” together in more than one way.

“We literally have chemistry class together too,” Makarome said. “I didn’t really know her until last year, but we’ve become really good friends from the experience of going to states last year, so I’m really happy we can go again.”

The Bulls play at Plant April 9 in the regional semifinals at 3 p.m. They would travel to Newsome or host Wharton if they get by the Panthers.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

Wharton boys top Plant for district crown

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By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

The Wharton boys tennis team had to settle for district runner-up status last year to Plant, but the Wildcats got a measure of revenge April 2 at Hunter’s Green Golf and County Club.

Wharton totaled 13 points, besting the Panthers by one for the Class 4A-District 6 championship thanks in large part to Wildcats claiming the top three singles titles.

Wildcats junior Alex Crnogorac bested Alonso’s Austin Buck for the No. 2 singles titles, but needed 22 games in the third set to do so, winning 6-2, 3-6, 12-10. Crnogorac recorded three big forehands to cap the match.

The Wharton boys tennis team reached the playoffs for the ninth time in the last 10 years by winning the Class 4A-District 6 championship April 2 at Hunter’s Green Golf and Country Club. (Photo by Andy Warrener)

“The most important thing for me was to stay calm after letting two match points slip away,” Crnogorac said. “I kept my forehand in and didn’t mess up. It was just what I needed at the time.”

Sophomore Thomas Hwang won the No. 3 singles final 7-6, 3-6, 10-4 over Plant’s Thomas Harmon, while Wharton ace Sam Chaffin toppled the Panthers’ Alec Josepher in another marathon match 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 10-8.

Chaffin and Josepher are training partners at Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center and have a level of familiarity that made for long points and an even longer match.

Chaffin’s first serve started to break down in the second set after coming out to a 3-1 lead. Josepher’s passing shots kept Chaffin from approaching the net, which helped even the match, but Chaffin fought through to take the third and earn an individual spot at the state tournament.

“I was tired, my hand was cramping, so I had to push it a little,” Chaffin said. “I was still able to crank my forehand though.”

First-year Wildcats tennis coach Scott Ware pointed to the tightness of the final point total to show how tough 4A-6 is.

“The competition in this district is crazy,” Ware said. “Four of the five finals we were in went to third-set tiebreakers.”

The Wildcats girls advanced as well, earning runner-up status with 11 points, 10 off Plant’s championship pace. Wharton sent players to the Nos. 1, 2 and 5 singles finals, but fell to the Panthers at all three spots.

Wharton sophomore Andrea Valencial and junior Kylie Paul, the squad’s Nos. 1 and 2 players, also advanced to the top doubles final, but again were bested by Plant.

Wildcat’s coach Lori Miles was pleased with her squad’s performance.

“Andrea has been consistent hitting the ball back, and Kylie has been tough at the net,” Miles said. “They won a lot of matches for us in the regular season.”

The Wharton boys host Plant City April 9, while the girls travel to Newsome for the regional semifinals. Both matches start at 3 p.m.

Fitz-Randolph trio win 1A-8 titles

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CDS girls claim consecutive district championships

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Jackie Fitz-Randolph couldn’t hold back her frustration.

The Carrollwood Day School (CDS) girls tennis player dealt with a rollercoaster of emotions from a long rain delay, missed shots and ultimately a loss in the first set of the No. 1 singles final at the Class 1A-District 8 tournament April 5.

The Carrollwood Day girls tennis team kisses the 1A-8 trophy after clinching its second straight team title. (Photo by Jeff Odom)

After winning the second set, Jackie trailed 5-4 in the third against her rival and Tampa Prep freshman Paige Leavy. A win would send her back to states.

Jackie could feel the pressure building. She took off her visor, wiped her reddened face and told herself to “come on” and get back into the game.

Then, with Leavy serving for the match, Jackie’s teammates began to shout her name in unison from outside the fence. Others soon joined in.

With support on her side, the Patriots’ sophomore rallied for 12 straight points to beat Leavy 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 to end the three-hour match and help CDS earn its second straight district championship.

“That was the most points I’ve won in a row in the whole match, so I think it’s good how it came out at a perfect time,” Jackie said. “I feel like the wind was affecting both of us, and it was getting to my head in the first set. So, I basically just thought that she’s thinking the same thing as you are, just keep hitting your shots and I just adjusted a little bit.”

One of Jackie’s loudest supporters was her sister and CDS’ No. 2 Lauren Fitz-Randolph. The eighth-grader took care of her singles title, dropping just one game in three matches. She was also a force with Jackie in the No. 1 doubles final against Tampa Prep, beating Leavy and Izabelle Baskette 6-1, 6-3 to clinch the siblings’ third straight trip to the state doubles tournament.

“I feel like our momentum really kept going from last year,” Lauren said. “We’re gonna hopefully win it all.”

The Patriots totaled 19 points at the event, besting second-place Tampa Prep by six for the district title.

On the boys’ side, CDS senior Eric Fitz-Randolph, the sisters’ brother, earned his third straight No. 1 singles district title to advance to states by cruising past Berkley Prep’s Stephen Jordan 6-2, 6-1.

The Patriots failed to advance out of districts as a team, finishing third behind Tampa Prep and the Buccaneers.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t make it as a team, but I’m definitely happy with the win today,” Eric said. “I think the score didn’t reflect how close it was. It was really tricky conditions, and the wind made it very difficult for both of us.”

Third-year Patriots coach John Most said he was proud of Eric for all he has done for the Patriots’ young program.

“It’s meant everything,” Most said. “This is only our third year of existence, and at the beginning of the program’s inception we had Eric as our foundation, and to be able to go with Eric to the state championship for three straight years has put us on the map.”

CDS hosts Lakeland Christian in the regional semifinals April 9 at 3 p.m. at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus.