Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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 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

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.

“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

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

By Jeff Odom

Land O’ Lakes girls tennis player Deneen Wang had no idea the team’s season rested on her shoulders at the Class 3A-District 6 tournament April 3 at River Ridge.

The Gators’ No. 3 singles player advanced to the district final against Central’s Brittany Blackburn. A win would give Land O’ Lakes the runner-up spot, but a loss would force the team to come back the next day for a tiebreaker for the second straight season.

Fortunately for the Gators, history didn’t repeat itself.

Wang, a freshman, took down her senior counterpart 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 to lift her squad to a two-point win over the Bears, sealing a third straight playoff berth behind champion Springstead. The win sent coach Karen Turman and her teammates into a frenzy.

“Not without drama,” said Turman, her eyes red with tears. “The last two days were unbelievable between yesterday when the heat was getting us, and the No. 2 singles had to retire during her match, to being down to the very last match (today), and I knew, of course, the last match would go three sets.”

Turman said she didn’t tell Wang until after the match how crucial the win was to keep her mind fresh. However, Wang, who lost to Blackburn in the regular season, said she had a feeling it was important.

“My coach would never tell me that this is it,” Wang said. “(In the last meeting, Blackburn) told me, ‘You know what? (You’re) going to win. You’ll be better next time.’ That motivated me to beat her.”

Land O’ Lakes’ No. 1 doubles duo of Kavya Avancha and Cori Arndt made their mark as well by becoming the first duo in program history to qualify for states after defeating Zephyrhills’ Hannah Ungerer and Sydney Owens 6-4, 6-4 in the finals.

“It’s really, really exciting to me, because I’ve been playing doubles since I was a freshman,” said Arndt, a junior. “Kavya’s such a great partner, and I feel like we worked well together. … Today, we just wanted to come in and win, because we had lost to Zephyrhills earlier in the season, but we just really wanted to play our best.”

Turman said she was proud of the two because of their drive on and off the court.

“It’s very, very good, and I’m so proud of that team because they worked hard, and every match this year they built a little more confidence,” Turman said. “We talked about it this morning. They had to walk on that court, do their best and they did. … This is big for Land O’ Lakes, because the boys have gone before, and now it’s our turn.”

Avancha came up just short of going to states as an individual, losing the singles title to Leesburg’s No. 1 Janelle Taylor 6-1, 7-6 (7-1).

On the boys’ side, the Gators did not advance out of districts for the first time in five seasons, finishing third behind champion Springstead and runner-up Mitchell.

Land O’ Lakes finished with 11 points, one less than the Mustangs. The Gators had four players to singles finals, but only No. 5 Eric Lee earned a victory 6-3, 6-3 over Sunlake’s Chris Wilkinson.

The Gators girls travel to Ocala Forest for the regional semifinals on April 9.

By Jeff Odom

The heart of the Fitz-Randolph family rivalry between siblings Eric, Jackie and Lauren can be found at the ping-pong table inside their home.

Eric, a senior, and eighth-grader Lauren are self-described “main rivals” of each other, often playing multiple games at a time. Both agree it can become quite heated.

“It’s not really a rivalry when your opponents don’t win,” Eric said with a wide grin. “She’s never beaten me in anything.”

“That’s so not true,” countered Lauren, laughing.

Jackie, a sophomore, gets in from time to time, but usually watches their epic battles.

“Those two really do go at it a lot,” Jackie said. “I’m not nearly as good, because they don’t give me time to practice.”

Although the friendly games of table tennis may earn the Carrollwood Day School (CDS) trio occasional bragging rights around the house, what they’re doing on the actual tennis court has given them — and their school — much more than that.

***

Long before they were district and regional titlists at CDS, the Fitz-Randolphs had other aspirations.

Eric began playing tennis for fun at a young age, but his sisters opted for a different route — competitive gymnastics.

“Me and Lauren started off as gymnasts, and we really wanted to go really far in that, but it came to a time where it was just so much,” Jackie said. “It got so hard with always injuring your muscles at such a young age and constantly practicing long hours and balancing other sports like soccer and swimming. Eric was doing tennis, and we decided to follow in his footsteps.”

The two informed their parents of their decision to give up gymnastics during dinner one night.

Lauren picked up the game almost immediately with the guidance of her brother.

“I definitely had a wider outlook, especially because I was younger,” Lauren said. “I just wanted to try more things, and tennis was really great because I followed my brother and he helped me.”

For Jackie, it took some getting used to.

“I really hated it,” Jackie recalled. “I don’t know what got in to me back then. I would always go up to the courts in our neighborhood with my dad, and I would always have the worst attitude.”

Though it was a rocky start, the then 9-year-old Jackie began to heed the advice of her father, Rod, a member of the U.S. Olympic shooting team in 1980 and 1988.

The move from balance beams to tennis rackets soon paid off for the sisters.

They started competing in large tournaments against some of the best players in the state, each earning a spot in the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) junior national rankings.

Eric soon shifted from playing as a hobby to competing seriously at age 15, joining Lauren and Jackie with USTA notoriety.

“It was definitely weird for me at an older age just getting used to that level of competition,” Eric said. “They were kind of already exposed to it, so it was harder for me.”

When the three arrived at CDS, boys tennis coach John Most convinced Eric to give the high school level a try. He agreed, and before long set the bar of success for the Patriots.

Eric became the first male to win an individual district title during the boys’ inaugural season in 2011 and advanced to the Class 1A state singles semifinals.

Jackie and Lauren followed suit, leading the CDS girls to the school’s first team district and regional title last year. The duo also reached the doubles state title match the year before.

“I think it’s all about hard work and practice,” said Eric, who won his second individual district championship last season. “I think if you put in the work, the results will show, and I try to set a good example for Jackie and Lauren. That’s where my success has derived from.”

***

Aside from the rigorous expectations that come with high-level tennis, the Fitz-Randolphs also take into account their grades, which are even more important in CDS’ International Baccalaureate program.

At times, balancing it all may be tough, but with the full support of their parents and youngest sister Danielle, a sixth-grader, they agree it makes the work easier.

“I think our parents are most proud of us because we’re able to balance out tennis and school, and we get good grades,” Lauren said. “It takes a lot of responsibility, but it makes you feel better, and it really helps out, and we’re happy our parents put us in this school.”

The trio has aspirations of earning scholarships to major Division I universities and potentially taking their talents to the professional ranks someday.

Though Eric will be graduating at the end of the school year, the competitive, yet loving, rivalry between them is sure to remain.

“We’ve been doing this as a family, having siblings who have basically been establishing good athletics at this school,” Jackie said. “It’s going to be a lot different once he leaves. I mean, I’ll actually be driving after practice.”

“Rough life,” Eric said with a laugh. “They just won’t have their chauffeur anymore.”

“It will be,” Jackie shouted. “I won’t be able to sleep on the way over there, and I can’t do any homework.”

There will be one benefit for Lauren:  “I’ll have time to help (Jackie) practice ping-pong too.”

By Kyle LoJacono

The Academy at the Lakes girls softball team is on quite a streak.

The Wildcats (7-3) have made the playoffs every season since becoming eligible in 2008. They’ve already extended that run to a sixth-straight year by locking up the No. 1 seed in Class 2A-District 4 tournament, which comes with a spot in the championship game.

But the 2013 squad isn’t looking to merely extend a postseason streak. The academy has goals of going further than last season when the Wildcats won the first district championship in program history and reached the 2A regional finals.

“It definitely showed us the growth of our program,” said junior shortstop Lauren Evans, who has been on the squad since her eighth-grade year. “Everything came together. We’re still coming together this year because we have new players, but it’s a good thing. It shows that academy sports, everyone, basketball, our football and our softball, we’re all growing.”

Second-year academy coach Jerry English, who has more than 30 years experience leading high school programs, told his players early in the season to forget about what happened in 2012 “because everyone else will remember last year, and they’re not going to take us for granted. … We need to improve. We are good in our district level, but there’s a whole new world when you get outside of our district.”

The squad only lost three players from last year, but English said it feels like a new team.

“It’s a constant building situation here with a small selection of kids at the school to have play for us,” English said. “There are some high-level players and some who have never played before, and getting them to adapt and play together is a constant juggling act. … They’re a great group of kids and really root each other on.”

Among the newcomers are senior first baseman Andrea Mauger and freshman center fielder Janice Cassenello, both members of the Wildcats’ state runner-up basketball team.

“Neither one of them has played softball in quite awhile, but they’re athletes and they’re willing to learn,” English said. “They have brought their great practice habits in. … If they make a mistake it’s only because they’ve never come across the situation before, and they don’t make the same mistake twice.”

English has leaned on his core of senior pitcher Sydney Boynton (7-3, 2.41 ERA, 78 strikeouts), sophomore catcher Skyler Boynton (.515, 14 runs) and Evans (.571, 19 runs, 14 RBI), a University of South Florida commit.

Evans split time pitching with Sydney last year, but the latter has taken on the job full-time and thrown every single pitch this season.

Sydney was named The Laker/Lutz News Softball Pitcher of the Year for her efforts last season and has focused on improving her repertoire for her final high school season.

“It could be one pitch that determines the game,” Sydney said. “I’m just making sure my changeup and curveball are always working, because those are my strikeout pitches. I’ve been working to make sure the changeup is perfect because that really sets up everything else.”

Skyler, Sydney’s sister, said of that changeup, “When it’s on, it’s on, and we heavily rely on it to strike people out. It’s really one of the best changeups I’ve ever seen.”

Skyler moved from center field this year to fill a team need despite not playing catcher for several years.

“It was hard at first, especially with the bumps and bruises you get catching,” Skyler said. “It’s hard having your sister pitch, because if she doesn’t pitch it right, or I miss it, we kind of give each other that little glare, but it’s working. … Sometimes she’ll shake me off, but I’ll nod my head to say yes and just pitch it because I know it’ll get them out.”

Skyler also leads off the academy’s lineup.

“I’m looking for my pitch and not swinging at balls, which will allow me to get on base more,” Skyler said. “As the leadoff hitter you want to have a good on base. … With Lauren, Sydney and Maria (Aumaitre) behind me it’s a good feeling that they’re going to drive me in.”

The mentality has worked for Skyler, who has a .579 on-base percentage.

“Skyler normally gets on every time,” Evans said. “It really takes pressure off the rest of us because she’s always getting hits and is on when I’m coming up so I can hit her in.”

English also commended the improvement of Aumaitre (.320), a senior third baseman.

“Maria has, to me, been the most improved player since last year,” English said.

The Wildcats will look to repeat as district champs at Hernando Christian April 18 at 4:30 p.m. against the winner of the game between the tournament host and Seven Rivers Christian.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

By Don Trello

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

Land O’ Lakes senior leadoff hitter Dylan Harris picked up a walk-off single in the eighth inning to lead his squad over visiting River Ridge 8-7 in extra innings in a Class 6A-District 10 contest April 5.

The Gators improved to 16-2 overall and finished district play with a perfect 8-0 record, while the Royal Knights dropped to 10-9, 2-4 in 6A-10.

“We’ve won five or six games in our last at-bat,” said Land O’ Lakes coach Calvin Baisley. “This team has a lot of character.”

Harris, a St. Leo University signee, singled home courtesy runner Zach Neely with two outs in the bottom of the eighth for the win.

Gators catcher Nathan Grant walked to start the eighth inning and Neely replaced him on the bases. Austin Connor struck out, but Connor Stephens walked sending Neely to second base, setting the stage for Harris.

“He threw me a curveball for a strike on the first pitch, and I was sitting on a curve,” said Harris, who knocked the second pitch into left field to score Neely. “We’ve been coming back the whole year. It would be nice to have the lead.”

Harris started the game at shortstop, moved to third base, and then pitched the eighth inning in place of reliever Josh Nissen.

“He’s a gamer,” said Baisley of Harris’ game-winning hit. “He gave me the sign that he wanted to bunt, but he’s the guy you want up there (swinging) in that situation.”

Harris also was the winning pitcher. He struck out two and allowed one hit in his first mound appearance of the season.

“He hasn’t thrown in a game because I need him in the field, but he knew it was coming,” Baisley said. “Harris pitched last year and has a nice breaking ball. He is a competitor who knows what he’s doing.”

Land O’ Lakes sophomore outfielder Alex Reynolds had two hits and three RBI, including a single with one out that scored Harris to tie the score 7-7 in the seventh inning.

Harris walked and went to second on a wild pitch before Nissen’s sacrifice bunt sent him to third with Reynolds coming to the plate.

“I knew I didn’t want to get behind in the count,” Reynolds said. “I knew he had good off-speed stuff, but I hit a fastball. … I just look for my pitch. If I get a strike, I at least make contact and put it in play.”

The Gators took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Nissen reached with a bunt single, stole second and scored on Reynolds’ base hit off River Ridge starting pitcher Tyler Hawks.

River Ridge plated two runs to take a 2-1 lead in the third inning without getting a hit off Land O’ Lakes starter Zach Whitaker, who walked two batters and had three wild pitches in the frame.

“Our defense was sloppy, and that’s one of our strengths,” said Baisley, whose team committed four errors. “I wasn’t satisfied.”

Brett Renner relieved Whitaker to start the fourth and allowed four hits and four runs before Nissen relieved him with no outs.

Nissen allowed one unearned run, then held River Ridge scoreless until Harris relieved to start the eighth inning.

“Nissen is our closer, and I wasn’t planning on bringing him in, but we were in a jam,” Baisley said. “His ball has got movement, and he gets a lot of groundballs.”

The Gators used four hits and one error to score four runs in the fourth inning. Grant, Connor and Stephens each had RBI singles in the frame.

The Gators played at Ridgewood April 8, but results were not available by press time. They host Wiregrass Ranch April 10 at 7 p.m.