Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Kameryn Kailimai was in first grade the last time the Land O’ Lakes girls soccer team won a playoff game.

The sophomore forward went a long way to ending that drought when she scored her 12th goal of the season in the 75th minute of the Class 3A regional quarterfinals Jan. 23 to lift the Gators (18-5-4) to a 2-1 home win over Hudson.

 

“It was the first shot she really got a piece of,” said 26-year Land O’ Lakes coach Vicky King of Kailimai’s shot. “Someone on the bench said if Kameryn gets a shot on goal she’s going to put the keeper in the back of the net.”

The game-winning tally was set up by a through ball up the middle from senior forward Holly Nasello.

“It was all adrenaline,” Holly said. “When I saw the ball in the air I just tried to flick it forward to where someone hopefully was. It was a great run. A great finish. Just excellent.”

Kailimai said she knew she couldn’t waste the opportunity.

“When I saw that ball coming I just thought I have to get this in the back of the net,” Kailimai said. “Don’t kick it to the goalie’s hands, don’t hit it over. Just put it in the back of the net.”

The Gators and Cobras (15-7-2) played to a 0-0 first-half tie, but Land O’ Lakes had the clear advantage in scoring chances.

“We tried to cool off and not be so nervous, but at halftime we also talked about finishing,” Holly said. “That’s how you win the game is finishing. Can’t win unless you score.”

Hudson opened up the scoring in the 57th minute off a long shot that just snuck over the head of senior goalkeeper Arie Bailey, but the prospects of coming back didn’t faze Land O’ Lakes.

“They’re pretty even keel,” King said. “We’ve been down before and come back. That was a long shot, good goal. Arie had a piece of it, and it hit the back of the cross bar. We just worked and worked. We were more aggressive in the box in the second half. We had more chances in the first half, but kind of played the ball right at the keeper instead of making the keeper work.”

Junior forward/midfielder Raquel Villareal answered for the Gators two minutes later by heading in a corner kick taken by freshman defender Lacy Nasello, Holly’s sister.

“Raquel, we call her a ball hunter,” King said. “She’s got good speed. She moved in from Texas this year, and she’s really added something to the team. She’s got some goals in crucial situations. She’ll go after everything.”

Villareal said the mood change after tying the contest.

“I had a really good feeling we could do it when I saw it go in,” Villareal said. “Lacy took a great corner kick, I got my head on it, and I felt the energy level pick up.”

Land O’ Lakes still needed to kill more than five minutes after Kailimai’s goal. Junior midfielder Brooke Silvest said she told the players to stay focused.

“We’re trying to finish, so I was trying to keep them calm,” Silvest said. “We have a lot of freshmen, so I told them if we just control the ball we’re going to win this.”

The Gators could not make it two postseason wins in a row, falling 3-0 at Mitchell in the regional semifinals Jan. 26.

“This team has worked its butt off all season,” Holly said. “We had a lot of young players come in this year, and as the captain I couldn’t have asked for more from them. The whole team always works as hard as it can from start to finish at practice and in games. Heart, soul, we leave everything out there on the field.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

It’s been year of making history for the Sunlake boys soccer team, and the Class 3A-District 7 final Jan. 25 was just another chapter.

The top-seeded Seahawks (27-0) dispatched No. 3 and tournament host Pasco 2-0 for their second straight district title, but it wasn’t the trophy that the team was concerned about.

It was the perfect record: “27-0 means nothing now; It’s all about 32-0 and getting to the state final,” said Ryan Norberg. “We need to win it all to make it the best. That’s what we’re really looking forward to now, and this is great, but after today it means nothing.”

Sunlake coach Sam Koleduk said there was pressure going in as the favorite to win the league title, but nerves never played a factor against the Pirates (12-6-1).

“It’s a lot different this year because we’re the favorites, but the boys really responded and really played well,” Koleduk said. “(Pasco) hung in there, and I think we really dominated the game, and I thought in the first half it could have been three or four to zero pretty easy, but we weren’t giving up shots.”

It was a frustrating start for the Seahawks after failing to convert multiple scoring chances, but Norberg came to his team’s rescue.

The junior defender took advantage of three ill-timed yellow cards by Pasco and headed in a free kick from sophomore midfielder Chris Wilkerson to give his squad the lead in the 32nd minute.

“We were pushing hard attacking them, and we were getting plenty of opportunities,” Norberg said. “Finally, he hit a ball over, and I just hit it, flicked it up and put it to the back post, and it went in.”

Koleduk told his team at the half it was their championship to lose.

“We couldn’t allow them to get anything,” Norberg said. “We had a 1-0 lead, and coach said we had to make sure we keep it that way and hold them off for the rest of the game.”

The Pirates opened the second half by applying more pressure inside Sunlake’s box, but they were unable to capitalize.

The Seahawks added an insurance tally in the 54th minute when Connor Spencer redirected a 35-yard free kick from Austin Goble into the back of the net for his 34th goal.

“This is great,” Spencer said. “We’re finally making a name for ourselves, and we’re finally not known as much as the underdog of the county, and we’re not the little kids anymore.”

Sunlake senior forward Connor Gilboy tallied two goals in the 4-0 win over Wesley Chapel in the semifinals Jan. 24 to bring his total to 60 on the season.

Gilboy is already Pasco County’s record holder for a season, and is just nine away from the state mark for a year set by current Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski in 1997 at Daytona Beach Seabreeze.

“It’s absolutely incredible and truly shows all of that hard work,” Gilboy said. “We’ve had four years to build, and it’s almost bittersweet that I’m on the end it. I’m hoping to just ride it out and have such a prosperous future because of how hard we worked for this in those four years, putting in all I could to help us get to this point.”

In the other semifinal, No. 2 seed Land O’ Lakes couldn’t make up for a slow start against Pasco, falling 4-2. It’s the first time since the 2002-03 season the Gators (12-5) have failed to advance to the playoffs.

Land O’ Lakes trailed 4-0 at halftime, but senior midfielder Sean Young (28 goals) scored a pair of goals after the break to close the deficit.

Sunlake hosts Mitchell Jan. 30 in the regional quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Koleduk said his team knows what it has to do to reach the ultimate goal.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve done so far, because these guys deserve to be where they are,” Koleduk said. “I’m encouraged by our efforts. We’ve come out really strong, and at this point it’s just win and move on.”

 

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Three years of frustration for the Steinbrenner boys soccer team came down to a penalty shot in the 64th minute of the Class 4A-District 8 final Jan. 26.

With the game tied 1-1, senior midfielder Enrique Barboto took two steps and belted the ball as hard as he could at Sickles goalkeeper Ryan Cooper, who dove to his left for the save that dashed the Warriors’ (15-2-3) chance at their first district championship.

The top-seeded Gryphons (11-1-3) marched down the field and headed in what would be the winning goal on their ensuing possession to take the contest 2-1.

It was the third time in the program’s four-year history that the No. 2 seed Steinbrenner has made it to the finals, only to come up short again.

With his eyes red and filling with tears, a sweatshirt draped around his head, Barboto walked off the field in silence as a mass of green and white celebrated behind him.

“We couldn’t finish our chances, and I don’t know,” Barboto said. “I couldn’t finish mine. I let us down.”

Warriors Chad Ebright walked out onto the field to console his players after the game. Some were lying face down on the field in disbelief.

“We didn’t finish it,” Ebright said. “They finished the opportunities they had, and we did not. That was the difference in the game.”

The Warriors controlled the pace offensively by keeping the ball in the Sickles zone for most of the night and peppering the goal with 17 shots.

Derek Gebhard sent a shot skipping past an empty net just two minutes into the contest, Jason Collister overran what would have been a one-time goal in the 19th minute and Cody Lively hit the cross bar less than a minute later.

“I can’t really explain what it was,” said Gebhard, a senior forward. “I just couldn’t connect with my kicks, and my shots, they weren’t going for me. I couldn’t do anything about it.”

Steinbrenner goalkeeper Christian Knight was the difference maker in the first 40 minutes, making seven saves.

The junior, who returned to the team for the district tournament after serving a six-week suspension from the Florida High School Athletic Association, made his best save in the first half when a free kick scuffed the tips of his fingers and sailed over the goal to keep the game scoreless.

“I thought we were going to come out and have this spark to really beat them bad, because we had been talking about the mistakes we made in the past,” Knight said. “I really just thought we were going to pull through and learn from all of our mistakes, but I guess tonight we just didn’t pull through.”

Ebright fired up his team at halftime, telling his 21 players they had to find the net quickly to stay in control of the game.

His team responded on a corner kick taken by freshman midfielder Michael Connell in the 44th minute. Collister emerged from the pack and headed in the Warriors’ only goal of the night to take a 1-0 lead.

The joy wouldn’t last long though as Sickles forward Scott Mulroe headed in a free kick less than a minute later to tie the game and squandered any momentum Steinbrenner had gained.

“We really didn’t get any good shots on our feet; it was all on our heads,” said Gryphons coach Carl May. “Steinbrenner’s an amazing team, and I told my guys if they play well against Steinbrenner, that’s as good as it gets.”

Warriors ended Gaither’s streak of five consecutive playoff trips in the semifinals with a 5-0 win.

The Cowboys (7-7-1) couldn’t hang with Steinbrenner’s offense as Collister and Gebhard each scored two goals and Austin Labban had one.

In the other semifinal, Wiregrass Ranch lost to Sickles 2-1 in penalty kicks 4-3. Mitchell Oliveri scored the lone goal for the Bulls (15-8-1).

The Warriors travel to Haines City Ridge Community Jan. 30 in regional quarterfinals. A victory would send them to the winner of the Sickles-Eagle Lake Lake Region contest on Feb. 2.

Regional games start at 7 p.m.

 

 

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Look up any goals record for Steinbrenner girls soccer, and the same name is at the top of every category — Alexis Bredeau.

The senior forward picked up the record for goals in a game by scoring six in the season’s opener Oct. 29 against Clearwater Central Catholic (CCC) and set the all-time mark with her 79th career tally against Alonso Dec. 21.

Bredeau captured the last bit of Warriors’ glory by setting the program’s single-season goals record by scoring her 34th in her final high school game Jan. 23 off a header at Lakeland George Jenkins in the regional semifinals, which the Eagles won 5-2.

Bredeau, who ends her high school career with 89 goals and a program-record 228 points, past current University of Tampa forward Cici Gonzalez for all four marks.

Bredeau’s record-setting season got stuck in neutral after the offensive explosion in the season opener. She scored only three goals in the five games following the six put up against CCC.

Things turned around against Robinson Nov. 30 when the Warriors had only 12 players because of injury, illness and kids away at showcase tournaments.

Bredeau picked up a pair of goals in the contest and added 23 more in the final 13 games.

“Going into the Robinson game I knew the team needed me to perform,” Bredeau said. “The pressure was there. I have to do it. When I did, I just thought I could do it then, why can’t I do it every game?”

Goals have followed Bredeau like no other in Steinbrenner (14-6) history, but she wasn’t just a scoring machine.

She also led her squad with 19 assists this season, ending her career with 54.

“It doesn’t matter to me if I score or not,” Bredeau said. “Whatever helps my team the most. If the team needs me to give an assist or score, that’s what I’m looking to do. I just go with the flow.”

The season follows a year when Bredeau had only eight goals and six assists.

“There were some rough times,” Bredeau said. “Things haven’t always gone the way I wanted, but I’ve been so honored to be a part of this team.”

Bredeau said the rebound year was a big confidence booster as she prepares to play at the University of North Florida. She will sign with the Ospreys Feb. 6, National Signing Day.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Land O’ Lakes cheerleading team set a standard of success by winning the 2008 state championship, the first year the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) awarded the honor.

The Gators, who won the small co-ed division state title, have stayed competitive the last four years, but the current squad is out for more than just a state appearance.

“It’s a big legacy to uphold,” said senior Morgan Novotny. “You have to strive to be the best, because we’ve been the best, and we know we can do it.”

The squad lost seven seniors from last year, but the returning athletes feel confident in their ability.

“We just have to go out there and do it and uphold the Land O’ Lakes tradition,” said senior Abigail Lukacik. “I know everyone on the team really wants that ring,”

Andrea Burkhart, who is in her second full season as Land O’ Lakes’ coach, said there is some stress leading a team with such a winning tradition.

“There’s pressure here yes, but it’s not facility or staff putting it on us,” Burkhart said. “Myself and the girls put it on ourselves. … I wanted to coach here because I love the kids. I coach at an outside gym (Cheer Express Allstars in Oldsmar), so I knew a lot of the girls around here, and they asked me to apply for a (junior varsity) opening. It’s challenging day to day with teenage girls, but I love them.”

The Gators finished in the top three at states last year and placed second at regionals. They took sixth at the Class 1A-Region 2 large division meet Dec. 8.

“This year it’s a little bit of rebuilding,” Burkhart said. “I’ve got a lot of newbies. The seniors from last year are tough to replace, but we’re improving.”

Novotny agreed: “We didn’t do as great in regionals, but we’ve gotten so much better since then. Big improvement. … We just have to clean up our transitions and our stunts. We have the tumbling and we have the raw talent; we just need to tone it up a little bit. We’ll get there.”

Lukacik said it’s more about the mental aspect for them.

“As a team Land O’ Lakes has always been really tight on our motions,” Lukacik said. “We do that well. I just think we need to calm down when we’re on the mat. We tend to get really excited and rush and freak out. We just have to go out there and know we can hit it, because we’ve done it before. If we just calm down we can hit it so easy.”

Burkhart said a realistic goal is for them to make it back to the finals at states, which is for the top-three teams.

“I have high hopes for what we can do there,” Burkhart said.

The Gators compete at states Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the Kissimmee Convention Center.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

The Wiregrass Ranch cheerleading squad is one of the youngest groups in Pasco County.

With only two seniors and five freshmen, most would expect the Bulls to be looking toward the future for success and take time to build the program. However, that isn’t the case according to coach Dawn Wetherby, who returned to the team this season after a two-year absence to help her daughter and Wiregrass Ranch girls soccer player, Dayton, go on college recruiting trips.

“I absolutely love it, because they just want to go forward,” Wetherby said. “They really just want to work, and from a coaching standpoint that’s icing on the cake.”

It wasn’t easy early on, though.

Just weeks after football season ended, the squad had to begin preparing for the upcoming basketball season and regional competition in early December.

In order to fill some positions on the roster, Wetherby had to bring freshmen up to the varsity level for the first time in her career.

Wetherby, along with assistant coach Brooke DelValle, worked with the girls and practiced three times a week to prepare for the grueling schedule.

The squad responded with the Best of Pasco championship and a third place finish in the Region 2 medium division competition, which Wetherby called amazing.

“It was a big adjustment for me,” Wetherby said. “Their energy level was amazing, and it’s amazing to see how just a couple years can make such a big difference in that. … With these young ladies, they want more.”

Freshman Alicia Rios, whose sister, Leah, signed the first cheerleading scholarship in the program’s seven-year history to Missouri Valley State last March, said the younger girls had to adjust quickly and knows she definitely has some shoes to fill.

“It’s helped us (freshmen) mature, and we’ve just learned from the seniors and the juniors and everyone else, and it’s helpful,” Rios said. “It’s hard because I want to be my own person, but I do look up to (Leah) and try and fill in what she did. She helps me a lot and tells me what’s good and how to do things.”

Ellen Lovelace, who is one of three squad captains along with senior Shannon Fisk and junior Bella LaFerriere, said it wasn’t too difficult getting adjusted to younger girls because of how experienced everyone is.

“We all have cheered before, and so we know that no matter what, we know how to stay focused and become a team,” Lovelace said. “It did take a little while at first because we didn’t mesh, but we were able to practice and we dedicated one practice to the football stuff and competition routine, and we just learned the basketball cheers whenever it was time.”

Aside from the Bulls’ success on the mat, Wetherby has made sure they stay focused in the community as well.

The team frequently performs at different events and has fundraisers to try and gain the attention of residents and business owners to get its name out, all of which is strictly on a volunteer basis.

“I don’t make any of what we call ‘special performances’ mandatory at all, and the attendance we have had has been amazing,” Wetherby said. “They want to come out, they want to be there and that just shows how much they love Wiregrass. Once they get to college and they do cheerleading or they cheer professionally, you have to do these performances and personal appearances. They’re required. So, as we rebuild, I’m trying to set up a system and a program so when they hit that college team they know exactly what to do.”

Even though the Bulls have enjoyed early success, Wetherby is excited for what could be coming down the road.

“Once they get into the groove of what to expect academicwise, practicewise and fatiguewise, then you’ll see in following years why I’m so excited for the future,” Wetherby said. “It’ll be been there, done that. Now, I can take more on, and that’s what’s going to be exciting.”

States are Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the Kissimmee Convention Center.

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Wiregrass Ranch girls tennis has done plenty of winning during its seven-year history.

The Bulls can boast four playoff berths, a regional title and a doubles state crown, and, for the first time, they can proudly proclaim themselves as defending district champions.

Wiregrass Ranch graduated three players from its top five after claiming the Class 4A-District 5 crown, but the Bulls have no intentions on lowering their expectations.

“We want to defend that title,” said Wiregrass Ranch sophomore Star Makarome. “We want to make it back to regionals and hopefully states as a team.”

Wiregrass Ranch has had to remake it’s top five, but returns a duo of talented sophomores in Tiffany Garner and Makarome, who reached states last year as a doubles team.

“Last year was so amazing; I don’t even know how to describe it,” Garner said. “The team was already so well off, so to be able to come in and help was a great experience. It was sad to lose those three seniors, but we’ve got some good players coming in, and I’m excited for what we can do.”

Makarome, who was named The Laker/Lutz News Girls Tennis Player of the Year, finished as the 4A state singles runner-up last season with a 12-1 record. She dropped only 21 games all season as a freshman while managing a schedule that included high-level junior events.

“I know how everything works now,” Makarome said. “I can schedule things better than last year, like with the tournaments I play in, so that I’m ready for districts and regionals and states. … After the school year ended I had a long stretch of nationals, and I feel like I improved as a player. My court sense got better, and my dad has been working with me, so hopefully I get to show people what I’ve learned since last year.”

It’s not uncommon for a player of Makarome’s ability to forgo competing in high school to focus on national competitions, but the Bulls ace said that thought never entered her mind.

“I really like playing high school tennis,” Makarome said. “Everyone is nice, and it’s just a lot of fun to do. That’s why I came back this year. … I don’t have any sisters, so these girls are like my sisters.”

Garner said having a player like Makarome in the No. 1 slot takes the pressure off the rest of the squad.

“With Star, you know she’s just going to bring it every time,” Garner said. “She was amazing as a freshmen playing national tournaments and then being out here and winning every match and every game. The team couldn’t be in a better situation with her at No. 1.”

Senior Eve Morissette added, “Everyone on the other team is scared to play her. She just never loses.”

Wiregrass Ranch also received a boost to its top three with the transfer of sophomore Victoria Chavez from Academy at the Lakes.

“We definitely added a strong player in Victoria, and I think that will make up for losing three seniors,” Makarome said.

Chavez relishes the chance to play on the same team with Makarome.

“I knew about Star,” Chavez said. “We usually competed in some of the same tournaments, so I’m really excited to play on the same team as her and to play for Wiregrass this year.”

The Bulls’ top three positions are set, and there is a trio of seniors battling for the remaining two slots: Crystal Giokas, Isabella Rodriguez and Morissette.

Giokas missed most of last season after hurting her neck and back in a car accident, but said she plans to make up for lost time this year.

“I’m so ready to get to play and have a good season,” Giokas said. “I want to go to states my last season. … I’m ready to kick some butt this year.”

Morissette and Rodriguez also said they are excited about the chance of staying in the top five fulltime with a program known for success.

“Tennis has been really good, the boys too, so it’s really great to be a part of that,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve been consistent. The top five has been amazing the last four years. It’s great to be a part of.”

Garner said the competition for positions will make the team stronger, especially come playoff time.

Wiregrass Ranch lost to Wharton in the first round of the postseason last season, falling 4-1.

“It was definitely a step up playing (Wharton) in regionals,” Garner said. “We hadn’t had to face that before. … I think that has motivated us to stay strong. If we make it to regionals that’s the kind of competition we’ll face.”

The Bulls start the season at Ridgewood Feb. 7 at 3:15 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Chris Parra reached a milestone never before attained by a Wiregrass Ranch boys basketball player when he scored 21 against Tampa Catholic Jan. 22.

The 5-foot-9 senior guard put in his 1,500th career point, becoming the first in the program’s seven-year history to reach the milestone.

“I didn’t even know when it happened,” Parra said. “Coach told me I was getting close like maybe a month ago, but I wasn’t worried about it. I just wanted to win, so I just forgot about it. … I think down the road I’ll look back and say, ‘Wow, 1,500,’ but right now it doesn’t mean that much to me. I want to help the team get back to the playoffs and then get a chance to play in college.”

Parra, who is averaging 15.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals this season, started playing basketball while in seventh grade at Weightman Middle in Wesley Chapel. Before that, he was focused on baseball.

He played his first two years of high school ball at Wesley Chapel before his family moved into Wiregrass Ranch’s boundary last season, giving him a unique perspective on one of Pasco County’s best cross-town rivalries.

“I’m still friends with those guys, so I have no hatred for them,” Parra said. “It’s not like I’m ready to go kill them. It’s always a really good game.”

Bulls coach Jeremy Calzone was happy to have Parra on his roster.

“I told Chris this when he first got here; we hated playing against him,” Calzone said. “He’s a tough player who’s tough to guard and kind of had an attitude. Now that I’ve gotten to know him, he’s just such a great kid with a great family. It’s really been a pleasure to have him. He’s a great leader. He’s great in the classroom. He’s improved his GPA by almost a point since he’s been here. I’m very pleased with Chris.”

Parra has shown his versatility in recent weeks.

He is primarily a shooting guard, but has been playing point because of an ankle injury to Dimarco Burgess.

“I have no problem handling the ball,” Parra said. “I do love to catch and shoot. I love that, and point takes away a lot of that. Sometimes you have to slow things down, and I like being able to recognize that and make it happen. If I want to go to the next level, that’s probably going to be my position.”

Parra is the first to reach 1,500 for the program, but it appears he will have company very soon as senior forward Rico Kereny is just 14 points from the mark.

“The question is, has this ever happened before at any school to have two 1,500 point kids together and getting it about a week apart,” Calzone said. He added, “I don’t know if I’ll ever have that again in my career. It’s just an unbelievable stat. … I just have to say thank you for me getting these kinds of players at the same time.”

 

Wiregrass Ranch played at Mitchell Jan. 28, but results were not available by press time. The Bulls travel to Hudson Jan. 29 and host Wesley Chapel Feb. 1. Games start at 7:30 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

 

By Don Trello

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

Sunlake wrestler John Ortiz finished his junior year with a 47-7 record, won a district title and advanced to the Class 2A state meet in the 120-pound weight class.

The senior recently added to his list of honors when he was named the Floridawrestles.com 2012 High School Wrestler of the Year.

“I was really surprised because of all the people who were nominated that competed around the nation,” Ortiz said about his award. “It’s recognition of hard work.”

Despite his success on the mat, Ortiz was left with a bad taste in his mouth after failing to place in the state meet last season, finishing sixth at 112 pounds his sophomore year.

Sunlake athletic director Russ Schenk coached Ortiz prior to stepping down as wrestling coach at the end of last season.

“John is a great kid and very talented wrestler who could wrestle at the next level,” Schenk said. “Prior to his first match at state he was warming up, and a heavyweight guy near him got thrown and landed on his knee. … He sucked it up and wrestled hard, but lost to a kid who got second in the state.”

Ortiz suffered a torn meniscus and had surgery to repair the injury.

“I had surgery in March or April and missed two months,” Ortiz said. “I started rehabbing and everything is great now.”

Ortiz has bounced back from his injury in a big way. His record this year is 34-1 wrestling at 126 and 132 pounds.

“John’s an upper-body guy,” said Eric Rapp, who is in his first season as Sunlake’s coach. “He’s running better and moving faster. I see definite improvement in him. He’s one of the best wrestlers I have, and I’d say he is favored to win a (126-pound) state title.”

Schenk, who is now an assistant, added his thoughts to Rapp’s assessment of Ortiz.

“His work ethic has improved since his freshman year; he’s set to be a state champion,” Schenk said. “He really has turned into a team leader because of coach Rapp.”

Senior Kendrich Portorreal feels Ortiz is a valuable teammate.

“Ortiz can take it,” Portorreal said. “He’s a great teammate and you can rely on him.”

Ortiz also competes in Greco Roman wrestling after the high school season ends and finished seventh in the Cadet Greco Roman National Championships two years ago.

“Coach Schenk helped me with Greco a lot,” said Ortiz, who sat out of Greco competition last year while recovering from his torn meniscus. “I like Greco the best because it’s high intensity with a lot of throws, and I’m a crowd pleaser. (High school) wrestling is a whole new game. There’s a lot more technique.”

Ortiz started wrestling when he was 8 years old and views this high school season as the last chance to reach his ultimate goal.

“Experience is a big-time help,” Ortiz said. “The main thing about wrestling is adjusting to things and working hard. I had minor setbacks last year, but I’m hoping to be a state champ. That’s been my goal since I started wrestling.”

 

 

By Don Trello

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

At first glance it appeared the Sunlake wrestling program underwent a significant change when Seahawks athletic director Russ Schenk stepped down as head coach and assistant Eric Rapp took over this season.

Schenk has 300-plus dual meet wins in a coaching career that began in 1986 and is set to receive the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame later this year.

“I was under tremendous pressure to keep up with high expectations,” said Rapp, who is in his first season leading a program. “It sets very high standards when your boss gets honored by the hall of fame. I can’t imagine higher standards.”

Rapp has responded well to the challenge. The Seahawks are 16-5 in dual meets and have a legitimate state title contender in senior John Ortiz at 126 pounds.

“I try not to make myself unbelievable (to his wrestlers),” Rapp said. “I push them hard, but I’m not unrealistic. I motivate them to want it for themselves. I want to unlock potential.”

Rapp’s background includes serving in the U.S. Army after graduating in 1996 from Land O’ Lakes.

“I went to Ranger School and spent four years in Special Operations,” Rapp said. “I was a weapons squad leader, a big gun and demolitions guy. It’s a big reason I’m hard of hearing.”

Rapp wrestled in high school, and participated in the program at the World Class Wrestling Club (WCWC) operated by Schenk in the high school off-season.

“I walked through Ranger School when I was 18 because wrestling gave me mental toughness and desire to succeed in life,” Rapp said. “It’s my desire to pass that on to as many young men as possible.”

Schenk, who stayed on as Sunlake assistant coach, was instrumental in bringing Rapp into the program.

“Eric is hardworking and a great guy,” Schenk said. “His approach is very similar to mine. We kind of play good cop, bad cop. He’s taken over the spot of being the disciplinarian, and I’m the good cop. It’s working well.”

Rapp’s passion for wrestling resulted in opening his own gym two years ago.

“I wanted to combine academics and sports, but the economy changed and I couldn’t keep up with it,” Rapp said. “High school wrestlers came to my gym and asked me to talk to coach Schenk when he became athletic director. … I called and stopped by to see him, and he recommended me to the principal, and I was hired.”

Rapp indicated coaching has become more challenging due to outside influences on high school athletes today.

“It’s hard to get their attention because of outside distractions,” Rapp said. “Parents are under more distractions than we had. They have a lot to deal with.

“I want mental and physical toughness, but I want to develop outstanding adults,” Rapp added. “That takes you further than anything else if you do it the right way.”

Ortiz seems to have bought into Rapp’s philosophy and coaching style.

“Coach Rapp is a great coach, and I’m learning from him,” Ortiz said. “He focuses on being tougher and stronger. It’s good to have a different perspective.”

Rapp’s enthusiasm for wrestling extends beyond Sunlake, working at WCWC during the summer.

“We want to build a program by getting more people involved at a younger age,” Rapp said. “Wrestling is situational awareness and having a planned course of action. All the glory is being a coach of a great program, but there is more pride in developing a program.”

The Seahawks host the Class 2A-District 8 tournament Jan. 31 starting at 4:30 p.m.