The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Lutz charter school appeal hearing delayed

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By B.C. Manion

 

A proposed site in Lutz for a charter school for grades six through 12 has sparked controversy, and the location’s fate is at least a month from being resolved.

An appeal hearing scheduled for Sept. 14 will be pushed back to at least Oct. 12, and possibly until Nov. 2.

The attorney representing opponents to the school site has been sidelined by a surgery and has requested a delay until November.

Hillsborough County’s Land-Use Appeals Board automatically allows a one-month continuance, said Karen Matches, who provides administrative support for the board.

A longer delay is at the board’s discretion, so board members will consider that request at their 1 p.m. meeting on Sept. 14, when they were slated to hear the appeal.

A special use permit has been granted to allow Gates School to locate on a heavily forested, 62-acre tract near the intersection of US 41 and Sunset Lane.

However, that permit is being appealed by a group of neighbors who argue the school doesn’t fit in with the Lutz Community Plan. They also object to potential traffic and flood dangers, along with undesirable noise, litter and pollution from the project.

The school is being planned as an extension of Learning Gate Community School and would enable it to increase enrollment and extend its brand of learning through high school. It currently has children in kindergarten through 10th grade.

The new campus would accommodate up to 1,000 middle and high school students. The plan calls for several school buildings scattered about the campus for classrooms, a green house, administrative offices and an agricultural barn.

There would be two entrances to the school. One would be off of Sunset Lane, the other off of US 41.

In their appeal, opponents note the school lacks an easement off US 41 to get to the school site. Thus, they contend, it lacks the access to a four-lane road required for high schools in the Lutz Community Plan, which is incorporated as part of Hillsborough’s comprehensive plan.

Opponents also are concerned about the impacts the school will have on water supplies and wonder how its sewer needs would be handled.

At its first hearing on the case, the county’s Land Use Appeals Board can uphold the hearing officer’s decision or remand it to the hearing officer for additional consideration. The appeals board has the authority to rescind the permit if the case is brought to it a second time, but that action must be taken by a super majority of the board.

Anyone who wishes to challenge the appeals board’s action must take the issue to court.

A taste of the culinary life at the RNC

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By B.C. Manion

 

A few years ago, chef Michael Rigberg was working at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

That experience helped open the door for his culinary arts students to show off their budding skills at the Republican National Convention (RNC).

Rigberg and his teaching colleague, Jessica Cooper, were at the forum while 26 students from the Academy of Culinary Arts at Land O’ Lakes High worked to prepare food for the hungry masses at the convention.

Casey Rother, a culinary arts student at Land O’ Lakes High, shows off the lunch he made in the main kitchen at the Tampa Bay Times Forum during the Republican National Convention.

“We were the only high school permitted to do this,” said Rigberg, who recognized that working such a high-profile event provided a rare opportunity for his students.

“Practical experience is what the students need,” Rigberg said.

Rigberg was involved in the three bidding efforts that helped Tampa secure the RNC, the first presidential convention in Florida since 1972. His efforts to give his students a chance to work behind the scenes at the convention started more than a year ago.

They learned about four to six weeks before the convention that their food would be on the menu.

Along with prepping the students on the professionalism they expected, the culinary arts team needed about 2.5 weeks to get the necessary clearance, and the students and instructors had to pass through three security checkpoints to get to their assignments.

“They knew this was serious. They knew it was the real deal,” said Rigberg, who knew what to expect.

“I fed President Reagan and I fed President Clinton at different times, so I’m pretty familiar with what was happening,” he continued. “For the students, it was like deer in headlights.”

The security detail was intense, said Wesley Earley, 17. Security personnel were toting machine guns — not a common sight in Tampa.

“It was mind-blowing, how much security they had,” Earley said.

The culinary academy contingent arrived at their assignments at the forum around 9:30 a.m. and left around 3:30 p.m. each day, Rigberg said. They worked in the kitchen, at concession stands and in the suites.

“It was a very eye-opening experience,” said Earley, who was impressed by the atmosphere.

Earley made 130 waffles one day and 250 hot dogs for the concession stand on another.

“It was amazing,” said Kayla Ostrowski, 17. “We got an opportunity to see how the industry works in mass production. It was very exciting.”

Daniel Price, 17, said he prepared concession-style foods and higher-end desserts. “Everyone seemed to know what they were doing, what they were supposed to do and how much needed to be done,” Price said.

Mariah Lewis, a 16-year-old who helped make Cuban sandwiches and box lunches, described the atmosphere as fun, but focused.

Benjamin Herndon, 18, said he helped in the beverage room where the liquors and sodas are stored.

“I gave out schedules for workers. I delivered drinks to the different suites,” Herndon added. He said the experience offered a glimpse into the management side of what goes on at the forum.

“It was very interesting,” Herndon said, adding he is more accustomed to seeing the culinary side of the business. The experience reinforced his career choice.

“I want to go to culinary school,” Herndon said. “It kind of pumped me up for that.”

Alexa Vaughan, 18, works in a kitchen that is four to five times smaller than the one at the forum.

“It was completely different than I envisioned,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan was also impressed by the organization of the workflow and the speed of the staff: “People were really productive.”

Cooper said many of the students have taken culinary classes for three or four years. Working the RNC gave them a real taste of what to expect in the culinary business.

“This was a good opportunity for them to see do I want to work at this? Is this something I actually want to do? Can I dedicate myself to it? … They see that it’s very hectic in a kitchen. They had chefs there for 18 hours,” Cooper said.

“It’s not only just about cooking,” Cooper continued. “It’s about interacting with other people. It’s teamwork. Some days you may be in the main kitchen and some days you may need to help at the front of the house.”

Cooper was impressed by how well the students handled the experience.

“The kids seemed very relaxed, and they weren’t intimidated,” she said.

Cooper said by Day 2, “they were relaxed and they were like pros in the kitchen. They were very excited to be there. They just jumped right in. … It was a good use of their time. They got to network. They got to meet visiting chefs. Also, they got a chance to network in the concession stands with the managers.”

Rigberg was pleased they had the chance to work a historic event, but in the end it was about helping to prepare his students for the future, he said.

“I wanted to make sure they got a good learning experience out of it.”

 

An insider’s view of Tampa’s RNC

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Compiled by B.C. Manion

 

Susan A. MacManus, a professor at the University of South Florida (USF), is widely known for her expertise on Florida politics. The woman, who grew up in the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes area, routinely serves as a political analyst for WFLA News Channel 8 and often offers her insights to journalists across the globe.

Susan A. MacManus, left, provided her political analysis throughout the Republican National Convention in Tampa to WFLA News Channel 8. She is seated with Gayle Sierens and Keith Cate.

Here, she shares her observations from the Republican National Convention (RNC) with The Laker/Lutz News, which we present to our readers in a Q & A format.

 

Q. Why should readers care about the RNC, and why did it matter to you?

A. The recent Republican National Convention was a first for Tampa, bringing thousands of visitors from across the U.S. and the globe. Having a major political event of that magnitude in our city was quite a thrill for me — a girl who grew up in the then-rural Lutz/Land O’ Lakes area and went on to become a USF political science professor and a political analyst for WFLA-TV, News Channel 8 (Tampa’s NBC affiliate). I certainly wore both hats at the convention — the professor and the analyst, throughout the week.

 

Q. What were your overall impressions of the RNC?

A. Florida holds a lot of fascination — politically, economically, and culturally. In mingling with delegates from across the U.S. and journalists from around the globe, I was repeatedly asked five questions and these are the answers I gave:

–Q. How important is Florida in determining who gets elected president?

A. Very. Florida has 29 Electoral College votes — the same as New York — and is the most politically competitive swing, or battleground, state.

–Q. Why was Tampa selected as the RNC convention site?

A. The Tampa Bay media market is Florida’s largest; over one-fourth of the state’s registered voters live in the area. It is nearly evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans and is quite diverse in its age and racial/ethnic makeup. It also has rural, suburban and urban areas — the building blocks of political campaigns.

–Q. Will the selection of Congressman Paul Ryan, from Wisconsin, as Mitt Romney’s running mate cause Romney to lose Florida because of seniors’ opposition to Ryan’s proposal to reform Medicare?

A. Maybe some, but not nearly as many as some are predicting. Florida’s seniors — 65 and older — are evenly divided between Republicans (42 percent) and Democrats (41 percent). They are likely to support their party’s presidential nominee. The age group most likely to be paying the most attention to Medicare reform proposals are the Baby Boomers near retirement, many of whom have already had to delay retirement due to the recent recession.

–Q. Is the I-4 corridor still the place where elections are won and lost in Florida?

A. Yes. Together the Tampa and Orlando media markets are home to 43 percent of Florida’s registered voters. The I-4 corridor is currently divided 38 percent Democrat, 38 percent Republican and the rest Independents. It is accurately called “the swing part of the swing state.” The presidential candidates will be here often over the next few months.

–Q. Will there ever be another political convention here after the close brush with a hurricane? (Tropical Storm Isaac)

A. Within the next 10 years, probably not. Longer term? It will be a long shot, but never say never. After all, they are still holding Super Bowls in blizzards!

 

Q. What other issue seemed to spark the interest of journalists?

A. Many reporters also asked questions about the economy in Florida and in Tampa. Here are some questions they asked on that topic:

–Q. Is Florida’s economy likely to improve by Election Day on Nov. 6?

A. In some parts of the state, such as South Florida, but not in others. The unemployment rate just went up again, and even if it falls over the next two months it is likely to remain slightly above the national average.

–Q. How much has the state’s high home foreclosure rate hurt President Obama’s re-election chances?

A. Probably, at least a bit. Suburbanites voted for Obama in 2008 but voted heavily Republican in the 2010 election — a shift some analysts attribute to higher home foreclosure rates in those areas. The suburban counties in Florida’s large metro areas will most likely be the swing vote in 2012.

 

Q. Does the Romney-Ryan ticket seem attractive to Hispanic, women and younger voters?

A. In 2008, a majority of Hispanics, women, and younger voters supported Obama. Republicans are working hard to do better among these groups in 2012. They are counting on some popular Hispanics like Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Gov. Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Spanish-speaking former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to campaign heavily in Hispanic areas. They are hopeful that Ann Romney will attract more female voters and that vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan will help with young voters.

 

Q. Will Tea Party activists and Ron Paul supporters vote for Romney? Neither group supported him in the primary.

A. Most likely, although there will be a small percent that will not. Tea Party activists are more likely to end up voting for Romney than Ron Paul supporters. Many Tea Party voters have applauded the addition of Paul Ryan to the ticket.

 

Q. What were some of the most fun and memorable moments?

A. My six favorites were:

—Seeing Busch Garden flamingos roaming through delegates attending the welcome party at Tropicana Field.

—Hearing “photogs” for WFLA News Channel 8 and FOX 13 arguing over who had the best or worst food. Did anyone mention cheesecake?

—The stirring speeches of Floridians chosen to address the whole nation.

—Running into former students who have become involved in politics as adults and love it as much as I do.

—Watching the balloons drop. I just never get tired of the hoopla signaling the end of a convention.

—Hearing an Oklahoma delegate leaving for the airport with armloads of souvenirs say “This was the most memorable experience of my life. I will never forget it.”

 

Details come together at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel

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By B.C. Manion

 

A thousand tiny details combine to create the three stories, 83 beds and 200,000 square feet that make up Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, and none were too small when it comes to considering patient care and comfort.

The thoughtful planning was apparent on Sept. 7 during a media preview tour of the facility on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard north of SR 56.

“Every detail that we put into designing the facility really had the patient and their healing in mind, and we’re very proud of that,” said Brian Adams, hospital president and CEO.

Adams was joined by director of marketing Tracy Clouser during the tour of the hospital, whose parent company also owns Florida hospitals Zephyrhills and Tampa. They showed off modern technologies that they say will help doctors identify a patient’s potential health risk, allowing intervention at earlier stages and helping to avoid invasive surgeries.

The new hospital was deliberately designed to preserve open views, allow natural light in and avoid the institutional feel of some medical facilities. (Photo courtesy of the hospital)

They also pointed out security precautions to keep people safe from medical mix-ups and prevent the possibility of anyone leaving the hospital with a baby that isn’t theirs.

Aesthetics were not overlooked, either.

Clouser said the hospital’s design avoids an institutional look.

Instead of stark white walls and straight corridors, curves, artwork and open views were used to create a different vibe.

Attention to detail shows up throughout the hospital.

For instance, each room has a stool because research has shown patients perceive that healthcare providers have spent more time with them if they sit down when visiting their room, Adams said. When patients have that perception, it can improve communication, which can lead to better care, he added.

Throughout the facility, the hospital has considered not only the comfort of people staying there, but also those who are visiting.

The emergency room, for instance, has a waiting area that offers comfortable furniture for family and friends, a 900-gallon aquarium and an area where children can play video games.

While loved ones relax, patients brought to the emergency department will be taken straight to a room where a doctor, nurse and a hospital registration staffer will work as a team.

The idea is to get the patient in front of a doctor as soon as possible rather than having them sit in a waiting room to fill out paperwork, Clouser said.

Four of the rooms in the emergency department also are equipped with Philips Ambient technology, which allows patients to choose videos to project on the room’s wall and select colors to change the hue of the room.

Glass panels that serve as a railing also demonstrate the thought that went into the design. The panels will require more maintenance, but they preserve the view for people sitting in a nearby waiting area, Adams said.

To avoid the glare of overhead lights shining directly into patients’ eyes as patients are being transported to their rooms, the hospital had the fixtures installed along the edges of the ceilings in corridors near patient rooms.

The hospital is also divided into front and back stage areas. Patients and supplies use rear elevators, which are larger to accommodate stretchers. Visitors use elevators in the front, which are of standard size. This helps respect patient privacy and protect them from infections, Adams said.

The hospital leader, who is quite tall, said it wouldn’t be a good thing to have someone like him towering over a cancer patient in an elevator, especially if, for instance, Adams had the flu.

The hospital is so serious about protecting patients from infections that it has chips embedded in the hand sanitizing areas in each room, which records when care staffers have washed his or her hands and when.

Each room is also equipped with a GetWellNetwork system that allows patients to watch movies or high-definition television, to surf the Internet or play games. It also enables patients to learn more about their medical condition, ask questions or lodge complaints about their care while keeping track of when staffers visit their room.

To help patients recover faster, visitors are welcome 24 hours a day, and each room is outfitted with a sofa sleeper.

The hospital also boasts powerful imaging equipment that will help medical practitioners detect cancer early, has the first hybrid operating suite of its kind in the nation and has an advanced cardiac catheterization lab, Adams said.

The hospital will use electronic medical records, a computerized physician order entry program and a band system to ensure patients receive the proper medication in the correct dose at the right time.

The hospital is also pleased with the quality of the staff it has assembled, including board-certified radiologists and board-certified emergency-room physicians, Adams said.

The community is invited to tour the new hospital from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 16. The event includes hospital tours, games, entertainment, children’s activities, giveaways and a free lunch.

PEDC announces 2012 winners

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By B.C. Manion

 

There were school board members, county commissioners, engineers, lawyers, hoteliers, manufacturers, digital game makers and people from a multitude of other careers at the Pasco Economic Development Council’s (PEDC) 26th annual Appreciation Banquet.

More than 650 registered to attend the gala, which was at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel on Sept. 5.

The banquet followed a trade show, which attracted nearly 60 vendors providing a wide range of services, such as medical, banking, development services and manufacturing.

Trey Starkey, the chairman of the board for PEDC, gave the keynote address.

Winners of the 2012 PEDC Industry of the Year were announced during the banquet.

The PEDC evaluates top companies in Pasco County each year for their technology, innovation, job creation, growth, and capital investment in the area. They also measure companies’ involvement in community activities.

Finalists were interviewed by an independent panel of judges on a range of different topics from capital investments and company growth, market and technology innovation, leadership and involvement in industry and community organizations.

This year’s winners were:

—Manufacturing Industry of the Year – Category 1:

Pasco Iron & Metal, 21240 Lake Patience Road in Land O’ Lakes

—Manufacturing Industry of the Year – Category 2:

Pall Aeropower Corp., 10540 Ridge Road in New Port Richey

—Service/Distribution Industry of the Year – Category 1:

Copperstone Executive Suites & Business Center, 3632 US 41 Suite ‘0’ in Land O’ Lakes

—Service/Distribution Industry of the Year – Category 2:

R. J. Kielty Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, 9507 SR 52 in Hudson

—Special Recognition Award:

Hyundai of New Port Richey, 3936 US 19

—Special Contribution Award:

Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 SR 54

—Technology Award:

Artix Entertainment

 

So much earned, so much still remains

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Nikita Shah prepares for run at cross country state title

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Nikita Shah’s name is never far from the top of any race she enters.

The Wiregrass Ranch senior has been turning heads since she finished 17th overall at the Class 3A state meet as a freshman.

Shah runs with the speed, power and grace of a natural-born athlete, but her journey as a distance athlete started because she was cut from other squads while an eighth-grader at John Long Middle.

Nikita Shah took fourth overall at the Class 3A state cross country meet and third in the 3,200-meters at the 3A state track and field final.

“I tried out for most of the middle school teams, and track was just one of them,” Shah said. “I didn’t really make any of the other teams. … I really wasn’t that athletic at all, which is why I didn’t make any of the other teams.”

Shah became the No. 2 runner for the Longhorns that season. The success convinced her to try out for the Bulls cross country team when she reached high school.

“When she first got here as a freshman we saw someone running effortlessly with all of our top girls,” said seventh-year Wiregrass Ranch coach Don Howard. “I knew we had something special.”

Howard said Shah’s work ethic and ability help the team beyond her times on the course.

“It gives them that No. 1 that they know is going to put a small number up, and if they can do their thing, then we’re going to be competitive in every race,” Howard said. “Also, she leads by example. She’s always out here; she never misses. She often times trains with the boys or ends up running by herself just because her pace is different than the rest of the team.”

Junior Elise Cedre, who has been on the team the last three years, said Shah’s ability inspires the squad.

“She does some of her workouts with us, but mainly she works out with the boys, but that kind of pushes us,” Cedre said. “She’s kind of up on a pedestal, and we all know she’s amazing and want to be like her. We want to be great runners too. She encourages us a lot, so she’s a good teammate. I just really admire her a lot with her running ability.”

Shah has become entrenched as the top girls distance runner in the area, but she hit a serious obstacle her sophomore season. Despite her work to get better, she was getting slower.

She finished the state meet that year 27th in 19 minutes 45.13 seconds, 13 seconds worse than her freshman season.

Turned out the problem was Shah was anemic, which prevented her from getting enough oxygen to power through runs.

After getting her iron levels fixed with supplements, Shah returned to make up for lost time last year. She finished fourth at the 3A state cross country meet in 17:53.96, which would have given her the championship in the other three classes.

She also set a new personal record (PR) at the district meet by posting a 17:52. Her PR entering her junior season was 18:38.50. Her efforts earned her the The Laker/Lutz News Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year for the second straight season.

Shah continued to push during the track and field season and ended up with the third-place medal in the 3,200-meters (2-miles) at the 3A state meet after running a 10:49.62.

“Her sophomore year, really because of her iron issues, she didn’t live up to what we thought she was going to,” Howard said. “Then last year everything changed. She finished fourth in cross country and then third in the 3,200 in track, establishing herself as one of the top runners.”

The rebound season showed Shah what she can do when healthy.

“It meant a lot,” Shah said. “It just proved that if you work hard and give it your all and train right during the season it would show in the postseason.”

Senior Hannah Eder, Shah’s teammate in cross country and track, said seeing Shah healthy is amazing.

“Me and Nikita have been best friends since third grade,” Eder said. “We live right across the street from each other. … It was kind of rough for her and I know she was trying really hard, so to see her doing what she did last year and how fast she is now is really great.”

Last year’s accomplishments made her hungry for more this season.

“I’ve been working really hard this summer, and hopefully it pays off in the end,” Shah said. “My goal is to win a state title this year.”

Shah put in 50 miles a week during the summer, fighting through blisteringly hot conditions and hours of pounding. The thought of competing with the best in the state always gets her through the workouts.

“It’s definitely exciting, and anticipating what it’s like makes me train harder,” Shah said. “The other girls are training hard, and I want to compete with them. It’s a great experience to be a part of.”

Howard said he’s seen a difference in Shah’s training in preparation for her senior campaign.

“The change I’ve seen is she’s been in the gym all summer,” Howard said. “While the casual observer may not know it because she’s small, she is now much stronger and leaner, and that’s going to bring more power to her races than in the past. I’ve been in the gym and worked out with her, and she’s strong, surprising strong for a girl her size.”

Shah said she feels no pressure to live up to what she’s already done.

“I know I’m working as hard as I can, and that’s all I can control,” Shah said. “There’s no reason to feel pressure if you can tell yourself that.”

—Results as record by the Florida High School Athletic Association

Steinbrenner’s progressive cross country steps

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Disappointing end drives returning girls

 

By Kyle LoJacono

The Steinbrenner girls cross country team faced opposite extremes during the last two weeks of the 2011 season.

The Warriors experienced the euphoria of claiming their first district championship, the Class 3A-District 8 crown. A week later they were left wondering how their season could be over a step shy of the state meet.

Steinbrenner had reached the Class 2A final the year before, where the Warriors finished 22nd.

Warriors No. 1 runner Lauren Garris leads the pack during a cross country race last season. (Photo by Allen McMurtry)

“It was really a good season last year,” said senior Caroline Murray. “Winning districts was really nice because we were able to beat King, which was our biggest competitor. It was kind of a disappointing end to our season because we didn’t get to states. It wasn’t a great end, but overall last season was amazing. We all trained so hard and had a lot more difficult workouts.”

The fact that the runners expect to make it to states is a testament to how far the program has come since the school opened in 2009. For coach Ladd Baldwin, who opened the program after spending 12 years coaching at Gaither, the challenges have been great building Steinbrenner cross country.

“We’ve got several really successful teams at this school, so sometimes it’s tough to have a kid run because they’ve played another sport for a long time,” Baldwin said. “I always let them do whatever else they need to if they want to run with us.”

In 2009 when Baldwin ran the boys and girls program, the veteran coach had 54 runners total and only two of the girls had any cross country experience.

This season Baldwin has 42 girls.

“I like big numbers because I always think I can develop somebody, and the more the merrier,” Baldwin said. “The other thing is it’s not always about winning, which we as coaches struggle with. It’s also about a life experience that we have to do something, and why not have 40 kids who are excited.”

Baldwin, who teaches in Steinbrenner’s athletic department, keeps his eye out for anyone who can add to the squad. He found Haven Talley during her freshman season while conducting a fitness test.

“I was trying to get her to run with us for two years before she came out last year,” Baldwin said. “She told me she was a cheerleader and did other things. I kept telling her she needs to run, and now she’s one of our best runners. … She’s still new to cross country, but she’s done so much with leadership and getting faster that she’s earned that place where she’s at. She’s also our second best runner in the 2-mile in track. The talent is there.”

Talley has earned enough respect to be named a team captain.

“I’m so exciting being team captain this year,” Talley said. “Last year I was moving my way up with the team because it was my first year running cross country. I didn’t really know the right techniques, so I’m really excited to be a team captain.”

Murray and fellow senior Lauren Garris, the squad’s No. 1 runner, have also increased their leadership role in pushing the younger runners.

“Each senior was in charge of a specific group of younger girls,” Murray said. “In the summer we tried to run the most mileage and each team was competing.”

The training sessions are much more intense compared to three seasons ago.

“Now the workouts the freshmen are doing are a lot tougher,” Baldwin said. “Back then we couldn’t do the things we’re doing now. When you start off with tougher workouts, then when you improve by 10 percent it’s a much better time.”

Murray said the increase in effort has come from Baldwin’s coaching and a desire from the runners to advance the program.

“Starting our freshman year we definitely weren’t as serious as a team,” Murray said. “It’s been really nice to be able to grow with literally the same girls since freshman year. The team has been almost the same except for the few seniors who graduated last year. We’ve really just become more serious. We started not really knowing what cross country was, and now we love running.”

As the team’s size and workout intensity has increased, the Warriors’ top runners have seen their times shrink.

Murray’s personal record (PR) in a 5-kilometer race is 21 minutes 52 seconds and has the goal of dropping it to less than 20 minutes. Talley’s PR is 20:15 with a goal of getting in the low 19s. Lauren has cut her PR to 19:30.

The Warriors return six of their top seven athletes. The squad lost No. 7 runner Salina Garris, Lauren’s twin, after she graduated a year early. She is currently attending Florida State University.

Baldwin also sees a number of his sophomores pushing the older runners.

“I hope my sophomores kick butt,” Baldwin said. “I’ve got some good ones who are coming along slowly, but no one knows about them. … Right now Julia Malone is really doing well, and she’s so competitive. The other day we were running and she was looking around and asked me if she could make varsity. I said, ‘Why not?’I’ve been encouraging the younger girls to not just be happy with winning the (junior varsity) race.”

Baldwin said it’s that push to constantly improve that will get Steinbrenner to the next level.

“I can always have eight to 10 girls who can run well; I got to figure out how to move my top five,” Baldwin said. “We’ll show up and be respectable. We were third in the county and won districts last year, but when are we ready to move to top five at state or better? That’s when I’ll know and the girls will know we’re really doing the things we need to.”

Land O’ Lakes cross country out to take another step

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By Kyle LoJacono

The goal for the Land O’ Lakes boys and girls cross country teams may be different, but the principle is the same — take a step beyond last year’s squad.

For the girls that means making regionals — for the boys sights are set higher.

 

Land O’ Lakes girls cross country

The program is only three seasons removed from an appearance at the state meet, a season that saw the Gators finish as district runner-up and take 19th at the Class 3A final. Since then, Land O’ Lakes has failed to advance beyond districts, and none of the returning runners have made it to regionals.

The Gators girls cross country team runs a cool-down lap at the end of a recent practice.

“They were awesome then,” said senior Katie Monds. “Our goal is to take a step further and bring some of that excitement back. We really want to get to regionals, and I think we can do that if we motivate ourselves and stay determined.”

Monds joined the squad last year. Her first time in a 5-kilomter race was 24 minutes 30 seconds. She has gotten that personal record (PR) to 21:22 and has the goal of cutting it below 20.

“At first I played basketball,” Monds said. “A lot of my friends ran cross country. Louisa (Cestone) said, ‘You should come out for the team.’ I did, and the first practice I ended up really enjoying it. I just stuck with it ever since. It’s like an addiction with running.”

Second-year Gators girls coach Karen DeHaas said of Monds, “She’s a good leader. She’s good at motivating the kids, and she’s a good example. She improved every meet last year.”

Monds said she and Cestone, the only other senior on the Gators’ roster, have been working to step up as leaders to get the young team ready for a trip to regionals.

“We’ve been doing a lot of long runs and hill workouts just trying to get the team to our best so that we’re prepared for this year,” Monds said. She added, “It’s really exciting, especially because they’re so young. We’ve been out at 7 in the morning all summer to get ready. They’re motivated to get far. You’re thinking about what they can do their 12th-grade year. They’re going to be really fast.”

Land O’ Lakes will face tough competition to get out of districts; principle among the opposition is Wiregrass Ranch.

The Bulls have won four straight Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) and district titles.

“We have phenomenal competition,” DeHaas said. “The returners know about that, and when the freshmen run their first meet, I think that will motivate them too. They’re going to be determined that someone isn’t going to pass them or that they’re going to pass somebody. They understand about competition.”

Land O’ Lakes boys cross country

The 2011 Gators reached states for the sixth time in seven seasons, but the ending left a bad taste in their mouths. They felt like a squad that could have finished better than 21st in the 24-team event.

“Last year was kind of a disappointing year,” said junior Tyler Stahl (PR 16:15, goal 15:30). “We still made it to states, but we didn’t do very well. We’ve kind of used that this summer because we want to get in the top 10.”

The Land O’ Lakes boys cross country team works out early one morning during the summer. (Photo by Kyle LoJacono)

Kris Keppel, who is entering his 19th year leading the program, is changing the squad’s training regimen with the goal of having his runners rested come November.

“We’ve increased our mileage this summer,” Keppel said. “That was my goal to make sure we were running longer distances. We’ve also changed our schedule this year. We’re going to run three weeks in a row and then take a week off. That’s something we haven’t done before. I just wanted us to be fresh at the end of the season. We didn’t run very well at regionals, and I didn’t want to repeat the same thing we did last year.”

The squad’s top runner Travis Nichols, who won an individual district title last season and was named the Sunshine Athletic Conference Runner of the Year, thinks the break every three weeks will benefit the squad.

“I think it’s going to help a lot,” said Nichols (PR 15:58, goal 15:15), a junior. “I wasn’t the only one feeling tired. As the year went on, the whole team was worn out.”

Land O’ Lakes lost only one of its top seven runners, Tyler MacDonald, to graduation, meaning most of the athletes are back and motivated to improve on their own 2011 performance.

“This is a pretty dedicated group,” Keppel said. “We’ve got 15 runners, and for the most part they were at practice all summer long unless they were on vacation. We’re hoping to take it to the next level. That’s our theme this year. Getting it past the commitment level and getting on to more things like being responsible for our actions.”

The Gators get a boost with the healthy return of junior Steven Barnabei (PR 17:43, goal 16:50), who tore the abductor in his leg after the track season as a freshman.

“I believe I got back to where I would have been had I not injured myself,” Barnabei said. “Coaches really helped me with that. … I want to see what I can do in states. I want to win districts with my team and give it the best I’ve got.”

Barnabei said he draws inspiration to be faster from watching fellow juniors Nichols and Stahl run.

“I look up to Travis and Tyler as the top competitors in the state,” Barnabei said. “It’s been a pleasure to run with them. These guys are here to help me train and help the rest of the team as well.”

Keppel said the strength of the team is the junior class, but he pointed out the squad won’t go anywhere without senior Jake Poore.

“Jake is our No. 3 runner, and he’s been very consistent,” Keppel said. “He’s going to add a lot to this team. He’s the depth of our team. Without him we won’t be able to accomplish our goals.”

All the Gators will need to be running at top form to get by Wiregrass Ranch. The Bulls have won district championships the last four seasons along with conference and regional titles three straight years.

“It’s great competition,” Nichols said. “They’re all good guys and good runners. It’s a great rivalry. They all work hard, and this year we can really try to stay with them. They’re always blowing us out. I think this year it’ll be a little closer. … Last year, me and Tyler were trying to beat their guys, but we didn’t have that strong five. Now we have a strong five and strong seven.”

Keppel said that depth gives Land O’ Lakes a chance to beat their rival.

“They know they have a shot at Wiregrass, who beat us in districts along with Sarasota,” Keppel said. “If everybody is on we can do that. Our motivation is we can be a top 10 team at states. They didn’t finish last year. I had to make some adjustments as a coach; they’re adjusted and motivated. I don’t think we’re going to disappoint anybody.”

 

Land O’ Lakes girls roster

Kara Armatrout, Fr.

Louisa Cestone*, Sr.

Carolyn Estrella, So.

Keanu Gerald, Jr.

Mary-Kathryn Guenette, So.

Lauren Hale, Fr.

Cheyenne Herron, Jr.

Katie Monds*, Sr.

Samantha Sodetz, Jr.

Lindsey Weilant, Fr.

*Team captain

 

Land O’ Lakes boys roster

Nathan Abernathy, Fr.

Steven Barnabei*, Jr.

Robert Davidson, Sr.

Austin Dotson, Fr.

Kyle Honn,So.

Bailey Konruff, Fr.

Travis Nichols, Jr.

Trevor Nichols, Jr.

Aaron O’Brien, Sr.

Dillon Oergel, Sr.

Tim Olson, Jr.

John Pace, Sr.

Jake Poore, Jr.

Tyler Stahl*, Jr.

Noah Thomas, So.

Loaded Wiregrass Ranch cross country sets sights high

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Bulls girls look for spot on state medal stand

 

By Kyle LoJacono

At this time last year, the Wiregrass Ranch girls cross country team was searching to find replacements for four of its top seven from a team that won conference, district and regional titles.

The Bulls responded with their fourth straight Sunshine Athletic Conference and district crown while placing seventh overall at the Class 3A state meet, the second-best finish in the program’s six-year history.

Addie Cornwell advanced enough as a freshman to score for Wiregrass Ranch in last year’s state meet.

“Last year was a good surprise for us because we had lost four girls who we built the program around,” said Don Howard, the only coach in program history. “This season will be completely different because we’ve got everybody back, but what it did do was establish what we’re doing will create runners.”

The 2012 squad returns its entire top seven, creating anticipation and greater expectations.

“It’s exciting, but it’s like a different kind of pressure,” Howard said. “Our team goal is to win the fifth straight conference and district title. We want to, as a team, reclaim the regional title, which we finished regional runner-up after winning it the two previous years. We have a goal of top three in the state, and only the top two get to stand on the podium and get a trophy.”

 

 

Nikita Shah and Elsie Cedre, Wiregrass Ranch’s top two runners, are among those with more than one year experience with the program. Shah, a senior, finished fourth overall at the 3A state meet last year, while Cedre, a junior, took 64th.

Shah, the two-time reigning The Laker/Lutz News Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, said being a part of the Bulls’ program has been one of the best experiences of her life.

“Coach Howard is definitely a great coach, and I’m really thankful I have him as a coach,” Shah said. “It’s nice to be a part of a team that’s one of the best in the state. We definitely have a chance to medal at states this year.”

Cedre added, “I think it’s a real blessing. We’ve got a really great team. We all work really hard for everything that we do, and our coach is great. We’re really blessed to have a good concoction of people.”

Cedre said having the top runners back also means they won’t have to adjust to meeting new people.

“We all have our ups and downs,” Cedre said. “Sometimes we have little tiffs, but a lot of the time during our runs we talk about pushing each other. Someone pushes the pace and we all push to keep up. If we think someone is going to fall behind we’ll lean back with them, but if we can we’ll push it together, and I think that benefits us.”

One of the 2011 additions who stuck in the top seven is junior Savannah Goode.

“Last year we showed we’re really competitive in the state, so this year we have to show that we do have what it takes to be on the podium at states,” Goode said. “We have to train a lot harder than last year because we’re stepping up to a new level.”

Goode, whose personal record (PR) in a 5-kilometer race is 20 minutes 45 seconds, started cross country to get in shape for cheerleading.

“I ended up liking it a lot more than cheerleading, so I gave up cheerleading last October,” Goode said. “When I first came out I didn’t even think I’d make the team, but I ended up finding out I was really good at it. That made it really fun and everyone was really supportive.”

Wiregrass Ranch does add another talented runner in freshman Madison Conway. She ran track at John Long Middle just down Mansfield Boulevard from Wiregrass Ranch, giving her ample opportunity to learn about the Bulls’ program.

“This is an unbelievable team,” Conway said. “Training this summer was great, and I got to meet everyone. It’s definitely better than what my expectations were, and I knew they were really good. … They let me join in right away even though I was coming from eighth grade.”

Madison has yet to set a PR because she’s never done a 5K race but has run farther in practice. The freshman has been clocked at 5 minutes 36 seconds in the 1,600-meters (1-mile).

“I’m looking forward to see where she ends up because she comes in with the same kind of talent that Nikita did as a freshman, or that Arial Grey had as a freshman,” Howard said. “Those are girls who have won conference titles and competed to be the best in the state.”

Shah’s PR of 17:52 is better than any other returning runner in Pasco County, and the senior wants to cut that as close to 17 as possible. Cedre’s PR sits at 19:30 with the goal of trimming it to 19.

“We have a goal of putting seven girls under 20 minutes, which we’ve never come close to before,” Howard said. “I think realistically we have a shot at that, along with the top five under 19:30. Those are the kinds of things we’re going to have to do to finish where we want in the state meet. So far so good.”

The Bulls compete Sept. 15 at the Jim Ryan Invitational at Lakeland Christian.

—Results as record by the Florida High School Athletic Association

Freedom faces high expectations after historic season

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By Jeff Odom

In only his second season, Freedom girls cross country coach Dwight Smith made strides not many see in a coaching career.

His Patriots advanced to the state meet for the first time in program history, placing 14th at the Class 4A final. Freedom also finished runner-up to Plant at the Class 4A-District 6 meet and took third at regionals.

If the squad can repeat its success, it will have to do so without leadership of two graduated seniors, including Smith’s daughter, Ashley, who became the first girls runner in Patriots history to sign with a college when she inked with Augusta State University.

Freedom girls cross country coach Dwight Smith calls to his runners during a recent practice.

Despite the departures, Smith believes his “young team” from 2011 has developed its own duo that can take the team even higher this season.

“Everybody is pretty much back from the varsity squad last season,” said Smith, who also coaches girls track and field and is the wide receivers coach on the Patriots’ football team. “Annie Tedesco and Alex Mitchell, they’re my leaders. That’s who I look up to and relay messages to. Everything I do, I feed it through them and they relay it to the team. … It’s nice to have that kind of leadership.”

Mitchell, a senior, is entering her second cross country season after running only track as a freshman and sophomore. The team captain said she is comfortable in her leadership position and added the experience of making it to states last season will make the squad strive for more this time around.

“I don’t feel any pressure, but I do feel the responsibility to lead them and encourage them and get them excited,” Mitchell said. “Last year, I didn’t really know what to expect, but this year I feel a lot more confident in myself and I know how to run a 5-(kilometer). I know what meets are like, so I feel like it brings a little more confidence into myself and that helps them achieve what we need to as a team.”

Tedesco said she has worked hard training physically and mentally the offseason to get better results at the end of meets.

“I just really want to have a better PR (personal record) this year and drop a lot more time, because last year wasn’t my best season,” Tedesco said. “I’ve had a lot better attitude in my head. I’m more excited. I’m more positive about workouts and running and it’s helped.”

Mitchell and Tedesco agree the team has bonded during the last couple of seasons. Mitchell said she owes Smith all of the credit.

“He’s definitely a great coach and he’s definitely influenced me throughout high school completely,” Mitchell said. “He’s really brought us to success, and he wants us to really stay focused on our goals and our running and training. His biggest thing is that we’re a family and we support each other.”

While finishing as district runner-up last season was big, Smith wants to be on top.

To do that, the Patriots will have to dethrone Plant, who finished with a perfect 15 points at districts last year. Smith said his squad “isn’t there yet” as far as knocking off the Panthers, but he said his team will turn heads.

“People in the school, they know, even coaches around the county, they know Freedom is on the map now as far as cross country,” Smith said. “All last year we were ranked No. 2 in the county and No. 13 in the state. So, people know exactly who Freedom is and they know who my girls are, how good they are coming back.”