The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Business Digest for June 13

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LoJacono named Community News Publications’ editor

Kyle LoJacono was promoted to editor of The Laker/Lutz News on May 29. He has been with the publications since July 2009 when he started as a freelance correspondent.

LoJacono was brought on staff in October 2009 and has served as the publications’ sports editor since December 2010. He takes over for Cindy Spence, who is moving with her family to Gainesville after serving as editor since November.

“I’ve worked hard to make the sports section of my hometown paper one of the best in the state,” LoJacono said. “Cindy did an amazing job in her six months as editor making these papers better than ever before. I plan on building from that foundation she set.”

LoJacono is a 2009 graduate of Florida State University and has lived in Lutz since moving with his family from Buffalo, N.Y., when he was 4.

In another personnel move, Jeff Odom joined The Laker/Lutz News as a staff writer on June 11. He has spent the last seven months as a freelance correspondent for the publications.

“Jeff has done more than what’s been asked of him time and time again, and is the most enthusiastic young journalist I’ve met,” LoJacono said. “He will make a great addition to our staff, which I think is the best around including Community Editor B.C. Manion and artists Matt Mistretta and Stefanie Burlingame.”

 

Saint Leo University helps Habitat ReStore

Saint Leo University donated more than 60 rooms of furniture to Habitat for Humanity, providing seven truckloads of wardrobes, dressers, chairs, desks and twin-size mattresses.

The university provided so much furniture that the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Zephyrhills could not store it all in its warehouse and shared the bounty with other affiliates, including the Lakeland Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter.

Saint Leo University is renovating two residential buildings on campus, Alumni Hall and Roderick Hall, and has a long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County.

 

Asaftei joins Florida Hospital Zephyrhills

Laura Asaftei has been named administrative director of human resources for Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. She will handle a broad range of personnel duties.

Prior to joining the facility, she was the human resources director at Florida Hospital Carrollwood. She has been with the Adventist Health System for four years and was part of the human resources team that managed the merger with University Community Hospital in 2010.

She has a Master of Business Administration from Webster University and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern Adventist University with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a minor in public relations. She also has a Professional in Human Resources certification from the HR Certification Institute.

 

Gulfside’s community relations awarded

Gulfside Regional Hospice recently received three awards for its public relations and marketing efforts for its annual Hike for Hospice.

The awards were presented at the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Tampa Bay Chapter’s Local Image Awards Luncheon.

The awards Gulfside won were the Grand All Image Award, Image Award and Judges’ Award from FPRA Tampa Bay.

The Grand All Image Award is given to the best Image Award winning entry in the Public Relations Program Division. Gulfside also won the Image Award in the Special Events Category at the local awards and the Judges’ Awards, which is given to projects that demonstrate maximum results on a minimum budget.

Members of the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter in Polk County judged the entries. Judges are accredited in public relations and are previous Image Award program winners.

 

Ryland Homes offers homes in Ashton Oaks

Ryland Homes has started sales of 43 new single family homes priced from $146,990 to $200,990 in the newest phase at Ashton Oaks, located on Ashton Oaks Boulevard off SR 54 in Wesley Chapel.

The three-, four- and five-bedroom homes range from 1,274 square feet to 2,259 square feet of living space.

Ashton Oaks also features a community pool and cabana. For more information, go to www.ryland.com/tampa.

 

Made in America contest

The National Mail Order Association is hosting a contest to give American manufacturers and inventors a chance to get their products noticed.

The national Made in America Hot Product Contest, which began June 1, is seeking contestants to submit their original products to the official contest website and online voters will decide the winner. For more information about the contest, visit http://www.nmoa.org/contest.

 

Homebuilder sales teams help homeless

Fifteen members of the Pulte Homes, Centex and Del Webb sales team in Tampa recently did a volunteer day of kitchen duty to help feed homeless men, women and families at Trinity Café in downtown Tampa.

 

Advance Auto Parts opens second Wesley Chapel site

Advance Auto Parts has opened its second Wesley Chapel location and celebrated the occasion with a June 1 ribbon cutting at the new store at 27270 SR 54.

The store offers a wide range of parts, national brands and free services including windshield wiper and battery installation.

Company officials said they chose the location because it is convenient for its customers.

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

 

Body Tech Xpress has Lutz location

Body Tech Xpress had its grand opening for its Lutz location on May 26.

The facility, 19259 N. Dale Mabry Highway, is a private fitness facility, which offers access at all times for its members. It has isolation machines, free weights, treadmills, other equipment and services. For more information, call (813) 909-0888.

 

Habitat for Humanity sixth among nation’s homebuilders

Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County built and rehabilitated 12 homes in 2011, helping the national organization to rank as No. 6 among the nation’s homebuilders.

Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County purchases building materials locally and subcontracts with local electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning companies to provide affordable housing within the local community.

The national organization ranked No. 6 among homebuilders last year, according to a list compiled by BUILDER, a publication for the residential construction industry.

 

Beyond the world of books

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Hillsborough County library programs honored

By Kyle LoJacono

Answers for technology questions, classes on how to manage money and high-energy plays designed to entertain and educate.

They aren’t various programs spread out at different places throughout the area. All three and more are available free of charge at Hillsborough County’s libraries. Susan Oliver, chief librarian for five locations including Lutz Branch and Jimmie B. Keel in Carrollwood, has seen the focus change with the times in her 25 years with the system.

“We do a lot with e-books now and teach people how to use them,” Oliver said. “People are bringing in their smart phones now and asking us for help, and we’re teaching all of that. We’re the bridge between not knowing something and being literate, not just in the print world but the overall world. Our overall goal is to keep everyone coming to the library.”

One of the regular programs at the Jimmie B. Keel Library is Lego Club, which builds different creations monthly

The system was recently awarded the Betty Davis Miller Youth Services Award from the Florida Library Association (FLA) for outstanding children’s programs, specifically those designed for homeschoolers. It is the first time Hillsborough has been awarded the top honor. FLA gave specific accolades to its science and consumer science services.

Oliver said the system started having programs focused for homeschoolers about 15 years ago.

“Our science programs really took off when the library opened at MOSI (in 1995),” Oliver said. “It closed last year because the agreement was up, but it started everything.”

The science equipment was moved to the John F. Germany Library in Tampa, but other branches also offer versions of the program. There are hands-on displays like skeletons, dissection displays and other nontraditional exhibits.

Oliver said having a science program isn’t uncommon for a library system, but added what separated Hillsborough was the displays are available to check out like books.

At Jimmie B. Keel, the county’s most used library, there are programs for those only a few months old to senior citizens.

From left are David Janklewicz, Dakotah Gimenez and Bebe Butler during a performance of the Gunniwolf at the Jimmie B. Keel Library.

There are classes to help spark children’s interest in reading to more hands-on activities like Lego Club, which meets the second Thursday monthly from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to build various displays.

More than 40,000 people attended the programs for kids and teens at the county’s 28 libraries during the first quarter of this year. Oliver said the goal of the program depends on the age group, such as early literacy for preschoolers.

“If they learn those early skills before school they have a better chance to read at grade level,” Oliver said. “The goal isn’t to get them to read, but for them to understand how books work and how to know what a word is and how they go together to make a story. … We can’t teach all the early learning skills in a few programs, but what we do is give parents the information to do it at home.

“For older kids the goal is to help them understand the library is here for them,” Oliver continued. “It’s free and we can teach literacy with books and computer literacy, which is something that is useful for any age.”

Toddler story time is very popular at Jimmie B. Keel, so they are looking to add a second weekly session.

“We want to keep the numbers around 20 so there’s more direct learning,” Oliver said.

Grace Gimenez and her 3-year-old daughter, Dakotah, have come to Jimmie B. Keel’s story time once a week and to puppet shows since the younger turned 1.

“Story time is great because the kids librarian is great with them and they learn a lot too,” Gimenez said. “She learns about reading from the songs. She sings a lot, constantly actually, the songs she learns at story time. She loves the books.”

The programs are free except for one art class in SouthShore Regional, and the majority of the funding comes from donations made by the Friends of the Public Library along with money made in the groups’ bookstores.

Oliver said the system offers many more classes for kids during the summer when school is out. Visit www.hcplc.org/hcplc/events/index.html for a complete list of upcoming events across the county, or call (813) 273-3652.

 

All-Laker/All-Lutz News spring teams

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The Laker and the Lutz News has named its All-Laker/All-Lutz News teams for the 2012 high school flag football, track and tennis season. Members of the team were selected based on their skill, value to their squad, final statistics and head-to-head matchups. Teams in the coverage area include Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin, Carrollwood Day, Freedom, Gaither, Land O’ Lakes, Steinbrenner, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wharton and Wiregrass Ranch. The baseball, softball and boys weightlifting team will be released next week.

All stats are as recorded to Maxpreps.com or provided by coaches and all postseason performances are as recorded by the FHSAA. Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono selected the team. He can be reached at .

Flag football first team

–Alyssa Dawson, Jr., Steinbrenner. Terrorized opposing quarterbacks, posting 27 sacks with 55 flag pulls.

–Alexandra Fernandez, Jr., Steinbrenner. Completed 130-of-254 passes for 2,433 yards and seven touchdowns.

–Abbie Smith, Sr., Steinbrenner. Led all area athletes with 63 flag pulls and seven interceptions.

–Teja Stephens, Sr., Freedom. A force on the Patriots’ defense. Had a team-high 42 flag pulls while adding 206 receiving yards and one touchdown to the offense.

–Jessica Taylor, Fr., Steinbrenner. Must be a natural as the freshman recorded 1,023 total yards and 10 scores.

–Ashle Thompson, Jr., Freedom. Racked up 564 receiving yards and eight touchdowns while picking off six passes and recording 25 flag pulls on defense.

 Flag football second team

–Cary Anne Bame, Sr., Steinbrenner. Had 44 flag pulls and picked off one pass.

–Lexy Bubley, Sr., Gaither. Managed six interceptions and 18 flag pulls in her first year playing flag football.

–Melissa Dunbar, Jr., Freedom. Took over under center for the Patriots this season and completed 81-of-159 passes for 11 touchdowns. Also had six interceptions on defense.

–Hanna Seybold, Jr., Freedom. Made huge contributions on punt return, where she totaled 607 return yards on 17 attempts. Also had 199 receiving yards and one score.

–Kelsie Sheer, So., Steinbrenner. Posted 44 flag pulls, five sacks and one interception.

–Heather Zweben, Sr., Steinbrenner. Added four interceptions and 27 flag pulls to the Warriors’ formidable defense.

Player of the Year: Alexandra Fernandez, Steinbrenner. The second-year starter showed off her arm and her ability to run with the ball. Completed 130-of-253 passes for 2,433 yards and seven touchdowns while kicking in 255 yards on the ground and another seven scores. The Warriors’ offense is in good hands with Fernandez under center.

Coach of the Year: Gregg Puskas, Steinbrenner. Took over the coaching position after spending the previous year as the Warriors’ offensive coordinator. Got the squad playing more consistently than ever, which allowed the third-year program to reach the playoffs for the first time while also winning a postseason game. The Warriors finished the year 6-5 and as a district runner-up.

Boys track and field first team

–Paul Barrett, Sr., Gaither. Won the Class 3A state title in the 300 hurdles after winning a regional and district championship.

–Ermias Bireda, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Won a regional championship in the 1,600 (4:26.43) and placed 12th at states.

–Tyler Lima, Jr., Steinbrenner. Won the 3,200 district title and placed second at regionals while also helping the 4×800 relay advance to states as a regional champion.

–Travis Manecke, Jr., Sunlake. Earned district titles in the shot put and discus throw and advanced to states in both events.

–Ian McKenzie, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Made it to states in one of the hardest regions in Florida, where he finished tied for fourth by clearing 13-6.

–Samson Moore, Fr., Gaither. Finished as the Class 3A state runner-up in the 110 hurdles (14.29) to go with regional and district crowns. Also placed second at districts in the 400.

–Chris Wilkinson, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Won the 800 at districts (2:02.98) and advanced to states.

Boys track and field second team

–Jackson Cannon, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Dominated the local discus scene and won a conference championship (141-10.5).

–Britton Lewis, Sr., Wharton. Finished as district runner-up in the 300 hurdles before advancing to states. Also helped the Wildcats 4×800 relay make the Class 4A finals.

–Zach Lima, Jr., Steinbrenner. Advanced to states in the 3,200 by finishing third at districts and regionals while helping the 4×800 relay win a regional title.

–Matt Magee, Jr., Steinbrenner. Placed second at regionals in the 800 (1:57.4), and helped the 4×800 relay win a regional crown (8:05.8).

–Travis Nichols, So., Land O’ Lakes. Fought through a late foot injury to qualify for states in the 3,200.

–Darin Patmon, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Earned conference crowns in the 110 and 300 hurdles. Also won a district title in the 300.

–Preston West, Sr., Steinbrenner. Cleared 13 at districts to win a championship.

Boys track and field honorable mention

–Jayren Barginere, Sr., Wharton. Ran the 800 in 1:59.78 at districts to finish second.

–Evan Barhonovich, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. Placed seventh at the Class 1A state meet in the discus throw (136-6).

–Eddie Burgos, Jr., Sunlake. Earned a conference title in the 100 and advanced to regionals in the long jump by placing second at districts.

–Vernon Hargraves, Jr., Wharton. District runner-up in the long jump (22).

–Sam Hippely, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Ran a 10:06.7 to place second at districts in the 3,200.

–James Jackson, So., Wiregrass Ranch. Took second at districts in the triple jump (41-5).

–Klay Jacob, Sr., Freedom. Placed second at districts in the discus throw (137).

–Jamel Nuñez, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Earned conference and district titles in the 200.

–Henry Parrish, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Won a district title in the 400 (52.67) only a few months after tearing his ACL.

–Tyler Stahl, So., Land O’ Lakes. Finished as district runner-up in the 1,600 (4:33.29).

Boys Track Athlete of the Year: Paul Barrett, Gaither. The 6-foot-1.5 Barrett was on a mission after missing out on the finals at states during his junior season by one spot. He came back faster than ever. In fact, he was faster than anyone else in Class 3A in the 300 hurdles, claiming the state championship with a new school record of 37.29 after winning district and regional crowns.

Boys Field Athlete of the Year: Ian McKenzie, Land O’ Lakes. Ended his senior season by tying for fourth in Class 3A after clearing 13-6 in his first trip to states. He also broke the program record early that season by posting a 13-7 to win a conference championship. He will continue his vaulting career as a preferred walk on at the United States Naval Academy.

Coach of the Year: Bill Schmitz, Land O’ Lakes. It’s going to be hard for Schmitz to top his first year at the helm. The Gators won the first Sunshine Athletic Conference championship in the program’s history while also winning a district title. The strength of the team was its depth, which was created by attracting athletes from other sports to compete.

Girls track and field first team

–Sandra Akachukwu, Jr., Freedom. Won regional titles in the long jump (17-7), 100 (12.41) and 200 (25.33) while placing second in the high jump (5-4). Ended up with four state medals.

–Ravin Gilbert, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Won district titles in the 100 (12), 200 (12.43) and 400 (59.22). Finished fifth at the Class 2A state meet in the 100.

–Hallie Grimes, So., Land O’ Lakes. Picked up her second state medal by placing sixth in the 400 (56.93). Also claimed a conference and district title in the event.

–Courtney Prengaman, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Won the Class 2A state high jump championship by clearing 5-6.

–Nikita Shah, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Earned her first medal at states by finishing third in the Class 3A 3,200 (10:49.62).

–Tyler Watson, Jr., Wharton. Won a regional title in the 300 hurdles (44.25) and took fourth in the triple jump (34-11.5). Also earned a state medal in the 4×400 relay and 300.

–Alexis Wright, Sr., Steinbrenner. Won district titles in the triple jump and the 100 and 300 hurdles and advanced to states in all three.

Girls track and field second team

–Mikayla Barber, Jr., Wharton. Won district gold in the 100 and 300 hurdles and placed second in both at regionals. Took fourth at the Class 4A state meet in the 300.

–Jessica Brewer, Jr., Steinbrenner. The versatile jumper won the long district title and qualified for states. Also placed fourth in the triple to help the Warriors win districts.

–Kiana Bryant, Jr., Gaither. Advanced to states in the 100 by placing third at regionals (12.29) after winning a district championship.

–Hannah Eder, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Won district championships in the long (17) and triple jumps (33-11). Also reached regionals in the 100 and with the 4×100 relay.

–Lauren Garris, Jr., Steinbrenner. Ran a 5:39.61 and 12:38.54 to finish as district runner-up in the 1,600 and 3,200, respectively, and helped the 4×800 relay make states.

–Alisha Henry, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Finished sixth at the Class 3A state meet by clearing 10-6 in the pole vault.

–Patricia Magwood, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Took first at districts in the shot put (35-2) and runner-up status in the discus throw (97-7).

Girls track and field honorable mention

–Ashley Cahill, Jr., Wharton. District runner-up in the pole vault (9-6).

–Rachel Cazares, So., Gaither. Finished second at districts in the 800 (2:21.21).

–Marissa Davis, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Placed second at districts in the 100 hurdles (16.87).

–Sarah Eppler, Sr., Steinbrenner. Claimed a district title in the pole vault by clearing 8-6.

–Bailey Drury, Sr., Carrollwood Day. Advanced to regionals in the 200 and 400.

–Bianca Igwe, Fr., Freedom. The shot putter had a toss of 31-8 to place second at districts.

–Andrea Mauger, Jr., Academy at the Lakes. Claimed a district championship in the shot put (32-5) and advanced to states.

–Ariel Moore, Sr., Gaither. Placed second in the 100 and 300 hurdles at districts in 15.63 and 48.06, respectively.

–Britainey Smith, Jr., Wharton. Won the pole vault district championship by clearing 10.

–Jessica Weatherman, Jr., Steinbrenner. Finished as a district runner-up with a discus throw of 109-8.

Girls Track Athlete of the Year: Alexis Wright, Steinbrenner. The University of Miami bound Wright claimed Western Conference and district titles in both the 100 and 300 hurdles. She also advanced to states in both events as the 100 runner-up and 300 champion, and closed out her high school career by standing on the podium at the Class 3A state meet with a fifth-place medal around her neck after running the 100 in 14.75.

Girls Field Athlete of the Year: Courtney Prengaman, Wesley Chapel. The 6-foot-2 Prengaman claimed the first state championship in the program’s 12-year history by clearing 5-6 at the Class 2A finals. When she started the year her best jump was only 5-2, but she ended up posting a 5-7 to win a district championship and set a new school record.

Coach of the Year: Ladd Baldwin, Steinbrenner. Sure the Warriors won most of their regular season meets, but Baldwin’s Warriors also shined on the biggest stages. Steinbrenner won consecutive district championships and was a regional runner-up. The veteran coach also had two athletes and a relay team qualify for states in the highly competitive Class 3A.

Boys tennis first team

–Alek Crnogorac, So., Wharton. The physically imposing Crnogorac used his powerful forehand to smash opponents.

–Stephen Goldman, So., Gaither. Went 12-1 for the Cowboys as the No. 1 player.

–Courage Okungbowa, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Went 21-1 this season to help the Bulls win a district team title and finished as the Class 4A state singles runner-up.

–Colin Roller, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Finished the year 15-1, helped the Gators win their third district title in four years and placed second in singles in the state in Class 3A.

Boys tennis second team

–Eric Fitz-Randolph, Jr., Carrollwood Day. Reached the state tournament individually for the second straight year.

–David Dollbaum, Fr., Land O’ Lakes. Made a huge impact for the Gators and also was part of a doubles team that qualified for states.

–Jaime Feliciano, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Added a sense of senior calm as the only 12th-grader in Wiregrass Ranch’s top five.

–Foresight Okungbowa, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch. Added a lot of depth and youth to the Bulls, who won another Sunshine Athletic Conference Championship this year.

–Koustubh Ramesh, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Moved into the Bulls’ No. 2 slot to help the squad win another district title.

Player of the Year: Courage Okungbowa, Wiregrass Ranch. Completed his second straight undefeated season through regionals. He dropped only three sets this season, all at the Class 4A singles tournament, where he finished as state runner-up. He amassed a 21-1 record with a district title in singles and doubles while helping the Bulls win the Class 4A-District 5 championship.

Coach of the Year: Jasalyn Gerazounis, Land O’ Lakes. Wins the honor in back-to-back years. Gerazounis had only three returning players from the year before, but got the young squad to the level where it claimed a district championship. Also took a singles player and doubles team to states.

Girls tennis first team

–Jackie Fitz-Randolph, Fr., Carrollwood Day. The Patriots’ ace led the team to the first district title in school history.

–Vanina Iordanova, Fr., Wharton. The young but talented player helped the Wildcats get to the doorstep of the state tournament.

–Grace Korta, So., Steinbrenner. Was unfortunate to be grouped in a district with Plant and Wharton, but was still one of the area’s premier players.

–Star Makarome, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch. Went 12-1 in her first year of high school tennis, finishing as the Class 4A state singles runner-up.

Girls tennis second team

–Linzi Arndt, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Took over as the Gators’ No. 1 and led them to a district runner-up playoff spot for the second straight year.

–Kavya Avanche, Fr., Land O’ Lakes. Brought a high level of aggressiveness to the Gators lineup.

–Lauren Fitz-Randolph, 7th, Carrollwood Day. Came back from experience gained a year ago at the state doubles tournament to become a more complete player.

–Tiffany Garner, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch. Added some additional youth and talent to a Bulls squad looking to replace several players from the year before.

–Sarah Yaffe, So., Carrollwood Day. Overcame arm surgery last June and gave the squad the depth needed to win a district and regional championship.

Player of the Year: Star Makarome, Wiregrass Ranch. The future couldn’t be brighter for the Bulls ace. Makarome went 12-1 this season and reached the Class 4A state singles championship match. She lost only three games before states this season despite being a freshman and only 14 years old. Makarome also helped Wiregrass Ranch win the first district title in the program’s six-year history.

Coach of the Year: Samantha DelValle, Land O’ Lakes. DelValle didn’t have a team loaded with USTA junior players, but she got the squad playing its best tennis by the district tournament. She also created depth on the roster, which goes six or seven deep, with players who can win points. The squad made consecutive postseasons for the first time in program history.

‘Starving’ Gators get varsity win in spring game

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By Kyle LoJacono

The last few months haven’t been the brightest in the storied history of Land O’ Lakes football.

Land O’ Lakes junior Kyle Forchion brings in an interception to stop Fivay’s opening possession.

The Gators had their 14-year playoff streak snapped in November and later had to forfeit all games the last two years after an internal investigation found an ineligible player had participated since 2009.

Land O’ Lakes exercised some frustration by scoring on its opening possession and never trailing through the third quarter against Fivay May 25 to win the varsity portion of the spring game 16-12.

“I feel like we were starving,” said junior outside linebacker/wide receiver Kyle Forchion. “They took away our everything last year. We came out and showed who we are and that we’re not just going to quit. We were just going to power through all the trouble and the other stuff to get back where we should be and where we want to be.”

Pasco County spring rules make programs play their junior varsity teams in the fourth quarter. The Falcons got two touchdowns in the final period to win 25-22, but first-year Gators coach Brian Watchel saw what he was looking for from his starters.

Gators junior running back Harrison Wood had 141 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in the spring game.

“I’m proud of my kids,” Watchel said. “They flew around and gave everything they had. I’ve got great coaches, which is a big reason why we were successful tonight.”

The Gators got the varsity win despite missing opportunities on both sides of the ball.

Freshman quarterback Ethan Weilant completed 12-of-20 passes for 162 yards but had two throws partially deflected into the hands of Fivay defenders. Both interceptions came in the third quarter and deep in Falcon territory. Land O’ Lakes also missed a 23-yard field goal.

On defense, the host Gators forced three turnovers and kept Fivay from converting on fourth down twice but allowed nine plays of 15 yards or more.

“That’s why these games are so valuable,” Watchel said. “It’s a great game, gives tons of experience and we got lots of reps out there. Get to go out there and execute and hit somebody else instead of banging against ourselves for four weeks.”

Junior running back Harrison Wood was an all-purpose threat for Land O’ Lakes, gaining 141 total yards including touchdown runs of 12 and 18. Weilant found six different receivers in only his second varsity start.

Land O’ Lakes freshman quarterback Ethan Weilant completed 12-of-20 passes for 162 yards against Fivay May 25.

“I was impressed with (Weilant),” Wood said. “His composure, the way he threw the ball on the run. He looks good.”

The offensive line was dealt a blow a few weeks ago when starting center John Kranendonk tore the ACL in his right knee in the Gators’ intrasquad game. The junior is hopefully he will return for his senior campaign with aggressive rehab after surgery.

Moving to center is Frank Hegedus, who slotted over from right guard. The revamped line helped Land O’ Lakes gain 239 yards through three quarters.

“The offensive line did really well getting a push off the line to give (Wood and Weilant) room,” Watchel said.

Forchion stood out on the defense, picking off a pass on Fivay’s first possession and blocking a punt that resulted in a safety with 5:37 left in the third.

“I was really feeling the intensity of the game,” said the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Forchion. “Everybody came out to play and we just wanted it more in the third quarter.”

Fellow linebacker Colin Irwin clinched the varsity win with an interception in the end zone as time expired in the third.

The Gators next challenge comes against Anclote at home Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. for their kickoff classic. Land O’ Lakes hosts its regular season opener versus Zephyrhills Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Zifer finally gets his shot as Sunlake sweeps jamboree

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By Jeff Odom

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

In the hours leading up to Sunlake’s spring football jamboree May 25 Seahawks quarterback Josh Zifer felt the butterflies swirling in his stomach.

Sunlake junior quarterback Josh Zifer talks with coach Bill Browning during the spring jamboree May 25.

The reality that he was taking over under center for a playoff team almost overshadowed the fact he had never started at quarterback on the varsity level before — for a few minutes anyway.

The junior shook off the nervousness to lead Sunlake to victories against Wiregrass Ranch 21-3 and Wesley Chapel 10-0.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Zifer, a converted wide receiver. “I got an amazing team around me, and I’m just coming out here and working hard to do what I got to do.”

Wiregrass Ranch junior wide receiver Ryan Shea is tackled by Sunlake sophomore linebacker Ben Wood.

In first contest against the Bulls, Zifer and his wide receiver Eddie Burgos paced the Seahawks’ offense down the field. A shanked punt by Wiregrass Ranch gave Sunlake good field position.

With an unproven offensive line, which lost four starters from 2011, moving defenders backwards, Burgos put his squad in prime position to grab the early advantage with a 20-yard dash to the outside. After a dropped pass in the end zone, Zifer found a gap and ran the ball 38 yards for something he’s worked long hours for — a touchdown.

“We just came out with a mindset that everybody’s got to do their job, and that’s what (the offense) did there and it just clicked,” Zifer said.

Seahawks coach Bill Browning said there is still plenty of work to be done but was impressed with Zifer’s composure.

“He did some things very good, and I thought he did well for his first extended competition,” Browning said. “He’s been doing a great job with leadership and I (told him) ‘If you make a mistake, just let it go and get to the next play.’”

Zifer finished 1-for-6 passing for 34 yards and a touchdown.

After being shut out by Sunlake, Wesley Chapel defeated Wiregrass Ranch 20-7 despite fielding only 26 players. Coach Ben Alford said his Wildcats were hungry to prove they could compete on both sides of the ball.

“I’m proud of my kids,” Alford said. “They’ve worked hard and after the first game (against Sunlake) we didn’t get a break. We’re young, we’re not returning many starters and for these kids to rally around each other and play hard; I’ve never been more proud of a group. … I’ll take these 26 kids to battle any day.”

The Bulls wasted no time getting ahead, as Tyree Creary ran back the opening kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown. That was their only score of the contest, as the Wesley Chapel kept up the pressure and stifled the Wiregrass Ranch offense.

Bulls coach Jeremy Shobe, whose team has not won since Nov. 5, 2010, said it’s disappointing to lose against two rivals, but that his squad has a bright future ahead.

“We’re going to be fine, but we have work to do,” Shobe said. “We’ve got to execute better, and we have to come back from that. Fortunately, in a real game there’s four quarters.”

Wiregrass Ranch opens the regular season by hosting Wesley Chapel, while Sunlake travels to Hudson. Both games are Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Gaither, Steinbrenner jamboree washed out

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By Jeff Odom

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

The spring football jamboree at Alonso High on May 24 was cancelled due to heavy thunderstorms that rolled in prior to kickoff. The contest was set to feature match-ups of Gaither vs. Sickles and Alonso vs. Steinbrenner.

Assistant county athletic director Jennifer Burchill said because of Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rules, the scrimmage could not be made up as the participating programs had already reached the limit of 20 spring practice days.

Cowboys coach Jason Stokes told The Laker/Lutz News in a text message he was disappointed for his players.

“(Stinks) for the kids,” Stokes said. “They were really excited to finally hit somebody else, but we just have to move on (and) get ready for the fall.”

Young to punt for Waldorf

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By Kyle LoJacono

The Sunlake football team has had a record number of college signees following the most successful season in the program’s five-year history.

Even the punter is getting into the act.

Sunlake punter Joe Young signed May 30 to play football at Waldorf College.

Joe Young became the eighth Seahawk to sign with a college. He inked his name to a letter of intent May 30 with Waldorf College in Iowa, an NAIA program in the Mid-States Football Association.

“This opportunity is great, and it’s something I never really saw coming,” said Young, who will study sports management. “I’m happy that I got it, and I think it’s going to better me and my future. I’m the first one to graduate high school in my family, and I’m really excited that I’m going anywhere for college. I want it to be a new trend in my family.”

Young is the second Sunlake punter/kicker to sign with a college in as many years following Adrian Krupka. Football coach Bill Browning said Young helped the Seahawks win the battle of special teams almost every game.

“We’ve been really lucky to have two really good punters the last two years,” Browning said. “They help with field position, which makes it easier to play offense and defense.”

Young said there was a lot of pressure to execute every punt to precision, especially because Browning puts a lot of emphasis on special teams.

“We’re out there way less than anyone else, so we have less room for a mistake,” Young said. He added, “At a lot of places the quarterbacks get special treatment. Coach Browning treated us better than the quarterbacks sometimes.”

Young booted 38 punts this season for 1,350 yards, 35.53 per attempt, while dropping eight inside the 20-yard line. His efforts helped the Seahawks set a program record with 10 wins to two losses last year, qualify for their first postseason and reach the Class 6A regional semifinals.

Young looked like an experienced punter, but his senior season was the first time he’d played the position at any level of organized football.

In fact he last played on a gridiron in fourth grade, and that was in a flag football league.

“I played a lot of backyard football, and I always knew I could kick,” Young said. “I didn’t want to regret not going out for football, so I did for my senior year.”

Young said he’s gotten much stronger, but the biggest improvement has been his consistency

“At the start of the season every now and then I’d kick one 50 yards, but by the end of the year I was doing it all the time,” Young said. “I was getting the right spiral and hang time, which is what you need to be a good punter.”

The newly-signed Waldorf Warrior said he will always remember that one season on Sunlake’s football field.

“Everything about the season was amazing,” Young said. “It was a great experience. We had a great team and they’re going to be great for a long time.”

–Stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches

Local Girl Scouts come up big for area’s homeless

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By Cameron Valdez

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

Girl Scout Junior Troop 31214 organized the inaugural Tooth Brush Run in an effort to raise awareness of homelessness in the community.

Isabel Brown crosses the finish line first, completing the one-mile Tooth Brush Run in 6 minutes 46 seconds.

Participants in the one-mile run, which was June 2 at the Steinbrenner Club House on County Line Road in Lutz, were only asked to bring a toothbrush and toothpaste. The supplies were donated to Homeless Education and Literacy Project (HELP), which helps homeless people in the community.

The troop collected 630 toothbrushes and 702 tubes of toothpaste.

“I loved seeing the big donation box filled with toothbrushes and toothpaste knowing that it would help people,” said troop member Grace Becker.

The event was part of the scouts’ Bronze Award, which is the highest honor they can receive for their age group. Troop leader Kristi Drablos said the girls wanted to find a way to make a big difference even though they are only in fourth and fifth grades.

“(The troop) looked into the community to see where they thought needed the most help, and they decided to help the homeless,” Drablos said.

HELP uses supplies like those collected at the run to assist families and children by eliminating barriers to school enrollment, school attendance and overall academic success.

Dr. John Metz, of Metz Orthodontics, sponsored the event, providing water, sports drinks and healthy snacks to the runners after they completed the course.

Metz said he wanted to sponsor the event in part because of its connection to oral health.

Metz took pride in seeing the girls organize the event as they learned “valuable leadership skills, how to interact with adults and how to plan something. It’s just something to be really proud of in our community.”

As for the race, Isabel Brown was the first to cross the finish line, completing the course in 6 minutes 46 seconds.

St. Joseph’s Lactation Lounge lauded

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By Kyle LoJacono

St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital made Tampa Bay region history moments after opening its Lactation Lounge May 14.

The hospital became the first business in the area to receive the Gold Breastfeeding-Friendly Employer Award from the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition.

“We’re so appreciative of this recognition for our team,” said the hospital’s chief operating officer Kimberly Guy. “We have worked very, very hard to advocate something so important to our patients, and share it with our team members and our families going forward.”

The lounge is designed as semiprivate, clean space for women to nurse their babies.

“Breastfeeding is important, and we support our breastfeeding nurses,” said the hospital’s director of patient services Karen Howell. “We want our team members to know they have the right to breastfeed. They don’t have to hide it in a bathroom, and they can do it in a designated location.”

The award also recognizes the hospital’s steps to be breastfeeding-friendly, such as offering lactation consultant support and reasonable break time for employees to express milk.

“They’ve done a lot to make breastfeeding mothers more comfortable,” said Dr. Joan Meek, president of the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition. “They’ve got people on staff to help first-time mothers, and they are making the process something enjoyable, which it should be.”

Meek said pumping breast milk helps maintain milk production and allows the baby to receive benefits of breast milk when the mother is not available to nurse. She added there are many benefits for mothers and children who breastfeed, including:

–Breastfeeding encourages the best brain growth and development in babies and helps babies reach their full intellectual potential.

–Breastfed babies are one-third less likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome.

–Breastfed babies have fewer illnesses, are less likely to be hospitalized in the first year of life and have milder effects when illness does happen.

–Breastfed babies are less likely to develop respiratory infections, ear infections, childhood diabetes and certain types of cancers.

–Breastfed babies are less likely to grow into overweight children.

–Breastfeeding helps to reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer for women.

–Breastfeeding provides a bonding connection for mother and baby.

–Breastfeeding releases the hormone prolactin, which decreases anxiety.

–Breastfeeding an infant during a natural disaster reduces the potential risk for feeding contamination from toxic materials.

 

Shelby Baldree wins We Deliver award

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By B.C. Manion

 

Kindergarten teacher Shelby Baldree recently received a huge surprise when Hillsborough County Superintendent MaryEllen Elia dropped by her school to give her the We Deliver award for the teacher’s outstanding work.

Besides a celebration that included silly string and noisemakers, the Land O’ Lakes woman received a $10,000 check from Hillsborough’s education foundation.

Baldree, who received 15 nominations for the award, was chosen from 188 district employees who were recommended. She is still overwhelmed by the honor.

Baldree’s classroom at Hammond Elementary in Odessa has hundreds of books tucked in plastic bins. Writing samples are posted proudly on walls. There are words and letters everywhere.

This is a place where children write daily, and where they vie for a chance to read the stories they’ve composed aloud.

When they arrive each fall, some students are already reading. Others don’t know the alphabet. When they leave Baldree’s classroom, they’re ready for first grade and beyond — all of them.

“There is not a child who crosses her threshold that is not successful in the end,” said Hammond Principal Lynn Rattray.

The teacher stands for her students, Rattray added. “You tangle with her about her kids, you’re probably going to lose.”

The key, Baldree said, is getting to know each child and their educational needs.

“We do have varying backgrounds,” Baldree said.

There’s no cookie-cutter approach to teaching, Baldree said. “Sometimes you have to change in midlesson to accommodate all of the different needs. Daily, I’m changing up things.”

Sometimes, she has to make things more challenging; other times she must go over the lesson again.

“It’s nothing you can learn in a textbook,” said Baldree, who has been teaching for 17 years. “It is experiences, hands-on, with children. It is spending time watching them and talking with them. That is how I get to know my students on a deeper level, and that is how I believe I reach them.”

When students are struggling, Baldree uses her breaks to give them extra help.

Baldree also likes to keep lessons real for her kids. She wants children to see the connection between what they learn and the rest of their lives.

When they’re learning about finance, for instance, she’ll talk to them about money they’ll earn on their jobs one day or when they get an allowance. Then they talk about using it to go shopping.

When they’re learning how to tell time, she brings that into their world, too. She’ll tell them, “You have to know how to tell time. You’re going to want to show up to your soccer game on time.”

Writing is such an essential skill, Baldree said, and she wants her students to understand how they can use it.

“If they want to express how they’re feeling, they can write about it,” Baldree said. “If they want to inform someone about maybe an animal that they’ve learned about and they’re excited about it, they can write a book about it. If there’s something that’s a life lesson they want to share with others, they can create a play about it.”

The teacher said she loves teaching kindergarten because she knows it is a level where she can make a true difference.

“If I do give that child — no matter what their ability — the opportunity to succeed in a room with other, typical peers, then I know just from experience that that child is going to be successful. Period,” Baldree said.

She knows she could not be successful without the help of the children’s parents. They work together to help children succeed, she said.

“I would not be the teacher I am without parent support,” said Baldree, who added sometimes she has to the bearer of “not-so-good” news. But when she does, she said, she always has strategies ready.

Parents who nominated Baldree for the award waxed on about her skill and compassion, expressing gratitude for the work she has done with their children. They noted she often goes above and beyond, attending dance recitals and soccer games while staying connected with their children long after they leave the teacher’s classroom.

For Baldree, it’s all about the kids.

“The kids are why I come to work,” Baldree said. “I just love what I do.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in kindergarten,” she continued, recalling the first day she arrived in Miss Banfield’s classroom at Lutz Elementary.

“Even though I’m 40 years old, her face is in my mind,” Baldree said. “She was so passionate, and so caring and so loving. That inspired me.

“That was my first school experience,” said Baldree, who now lives with her husband, Jason, and son, Jason Jr., in Pasco County.

“I didn’t want to go to school, but as soon as I set foot in that room and felt love (and) I knew that was where I was meant to be.”

She still feels a kindergarten classroom is her place, but now she’s the one welcoming children.