Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Land O’ Lakes track and field ran away with the Class3A-District 6 meet despite having to wait several days for the officialcrowning.

The Gators had a 54-point lead April 20 at Central when the 11-teammeet was postponed. Three events remained: the 3,200-meter, 4×400 relay and discus.

The remaining events were run April 23. Land O’ Lakes didn’t win any of them, but the Gators had already done enough to win the title by scoring
153.

Land O’ Lakes first-year boys coach Bill Schmitz said the depth has been key.

“Our team looked completely different in January,” Schmitz said. “We had kids like Jackson Cannon, Shadow Williams and Ethan Weilant from the football team who decided to do track, plus Josh Davis from the soccer team. That gave us so many athletes, which lets us score in all 17 events. Plus I’ve got great coaches.”

The Gators got three individual titles at the meet. Chris Wilkinson won the 800 (2 minutes 2.98 seconds), Henry Parrish claimed the 400
(52.67) and senior Darin Patom earned his first career gold by running the 300 hurdles in a personal record 40.59.

“It was a great feeling,” Patom said. “I was seeded fourth coming in, so I knew I had to kick it in and push harder than ever.”

Patom, who placed second in the 110 hurdles (15.2), has run track since his freshman year.  Land O’ Lakes has had one of its most successful seasons, winning all but one meet, which makes his final campaign more satisfying for Patom.

“We’ve never in school history won conference and districts in the same year,” Patom said. He added, “We have kids who at the start of the
season we didn’t know if they were going to make the team. Now they’re scoring for us and helping us stay on top.”

Parrish was unsure he could run track this season after tearing the ACL in his left knee playing football. The junior was third rounding the final turn of the 400.

“I was thinking it’s time to kick on the jets, Parrish said with a smile. He added, “I wanted to do everything to help the team. Being a team
member has been great. Everybody puts in the work together and are unselfish. Everything is for the team, and I think that’s why we’ve done what we’ve done this year.”

The Gators also won the 4×100 relay in 44.1. Land O’ Lakes beat second-place Sunlake (44.7) and Wiregrass Ranch (45.02), which finished first
and second, respectively, at conference three weeks ago.

“That was motivation,” said Isaac Cabrera, the 4×100 anchor. “We’ve been working on our handoffs a lot since then. We just had to come out and execute.”

Cross-town rival Sunlake got two championship thanks to powerful junior Travis Manecke, who claimed the shot put and discus titles for the second straight year with a launch of 48 feet 2 inches and 147-10, respectively.

“I was trying to go for 50, but just couldn’t get it,” Manecke said of the shot put. “I knew there was competition for it here, so I put a lot into it. … Last year I got 51, so I want at least 50 again. I really want 55.”

Sunlake finished fifth place (71.5) when the meet was suspended. Wiregrass Ranch was fourth (51) when the meet was suspended, but made a huge jump up to the runner-up spot.

The Land O’ Lakes girls were led by sophomore Hallie Grimes, who won the 400 (59.38) and placed second in the 200 (26.05).

Grimes won the 400 at districts last year and qualified for states as a freshman. The early success compelled her to work harder in her second season.

“I was hoping to get first because I set such high expectations for myself last year, and I knew there was really good competition,” Grimes said. “I felt a lot of pressure to do better than I did last year.”

The top four in each event advance to regionals at Leto April 25 starting at noon.

–Results as recorded by the Florida High School Athletic Association

By Kyle LoJacono

The Steinbrenner girls track and field team won its second straight district championship April 19 at Gaither.

The Warriors scored 201.5 points at the Class 3A-District 8 meet, besting runner-up Hillsborough by 66 and third-place Gaither by 123.5.

“We have a group of hard-working kids that just get it done,” said Steinbrenner girls coach Ladd Baldwin. “We’ve done a good job at Steinbrenner spreading kids out and finding the right places for them. If we’re not winning, we’re battling.”

Senior Alexis Wright, who attended Gaither as a freshman, set the tone for the Warriors, winning all three of her individual events. She ran the 100- and 300-meter hurdles in 14.64 seconds and 47.22, respectively, and claimed the triple jump with a leap of 36 feet 6 inches.

“It was a great opportunity to do what I know I’m capable of doing and run on Gaither’s track for the last time,” Wright said. “I started out there, and finishing my district meet there going 3 for 3 was an amazing feeling. A lot of big things happened there. I had the opportunity to PR in the 100 hurdles.”

Wright added that the sizable win at the 3A level validates where the third-year program is after claiming a district title in 2A a year ago.

“It’s great to let people know that just because we’re new doesn’t mean we can’t compete with the best of the best,” said Wright, who won the 100 hurdles state title last year. “It was a very good defining moment not only for track and not only for our sports, but for Steinbrenner as a whole. We have the resources, we have the people and we have the determination to be a school that can do big things in the state of Florida.”

Wright will be joined at regionals with fellow triple jumper Jessica Brewer, who finished fourth (34-00.5), and also won the long jump with a 16-07.5. The Warriors also got a title from Sarah Eppler for clearing 8-06 in the pole vault.

Steinbrenner also got a boost from the Garris twins Lauren and Salina, who finished second and third in the 1,600 in 5:39.61 and 5:40.3, respectively. Lauren was also runner-up in the 3,200 (12:38.54), and the sisters were half of the 4×800 relay team that placed No. 2 (10:08.25).

Jessica Weatherman recorded a 109-08 to finish as the discus runner-up, while Warriors teammate Melissa Stankovich was third (107-04).

Gaither’s lone championship came from Kiana Bryant, who won the 100 in 12.32. She also finished as the 200 runner-up in 25.37.

Fellow Cowboy Rachel Cazares took second in the 800 (2:21.21), while Ariel Moore (15.63) and Jennifer Kingsley (16.24) finished second and third in the 100 hurdles, respectively. Moore was also runner-up in the 300 hurdles (48.06).

The Steinbrenner boys finished third with 102 points, 41 off Jefferson’s championship pace. The Cowboys were fifth with 70.

Preston West won the pole vault for the Warriors by posting 13, 2-06 better than runner-up Ryan Hagen from Gaither.

Steinbrenner’s Tyler and Zach Lima took first and third in the 3,200 in 9:54.75 and 10:03.63, respectively. The twins are also on the 4×800 relay team that claimed district gold.

The Cowboys shined in the hurdles. Senior Paul Barrett won the 300 (38.43) while taking second in the high jump (6-02). Freshman Samson Moore claimed the 110 (14.39) and was runner-up in the 400 (49.42).

The top four in each event advance to regionals at Leto April 25 starting at noon.

–Results as recorded by the Florida High School Athletic Association

By Eugenio Torrens

Freedom’s Sandra Akachukwu claimed one title and had three second-place performances at the Class 4A-District 6 meet April 17 at Leto.

Akachukwu bested the competition in the girls 100-meter by finishing in 12.41 seconds. Add in the runner-ups in the 200 (25.33), high jump (5 feet) and long jump (17-09.25) and junior earned 34 of the Patriots’ 96 points.

Though Akachukwu was frustrated with her day afterward, her coach Dwight Smith didn’t seem as concerned.

“We always tell her she needs to channel her emotions to the next race,” Smith said. “She ran in four events. She made it through to regionals in four events. She’s district runner-up in three, district champion in one. I mean you still had a great day.”

Neither Freedom nor Wharton could wrestle the team title from Plant, which scored 195.5 points. The Wildcats took second with 139.5 and the Patriots finished fourth.

Wharton was boosted by Mikayla Barber, who won the 100 and 300 hurdles.

“Like many goals in my life that I want to achieve, if I come on the track scared all the time I’ll never get there,” Barber said. “I came out here with the mindset that I want to conquer.”

Teammate Tyler Watson was right behind Barber in the 300. Watson also got second in the triple jump.

Barber and Watson were part of the winning 4×400 relay that clocked in at 4:01.11, nearly 10 seconds faster than Alonso.

The Plant boys also won team gold with 210.5. Freedom took third (87.5) and Wharton was fourth (72.5).

Apart from second-place finishes by Vernon Hargreaves in the long jump, Britton Lewis in the 300 hurdles and Jayren Barginere in the 800 run, the Wildcats’ best effort came in the 4×800 relay, which they won with a time of 8:12.14.

The top four in each event advance to regionals at Leto April 25 starting at noon.

–Results as recorded by the Florida High School Athletic Association

Wesley Chapel senior Ravin Gilbert won two regional titles in the 100- and 400-meter and placed second in the 200 at regionals April 19 at Titusville Astronaut.

Gilbert, a Georgia State University signee, ran the 100 in 12.09 seconds, winning by 0.05, while finishing the 400 and 200 in 59.25 and 25.47, respectively.

It is the second straight year the senior has reached the Class 2A state meet in the sprint events but the first she has qualified in the 400. Gilbert finished seventh overall in both the 100 and 200 last season.

She will be joined at states by teammate Courtney Prengaman, who finished as runner-up in the high jump. The junior, who will compete at states for the first time, cleared 5-feet 4-inches.

The 2A state meet is April 28 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville starting at 1 p.m.

Mauger advances to states

Academy at the Lakes’ Andrea Mauger placed fourth in the shot put at regionals April 19 at Orlando First Academy, becoming the first in program history to make states. The junior, who won a district title the week before, posted 33 feet 11.5 inches.

Carrollwood Day School (CDS) senior Bailey Drury also earned a spot at states during the same meet by placing fourth in the 400-meters (1 minute 1.24 seconds).

In other Class 1A regional action, Bishop McLaughlin qualified two athletes April 19 at Shorecrest Prep. Boys discus thrower Evan Barhonvich finished as runner-up (138-09) and girls shot putter Taylor McDonald placed third (32-11).

The 1A state meet is April 27 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville starting at 1 p.m.

–All results as recorded by the High School Athletic Association

By Kyle LoJacono

Academy at the Lakes pitcher Sydney Boynton couldn’t stop thinking about the district softball finals all day April 19.

The wait was worth it for the junior, who threw a complete game with seven strikeouts to help the Wildcats (13-4) beat Class 2A-District 4 tournament host Hernando Christian (15-6). Boynton also had two hits and two RBI, the first of each in the first inning to give her squad a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The Lions got on the board the second when Ashley McKay hit a lead-off triple and scored on an error. Boynton (7-2, 1.88 ERA) avoided more damage with two quick outs, the first of 12 straight batters she retired including six Ks thanks in large part to her devastating changeup.

“It’s a really tough pitch to hit,” said academy sophomore catcher Rebecca Hannah, who had an RBI single. “When I’m batting in practice it’s tough. It’s really offspeed, and if she can get it there it’s a big weapon. We’ll call it at any point.”

Boynton said she was having trouble controlling her changeup early, but found the feel for it midway through.

“I worked like a year and a half to perfect that pitch, and it’s definitely my best pitch,” Boynton said. “It’s a huge factor in games with good hitters like these. When it’s on I feel really good, and most people aren’t used to a change that offspeed.”

Hernando Christian mounted a rally in the seventh, recording three hits and scoring their first earned run. Boynton induced a ground ball to sophomore shortstop Lauren Evans with two outs and runners on first and second to end the contest.

“I was really nervous in the seventh inning,” said Evans, who scored two runs. “I just wanted to get the game over so we could get the trophy.”

The Wildcats have made the playoffs the last five years since becoming eligible, but this is the first district championship for the program.

The Wildcats are also young with only one senior and three juniors.

“We got some girls out here the first day of practice who didn’t know how to throw or even put their glove on,” said Evans, a University of South Florida commit. “It was definitely back to teaching softball 101, but they learned a lot and we brought it together for the win.”

The academy receives a bye to the regional semifinals April 27 against the winner of Deltona Trinity Christian and Hernando Christian. The academy would travel to Deltona at 7 p.m. or host Hernando at 4 p.m.

Bishop claims third straight

The Bishop McLaughlin softball team won its third district title in as many years on April 19.

The Hurricanes (13-14) led 2-0 in first inning and added a pair of runs in the third to get by Seffner Christian 4-3 for the Class 3A-District 8 crown. Spencer Valdespino had an RBI single to open up the ‘Canes’ scoring.

Bishop McLaughlin defeated Tampa Prep 10-9 in the semis thanks to a pair of inside-the-park home runs from Valdespino, the second in walk-off fashion. The ‘Canes led 9-2 after the fifth, but the Terrapins fought back to score two in the sixth and five in the seventh to tie the game.

The Hurricanes host Lakeland Christian April 25 at 7 p.m.

By Jeff Odom

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

The Class 7A-District 9 tournament didn’t end with a championship for host Steinbrenner April 19, but the finals appearance secures a postseason spot.

Despite keeping the No. 1 seeded Chamberlain’s offense on ice through most of the game, the No. 3 Warriors (17-7) didn’t have many answers either, falling 2-1.

“I think we got runners on base, and we definitely had our opportunities,” said Steinbrenner coach Colleen Sanders. “I really don’t know what happened.”

The Chiefs (22-7) opened the first inning with Bianka Bell smacking a single followed by a Lindsey Hagberg base hit to put two on with one out. Warriors pitcher Kellee Ramsey (12-7, 3.07 ERA) walked Ellen Scott before Kelly Smith followed with a two-RBI single.

“(Ramsey) was very confident coming in,” Sanders said. She then added, “I know we gave up two runs in the first inning, but I think she stayed very strong.”

The Warriors got on the board in the third.

With Erin Knoeppel on after a leadoff walk, Erica Serafini hit a grounder to the second baseman who tried to turn a double play but dropped the ball after getting the lead runner. Serafini stole second, allowing Kaylee Ferrell to drive her in with a single.

Steinbrenner moved multiple runners into scoring position during the last five innings, but Chiefs pitcher Rachel Dwyer wouldn’t flinch.

“We had runners on, but we didn’t get those timely hits that we needed,” Sanders said. “All of our girls have the potential and we have strong bats. We just needed to come through at those times when we had runners in scoring position, and we didn’t do it.”

Steinbrenner put pressure on Chamberlain with two outs in the seventh. Knoeppel got on with a two-out bunt down the third base line. However, the threat was short lived as Paige Cimino grounded out.

The Warriors made the postseason for the second time in the program’s three-year history with their 2-0 win over Freedom in the semis April 18. Ramsey came close to her third no-hitter of the season, but it was broken up in the sixth inning.

A Patriots’ seventh-inning comeback ended with a double play on an attempted squeeze bunt popped up to third baseman Taylor Morrow, who fired the ball to catcher Alia Serafini to finish the contest.

Wiregrass Ranch got past Gaither in the first round April 17, but couldn’t muster a win against the Chiefs in the other semifinal, falling 12-2 in five innings.

Even though her team couldn’t hoist the championship trophy, Sanders said she is looking forward to the next round and knows her team is ready.

“It really does feel good,” Sanders said. “This is a brand new program and it feels very nice to have started this program, and I think it is definitely coming around over the last three years. I think we’re getting established, and I think people think they need to look out for us.”

Steinbrenner travels to Countryside April 25 at 7 p.m.

By Kyle LoJacono

Two Steinbrenner student-athletes made their college plans official last week.

Boys soccer player Conner Fleming became the first in program history to sign with a college April 19, picking Florida Institute of Technology, a Division II program in the Sunshine State Conference.

“It’s probably the best achievement I’ve accomplished in my life so far,” said Fleming, who will play midfield/defense. “It’s why I’ve been training every day for three years.”

Football player Brian Gainer joined the ranks of college athletes when he committed April 18 to the University of Mount Union, a Division III program in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

“My freshman year I told my mom I was going to play college football,” said the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Gainer. “Then I was 5-foot-3, maybe 103 pounds. I was probably the last player on the junior varsity team.”

Both will study premed, which is one reason Fleming picked Florida Tech.

“It’s a Tier 1 academic college, which means their academics are in the running with some of the top schools in the nation,” said Fleming, who has a 5.3 grade point average. “Also they have a 70 percent acceptance rate into medical school.”

Fleming, who attended Freedom until his junior year, had a relationship with Florida Tech coach Robin Chan from when he was on the southeast region Olympic development team.

Gainer, who went to Alonso and Sickles before coming to Steinbrenner as a junior, was impressed with his new team’s reputation.

“The winning tradition is something that really caught my attention,” said Gainer, who will play wide receiver. “They have 10 national championships.”

Getting a chance at college ball seemed unlikely months ago. Gainer saw limited playing time, but got a shot in the Warriors’ final contest against Middleton. He had a team-high 110 rushing yards, his first 100-yard game, with two touchdowns.

“Last year showed me you can get through everything,” Gainer said. “Even through trials and tribulations, if you get that one shot you have to take it.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Eddie Costa has been named the Wiregrass Ranch girls soccer coach, Bulls athletic director Dave Wilson announced April 22.

“Eddie brings a wealth of knowledge and background to our girls program,” Wilson said. “He has been successful at so many levels and we are happy to have him leading our program.”

Costa has coached soccer since 1989, including last year with the Rushe Middle girls program and with Central Pasco USA. He also has experience on the high school and collegiate levels.

Costa replaces Erin Dodd, who resigned in March to take a teaching position in Doha, Qatar. The Bulls went 40-8-2 during her two years with the program, including a district championship and regional finals appearance in 2011.

Chris Madden, a 2010 graduate of Wiregrass Ranch, is Costa’s assistant. He has served the last two years as the Bulls’ boys goalkeeper coach while also working with the FC Tampa Lutz Rangers soccer club.