Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

It was a memorable morning at Freedom High May 3 when a school-record six student-athletes signed to play their sport in college.

It wasn’t just the number that surprised principal David Sheppard, but the diversity of the signees.

“We want to get the message out that no matter what sport they do, athletes at Freedom have a chance to be successful beyond high school,” Sheppard said.

The signees are Kyle and Eric Schindler (baseball), Michael Sacco (soccer), Nicole Seybold (cheerleading) and Devin Turner and Jon Economou (football).

The Schindler twins helped guide Patriots baseball to its most successful season this year, including the first winning season (15-10) and first playoff berth. They will continue their careers at St. Pete College.

Sacco also made major contributions to Freedom sports this year. He recovered from an ACL tear in time to help the Patriots go 12-6-1 and make the postseason. He now moves on to Eckerd College, where he will likely play midfield or defense. He was impressed with the college’s facilities.

“You can tell they’ve put a lot of money into their new fields, plus there’s a lot of other signees that should give us a good chance to compete in the NCAA tournament,” Sacco said.

Seybold will attend the University of Oregon. Seybold will always remember helping Freedom reach new heights as a senior when the program won a county and regional championship for the first time.

Turner and Economou will add an entirely new chapter to their playing careers together after playing for the New Tampa Wildcats in middle school. They will both compete at Becker College in Boston.

“It feels good knowing there’s someone on your team that you are familiar with,” Economou said.

 

By Jeff Odom

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

Four Steinbrenner student-athletes were awarded scholarships from the school’s athletic booster club May 4.

Seniors Sara Bair (girls golf), Cary Anne Bame (volleyball/flag football), Zach Rocca (boys track) and Tom Mazzetti (boys tennis) each received $500 toward their education and a plaque that will be displayed inside the school.

The four applied for the award earlier this year, but none were told they had won when called out of class.

“I didn’t know what the pass was for when they gave it to me, so I just walked into the media center not knowing what was going on,” said Bair, who will attend University of Florida. She added, “When I came in, I saw my mom and I thought back real quickly to my application, and I was just shocked.”

While he wasn’t told about the ceremony, Mazzetti said he saw his mother and knew something was happening.

“I was in class seventh period and we had a substitute,” said Mazzetti, who will attend Florida State University (FSU). “I was taking the attendance sheet (to the office), and I was going down the stairs and I ran into my mom and I’m like ‘What are you doing here?’ and she said something’s a surprise. … So I went up here and it turns out all of the hard work paid off.”

Bame, a three-year volleyball team captain, was also awarded the David Logan Scholarship from Bright House Sports Network May 3. She said receiving both honors in consecutive days is one of the best moments of her high school career.

“It’s a good way to kind of close it out,” said Bame, who will attend FSU. “It’s just weird, because it’s all over now. It’s kind of neat closing out this year of high school sports.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Wesley Chapel junior Courtney Prengaman won the Class 2A state high jump championship April 28 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville.

Prengaman cleared 5 feet 6 inches to claim the title, besting runner-up Jennie Carmody from Satellite by two inches. It is the first state championship in the program’s 12-year history, something that surprised the newly crowned champion.

“I didn’t know that,” Prengaman said. “I know that I’ll be — I didn’t know that. That’s cool. Alright, first one. I’m pretty stoked about being the first.”

The top-two jumpers got over 5-4 on their first try but scratched on all three attempts at 5-6. Both had an additional chance to clear the height before it would be moved down an inch.

Prengaman jumped first, cleared it and prayed the performance would be enough.

“I got down off the mat, laid on the ground and watched through the crack of my arm to see if she’d get it,” Prengaman said. “When I saw she’d hit it I stood up and couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for a long time.”

Prengaman began high jumping in seventh grade.

“My middle school coach had me do it because I was tall,” said the 6-foot-2 Prengaman. “I was actually terrified of it because it’s a scary thing.”

She started this season clearing 5-2, which was tied for the school record. Prengaman said her goal when the year began was to break that mark. Winning a state title wasn’t in her mind or the thoughts of first-year Wildcats girls coach Brad Allen.

“The first time she cleared 5-6, which was at conference, I think that was when I thought to myself she can take first place,” Allen said.

She cleared 5-7 to win a district crown, but jumped only 5-4 at regionals the week before states, losing to Carmody. Allen said they worked on technique in the week leading up to the finals along with building her confidence.

“The biggest thing is getting over the mental blocks,” Prengaman said. “My mind is the worst thing. I’m completely capable of jumping really high, but I will tell myself that I’m too tired or something hurts. I just take myself out of the competition on my own. … Today I won’t say I knew I could beat her, but I’d convinced myself I could beat her.”

Prengaman gave a lot of credit to Allen. She didn’t have a jumping coach before this season, but he decided to take on that role along with guiding the distance runners

“I didn’t know anything about high jump,” Allen said. “I bought books and DVDs and got on YouTube to learn everything I could about it. She was excited to have someone helping her. She did all the work.”

Prengaman added, “He had me doing strength training and jumping every day instead of falling asleep on the mat at practice like the last few years. We didn’t really slack off this year. I worked really hard, and it paid off.”

Allen said he is excited to get another year to work with Prengaman. He thinks she can jump 6 before she graduates.

“We’ve already set up what I’m going to be doing the next few months,” Prengaman said. “Lots of strength training, early morning practices and repetition to get me really strong so when the season starts next year I’m ready to go.”

Wesley Chapel earned a sprint medal thanks to senior Ravin Gilbert’s fifth-place performance in the 100-meter. The Georgia State University signee finished in 12.18 seconds, 0.39 behind the championship pace of Miami Jackson’s Robin Reynolds.

By Jeff Odom

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

Gaither baseball coach Frank Permuy wasn’t satisfied when his team secured a spot in the Class 7A-District 9 championship.

His fourth seeded Cowboys (16-9-1) knocked off No. 1 Steinbrenner in the semifinals, but committed six errors in the contest. Permuy told his players they better get to work to ensure it didn’t happen again.

Gaither responded with an offensive explosion en route to the program’s 11th district title with a 10-6 victory over No. 2 Freedom April 26.

“I didn’t think our pregame preparation was going the right way, so I had to shut the clubhouse down a little bit and got after some people,” Permuy said. “I think it paid off. … Maybe that was the difference, or maybe they just felt like it was time to start doing it.”

It didn’t take long for the Cowboys’ bats to heat up. Center fielder Hayden Kelley doubled over his counterpart to start the first inning. After shortstop Oscar Mercado was plunked, first baseman Jose Gonzalez blasted a three-run homer to give his team the lead.

The Patriots (15-9) answered with a run in the bottom of the first. Kyle Schindler reached on a lead-off walk and scored after three errors, the last a fielding miscue by Mercado.

Permuy told the team it couldn’t have another defensive mistake if it wanted to be a champion.

“I said ‘that’s our allotment for the game,’ ” Permuy said. “ ‘We can’t make anymore.’ ”

In the second, Gaither got extra-base hits from Eddie Pastrana, Chris Torres and Kelley.

Torres, who finished 3 for 3 with a trio of doubles, said his bat sparked at the right time.

“When you’re in a slump you just got to stick with it,” Torres said. “It’s baseball. It happens, and I just had to go out there and give it my all. I couldn’t stay in a slump forever.”

Starting pitcher Matt Frey kept Freedom’s offense on its heels, striking out 10 for the win.

The Patriots wouldn’t go down without a fight, starting a sixth-inning rally. Frey walked Devin Sheppard with the bases loaded, followed by a Cam Morgan double to clear the bags to draw Freedom within four. However, the calm demeanor from Gaither reliever Alex Milne paid off, and the team played through the jam to seal the win.

“The one thing about these guys is they haven’t given up all year,” Permuy said. “They really believe in each other. When you say team, this is probably the closest we’ve had in years.”

Gaither’s path to the district crown was anything but routine, as the host overcame two deficits to Steinbrenner to win 10-9 in the semis that needed eight innings April 24.

The Warriors (17-8) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second thanks to five Cowboys errors. Gaither wouldn’t panic, answering with a five-run third.

Steinbrenner’s Cole Gordon belted a three-run homer off Gaither starter Evan Gainey in the fourth to put his team on top by four.

The Cowboys chipped away and delivered the fatal blow in the eighth when Mercado delivered a two-out single, stole second and third and scored on a passed ball to complete the comeback.

Freedom defeated No. 3 Wiregrass Ranch 5-2 in the other semi to capture playoff berth for the first time in program history.

“It feels good overall,” said Freedom coach A.J. Leppla. “Obviously the outcome (in the finals) isn’t what we wanted, but to be here and everything is the first time in school history; we’ve had a lot of success this year, and I’m very proud of our young men.”

 

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

The Wharton baseball team knew the first playoff berth in the program’s 14-year history wouldn’t come easy, but it battled to a 2-0 extra-innings victory in the district semifinals.

The Wildcats (19-8) had to get by defending state champion Alonso with right-hander Nathan Hahn, who finished the regular season with a 1.76 ERA, on the mound in the Class 8A-District 7 semis April 24 at Durant.

The Ravens (16-8) were riding a seven-game win streak. Seven innings went by before either team scored.

Not that there weren’t chances.

Alonso’s Jordan Ding got the first hit in the bottom of the third inning. Ryan Valdes followed with a single, but a 6-4-3 double play ended the threat.

In the sixth inning, Wildcats pitcher Collin Woody got the strikeout he needed with bases loaded and two down.

Both teams left 10 on base. The Wildcats stranded runners in scoring position in the fourth, fifth and sixth. The pressure started to get to nine-year Wharton coach Scott Hoffman.

“It was definitely frustrating,” Hoffman said. “You live and die by those types of things. With a guy like Hahn you know you’re not going to get many chances.”

The Wildcats got another chance in the top of the eighth. Danny Molino, who had two hits out of the nine spot, singled to start the inning. Two batters later, Alex Kranick singled to set the table for Woody.

The senior promptly smashed a ball over a retreating Ravens center fielder, which rolled to the fence. Molino scored from second base, as did Kranick from first.

“I was just thinking, just let me get Kranick around third and not trip,” Hoffman said.

Woody finished the bottom of the eighth to send the squad to regionals. He struck out 12, walked three and scattered five hits.

“We felt confident having Woody on the mound today,” Hoffman said. “We wanted the ball in his hand.”

It was a bit of revenge for Wharton getting by Alonso this year after the Ravens knocked the Wildcats out of playoff contention last season.

Wharton hoisted the district title by defeating Durant 1-0 in 12 innings April 26. The Wildcats were held to four hits, but Zack Zaversnik got the critical one to drive in Woody for the game’s only run.

Shaun Rubin pitched the first seven innings, giving up five hits with four strikeouts. Tuck Neuhaus threw five innings of one-hit ball for the win.

By Eugenio Torrens

Land O’ Lakes and Tarpon Springs had met twice this season. The teams split the series, each one nabbing a 1-0 victory.

Through one and a half innings of their Class 6A-District 10 championship, tied at 1 apiece, it looked like more of the same low-scoring baseball played during the regular season.

Then the bottom of the second happened.

“We made one error that cost us a couple of runs, but the bottom line is they outplayed us,” said Gators coach Calvin Baisley.

The Spongers (23-4) tallied five runs on Land O’ Lakes (18-9) in the second to open up a game they won 7-1 at River Ridge April 26.

“They pitched better, they hit better, they fielded the ball better than we did,” Baisley said.

Trouble was brewing when Tarpon Springs’ Kyle Johnson reached first to load the bases with no outs. A Zachary Whitaker fielding error allowed the first  run.

Another error translated into another tally for the Spongers. A sacrifice fly led to the first out, but also Tarpon Springs’ fourth run.

The next ball put in play was blasted. Gators left fielder Connor Stephens backed up toward the fence and initially made the catch, but crashed into the fence and dropped to the ground along with the ball.

Two more runs dashed across safely at home while Stephens lay on the ground, and the Gators were facing a 6-1 deficit.

Land O’ Lakes starting pitcher Ryan Wall was pulled after that and the Gators avoided further damage in the frame.

Despite allowing only one more run to the Spongers, Land O’ Lakes was unable to put runs on the board.

“I think they’ve got a pretty good pitching staff,” said Baisley, reflecting on the fact that his team has scored two total runs in three games against Tarpon Springs.

Gators junior second baseman and leadoff hitter Dylan Harris added, “I feel like we could have come out with more intensity tonight.”

Harris admitted they might have come out lackluster because win or lose, the team was still advancing to the playoffs.

“I guess we knew we were going to succeed, or going to the next game, and we just didn’t play the best that we could,” Harris said.

Harris was at a loss for words when trying to answer why the Gators bats seemed dead.

“I don’t know,” Harris said. “We usually hit the ball a lot better.”

Baisley echoed the sentiment.

“Two hits and one run is not going to win a lot of games,” Baisley said.

‘Canes fall in district finals

The Bishop McLaughlin baseball team lost the Class 3A-District 8 championship 3-2 to Tampa Prep April 27.

The host Hurricanes (18-9) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a Tanner Koch single, but the Terrapins (16-9) tied the score in the third and took the lead with a home run by Tyler Jarrell in the ninth.

By Kyle LoJacono

A week after winning its second district title in as many years, the Steinbrenner girls track and field program finished as regional runner-up for the first time at Leto April 25.

The Warriors were fourth last year at regionals while competing in Class 2A. The squad moved up to 3A and rose to the challenge by scoring 41 points.

“You have 30-something teams, so you have to come out and compete strong to finish second,” said Steinbrenner coach Ladd Baldwin. “When you come to a big meet like this you want to know you’ve prepared them the right way.”

The Warriors set the tone in the day’s first race. The 4×800-meter relay team was in sixth place on the final lap, but Lauren Garris made up ground to finish fourth (9 minutes 55.65 seconds), the last advancing spot.

“They made a big move to qualify for states, and I think that showed everyone OK we can do this,” Baldwin said. “They were seeded seventh and ran 13 seconds faster than the school record.”

Jessica Brewer placed fourth in the long jump with a new personal record (PR) 16 feet 11.5 inches.

“When I was taking my last jump I knew I was fourth or fifth, so I told myself jump a little bit farther,” Brewer said. “Pull your heels up more and do it.”

Alexis Wright qualified in her three events, placing second in the 100 hurdles (14.65) and triple (37-3.75) and claiming the 300 hurdles crown (45.48), her last event of the day.

“I wasn’t satisfied with how I did this morning,” said Wright, who won regionals in her three events last year. “I’m definitely capable of more.”

Baldwin said Wright’s ability to rebound in her final event shows her toughness.

“She feels like people expect her to do well, and she has that internal pressure,” Baldwin said. “She’s going in her best events, and we have another week to get her ready.”

Wright’s championship came from Lane 2 after finishing seventh in prelims.

“The lane you’re in is just a number,” Wright said. “Everyone is running the same distance. I laid my heart on the line and went for it.”

Wright won the 100 hurdles state title last year and said the regional performance is fuel.

“There’s always someone out there better than you,” Wright said. “It’s either go get them, or you’re going to settle. I’m not one to settle. My flame is burning, and I’m ready to go out there and get anyone.”

The Steinbrenner distance boys also showed off. The 4×800 won by finishing in 8:05.8. Three members of that relay qualified individually, Matt Magee in the 800 (second place, 1:57.4) and Tyler and Zach Lima by finishing second (9:39.95) and third (9:40.03), respectively, in the 3,200.

“It’s our first states, and it’s actually our first time in regions,” Tyler said. “Zach pushed the pace. Without him I would have slowed down some.”

Zach, who PRed by 23 seconds, said he wanted to keep up with his twin.

“That’s how I run in practice,” Zach said. “We both changed our training this year. It was all about pace work and strength. We basically had no light workout days since cross country.”

The 3A state meet is May 4 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville at 1 p.m.

Cowboys sweep hurdles

Gaither hurdlers Samson Moore and Paul Barrett won the boys 110- and 300-meter hurdles at the Class 3A regional meet April 25 at Leto.

Moore, a freshman, set a new school record by finishing in 14.36 seconds.

“I didn’t suspect to get to states, but I thought if I kept up my goals I’d make it,” Moore said. “I had a bad start. I was probably last out of the blocks. I have to get better at that.”

Barrett, a senior, completed the sweep by posting a personal record 37.85 to make consecutive state appearances. Barrett said he will share with Moore what states is like so they both have a chance to medal.

“I didn’t know what to expect last year,” Barrett said. “I came out and those guys were fast. I didn’t even make the finals. This year I want to make the finals. That’s the first hurdle.”

The Gaither girls advanced Kiana Bryant, who took third in the 100 (12.29).

The 3A state meet is May 4 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville at 1 p.m.

Akachukwu’s eventful day

Freedom junior Sandra Akachukwu left the Class 4A regional track meet at Leto April 25 with more individual championships than anyone.

The King transfer claimed the long jump (17 feet 7 inches), her first event of the day, along with titles in the 100-meter (12.41 seconds) and 200 (25.33). She was also second in the high jump (5-4)

“It feels really good,” Akachukwu said with a smile. “It tells me that I really belong.”

Akachukwu was doing but smiling the week before at districts when she won the 100, but was runner-up in the other events.

Patriots assistant Ryan McGee, who coaches Freedom’s sprint and jump athletes, said Akachukwu was disappointed by clearing 5 in the high jump at districts, which affected the rest of her day.

“It all started when she won the long jump today,” McGee said. “We knew what to expect the rest of the meet.”

Akachukwu said winning the long jump gave her the confidence needed to claim the trifecta. McGee added making it to states in her events is extremely difficult.

“That’s a hard four events she does,” McGee said. “You’ve got a lot of running in the 100 and 200 plus jumping as hard as you can. That separates her. I can’t stress how proud I am of her.”

Freedom’s boys send the 4×100 (fourth place, 43.24) and 4×400 (third place, 3:30.14) relay teams after none of their athletes qualified last season.

“Our coaches have been pushing us every practice,” said Anthony Hendry, who runs the anchor of the 4×400. “There’s no messing around, so when we get to the meet it’s game time.”

The 4A state meet is May 5 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville at 1 p.m.

Barhonovich medals at states

Bishop McLaughlin’s Evan Barhonovich placed seventh at the Class 1A state meet April 27. The senior threw the discus 136 feet 6 inches. No other area athlete finished in the top eight of their event to earn a medal.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

The Class 3A state track and field meet will see a pair of second-time competitors from Central Pasco County.

Land O’ Lakes’ Hallie Grimes finished third in the girls 400-meter with a time of 58 seconds, while Sunlake’s Travis Manecke qualified by placing third in the boys shot put (46 feet 10 inches) and fourth in the discus (141-11).

Manecke, who attended Wiregrass Ranch last year, is the only Seahawk to reach state, but the junior wasn’t happy with his performance.

“I wish I could have thrown better,” Manecke said. “I usually throw better with good competition like there is here, but just not today. … My elbow has been hurting, which is probably my technique. I’ll work on that before states.”

Last year Manecke finished 12th in the discus (130-4) at states, but didn’t qualify in the shot.

Grimes returns to states with the hopes of finishing better than fifth-place performance she had in 2011. She said she thought 58 would put her in the top four, which earns a spot in the last meet of the season.

“I just wanted to get in the top four,” Grimes said. “I didn’t care what place. I set such high expectations getting to states last year as a freshman.”

Grimes said she will go into states with more confidence now that she has experience at the ultimate meet. She is also running the 400 differently than a year ago.

“Last year, I’d never run the 400 before, and I’d kind of guided it out until there’s 200 left and went for it and got tired out,” Grimes said. “This year I’m sprinting out and keeping stride and going for it in the last 100.”

Grimes earned all six of the Gators’ team points on the day. The Land O’ Lakes boys earned 21 to tie for 10th place, while Sunlake took 19 to tie for 12th.

Three Gators boys will join Grimes at states by finishing fourth in their events. Travis Nichols finished the 3,200 in 9:46.36, pole vaulter Ian McKenzie cleared 13-6 and Chris Wilkinson posted a 1:59.47 in the 800.

The 3A state meet is May 4 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville at 1 p.m.