Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Building connections is quest of new Wesley Chapel Church

April 25, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

It’s no accident that Bridgeway Church is rising on a site across from an elementary, middle and high school in Wesley Chapel.

“We have a deep calling to serve young people. We really strongly feel that’s why the Lord put us here, across from three schools,” said Joel Eason, pastor of the church being built on Wells Road.

“We just feel God put us here, strategically. We want to be a blessing to the schools, their faculty. If there’s a way we can be of service, we want to help,” said Eason, whose congregation now meets at the New Tampa YMCA.

Bridgeway Church recently celebrated its 11^th anniversary and is preparing to move to its permanent home this summer. It has more than 400 members who come from Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Dade City and Brandon, and Eason expects the congregation to grow as it moves to its 21-acre site.

Construction crews are busy at the site, digging holes, putting up drywall, installing air conditioners and handling scores of other tasks.

The goal is to have the first service in the 29,000-square-foot building on Father’s Day. After everything is working smoothly, the church will hold a grand opening in August to coincide with the beginning of a new school year.

The new building will give the church more opportunities to serve the community, Eason said. “The game will change for us, immediately.

“Our mission statement is bringing people into life-changing relationships with Jesus Christ and each other. At the heart of who we are and at the heart of what we are doing, we want people connected with Christ and we want people connected with one another,” Eason said.

The church plans to allow organizations to use space for meetings. It also plans to be a hub to help organize emergency response during floods, hurricanes and other times of need.

The new facility features a 500-seat auditorium for services, rooms designed for children of various ages, and office space. The idea is to meet the needs of all ages, Eason said.

When talking to adults about their church experience, Eason said many have said: “I hated it. It was boring.”

Bridgeway intends to be a place where people want to go, Eason said.

“I don’t think church should be boring.

“We want this to be the most fun hour of the kids’ week, and our team works really hard on that,” he said.

The same goes for teenagers, he said.

“We want the youth service on Wednesday night to be the coolest, most relevant, most helpful hour that they have all week,” Eason said.

“I don’t think church services should be boring. I don’t think preaching should be hard to understand,” Eason said. “I don’t think that kids should not want to come to church. I don’t think that church is just a Sunday organization.”

In addition to its youth ministry, the church will have an area where kids can hang out to play pool, ping-pong and other games. There are two cafés in the new building, one on each floor to accommodate various groups.

Eason said he’s looking forward to seeing what develops in the new space.

“We feel that we’re supposed to help special needs’ families.

“What is it we’re going to do? We don’t know. We know we’re supposed to get involved with that, but how? We don’t know.

“There are probably organizations, let’s say it’s a special needs family support organization – they don’t have a place to meet. Well, we’ll unlock the door,” Eason said.

For more information about Bridgeway, visit http://bridgeway.tv.

New place to eat, mingle in Lutz

April 25, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

The owners of The Gathering Place are hoping the new restaurant in Lutz will live up to its name.

“We want it to be the local gathering place, whether you want to eat, whether you want to have a couple of drinks, a dessert, or just come see who is here hanging out,” said Chris Fuller, who owns the restaurant with his mom, Sandy.

With its sunflower yellow walls and its fun, funky signs, the restaurant at 16319 N. Florida Ave., has a warm, welcoming feel.

The Fullers have put together a menu they’re confident will appeal to all kinds of people. Pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven with an array of toppings that goes well beyond traditional choices.

There’s a Hang Ten, featuring marinara, house-smoked bacon, pineapple and mozzarella. The Aphrodite has marinara, kalamata olives, local feta cheese, mozzarella, red onion, green pepper and rosemary. The Lutz Boy is topped with house-smoked chicken, barbecue sauce, drunken caramelized onions and mozzarella. And there’s the Pizza Verde, topped with fresh pesto, spinach, fresh local feta, pine nuts and scallions.

You can also build your own pizza, choosing from numerous ingredients.

The restaurant opened March 22 and already has fans.

“It has good food, a good beer selection, fair pricing, a good atmosphere and a friendly staff,” said Mike Blackshaw, of Lutz, who was there for dinner recently, with his wife, Claire, and their friends, Iain and Bea Rowell, also of Lutz.

The couples are repeat customers because they like the fresh food and the friendly service. They said the Lutz area has lacked this type of restaurant.

Fuller said the offerings go well beyond pizza.

“We have a selection of sandwiches and salads, as well,” he said.

There’s also a soup of the day, a burger of the day and dinner entrée specials based on ingredients available that day.

“I think the most important thing is providing fresh, tasty food,” Fuller said.

A pleasant atmosphere, friendly staff and affordable prices are important, too, the co-owners said. The appetizers range from $6 to $10 and dinner entrees go from $11 to $16.

So far, pizza is the most popular choice, but the gator bombs and Cuban nachos are big hits, too, Fuller said. The gator bombs are made from tender chipotle gator tail finely chopped, stuffed into peppadews with a cheesy mixture and beer battered. They are served with Chipotle Aioli. The Cuban nachos are crispy plantains topped with all natural pulled pork, black bean and corn salsa and a mojo sour cream sauce.

Appetizers are served tapas style, to make sharing easy, Fuller said.

Besides being a gathering place for patrons, the Fullers want the restaurant to be known for serving locally produced foods.

“What we really wanted to do was bring a concept to the area where we would use as many fresh, wholesome ingredients as we possibly could,” Fuller said. “The meat that we use here is just about as natural as you can possibly get, as close to the wild. We use free-range, organic grass-fed beef, locally farmed. Same with our pork. It’s pasture-raised, so it’s free range. There are no cages and they’re not all penned up.”

Some vegetables are grown locally, too, and the restaurant is expanding that supply, Fuller said.

The restaurant makes its own desserts, including rum cakes, which are Sandy Fuller’s specialty. It also serves ice cream from The Old Meeting House in South Tampa, she said.

The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, as well an intimate space – known as the cave lounge – which can be booked for small private parties.

One advantage of being independent is the ability to respond quickly to customers, Sandy Fuller said.

“We’re looking for feedback, good or bad,” she said.

“We want to know,” agreed Chris Fuller.

During the first week, for instance, they adjusted the menu based on customer response.

They’ve also changed the hours – using a go-with-the-flow approach. The restaurant now opens at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays, with variable closing hours, based on how business is going.

“As long as there are people here, we’ll be open,” Sandy Fuller said.

For more information, visit www.thegatheringplacetampa.com.

Chalk Talk for April 25

April 25, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Honoring military children

Students and staff throughout Carrollwood Day School wore purple on April 13 in a show of support for children with parents in the military.

The school was taking part in a special event organized by the 4-H Youth Development program, which invited members of Operation: Military Kids across the country to take part in “Purple Up.”

The school became familiar with Operation: Military Kids and “Purple Up” because the students in Barbara Monty’s fifth-grade class are studying the impact of having parents in the military as part of an inquiry program they are doing. The inquiry program serves as a foundation to prepare students for Carrollwood Day School’s middle years program. Carrollwood Day is a private school offering an International Baccalaureate curriculum for children in preschool through high school. The school has two campuses in northern Hillsborough County.

Kindergarten registration

New River Elementary School is having its kindergarten registration from 8 a.m. until noon and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 7 in the school’s media center.

It also is having a kindergarten parent workshop from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the same day at the school.

Parents should bring the child’s original birth certificate, Social Security card, immunization records, a physical examination form dated within one year of starting school and proof of residency, such as utility bill or contract of sale. A child must be 5 on or before Sept. 1 to be eligible to register. For additional information, call (813) 346-0500.

Wesley Chapel High needs helpers

Wesley Chapel High needs volunteers to evaluate Senior Project Presentations at the school on May 3.

Volunteers watch graduating seniors give presentations on topics they have worked on through the year, and then offer the volunteers their reactions written on a form. The presentations take about 10 minutes each.

The evaluations are similar to filling out a comment card after a dining experience, according to Mathew Kirouac, the senior project coordinator at the school. The presentations are 7:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. Volunteers are especially needed from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information, you can contact Kirouac at . The high school is at 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

Take a spin for Wharton

In conjunction with Wharton High’s golf tournament, Parks Ford will be contributing $20 to the school for every person who test drives a car, up to a maximum of $6,000. The event is at The Heritage Isles Golf and Country Club, 10630 Plantation Bay Drive in Tampa, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 27.

Those test-driving a Ford must be 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Each person who takes a test drive also will be entered for a chance to win a 2013 Ford Escape.

The money raised from the test drives will be used toward resurfacing the school’s track.

National Merit Scholarship winners

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has released winners of corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 200 corporations, company foundations and other business organizations.

Most of the awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

Natalie A. Meusling, of Lutz, who attends Land O’ Lakes High, was the only student in Pasco County among the recipients. She received a National Merit Alfred A. Davis/ASC Partners, LLC Scholarship. She lists her probable career choice as atmospheric science.

The two recipients from Hillsborough County high schools were Zachary Scott Dawson, of Hillsborough High, who received a National Merit BP Foundation Inc. Scholarship and Kyle A. Kizirian, of H.B. Plant High, who received a National Merit General Dynamics Scholarship.

Lutz student achieves honor roll

Ceciley “CC” Hooker, of Lutz, has achieved the dean’s list at Southeastern University in Lakeland. The dean’s list is reserved for those students who maintain at least a 3.6 GPA. CC is the daughter of Roy and Jeanne Hooker of Lutz. She is a homeschool graduate.

Connerton Elementary carnival

Connerton Elementary is having its Champion Day Carnival on April 27, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The event, which includes food, games, facepainting and other activities, will be under the covered physical education area. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

The school is at 9300 Flourish Drive in Land O’ Lakes.

PHCC business club excels at state competition

Members of the Pasco-Hernando Community College Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Future Business Leaders of America club performed well at the 62nd annual Florida Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference competition in March in Tampa.

The West Campus chapter of PBL in New Port Richey won three awards. Malcolm Lamprea, of Odessa, won second place in the sports management and marketing category. David Rossi, of Hudson, won first place in both the network concepts and computer concepts categories.

The students are eligible to compete at the Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference June 24 through June 27 in San Antonio, Texas.

Sheridan Park, PHCC office administration assistant professor and North Campus PBL chapter adviser, received the Adviser of the Year award from the Florida Future Business Leaders of America/Phi Beta Lambda.

Unsatisfied with just one state crown

April 18, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Steinbrenner’s Alexis Wright out for more gold

By Kyle LoJacono

When the sun went down on April 30, 2011, Steinbrenner’s Alexis Wright would forever be known as a state champion.

Wright bested all competitors in the Class 2A 100-meter hurdles, finishing in 15.05 seconds. It was her first of three finals that day. Her memory of that first-place performance is very clear, but Wright remembers more about coming up just short in the triple jump.

“I was second by only a quarter of an inch, which could have been anything,” said Wright, who jumped 36-feet 11.75-inches. She then added, “I was just coming back from the hurdles after winning and watched as she took her last jump. When I heard what it was I was just like you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Wright, then a junior, claimed her third medal of the day by finishing third in the 300 hurdles (45.32). She also won regional and district titles in all three.

Entering her senior season this year Wright put a lot of pressure on herself to show everyone that 2011 wasn’t a fluke.

“There’s a reputation I feel I have, and I don’t want to lose that reputation,” Wright said. “At the same time I want to go out with a bang.”

Wright showed she is still a legit state title contender, now in 3A, by winning Western Conference championships in both hurdles and the triple. She set personal records in the 300 (44.89) and triple (39-03.50). Her best time this season in the 100 is 15.01, better than when she won states.

“I do feel stronger now than last year at this time,” Wright said. “I didn’t think I’d be running my state times already.”

Her times are better, and if she reaches states in her three events she will have two previous years of experience to lean on.

The hurdles and triple all take place at about 3 p.m. at states, so Wright has to go between the track and jumping area between prelim heats and finals.

The back-and-forth trips threw her off as a sophomore to the point that she finished ninth in both hurdles prelims, one away from qualifying for the finals, and placed eighth overall in the triple.

Wright and Steinbrenner girls track coach Ladd Baldwin started simulating the timing of the prelims and finals for her three events at practice. She credits that preparation to helping her claim three medals last year.

Alexis-Wright-pause — Alexis Wright prepares to run the 100-meter hurdles during a recent practice.

“At the end of states my sophomore year I just dropped down and cried, but later I realized what I was capable of,” Wright said. “I was amongst the best of the best and I’m only a sophomore. It caused me to work my butt off, and I went out there and got it the next year.”

The ascent as a hurdler didn’t begin until Wright came to Steinbrenner as a sophomore.

She began doing track in sixth grade while at Ben Hill Middle, running mostly the 400 and 200 along with the long jump. Wright continued the 400 at Gaither.

“I came over here and met Bob Ennis, who is my hurdles coach, and he just asked me to try it one day,” Wright said. “I remember doing it in the grass and asking coach ‘Am I doing this right? This feels awful.’ He said ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing.’ He had a good way of hiding his feelings because he was calm, but inside he said he was bouncing with joy.”

Baldwin has coached four individual state champions but said Wright is the one who most loves the mechanics of running.

“She loves the technique part of it,” Baldwin said. “She’s like a perfectionist.”

That ability to find small imperfections allows Wright to be like another coach for her hurdles and triple jump teammates.

“She’s my inspiration for triple,” said junior Jessica Brewer. “I always ask her for help because she’s a really good mentor.”

Wright brings that same competitive nature into the classroom. She has a 6.14 weighted grade point average, good enough for 12th best in her graduating class of 438 students, and only one B on her transcript. She is taking four AP and two honors classes along with one elective this semester.

“I was brought up with the mentality of find a way to do it if you’re capable of doing it,” Wright said. “I leaned on my sisters at first, and they helped build me up to the student I am today. By the time I was in fifth grade homework was on my own. Now I don’t expect anything less.”

Wright’s grades helped earned her the Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship from the University of Miami, which pays 100 percent tuition. She plans to start as a premed student, but may major in psychology, biomedical engineering or exercise science.

“I want to run in college even if it’s just an accessory,” Wright said. “It’s become a lifestyle now, not just something I do. I love it way too much not to do it at all.”

Baldwin said Wright’s ability to succeed on the track and in the classroom make her the perfect role model.

“She shows people if you work hard you can be successful,” Baldwin said. “They can see that in her every day at practice. I think that’s the positive with her. The freshmen look at her and know she wasn’t a state champion four years ago. It’s that person they can look up to and see how to act.”

Wright’s path toward another state title begins at the 3A-8 meet at Gaither on April 19 starting at noon.

–All postseason performances as recorded by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Ungerer fights back, helps Zephyrhills claim district crown

April 18, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Zephyrhills junior No. 3 tennis player Hannah Ungerer’s win over Land O’ Lakes in the semifinals on April 3 clinched the Class 3A-District 6 championship.

“It felt great,” Ungerer said. “I’m so happy about how I played this year. I’m just so happy to be able to play healthy and help the team. It’s an awesome feeling, and it gives me the motivation to get better for next year.”

Things weren’t so great a year ago when Ungerer was still recovering from a back injury suffered in a car accident. The crash left her with two herniated discs, forcing her to go to one-hour physical therapy sessions three times a week for more than six months.

The injury happened shortly after the Bulldogs won a district championship and reached the regional finals in 2010. Ungerer was a freshman No. 4 player on that team and was expected to take over the No. 2 spot as a sophomore after the squad graduated several players.

Ungerer said she did not really start feeling the pain until she tried out for the volleyball team in 2010. She played on the junior varsity squad as a freshman at outside hitter, but her back prevented her from playing as a sophomore.

Ungerer has also had to miss tennis practice many times while going to therapy.

“It’s was really hard because my doctor said I could either play singles or doubles, but not both to help my back,” Ungerer said. “I really wanted to do both.”

Zephyrhills coach Lorraine Hinkle decided to play Ungerer at No. 5 singles only to ease her return to tennis as she recovered.

The Bulldogs finished third in districts last season, one away from the playoffs, but recovered enough to play singles and doubles this year. Zephyrhills earned 14 points to win the 3A-6 title, the program’s second in three years.

“Basically she’s done everything we’ve needed of her,” Hinkle said. “Last year she wanted to play more and play harder, but we slowed her down. I keep reminding her she doesn’t want to take something that limits her one year and make it last two because she tries to do too much.”

Ungerer’s teammates are happy to have her back at full strength.

“She really helped us,” said senior and No. 1 singles player Sarah Vande Berg. “She’s obviously one of our best players at No. 3, so it definitely helped having her at 100 percent this year.”

For Ungerer, it’s a relief to be healthy again.

“I’m really glad that I can contribute,” Ungerer said. “That’s what I’ve worked for since I got hurt. I’m happy I can help the team.”

Vande Berg won her singles point 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 1 singles final at districts and teamed with fellow senior Amanda Smith to win the top doubles point 6-0, 6-2. Sophomore Sydney Owens won No. 2 singles 1-6, 7-5, 6-0 and paired with Ungerer to win the No. 2 doubles.

Bulldogs fall in semifinals

The Zephyrhills girls tennis team was unable to win its regional semifinals contest against Citrus, losing at home 5-2.

The Bulldogs’ points came at No. 1 singles and doubles. Senior Sarah Vande Berg won 6-0, 6-2 and teamed with fellow senior Amanda Smith to win 6-0, 6-2.

Vande Berg will still play in her third state tournament individually, while also teaming with Smith in doubles play. The Class 3A tournament is at Lake Brantley High in Altamonte Springs April 17 to 20.

Land O’ Lakes bests Forest, falls to Gainesville

April 18, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Eugenio Torrens

Senior Colin Roller continued his winning ways in leading the Land O’ Lakes boys tennis team past Ocala Forest 4-3 at home in the Class 3A regional semifinals on April 10.

Roller breezed through his No. 1 singles match 6-1, 6-0 for his team’s first point and clinched the victory with teammate David Dollbaum at No. 1 doubles, played as a pro set, 8-1.

The Gators (15-3) have become accustomed to the 6-foot-4 East Carolina University signee getting them at least two points.

“I know that he’s going to get us two points,” said Land O’ Lakes coach Jasalyn Gerazounis.

Despite his seemingly easy win, Roller said his singles opponent, Bradley Sanders, brought out the best in him.

“I play better against guys like him who are pretty good; pretty close to my level,” Roller said.

The Gators were also boosted by wins from freshman Dollbaum and sophomore Tyler Sanders at Nos. 2 and 4 to build a 3-1 lead with one singles and two doubles matches remaining.

“I actually didn’t play that well today,” Dollbaum said. “My serve actually was not that bad today. Overall, I played OK. Not great, not the worst.”

Dollbaum won the first set 6-1, but the second was more taxing. It took 7-5 to end the match.

By the time the Roller/Dollbaum pairing was due on the court there was little doubt about Land O’ Lakes’ chance at winning. The top doubles pairing was punctuated by Roller’s between-the-legs shot to set up match point.

The Gators were unable to get to a second state tournament as a team, falling 4-1 at home to Gainesville (17-2). The lone point came from Roller, who bested Cole Fiegel 6-3, 7-5.

The Hurricanes’ top player was up a break in both sets, including a 5-4 advantage in the second. Roller won the final three games including taking the match’s last eight points.

Tyler-Sanders — Land O’ Lakes sophomore Tyler Sanders won the No. 4 singles point against Forest to help his team win 4-3.

“He broke me to start the match, and from there I knew it was going to be tough,” Roller said. “I think it was one of the best matches I’ve played in high school.”

The win improves Roller’s record to 58-1 in the regular season, districts and regionals. Seconds after the match, Roller realized he would never play on Land O’ Lakes’ courts again.

“The last four years have been amazing,” Roller said. “It’s just hitting me now that this is the last time I’ll play here. It’s finally over. I can’t stop smiling remembering all the hours I’ve spent out here.”

The playoff berth is the Gators’ fourth in as many years, the last two coming with Gerazounis at the helm.

“I remember last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year, and we became No. 2 in the district season,” Gerazounis said. “This year I had three returning players, and we became district champs, won first round of regionals and lost to a great team. We couldn’t be more excited and happy for them.”

While Roller won’t be back, the rest of the players are freshmen or sophomores. The youth encourages Gerazounis about the program’s future.

“It’s very exciting, I’m sure, for everyone involved to come out and start playing tennis and do so well, especially when most of them play other sports,” Gerazounis said. “I don’t think they’re going to have the mentality we lose Colin, we lose it all.”

Roller will wear Land O’ Lakes gear in competition one more time at the 3A state tournament at Lake Brantley High in Altamonte Springs April 17 to 20. He will play in the singles and double with Dollbaum.

“I’m looking forward to taking Colin and David to state,” Gerazounis said. “I think they can do really well. They’re a nice doubles team because they’re both very good players.”

–Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono contributed to this report

Wharton sweeps Wiregrass Ranch, falls to Plant

April 18, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Wharton ended Wiregrass Ranch’s chance of making states for the third straight year, winning a pair of road matches on April 10 in the Class 4A regional semifinals.

Marcel-Betancourt — Wharton senior Marcel Betancourt gave the Wharton boys a big lift by winning the No. 3 point 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), 7-5 against Wiregrass Ranch.

The Wildcats boys (11-3) needed more than four hours to win 4-2, while the girls (14-3) were victorious 4-1 in just less than 90 minutes. The Bulls girls (15-3) reached states two years ago, while the boys (16-2) did last season.

“I knew Wiregrass was an excellent team,” said second-year Wharton boys coach Glenn Alvarez. “I’m very impressed with the win.”

There was little suspense in all the singles matches except No. 3. Wiregrass Ranch No. 1 Courage Okungbowa won 6-0, 6-0 against Sam Chaffin, while his younger brother, Foresight, won the No. 5 point 6-1, 6-2 over Cesar Maeda.

Wharton countered with No. 2 Alek Crnogorac winning 6-1, 6-0 against Koustubh Ramesh and No. 4 Tommy Hwang taking a 6-3, 6-2 contest over Jaime Feliciano.

It was the No. 3 match between Wharton’s Marcel Betancourt and Wiregrass Ranch’s Alejandro Feliciano that gave the Wildcats momentum.

Betancourt needed nearly three hours to win the contest 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), 7-5.

“I don’t know how I did it,” said Betancourt, a senior. “I was in such a bad mood. I know the kid I’m playing; I know his game and I was just not playing my game. I was doing a lot of unforced errors. I was able to run away with the first set 7-5, but 6-7 I don’t know. I was acting like a baby honestly, but I was able to kind of calm down and keep on pushing through.”

Chaffin and Crnogorac took advantage of the chance to end the match, winning No. 1 doubles 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. It is the first time the Bulls’ top doubles team of Courage and Eric Busch (14-1) has lost this season.

Courage-Okungbowa — Wiregrass Ranch junior Courage Okungbowa won the No. 1 singles point against Wharton. He has qualified for states individually and as a doubles team.

“I really wanted to win that point,” said Chaffin, a sophomore. “I wasn’t feeling that well today. My stomach was bothering me. I tried to fight through it. I took a break after singles, ate a little, got hydrated and stayed in the shade. I felt a lot better going into doubles.”

The Wharton girls claimed the Nos. 2-5 singles points to end the match without needing doubles.

“I’m very proud of them,” said fourth-year Wildcats girls coach Lori Miles. “We train on clay courts, and we knew we were coming to hard courts. We said we have to do what we can to win fast. They were practicing on hard courts all week.”

Wharton senior Diana Valencia, who won No. 2 singles 6-1, 6-0 against Leilani Cubero, has been on the team since her freshman year. The regional finals trip is her farthest in high school.

“When I was a freshman we certainly didn’t have this good of a team, and it’s amazing how much we’ve improved,” Valencia said. “It’s extremely special to get this far, especially because I’m probably not going to play in college.”

Plant ended the Wildcats’ run in the regional finals on April 12. The Panthers boys and girls both won 4-1. None of Wharton’s players qualified for states in singles or doubles.

The Wiregrass Ranch teams won’t be at states, but the Bulls will be represented. Courage qualified individually for the 4A tournament, where he will also play with Busch in doubles.

Star Makarome, who won No. 1 singles for the girls 6-0, 6-2 over Vanina Iordanova, also made states in singles and with Tiffany Garner four doubles.

“I know states is just Florida, but it feels so much bigger than that. It feels like some of the national tournaments that I usually play in the summer,” Makarome said.

Makarome, a freshman, improved her singles record to 10-0. She only lost one game all season entering regionals, but was expecting a tough match against Iordanova. The two have played in USTA tournaments.

“I really did not expect an 0 and 2 win honestly,” Makarome said. “I expected to lose more games. That was really good for me. It meant I was really sharp in that match. … I just wanted to play my game. I try not to let her dictate the points. On some points she did, which is too good, but (she) is a good player. You can’t have a perfect match.”

The 4A state tournament is at Lake Brantley High in Altamonte Springs April 15 to 18.

CDS makes school history … again

April 18, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Andy Warrener

Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

The Carrollwood Day School (CDS) girls tennis team continued to make Patriots’ history in the regional semifinals on April 10.

Lauren-Fitz-Randolph — Patriots seventh-grader Lauren Fitz-Randolph won No. 2 singles 6-1, 6-0 and combined with her sister, Jacquelyn, to win the top doubles match on April 10.

After claiming the school’s first district championship in any sport a week before, CDS blasted through Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic 7-0. It is the first playoff win in any sport for the Patriots. The boys basketball team reached the postseason last year as a district runner-up, but was unable to advance.

“We’re writing CDS history as we speak,” said Patriots coach Susan Most. “I’m beside myself right now.”

The Patriots swept all five singles and both eight-game pro set doubles matches without conceding a set.

The Fitz-Randolph sisters, freshman Jacquelyn and seventh-grader Lauren, took the Nos. 1 and 2 singles points, respectively, as well as No. 1 doubles. Both went 6-1, 6-0 in singles and won 8-1 in doubles.

Jacquelyn-Fitz-Randolph — CDS freshman Jacquelyn Fitz-Randolph helped the Patriots win the first playoff contest in school history on April 10.

The two, who were the Class 1A state runner-up in doubles last year, appear to be hitting on all cylinders.

“We have the same style,” Jacquelyn said. “We’re both aggressive. We know where the other one will be on the court.”

Sophomore Sarah Yaffe won No. 3 singles 6-0, 6-0 on the surgically repaired ulna in her forearm. She also paired with teammate Maddie Peek, a senior, to take No. 2 doubles 8-3. Yaffe made a wicked forehand service return to set up match point.

“It feels better than ever actually,” Yaffe said. “I feel like I’m overall better than I was before.”

Freshman McKenzie List took No. 4 singles 6-3, 6-1 and Peek won 6-3, 6-0 to win the No. 5 point.

CDS defeated Tampa Prep 5-2 in the regional finals at home on April 12, claiming the Nos. 1-3 singles and both doubles matches. The Patriots defeated the Terrapins to win the 1A-8 district title.

The 1A state team tournament is at Red Bug Lake Park in Casselberry April 17 to 20.

Gilbert, Prengaman claim titles

April 18, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Wesley Chapel girls track and field athletes Ravin Gilbert and Courtney Prengaman tasted nothing but championships at the Class 2A-District 9 meet at Berkeley Prep on April 13.

Gilbert won the 100-, 200- and 400-meters, while Prengaman captured the high jump crown. The titles earned 40 of the 70 points for the fourth-place Wildcats at the nine-team meet.

Gilbert, a Georgia State University signee, was seeded No. 1 in her three races and didn’t disappoint despite facing a steady wind all day.

“What she did today is a very difficult feat,” said Wesley Chapel girls coach Brian Colding. “She had the 100 and 200 prelims and then the three finals into this headwind. She ran a respectable time under hard circumstances.”

Gilbert first took the 100 by finishing in 12 seconds, winning by nearly 1.5. She followed that with a personal record 59.22 in the 400 and ended the day with a 26.43 in the 200.

The 100 and 400, which she won by 1.4, were won comfortably, but Gilbert bested Anclote’s Nashyia Griffin by only three tenths of a second.

“I knew she was there and she actually screamed at me,” Gilbert said. “I heard her and I was like ‘Oh my gosh she’s right there.’ I thought I had it coming off the curve, but in the last 20 meters she started coming on. I had to push it harder.”

It is the third straight 200 and consecutive 100 district titles for the senior, but she just began running the 400 competitively this season. Gilbert was in fifth during the third curve, but turned on the jets during the final 180 meters.

“I just thought OK, I can run the 400,” Gilbert said. “I felt really good. I’m just going to continue to work in the 400. It’s really helped me with my times in the 100 and 200. … In the 400 I want to see how far I can go and what time I end my season with.”

Gilbert said her biggest goal is placing better than seventh at states in the 100 and 200, which is where she finished in both a year ago.

“I just want to be able to say I gave it my all,” Gilbert said. “I definitely want to go to states but finish higher on the podium.”

Courtney-Prengaman2 — Wildcats junior Courtney Prengaman set a new school record with her district championship winning jump of 5-07.

Prengaman won the high jump by clearing 5-feet 7-inches, setting a new school record for the fourth time this year. Coming into this season her best was 5-02.

“It’s been a lot of strength training and working at it,” Prengaman said. “Biggest thing is getting past my mental blocks and believing I can do better.”

There was little doubt the junior would come away with the title. Prengaman bested the competition by nine inches, but she kept pushing the bar it improve her seeding and boost her confidence.

Brad Allen, who coaches the Wildcats boys along with the high jumpers and distance runners, said the mental aspect is Prengaman’s biggest hurdle. He had to convince her she could clear 5-06 and 5-07 even though she cleared both on her first attempt.

“The same thing happened when she won conference,” Allen said. “She thought she couldn’t get 5-06, and then she got it easily. When she cleared 5-06 again today she thought that was it. I think she can easily get 5-08.”

Prengaman added, “I’d love to get 5-08. That would be idle. I think that’ll give me a chance to medal at states.”

Wesley Chapel will send pole vaulter Abby Hudak (8), 1,600 runner Alyssa Turner (6:05.42) and the 4×800 relay team (11:06.21) to regionals with their fourth-place performances. The top four in each event qualify.

The boys qualified one athlete, freshman Mailyke Williams after placing fourth in the 110 hurdles (17.39). The squad was ninth as a team, earning 11 points.

Advancing athletes compete at regionals on April 19 at Titusville Astronaut at noon.

Mauger claims district crown

April 18, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Last season Andrea Mauger became the first Academy at the Lakes track and field athlete to qualify for regionals with her third-place shot put at districts.

The junior continued making program firsts by capturing the Class 1A-District 8 title with a throw of 32-feet 5-inches on April 12 at Calvary Christian, besting the competition by more than two feet.

Mauger’s season started late because she is a forward on the Wildcats girls basketball team that reached the 2A final four.

“This year I’m stronger, just not as well prepared,” Mauger said. “Basketball season really cut into track. I’ve only been to four meets.”

Muager’s title earned the academy girls their 10 points on the day, good enough for eighth place in the nine-team district. Carrollwood Day School (CDS) took 28 to finish sixth.

Patriots’ senior Bailey Drury qualified in two events, placing third in the 400- and fourth in the 200-meter in 1 minute 0.80 seconds and 27.89 seconds, respectively. She also finished fifth in the 100, one spot from a regional berth.

She will be joined at regionals by teammate Lauren Meaney, a freshman, who placed second in the 3,200 (12:56.27)

The CDS boys send one athlete to regionals, Elias Earley after his runner-up performance in the 400 (53.51).

“(Elias) has made a great contribution to this team in just his first year out for track,” said Patriots boys coach Sal Cuono.

Cuono’s team scored 15 points to finish seventh.

Advancing athletes compete at regionals on April 19 at Orlando First Academy at 1 p.m.

–Kyle LoJacono

‘Canes send eight to regionals

Bishop McLaughlin’s boys and girls track and field teams competed at the Class 1A-District 9 meet at Lakeland Tenoroc.

The Hurricanes didn’t win any individual titles, but four boys and four girls each finished in the top four of their events, earning a regionals spot.

Camille Baumrucker’s long jump of 14-feet 8.25 inches was good enough for second place. She also took third in the triple jump (30-05) and 100-meter hurdles (18.57 seconds).

Discus throwers Rachel Verscharen (87-05) and Hannah Nyberg (84) finished second and third, respectively. Taylor McDonald took second in the shot put (32-06).

Four Bishop boys were district runner-up. Evan Barhonovich had a discus throw of 137-05, Andrew Beebe ran the 400 in 54.07, Shane Mendoza had a shot put of 42 and Christopher Pirrello ran the 3,200 in 10:26.65.

The girls finished with 49 points to earn fifth place, 119 behind Lakeland McKeel Academy’s championship pace. The boys’ 39 points was also good enough for fifth, 151 behind first-place Lakeland Christian School.

The advancing athletes compete at regionals on April 19 at Shorecrest Prep at 11 a.m.

–All results as recorded by the Florida High School Athletic Association