Special to The Laker/Lutz News

PPAL Land O’ Lakes Gators signup

The Pasco Police Athletic League (PPAL), a youth football and cheerleading program, is having open registration for the 2012 fall season. There are programs for football players ages 5 to 15 and cheerleaders ages 4 to 15. Those interested can sign up at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway on April 14 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. or by visiting www.lolgators.com. The cost is $200, with $75 due at registration and the remaining by June when equipment is issued.

Gators March student-athletes

Land O’ Lakes High has announced its student-athletes of the month for March. Gators athletic director Karen Coss selects the winners, who include:

–Baseball, Dylan Harris

–Softball, Ariana Bailey

–Boys tennis, Achintya Patel

–Girls tennis, Kavya Avancha

–Boys track, Darin Patmon

–Girls track, Hallie Grimes

–Boys weightlifting, Carlos Osorno

Harvey picks Webber International

Academy at the Lakes running back Jarrett Harvey has committed to Weber International University, according to Wildcats coach John Castelamare.

When Harvey signs, which is expected to happen in the next few days, he will become the first boy athlete in school history to sign a letter of intent to play in college for any sport. Harvey racked up 1,558 rushing yards on 100 carries while scoring 42 touchdowns for the Wildcats’ six-man football team as a senior.

Webber is an independent NAIA program in Babson Park. The Warriors went 4-6 last season.

Pair of Gators head to Marietta

Land O’ Lakes wide receivers Ricky Bowles and Nico Watts have committed to Marietta College in Ohio, a Division III program in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Bowles said the two visited Marietta during spring break.

“We loved the campus and football program,” said Bowles, who thanked his father for helping in the recruitment process. “We felt it was a good fit for both of us.”

Watts had 12 catches for 274 yards and two touchdowns last season while adding 78 yards on six carries and another score. He also played defensive back, where he picked off six passes. Boyles missed a few games due to injury as a senior, but managed five grabs for 56 yards.

By Eugenio Torrens

There were times it didn’t seem Leah Rios would be able to achieve her dream.

The Wiregrass Ranch cheerleader suffered back-to-back injuries in her fourth year of high school that could have ended her ability to compete.

Instead Rios persevered and became the first in the Bulls’ six-year history to sign a cheerleading scholarship on March 29. She will attend Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo., an NAIA program in the Heart of America Conference.

Rios said the decision wasn’t too hard once she visited and saw the school’s academic standards as well as the smaller teacher-to-student ratio and of course the fact that the college offered her a scholarship.

“With college, because cheerleading is an evolving sport, it’s an amazing accomplishment, not only for her — but for cheerleading in general,” said Wiregrass Ranch coach Kara Babij. “She’s making her dream come true.”

At points along her dream Rios could have slipped into a nightmare.

Last August Rios fractured her C1 vertebrae, the uppermost bone along the spine that helps connect it with the skull, on a botched landing doing a standing back handspring tuck.

Rios suffered another injury eight weeks later, this time fracturing her hand.

“That was really, really hard for me. Cheering is my passion,” Rios said.

She bounced back in time to compete in the spring season.

“She’s just an amazing, amazing person,” Babij said. “She came back every single time.”

For Rios, not coming back was not an option.

“I was like ‘No, I’m going to cheer,’” Rios said. “’I want to cheer. This is what I want to do.’ I’m just going to put this aside and keep moving forward.”

 

By Kyle LoJacono

Jerry English spent 27 years coaching the Land O’ Lakes softball team.

The veteran skipper was back at his old field on March 26, but this time he was representing the away team on the scoreboard — Academy at the Lakes.

“It brings back a lot of memories,” English said. “I’ve spent a lot of good years in the dugout here.”

The current Gators (4-14) were more interested in the now, winning the contest 8-3.

The game started out promising for the Wildcats (11-4) as they pushed across three runs on four hits in the first inning.

Land O’ Lakes answered with four in the bottom of the frame. Senior catcher Meghan Sfraga, who has committed to Georgian Court University in New Jersey, drove in her team’s first two runs on her first of three doubles.

“The energy was really good,” said Sfraga, who finished 3-for-3 with four RBI. “We were down, but everyone was positive. Just going up to bat we had that feeling that things were going to work out.”

Sfraga also threw out Maria Aumaitre trying to steal second for the first out of the fourth.

“She does great behind the plate and is a really good hitter,” said first-year Gators coach John Clapp. “You always count on her getting on base.”

Clapp was also happy with how his squad battled back.

“They do hit well, but they’re still a young team, and they’re still learning,” Clapp said. “They’re aggressive with the bats and the defense is solid.”

Land O’ Lakes senior pitcher Alyssa Christian shut the academy out for the final six frames.

“After the first inning I started to settle in,” Christian said. “I was feeling really good after we took the lead.”

The Wildcats did load the bases with one out in the fourth. Christian got University of South Florida commit Lauren Evans to pop out, setting up a two-out matchup with the opposing pitcher Sydney Boynton.

Boynton hit a rocket that struck Christian in the leg, but she composed herself enough to get the out at first before worrying about any potential injury.

“I saw it come back and I thought it was going to hurt, but I didn’t feel it because I was thinking about getting the out,” Christian said.

Sfraga is hopeful the energy the squad played with will transfer to their remaining games.

“I’m very proud of how we played tonight,” Sfraga said. “We haven’t had that extra burst to push us to wins. Tonight we had that.”

The Gators host Fivay April 10 at 7 p.m., while the academy hosts Calvary Christian April 5 at 4 p.m.

By Jeff Odom

Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

The Steinbrenner baseball team knew it had to set the tone early if it wanted to get past Gaither in a key Class 7A-District 9 contest on March 30.

Mission accomplished.

It only took one pitch in the first inning for the Warriors (11-6) to get its offense rolling when shortstop Stone Ramsey led off the game with his fourth home run of the season. Steinbrenner had the Cowboys (10-7) playing catch up the rest of the way and won 6-4.

Warriors’ pitcher Chris Williams, who battled through the stomach flu leading up to the game, tossed six solid innings giving up just two earned runs while striking out four batters.

He said it felt like his best outing of the year despite the illness.

“I honestly have no clue how I did it,” Williams said.

Williams was nearly perfect through the first four innings and his offense helped out with big hits with runners in scoring position. After Ramsey walked on four pitches to lead off the third inning, center fielder Kevin Merrell put down a bunt to move the senior to second base and got aboard himself after Gaither pitcher Evan Gainey committed a throwing error.

Second baseman Christian Diaz advanced both runners on a sacrifice bunt before third baseman Gerald Bautista brought home a run with an infield single. Sophomore Cole Gordon drove in Merrell a single to right field.

Bautista, who finished with three RBI, said it felt good to finally get the hits when it counted.

“It feels great; I just tried to put the ball in play,” Bautista said. He then added, “I’ve been trying to do too much lately in the past, but it feels great to drive the guys in.”

In the fifth inning with his team trailing 5-0, Gaither senior outfielder Hayden Kelley doubled to the wall in center field to drive in Eddie Pestrana to cut the lead to four.

The Warriors snagged an insurance run from Bautista in the sixth inning to stretch the lead to 6-1, but Gaither began to rally in the bottom of the seventh.

With Williams’ night done, Bautista was brought in to close the game. He sat down Jacob Gowen on strikes and forced Cody Robinson to pop out to start the frame, but Gaither strung together three straight hits including a two-RBI double by Florida State University commit Oscar Mercado, and the Cowboys climbed within two runs.

The comeback came up short as first baseman Jose Gonzalez flew out near the warning track in center field to end the game.

Gainey took the loss for Gaither in a complete game performance which included four walks and seven strikeouts.

“I faced Evan Gainey and he’s 4-3, but he should be like 7-0,” said Williams, who improved his record to 4-0. “That guy is just a stud. He’s had some rough times with his defense and stuff, but he’s a great pitcher.”

The win gives the Warriors a shot to clinch the No. 1 seed going into the 7A-9 tournament April 23-26, something Williams said gives them momentum.

“It was a great team effort tonight,” Williams said. “We’re on a roll baby and it looks good.”

By Kyle LoJacono

The winning streak for Wiregrass Ranch boys tennis stands at 29.

It includes almost two perfect regular seasons and two wins in the playoffs last year. It stretches back to the regional finals in 2010 when the Bulls (14-0) dropped a 4-3 match at Daytona Beach Mainland. They haven’t lost in the regular season since falling to Land O’ Lakes 4-3 on March 2, 2009.

“We take a lot of pride in that,” said Bulls coach Dave Wilson. “You can lose when it comes to tournament format at districts and state, but we’ve got a pretty good run going.”

Wiregrass Ranch does everything possible to stay focused during matches even though it is close to its second straight perfect regular season.

“Regardless of the match, whether we think it’s going to be easy or not, you have to do your best,” said senior Jaime Feliciano. “That’s all you can really control, and that’s how you get beat by just thinking you’re going to win.”

That dominance forces the Bulls to compete with each other to stay at top form.

“There’s a lot of competition amongst each other, but that’s really great,” said junior Koustubh Ramesh. “Basically we’re all fighting for the No. 2 spot, and I have that right now and want to keep it. Competing for No. 2 helps the whole team be great.”

Ramesh went no farther than competition for No. 2 because the top spot is basically set in stone for Courage Okungbowa. The junior is 32-1 in singles play since his family moved to the area from Virginia last season, losing his first match at states last year.

In fact, the Class 3A tournament was unkind to Wiregrass Ranch a year ago. Only Daniel Helfrich won a match at the event, but the trip gave the Bulls insight into the level of tennis needed to win a state championship.

“We learned that we have to play more competitive matches,” Courage said. “I think we took everything too easy, and then when we got to states the competition was great. We played Jesuit and won this year, and they’re a really competitive school, so we’re hoping that’ll help us.”

The trip to states was the first for the program in its six-year history. Jaime said the squad was a bit wide-eyed just winning a regional championship.

“It was insane,” Jaime said. “We knew we were a good team, but we could barely believe we won regionals to get there.”

The squad graduated only its No. 2 Spencer Ong, but the team is very different because of the additions of two freshmen. Jaime’s brother, Alejandro, is playing No. 3, while Courage’s brother, Foresight, is manning No. 5.

In addition, Ramesh went from playing only No. 2 doubles to second individually.

“We’re definitely above last year,” Wilson said. “I think our depth is much better. We have a lot of guys who can play. We didn’t really skip a beat, but the thing is they’re really focused this year. They come to practice for two hours and go with their other coach for another two. They know it’s going to take a lot to get through potentially Plant and Wharton just to get to state.”

Wharton and Plant are in Class 4A-District 6, the grouping Wiregrass Ranch would face if the program makes the playoffs. Wharton has made the playoffs each of the last four years, including three state championships from 2008-10, while Plant has made the postseason three of the last four seasons.

“The hardest thing is going to be just getting to states this year,” Wilson said. “Wharton and Plant are always in it for the state championship, so if you get through this region you may have a shot. Even then it comes down to your draw. At least this year they’ll know what to expect if we get to states.”

The squad relishes the opportunity to go through programs with established traditions so places outside Pasco County talk about the Bulls when thinking of high school tennis.

“In Pasco County I think if you asked anyone who’s the top tennis program the last four or five years our team comes up, but outside of here we really haven’t made a mark,” Wilson said. “If we can do that and get back to states then they’ll start to know about Wiregrass.”

The Bulls will play in the 4A-5 tournament hosted by Newsome at Riverhills Golf & Country Club, 3943 New River Hills Parkway in Valrico, April 2-3.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

The Sunlake boys weightlifting team has established itself as one of the most consistent program’s in Pasco County.

The Seahawks haven’t lost a meet since 2009, but the fifth-year program is still seeking its first state champion. Four seniors are vying to become Sunlake’s first: Dean Bui in the 129-pound weight class, Kyle Fraser in 154, Rashaud Daniels in 169 and Nate McCoole as a heavyweight.

All four have been on the team since their freshmen year and all relish the opportunity to expand the Seahawks’ reputation to state level.

DEAN BUI

Bui came closest to the ultimate goal last year, finishing as the Class 1A state runner-up by posting 435 total pounds, 50 off the championship lifts.

“I didn’t think that was possible going in last year,” Bui said. “I was ranked seventh and had a great day. … It made me work a lot harder and motivated me.”

The feat comes as even more of a surprise because it was Bui’s first time competing at states. He qualified as a freshman but didn’t make weight, and several injuries kept him sidelined most of his sophomore year.

Bui has increased his pause bench press and clean and jerk from 200 to 225 and 190 to 240, respectively, for a maxout total of 465, more than three times his weight.

“Dean weighs 129 pounds, and the weights he does it looks like he’s going to break in half,” Fraser said. “When I see him doing cleans I get a little scared for him, but I see what he can do at his size and it makes me want to do more at my size. I’m not a particularly big person, but I want to be able to clean 300 pounds because I see what Dean is doing.”

NATE MCCOOLE

McCoole hoisted 700 total last year in his second trip to states, 30 less than the champion.

“I was close last year,” McCoole said. “It showed me what I had to work on this offseason. Hopefully I’ve done what I need to win a state title. I got eighth my first trip and fourth last year, so if the ratios are correct I should be able to get it.”

McCoole, an offensive lineman on the Sunlake football team, would not take time off in his attempt to capture ultimate glory.

“I stuck with it all through football,” McCoole said. “In the past the training dipped a bit. This year there was no excuses.”

The approach has paid off. McCoole is lifting 455 in the bench and 305 in the jerk, up from 405 and 290 last year, respectively. His goal is 460 and 315 at the state qualifier. He said it’s easier to have that kind of gain when in the environment of the Seahawks’ gym.

“If you work out with guys who’re just messing around you can’t find the energy to push,” McCoole said. “Here we get in and put in our work and have a little fun while we’re doing it. It’s definitely a fun atmosphere. I’m here with my best friends getting strong.”

McCoole credits the program’s success to coach Matt Smith.

“He built this program from the ground up,” McCoole said. “I think our first maxout my freshman year we had one kid lift over 200 in the bench. Over the years we’ve got 12 people over 300 and the numbers on the team are through the roof, and it’s all because of coach Smith.”

KYLE FRASER

Fraser finished sixth at states last year. He said it was an honor to place during his first trip to the meet, but it also gave him fuel.

“Getting sixth as a junior meant I had another year to get better,” Fraser said.

Fraser said he has also been motivated to keep Sunlake at the top.

“I like to be able to say we’re the strongest in Pasco, and no one can say anything about it until they beat us,” Fraser said. “It gives you some bragging rights.”

Fraser stands a chiseled 154 pounds today, but four years ago he was unsure of his ability.

“I remember those first workouts watching how strong the seniors were and how not strong I was as a freshman,” Fraser said. “I was just like how am I going to get as strong as them. Now I’d say we’re one of the strongest senior classes to come through here.”

Fraser’s max is 75 better than last year up to 295 in the bench and 275 in the jerk.

“I’ve just stuck to the workouts on the board,” Fraser said. “Coach Smith knows what he’s talking about. I’ve had nothing but success following his workouts.”

RASHAUD DANIELS

Daniels has the most motivation to have a good showing this year. He qualified for states last year, his first trip, but scratched out of jerk after lifting 285 in the bench.

“When I was jerking I didn’t have my arms extended as far as I was supposed to,” Daniels said. “I thought I had it, but I didn’t.”

Daniels almost didn’t come back to the team after hurting his wrist while playing football.

“I didn’t want to go out there and not do my best,” Daniels said. “Then the guys made me remember about states and scratching out. It’s pushed me to have a better showing.”

Daniels added the team’s atmosphere also brought him back.

“It’s a good feeling here because I’m part of a team that’s really grown into this strength,” Daniels said. “I remember ninth-grade we weren’t that strong, but since sophomore year we’re undefeated.”

Daniels said the wrist is now fine and he is lifting 300 in the bench and 230 in the clean.

–Sunlake will compete at the Class 2A-District 4 meet, the state qualifier, on Wednesday, April 4 at Springstead High starting at noon. The event includes Land O’ Lakes and Wiregrass Ranch.