Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Sarah Bryant is realistic about her role on the Wiregrass Ranch girls tennis team.

The senior understands she isn’t the most talented member of the squad, but still she continues to push herself to get better. She has risen from the No. 10 player last year up to No. 6, one spot away from playing regularly in matches.

Despite playing sparingly, Bryant has remained committed to the team.

“I’ve always wanted to play a sport and tennis felt like the perfect one,” Bryant said. “I fell in love with it. Everything just clicked.”

Bulls coach Jewell Fye is thankful to have someone like Bryant on the squad.

“Sarah is just a sweet and humble young lady,” Fye said. “She wants to do well and is a go getter. She’s not at the top, but she always strives. She practices hard and her improvement from last year to this year is amazing. She’s been determined to be a part of the team.”

Bryant said she worked hard to move up the rankings and her goal is to help her team make its second straight state tournament appearance this year.

“She’s taken lessons and worked hard to get better,” Fye said. “She’s very determined. She’s really moved up and has put in a lot of effort to do that. She’s had the opportunity to play twice as the No. 5 and is 1-1.”

Bryant is one of two seniors on the team with No. 1 player Hannah Still.

“I feel like I have a big role in leadership,” Bryant said. “Even though I’m not the best, I think they still look up to me as a senior.”

Bryant manages tennis practice and matches every day after school, while taking three AP classes and holding down a part-time job on the weekends. She has a 4.6-weighted grade point average and has been accepted at the University of Florida.

Bryant said she wants to continue playing recreational tennis in college.

“It’s something I love to do,” Bryant said. “I wish I’d found it earlier, but I’m going to keep playing now.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Softball and volleyball aren’t sports most people would confuse for each other, but the Pasco squad’s success on the field can be attributed in part to chemistry built inside on the court.

Seven members of the Pirates (16-4) softball team were on the varsity or junior varsity (JV) volleyball squads this season.

“Just knowing how the other girls are and what they respond to helps,” said sophomore Kelli Parker. “It helps in softball when you know how people will react to things.”

Parker is an outfielder and pitcher in the spring and an outside and middle hitter in the fall. Senior Courtney Brandt is also a middle hitter in volleyball, but switches to the pitching mound, outfield and first base in softball.

“It’s really different, but I love competing,” Brandt said.

Pirates softball assistant and JV coach Amy Herndon is also a crossover talent, as she is the Pasco volleyball coach.

“It’s kind of interesting to have so many players on both teams,” Herndon said. “The sports are very different. I think it does make it easier as a coach because I already know the girls and they know me.”

PHCC sophomore takes home state academic honor

By Kyle LoJacono

Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) sophomore volleyball player Ashley Seal thought her final year with the program could not get any better.

The Conquistadors went 36-7 en route to winning the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II championship. Seal, a setter, was named the tournament MVP and made NJCAA All-American second team.

The awards and accolades keep coming for Seal, as she just received the Roberta Stokes Scholar-Athlete Award, given each year by the Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA).

“I was shocked,” Seal said. “I wasn’t expecting anything like this. I thought the season was over and this is an amazing way to end my time playing here.”

PHCC seven-year coach Kim Whitney said she knew Seal had a good chance because of her work ethic in all parts of her life.

“She’s the first player I’ve coached to win the award,” Whitney said. “It’s really a great thing for her and great for our program. There are some very smart athletes in Florida community colleges and she beat out everyone.”

Seal, an education major, has a 3.75 grade point average, but academics were only part of the criteria for the award. The FCCAA also factored in Seal’s athletic ability and community service.

Seal is active in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and also volunteers with a local volleyball club to teach children the game she loves.

“I like helping kids,” Seal said. “With Big Brothers/Big Sisters I get to make a positive impact on them. It’s something I want to be a part of for a long time.”

Seal added she wants to be an elementary school teacher so she can change children’s lives.

Seal’s grades will also earn her the honor of being an Academic All-American after the spring term. She is a two-time Academic All-Conference and All-State member, and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

“My parents taught me how important grades are,” Seal said. “They taught me the work I put in now in school will last me the rest of my life.”

Seal has made as much an impact on PHCC’s team as she has in the community and classroom. She was the Conquistadors team captain this season while putting up a team-high 1,471 assists, 9.8 per set.

Seal also had 375 digs, 105 kills, 83 aces and 59 blocks in 2010.

“Her first year she came in not knowing what to expect and had some struggles,” Whitney said. “She always got good grades, but had to really work to become a better player. She put forth the effort in the classroom and on the court and was a huge part of our team. We’ll miss her.”

Seal will continue playing at Armstrong Athletic State University in Georgia. She received a volleyball scholarship with the Pirates.

Ates heads to New Hampshire

Pasco-Hernando Community College sophomore volleyball player Desiree Ates will continue her playing career next year at the University of New Hampshire, a Division I program in the American East Conference.

Ates, an outside hitter, had a team-high 508 kills last season, helping the Conquistadors to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II championship. She also added 605 digs, 47 aces and 27 blocks. Ates is studying nursing.

Program ready for states

By Kyle LoJacono

It isn’t uncommon for a few high school athletes to compete on several teams together, but rarely would team photos be as similar as the Sunlake football and boys weightlifting teams.

“I’d say 90 percent of the boys come from the football team,” said Sunlake coach Matt Smith, who is the offensive line coach and defensive coordinator for the Seahawks football team. “That gives us an instant bond and team nature when we get going each season.”

Junior Dean Bui thinks that also helps the lifters push each other.

“We’ve created a little brotherly competition,” Bui said. “It all helps us out to get stronger and know everyone has your back.”

Bui was a cornerback and wide receiver his first two years, but broke his arm before this season. He could not play in 2010, but plans to return to football in 2011.

Three Seahawk lifters are Canon Clark, Nate McCoole and Mathew Sanders, part of the Seahawks offensive line that made the All-Laker/All-Lutz News football first team this year.

“I started because I needed to get stronger for football,” said Sanders, who competes in the 238-pound weight class. “Then I started competing in the events and I liked it. I wanted to get better to get a chance to go to states.”

Sanders’ best bench press is 295 pounds and 255 in clean and jerk. He has yet to qualify for states, which has pushed him to get better for his senior season.

Heavyweight lifter McCoole said the mindset needed in football and weightlifting are very similar

“There’s the mind over matter you have to use,” McCoole said. “It’s a big mental game like with football.”

Junior 154-pound lifter Kyle Fraser even works himself into a mini frenzy before each lift.

“In the weight room you want to put yourself in a state of mind where you can get your adrenaline pumping,” Fraser said. “You’re body only has so much it can produce at one time, so you have to put yourself in that state of mind and get the blood pumping. I try and get myself upset and angry. When I do that my heart starts to race and I feel like I’m stronger than when I’m mellow. I still have to focus on what I’m doing, so I have to stay in control.”

Fraser was introduced to weight lifting while in at Rushe Middle and has been hooked since.

“My eighth-grade year I was introduced to the weight room by my football coach,” Fraser said. “Obviously I wasn’t very strong then. I only weighed 130 pounds. I was a little stick. I came in here and fell in love with the weight room. It grew on me.”

Fraser, who is an outside linebacker and safety in football, now maxes out at 275 in the bench and with a 240-pound clean and jerk.

Senior John Michael, a 169-pound lifter, played football is first three years at Sunlake, but not focuses on weightlifting. Like Fraser, Michael plays mental games with himself while lifting.

“You always have to focus,” Michael said. “Coaches have always stressed you have to focus to do your best. If you go into a lift and think you might not do it you probably won’t. If you think you can you have a much better chance.”

Michael went to states last year in the 154-pound division, coming in eighth. His best lift is 310 in the bench and with a 240 clean and jerk.

Bui’s best lift is 220 and 200 in the bench and clean and jerk respectively. He reached the state event as a freshman in the 119-pound class and is now a 129-pound competitor.

All five lifters have plans on getting to states this season, something Smith would love to see. Seven Seahawks qualified for states last season, the most ever for the program.

“I’d like to continue from what we did last year,” Smith said. “Four of those boys who qualified last year have graduated. We’re going to try and take as many as we can. It’s hard to tell from year to year how strong the other guys in the area are going to be when you get to state qualifiers. I think we have quite a few kids who have a good chance.”

The Seahawks won their second straight Sunshine Athletic Conference championship March 26 by beating out Pasco 61-50. They followed that up with four individual champions at the Class 1A-District 6 meet, which includes Rashaud Daniels, Bui, Michael and McCoole.

To advance to states, a lifter has to either win a weight class at sectionals, or be in the top nine in the entire state. They will also host the third annual Sunlake Invitational at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8.

By Kyle LoJacono

It wasn’t a surprise to four-year Gaither wrestling coach Michel Santos that Zack Massey was his first pupil to sign with a college.

“I’ve seen him get faster and stronger, but it’s more than that with him,” Santos said. “He’s very smart and always knows what’s going on. He doesn’t have to be the leader, but knows when he has to show leadership.”

Massey, a heavyweight, signed his letter of intent March 23 with Mercer University in Georgia.

“It was really shock and awe to sign,” said Massey, who started wrestling three years ago. “My mom (Carreen) told me that only 1 percent of all wrestlers in the nation actually get a wrestling scholarship. That made me realize how big this is.”

Massey also does the discus and shot put events in track, but says there is nothing like wrestling.

“Really it’s being able to beat the other guy,” Massey said. “When I hit a good move on someone it makes me feel awesome. Overall it’s been a confidence booster to me.”

He decided on Mercer because it offered him a place to continue the sport he loves.

“It’s not too far away from home and has a good family feel to it,” said Massey, who will study mechanical engineering. “I feel like I can fit in perfect there.”

Massey posted a 27-9 record this season. He placed fourth in the district meet, sending him to regionals for the first time. Unfortunately for him, he suffered a sprained ankle at districts.

“I went 0-2 at regionals,” Massey said. “I was in a soft boot with crutches the whole week before.”

Massey compiled a 60-48 record during his time at Gaither. He said a lot of the credit for his signing goes to Santos, including helping him go from 305 pounds to 250.

“He tells me that whatever you put in, you’re going to get that much out,” Massey said. “So it’s all on you to go far. Coach also says the way you deal with things on the mat has a lot to do with what you’re going to do later in life.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Matt Terry became the second Wiregrass Ranch football player to ink his name to a letter of intent this year when he signed with the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors March 31.

“It’s a school with everything I value,” said Terry, who will study prelaw. “It has all the academic courses I want to take and I have the chance to go in and be a starter for all four years. Chance to play football and get a free education sounds good to me.”

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound defensive end and fullback helped Wiregrass Ranch finish with a 6-5 record, the first winning season for the program.

The Bulls also won the Class 4A-District 6 championship, another program first and a stark turnaround from the team that went 1-9 in 2007 and 2008.

“It was rough the first couple years,” Terry said. “We had to work up, but by this season our senior class knew we’d be ready. We had our opportunity to win the district and we took it.”

Terry said he believes it was a 43-6 loss in the first game this year against Sunlake that sparked their season.

“The first game against Sunlake, we went in there cocky because we’d beaten them every year,” Terry said. “I think that woke us up a little bit.”

Terry played fullback the first three games, where he had 101 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown.

He moved to defensive end in game four and helped the Bulls earn their first shutout ever in a 15-0 win against Ridgewood. Terry finished with 49 tackles, including three for loss, 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

“I used a lot of what I learned as a fullback at defensive end,” Terry said. “They both take a lot of agility and footwork with power.”

Terry played at Wiregrass Ranch as a freshman, sophomore and senior, and with Wesley Chapel his junior year. Before that he played at John Long Middle under current Bulls football coach Jeremy Shobe.

“He’s always been a positive role model and a good leader,” Shobe said. “Very competitive spirit. He always brought competition to the table. Even in stretching and warm-ups he gave it everything he had. He’s always aggressive on the field, but very laid back off. That just goes to show he has a mature upbringing.”

Terry, who made All-Sunshine Athletic Conference second team this year, will play defensive end at Wisconsin Lutheran, which is a Division III program in Milwaukee. The Warriors went 6-4 last year while playing in the Northern Athletics Conference.

By Kyle LoJacono

In his 30 years of coaching football, Sunlake’s Bill Browning has never had a kicker/punter receiver a scholarship to play college ball — that is before Adrian Krupka.

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Krupka signed his letter of intent April 1 to play with the Northern State University Wolves, a Division II program in South Dakota. His is the third Seahawk football player to sign with a school and the first to sign with a program higher than Division III.

“It’s exciting,” Krupka said. “I never thought I’d do it. I always thought I’d be playing college soccer, but it turns out football is the way to go.”

Krupka has played soccer since he was 8 years old and first found the football field two years ago.

“I plucked him off the soccer team,” Browning said with a laugh. “I’m glad I did.”

Krupka admits many football terms are still unclear to him.

“I never knew anything about football growing up,” Krupka said. “I still don’t know all the positions. When I talked with my coach on the visit I said ‘I don’t know what a left guard is.’”

Krupka was the Seahawks punter as a junior, but took over the kicking role as well this year. Of his 63 kickoffs, 32 were touchbacks. Krupka also averaged 39.3 yards a punt, including dropping 10 of 23 inside the 20 yard line. His kicking helped Sunlake post a program best 8-2 record.

“What he did for us in field position is huge,” Krupka said. “We had four shutouts this year and if they have to march 80-90 yards instead of 20 or 30, it’s a big difference. He did a great job for us.”

Krupka’s efforts earned him All-Sunshine Athletic Conference first team honors as a punter and to the second team as a kicker his senior year. He was the All-Laker/All-Lutz News Kicker of the Year.

Krupka also managed to make three special teams tackles.

“Lucky little hits,” Krupka said.

Krupka will study political science while in school. He said he has a chance to start right away as the punter and will be the backup kicker.

“Most kickers and punters don’t get scholarships, so this is really exciting” Krupka said. “I get a chance to have my schooling paid for, and I get to play football. If you’d told me I’d get that opportunity three years ago, I’d say you were lying to me. It’s amazing.”