The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Spartans make national tournament in year one

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By Kyle LoJacono

When Chris Spillane started coaching the Land O’ Lakes Spartans last fall he did not know what to expect, but he was not anticipating a national tournament appearance.

Julian Lopez is a catcher, pitcher and first baseman for the Spartans.

“My son has played baseball since T-ball and I’ve seen that there are a lot of good players in the area,” Spillane, 35, said. “So we decided to put together this competitive team for the kids who wanted a more challenging season…Last fall was our first season and we just finished our second season and they’ve come a long way.”

The team plays an AAU schedule and participates in United States Specialty Sports Association, a national league with divisions for players ages 7 to 18.

The Spartans are a U9 team, which means all the players are at or under 9-years-old. The roster is made up of kids from Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Wesley Chapel and travels to play teams around central Florida.

The team finished the spring season 23-15-2 including 3-2 in the state AAU tournament in Clearwater. The Spartans finished second in the state, which qualified them for the national tournament June 21 to 27 at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

Spillane, who lives in Odessa, also coaches in the Land O’ Lakes Little League, so he knew many of the players before the Spartans were formed. One of the players he has coached for years is Drew Knutson, 9, who is a third grader at Oakstead Elementary and is a second baseman, outfielder and pitcher.

“I like that our coaches inspire us to play hard no matter what,” Drew said. “Even if we were down by a lot they made sure we kept trying…The coaches helped us with our batting and everything. They tell us to never give up on the ball on defense and always stay with the play.”

One of the kids who Spillane coached against in Little League is Michael Joyce, 9, who plays third base, first base and pitches.

“He was a rival team in Little League and I like playing for him with the Spartans,” said Joyce, who is a fourth grader at Denham Oaks Elementary. “…I’m really proud of how good we’ve been this year.”

When asked why he likes baseball, Drew said, “It’s just fun to play all the different teams. I really like the sport.”

Drew’s mother, Erin, said her son has played for Spillane every year for four years except for one when the family moved to Virginia. She said Drew did not play baseball that year because he only wanted Spillane as his coach.

Erin added Spillane gives the players confidence and sets a great example of sportsmanship.

Spillane played baseball from Little League until high school and was an infielder and pitcher. His son, Ryan, also plays on the team.

“I’ve always loved baseball,” Spillane said. “It’s a great game and I love passing that passion on to kids.”

Spillane said one of the reasons he wants to coach the more competitive team is he can teach more strategy.

“There is a lot more of the complete game in this league than Little League,” Spillane said. “Little League is about the basics. We teach them when to bunt, stealing, how to back up throws and all the little things that make baseball what it is.”

Catcher and outfielder Stone Mesa indicates where he thinks the Spartans should be ranked nationally.

Both Drew and Joyce each remembered their favorite moments from the season and both were diving catches. Drew said his was going back on a ball while playing second to make the third out of an inning against the Orlando Tigers.

Joyce said his was playing third. He was running toward foul territory and had to lay out completely to make the play.

“There’s been a lot of good moments,” Joyce said. “I liked being with my teammates and traveling to play other teams.”

The Spartans are looking for sponsors to help them make the trip to Orlando for the national tournament. Those interested in helping the team should call Spillane at (813) 205-9424.

Next year the Spartans will be a U10 team with many of the players moving up in age class. However everyone will need to tryout and make the team again and Spillane encouraged interested players to come out next fall and show what they can do. Interested players should visit the team’s Web site, visit www.kidsdugout.com/SpartansBaseball/index.php.

Spring adult coed volleyball is a hit at East Pasco YMCA

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By Joe Potter

Laker Correspondent

East Pasco YMCA in Zephyrhills has six teams participating in its first ever spring adult coed volleyball league.

The teams include New Walk No. 1, New Walk No. 2, Sideout, Misfits, Spikers and Century 21. Team members’ ages range from the late teens through the late 50s.

Sue Perrigo holds a volleyball on the head of her husband, Christopher, as April Figueroa and John Covington look on. They are members of one of the six teams in a new adult coed volleyball league at the East Pasco YMCA.

League play began May 18 and will conclude with championship playoffs July 6. Games begin at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

Jeff Dicken, of Zephyrhills, said he was very excited about the YMCA’s decision to organize the spring league. Previously adult coed volleyball has only been available in the fall.

“I just love it. I have been waiting for something like this for years,” said Dicken, who is a member of the Misfits team.

Dicken’s wife, Molly, who is the team’s captain, picked its unusual name.

John Covington, of Wesley Chapel, thinks the league is great.

“It brings a lot of people together that maybe wouldn’t be out,” Covington said. “It’s a chance for a lot of people to get out and get some exercise and fellowship and have a lot of friendship with other people in the community.”

April Figueroa, of Wesley Chapel, said she loves the new league, adding, “It’s very nice, interesting and fun.”

Many of those in the league are playing the sport for the first time.

“It’s all new to me,” said Zephyrhills resident Christopher Perrigo. He added he was enjoying learning the game and getting some exercise.

Christopher and his wife, Sue, learned about the league in a unique way.

“We signed up for a league with our church (New Walk Church),” Perrigo said. “It’s something fun to do and a good family time.”

Covington, Figueroa and the Perrigos are all members of the New Walk No. 2 team.

Normally there are eight to 10 teams during the fall adult season. However, Shawn Brown of the YMCA indicated he was not disappointed with the turnout for the inaugural season of a spring league. Open nights had been offered on Tuesdays during March and April to gauge if there was enough interest to form the league.

Brown is the YMCA’s program director for adult sports, youth sports and summer day camp.

Registration has closed for the spring adult coed volleyball league, but there is plenty of time to register for the fall league. For more information about programs offered, visit the YMCA at 37301 Chapel Hill Loop in Zephyrhills or call (813) 780-9622.

Lutz Warriors win state spring football title

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The Lutz Warriors eight-man football team won the Florida Spring Youth Football League state championship this year.

The Lutz Warriors won the Florida Spring Youth Football League state championship this year.

Half of the team’s 16 players are from Lutz, while the others live in Northdale and Carrollwood. All the participants are 10 or 11-years-old and most attend either McKitrick or Hammond elementary schools. The team practiced at Villa Rosa Community Park in Lutz.

The Warriors finished the year 10-1 including playoffs and outscored their opponents 316-36, according coach Robert Draper.

Members of the team include Kyle Banks, Cason Byrd, Matthew Daner, Bailey Draper, Josh Edwards, Matthew Gallo, Dalton Garrett, Matthew Goedeke, Garett Hill, Michael Kent, Nick LaRosa, Blake Price, Sergio Sanjuan, T.J. Williams, Trey Williams and Matthew Wood. Coaches include Ryan Price, Mike Kent, Mark LaRosa and Draper.

Lutz Warrior player Dalton Garrett makes a tackle during a game against the Daytona Outlaws this year.

For more information on the league, visit www.fsyfl.com.

Check this out

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Morgan Hendrix a Yellowjacket

Wiregrass Ranch High offensive tackle Morgan Hendrix recently signed with the Rochester Community and Technical College Yellowjackets in Minnesota. The junior college was the 2009 Minnesota College Athletic Conference Southern Division champion and went 10-2.

Wiregrass Ranch lineman Morgan Hendrix is headed to Rochester Community and Technical College.

Morgan was named to the all-SAC second team and also made the second team in weightlifting and third team in track. He is 6-foot-1 and weighs 285 pounds.

“Morgan is a dominant lineman and tough player,” said Wiregrass Ranch coach Jeremy Shobe. “He will do whatever it takes to get better.”

All-conference softball team

The Sunshine Athletic Conference, which includes all public high schools in Pasco County, recently released its all-conference team. The east first team includes:

(BULLET THESE)

Alex Rogers, Jr., INF, Sunlake

Courtney Durbin, So., OF, Sunlake

Kasey Murray, Sr., INF, Land O’ Lakes

Lauren Pasquale, Jr., P, Zephyrhills

Lacey Cook, Sr., INF, Zephyrhills

Geanna Arnold, Sr., OF, Zephyrhills

Courtney Brandt, Jr., P, Pasco

Lizzy Burchfield, Fr., INF, Pasco

Megan Newsome, Sr., C, Pasco

Kelli Parker, Fr., OF, Pasco

Zephyrhills coach Craig Milburn was also named SAC east coach of the year and Pasquale and Brandt earned east co-player of the year honors.

Bulldogs loses soccer boys coach

Zephyrhills High principal Steve Van Gorden announced boys soccer coach Dee Dee Castro is resigned from her position May 27.

“Coach Castro has stepped down to continue to pursue her goal to be an assistant principal in Pasco County,” Van Gorden wrote in an e-mail. “She will still continue to coach in a limited capacity in the local recreation leagues. I wish coach Castro continued success as she pursues the advancement of her career.”

Gaither’s Kelley joins Tigers

Gaither High defensive end Austin Kelley has signed with the Campbellsville University Tigers in Kentucky.

The school is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Church. The Tigers are an NAIA school and play in the Mid-South Conference.

Kelley had 32 tackles, one sack and two passes defensed as a senior for the Cowboys last season.

Adult tennis at Lake Padgett

United States Professional Tennis Association member and Sunlake High girls tennis coach Karen Turman is starting a summer adult tennis round robin from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday beginning June 8 at Lake Padgett Estate East’s courts.

The courts are located at 4533 Savannah Way off Parkway Boulevard. Players of all skill levels invited to play, but should bring a can of new tennis ball with them. The events are free for Lake Padgett residents and $3 for everyone else.

For more information call, Turman and (813) 468-1047.

Zephyrhills names track coach

Zephyrhills High principal Steve Van Gorden announced May 25 that John McDougall will take over as boys track and field coach next year.

McDougall graduated from Zephyrhills in 1986 and lettered in three sports — football, basketball and track. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in physical education.

It is McDougall’s second time coaching boys track at Zephyrhills. He previous led the Bulldogs in the mid to late 1990s and has also coached sports at Centennial Middle.

“I am very confident that coach McDougall will continue to build upon the traditions (former) coach David Jones has left with the program,” Van Gorden wrote in an e-mail. “Coach McDougall will use his talents and community connections to provide a quality track program for the Zephyrhills community.”

Land O’ Lakes Lightning tryouts

The Land O’ Lakes Lightning swim team has started its summer program, which will run through Aug. 20 at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center’s pool on Collier Parkway.

Swimmers of all ability levels ages 5 to 18 can register to participate at www.lollightning.org. Tryouts for new swimmers are available at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

During the summer the team practices daily and participates in numerous swim meets. The Lightning are a U.S. Swimming sanctioned organization and has been in Land O’ Lakes for nearly 20 years.

South Pasco Pop Warner clinics

The South Pasco Pop Warner Predators will host clinics for players and coaches this summer at Predator Field, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

The youth football camp, called Gridiron Techniques, is from 6 to 8 p.m. June 7 to 10 for players ages 7 to 15. Players will be instructed by Tampa Bay area high school coaches and taught proper fundamentals and technique at their positions. The cost is $50. To register, visit www.southpascopredators.com.

The coach’s clinics are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 5 and July 10. New coaches will learn how to organize practice, establish the best drills for individual, group and team periods and develop offense and defense schemes. The cost is $25 per person or $700 for organizations with 30 or more coaches. For more information, call (813) 388-1838.

-All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches as of May 28. Kyle LoJacono can be reached at or (813) 909-2800.

Athlete of the week

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Lauren Brito comes in second nationally
Lutz 12-year-old and Charles S. Rushe Middle student Lauren Brito, sixth grader, came in second in the iHoops national competition May 14.
Brito, who is a point guard and in JAMM Stars basketball league in Wesley Chapel, took first place in a local and regional competition to reach the finals in Orlando. Brito is seen after winning the regional competition in Miami. More than 100,000 children from the United States and Canada competed in iHoops this year.
Brito said she would like to be professional basketball player when she grows up.

Lauren Brito comes in second nationallyLutz 12-year-old and Charles S. Rushe Middle student Lauren Brito, sixth grader, came in second in the iHoops national competition May 14.Brito, who is a point guard and in JAMM Stars basketball league in Wesley Chapel, took first place in a local and regional competition to reach the finals in Orlando. Brito is seen after winning the regional competition in Miami. More than 100,000 children from the United States and Canada competed in iHoops this year.Brito said she would like to be professional basketball player when she grows up.

Graduation is a big week for mom, too

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By Diane Kortus

Publisher

This is an emotional week for me that many of you have already walked, or soon will. My youngest, Rachel, graduated Sunday from the International Baccalaureate program at CDS Prep in Carrollwood and my oldest, Andy, graduates Friday with an engineering degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.

I’m not sure who will be going through bigger rites of passage this summer — my kids or me. They are off to unknown adventures  — Rachel to Stetson University in Deland and Andy to the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School at Quantico in Virginia.

Me? By day I’ll be here in Land O’ Lakes working with my staff to produce The Laker and Lutz News for you every week. By night I will go home to just dogs for the first time in 22 years. I will still be a mom, but suddenly a mom with no child living at home.

Much has been written about the coming of age. Much less has been said about the crossing between being with your kids every day to just once a week, then once a month and before long once every few months.

For 22 years my children have been my first thoughts as I wake and my last thoughts as I go to bed. Andy and Rachel have been that constant source of purpose, love and meaning that have held me together through life’s unexpected challenges. They have shown me beauty I never could have imagined if they had not graced my life.

When Rachel was born four years after Andy I never dreamed of such a week in the future when both kids would be graduating within five days of each other — one from high school and the other from college.

I imagine all parents of graduates have trouble finding the right words to describe how they feel. Proud is too obvious. Sad and torn too dramatic. Perhaps there is no better word than a simple one — happy. For myself, my children, their friends and their extended family who share my love and pride for all they have achieved in just 18 and 21 years.

I know I am in for one long summer as I begin the transition of living by myself.  It will feel very odd to pass Rachel’s bedroom and not stop to hear her breathing as I have since her birth. It is unsettling to think of my son as a Marine, away from the safe enclave of Annapolis, as he learns how to lead men and woman into battle.

It’s not that I worry about being alone. I look forward to having time to focus on my own interests without compromising them for the demands of a child. I have been making lists for years of things I want to do when I finally have more time — join a book club, become a birder, read Anna Karenina, train my Airedale so that I walk him instead of him walking me.

And soon that time will be here. Not only to do new things, but also to reflect on how being a mother has been the most joyous experience of my life. The unconditional love a mother and child share is an incredible source of power. It is the engine that has guided me to always be true to my heart and to make decisions that were best for Andy, Rachel and ultimately myself.

As I finish this column I must say it went in a direction I did not expect when I began to write. I assumed it would be one of accolades to my kids and all graduating seniors, not gushy stuff about the wonders of motherhood.

It’s funny where a column can take you. It has lead me to think that perhaps the best accolades we can give our graduating seniors is to tell them how much they have enriched our lives and how proud we are to call them our son or daughter.

And then we should thank them for taking off on their new journey, which opens the door for their parents to get started on a new journey of their own.

Gardening

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Establishing Florida lawns, water wisely and hold the fertilizer

By B.J. Jarvis

Director and Horticulture Agent, Pasco Extension

Floridians are replacing their turf in record numbers after this winter’s brutal weather. St. Augustine grasses in particular experienced problems, so it is no surprise that residents are replacing.

Replacing all or part of a lawn can be an expensive undertaking, so it is important to take steps to properly establish the sod. Unfortunately, well-meaning but ill-informed contractors have given out some questionable instructions.

The most misunderstood concept in establishing turf is when and how much to water. For example, one resident asked if they should water twice per day for one hour each time for a 60-day establishment period. Wow that is far too much! Over-watering does not help new sod. It wastes time, money and our precious water resources.

In new sod, there aren’t any deep roots yet, so limit water application to wetting just a bit below the root zone. When freshly laid and roots are no more than 2 inches, light watering is all that is needed. Extra water will be wasted running off or leaching into the ground, saving money and time.

As roots expand into the soil, decrease frequency and increase watering depth. Follow the rule of three’s. For the first 10 days, water every night or early morning.  During the second 10-day period, water every other night. Then in the third 10-day period, water every third night. This will allow the plants to establish deep roots while adapting to the once-per-week watering restrictions.

Turf should be established in about 30 days at this time of year. If decent sod was installed, which is a topic for a different discussion, then the turf should have developed a solid root system and be able to survive within the watering restrictions.

Once established, irrigation systems should be set to apply ½ to ¾-inch application. This wets soil between nine and 12 inches deep.

The second most common question about new sod is about fertilizing when sod is freshly laid. A recent University of Florida study showed fertilizing newly installed sod did little to help the grass. In fact, an adverse consequence is nutrients are much more likely to pass through the soil potentially entering and fouling our water bodies and the aquifer.

During the first 30 days on the ground, sod has limited ability to absorb nutrients. In addition, commercial sod growers typically produce well-fed sod at the farm.

Finally, applying fertilizer before laying sod is also not a good idea for the same reasons. Adding compost or other organic material to sandy soil is one step that can be helpful to improve the soil structure. New sod failures are not expected from nutritional deficiencies.

To ensure good plant health, water new turf sod properly and hold off on the fertilizer. You’ll save money, water, and time! More information about establishing a new lawn can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/LH01300.

-B.J. Jarvis is Horticulture Agent and Director of Pasco Cooperative Extension Service, a part of the University of Florida and Pasco County government. She can be reached at .

Commentary

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By Randall Grantham

Community Columnist

While I’ve been working out and getting my upper torso in shape with the Brickmaster 2000 (also known as cleaning 2000 plus bricks), I wanted to let you in on another great new exercise routine for the bottom half of the body that I recently discovered while boating in Homosassa.

Every year we meet my father-in-law and his wife at our doublewide on stilts in Citrus County to celebrate his birthday.  We always rent a pontoon boat from our friend John at the Riverside Resort (by Monkey Island) and make full use of the shade from the Bimini Top as we cruise the waters and backwaters of the Homosassa.

This year, his 84th, was no different.  We reserved our boat a month or so in advance and stocked up on oysters and beer.  The big day arrived and we piled onto the party barge, fishing poles and coolers at the ready.  After signing the boilerplate forms agreeing that I would not leave the Homosassa River proper, nor venture past Marker 26, we proceeded to do just that.

Those rules are made to keep newbies from crashing the boats or getting out of their return range.  So I, as a local, didn’t need to worry about them, I told myself.  For the most part, I was right. We cut over at Marker 69 and headed out Mason Creek to my secret grouper hole.  Did all right, too.  Caught fish and had a grand time.  It was just on the return trip, that we encountered a few…snags, shall we say.

I had noticed during the day that the steering would click every now and then.  Nothing I could do anything about and it didn’t seem to affect the boat, until we got about half way back up Mason Creek.  That’s when the click was followed by the complete loss of all steering.

“The helm’s not responding, Captain.”

I immediately came to a full stop and ordered the anchor-girl to drop anchor.  The tide was rushing in and there were at least two treacherous cuts that we needed to maneuver to get in to Petty Creek and back to the Homosassa River and thence home.  Without steering we would be sent onto the shoals.  In other words, the Minnow would be lost.

To the delight of the women on board, we co-opted the help of two youngish, shirtless fishermen who agreed to tow us through the cuts, but then what?  We couldn’t call the marina for help.  We were outside of our designated area.  They might come get us, but at what cost?  It was at that point that a solution came to mind.

While being towed, I found that turning the motor one way or the other helped our vessel follow the track of the smaller towing boat.  So I sat on the motor and used my butt to turn it with my legs pushing on the transom. After they had pulled us as far as they were going, we decided to continue butt-steering the boat under it’s own power.

I sat on the motor, while my father-in-law was at the power (and tilt, as he reminded me on several occasions). At just over idle speed, we were able to safely drive the boat around the rest of the hazards I knew lay waiting until we were safely on the main river and could call for help. It was a great workout.

Of course, the sight of us cruising up the river in that manner was fodder for jokes.  “Does that boat have in-butt or out-butt drive?”  “What happened? You crack the butt-head?”

In any event, we got in safely and even got a discount on the rental because of the break down.  So, if you ‘re planning on renting a boat from Riverside, ask for number two.

Seriously. It has a brand new steering cable.

–Randall C. Grantham is a lifelong resident of Lutz who practices law from his offices on Dale Mabry Highway. He can be reached at . Copyright 2010 RCG

SR 56 extension delayed until August 1

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Local reaction to project’s holdup

By Kyle LoJacono

The Pasco County project to connect SR 56 and Mansfield and Meadow Pointe boulevards in Wesley Chapel has been pushed back a second time to as late as August 1.
The connection was originally set to open in March, but the construction company, WDG Construction Inc., had its contract terminated by the county after its vehicle and workers insurance expired, according to Pasco’s chief engineer Jim Widman.

The connection of SR 56 and Mansfield and Meadow Pointe boulevards will not be open to the public until as late as Aug. 1.

The bonding company has been looking for a replacement to finish the project since.
“RIPA (& Associates) is who the bonding company has selected,” said Robert Shepherd, Pasco County Chief Project Manager, on May 17. “They are in final negotiations now and it should be finalized in seven to 10 days.”
RIPA, a Tampa-based firm, is also the bonder’s choice to complete the Collier Parkway extension in Land O’ Lakes. WDG was also working on that project before it was terminated. No additional county money will be needed because the bonding company is required to cover any additional cost above the original contract.
“There is 20 to 25 days left of work to be done, but we don’t know yet when that work will begin,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd also said lanes of SR 54 will not be closed as part of the road widening project. The county had planned to detour vehicles through Meadow Pointe to SR 56 during the summer during the SR 54 project.
Even though SR 54 will remain open, the newly opened alternative route through Wesley Chapel will likely bring increased traffic flow to the Wiregrass area, including the Shops at Wiregrass.
“We will have an influx of traffic coming by the Shops at Wiregrass and I think that will lead to more impulse buying,” said Greg Lenners, general manager at the shops. “People will stop by to pick up something on the way home.”
Lenners said the shops’ parking lot is about 40 percent full Monday through Thursday and 90 to 100 percent full Friday to Sunday. The delayed opening does not seem to bother the general manager.
“It is perfect time for us,” Lenners said. “It is right before school starts and the stores will be having their back-to-school events. It is also not long before the holidays, so it is great for us.”
Lenners said he lives in Meadow Pointe and it is about a nine mile drive now when he takes SR 54 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard to the shops. He said that would be cut to about five miles when the connection opens.
Schools that will be affected by the connection include Wiregrass Ranch High and Dr. John Long Middle. Students who live along Meadow Pointe and SR 54 east of I-75 are zoned for the schools, according to the Pasco school district’s Web site of www.pasco.k12.fl.us.
Driving time for school bus drivers, parents and older children traveling to and from the facilities each day would likely be reduced, as they will be for Lenners once the connection opens. Pasco’s school board has not released bus routes for next year and will not examine changes until later in the summer.
Kathy Appleby, manager of Dillard’s at the shops, said the store is hoping for a 5 to 10 percent increase in customers when the connection opens. She added the business did not know when the connection was originally scheduled for completion.
“We didn’t really know when the (SR) 56 extension was going to open before it did last year, so when this part opens it will be just another big surprise for us,” Appleby said.
The increased traffic from the east will help Dillard’s more than most stores at the shops because of its location.
“We are in the back of the mall so people going north on Bruce B. Downs might not see us driving by,” Appleby said. “This will increase our visibility when it happens…The road will help the businesses in the shops and that will keep the money here in Pasco, which helps us all.”

Taking a spin on the track of life

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Cancer Survivor pursues race car dreams

By Sarah Whitman

Accelerating to 100 mph around the Daytona Speedway racetrack, Land O’ Lakes resident Tom Harrison felt his pulse race. He pressed down hard on the gas, remembering a few months before when he was too sick to get out of bed.
“I was going around at top speed and I pictured myself lying bald with a chemo needle in my arm,” Harrison, 56, said. “At that moment, I thanked God for my life.”
Harrison, a family man and proud patriot, was diagnosed with throat and tongue cancer last September. Uncertain about the future, he made a list of things he wanted to accomplish in life. Getting his race car driver’s license was at the top.

Cancer survivor Tom Harrison and his son, Alex, are now in the race car business. (Photo courtesy of Tom Harrison)

He underwent surgery to have a tumor removed; then endured the pain of radiation and chemotherapy. The treatments worked and Harrison went into remission. In April, he hit the track at driving school and walked away carrying a dream come true, a regional Sports Car Club of America racing license.
“It was exciting, exhilarating and a little bit scary my first time on the track,” Harrison said. “You’re going really fast and I wondered if I’d actually have what it took to not be afraid, to just pay attention and drive. I was surprised how well I did.”
Harrison lives in Lake Padgett Estates with his fianceé Colleen and sons, Alex, 19, Adam, 17, Westley, 14, and Dean, 10. He’s spent most of his life working in construction, specifically in the field of building materials, and previously worked as an auto mechanic. He was laid off from his job around the same time he was diagnosed with cancer.
“It couldn’t have happened at a worse time,” Harrison said. “I’d been laid off from work. I had no job and no insurance. I was faced with my own mortality and I realized there were a lot of things I wanted to do in my life, all the would of, could of, should of dones.”
Harrison decided to pursue life’s what-ifs. What if he’d pursued racing? What if he’d spent more time building a family business?
Alex wanted to help his dad achieve those dreams.
“I was worried he wasn’t going to make it,” Alex said. “It was pretty tough and nerve wracking for a while. I told him I would help him do whatever he wanted to do. When he got better and we were able to do those things, it was pretty awesome.”
Alex, like his father, is a longtime NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt fan. So, he was excited to accompany his dad to driving school in Daytona and stand on the same track where Earnhardt raced.
Alex acted as his dad’s pit crew at the weekend-long school.
“He was there every step of the way,” Harrison said. “The Honda Civic I was driving broke once but because Alex was there, we were able to fix it and I was able to finish.”
Alex will go to school to earn his own license at Homestead in Miami in June. He will drive a 1993 Mustang restored in the family garage.
Harrison raced his Civic, which was given to him by a friend, at driving school and at his first official race at Daytona, an SCCA regional competition this May.
The father and son will hit the track for two more races this summer, in Sebring and Brooksville.
Alex and his dad are also in business together. They own Eaglespeed US, a company specializing in door and window replacements. The company operates online at www.eaglespeed.us.
Since going into remission, Harrison has had more time to focus on growing the business. He’s also added a side business. Eaglespeed now restores and sells muscle cars, like Alex’s Mustang.
“Our business is doors and windows, but we tied racing in with the business,” Harrison said.
Alex said he likes fixing up cars and even installing windows with his dad.
“I enjoy spending time with him and working with him,” Alex said. “I always have but what he went through was still such an eye opener. People are not in our lives forever so it’s important to spend time with family while they’re here.”
Harrison’s fiancée and his other sons are also incredibly supportive.
Harrison said he’s learned to value family above all else. He attends church regularly at First United Methodist of Land O’ Lakes and attributes his survival to never letting go of faith. He is looking forward to marrying Colleen and seeing his youngest son Dean grow up.
“I’m excited about everyday now,” Harrison said. “The race car thing is what got me back out of bed but there is so much I want to do.”