The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Fishing tournament

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There will be a free youth freshwater fishing derby at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area in Lakeland on April 1 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. 

The event will be conducted on Derby Lake Recreational Facility, a 16-acre former phosphate mine that is stocked with a variety of freshwater sport fish and catfish. The lake has seven fishing piers and a 200-foot boardwalk for fishing that is accessible to anglers with disabilities.

There will be a casting contest, as well as exhibitors and other outdoor activities for the whole family. Publix Supermarkets will provide a free lunch.

Bait and a limited number of loaner rods and reels also will be provided at no charge for those younger than age 15. All youths must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A fishing license is not required on this particular weekend because it falls during a license-free freshwater fishing weekend.

Registration, which is required, began on March 1 and ends at 5 p.m. on March 31. To pre-register, call the FWC Southwest Regional Office at 863-648-3200, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/fishing/freshwater/.

‘Get egged’ fundraiser

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The Steinbrenner High boys lacrosse team will host a “get egged” fundraiser. It works like this: players cover a yard with plastic, treat-filled eggs for Easter. The team does all the work, from purchasing supplies, filling the eggs, delivering and placing them in the yard by volunteer Easter Bunnies. They will even leave a personalized note for the kids. Cost is $35 for 25 eggs, $45 for 50 and $65 for 100, and eggs can be delivered on April 7 and April 8, just in time for Easter, which is on April 9 this year. To order, visit form.jotform.com/230144905642047.

Local youth track stars shine at championships

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Seth Williamson, of Tampa Christian School, was crowned state champion in the 200 meter and long jump and finished second in the 60 meter. (Courtesy of B.B. Roberts)

Numerous athletes from Speed Starz Track Club — a track speed, agility and training academy in Wesley Chapel — qualified for the Florida Indoor Championships and competed at Alachua Sports Complex, a new indoor track facility in Gainesville. The event was held Feb. 11 and Feb. 12.

Several athletes from Wesley Chapel performed well, with some winning medals.

Wesley Chapel Elementary athlete Aiden Amaya was state champion for the 60 meter and the 200 meter, in the division for athletes age 6 and under.

Seth Williamson, of Tampa Christian School, was crowned state champion in the 200 meter and long jump. He finished second in the 60 meter.

Wesley Chapel High athletes Adriana Rodriguez (qualified for finals in the 600 meter), Tessa Bray (eighth in the 400 meter) and Georgina Amaya (ninth in the 400 meter). Wiregrass Ranch High’s Victoria Flemming placed 13th in the 60-meter hurdles.

Tiffany Colin, also from Wiregrass High, qualified for finals in the 60-meter dash with seventh overall fastest time.

Freedom High’s Jaya Harrigan placed 19th in the 60-meter dash, while 12-year-old Ethan Rosson, of North Tampa Christian Academy, placed third in the 3,000-meter run.

“I was very impressed with the outcome and I believe all of our athletes competed well,” said B.B. Roberts, the club’s coach, in a news release. “Congrats to Tiffany Collin and Adriana Rodriguez for making it to finals in a very competitive high school division. Tiffany has proven to be one of the fastest athletes in Florida. Special congratulations to Aiden Amaya and Seth Williamson for (becoming) state champion in their age group.”

For more information on Speed Starz Track Club, visit SpeedStarz.webflow.io.

Aiden Amaya, of Wesley Chapel Elementary, was crowned state champion in the 60 meter and 200 meter.
Adriana Rodriguez, of Wesley Chapel High, qualified for finals in the 600 meter.
Victoria Fleming placed 13th in the 60-meter hurdles.
Tiffany Colin, of Wiregrass Ranch High, qualified for finals in the 60-meter dash with the seventh overall fastest time.

Chasco golf tourney 

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The annual Chasco Fiesta Golf Tournament is set for March 30 at 2 p.m., at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., Trinity. Cost is $550 per foursome, and the tournament will include raffles, contests, dinner and more. To register, visit tinyurl.com/4cjzsak5. For more information, contact 727-842-7651 or .

Autism virtual event

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The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources department encourages county-wide residents to lace up their sneakers and commit to move 42 miles during Autism Awareness Month, which is April. The idea is to raise awareness about autism and to foster acceptance, and inclusion to persons living with autism.

The charge for the virtual event is $20. Participants sign up just walk, run, cycle — just move — for 42 miles during April.

To participate, register online at secure.rec1.com/FL/pasco-county-fl (Look for the P.A.I.R. tab), log the distance and then submit the Google form by May 6. A finisher’s award will be mailed to those who meet the criteria. 

For questions, call 727-494-4878.

Turtle Trot 

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Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources department will host Angela’s Turtle Trot, an event dedicated to those that have been impacted by COVID-19, on April 22 at 8 a.m., at Anclote Gulf Park, at 2305 Bailies Bluff Road in Holiday. The race is dedicated to Angela Fagan, whose life was cut short due to complications of the virus. Fagan was the Communications and Outreach Program manager for the department and played a key role in numerous community projects.

There will be a 10K, 5K and 1-mile trail run/walk, with the 10K being $40, the 5K is $25 and the mile run is $15. To guarantee a race medal and T-shirt, register by April 4; there is a price increase March 18. The course will take runners down Coastal Anclote Trail, through the trails of Key Vista Nature Park,and over boardwalks that offer a view of the Gulf of Mexico. It is 85% paved trails/boardwalks and 15% hiking trails.

Proceeds of this event will benefit the Angela Fagan Memorial Fund for adaptive and inclusive recreation (PAIR) and the Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center.

To register, visit tinyurl.com/5n6ennyt. For more information or any questions, email or call 727-494-4878.

Saint Leo’s men’s tennis crowned champs

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The Lions men’s tennis team became “Kings of the Tennis Court” as the third-seeded team defeated eighth-seeded and host University of Indianapolis 4-1 at the UIndy Tennis to become the 2023 ITA National Indoor Champions on Feb. 19.

The National Championship win also was coach Chad Berryhill’s 400th career win.  “I’ve been blessed to have a great career and truly awesome student-athletes to coach — love them all!” Berryhill said in a news release.

The championship match began in doubles play, but the Greyhounds won the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches.

Tao Castillo Bernal and Ivan Marrero won the No. 2 doubles, 6-3.

But the Lions dominated singles play, with the team’s No. 1, Marreo, winning 7-6, 6-2; No. 2 Martin Soukal winning 6-3, 2-6, 7-5; No. 3 Vincent Thiel winning 6-3, 6-3; and No. 5 Luis Iriate winning 6-4, 6-4.

“Super proud of our guys for handling a very tough environment playing UIndy on their home courts and with their fans going crazy,” Berryhill added in the release. “All the hard work is paying off, and I’m super proud of these guys that they call themselves National Champions.”

Additionally, Soukal earned Sunshine State Conference Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week on Feb. 20 thanks to his play in the tournament. The Czech Republic native won against players ranked 34th and 28th players in the nation, in back-to-back matches.

Up next, the Lions will travel to Valdosta, Georgia, on March 4 for a neutral-site match against Auburn Montgomery at 3 p.m.

Chad Berryhill
Martin Soukal
Ivan Marrero

New figure skating club

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AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel announced the formation of the Sunshine State Figure Skating Club (SSFSC), which will conduct test sessions, host competitions, shows, and club events. The new partnership will allow greater collaboration between the facility and the club, resulting in more services for club members and figure skaters to enjoy, according to a news release.

(Mike Camunas)

The goal of the SSFSC is to serve club members to the best of its ability. The club aims to provide a multitude of diverse opportunities to all skaters, coaches, and members to help further their skating journey and goals in life.

The Sunshine State FSC will accept transfers and new members beginning April 1 for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season.

Current members of other clubs can transfer their membership for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season at no cost. New members can join for a discounted rate of $30 for the 2022-2023 season ending June 30.

All transfers and new members that join before the 2022-23 season ends will be recognized as Founding Members of the Club.

Starting June 1, the SSFSC will accept members for the 2023-2024 season, which is July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

A launch party is scheduled on May 13 to celebrate the start of the new club. That event is set to begin at the conclusion of the Spring Show. Founding members will be recognized and receive a special gift.

Skaters or other interested parties can reach out for more information at the arena’s front desk, or email .

Zephyrhills Christian athlete makes history

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(Courtesy of Zephyrhills Christian Athletics)

Olivia Chapman, a senior softball player at Zephyrhills Christian Academy, became the school’s first female athlete to sign a letter of intent to become a scholarship student athlete. While surrounded by friends and family and teammates on Feb. 3, Chapman signed to play collegiate softball at the University of Charleston in West Virginia.

Wrestling team wins third-straight

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(Courtesy of Eddie Marley)

The Land O’ Lakes High wrestling team won its third-straight Sunshine Athletic Conference Tournament, crowning the Gators as the top squad among the Pasco County high schools. Land O’ Lakes won the tournament in dominant fashion, beating second-place team and nearby rival, Sunlake, by 97 points. Land O’ Lakes had six finalists and four conference champions — Brandon Austin, Garry Gilbert, Leomany Casado and Wyatt Green — and 13 of its 14 wrestlers placed in the tournament.