The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Tennis and pickleball courts to be resurfaced

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The city of Temple Terrace has passed a resolution to spend $71,000 to resurface the public tennis courts at 10901 Richlyne St. All six courts will be resurfaced for tennis, while three will additionally have lines for pickleball, according to a news release. The resurfacing is expected to begin sometime later this month or in May and will take a few weeks to complete.

Sled hockey program

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(File)

The Tampa Bay Lightning will host its first Learn to Play Sled Hockey program starting on May 11 through July 20. The eight-week program is for youth: minimum age 5, maximum age 16 (age as of May 4, 2024) who have a physical disability limiting one’s ability to play ice hockey in a standing position.

The program takes place at the Clearwater Ice Arena on Saturdays from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The cost is $150 plus a transaction fee.

For information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/z4bddh8v or the Tampa Bay Lightning Facebook page.

For questions, contact Aaron Humphrey at .

Winter sports awards

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Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) Athletics recently awarded student-athletes with Winter Sports Awards for their hard work and leadership in academics and athletics, according to a HCPS Facebook post.

Team GPA:
Girls Basketball: Bloomingdale Senior High
Boys Basketball: Lennard High
Girls Soccer: Newsome High
Boys Soccer: Newsome High
Cheerleading: Newsome High

Individual:
Beckham Hockley, Sickles High – Dottie McGahagin Girls Basketball Award
Daniel Delgardo III, A.P. Leto High – Alston “Mac” McGahagin Boys Basketball Award
Gwyneth Liebowitz, Plant High – Williamson-Snapp Outstanding Cheerleader Award

EoS Fitness opens in Hudson

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EoS Fitness opened its doors to its Hudson facility, 8924 State Road 52, in the Plaza of the Oaks shopping center.

The 44,000-square-foot full-service gym features high-end smart technology, top-of-the-line cardio equipment, state-of-the-art strength training machines and innovation recovery options, according to a news release.

Some of its signature offerings include: an outdoor workout space; the MOVEos Cinema; certified personal trainers; cycle studio; Kids’ Club; locker room and showers; indoor pool, saunas, hot tub; Evolt 360 Body Composition Scanner; and more.

For additional information, visit EoSFitness.com.

License-free fishing weekend

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(Page Thompson/Pexels)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) spring license-free fishing weekend is on April 6 and April 7. Residents and visitors can explore the many recreational freshwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer, from serene lakes to winding rivers.

There will be two family fishing events during the weekend:

  • Tenoroc Fish Management Area, 3829 Tenoroc Mine Road in Lakeland, on April 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-registration closes on April 5. A free lunch will be provided. Bait and a limited number of loaner rods and reels will be provided for free to youth age 15 and younger. A parent or guardian must accompany youth participants. Call the FWC at 863-648-3200 to register.
  • Florida Bass Conservation Center, 3583 County Road 788 in Webster, on April 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees must bring fishing gear and bait. A free lunch of hotdogs and hamburgers will be provided.

Visit MyFWC.com to learn where to go freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, or how to find a boat ramp or pier.

To renew or purchase a fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Local cheer team wins national title

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(Courtesy of Jennifer Catalanotto)

The Cypress Creek cheer program has two competition teams: Game Day and Traditional. The  latter won the prestigious America’s Cheerleading Cup Championship, while the Game Day team placed second in the nation. The national competition is held at Universal Studios Orlando and attracts teams from coast to coast. The Cypress Creek team has made school history by winning the Best of Pasco, placing second at FHSAA Regionals — securing its spot in the State Finals, and now winning its first-ever national title.

Little League celebrates opening day

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Land O’ Lakes Little League celebrated its opening day on Feb. 24, at its headquarters at the fields of the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway. More than 600 families registered for the event, which included games, concessions, food trucks, a parade of all stars and an opening day ceremony.

Saddlebrook tournaments

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Saddlebrook recently hosted the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tour $25,000 men’s event, which was won by University of South Florida graduate Roberto Cid Subervi, according to information provided by Christopher Rosenke, a teacher, college advisor and print and digital media coordinator at Saddlebrook.

The facility also hosted the ITF’s women’s event, which Leoni Kung won.

This is the first time Saddlebrook has hosted the men’s and women’s events in the same year, and the women’s event was the first in the partnership between Saddlebrook and Pro Tennis Registry (PTR), which just moved its headquarters to the Saddlebrook property, according to an email from Rosenke.

Roberto Cid Subervi lost only one set in single main draw and that was in the semifinal. He defeated Nick Chappell in the final, 6-3, 6-2. (Courtesy of Christopher Rosenke)
Leonie Kung appeared in both the singles and doubles finals. She defeated Sophie Chang 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the singles final. She didn’t lose a set until the singles final. In the doubles, Kung and Weronika Falkowska lost to Maria Kozyreva and Maria Kononova, 7-5, 6-1.

Elite sports training program sets up in Trinity

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Student athletes will soon find world-class instruction and facilities supporting 10 different sports disciplines in Trinity, as part of the Generations Christian Academy (GCA) at Trinity Commons, according to a news release.

G-Sports will offer facilities, instructors, and programming to support a wide array of sports including basketball, football, volleyball, golf, hockey, figure skating, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and mixed martial arts, the release says.

Many of the sports programs are already in place and operating or in space being temporarily used for their respective G-Sport training; additional buildings and facility preparation continues as part of the ongoing construction work at the school expansion site, the release says.

“Incredibly exciting to see the growth in Pasco County with this tremendous program extension of GCA in the new G-Sports program,” Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, said in the release.

Head of School Josh Hoag, anticipates increased capacity in time for the coming school-year enrollment season and is pleased with the ongoing construction, the release says.

G-Sports facility expansion plans include a full-size ice rink to support the sports of hockey and figure skating. 

Ice rink developer, Gordie Zimmermann with IceMann Development  will lead the new ice facility and program operations, the release says.

“It’s great to provide available ice for student athletes – finding a program and partners that can help develop and facilitate the changing needs of athletes as they grow and improve is so important,” Zimmermann said, in the release.

A key partner in helping establish G-Sports’ programs is AdventHealth, which has signed on to serve the needs of G-Sports Athletes as medical provider.

Wiregrass Marching Bulls honored

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The Pasco County Commission on Feb. 6 honored the Wiregrass Ranch High School Marching Bulls for winning the Florida Marching Band 2023 Class 4A State Championship. The county board adopted the resolution, by title only, which may mean a future appearance at a board meeting for band members to be honored in person, or could mean a presentation at the school or some other venue. The resolution highlights the program’s many accomplishments.