Check This Out

A premier international tennis team tournament is making a stop in Tampa Bay, for the first time.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) recently announced Saddlebrook Resort as the site for the 2017 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Semifinal between the United States and the Czech Republic, from April 22 and April 23.

The best-of-five match series begins on April 22, with two singles matches.
It’s followed by two reverse singles matches and doubles match, on April 23. Matches will be played on a temporary outdoor green clay court.

The winner of the matchup will advance to the Fed Cup Final on Nov. 11-12.

The U.S. reached the semifinals by defeating Germany in the first round 5-0 in Maui, Hawaii, earlier this year.
The Tennis Channel will broadcast live daily coverage of the World Group Semifinals.

Ticket information will be announced soon.

Darin Kilfoyl, a 6-foot-8 senior right-handed pitcher for Academy at the Lakes, threw a 15-strikeout, seven-inning no-hitter in a 1-0 win against Keswick Christian on March 6.
It’s his second no-hitter in two seasons.
Last April, Kilfoyl also threw a 10-strikeout, five-inning no-hitter against Lakeside Christian.
The St. Johns River State College signee currently has a 0.54 ERA and 20 strikeouts through 13 innings. At the plate, Kilfoyl is batting .643 with one home run and seven RBIs.
The Wildcats stand at 5-2, their best start in school history.

The Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Board of Directors has approved George Tomyn as its next executive director.

A contract is expected to be presented to the Board on May 1.

From 2012-2016, Tomyn served as the Superintendent of Marion County Schools. The Ocala resident previously spent seven years as the executive director of School Development and Evaluation for the Marion County School District.

In all, Tomyn has 36 years of administrative experience in the Marion County Public School system; he holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Florida.
“Mr. Tomyn’s energy and passion shined through, and we are elated about this selection,” FHSAA President Mark Marsala said, in a statement. “It was a tight decision, but the right decision was made.”
Tomyn was selected over Louisiana High School Athletic Association Executive Director Eddie Bonine and Indian River Public Schools Educational Consultant Dr. Peggy Jones, who also interviewed for the position.

After an agreement is reached, Tomyn will replace current FHSAA Executive Director Dr. Roger Dearing, who is retiring after nearly nine years.
“As a former student-athlete, coach and principal within the FHSAA, I am thrilled to take on this new challenge,” Tomyn said. “I am humbled to be part of the FHSAA’s rich history, and look forward to working with the FHSAA’s Board and staff to ensure a smooth transition into this exciting new role.”

For more information, visit FHSAA.org.

Former Zephyrhills High standout Jeremy Oppenheimer, now at Southeastern University in Lakeland, was recently named Sun Conference Freshman of the Year. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard averaged 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in his debut season for the Fire, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program. In 2016, Oppenheimer helped guide Zephyrhills to the state semifinals, where he led the Bulldogs in scoring (22.6), rebounding (8.2), assists (5.4) and steals (4.8).

For the fifth time in seven years, the Pasco-Hernando State College cheer team won the state championship title in the College Co-Ed Level 6 division at the American Championships Official Florida Championships Cheer and Dance competition.

The team received a score of 88.78 out of 100, during the Feb. 11 competition at the Florida State Fair.

“We pushed really hard, and the team faced some adversity this semester; however, they pulled together and made it happen,” Sophia Fluellen, the team’s coach, said in a statement.

The team’s next challenge is March 17, when they travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to compete in the Cheer Ltd. Collegiate Nationals at Canam.

The college placed fourth at nationals last year, and fifth in 2015.

“Our sights are always set on improvement — hoping for a first place this year,” Fluellen said.

To view the award winning routine, visit PHSC.edu/athletics/cheerleading.

The Land O’ Lakes Gators have announced their 2017 regular season football schedule, along with its spring and preseason matchups.

The Gators, coached by Brian Wachtel, are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2-6 season that saw them go winless at home.
The 10-game regular season slate includes six road trips and four home games:

• at Lecanto (May 18, 7 p.m.) (Spring Game)
• at Wesley Chapel (Aug. 18, 7 p.m.) (Preseason Game)
• at Ridgewood (Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.)
• at Anclote (Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m.)
• vs. Hernando (Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m.)
• at Sunlake (Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.)
• at Cypress Creek (Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.)
• Bye (Sept. 29)
• at Lakeland Christian (Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m.)
• at Springstead (Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m.)
• vs. Pasco (Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.)
• vs. Mitchell (Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.)
• vs. Fivay (Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m.)

The Gators, meanwhile, expect to return quarterback Jude May (466 passing yards, 1 touchdown, five interceptions) and tailback Kyle Leivas, the team’s rushing (308 yards) and receptions leader (20 catches). Linebacker Myron Bloom, the Gators’ leading tackler (119 tackles), is another key contributor likely to return.

The following prep athletes from our coverage area were selected to participate in the 24th annual Senior Soccer Challenge, in which chosen all-stars from Hillsborough County high schools face off against those from Pinellas County high schools.

Boys

• Clifford Adjei, Wharton
• Steven Soronellas, Steinbrenner
• Dovydas Sakalys, Steinbrenner
• Seth Bos, Gaither
• David Garzon, Gaither

Coach Scott Ware, Wharton

Girls

• Claire Morrison, Steinbrenner
• Erika Peitersen, Steinbrenner
• Mia Brantley, Steinbrenner

Coach Dennis Vukorep, Wharton

Pasco-Hernando State College right-hander Tyler Beck was named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DII Baseball Pitcher of the Week for games played Feb. 6 to Feb. 13. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound sophomore from South Bend, Indiana, went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA during the voting period, tossing a complete-game shutout on Feb. 10 against Florida Southwestern College; he allowed only six hits and one walk while striking out 13. For the year, Beck has a 3.54 ERA, with 38 strikeouts through 28 innings.

Five Saint Leo swimmers (three women and two men) have received invitations to the 2017 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships.

The qualifiers include:
Women

• Junior Natalia Garriock received invitations for the 50 Freestyle, the 100 Freestyle and the 100 Butterfly.
• Freshman Annie Lindstrom received invitations for the 50 Freestyle, the 100 Freestyle and the 100 Butterfly.
• Senior Nicole Weber received an invitation for the 200 Breaststroke.

Men

• Junior Hunter Bains received invitations for the 100 Freestyle and the 200 Freestyle.
• Junior Milosz Mikicin received an invitation for the 100 Backstroke.

Additionally, the Saint Leo women’s squad earned a team qualification in the 200 Medley Relay and 400 Medley Relay events, and the 200 Free Relays and 400 Free Relays.

“We are very proud of these student-athletes for their selection into the NCAA championships,” said Paul Mangen, Saint Leo’s head men’s and women’s swim coach. “This is the ultimate goal for both swimmers and their coaches, and earning qualification is a testament to the hard work, dedication and perseverance of these individuals.

“As the swimming world continues to get faster, it is great to be able to keep pace and continue to put our student-athletes into this prestigious event. I have enjoyed this process with the group, and look forward to sharing this experience with all of them.”

The 2017 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships will take place March 7 to March 11, in Birmingham, Alabama.

The swimming and diving championship is part of the 2017 NCAA Division II Winter National Championships Festival, which will also see NCAA champions crowned in Division II men’s and women’s indoor track and field, and Division II wrestling.