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Roller Derby League seeks new home

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Revolution Roller Derby, a coed, flat-track, roller derby league, is seeking the community’s help in finding a new lease space. The league is seeking at least 10,000 square feet to 12,000 square feet of open space, preferably in either north Pinellas County, or west Pasco County; the league currently practices at Astro Skate, 875 Cypress St., in Tarpon Springs. Revolution Roller Derby, which was formed in 2012, strives to empower adults and children through athleticism. For information, visit RevolutionRollerDerby.com, or call (727) 280-7981.

AATL softball coach enters Hall of Fame

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Diane Stephenson
Diane Stephenson

Diane Stephenson, Academy at the Lakes’ varsity softball coach, was inducted into Indiana University’s Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 28. Stephenson became the first female to receive an athletic scholarship from IU in 1977 to play softball, and also became the school’s first softball All-American in 1981. Stephenson, too, served as the head coach of IU’s softball program from 1988-2002, where she posted a career record of 453-464-4.

In July, Stephenson was named AATL’s head softball coach, replacing Jerry English. She concurrently operates the Positive Force Fastpitch Academy in Saint Petersburg.

Saint Leo MBB second in preseason poll

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Saint Leo University men’s basketball was picked to finish second in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) preseason coaches’ poll.

Saint Leo men’s basketball was picked to finish second in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) preseason coaches' poll.(Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)
Saint Leo men’s basketball was picked to finish second in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) preseason coaches’ poll.(Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)

The Lions finished two votes behind the SSC preseason favorite Barry University, receiving two first-place votes in the poll.
“It’s nice to see the conference coaches picked us to finish second, but we don’t focus on a preseason poll,” Lions’ head coach Vince Alexander said, in a release. “It’s not where we are now, it’s where we want to be in March that matters.”
Last year, the Lions went 19-12 overall (10-6 in the SSC) and made a trip to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament. The Lions open up the 2016-17 season on Nov. 12 against Alabama-Huntsville in the Sunshine State Conference/Gulf South Conference Challenge in Florence, Alabama.

Land O’ Lakes girls golf finishes 13th at states

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The Land O’ Lakes High varsity girls golf team finished 13th (out of 16 teams) at the FHSAA Class 2A State Championship on Nov. 1-2 at the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Orlando. Land O’ Lakes shot 409-397—809. The Gators also reached the state tournament in 2015, where they finished in 14th place (out of 16 teams).

State Tourney Results:

Land O’ Lakes Gators

Maggie Schmook (junior) 89-86—175

Daniela Vasqez (senior) 91-96—187

Miranda Bradley (sophomore) 102-98—200

Sarah Sanderson (sophomore) 127-117—244

Land O’ Lakes High baseball standout commits to Saint Leo

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Land O’ Lakes High School’s Lance Sargent verbally committed to play collegiate baseball at Saint Leo University. (File Photo)
Land O’ Lakes High School’s Lance Sargent verbally committed to play collegiate baseball at Saint Leo University.
(File Photo)

Lance McCabe Sargent, a senior right-handed pitcher for Land O’ Lakes High School, has verbally committed to play baseball at Saint Leo University, a Division II school. Sargent, one of the top pitchers in Tampa Bay, compiled a 0.47 ERA in 44.1 innings last season. His four-pitch repertoire includes a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. Sargent also plays for the Orlando Scorpions travel ball team. In a statement, Scorpions coach Matthew Gerber said Sargent has an “electric quick arm” and “has a chance to be special.”

Saint Leo names new tennis coach

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Chad Berryhill, who once captured a national championship as head coach at Hillsborough Community College (HCC), was named the new head men’s and women’s tennis coach at Saint Leo University. Berryhill replaces Pablo Montana, who abruptly resigned in September after being hired in August.

Chad Berryhill
Chad Berryhill

Berryhill spent the past four years coaching at Ferris State (Michigan) University, where he guided the program — his alma mater — to the Final Four of the 2016 NCAA Division II Men’s Tennis Championship.

Prior to accepting the position at Ferris State, Berryhill was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Central Florida from 2010-2012. Berryhill began his coaching career as the head women’s tennis coach at HCC in 2005. His five-year stint at HCC was highlighted by leading the Lady Hawks to the 2008 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship, and reaching the championships in 2006, 2007, and 2009.

“Chad Berryhill brings all the qualities that we were looking for in the next mentor for Saint Leo tennis,” Saint Leo athletic director Francis X. Reidy said, in a release. “His championship experience at the Division II level demonstrated ability to recruit and develop talent at the highest level, and his knowledge of the larger Florida tennis community will give Chad a head start at ensuring Saint Leo remains at the forefront of NCAA Division II men’s and women’s tennis.”

Freedom boys golf team places 11th at states

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The Freedom High School varsity boys golf team finished in a tie for 11th place (out of 16 teams) at the FHSAA Class 3A State Championship on Oct. 26-27 at the par-72 El Campeon golf course at the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Orlando. Freedom shot 325-321–646, tying Lakewood Ranch High School. It was the Patriots’ second state championship appearance. In 2013, Freedom finished in 16th place, shooting 685. Meanwhile, Gaither High School freshman Tyler Wilkes, an individual qualifier, tied for sixth place after shooting 74-74–148.

State tourney results:
Freedom Patriots
Cy Storlien (junior) 75-78–153
Cooper Smith (freshman) 79-80–159
Tyler Bray (senior) 80-80–160
Nick Mitchell (senior) 91-86–177
Sam Smith (senior) 95-83–178

Offer list grows for Wiregrass Ranch football standout

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Wiregrass Ranch's Jordan Miner (File Photo)
Wiregrass Ranch’s Jordan Miner
(File Photo)

The Division I football offers are piling up for Jordan Miner, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior defensive back at Wiregrass Ranch High School. On Oct. 13, Miner received offers from both the University of Maryland and Penn State University, bringing his offer list to seven. Miner also has scholarship offers from Bowling Green (Ohio) University, Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Toledo (Ohio), Tulane (Louisiana) University and the University of South Florida. Through seven games, Miner has 30 tackles, three tackles for loss and three interceptions. Miner is a four-star recruit, according to 247sports.com.

Wharton shines at conference meet

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The Wharton High School boys cross-country team swept the Hillsborough County Western Conference meet on Oct. 13 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. Wharton’s Tre Rivers, Casey Pleune, Noah Damjanovic, Sahil Deschenes and Frankie Godbold each finished in the top five, capturing all five of the first-team all-conference National Division honors. Wharton High junior Ryan Anders placed ninth to claim second-team honors. Seven schools (including Wharton) compete in the National Division: King, Freedom, Strawberry Crest, Hillsborough, Middleton and Tampa Bay Tech.

First Team

  • Sophomore Tre Rivers: first place in the division in 16:22 (set a new school record for sophomores)
  • Freshman Casey Pleune: second place in 16:49 (broke his own school record for freshmen)
  • Junior Noah Damjanovic: third place (16:52)
  • Junior Sahil Deschenes: fourth place in (16:57)
  • Junior Frankie Godbold: fifth place in (17:12)

Second team

  • Junior Ryan Anders: ninth place in (17:47)

Tailback surpasses 1,000 yards rushing

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Wesley Chapel High's Dexter Leverett (File Photo)
Wesley Chapel High’s Dexter Leverett
(File Photo)

Dexter Leverett, a junior tailback at Wesley Chapel High, surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in the Wildcats’ 48-13 victory over Anclote High on Oct. 14. Through seven games, the 5-foot-9, 163-pound back ranks third in Class 5A in rushing yards (1,026) and yards per game (146.6). Leverett, a transfer from Taylors, South Carolina, also has scored eight touchdowns.

“He’s got it all,” Wildcats coach Anthony Egan said about Leverett last month. “He’s a power back, he’s explosive, and he’s got that top-end speed—the kid runs a 4.53 40 (yard dash). He’s just a really quick kid…and he can make cuts in the open field.” Wesley Chapel’s last 1,000-yard rusher was in 2009, when Jon Mahan ran for 1,129 yards.