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The Pasco-Hernando State College cheer team placed fourth in the Cheer Ltd. Nationals at CANAM in the small coed collegiate division on March 18 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The team also placed first in an all-girl stunt group division that included flyer Amanda Kahn with backspot Ashley Morris, and bases Elizabeth Stowers, Damari Sanchez and Stephanie Gause. The cheer team is coached by Sophia Haddad.

Dave Panno, left, and Ken Willis caught five fish for a total weight of 22.54 pounds to win the South Pasco Bassmasters March tournament on Lake Istokpoga. They also won the tourney’s ‘Big Bass’ award after reeling in an 8.62-pound bass using a spinner bait.

The Sunlake girls weightlifting program was recently awarded the Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) championship for the 2015-2016 season. Senior Brianna Anderson, right, was named Lifter of the Year, while Denise Garcia was named Coach of the Year. Anderson won a state championship in the 183-pound division on Feb. 6, recording a 165-pound bench press and a 220-pound clean-and-jerk. She plans to enter the Navy after she graduates.

The Western Conference boys and girls soccer teams are selected by the head coaches of public schools in Hillsborough County.

All-Western Conference Boys Soccer
American Division
First Team
Coach of the Year: Trevor Scott, Gaither
Mikey Connell, Steinbrenner
Jason Fishman, Steinbrenner
Jason Ortiz, Gaither
John Lopez, Gaither
Tony Scaglione, Steinbrenner

Second Team
Alberto Rivera, Gaither
Sebastian Rodriguez, Gaither
Dovydas Sakays, Steinbrenner

National Division
First Team
Grayson Hartenstein, Freedom
Donovan Quigley, Wharton

Second Team
Colin Castro, Wharton

All- Western Conference Girls Soccer
American Division
First Team
Taylor Jones, Steinbrenner
Kirsten Russell, Steinbrenner
Karinna Williams, Steinbrenner

Second Team
Mia Brantley, Steinbrenner
Claire Morrison, Steinbrenner
Erika Peitersen, Steinbrenner
Macie Rodriguez, Gaither

National Division
First Team
Caroline DeLisle, Wharton
Taylor Hubbard, Wharton
Jordan Vitale, Wharton
Rachel Diioia, Freedom

Second Team
Emily Dabrowski, Freedom
Alisha Deschenes, Wharton
Natalie Ferrin, Wharton

Published March 30, 2016

Steinbrenner baseball coach John Crumbley won his 700th career game on March 18 at the 36th annual Saladino Tournament after the Warriors defeated Alonso 6-4 in the championship game. Crumbley, a longtime area coach, has been at Steinbrenner since the school’s opening in 2009. Crumbley, 55, previously led Jesuit to three state titles in 22 years. The Warriors stand at 13-3, and are currently on a nine-game winning streak.

Land O’ Lakes senior ace Shannon Saile leads all pitchers in Pasco County with a 0.79 ERA and 139 strikeouts. The right-hander also has 10-2 W-L mark in 15 appearances, and has compiled at least 10 strikeouts in four of her last five games. Saile is a Florida International University (FIU) softball commit. Land O’ Lakes stands at 15-2-1 as of March 18.

Sunlake senior Gianna Basilone leads all softball hitters in the Tampa area region with seven home runs. She also has 25 RBIs to go along with a .418 batting average. Last season, Basilone hit six home runs and had 23 RBIs. She holds a scholarship offer from Oklahoma State University. The Seahawks currently stand at 11-7, with a 6-3 mark in district play.

Land O’ Lakes senior Tori Cannata set two meet records after winning both the high jump and the triple jump at the Kiwanis Invitational in Brooksville on March 8. Cannata cleared 5-foot-6-inches in the high jump, shattering the previous mark of 5-foot-2-inches. She went 35-feet-8.5-inches in the triple jump, setting a new meet record. Cannata also anchored the Land O’ Lakes’ winning 4×100-meter relay (51.83), which included Sydny Nasello, Lexi Fotopolous and Madison Lordsmith. Cannata has signed to play Division I soccer at the University of Arkansas.

Jeffrey Powell carries the Olympic torch flame during the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Special Olympics Summer Games, at Wesley Chapel High School on Feb. 26. Powell is accompanied by Bonnie Norman, left, and Lori Jaros. Athletes from schools throughout Pasco County competed in several events, including bocce, cycling, running, soccer and tennis ball throwing.

The Pasco-Hernando State College cheer team won a state championship title in the College Co-Ed Level 6 division at the American Championships’ Official Florida Championships Cheer and Dance competition at the Florida State Fair on Feb. 6.

The team received a score of 87.7 out of 100.

This marks the sixth consecutive year the PHSC cheer team has competed at the American Championships and their second consecutive championship title.

The state college will compete for a national title at the Cheer Ltd. Collegiate Nationals at CANAM in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on March 18. They will contend in the Collegiate Small Coed Division.