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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.

Academy at the Lakes’ junior pitcher Darin Kilfoyl struck out 19 batters in a 7-0 complete game, one-hit shutout against Victory Christian on March 3. The 6-foot-8-inch right-hander has a 1.62 ERA through three appearances as of March 3. Through seven games, the Wildcats have already matched their total of three wins from last season.

During the South Pasco Bassmasters (SPBM) February tournament at Lake Harris Chain, Bryan Sampson won the SPBM Tournament Big Bass award by reeling in a bass that weighed 5.78 pounds. The Sampson Team finished third in the tournament with a total weight of 12.07 pounds.

Pasco-Hernando State College cross country head coach Jacki Wachtel finished second in the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic woman’s 15K on Feb. 20, with a time of 56:55.91. A day later, she finished fifth in the woman’s half-marathon, clocking 1:25.59. It’s the second time in four years she has earned top-five finishes in both races.

Wachtel started the the state college’s cross-country program in 2005.

Sunlake High senior keeper Danny Hrenko was named the 2016 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Soccer 3A State Player of the Year. Hrenko is also a finalist for the overall state and national Player of the Year awards. Hrenko has signed to play college soccer at Lee University (Tennessee), a Division II school.

Hrenko amassed a number of impressive accomplishments during his high school soccer career:

• 115 wins, 6 losses, 3 ties
• 85 career shutouts, which is a national record
• 4 District Championships
• 4 Region Championships
• 4 FHSAA State Final Fours

The Wharton boys and girls track and field teams swept their first meet of the season at home on Feb. 15, beating Freedom High, Wiregrass Ranch and Bloomingdale. The boys totaled 83.5 points to defeat Freedom by a single point. The girls scored 116 to win by 36 points over Wiregrass Ranch.

The boys scored individual event victories in the following:

• 1-mile by sophomore Noah Damjanovic in 4:51
• 300-meter hurdles by senior Dezmond Williams in 45.71 seconds
• 800-meters by sophomore Sahil Deschenes in 2:11
• 2-mile by sophomore Noah Damjanovic in 10:19
• 4×800-meter relay team of Ryan Russell (Jr.), Sahil Deschenes (So.), Josiah Crawford (Sr.) and Noah Damjanovic (So.) in 8:41

In addition, Tre Rivers broke the freshman record in the 2-mile by running 10:49 (previous record was 10:53).

The girls scored individual event wins in the following:

• Pole vault by senior Gabby Paul by clearing 9 feet
• Long jump by junior Avonti Holt with a jump of 15-feet, 1-inch
• 1-mile by junior Bryanna Rivers in 5:33
• 400-meters by junior Searra Woods in 58.8 seconds
• 300-meter hurdles by senior D’Andra McFarlane in 51.54 seconds
• 800-meters by junior Bryanna Rivers in 2:24
• 200-meters by sophomore Serena Gadson in 26.42
• 2-mile by junior Marin James in 11:55
• 4×400-meter relay in 4:08

Three seniors sign
The Land O’ Lakes girls varsity soccer team wrapped up an impressive 22-3 season, reaching the Class 3A state semifinals, before falling to Plantation American Heritage 2-1 in overtime on Feb. 3. It marked the final game for seniors Maci Galan, Tori Cannata, Lacy Nasello, Presley Plummer, Sotiria Tsilionis, Alejandra Vasquez and Savanna Ronk. (Photos courtesy of Teri Ronk)

 

 

 

Land O’ Lakes girls soccer wraps up season
Three seniors on the Land O’ Lakes girls soccer team have signed to play college soccer. From left are, Savanna Ronk (St. Leo University), Tori Cannata (University of Arkansas) and Laci Nasello (University of Tampa).

The 11th annual Keystone United Methodist Church (UMC) Golf Classic is slated for April 16 at the Northdale Golf and Tennis Club in Tampa. The format will be a four-person, best-ball scramble with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The entry fee for each golfer is $75, which includes green fees, door prizes, lunch and a replay round at the Northdale Golf Course. The registration deadline is April 11. Forms may be picked up at the Northdale Golf Club. You can also contact the church at (813) 920-5153 or Gary Ashbaugh at (813) 960-4305.

The South Pasco Bassmasters is accepting applications for the 2016 season. The group is a nonprofit “Team Format” club, and is looking for fishermen that would like to participate in some friendly competition. For information, visit SouthPascoBassmasters.com, or call club president John Medvid at (813) 996-3377.

A men and women’s team tennis league is forming for singles and doubles competition. Matches will be played at certain home and away locations, with a final championship round. Players from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties are now being rated for play. For more information, contact Walt Bockmiller at (813) 527-8211.