Local Sports

Local club is all fenced in

November 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Alex Kossmann took a stab at starting a fencing club — with just a little poke.

Land O’ Lakes 10-year-old fencing student Arianna Bobe works on her en garde, attack and parry moves during a session of the Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy, which meets twice a week at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center. The fencing academy, which began in the Summer of 2023, provides instruction for experienced and novice fencers, teaching them techniques and helping them hone their skills for competitions. (Mike Camunas)

“I just thought it was time to try something new — to, as a club, I needed to branch out and do my own thing,” the Land O’ Lakes resident said. “I just felt it was time to start (a fencing club) here (in Land O’ Lakes).”

Kossmann started the Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy, in early summer with his goal to expand off the club, Tampa Bay Fencing (TBF), which has been operating out of Northdale for about 30 years. While both clubs have dual members — with Kossmann’s expanding steadily — the new club is providing space and opportunities for local fencing enthusiasts, both new and experienced, to hone their skills, compete against others and prepare for competitions.

“The TBF has been there 30 years,” Kossmann said. “As much as I have helped them and coached there with them, I just wanted to start a new club out here.

“We’re here (at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex) and we’re practicing and teaching,” he added. “It depends on the day, in which when we start warming up, if they’re doing well, there won’t really be a lesson, but if they’re not, then maybe a quick lesson. They may ask me for some lessons, but usually I’ll bout them myself and we’ll work on techniques.

Isabelle Bobe, left, and Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy founder and instructor Alex Kossmann parry with each other during a session at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center on Nov. 11.

“It’s all about having a place and club and meetup for fencers, and one in this area.”

Kossmann, who fenced at the University of South Florida, has been fencing most of his adult life. He grew up watching his father, Raymond, fence and who also instructs at the academy.

“I kind of — kind of — taught him everything. Well, not everything, but most of it (laughs),” Raymond said. “I don’t think I can teach him anymore, but it’s great to watch him here and with Tampa Bay Fencers in Northdale.

“It’s incredible to see him start a club here (in Land O’ Lakes).”

Raymond appreciates the academy focuses on actual techniques and forms, especially since some new, younger members have just taken up the sport and are there to prepare for competitions locally and out of state.

“A lot of people think it’s just swatting around, but there’s plenty of technique, plenty of strategy,” Raymond said. “If you ever watch Olympic fencing, it’s kind of hard to keep up with it because they are so good. But like I was saying, I think that most people don’t realize how much goes into it.

Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy meets twice weekly at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, 3032 Collier Parkway.

“Not just practicing, but again, not just swatting at people or opponents. There’s a dance to it and it’s fun to watch, even if you don’t know the moves.”

The new academy has about a dozen members so far and meets twice a week, with Alex hoping to get in more meetups and sessions weekly. Raymond, who has been fencing for about 20 years, understands that it’s a hard sport to get into, not just because of its difficulty, but also the cost.

Like many other high-end sports — equestrian, rowing and even golf — expenses add up, including swords — foils, épées and sabres, all of which are electronic to connect with the scoring machine — and the gear, from coats to masks.

“It is expensive, but a lot of sports are,” Raymond added. “If you’re passionate, though, you find a way, and you’d be surprised how many people end up loving fencing.”

With the Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy, there’s even a youth movement. Local youngsters are taking up “the blade,” donning a mask and finding themselves readying to compete in swashbuckling fashion.

Just ask this pair of siblings.

Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy instructor Raymond Kossmann takes a poke during a lesson.

“I have a cousin who fences,” 10-year-old Land O’ Lakes resident Arianna Bobe said. “That’s why we started doing it, but we really like it now. It’s fun to be able to fence against our cousin and others, too.”

Her sister, Isabelle, 13, agrees.

“It’s fun — we really do like fencing,” she added. “What other sport is there where you get to poke someone?!”

Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy
When: Tuesdays and Saturdays
Where: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway
Cost: $20 per session; $5 for college students
Details: The sessions are run by Alex Kossmann, a two-time Central Florida Division Champion, and Raymond Kossmann, runner-up for veterans (40+) Central Florida Divisional Championship. Experienced and budding fencers are able to attend the sessions to learn the sport and hone their skills.
Info: Visit LandOLakesFencingAcademy.com, or contact Alex Kossmann at 813-841-0984 or .

Published November 29, 2023

2023 Sunshine Athletic Conference Fall Awards

November 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The Sunshine Athletic Conference, which is made up of the 14 public high school athletic programs in Pasco County, announced its 2023 Fall All-Conference Teams and Players, voted on by the sports’ respective coaches. The awards are split into East and West divisions of the county. Here are the East Division first teams and the players and coaches of the year.

Wiregrass Ranch senior quarterback Luke Knight was one of Pasco County’s top offensive players, throwing for 3,872 yards, 43 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, while leading the Bulls to a 9-3 record and regional semifinals berth. (Mike Camunas)

Football

Team Champion: Zephyrhills

Offensive Player of the Year: Luke Knight, Wiregrass Ranch

Defensive Player of the Year: Milton Garcia, Cypress Creek

Coach of the Year: Nick Carroll, Zephyrhills

Offense

QB – Luke Knight, Wiregrass Ranch

RB – Malachi Askin, Cypress Creek

RB – Cody Gwinn, Land O’ Lakes

WR – Isaiah Riggins, Wiregrass Ranch

WR – D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills

TE – Zach Merriman, Sunlake

OL – Jaeden Ortiz, Wiregrass Ranch

OL – Austin Slusher, Cypress Creek

OL – Christian Starkey, Wiregrass Ranch

OL – Juan Torres, Pasco

OL – Logan Lagrone, Zephyrhills

K – Cameron Canard, Cypress Creek

P – Trevor Harden, Land O’ Lakes

UTL – Tristan Lennon, Zephyrhills

Defense

DL – David Kirk, Cypress Creek

DL – D.J. Pope, Pasco

DL – Khalial Buckenroth, Wiregrass Ranch

DL – Khris Cruz, Land O’ Lakes

LB – Ola Omoloye, Wiregrass Ranch

LB – Coy Martin, Cypress Creek

LB – Lukas Colella, Zephyrhills

LB – Leroy Vickers, Pasco

DB – D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills

DB – Milton Garcia, Cypress Creek

DB – Roman Sercu, Cypress Creek

Volleyball

Team Champion: Sunlake

Player of the Year: Brooke Ashkenase, Wesley Chapel

Coach of the Year: Elyse Garcia-Zapata, Sunlake

First Team

Brooke Ashkenase, Wesley Chapel

Annabella Grace Korta, Wesley Chapel

Izabella Horruitiner, Land O’ Lakes

Amelia Snider, Sunlake

Sofia Sierra, Sunlake

Emily Teets, Wesley Chapel

Zayda Thomas, Sunlake

Boys Golf

Team Champion: Wesley Chapel

Golfer of the Year: Connor Newbold, Cypress Creek

Coach of the Year: Josh Raskopf, Wesley Chapel

First team

Connor Newbold, Cypress Creek
Colin Mead, Wiregrass Ranch

Tien Do, Wesley Chapel

Carter Boynton, Wesley Chapel

Max Haines, Sunlake

Girls Golf

Team Champion: Sunlake

Golfer of the Year: Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake

Coach of the Year: Austi Dial, Sunlake

First team

Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake

Hailey Stricker, Sunlake

Skylar Lee, Cypress Creek

Darien Jeffrey, Pasco

Brooklyn Beckstead, Wiregrass Ranch

Boys Cross-Country

Team Champion: Sunlake

Runner of the Year: Will Poe, Zephyrhills

Coach of the Year: Randal Reeves, Sunlake

First team

Will Poe, Zephyrhills

Skylar Manatt, Cypress Creek

Dylan Powell, Cypress Creek

Sunlake High junior cross-country runner Cade Culpepper and senior runner Abigail Williams both named First Team honors in this season’s SAC awards. (Mike Camunas)

Christian Hindman, Sunlake

Cade Culpepper, Sunlake

Aaron Barnes, Cypress Creek

Joshua Hindman, Sunlake

Girls Cross-Country

Team Champion: Sunlake

Runner of the Year: Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch

Coach of the Year: Randal Reeves, Sunlake

First team

Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch

Abigail Williams, Sunlake

Katelin Wilcox, Sunlake

Natalia Gaona-Zelaya, Wiregrass Ranch

Lydia Vincent, Zephyrhills

Thalia Kushman, Land O’ Lakes

Kaitlyn Zabrocki, Sunlake

Boys Swimming

Team Champion: Sunlake

Swimmer of the Year: Cayden DeTillo, Sunlake

Diver of the Year: Blake Zevin, Sunlake

Coach of the Year: Guerby Ruuske, Sunlake

First team

200 Medley Relay – Cayden Detillo, Brayden Morsey, George Patrocinio, Connor Canfield, Sunlake

200 Freestyle – Cayden DeTillo, Sunlake

200 Individual Medley – Juan Benitez, Sunlake

50 Freestyle – Huy Duong, Sunlake

100 Freestyle – Connor Canfield, Sunlake

100 Butterfly – Juan Benitez, Sunlake

500 Freestyle – Jackson Porter, Wiregrass Ranch

200 Freestyle Relay – Owen Kerrigan, Braden Morsey, George Patrocinio, Connor Canfield, Sunlake

100 Backstroke – Cayden DeTillo, Sunlake

100 Breaststroke – George Patrocinio, Sunlake

400 Freestyle Relay – Huy Duong, Cayden DeTillo, Connor Canfield, Juan Benitez, Sunlake

Girls Swimming

Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes

Swimmer of the Year: Regan Bright, Sunlake

Diver of the Year: Emily Coss, Land O’ Lakes

Coach of the Year: Jill Hebert, Land O’ Lakes

First team

200 Medley Relay – Regan Bright, Reagan Faiella, Ava Edwards, Jena Ruste, Sunlake

200 Freestyle – Ava Edwards, Sunlake

200 Individual Medley – Regan Bright, Sunlake

50 Freestyle – Jordyn Rolle, Wesley Chapel

100 Butterfly – Regan Bright, Sunlake

100 Freestyle – Callie Trussler, Sunlake

500 Freestyle – Sadie Minich, Wesley Chapel

200 Freestyle Relay – Abigail Hahm, Katie Purcell, Emily Coss, Emelia D’Allesio, Land O’ Lakes

100 Backstroke – Kylie Naramore, Cypress Creek

100 Breaststroke – Sadie Minich, Wesley Chapel

400 Freestyle Relay – Regan Bright, Ava Edwards, Callie Trussler, Jena Ruste, Sunlake

Published November 22, 2023

Wildcats get a taste of states, seek more next season

November 14, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The Wesley Chapel Boys Golf Team visualized its shot — as golfers do — and took full swing at it. In the end, the team’s shot at the state tournament landed perfectly.

The Wildcats knew what it would take to get to the two-day Class 2A State Tournament that started Nov. 7 in Howey-in-the-Hills. And, they took full advantage of a young, talented roster and secured a spot through tough play and arguably the best season in program history.

From left: Members of the Wesley Chapel Boys Golf Team sophomore Jacob Doonan, sophomore Carter Boynton, sophomore Tien Do, senior Michael Hale and sophomore Camden Battey pose for a team photo following their two-day appearance at the Class 2A State Tournament, at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, where the Wildcats finished tied 10th with an overall score of 663. It was the program’s first state tournament since 2011 after the team won the Sunshine Athletic Conference Championship, the Class 2A-District 9 and an at-large regional tournament bid. (Courtesy of Josh Raskopf)

They finished 11-1, including a Sunshine Athletic Conference Championship and a Class 2A-District 9 title, and capped off the season with a 10th place finish at states, with sophomore Carter Boynton finishing 10th overall individually thanks to a 151 (7 over par).

“The season was tough, but down the stretch at conference, at districts and regionals, we started having fun, as a team, as players,” said Boynton, who shot a 76 and 75, respectively, at the state tournament. “Once we got to states, and since it was our goal all season, we didn’t really have any expectations (on how’d we finish). We just wanted to get there and we did, and we had fun.

“The whole year,” he added, “we talked about making it to states and we finally did after working for it all season — it felt great. As a team, we’re friends and look to have fun on the course, which is why I think we’re so successful.”

Coming into the season, the Wildcats had lofty expectations and goals, which, of course, included making the program’s first state tournament appearance since 2011. Thanks to adding Boynton, a Minnesota transfer, and fellow sophomore Tien Do, a transfer from New York, it was mission accomplished.

“Sure, they work a lot and have swing coaches, but they play as a group of friends on a weekly basis,” coach Josh Raskopf said. “They just love golf and they’re just going to get better, and by next season, I expect they will be even better.”

Despite some great results, the players do expect to top their 2023 state tournament scores.

Do finished 31st with a two-day 159 total, while fellow sophomores Jacob Doonan (172) and Camden Battey (187) finished 71st and 93rd, respectively. The team’s lone senior, Michael Hale, who narrowly missed a trip to states in 2022, finished 86th with a 181.

But, as golfers do, they want their scores to be better.

Wesley Chapel sophomore Carter Boynton follows through on a shot during the Class 2A State Tournament, at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, where he shot a two-day 151 (7-over par) and a tie for 10th place.

“I take away (from our state tournament appearance) on how it went, how our team did and how our team is going to come back and try to take hardware,” Boynton said. “It’s the state tournament, so you’re a little nervous at first, but you try to stay focused and play your game.

“But (next year’s) goal is already there. We’re going back by just playing golf with friends.”

These golf buddies came together before the season and bonded, allowing them to put together a near-perfect season. Despite the Wildcats one loss — falling to nearby district rival Cypress Creek by two strokes — it missed coming in second at the regional tournament after a four-hole playoff. The team made the state tournament as an at-large bid due to its successful season.

“We had to stay focused all season because if we missed our shot at states with one of (the two) regional (winner spots), we knew our most clear path would be to win districts and have a great regular season,” Raskopf said. “We made sure we went out there every match and kept that hyperfocus through the whole season. It can be draining, but we knew that we were always going to put up competitive numbers.”

Raskopf already has big ambitions for next season. With four of the team’s top five golfers just sophomores, and now with state tournament experience, he expects those golfers just to get better.

And to continue to take their shots at the state tournament.

“Absolutely, the expectation next year is, realistically, in the top three or five,” Raskopf said. “The new expectation is making (states) for the next two years with this group of boys. (Making states) was always the question if we were really going to do it, but it’s not a question anymore. We know we have the talent and drive to get to the next level and break through.

“By their senior years, they’ll want to be holding the top spot that year, but, honestly, they want it next year.”

Additional State Qualifiers, Results

Class 3A
Boys
Jack Vanderschuur, Steinbrenner – 74, 77 – 151 (T-19th)

Girls
Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake – 72, 73 – 145 (T-4th)
Dannika Hines, Steinbrenner – 68, 77 – 145 (T-4th)

Class 2A
Girls
Fasauni Marshall, Freedom – 97, 96 – 193 (83rd)

Class 1A*
Boys
Conor Whalen, Bishop McLaughlin

*(Class 1A state tournament results not available at time of publication).

Published November 15, 2023

Running till they’re dead tired

November 7, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Cindy Bray is scared of zombies.

Little zombie Matthew Fisher, 4, cheers on other participants at the inaugural Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz. Runners took to the course in the shopping center’s parking lot and ran to avoid zombies — local teens that volunteered their time to make for a frightful trek that raised money to go to HOPE Services scholarship funds. (Mike Camunas)

So, while the founder and executive director of HOPE Services — a vocational service provider for those with disabilities — decided to hold a 5K where zombies jump out and even chase the runners, Bray wanted no part of the undead.

“When we created this event, we knew it would be fun, but Cindy gets scared — I’m scared of zombies,” Bray said with a laugh. “All our zombies were volunteers — all teenagers, but high school kids aren’t that scary.”

The frights, and delights, were abundant when HOPE Services held its Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz. It was the inaugural fundraising event for the provider that has been helping teens and adults living with disabilities and special needs secure and maintain meaningful, competitive and integrated employment since April 2003.

The funds raised from the nearly 100 participants went into the nonprofit’s scholarship fund.

Wesley Chapel High teenage zombie Amya Cooper chases after Tammy Spires in the parking lot of the Tampa Premium Outlets during the Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run.

In February, HOPE Services opened a state-of-the-art Life Skills & Vocational Training Center in Land O’ Lakes, and Bray says fundraisers like the 5K — and the yearly Dance Your Dream “prom” event — support their efforts to help those needing assistance in learning life skills.

“We don’t want anyone to walk in the doors at HOPE and not be able to afford it,” Bray said. “This run and our dance help us achieve the funds to help anyone who walks in the door and get them meaningful employment.”

In the early morning of the run, participants came out and ran through the parking lot of the shopping center. About a dozen zombified teens from Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel high schools were scattered along the route and did their best “Walking Dead” impersonations as runners passed by. A few younger kids, who ran the race, were also zombified, and top overall finisher, Carol Geddes, completed the race in 20:09.

Zombie Gloria Xiao, a Land O’ Lakes High volunteer, hides behind the bushes, patiently waiting for runners in the Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run to bring their delicious brains to her.

Bray said in the few days leading up to the event that they got more than 50 sign-ups, as well as morning walk-ups. However, she was surprised at the zombie turnout.

“We got way more volunteers — zombies than I thought we would,” she added. “But we are thankful for that because they looked great as zombies and that they came out and volunteered their time as zombies. I’m just glad they’re not real zombies (laughs).”

HOPE Services Life Skills & Vocational Training Center
Where: 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes
Details: A training center providing teens and adults living with disabilities and special needs on-site training in culinary arts/food safety, construction, customer service/retail, hospitality, computers/technology and GED education. With these skills and certifications, individuals will be able to earn higher wages, find sustainable careers and set a solid foundation for self-sufficiency.
For more information about HOPE Services, visit HOPEGetsJobs.com.

Published November 08, 2023

Nearly 100 runners participated in the inaugural Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz. The event benefited HOPE Services.

Every participant in the Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz received a medal for not being devoured by teenage zombies.

Land O’ Lakes High teen Carolyn Delphin shuffles along the course of the Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz.

Getting a handle on biking trails

October 31, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Swamp Mountain Bike Club is always blazing new trails.

In fact, the whole point of this avid trail biking club is to welcome out more riders, all while promoting and advocating natural surface trail recreation locally.

Group members and riders of the Swamp Mountain Bike Club make their way on the many miles of trails throughout Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey as part of the club’s regularly scheduled group rides. (Courtesy of Diane Prekup)

And it’s been doing that for more than a decade.

“(That is) absolutely (what the club is all about),” said Jordan Nelson, the club’s trail boss, who is charged with maintaining the trails at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey. “We get people together, we ride together and we get out and see the trails and explore. We’re all volunteer-based, too, so getting together like-minded people who love trail riding and even making new trails — that’s why the club was founded.”

Swamp Mountain Bike Club was founded more than a decade ago because riders were looking for a way to connect, and for places where they could ride and help maintain as a group.

It started at Flatwoods Park off Bruce B. Downs in New Tampa.

Since then, the club has expanded to around 700 members, to more parks with trails, routine rides and trail maintenance, and additional events that can include camping and other outdoor activities.

A gnome statue sits on part of the Gnome Zone — a section of bike trail in Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park that features dozens of gnome statues littered throughout the woods. (Courtesy of Diane Prekup)

“That’s what it’s all about — get out and ride, meet people, new friends that ride together, try other trails, and that’s why we’re doing it and why we work hard to maintain the trails,” Nelson said. “I took on the job as trail boss here (at Starkey) because I have small kids and want them to be a part of this and show them, and others, that work has to go into maintaining (trails).

“That way it’ll be a nice place for them to ride when they’re older.”

Nelson, along with a couple other trail bosses and members/volunteers, maintains the 19 miles of trails at Starkey Park, which he adds is great for beginners because of its flatness.

They’ll make sure the natural surface paths are cleared and in tip-top shape, but they’ll also add amenities such as picnic tables and benches. Additionally, they’ll add ramps, boardwalks and bridges where needed.

“With nearly 20 miles of trails in Starkey, you would never know it, but it’s a lot of miles, and we’re looking to expand soon, at least early next year,” Nelson said. “The biggest part of the job is maintaining the trails and relationships with the county and parks departments. The money we raise through fees and events helps us build new trails and maintain them. But it is a constant upkeep.”

But upkeep also can be fun. Sure, the club will have its routine rides — from avid riders to newbies and even family friendly rides with kids — but at Starkey, the club has something on the trail that stands out from the rest.

The Gnome Zone.

Deep back on the trails in Starkey, there is a section lovingly known as a forest and several gnome figurines have been placed along the trail and in the trees. Surprisingly, it is not well-known — or even advertised — until riders happen upon the gnomes.

“Unless you’re paying attention, you might not even know about it, but yeah, we get a lot of like, ‘Oh, wow, gnomes,’” Nelson said with a laugh. “The gnomes, it’s just been a feature of the trail ever since we’ve been maintaining it and the Forest of the Gnomes. The trees back there have a lot of long branches and so gnomes just starting to appear on them and on the trail — and people love it when they see them.

“It just kind of became, ‘Oh, you rode Starkey? That’s the trail with all the gnomes!’ so it just became a bit of its signature, that it’s now known for the gnomes.”

Swamp Mountain Bike Club
Details: Swamp Mountain Bike Club Inc. is a 501(c)3 group focusing on advocacy for mountain biking and natural surface trail recreation in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. The club sustainably maintains more than 100 miles of natural surface singletrack. The club maintains tracks at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, Flatwood Wilderness Park, Croom in the Withlacoochee State Forest and Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve. The club also meets routinely for group rides and trail maintenance.
Cost: Yearly membership starts at $40. Attending and/or participating in events may cost extra.
Info: Visit SwampMTBclub.com, or email .

Published November 01, 2023

The Swamp Mountain Bike Club is a 501(c)3 group focusing on advocacy for mountain biking and natural surface trail recreation in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. (Courtesy of Diane Prekup)

The club routinely meets for group trail rides, including at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park and Flatwood Wilderness Park, and sustainably maintains more than 100 miles of natural surface singletrack. (Courtesy of Diane Prekup)

The club maintains tracks at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, Flatwood Wilderness Park, Croom in the Withlacoochee State Forest and Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve. (Mike Camunas)

Pickleball tournament a smash hit

October 24, 2023 By Mike Camunas

It was a slam dink.

Take arguably the fastest-growing sport out there and host a two-day tournament for fanatics of pickleball and, sure enough, players showed up to compete.

Pickleball youngster Luke Pulaski gears up and follows through on a shot at the courts Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Oct. 14, on the second day of a pickleball tournament hosted by Pickleball Fanatics, a pair of local instructors who teach and promote the sport in Central Pasco County. The two-day tournament featured 120 players — including 18 youth players — and divisions of doubles of men, women and mixed, with winners taking home medals. Pickleball Fanatics has been working for about a year to get permanent, public pickleball courts at a location in or near Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

Pickleball Fanatics — a pair of pickleball instructors based in Central Pasco — hosted an adult and youth tournament at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, with players coming from near and far to compete in different divisions and competitions.

About 120 players showed up — including 18 youth players — as the duo of Kathy McCausey and Val Thomopalos looked to promote the sport. They also are using the proceeds to benefit the rec complex — specifically to get public, permanent courts either there or at a nearby location.

“The demand for (permanent pickleball) courts is very significant,” McCausey said. “It’s really just about getting enough money and talking to the right people to get it approved.”

McCausey and Thomopalos say they’ve been working to communicate with the Pasco County Commission to get public, permanent courts, specifically in the Central Pasco area.

The top three teams of the women’s division pose on the podium on Oct. 14, after receiving medals at the two-day pickleball tournament at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Besides the rec complex, other possible locations are Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park and Wesley Chapel District Park. The pickleball partners also mentioned the county might want courts at Starkey Ranch District Park, as well.

Currently, when pickleball players get together, temporary lines are put on tennis courts. Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center in Zephyrhills has pickleball courts, but using them requires a membership.

“They don’t really like having to put down lines every time,” Thomopalos said. “We really want something just for pickleball in Central Pasco, and this sport is absolutely popular enough to warrant them.”

The duo has raised somewhere between $10,000 to $15,000, but definitely know it will take a lot more money — as well as the backing of a county board member — to achieve their goal.

But for now, Pickleball Fanatics will continue to promote the sport by hosting free play, tournaments and the rest of the pickleball craze.

“Anyone can come out and play,” Thomopalos said. “There are no requirements, no experience level — if you want to come play pickleball, come play pickleball with us!”

Pickleball Fanatics
Details: Led by Kathay McCausey and Val Thomopalos, the two instructors give lessons, run tournaments and coordinate impromptu meet-ups of pickleball enthusiasts in Central Pasco.
Info: Visit PickleballFanatics.biz, or email .

Published October 25, 2023

Pickleball enthusiasts — both adults and youth, and talented and inexperienced — flocked to the tennis courts at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex for a recent two-day tournament.

Chris Torgusen, left, and Brian Ridge rush the net during a pickleball match at the courts at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Isabella Little, of Spring Hill, watches her return shot sail over the net and into ‘The Kitchen’ during her match on the second day of a pickleball tournament at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Participants of the youth division of the two-day pickleball tournament tap paddles in sportsmanship following their match.

Robert Parimore, of Thonotosassa, sends a shot back over the net to his opponent during a pickleball match at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Pickleball Fanatics co-founder Val Thomopalos goes over the match schedules during the second day of the tournament. She and her pickleball partner, Kathy McCausey, hosted the tournament.

Bulls bounding toward district title, postseason berth

October 17, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Luke Knight — and his teammates — had to convince the coach.

Longtime Wiregrass Ranch High Football coach Mark Kantor was weary — but also ready to go home. So, Knight and teammates pleaded — and eventually twisted Kantor’s arm enough — to go for it. They wanted the record for most touchdown passes in a game.

Wiregrass Ranch senior receiver Isaiah Riggins leads the team with 49 catches for 910 yards and 13 touchdowns, as the Bulls sit atop the Class 4 Suburban, District 6 poised to host a playoff game. The Bulls, however, are looking for more, specifically a second postseason win, as the program has just one win in eight playoff appearances. (Mike Camunas)

“The kids were like, ‘Coach! We’re one away!’” Kantor recalled. “I just wanted to get out of there with a win where no one got hurt either.”

In the end, Knight — the Bulls senior quarterback headed to Army to play football — threw a Pasco-County-record-tying eighth touchdown pass on Sept. 22 in the team’s 57-33 win over Harmony.

“When you’re a football player, your competitive nature is to win,” said Knight, who has passed 2,377 yards, 29 touchdowns and just one interception.

“(With) records, games — when we got to a point at halftime, we were like, ‘Let’s go get it.’ We all put our two cents in and said, ‘Let’s go for it, coach.’

“And we did.”

Knight tied the county record set in 2022 by Zephyrhills’ Brendyn Colella against Gulf, and also topped an impressive school record: six in a game (2020) by former quarterback Rocco Becht, now a redshirt freshman at Iowa State.

But the Bulls have more to go for, and hopefully get, before the season is done. Wiregrass Ranch — the program Kantor has guided for nine seasons —is in prime position to nab the Class 4 Suburban, District 6, which would give the Bulls home-field advantage.

Wiregrass Ranch senior quarterback Luke Knight is in the midst of a stellar 2023 season, passing for 2,006 and 24 touchdowns, with just one interception. Knight also tied a county record on Sept. 22 when he threw eight touchdown passes in a game.

This season, however, the team also wants to achieve its second-ever postseason win, with its only other coming in 2017 in a 17-10 victory over Lake Nona in the first round of the then-Class 7A regional tournament.

“Every time we go out there against an opponent it’s a 12-round bout and it will be every game,” said Kantor, who is 50-41 at Wiregrass, though the Bulls are 1-7 in the postseason. “We wanted to get back to our winning ways because it’s not the same beat, not the same vibe if we’re not in the playoffs.

“As long as we can continue to win, we should be in good shape.”

Heading down the final stretch of the season, the Bulls are in great shape.

According to FHSAA rankings in Class 4A Suburban, they are the No. 3 seed thanks to three-straight wins where the Bulls scored 50-plus points — 55-34 over Mitchell (Sept. 15), 52-45 over Springstead (Sept. 22) and 57-27 over River Ridge (Oct. 6).

However, Wiregrass realizes it’s in a tough region, with the likes of Lakeland, Bartow, Lake Minneola, Lake Gibson and George Jenkins lurking and also most likely headed to the postseason.

Wiregrass Ranch coach Mark Kantor, in his ninth season (50-41) with the Bulls, is looking for the program’s second postseason win, with the team’s last, and only one, coming in 2017.

With just one district game left — at Land O’ Lakes on Oct. 27 — Wiregrass is looking to knock off the defending district champs and host a playoff game come the second Friday of November.

“Really, it’s about us going into the playoffs and winning a couple of games and going further than any (Wiregrass) team has gone before,” said Knight, a Merritt Island transfer this season and who guided Jesuit to a state title in 2021. “We’ve got every tool we need to win the district and we just have to stay consistent.

“I know nothing but to win — it’s just my nature. I try to win at everything I do in life. I know we want to win a lot more than one (postseason game) and winning more than one is not something this program is super used to, but for me and these guys, we want to go further than (one postseason game).”

Fellow senior, and Knight’s top target, receiver Isaiah Riggins agrees.

“We just have to focus on not letting the little things slide,” said Riggins, who leads the team with 910 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. “It’s up to us, the leaders, to make sure it doesn’t slide. We’ve got a standard and our goal this season is to go as far as we can.

“We don’t want to go just to the first round, the second round — we want to go to states, we want to go to the end.”

And getting to the end will rest on the shoulders of Knight, who, Kantor says, “has great leadership skills and brings excitement to everything he and the team does.”

“That’s Luke Knight,” Riggens added. “He’s a great leader on this team, he’s a great kid, a great friend, a great brother, and I wouldn’t want to go to war with any other quarterback. He does everything right and keeps everyone up on the field, the locker room and the classroom.

“He’s just great to be around, and I know he’ll keep the leadership up.”

Class 4 Suburban, District 6 Standings
(Team/Overall Record/District Record)

Wiregrass Ranch 6-1,3-0
Springstead 5-2, 2-1
Mitchell 4-3, 1-1
Land O’ Lakes 2-5, 0-2
Sunlake 1-6, 0-2

Published October 18, 2023

Land O’ Lakes High inducts star-studded HOF class

October 10, 2023 By Mike Camunas

In a decade’s time, nearly 50 former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, program supporters — and one team — have been inducted into the Land O’ Lakes High Hall of Fame.

The annual Hall of Fame tradition began in March 2013 when the Land O’ Lakes Gators Athletics Foundation was formed as a 501(c)3 nonprofit to raise funds through donations and events to benefit the school’s athletic programs.

Shannon Aitken, class of 2003, speaks to a crowd at Land O’ Lakes following her induction into the school’s Hall of Fame on Oct. 3. During her junior season, she was goalkeeper for the Gators girls soccer team that would go on to win the Class 2A state championship. She would then attend the University of Tampa and also put together a Hall of Fame career for the Spartans. (Mike Camunas)

Since then, the Foundation has had nine Hall of Fame classes — with no inductions in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID. The monies raised have been used for uniforms, equipment, facilities transportation and other items.

Now, Foundation board member John Childers says it’s time to have an actual Hall of Fame section, with funds raised from the Oct. 3 Induction Dinner and Silent Auction, plus any donations from boosters, allocated to create an extension of the fieldhouse at John Benedetto Stadium.

“When I started the foundation, I went to John Benedetto and he helped me select the first class, pretty much told me where to start,” Childers said. “It’s been amazing that we’ve been able to do this for 10 years now.”

Benedetto suddenly passed away in April 2013, prior to the induction of the first Hall of Fame class. He’d been coaching the Gators for 32 years.

He was posthumously inducted the next year.

With each passing year, more locally famous alumni are brought into the Hall of Fame, each with storied histories of accomplishments and contributions to Land O’ Lakes High’s athletic programs.

Here are the members of the 2023 Class:

Shannon Aitken, girls soccer, Class of 2004
Arguably one of the most decorated student-athletes ever for the Gators, Aitken was a three-sport athlete, but it was soccer that brought her fame and glory. A four-year starting goalkeeper, she was integral to the Gators girls soccer team winning the Class 2A state championship in 2003 — a team that was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. She won every award, including the Sunshine Athletic Conference Player of the Year and being named to the Class 5A All-State team as a senior. She had the Pasco County record for saves (551) and shutouts (70) during her high school career.

Brad Baisley (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes Gators Athletic Foundation)

She then moved on to the University of Tampa (UT) and became the Spartans most decorated goalkeeper in program history. In 2007, she was named National Player of the Year as keeper for the Division II National Championship Team. After 59 wins and 197 saves in college, she was inducted into UT’s and the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame in 2014 and 2018, respectively.

Aitken is now entering her ninth season (106-34-8) as Steinbrenner High’s girls soccer coach.

Brad Baisley, baseball, Class of 1998
As a three-year letterman in both basketball and baseball, Baisley scored 1,320 points (fourth all time) in the former and was the SAC Pitcher of the Year armed with a 90-plus mph fastball. After graduation, he passed on scholarship offers from Tampa, the University of Miami and the University of North Carolina and signed a baseball/basketball scholarship with the University of South Florida. He was then drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 44th overall pick in the 1998 MLB Draft, being ranked the No. 18 prospect at the time.

In 1999, he pitched a no-hitter for the Phillies single-A affiliate, the Piedmont Boll Weevils in the South Atlantic League, then went on to play seven seasons with the Phillies’, Los Angeles Dodgers’ and New York Yankees’ organizations.

His father is legendary baseball coach Calvin Baisley, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022, and his son, Logan, is a senior pitcher on the Gators baseball team.

Darrin Wayne Horne, Lifetime Service Award, Class of 1985
Horne has served 14 years as a member of the Land O’ Lakes Booster Club, including time as vice president and director. In addition to his involvement with the Booster Club, he also has previously served as vice president and director of Swampfest. While at Land O’ Lakes, he was a standout football and baseball player, playing for such coaches as John Benedetto (2014), Al Claggett (2017), Bill Gebauer (2018) and Jerry English (2016).

Horne is a constant staple at various sporting events, including managing the concession stands and coordinating the parking facilities. He has helped raise well over six figures for academic scholarships.

Dave Puhalski, basketball coach, Class of 1980 (Michigan)
Hired in June 1989 to guide the boys’ basketball, Puhalski went on to coach the Gators for 33 years. In that time, he coached seven Conference Players of the Year and numerous 1st Team All-Conference Players, with many of them moving on to play at the collegiate level. He racked up 479 wins and six district and conference titles and was named coach of the year several times.

Puhalski retired from coaching in 2020, then from teaching a year later, but the accolades didn’t end there. In June 2022, Land O’ Lakes administration requested the Pasco County School Board rename the school’s gym to be named after Puhalski, to which the board wholeheartedly agreed.

Drew Weatherford, football, Class of 2004
As one of seven Weatherford children to play sports at Land O’ Lakes, Drew was one of the most prolific quarterbacks not only in school, but also in Pasco County history. He set county records for most passing yards (7,657) and touchdowns (79) and was an All-State Player, including in 2022 when the Gators went undefeated and won two playoff games.

All of this made him a highly touted college football recruit, who would eventually sign with Florida State University (FSU). There, he would start three years under former legendary coach Bobby Bowden, pass for 7,567 career yards and win the ACC Championship as a redshirt freshman.

After FSU, Weatherford would spend time in camps for the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints, as well as spend one season playing for the now defunct Arena Football League team, the Tampa Bay Storm.

Published October 11, 2023

Coyotes take to ‘frozen creek’

October 3, 2023 By Mike Camunas

New teams at a high school are rarely formed.

But this season, Cypress Creek has a new hockey team, and the Coyotes have full varsity and JV rosters, a legitimate, competitive league, sharp-looking jerseys, and practice and play in a brand-new facility.

The Cypress Creek High School Hockey Team may be in its inaugural season, but it is chock full of experienced players — including many who have played together before. Also, as part of the Lightning High School Hockey League, the Coyotes come from more than one school, with players coming from Cypress Creek, Pasco and Sunlake high schools. The way the league is set up, only a handful of teams in Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Manatee counties are made up from players from a single school, as is the case at Land O’ Lakes High School. (Mike Camunas)

“The biggest thing is we want one community, as one team, to support the players on and off the ice,” coach J.C. Powers said. “We have about 20 players on varsity, and a full JV team, so everyone plays. … They have a chance to plant the seed for the future, to be the start of this new team, to really put a stamp on the league as a new team, as Cypress Creek, and I think our guys, this season, are really enjoying that.”

Cypress Creek is part of the Lightning High School Hockey League (LHSHL), which organizes and oversees teams from five counties: Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Manatee. Despite the number of schools, as well as the always-growing interest in youth hockey in the Tampa Bay area, the league realizes not every high school has enough players to form a team made up entirely of its own student-athletes.

So, every three years, the LHSHL evaluates the “catchments” and pairs together schools to form a team.

Like it did with Cypress Creek.

The team is designated as the Coyotes, but players are coming from Cypress Creek, Sunlake and Pasco high schools.

“It’s a change being a new team because everyone thinks we’re the underdogs,” Cypress Creek senior Cayden Faircloth said. “It’s taken some time, but I think we’ve really come together as a team in a short time. It’s not difficult (all the players) not going to the same school. Sure, we want to learn more about each other, but once you’re out on the ice, it’s all hockey, more so than personality.

Cypress Creek senior Cayden Faircloth looks on during a game vs. Mitchell, as part of the Lightning High School Hockey League at Nest Hockey Academy, the Coyotes home ice rink.

“You just want to learn how to play with (your teammates), not fight one another.”

The Coyotes practice and play at Nest Hockey Academy, the new private, not-for-profit athletic and academic institution in Wesley Chapel. They practice once a week and play on Fridays, in games featuring three 15-minute periods.

“The biggest thing is how we try to approach the game, and the biggest thing I tell my players is that you may not know each other or be best friends, but we’re still playing the game of hockey,” Powers said. “A lot of players we have are not new to competitive hockey or the Lightning League. I’ve been coaching since 2017, but the biggest thing with my players is consistency and knowing that it’s okay to make a mistake, but learn from them.

“Like any other team, we want our players to become great young men, especially off the ice. It’s what we strive for.”

The Coyotes, as well as the other teams and players in the LHSHL, will also strive for the postseason. LHSHL teams compete to win the Tampa Bay region, then advance to states and even eye a national championship.

Hayden Hunter takes a shot on net during a game at Nest Hockey Academy on Sept. 22.

All of that takes teamwork — something the Coyotes have had from the start.

“We had to learn how to play with (new guys) and how to play well with each other and had to gel a little at first, but it didn’t take long,” sophomore Dylan Mize said. “I think we’re playing really well together now. I think it’s a great group of kids and we can do well this year.

“It’s a little different,” he continued, “because you want to gel, not just playing hockey, but when you’re together or even hanging out, but I think we all get along well in the locker room. We’re not like some first-year teams.”

“With us being a new team, (other teams) don’t expect a lot from us,” Faircloth added. “I think they’re underestimating us.”

Cypress Creek is off to a hot start this season, already 4-2 through Sept. 29, scoring 42 goals while allowing just 29.

And whether or not that is expected of a newly formed team, what is expected is a competitive league — one that isn’t exactly brand new.

“That is an effect, isn’t it?” Powers said. “It’s been in full effect for a while, but there is the Lightning effect, the hockey effect. Yeah, it’s the Lightning League, but now it has so many teams, so it’s a great thing, since now we have so many opponents and even balanced teams in the communities.

“In the end, our players and all the teams are out here playing the game of hockey.”

Cypress Creek goalie Carter Lindquist, left, goes over strategy on an iPad with Coyotes coach J.C. Powers, before a game vs. Mitchell in the Lightning High School Hockey League on Sept. 22.

Lightning High School Hockey
Details: Lightning High School Hockey is the high school ice hockey league of the Tampa Bay area, with teams from Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Manatee counties. Most teams are designated as a specific school name, but feature players from up to as many as five or more schools. There are some teams entirely made up of players from a single school. There are four divisions of teams and regular season games run through January.
Local teams:
Cypress Creek (Cypress Creek, Sunlake, Pasco)
Freedom (Freedom, Wharton, Gaither, Leto, Chamberlain)
Land O’ Lakes (entirely made up of Land O’ Lakes players)
Mitchell (Mitchell, River Ridge, Anclote, Fivay, Gulf, Hudson)
Steinbrenner (Steinbrenner, Alonso, Sickles)
Wiregrass Ranch (Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills)
Info: Visit LightningHighSchoolHockeyLeague.com.

Published October 04, 2023

Cypress Creek goalie Ryan Zerfass slides over to make a save on a shot during a game vs. Mitchell at Nest Hockey Academy on Sept. 22.

Center Hayden Hunter, one of the team’s top goal scorers, leans in and readies himself for the faceoff vs. Mitchell.

The Cypress Creek High Hockey Team practices and plays at Nest Hockey Academy, at 9175 McKendree Road, in Wesley Chapel.

Carson Cormier leans on the wall at his team’s bench, watching the action play out on the ice during a game at Nest Hockey Academy in Wesley Chapel.

Cypress Creek senior Cayden Faircloth works the puck away from a Mitchell skater during a game on Sept. 22.

Four Cypress Creek High Hockey Team players congregate and celebrate a goal scored vs. Mitchell on Sept. 22.

Prep swimmer looking to make a splash at states

September 26, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Nate Smith followed his sister into the pool.

Smith — a senior sprint swimmer at the Academy at the Lakes — already is an accomplished swimmer, just like his sister: former Wildcat McKenna, now a junior swimming star at Duke University.

Academy at the Lakes senior swimmer Nate Smith, at his home pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, has his goggled-sights set on topping his seventh-place finish in the 50 meter and his 10th place finish in the 100 meter at the Class 1A state tournament. (Mike Camunas)

“She kind of introduced me and my family to swimming,” Nate said. “My sister just hopped in and was a natural, and I followed in her footsteps. … So, I’m just trying to live up to what she was because we talk about swimming, about technique — we have very similar techniques, and she’s always helped me, and I’ve helped her, too.

“I’ve got my swimming lane, but I wouldn’t mind following her because she did pretty well,” he continued. “I definitely wouldn’t mind following her to Duke, if I could manage that, then that would be amazing.

“But I have my own senior year, just like she did, and I would like to get a nicer medal than last year.”

While Smith has made states in all four of his high school seasons, it was last season in 2022 when he put up his best finishes at the Class 1A state championships — claiming seventh in the 50 meter (21.31) and 10th in the 100 meter (47.43).

It was a huge jump from his sophomore year when, in 2021, he was 15th and 13th in the 50 and 100, respectively. Now, Nate is eyeing to match, or top, what McKenna did her senior year at states — third place finishes in both the 50 (23.15) and the 100 (50.34).

To accomplish that — or achieve even more in November — Smith knows it will take tenacious training, especially fine-tuning his starts, turns and technique.

“I’ve never been an underwater swimmer,” he said. “I dove in and came right up, so I’ve been focusing on my underwater kicks and at practice. I’ve been doing weighted underwater work and (using) parachutes, to improve technique and tempo. I’ve been focused on the 50 because underwater makes up a huge portion of the 50.”

While Smith has great work ethic, he’s also had a rotating door of coaches at Academy at the Lakes. He’s had some great coaching from the Florida Elite Swimming Club at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex’s pool, but he’s also taken on the role of not only coaching himself, but younger swimmers, as well.

“I think every year I’ve had a different coach,” he said. “It’s kind of found me adapting to a different coaching style, but I’ve also found a way to coach myself, so it’s not so chaotic — but I have loved helping people learn their own way through that, just like I did.

“Anywhere I know something, I make sure to say something, because this is what this is all about: self-improvement in your own style,” he added. “I do feel like a coach, since I’ve been the oldest on the team for a while, so I’ve got all the little secrets going on.”

Senior Nate Smith, who has had an illustrious high school career, has been working on all his techniques leading into his final chance at securing a higher place at the state swimming championships in November.

His current coach, now of two years, Anjel Clemente, agrees — Nate is as much as coach as he is.

“(Nate and McKenna) kind of grew up running and establishing the program, really since they were in middle school,” Clemente said. “Even as an underclassman, he took the reins of being a leader and setting the precedent of what the program should be and what it wanted — he’s a fantastic leader.

“Before I got here, (the program) was, I was told, going through a coach a year, so that’s pretty hard for the kids to get continuous leadership. That was something I wanted to encourage, but for him, he started off leading by example, but as he got older, he did more so by being vocal and leading that way.

“He makes sure kids are learning the things when they don’t have a coach in the water because he’s been like a coach in the water.”

Clemente, who also coaches swimming at Cypress Creek High in Wesley Chapel, does recognize how Nate is following in McKenna’s wake, but definitely points out he’s made a name for himself with impressive seasons.

“He is one of the best in the state,” Clemente added. “It says a lot when he’s competing in the fastest class in the state — for him to be able to stay at the top and compete at the top and progress at the top. It just shows you how good he is.

“It’s his technique, and fine-tuning it, and really nailing out the fine details of a perfect, quick race — that’ll be the difference from something like sixth place to third place or even higher.”

As the season plays out, Nate will continue to work. He’ll hope to continue to improve and definitely look to follow his sister’s lead to a great state finish.

“I feel I have already improved some,” Nate said. “I feel I know what it takes since I’ve been seeing it for a while now. I saw it through years of watching my sister and even helping out coaching, so now, I just need to do it.”

Class 1A Swimming State Championships
When: Nov. 4
Where: FAST (Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training), 4635 SW 67th Ave., Ocala
Info: Visit FHSAA.com/sports/swim

Published September 27, 2023