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Land O' Lakes Sports

Prep swimmer looking to make a splash at states

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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

There’s no catching these Seahawks

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The Seahawks can fly.

On the course, on the track, on the road — every year they soar to the state tournament as Pasco County’s most dominant cross-country team for nearly a decade.

Even as Sunlake loses arguably its greatest runner to graduation, both the boys and girls cross-country teams have circled a date with the state tournament in Tallahassee in November.

“I think these teams, both of them, are, as we like to say, podium teams,” said longtime boys and girls coach Randall Reeves, who enters his 11th season at the helm. “We basically do the same thing year after year and don’t change things up.

“It’s all about dedication,” he added. “If I get a group of kids who show up for practices, we’re going to states. None of these kids do this just as a hobby. They’re in it for all the right reasons and they don’t come out here just to run around.

Sunlake High junior cross-country runner Cade Culpepper, left, and senior runner Abigail Williams look to lead their respective Seahawks squads right back to the Class 4A state championships, where both the boys and girls teams placed sixth out of 32 teams in 2022. (Mike Camunas)

“We keep it simple, and that’s working for us. Why change what works when it’s that simple?”

For years now, what Reeves has done has worked. In 2022, both the boys and girls teams finished sixth at the Class 4A state tournament, which continues a streak of dominance by the Seahawks. The teams have advanced to states seven straight seasons, as well won the Sunshine Athletic Conference title seven years in a row.

Both teams also are the top ranked teams in Class 4A.

Capping it all off, former top runner Alex Pena was fifth overall at cross-country states, as well as the 1600-meter state champion in track.

But each year, Sunlake seems to reload, or even get better, as the youth on the team get older, faster and stronger.

“I have 16 boys and I have 16 girls,” Reeves said. “Some teams in Florida have 30, 40 runners — we just faced a team that had something like 70 boys. … But this way we can get the best out of the top runners, get them on the podium. Sometimes, less is more.”

Despite losing its top runner, Sunlake — both the boys and the girls — might be adding more with subtraction.

On the girls side, the Seahawks return top runner, senior Abigail Williams, who finished 41st at states in 2022 after a “bad race.” She’s got her eyes on the podium and is looking to top her personal best with a sub-18-minute race.

Additionally, the girls also have Kailyn Ford, who was 51st at states. The team also can turn to a plethora of talented runners in Avery Pham, Katelin Wilcox, Kaitlyn Zabrocki and Leah Foster.

“I think that we are expecting to improve this year (at states),” Williams said. “I also think we can get way higher than we did last year. I want to get on the podium and I think the team could get on the podium, too.

“We’ve worked all summer, done a lot of mileage and I think we’ve just gotten better.”

On the boys side, junior Cade Culpepper is looking to improve his 52nd-place finish at states, while the Hindman brothers, Christian (43rd) and Josh (156th), also are eyeing better finishes. Rounding out the top of the roster is Oscar Brown (110th) and Joaquin Abansas.

“We’ve got a great group of boys that are striving to do even better at states,” Culpepper said. “Even though it was, technically, a good finish last year, we’re looking for a lot more at states. That’s what we’re trying to do this year: take advantage of the boys we have and go for a much better finish — a podium spot.”

While Culpepper has been posting the best boys time so far, Reeves points out all five of the team’s top runners could be No. 1.

That, however, is a great problem to have.

“It’s a very good thing that we’re all close on times because we’re pushing each other,” Culpepper added. “All the top five boys are right there next to each other and it just makes you want to work harder for the top spot.

“You want to beat your teammates and have that edge, but competitiveness just helps us as a team overall, because if we’re all pushing each other that much, we’re just going to be better as a team.”

And while three of the top five runners for the girls are freshman, Williams agrees.

“Yeah, but they’re really fast,” she said with a sly smile.

Throughout the season, Reeves doesn’t plan to change a thing — continuing to keep his strategy simple.

Because it works as the Seahawks continue to soar.

“I don’t do crazy workouts, I don’t mess with what works for (our runners),” Reeves said. “I don’t bring in any funky workouts. A lot of young coaches will come in and do this funky stuff and routines and weird stretches.

“I go back to what I did in high school because my coach is in a hall of fame in Ohio. I’m old school, so I’m going to keep it simple because the finishes speak for themselves over the years.”

Published September 13, 2023

A look inside the huddle

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Some say a football team is a family.

And Land O’ Lakes High coach Dan Goodspeed knows that a football family includes the moms, sisters, grandmothers and aunts. In the case of the Gators, specifically, the Women of Blue.

Dan Goodspeed

The Gators coaching staff and football team hosted nearly 65 women for its first ladies clinic, which is expected to become an annual event. The clinic is part of an initiative to include, and educate, women more about the game, by discussing topics such as play calling strategies, player safety, equipment, nutrition and hydration.

Goodspeed, a former NFL lineman who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they won Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, borrowed the idea from the Bucs, which has the Women of Red. That version does a similar event and also provides in-season exclusive content and team updates.

“I used to go speak at (The Women of Red Ladies Clinic), and (owner and president of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation) Darcie Glazer (Kassewitz) always does a great job with it,” Goodspeed said. “It’s held in the Club Section at Raymond James Stadium, and the women would go from station to station, learning different aspects of the game.

“My station was describing the playbook,” he added. “We would show there’s rhyme and reason to what we do — like a chess game, that we’re not just out there trying to run into each other. We show the real reason why we play football.”

Land O’ Lakes High Football coaches spoke to the Women of Blue, at Stonewater Grill on Aug. 1. The coaches and team hosted a Ladies Clinic to speak to the moms, sisters, aunts, grandmoms and women of the football players or other women interested in learning more about the sport and game. Topics covered included player safety and play calling. (Courtesy of Dan Goodspeed)

Although Goodspeed set out to emulate the Buccaneers, his initial source of inspiration was his mom — especially because she was concerned about his safety when he began playing football in high school.

“It is a violent sport,” Goodspeed said. “She thought I would just get all crunched up, but we wanted to show that we make sure their boys are safe. They’re young adults, and we want them to make it through the season.

“Football is the greatest sport,” he added. “Many of these guys aren’t going to play football in college, but we feel (the clinic) lets (the players) be able to sit down with parents on the weekend and tell them exactly what they did or have a conversation about what is happening when watching games.”

The Gators had stations at its Ladies Clinic, but there was a heavy emphasis on player safety. Goodspeed and his staff brought in old and newer equipment — helmets and shoulder pads — to show how it has improved over time and how it will protect the players.

Additionally, an anonymous donor gave the team 85 guardians caps – the new padding that goes outside the helmet that is designed to cut down up to 12% of the force of a hit. The women also were invited to try on the equipment to find out how it feels inside the helmet.

Zaida Abel enthusiastically tries on football equipment at the Women of Blue event hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High football team.

“Honestly, my biggest take-away was feeling very comfortable that my child was in good hands,” said Lisa Campbell, whose son, Zach, is a junior tight end on the team. “We got to meet all the coaches and each was more caring than the next, so I know when I’m not there, they are in good hands, whether he’s 5 or a junior.

“So, you can see that they’re not all about win, win, win,” she added. “They care about safety and are concerned with making things better, and as safe as possible.”

Campbell said she enjoyed hearing coaches at the stations addressing various aspects of the sport, such as playcalling and designing plays with X’s and O’s.

She especially enjoyed the clap cadence drill, with the coaches trying to get the women to clap at the same time like in a huddle.

“They got all the moms, grandmoms, sisters, aunts, neighbors — all the women and gave us a run down on all the positions,” Campbell said. “They showed us that football is great and that they love it, but they love also developing the man, the full student, the full player — to become a good man. I think we were all very impressed.

“Many of the women were pretty comfortable in their knowledge of football coming in, but they then saw what we were trying to do on both sides of the ball,” Goodspeed added. “They’re very sharp and picked it up and understood it all very quickly, but still had plenty of questions. … As parents, when (the kids) get to high school, I think they know time is running out, and they’re going to go out on their own lives, so this really lets them still be a part of their lives, just on the football field.”

And that is important to Campbell, a bookkeeper at Sanders Elementary, who knows full well how quickly time at school can go. To her, she feels every team should have its own version of the Women of Blue.

“I don’t know if everyone could do it, but it is a real bonus,” Campbell said. “We’re appreciative of it and had a great time with it and learned why our boys are passionate about football. It gave us a real look of what happens behind the face mask.”

The Women of Blue listen in as Gators coaches go over the X’s and O’s of football play calling.

Land O’ Lakes High Football 2023 Schedule
Aug. 18 at Lakeland Victory Christian (preseason, 7 p.m.)
Aug. 25 at River Ridge
Sept. 1 vs. Anclote
Sept. 8 at Williston
Sept. 15 vs. Zephyrhills
Sept. 29 at Mitchell
Oct. 6 vs. Nature Coast
Oct. 13 vs. Springstead
Oct. 20 at Sunlake
Oct. 27 vs Wiregrass Ranch
Nov. 3 at Pasco

* All games start at 7:30 p.m.

Published August 16, 2023

Pooling together their elite talent

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These swimmers are off the deep end.

For competitive swimming, that is.

The Florida Elite Warriors swimming team, based out of the pool complex at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, has, for years, been producing some of the top swimmers in the area — with athletes being locally and nationally ranked.

Florida Elite Swimming member Hailey McArdle works on her breast stroke technique during a June 23 practice at Land O’ Lakes Swimming Pool, 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes. McArdle is one of several swimmers with the longtime program that has produced state and nationally ranked athletes that compete all over the country, as well as go on to become some of the best high school swimmers in the area and state. (Mike Camunas)

It looks to continue doing just that, especially with Guerby Ruuska, the team’s second-year head coach.

“We always talk about quality over quantity,” Ruuska said. “There’s a place for kicking kids’ butts — but what they need to do here, and what we try to do, is really focus on technique. … We have a lot of kids who come from other clubs and say the same thing — they didn’t get the teaching techniques they get here, and we, and they, just want (the team) culture to be really fun and light.

“On deck, coaches won’t be screaming at kids, so our lessons work, because they’re on how to swim and how to be good people out of the pool.

“They don’t get that somewhere else.”

Ruuska, while a relatively young coach, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the pool deck.

Originally from Haiti, he swam for Manchester University in Indiana and was even slated to swim for his home country in the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020 before those were postponed by COVID.

“After that, I put my suit and goggles away and started coaching,” Ruuska said. “I mean, yeah, I still get in, but the kids are kicking my butt now.”

Jayden Rodriguez comes up for air during a practice lap for Florida Elite Swimming at Land O’ Lakes Swimming Pool.

Ruuska also coaches at Sunlake High, which is a perfect transition for both him as a coach and the swimmers. Florida Elite works as a “feeder system” to local high schools, such as Sunlake, Land O’ Lakes, Wiregrass Ranch and Cypress Creek.

Florida Elite has been doing this for years, and its swimmers are very competitive for both the club and their schools.

“We’ve kind of become the aquatic hub for Pasco County, so we just want to provide something for all the kids in the area,” Ruuska said. “We also want to be the competitive place for the swimmers who want to take it to the next level.

“We just want to be a home for all the swimmers, wherever they come from and wherever they want to go,” he added. “Of course, we get all the locals and national-level kids. So, for us, when the swimmers are here, high school is seen as the cherry on top.

“It may be a big goal, but it’s not the end goal for this club.”

Coach Guerby Ruuska, with Florida Elite Swimming, who has been with the team for two years now, gives pacing and timing instructions to his swimmers during practice.

The Warriors compete in swimming events and competitions consistently — they also have a synchronized swimming team — but they also can start a new swimmer from the kiddie pool. The team doesn’t just take already polished swimmers — it develops the new, young talent as soon as they dive on in.

It’s why the athletes come to Florida Elite in the first place — for proven results.

“There’s not a team like this anywhere,” said Owen Kerrigan, an incoming freshman at Land O’ Lakes High that excels in the 50-meter freestyle. “The coaches are awesome, the swimmers are fabulous, and we work a lot on technique and don’t just jump in the pool and count strokes.

“I’ve been with other teams, and this one is just better. … The last place I was at, he was an Olympic swimmer, but he didn’t even really swim and wasn’t really paying attention to detail.

“Here, I’m dropping time and that’s huge.”

Warriors teammate Hisrusha Idippili-Pathiranage, who returned to the team three years ago and excels in the 50-meter butterfly, agrees.

“(My old) team wasn’t really fixing my technique,” she said. “They thought I was fine, but I came back here, and (Elite) fixed it, and I got better. I saw that as soon as I got back here. They knew exactly what I needed to do, what drills I needed, and I see improvement here.”

Idippili-Pathiranage added that swimming also helps her with other sports, which is a bonus, as she looks to expand her athletic portfolio.

“The more we work together, the more it pays off,” she said. “(Swimming here) gives me improvement, but it also helps me with other sports, because I’m probably going to do track. That’s a lot of running, so here swimming (at Elite) is going to help me with that, too.”

Florida Elite Swimming

Where: Land O’ Lakes Swimming Pool, 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes

Details: Florida Elite Aquatics is an inclusive, fun and instructive aquatics program that teaches its members to love aquatic sports from lessons to national level competition, with both a swimming team and a synchro team. The club strives to show the value of hard work, dedication and determination in and out of the water by providing a safe, healthy and positive environment.

Info: Visit SwimElite.org or the team’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/FloridaEliteSwimming, or call 813-279-5443.

Published July 12, 2023

Cameron Dunn takes a deep breath before her next stroke at Land O’ Lakes Swimming Pool.
Lucy McKenzie grabs onto the wall at Land O’ Lakes Swimming Pool to catch her breath during a practice session.
including 8-year-olds through high-schoolers.

Gators continue softball dominance with state tourney appearance 

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For Mitch Wilkins, and his Land O’ Lakes High Softball Team, it’s all about expecting the unexpected.

That’s what keeps the team grounded. And it’s also what keeps the Gators a dominant force season after season, including this year when they made a Class 6A state semifinal appearance for the second time in the past three seasons.

“We do have high expectations every year, but we don’t play the season that way,” the longtime coach said.

The Land O’ Lakes High Softball Team traveled to Clermont to play in the Class 6A state semifinal on May 26 vs. Pace, but ultimately lost 3-0. They finished the season with a 19-12 record. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High Athletics)

“We look at it one game at a time and at the beginning of every season, we tell the girls, we’re not going to talk about (the postseason) until we get there. We look at each game individually — we take it one opponent at a time.

“And they may talk about it amongst themselves,” Wilkins added. “They might say to each other that it will be cool to (go back to the state semifinals) and have their own expectations, but we just don’t go looking too far ahead into the season.

“Because anything can happen.”

Despite that, as well as being written off as a team that couldn’t make it as far as the Gators did, Land O’ Lakes made it back to the Class 6A state tournament. However, the Gators ultimately fell 3-0 to Pace High on May 26, in a game in which their bats were held at bay and their batters struck out 17 times. 

“In that game, at the plate, we didn’t make the adjustments to finally break through,” Wilkins said. “We did get runners to second and third (base), but couldn’t get that key hit.”

Pace’s Jayden Heavener was the culprit that kept Land O’ Lakes (19-12) scoreless and held to just a single hit by senior Hannah Purcell. Heavener has been a thorn in the Gators side since she was a freshman in 2021, when two years ago, in the same 6A state semifinal, Heavener struck out 10 Gators.

However, Land O’ Lakes was able to get to the pitcher in the seventh and advance to the state championship, though had to settle for being the 6A runner up.

“We kept in the game,” Wilkins said. “We kept it close. As a coach, you can’t ask for more from your players.”

That was in big part due to senior pitcher Aliana Mercado, who, as Wilkins put it, “pitched her heart out.”

The Gators advanced to the Class 6A state final four with a 3-0 win over Bloomingdale on May 19. (Courtesy of Chantalle Spencer)

Mercado pitched the whole game, allowing three runs on three hits. She struck out seven. The Sunshine Athletic Conference East Pitcher of the Year finished the season with a 15-6 record, 167 strikeouts and a 2.02 ERA.

“I’d love to brag about my girls and how well they’ve done, but they still had to go out there and earn the respect and the wins,” Wilkins said.

“And this season, I think they did.”

And brag Wilkins will, as humble as he can still be.

While Wilkins is losing eight graduating seniors, he knows that players such as catcher Makenna Bellaire (.400 avg., 38 hits, 17 RBI, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 3 homers), second baseman Jadyn Spencer (.333 avg., 30 hits, 10 RBI, 7 doubles) and Purcell (.341 avg., 29 hits, 17 RBI, 8 doubles, triple, 3 homers) were key players for the Gators, especially down the stretch.

This also includes the return of centerfielder Nicol Werking, who was able to make it back in time for a postseason push after breaking her hand at the start of the season. Wilkins says getting Werking back was a stabilizing force in the outfield. But he reiterated injuries like this are among the factors that can influence a team’s performance each season.

Senior pitcher Aliana Mercado finished her final season as a Gator with a 15-6 record. She struck out 167 batters with a 2.02 ERA and three shutouts. (Courtesy of Chantalle Spencer)

“This is why you just look at one game at a time because you never know what could happen,” he said. “Plus, it’s a challenge to get (to the state tournament) and that is why we play a tough schedule every year, not to just prepare them for the postseason, but because strength of schedule helps us get into regionals without winning the district tournament.”

Indeed, the Gators did not win a district championship this season and were the No. 5 seed in the region tournament.

Wilkins feels losing 7-6 in 10 innings to Sickles in the district tournament told the players all they needed to know about advancing deep into the postseason once again.

“We did it without some of our key players (Mercado and third baseman Jailal Mitchell)” he added. “After that, they knew they could play with anyone.”

Which is how Wilkins and the returning Gators feel headed into this offseason. Even though they still won’t look too far ahead to what’s in store for 2024.

“I will tell you, next year, we will be competitive, and that’s the most you’ll get out of me,” Wilkins said with a laugh. “We’re not going to get too ahead of ourselves and say we’ll be great and, to me, that’s not being humble — it’s just where we need to be.

“We can come out with high expectations and small things can happen again and you’re not as good as you expected.

“But I’m really proud of our girls,” he added. “They give themselves an opportunity every year to compete at the highest levels and it takes skill, and a little bit of luck to go (as far as we did). Once they get to the playoffs, they really turn it up a notch and I love seeing that every year.”

Published June 07, 2023

Their field of dreams

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They built it because it was time.

But now, after two decades, Academy at the Lakes finally has an outdoor sports field at its campus, off Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

The Academy at the Lakes softball team hosted its very first home game on campus, on March 28, making it the school’s first varsity team to be able to play on the school’s home field. The school’s outdoor teams, for years, have been hosting home games at remote locations. The Wildcats’ arguably most successful sports program has been awarded a field, nestled just off Collier Parkway and behind Myrtle Lake Baptist Church off State Road 54. More amenities will be coming, such as additional stands, dugouts, a scoreboard and eventually restrooms and a concession stand. For now, though, it’s the home of the Wildcats softball team, whose record includes state titles in 2018 and 2019. Academy at the Lakes broke in the new field by defeating Hernando Christian, 16-1. (Mike Camunas)

The new field belongs to arguably the longstanding private school’s most successful sports program: the Wildcats softball team.

“I’ve been here since I was a freshman,” junior pitcher Sydney Klein said, “and everyone has always talked about not having sports fields here, and to be the first to get it is an honor.

“I also feel like we’re a very successful sport at this school, so it feels like an accomplishment — like this team and program has earned it.”

The softball team makes a strong case, especially when it’s not too far removed from winning back-to-back state championships in 2018 and 2019.

Also, this isn’t exactly a new field. It’s been a team practice field and is technically on loan from the adjacent Myrtle Lake Baptist Church and L.Y.F, an adult center for individuals with special needs.

Throughout the school’s history, its teams have always hosted “home games” remotely. For example, the Wildcats baseball team now hosts its games at Wendell Krinn Technical School, which was formerly Ridgewood High.

The soccer teams and 8-man football team host games up the road, at the fields at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Academy at the Lakes senior infielder Nidgi Schnaeidr celebrates the opening ceremony of the Wildcats’ first-ever home game on campus.

Longtime athletic director Tom Haslam said the softball team did play a game on the field tucked behind Crunch Fitness, at the corner of Collier Parkway and State Road 54. But that was 13 years ago.

And, it was a disaster.

“There was no fence, just a backstop and an infield,” Haslam said. “It was such a dust bowl. … So we’ve built a pretty good (softball) program for not having a home field. I mean, two state championships without your own field — no matter who you are, that’s impressive.”

Bringing the field to life took work, according to Haslam and fourth-year softball coach Elizabeth Munn. After back-and-forth negotiations with the friendly church and adult center neighbors, Haslam says it was all hands on deck for about a month and a half to get the field ready for the March 28 game.

“It really was a team effort to get it done,” Munn said. “We’ve been talking about it since last year, but we needed to do a lot of renovation to make it playable at the high school level.

“It was important to get this when I came on (as coach),” she added. “The parents of the girls have had the best interest of them and the program to make sure we had our own field.”

Academy at the Lakes junior pitcher Sydney Klein, left, and junior shortstop Juliana Ries cheer for their teammate at bat during the Wildcats first-ever home game on the school’s first-ever outdoors home field on campus.

Haslam said the parents — such as Klein’s family and the family of outfielder Ava Parry — were instrumental in helping get the field ready for hosting games, especially since “It’s not a budget field, it’s not a cheap field,” adding it is “also done right and the way we want it, which was important, too.”

However, the way they want the field is not complete. Haslam says there is a “laundry list” of add-ons, improvements and just basic work still ahead. 

For starters, they want to build proper dugouts and scoreboard, as well as improve the fencing, the foul poles and redo the backstop. Eventually, needed amenities such as restrooms and a concession stand will be added.

“We can’t wait to make it even better,” Klein said.

And the Wildcats christened their home field the right way: a 16-1 drubbing of Hernando Christian.

Klein struck out seven and allowed just a walk and no hits through three innings, when the game ended because it was mercy ruled. Juliana Ries and Kiana Wright each drove in two RBI, while Katie Ferguson, Alina Ries, Adelaide Aliano and Klein all drove in a run apiece.

Shannon Kendall’s three-run homer sealed the game as it was the first homer on the home field — a bragging right she was trying to get, too.

“It was kind of a goal of mine, since Molly (Blackwood) is out and she’s our other power hitter,” Kendall said. “Well, a couple of my friends were like, you need to hit one for her at the first game at our own field and break it in for everyone.”

“And, we hope everyone who came out and supported us enjoyed themselves at the very first outdoor home game at Academy at the Lakes.”

Published April 05, 2023

Academy at the Lakes softball coach Elizabeth Munn celebrates the Wildcats 16-1 win over Hernando Christian on March 28. It was the team’s first time playing on their own home field, and they won it in style.
Players on the Academy at the Lakes softball team look on in excitement and happiness during the opening ceremony of the Wildcats’ new softball field.
Wildcats’ eighth-grader Kiana Wright listens to her coach following the team’s first home win on campus on March 28.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wildcats junior shortstop Juliana Ries heads home during the Wildcats’ 16-1 over Hernando Christian on March 28.
Adelaide Aliano runs through a team gauntlet when lineups were called during the opening ceremony on March 28.
Academy at the Lakes softball coach Elizabeth Munn happily throws out the first pitch on March 28 to commemorate the first game at the Wildcats home field. The school’s varsity outdoor teams, for years, have been hosting home games at remote locations, but the softball team now has the first on-campus field.

Seahawks girls soccer makes history this season

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Believe it or not, the Seahawks have never won a district championship.

That’s quite remarkable because the girls soccer team just made program history with its first state tournament appearance.

“I have five district runner-up trophies,” said longtime coach Jami Finan, who just finished her 12th season at the helm. “But this year, we got redemption.”

In program history, the team tends to lose out to nearby rival Land O’ Lakes. The Gators have taken the title, over Sunlake, five times.

The Sunlake Seahawks girls soccer team made history this season by making the program’s first state tournament appearance, and by winning its first-ever regional game. The Seahawks, led by longtime coach Jami Finan, went 13-3-1, including a 3-0 dominant win over nearby rival Land O’ Lakes High School in the region final on Feb. 14. (Courtesy of Cristian Ortiz)

This year’s redemption for the Seahawks (13-3-1), however, was historic because in the past, they’ve made the region tournament, but always bowed out in the quarterfinals — the first round.

“We’ve had a lot of great players come through the program,” Finan said, “but this season they played very well together and when they got the tactics down of playing together, that got them through to the next round.”

Despite a 2-1 loss to the Gators (15-6-3) in the district final match on Jan. 31 — but a 4-4 regular season tie on Dec. 13 — Sunlake finally made it out of the first round, thanks to a resounding 4-1 over Fort Myers Riverdale on Feb. 7.

This led to a home match hosting Sickles on Feb. 10, with the Seahawks winning 3-2 in dramatic, penalty-kick fashion.

“I think that, 100%, the student body, family members and our followers made it a totally different atmosphere (against Sickles),” Finan said. “Girls soccer has been good, but having some regional games on campus really let people see how next level we can be. … Because of (those games), the players became stars on campus or even when they were out and having dinner and people would congratulate them.

“Maybe, at a regular season game, we’d have about 20 (people) in the stands,” Finan added, “but with the regional games, there were so many more kids than I had ever seen at a soccer game.”

That atmosphere was also a factor in the region final — the rematch vs. Land O’ Lakes.

Finan knew she and her players would have to attack the game differently, especially against coaching legend Vicky King.

“We switched it up against Land O’ Lakes and moved people around (at positions and matchups) and just really capitalized on that,” Finan said. “We outplayed and out coached them.”

Not only did Sunlake beat Land O’ Lakes for the first time in five years, the Seahawks beat them by halftime, 3-0, which was the final score.

“That’s unheard of against them,” Finan admitted.

The win — fueled by two goals from junior Taylor Campbell, who tied the team record for most goals (26) and assists (15) in a season — propelled the Seahawks to their first state tournament appearance.

However, Sunlake would run into a gauntlet of a team in Miami Lourdes Academy, which is ranked eighth in the nation and sixth in Florida. Despite it being just 2-0 at halftime, a couple of quick goals — including one in which the referees didn’t check to see if goalkeeper Samantha Barnes was ready before kickoff — took the wind out of the players sails.

It was a tough game, but Sunlake did manage a goal, coming from sophomore Adia Symmonds, and her goal was the first scored against Lourdes in 11 games.

“It was a very stressful situation, not just because of the game and the opponent, but we didn’t know how we were getting there until the last minute,” Finan said. “But the whole school came to clap us out to the bus, and once on there, we were able to enjoy the trip down and the experience of being in the state tournament.

“Of course, we wanted it to go differently on the field, but it was very rewarding to see our team go to states.”

Now, having made history, Finan, and her team, have no plans on taking a step back. The Seahawks lose just three starting seniors, but return Campbell, Barnes (109 saves), Symmonds (16 goals) and Inna Neves (10 goals).

Besides, they have unfinished business.

“We have a very young team, so we’re locked and loaded for next year,” Finan said. “Now, it’s time to finally get that district title (laughs).”

Published March 01, 2023

Love serving little ones a tennis program

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Ryan O’Connor was a preemie.

He required lots of physical therapy due to hypertonia: a condition of too much muscle tone, making arms or legs stiff and hard to move.

Sophomore Ryan O’Connor gives a lob to a young tennis player during a session of Adaptive Tennis, a program he started at Land O’ Lakes High School. (Mike Camunas)

The Land O’ Lakes High sophomore International Baccalaureate (IB) student also took up youth tennis, which, in turn, helped him develop his muscles “where they needed to be.”

Now, O’Connor has turned his childhood adversity, and training, into a passion project that has been endorsed both by his school and the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

O’Connor created Tennis Starts With Love, an after-school adaptive program for children 10 or younger, which provides equipment and drills to work on hand-eye coordination, balance, dexterity or foot coordination issues.

All of this comes at no cost to the parents.

“This has been a passion project of mine,” said O’Connor, who is the No. 2 seed on the Gators boys tennis team. “I always wanted to bring my training in tennis to a place where I could make a difference. I worked on this proposal for almost a year and through the generosity of the USTA and my school’s blessing, this program finally has come together.

“I think, over time, it will definitely become more organized, but it is getting better each and every time we come out and run around and work on drills.”

Maxim Cohen, a 5-year-old from Land O’ Lakes, prepares to return a volley during a session of Adaptive Tennis at Land O’ Lakes High School. On Friday afternoons, Land O’ Lakes sophomore Ryan O’Conner, with the help of a few volunteer friends, leads less than 10 tennis players, ages 10 or younger, through drills to help them work on hand-eye coordination, balance, dexterity or foot coordination issues. It was a passion project of O’Connor, a sophomore tennis player for the Gators, and thanks to a generous donation and backing from the United States Tennis Association, he provides the program for free.

The program started in November and has had great success so far. O’Connor and other volunteers work with about a half-dozen players at the weekly, hourlong training session held Fridays at the courts on campus.

The kids run through warm-up and ball drills before putting in their hands the racquets provided by the USTA.

Parents watch from mini-bleachers as their kids overcome apprehensiveness and take to the physical activity and tennis instructions.

“He loves it,” said Rhona Fox, a Land O’ Lakes, whose 5-year-old son, Maxim Cohen, takes part in the program. “He’s home-schooled and starts kindergarten in August, so we’re using it as an opportunity to see what he likes — soccer, baseball, swimming, and now it’s tennis, which we love, too, because it’s ongoing. We’ll plan to be here as long as the coach keeps doing it.”

O’Connor noted: “We’re just trying to teach the coordination and dexterity of it all while incorporating a little bit of tennis. We go very slowly, step by step and then move forward with tennis. I really just want to focus on coordination and I know tennis will come to them.”

O’Connor said the program will run through the school year (end of May), and will accept more kids, but no more than eight to 10 because of his limited help. The program welcomes more volunteers.

The kids, however, are loving Tennis Starts With Love.

Alex Hackney, 4, of Land O’ Lakes, isn’t razzing the tennis ball, but gearing up to make a big return over the net during a session of Adaptive Tennis at Land O’ Lakes High School.

“It’s fun to be able to do this,” said player Merina Paulson, a 9-year-old from Lutz.  “I like being out there and playing and then we can hit the ball. That’s been a lot of fun.”

“I’ve learned how to hit the ball and get it over the net,” her brother, J.D., 6, added. “And, when I did (hit) it, it went over the net and that was pretty cool.”

The parents see their kids’ desire for the program.

“(This is) pretty much the only thing he gets in the car for, (laughs),” Fox said. “Usually, we have to chase him around, but he is always ready to come to tennis.

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to see him play this sport and also be with other kids.”

In the end, nothing makes a passionate project more worthwhile than, well, the passion for it.

“They are very passionate about it,” O’Connor said. “Tennis is an expensive sport and there are not many programs that are taking on younger children who might benefit from the muscular movements involved with tennis.

“So, when parents say that when Friday comes and their kids are very excited to come here, that’s, obviously, something that makes us very excited.”

Tennis Starts With Love Adaptive Program
When: Fridays, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Land O’ Lakes High, 20325 Gator Lane
Cost: Free
Details: A weekly, hourlong tennis program that benefits children, ages 10 or younger, by providing equipment and drills to work on hand-eye coordination, balance, dexterity or foot coordination issues. The program will run through the rest of the school year (end of May) and has a few openings available. Volunteers to help coach are welcome, too.
Info: Contact Ryan O’Connor at or 813-997-4613.

Published February 08, 2023

Merina Paulson, 9, of Lutz, works on her returns of soft volleys while working hard during the Adaptive Tennis Program at Land O’ Lakes High.
Land O’ Lakes High freshman Haily Salas works with 6-year-old J.D. Paulson during an hourlong Adaptive Tennis session.
Violet Swift, 7, of Land O’ Lakes, drives forward to return a volley during Adaptive Tennis.
Parents happily and proudly watch from the small stands at the tennis courts at Land O’ Lakes High School, as their kids run drills during Adaptive Tennis, which is after school on Fridays.

Players display skills at local tourney

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D.J. Ward, of Wesley Chapel, drives the basketball through two defenders during the Adult 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament on Jan. 21. (Mike Camunas)

Sometimes the calls went a certain way, just like the ball would fall through the hoop a certain way.

All in all, dozens of local basketball players laced up sneakers on Jan. 21 to play in the Adult 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament at the gym at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. They had a blast and showed off hoops action for each other and spectators who attended.

Teams, made up of up to five adults all over 18, competed. The games began in the morning and went into the afternoon. Each team was guaranteed two games.

Play was relegated to a half-court. Scoring was reduced to one point for a regular basket and two points for a shot made beyond the three-point line.

Snacks and beverages were provided, including some from Aroma Joe’s, which was handing out A.J.’s Rush energy drinks.

Overall, the play was intense and competitive.

When they weren’t playing, however, the players enjoyed watching other games — and rooted for the competitors on the courts.

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David Senyak, of Tampa, makes a pass during the Adult 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament at the gym at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Jan. 21.
Temple Terrace player Chris Gaines engages in a little keep-away during one of his games in the 3-v-3 basketball tournament.
Land O’ Lakes referee Richard Bolack makes a fun call during the Adult 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Jan. 21.
Land O’ Lakes resident Justin Pipes, left, is defended by Lutz resident Andy Luaces, during the Adult 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament at the gym at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. Teams could have up to five players for subs and were guaranteed two games, as fans, and players on the other teams, would stand by to watch some good recreational basketball.
Land O’ Lakes player Dante Cannon drives past Lutz player Andy Luaces, as Cannon heads to the basket for a layup in the Adult 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament at the gym at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.
Nick McElroy, of Tampa, takes a shot from well beyond the line on Jan. 21.
Clearwater player Herwick Pressoir readies to run a play while dribbling the ball at the top of the court.
Basketball action was on full display at the gym at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Jan. 21.
Andy Luaces, of Lutz, takes a long shot during the Adult 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament on Jan. 21.
New Tampa player K’Vaughn Joyner, left, and Wesley Chapel player Peter Schnidmiller take a breather on the bench during the Adult 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament at the gym at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

 

 

 

 

Brothers at the corners

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David Harris never had to push his sons.

In fact, Dylan, Dustin and Dakota were always pushing him.

From left, it’s the Harris men: Dustin, Dakota, David (their dad) and Dylan, with the three siblings running a baseball camp at Wesley Chapel District Park from Dec. 19 through Dec. 21. Each of the brothers had successful high school careers at Land O’ Lakes High. Each also has found success at the collegiate and professional levels. (Mike Camunas)

“They were always coming to me and like, ‘Dad, let’s go shag balls or come throw us BP (batting practice),’” the patriarch Harris recalls. “So it’s fun to be around that and to see them out here (coaching) — all the years coaching them, it’s now great to see them do a little coaching, too.” 

The Harris brothers had a three-day baseball camp at Wesley Chapel District Park, with about 45 youth, middle school and high school-aged players in attendance. The three ball-playing brothers brought a wealth of knowledge they each have gained, both collegiately and professionally, since being standout players at Land O’ Lakes High.

“Just having the three of us in town, we don’t really have that anymore,” said Dylan, the oldest brother. “Even our dad being able to take off work and help out — it’s been a great three days having us all out here.”

“It is rare for us all to be together, but it was great to work together and bring what we know about baseball to some of these local kids,” added Dustin, the middle brother.

Dakota Harris, a former Land O’ Lakes Gators baseball player and current University of Oklahoma shortstop, gives out some directions during the Harris Brothers Baseball Camp at Wesley Chapel District Park.

“I think having the kids out here and teaching them what our dad taught us, there’s nothing like it,” concluded Dakota, the youngest brother. “It’s where you’re quote unquote working, but it doesn’t feel like work when you’re doing what you love — baseball.”

Each Harris brother has found his own level of success since graduating from Land O’ Lakes. Dylan (2013) went on to play in college at Nova Southeastern and Saint Leo University, before spending a few years in the Cincinnati Reds minor leagues.

Dustin (2017) is now an outfielder on the Texas Rangers 40-man roster, meaning he will be headed to their Spring Training Camp in 2023. He’s coming off an incredible season that included 17 homers for the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate for the Rangers. He also went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the MLB Futures game: the all-star showcase for the top prospects in the minor leagues.

And Dakota (2020) is headed to the University of Oklahoma as switch-hitting shortstop after a stellar year at Polk State. He was named the National Junior College Athletic Association co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned a Rawlings Junior College Gold Glove thanks to a .973 fielding percentage, committing just four errors in 150 chances and assisting on 28 double plays.

Dustin Harris, a Texas Rangers outfielder, signs a camper’s shirt following a camp led by him and his brothers at Wesley Chapel District Park.

Dakota also had a .347 avg., 36 RBI, nine doubles and five homers at the plate and stole 15 bases.

What makes all this even more impressive is that while being scouted and recruited at Land O’ Lakes, the three brothers had very little in the way of college offers or draft potential.

“Well,” said David, a former minor league ballplayer for the then California Angels, “it was partially (late) growth spurts and partially hard work and then the competition between brothers didn’t hurt either. Dylan started it off and the other two wanted to emulate that.”

“I’ve been fortunate to have the year I had,” said Dustin, who was drafted in the 11th round by the Oakland A’s in the 2019 draft and acquired by the Rangers in 2020 for a player to be named later. “I was undersized (coming out of high school), but that just left a chip on my shoulder. After that, I just put in the time and work, and it paid off.”

Dakota definitely wanted to emulate a brother.

“Once Dustin got drafted out of a junior college, I knew that’s what I wanted to do — sign with a juco (junior college),” Dakota said. “That way I was able to play right away out of high school and that paid off, too.”

Dylan Harris, a former Land O’ Lakes High and Cincinnati Reds minor baseball player, is all smiles, as he hosts a skills camp with his brothers.

For now, the Harris brothers will enjoy being together in their hometown, before Dustin heads to Arizona to start preparing for Spring Training and Dakota heads to Norman, Oklahoma, to start his first season for the Sooners in February.

They considered the camp a success. They were able to pass on their collective baseball knowledge, but didn’t have to push the kids too hard.

“We have the knowledge, combined, from different schools and organizations that we can pass on,” Dylan said. “Baseball is definitely my passion and I’m still around it even though I’m not playing anymore. … It was 100% very cool to be around (my brothers) again.”

“We’d been talking about something like (this camp) for a while,” Dustin said. “I think it was a good showing. I learned a lot about coaching, too, and about how to teach kids the way to do things in baseball.”

“I mean, it’s baseball, and we love it,” Dakota added. “Dad has always been hitting us ground balls and pitching us BP, but it’s also brothers helping each other out. It’s great to be able to get either of them on the phone and just talk baseball for advice to the next at bat.

“That’s how it is for brothers in baseball.”

The Harris Brothers High School Career Batting Stats
Dylan Harris – Class of 2013
.397 avg., 89 hits, 76 runs, 41 RBI, 21 doubles, three triples, five home runs

Dustin Harris – Class of 2017
.415 avg., 68 hits, 50 runs, 28 RBI, 10 doubles, five triples

Dakota Harris – Class of 2020
.304 avg., 55 hits, 50 runs, 34 RBI, 13 doubles

Published December 28, 2022