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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local Sports

Getting a handle on biking trails 

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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.

(Mike Camunas)

“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

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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

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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

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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.

Darrin Wayne Horne

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

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

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’

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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

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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

Wildcats on course for a great season

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If there’s one thing the Wildcats are trying to avoid, it’s a sophomore slump.

With four of the team’s top five golfers being sophomores, it would be beneficial to the whole team for them to all play well and reach for their lofty goals.

They want to lower their scores, grab some medals and, of course, earn a berth in the Class 2A state tournament in November in Howey-in-the-Hills.

Sophomore Tien Do transferred to the Wildcats from New York and will immediately add to the team’s young core of players, most of whom are sophomores. (Mike Camunas)

“We are a young, up-and-coming team, and they’re looking great,” coach Josh Raskopf said. “The top five are four sophomores and one senior, so we’re very young, which isn’t bad at all, since all five can shoot in the 70s. 

“And the top five can change, too,” he added. “Which, as they say, is a good problem to have, since if one guy is having a bad day, the others can pick him up. “What we’re hoping for is good days from each guy and, hopefully, a trip to states,” he said.

Leading the pack of Wildcats, for now, is Tien Do, a transfer from New York. However, the team returns No. 2, Jacob Doonan, who shot an 83 at districts and an 87 at regionals in 2022.

Then, rounding out the sophomores are Carter Boynton and Camden Battey. And then there’s the lone senior of the bunch: Michael Hale, who shot a field-best 75 at the 2A-9 district tournament and a 78 at the regional tournament, narrowly missing a trip to states.

“Even more than how they play on the course, it’s about how great young men they are,” Raskopf said. “We had another young man from another team and he was the only guy on his team — just picked up clubs a couple days prior to the match and wanted to play.

“We’ve all been there, starting golf, and it’s great to see such a great group of guys, but then they can also play well, so that seems like a bonus.”

Wesley Chapel boys golfers, sophomore Jacob Doonan, left, and sophomore Tien Do lead a young Wildcats squad that has aspirations for a deep postseason run in Class 2A this season.

Indeed, it’s a tight team that very much welcomed Do into the fold. But with the other three sophomores, they have been classmates and junior golf partners for years.

“I’ve known and played with these guys on our team since, I don’t know, second or third grade,” Doonan said. “It helps that we know each other’s strengths, but that we can also rely on one another and it helps, or we help each other, on the course and range. I think we’re all pretty tight.”

Do agrees.

“All of us, out of the five, just four of us are sophomores, but we’re always at the same club — Hunter’s Green — practicing and always pushing each other,” he said. “We’re putting in the work in each match, each practice, trying to build a solid foundation off the group of guys we have, who are really good, in my opinion.

“It’s definitely a good problem to have where the top five guys can match each other, and we rely a lot on team chemistry. Hopefully we make it to states and win.”

Sophomore Jacob Doonan looks to improve on his 2022 season, in which he shot an 83 at districts and an 87 at regionals.

The Wildcats, ranked 22nd in Class 2A, will have their work cut out for them, for sure. Do, for example, is learning firsthand how many great golfers are just in Wesley Chapel.

“I’ve definitely seen that since coming here,” he added. “I’ve played with a lot of great players, but there are plenty here (in Wesley Chapel).”

For starters, nearby rival Cypress Creek is in the same district and coming off back-to-back state tournament appearances, finishing 13th in 2022 and sixth in 2021. In fact, the Wildcats already have a loss this season to the Coyotes, being edged by just two strokes.

“It’s going to take hard effort and not giving up,” Doonan said. “It’ll be a lot of practice and effort, but that’s every team, and I think we’re willing to put that in so we can all go further than we’ve been before.

“We know it’s a tough district, but we’ll have our chances, I think.”

At the end of the day, and a round of golf, the Wildcats know where they stand — and want to go. It’s the state tournament, which they feel is a very realistic goal.

“It’s going to take — to make it states — everyone firing on all cylinders especially at the end of the season,” Raskopf said. “We’re going to need a couple of guys making sure we’re the ones firing on all cylinders, so getting their head in the game and making sure we’re prepared for full matches, once the postseason starts.

“If we have a good day, I think we come out over (district opponents) because we feel like we’re always in the hunt, in any round.”

Class 2A-District 9 Boys Golf
Teams
Brooksville Central
Cypress Creek
Fivay
Gulf
Hernando
Hudson
Nature Coast
Pasco
River Ridge
Springstead
Weeki Wachee
Wesley Chapel
Zephyrhills

District tournament details
Host: Springstead
Where: Hernando Oaks Golf Club, 5230 Delacroix Drive, Brooksville
When: Oct. 23, 9 a.m.

Published September 20, 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

2023 Volleyball Team Previews

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With a new school year means the local high school volleyball teams are headed back to their respective courts, looking to spike the competition. Here’s our preview of the prep teams in our coverage area:

Pasco County
Academy of the Lakes
2022 record: 7-8
District: 2A-9
Coach: Jeffrey Saxton
Outlook: The Wildcats lose their top scorer, Malia Nelson (173 kills), but replenish their depleted roster with several incoming freshmen. Molly Blackwood, who is returning from a softball injury, had 92 kills last season.

Bishop McLaughlin
2022 record: 5-16
District: 3A-9
Coach: Elizabeth Klauka
Outlook: The Hurricanes are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, and will lean on the team’s returning top scorer, D’Yanna Spicer, who had 91 kills and 66 blocks, while Samanta Banner, also returning, added 48 kills.

Cypress Creek
2022 record: 17-8
District: 5A-5
Coach: Angel Ramirez
Outlook: The Coyotes had their best season in the program’s short history, however, nearby rivals, Wesley Chapel, were a powerhouse last season. While their season ended in the region semifinals to Merritt Island, the Coyotes, who lost 10 seniors, return outside hitter Addison Fast (55 kills) and Camryn Paradise (254 assists, 22 digs).

The Land O’ Lakes High Volleyball Team advanced to the Class 6A state tournament in 2022, and returns several of its star players this season. (File)

Land O’ Lakes
2022 record: 24-8
District: 6A-9
Coach: Emily Frazer
Outlook: The Gators get a new coach coming off its best season in program history that saw them reach the Class 6A state tournament, led by County Player of the Year Bella Horruitiner (284 kills, 31 aces, 211 digs), who returns for her senior season. Carissa Mixon also returns (219 kills), as does Katelyn Hurley (73 kills), while the Gators look to push past district rival Mitchell again for another deep postseason run and are ranked 14th in Class 5A.

Pasco
2022 record: 6-15
District: 5A-6
Coach: Ramiro Tejada
Outlook: The Pirates sit in a deep district with several teams, though look to lean on some of its tall outside hitters in Mylianna Lane, Karaline Burnap and Skye Gagne. Emma LeTourneau, who played at Wesley Chapel last season and had 171 kills, returns to the team this season.

Sunlake
2022 record: 13-10
District: 6A-9
Coach: Elyse Garcia
Outlook: The Seahawks return Kendyl Okin (117 kills, 43 blocks) and look to keep pace with the likes of in-town rival Land O’ Lakes and Mitchell. Okin will be helped at the net by outside hitter Elanah Hardeen (88 kills) and Zayda Thomas (56 kills).

Wesley Chapel senior Annabelle Grace Korta returns to a loaded Wildcats team after racking up 191 kills in 2022.

Wesley Chapel
2022 record: 23-6
District: 5A-5
Coach: Brittany Collison
Outlook: The Wildcats, coming off arguably the program’s best season that ended in the Class 5A state tournament, do lose one of the county’s top players in Chloe Danielson (1,031 career kills), but still return a wealth of talent, especially on the net. The team will have a power hitting attack from seniors Elizabeth Ekechi (201 kills, 85 digs, 45 blocks) and Annabell Grace Korta (191 kills, 59 digs, 38 blocks), while also returning is Brooke Ashkenase, who had 347 digs last year. The Wildcats are ranked fifth in Class 5A.

Wiregrass Ranch
2022 record: 12-10
District: 6A-10
Coach: Amy Strawser
Outlook: The Bulls were looking to bring back senior Haley Strawser (318 assists, 308 digs, 162 kills) to keep pace as the only Pasco County team in their district that also features Bloomingdale and Wharton, but Stawser is now out due to injury. Also returning will be Ayanna Klaiber-Norris (121 kills) and Kamryn Hill (94 kills).

Zephyrhills
2022 record: 6-13
District: 5A-6
Coach: Maya Clark
Outlook: The Bulldogs get a new coach with Emily Frazer departing for Land O’ Lakes, and look to build on its best season in years that resulted in six wins, a total they hadn’t reached since 2012.

Zephyrhills Christian
2022 record: 0-7
District: Independent
Coach: Amy Jones
Outlook: The Warriors, will once again, play as an independent team, but this year with a 15-game schedule. 

Hillsborough County
Carrollwood Day
2022 record: 20-7
District: 3A-9
Coach: Douglas Chinchar
Outlook:The Patriots return a pair of coach’s daughters, who dominated at the net last year: freshman Lydia Chinchar had 535 kills, 192 digs and 43 blocks, while the elder sister, senior Naomi Chinchar, had 179 kills, 104 digs and 41 blocks. Throw in junior Lorelei Church (844 assists, 169 digs, 75 kills), and the Patriots have a potent lineup looking to move past the first round of the regional tournament. The Patriots are ranked 13th in Class 3A.

Freedom
2022 record: 10-5
District: 5A-9
Coach: Renee Thompson
Outlook: The Patriots, coming off one of their best seasons in recent team history, look to build on that by returning Addison Barno (148 kills, 122 digs) and Liliana Palacios (77 kills, 107 digs), and a weak district might just help the team to the regional tournament.

Gaither
2022 record: 12-7
District: 6A-10
Coach: Kesha Lindo
Outlook: The Cowboys will look to keep pace in a tough district, and will do so by turning to Angelina Hanson (89 kills, 80 digs) and Haven Osler (80 kills, 60 digs), whose little sister, freshman Kendall Osler, also joins the team. Junior Mya Crow also had 67 kills in 2022. 

Steinbrenner
2022 record: 8-19
District: 7A-9
Coach: Jandra Fabian
Outlook: The Warriors will look to rebound off a down year, but do so in returning Andrea Ruiz (119 kills) and Malloy Baruch (71 kills), though still find themselves in a very tough district led by powerhouse Plant.

Wharton
2022 record: 15-10
District: 6A-10
Coach: Eric Barber
Outlook: The Wildcats lose their top two scorers to graduation, but return Naree Kately (114 kills), Josiya Teague (82 kills) and Paige Boyd (43 blocks), as the team looks to battle against the likes of Bloomingdale and Wiregrass Ranch for district dominance.

Published September 06, 2023

Zephyrhills football readies to continue its winning ways

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Even though the Zephyrhills High football team has only ever played one region final game in program history, it will still play — or at least treat — every game as a region final.

That’s the mentality the Bulldogs (0-1) will use entering the 2023 season, which started Aug. 25.

Senior safety Fred Maixner was second on the team with 80 tackles and also had a sack and two forced fumbles in 2022. (Mike Camunas)

Coming off the team’s best season in its long and storied history, in which it lost to eventual state champion Lake Wales 26-9 in the Class 3 Suburban Region 2 final, the Bulldogs return many of their star players, all of whom have high expectations to replicate — if not extend further — a season ago.

“We have those goals every year, but we have to take the steps to get where we want to be after seeing who we have and how we can get where we want to be,” said eighth-year head coach Nick Carroll, who has compiled a 62-21 record. “We always need to find our identity as a team.

Zephyrhills junior and four-star recruit D.J. Pickett led the Bulldogs in receiving in 2022, hauling in 43 catches for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also having four interceptions at defensive back as the team made its first region final appearance in program history.

“Last year,” he continued, “we didn’t think we’d run the ball, but then we did and did well, so as coaches, we have to get together and adapt throughout the season. I think that’s no different this year, too. 

“Every year, we have high expectations, every year our goal is to get to the region final and even past that and make it to the state semifinal tournament.”

The Bulldogs got their first test in Week 1, having a rematch hosting Lake Wales, but finding its third loss in as many meetings in the past calendar year.

Zephyrhills is also in District 7 with Wesley Chapel (0-10 in 2022), Cypress Creek (7-3) and 9-Mile War rival Pasco (9-2). The Bulldogs were district champs by sweeping those three teams, but know each week is still tough.

Eighth-year Zephyrhills head coach Nick Carroll, right, listens to Bulldogs linebackers coach Tom McHugh go over some play calling during a practice on Aug. 22. Carroll led the Bulldogs to their first region final appearance in 2022.

“I’m not saying we’re just going to blow by Chapel or Pasco or any team, but we’re just focused on the next game,” said star junior receiver and four-star recruit D.J. Pickett, who had 43 catches for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022. “Basically, if we put the work in — our standards are high this year — and if we want to be loyal to our standards, we need to put the work in it to keep it up.”

Pickett added, the offense — which scored 63 touchdowns with more than 4,000 yards of total offense in 2022 — is looking sharp, but still working on a few things at practice. The offense includes the returns of senior quarterback Brendyn Colella (102-for-170 passing, with 1,700 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions) and senior running back Rodney Smith (1,142 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns).

Senior offensive lineman Logan Lagrone returns to anchor an offensive line that scored 63 touchdowns with more than 4,000 yards of total offense in 2022.

On the defensive side, Carroll expects the unit “to fly around the field,” as it returns some of its standout stars, such as safety Fred Maixner (80 tackles), linebacker Lukas Colella (59 tackles) and even Pickett, who had a team-high four interceptions at defensive back.

“We lost some guys, sure, some offensive lineman and guys on defense, and it takes some time to replace guys,” Carroll said. “Every year is different, and there’s no off week in a tough district and our non-district teams are also very good.

“We have a lot of tough games.”

But Maxiner added, with confidence: “I think our defense is the best in the district, best in the county. I believe in those guys. I expect nothing more or less than what we did last year. Sure, we lost a few guys, but I feel we have more than enough skill to go ever further (than last year).

“I think we could make a run at states — I truly believe that.”

First things first.

Zephyrhills senior quarterback Brendyn Colella returns under center after leading the Bulldogs to a region final appearance, thanks to going 102-for-170 passing, with 1,700 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

After facing Lake Wales again, the team will face other non-district opponents such as Land O’ Lakes, The Villages and South Sumter. Plus, the Bulldogs still have to get out of its district, even if Wesley Chapel and Pasco are starting with new head coaches. 

Cypress Creek, on the other hand, returns such offensive stars as quarterback Jack Niemann (1,834 passing yards, 20 touchdowns) and running back Malachi Askin (13 rushing touchdowns).

Still, the Bulldogs have high expectations.

“I think we’re what all the county sees — the No. 1 team, and we like that spot and we’re going to try to keep that spot and go even further and show people we can play outside this county,” Maixner said.

His coach agrees, with Carroll adding having the best season in program history — the team’s first region final — means teams are all looking to knock off the Bulldogs.

“I definitely think it’s more that everyone wants to beat us now, with big bullseyes on our backs,” Carroll said. “Just like anything else, we can’t be complacent, or you’ll lose. We have to treat every game like it’s the region final every week, because we feel everyone is doing the same when they face us.”

2023 Zephyrhills High Football Schedule
Aug. 25 – vs. Lake Wales – L: 29-7
Sept. 1 – at The Villages
Sept. 8 – vs. Wiregrass Ranch
Sept. 15 – at Land O’ Lakes
Sept. 22 – vs. Gulf
Sept. 29 – vs. Wesley Chapel
Oct. 6 – at South Sumter
Oct. 13 – vs. Pasco
Oct. 27 – at Cypress Creek
Nov. 3 – at Dunnellon

Published August 30, 2023