The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local Sports

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.

 

 

 

 

Dinking in the dark

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It was fun while it lasted.

And even after — because as the lights came on, the pickleball players were still enjoying themselves.

They had gathered to play Cosmic Pickleball — a fun, new twist to the incredibly popular sport. In this version, players were encouraged to wear neon colors and then played with neon balls under black lights, with laser light displays and music amping up the atmosphere.

Neon pickleballs were used during Cosmic Pickleball at Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex on Jan. 14, allowing players to see them glow under the black lights. (Mike Camunas)

The three-hour event, at Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex on Jan. 14, was a new take on a sport that’s taken the recreation world by storm.

After about an hour of playing in the dark, many players asked to switch back to normal lighting.

Even so, event organizers were pleased with the turnout and the different spin on pickleball.

“Well, now we just have a dance party, huh?” joked Shannon Saracena, the Pasco County recreation specialist that organized the event. “It’s kind of sad we had to turn the lights on, but it was a good turnout and everyone still played, so that’s all that matters.
“We’re just glad everyone had a good time.”

Saracena said they got the idea for Cosmic Pickleball from a regular pickleball player that played in a similar event in North Carolina. That one, however, was outdoors and only featured three courts.

Cosmic Pickleball at the complex in Wesley Chapel was indoors, allowing for the black lights and laser displays, as well as featuring six courts in the gym.

Ann McHugh, of Wesley Chapel, returns the ball during a round of Cosmic Pickleball at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex on Jan. 14. Recreation specialists at the park decided to try a different spin on the very popular game, encouraging players to wear neon colors that would show up under the black lights, with laser light displays and music playing during the three-hour event.

“We also encouraged everyone to wear bright or neon colors,” Saracena said. “And some people didn’t disappoint, as those were some bright pickleball outfits (laughs).”

To aid match play, neon balls were used, as they would light up under the black lights. Additionally, some balls had glow sticks inserted inside the middle, or even had some glowing material from inside the glow sticks painted on the balls.

Players were given glow sticks to wear, as well.

Moving forward, Saracena says they will host another Cosmic Pickleball event, but this time for youth players. They figure kids might play the whole event in the “dark,” as the one kid who was there — 12-year-old Rey Gonzalez Jr., who played with his dad, Rey Sr. — was disappointed when the lights came on.

“Oh, yeah, we think the youth will really like Cosmic Pickleball,” Saracena added. “So, we’re looking forward to having that event and keeping it cosmic the whole time.”

Michael Vizza, of Wesley Chapel, hits a pickleball under the black lights and laser light displays at Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex.

How to play Pickleball
Pickleball is played on a court that is 44 feet by 20 feet, with a net that’s 36 inches tall. The game features a non-volley zone often referred to as “The Kitchen.” It is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes (similar to a wiffle ball).

The game starts with the “Two Bounce Rule,” meaning the serving team serves cross-court to the returning team and the ball must land past the kitchen in the box diagonal from the server to be a valid serve. Any serve that lands in the kitchen or on the kitchen line is a fault.

The returning team returns the ball off of a bounce (bounce 1) and now the serving team also has to let the ball bounce before hitting it (bounce 2). From there, play is open, meaning everyone is now allowed to hit balls out of the air.

Balls can only be hit out of the air when standing outside the kitchen. If a player hits the ball out of the air while in the kitchen or standing on the kitchen line, a point is lost. If the ball bounces inside of the kitchen, a player can move into the kitchen to hit the ball off of a bounce, but the players must reset their positioning and get out of the kitchen before hitting the ball out of the air.

Scoring is called out in a three-number sequence: the server’s score, the returner’s score and whether server 1 or 2 is serving. For example, if the server calls out a score of 2-1-1, that means their team has two points, the returning team has one point, and they are the first server.

Only the serving team can score points. A side out is when the service switches teams. Matches are best two out of three games format, and games are played to 11 points, win by two.

Published January 18, 2023

They’ll be hanging around

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Time to swing into the weekend.

And it’s just in time for HangCon 2023 — the largest hammock gathering in the country.

That’s right.

It’s just like other conventions, though for hammock enthusiasts. And it doesn’t meet in a convention center or a hotel event room.

This gathering will be outdoors, in wooded campgrounds, with hundreds of people from all over the country attending, to just hang out.

Hundreds of hammock-camping enthusiasts are expected at HangCon, from Jan. 12 to Jan. 16, at the Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville. It is the largest hammock gathering in the country and includes a weekend of outdoor activities, a flea market and trading post, vendors, exhibits and, of course, just hanging out in hammocks. (Courtesy of Paul Collins)

“We’ve actually had several people who attend HangCon come up to us and they’ve thanked us for the event,” said Paul Collins, one of HangCon’s organizers. “Since it’s free, several people use HangCon as a family vacation or a getaway or camping trip. Maybe they don’t have the funds to take the whole family to Disney, so they use it to come down from whatever state and hang with us the whole weekend.

“And each year it just grows and grows. We’re expecting just over 400 people and, of those people, 33 states will be represented (in attendance).”

HangCon started back in 2011 when it was just a small gathering of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts called Florida Hang. It was the idea of a couple, who only went by their trail names, “Timberrr and Gumbo.”

It officially changed to HangCon in 2016, but it also moved locations because attendance kept growing. Originally it was at Doe Lake Campground in the Ocala National Forest.

Collins, or “Skunkape,” took over running HangCon in 2019, along with A.J. Glenn, or aka, “Phoenix.”

“A.J. and I, we plan HangCon for the whole year,” said Collins, who also runs the event’s website and social media. “And back when it was smaller, sure, it was easier. We’ve always said that as long as we can make it free to attend, we’ll always do HangCon.”

Collins says it takes upward of $15,000 to put on HangCon, but that comes from raffle ticket sales and donations. Vendors will donate $10,000 worth of gear to raffle off.

The past few years, HangCon has grown in popularity because Collins started a podcast for hammock camping called The Hammock Hangers Podcast. He said he noticed increased listenership and an uptick in attendance.

HangCon 2023, while already the largest hammock gathering in the country, is expected to attract its highest attendance since it started in 2011. This year’s attendance is anticipated to top 400.

“We have people that come every year, but because of the podcast, we have a lot of first-timers,” Collins said. “We have a group of car campers that come, a group of motorcycle campers that come — we have all types of campers coming and a lot of them are not even hammock campers.

“They’ll come because they’re hammock-curious.”

Some traditional tent campers want to try hammock camping — sleeping in a hammock that can be insulated and feature a bug net — to see if they like it.

“Because it’s a lot of money to invest (into hammock camping) and not knowing if you’re going to like it or it becomes your new hobby,” Collins added.

That’s why HangCon also will feature several demonstrations and vendor setups to both educate and display all that goes into hammock camping. The vendors will be nationally known hammock camping specialists. Experts also will be there to discuss a variety of topics, such as the different types of hammocks, as well as hanging techniques.

HangCon also provides breakfast and dinner for attendees through the weekend, while Hammock Hangers Flea Market and Trading Post will be open for people to buy and trade gear, and more.

There also are plenty of outdoor activities planned, such as a guided kayak trip down the Chassahowitzka River, guided hikes and even whiskey-tasting.

The idea is to make it a fun weekend for hammock campers, with memories they can hang onto.

“As soon as HangCon is done on Monday, A.J. and I will talk about next year’s event, maybe what we’ll do differently, but also plan on there being even more people next year,” Collins said. “And with more (people) added every day before we get to (Jan. 12), we plan and expect that. We expect the numbers to go up, but we also expect to have a great time — for everyone. From experienced hangers to those hammock-curious, everyone can come out and hang with people who love hammocks just as much as they do.”

HangCon 2023
When: Jan. 12 to Jan. 16
Where: Florida Sand Music Ranch (formerly Sertoma Youth Ranch), 85 Myers Road, Brooksville
Cost: Free
Details: HangCon began in 2011, as a small gathering called Florida Hang. The event has grown yearly and is the largest hammock gathering in the country. Attendees, from hammock to camping to outdoor enthusiasts are expected from all over the country for a four-day weekend of activities, vendors, food, hammock demonstrations and fun. It is absolutely free to attend HangCon, with food also provided, but donations are welcome. If you plan to attend, organizers ask that you register online to help them have a head count for the food.
To donate or register, visit HangCon.com.

Nearby places for an awesome hang*
Hal Scott Preserve, Orlando: A 9,515-acre nature preserve located along the banks of the Econlockhatchee River.

Alexander Springs, Altoona: Spring water pool for canoeing, kayaking and swimming surrounded by forest, camping and picnic areas.

Manatee Springs State Park, Chiefland: A sparkling spring run and boardwalk beneath a cypress forest with 8.5 miles of nature trails and a safe connection to the 32-mile Nature Coast State Trail.

Ginnie Springs, High Springs: A privately owned park located on the south side of the Santa Fe River, with access to several springs and caverns with a sand and limestone bottom.

Withlacoochee State Forest, Brooksville: Forest of 157,479 acres providing critical wildlife habitat, plus trails, caves, campgrounds, and kayaking and canoeing.

*Always check to be sure a park or campground allows hammocks.

Published January 11, 2023

Favorite Sports Stories of 2022

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We, at The Laker/Lutz News enjoy sharing stories in our Community Sports Section about people who live or grew up in our coverage area. We like to report on their accomplishments, whether it’s on a local field, or in the wide world of sports.

The section often includes athletes testing their skills in everything from shuffleboard in Zephyrhills, to Little League in Lutz, from youth football in Wesley Chapel to cycling in Dade City. Of course, there’s also cycling in San Antonio, high school sports all over, fitness challenges, and myriad recreational pursuits.

Here are some of our favorite sports features from 2022.

Adapting to the right fit
Published Sept. 21, 2022

(Mike Camunas)

At CrossFit AERO in Lutz, trainers have developed a modified program allowing individuals with permanent physical disabilities or severe injuries to complete the Workout of the Day, or WOD, and become comfortable with the fundamentals of functional movement.

“The way we see it, with CrossFit, everything is scalable,” said Ellaine Sapin-Ancheta, the AERO Adaptive CrossFit director and head trainer. “So, if there is a workout of the day — say its rowing — every single person that walks in the door, we want them to be able to do that, no matter what your ability or disability is.”

Stephanie Beaver, of Wesley Chapel, is one of the program’s athletes and can be seen here doing a deadlift at CrossFit AERO during a session of Adaptive CrossFit.

“The movements we do here translate into the things I have to do every day, from moving around at home or to picking things up. It just translates into everyday life for me, so that really helps a lot,” Beaver said. “Never in a million years I thought I would ever be doing the things I am doing today while at CrossFit.”

From Lutz to Ole Miss, Tim Elko becomes a legend
Published July 20, 2022

(Courtesy of Josh McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics)

A local kid became a legend. 

Ole Miss baseball captain and Lutz native Tim Elko hoisted up the NCAA National Championship trophy on June 26 at Charles Schwab Field Omaha after The Rebels defeated Oklahoma in two games. 

Becoming a national champion caps off an amazing collegiate career for Elko, who through his last two seasons, was the one of the big bats in the lineup. In 2021, he batted .325 with 16 homers and 55 RBI that helped lead the Rebels to a Super Regional appearance, doing so all on a torn ACL. In 2022, he batted .300, with 24 homers and 75 RBI — plus added that national championship.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Elko, who went 4-for-5 with a home run and three runs scored in Game One of the CWS Finals against Oklahoma. “You just couldn’t ask for a cooler final season. Some people counted us out, but the rest is history. This was just a great team that never gave up and believed in our abilities. Really, a dream come true.”

Up next for Elko: he was selected in the 10th round of the MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox.

Senior Softballers in a league of their own
Published Sept. 7, 2022

The North Tampa Bay Senior Softball League, which plays their games and practices in Land O’ Lakes, kicked off its 10-year anniversary season on Sept. 9. And the league has come a long way since it started with just 10 players.

(Mike Camunas)

“It was an adventure (10 years ago) because many of us were coming back to the game we hadn’t played in many, many years,” said Lutz resident Fred Eckstein, another one of the original 10. “We blew up back then and even sometimes now, where we get a new influx of players. But the play is good, the camaraderie is good — it’s a real diverse group, too, given everyone’s backgrounds and where they are from, originally.

“It’s really just fun to hang out with all (the players).”

Now, there are more than 100 people involved, including players, umpires and scorekeepers. Seven teams will play through the playoffs and a championship in May.

Our story about the team resonated with the community, according to the league’s commissioner, Walt Bruschi. “Senior citizens across the entire area of your paper’s distribution have called me.

“I had a call from The Keystone Place at Terra Bella, a retirement and assisted living community, (and asked) if they could bring a van of senior citizens to watch our games!”

A hearty comeback
Published June 8, 2022

JohnE McCray was dead for four minutes.

(Mike Camunas)

This Zephyrhills resident and professional disc golf champion was out on the course on Feb. 5, even doing well at the Barnett Park Championships, in Orlando, and suffered a heart attack.

After emergency surgery and the installation of an automated internal cardiac defibrillator (AICD), the 50-year-old disc golf national champion needed some time to rehabilitate, which was about four months of rest and recovery, including building up endurance just to be able to walk the courses.

Now, he’s ready to be back on the Professional Disc Golf Association Tour.

“Definitely got some big plans (to get back on tour),” he added. “When (the heart attack happened), it was Saturday afternoon, and I woke up on Monday, but thought it was still Saturday. I’m like, ‘Am I still going to be able to play tomorrow?’ and Jen was like, ‘Um, I don’t think so!’

“So, yeah, I’m really ready to get back out there on the course.”

Splash for the cash
Published May 18, 2022

Wyatt Deaton just kept swimming.

For 2 miles — raising $5,900 through his persistence.

The 11-year-old Wesley Chapel resident powered through laps as part of Swim Across America (SAA) — the nationwide fundraising event for cancer research, clinical trials and patient programs.

(Mike Camunas)

He did it for his mom who has secretory breast carcinoma, a rare form of cancer.

“I just wanted to do my part to raise money for cancer (research), because my mom’s cancer is very rare, and this helps finding rare cancers and helping people, like my mom, who have it,” Wyatt said.

He set a fundraising goal of $2,000, but he ended up raising nearly $6,000 — becoming the top fundraiser for the Tampa Bay SAA event.

“He was devastated (when I was diagnosed with cancer), so he just read every book to learn more about it,” Michelle, his mother, said. “I think that being able to do something as a child that makes a difference means a lot to him, and I can see him doing (SAA) for years and years to come.”

The Tampa Bay swimming event raised more than $136,000 for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

His goal for the 2023 swimming event? 

“I want to raise $10,000,” Wyatt said.

Published January 04, 2023

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

Still the champs, after 30 years

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To this day, Perry Brown still can’t believe it.

He can’t believe it happened, and the Hall of Fame football coach can’t believe it’s still the only time it happened.

“Back in 1991,” the former Pasco High Football coach said, “when we made a good run, but lost to Santa Fe, (myself and the coaches) would go to coaching clinics and they would say, ‘Perry, you did a great job, but you won’t win a state championship — because Pasco County is just not a football county.’

The trophy awarded to the 1992 Pasco High Football State Champion Team. (Mike Camunas)

“And you get butterflies, just thinking about something of that magnitude — an undefeated team, with the fear of letdown, that if you don’t get this one, well, what a season it was, but you’re still second best.”

Brown paused, then said, “If I remember anything about that game, it’s the final score. … I really thought someone, if not Pasco (High) again, would have (a state title) by now.”

On Dec. 18, the 1992 Pasco Pirates football team celebrated its 30th anniversary of the school’s, and county’s, only state football title.

There was no parade down Seventh Avenue or special ceremony at a home game at W.F. Edwards Stadium.

Instead, players and coaches — many with deep ties and still living in the Dade City community — reflected on that fateful night in Gainesville when the Pirates (14-0) defeated Tampa Jesuit 28-16 for the AAA state championship.

“How can I explain it? — one of the best things of my life. One of the best things I’ve ever accomplished and the one thing I honestly know I started and finished all the way,” said Jackie Tucker, a former nose guard who graduated in 1994. “I’m getting butterflies now just thinking about it and the community love from then — that’s what I got out of it.

“And there should have been more (state titles). Could have been three — a dynasty. It’s still crazy that there hasn’t been another one.”

Crazier still is that Pasco (491-360-20), as the most successful postseason team (19-17) in the county, is the only other county team to even come close to winning a state title.

Brad Starling, an assistant coach on the 1992 team, holds up his ring awarded to him, the players and the rest of the coaching staff for winning the state title.

In fact, no other Pasco County football team has made the state tournament, or the final four teams in their classification. Mitchell and Land O’ Lakes have both come close, but fallen in the region final round. Even 9 Mile War rival Zephyrhills has joined that fray, losing in the region final this season 26-9 to Lake Wales on Nov. 25.

“It’s — how can I say? — bragging rights in a way,” Tucker said. “The only one that did it all. You think in 30 years someone would have, but it’s nuts no one has.”

In 1983, the Pirates were 12-1, but fell one game shy of the state final, losing to Palatka 18-13. And in 1991, prior to the championship run, Pasco was handed a 35-16 loss by Santa Fe, ending in another 12-1 season.

“When I went (to Pasco), of course, it was starting from scratch, and we struggled the first year — the second year, we won eight games, so it was a process,” said Brown, who went 58-22 from 1989 to 1995 as the Pirates head coach. “In 1992, we pushed those kids pretty hard.”

It was just 11 years ago that Pasco was in the midst of another storybook season, as a dominating, undefeated team that looked destined for, at least, a state final appearance. The team was led by former head coach Tom McHugh and incredible all-around player Janarion Grant, but it lost a heartbreaking, triple-overtime game to Wakulla.

“I was rooting for that team,” Brown said. “I was even at that game. … Those kids, they’re trying to win a state title, too, and you want them to succeed.

First-year Pasco High Football coach Alphonso Freeney, who guided the Pirates to a 9-2 record and a return to the postseason this season, holds up a framed photo of the 1992 state team that will be hung in the team’s fieldhouse on campus.

“But someone tried to tell me (the 2011) team could beat our (1992) team … and I was like, ‘I don’t know about that. Maybe.’ I like to think we had more grit.”

That grit came in the form of the coaches holding players accountable, even if it meant literally dragging them from bed for early-morning practices.

“You, as a player and teenager, wanted to sleep in,” Tucker said. “But sometimes you’d wake up and coach would be standing over you in bed. … Whenever we did have adversity, it was easy to overcome because the coaches, who had been with us through PAL and middle school, were like uncles.”

There certainly was adversity, most notably right before the state championship game. Just days before the game, quarterback Isaac Johnson, who would pass for 124 yards and a touchdown, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for assault.

Johnson spent the night at the Land O’ Lakes detention center and was released just 12 hours before the game. He was rushed to Dade City, just as the team was headed out on the bus through downtown, with nearly every resident and citizen sending them off in style.

“With Isaac getting arrested, it kind of rallied us together,” said Pasco 1994 grad and the team’s kicker and punter, Brent Lockliear. (He went on to play for Ball State and lives in Indianapolis to this day).

“It was the us-against-everyone-else mentality, where they’re even trying to take our quarterback and shut us down.

“But all the way to Gainesville, we would see banners they had put up on I-75 to support us. … It was just incredible, with an incredible team,” Lockliear said.

The Pirates and the county’s other high school teams share the collective desire to bring home another state championship to the county, but for now — after 30 years, the only champs remain in Dade City.

The historic 1992 Pasco Pirates.

“I was fishing once, with one of my coaches, and he got a call and said he was with one of the players from the 1992 championship,” Lockliear said. “So, 25 years later, you’re still referred to as a player on the state championship — that’s a big honor. “For the guys who still live in Dade City, every day they are looked on as part of the only state championship.”

“Everyone wanted (the title) bad, as bad as us, even former players (at the time),” Tucker added. “We’re looked at as the legacy, which will always mean something in this city.”

Even so, Brown said: “It would not break my heart to see another team, especially Pasco, win a state championship.”

Published December 21, 2022

‘Climbing’ to a Mr. Olympia title

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Winston Sullivan took a gamble on himself.

And because of it, he’s now headed to Las Vegas.

Not for casinos and especially not the all-you-can-eat buffets, but for the 2022 Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend starting Dec. 15, where he will compete as one of the top bodybuilders in the world.

Lutz resident and bodybuilder Winston Sullivan works out at Esporta Fitness in preparation for the Mr. Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend starting Dec. 15 in Las Vegas. Sullivan, who has been doing professional bodybuilding for about eight years, qualified for the pinnacle of bodybuilding events in October and did so without the guidance of a trainer. (Mike Camunas)

“Here I am going to the biggest and best show in bodybuilding,” the Lutz resident said. “I never thought I’d ever be on the biggest stage. I’m very grateful for it all, especially when you take all the hard work you put in — you set a goal and go out and accomplish it.

“I never thought I’d be in Mr. Olympia — I really still can’t believe it.”

Sullivan’s disbelief stems from the fact that he’s doing competitive bodybuilding for just a short time — only eight years. He did so after a friend, who also used to bodybuild, egged him on to give it a try.

Initially, Sullivan, standing at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, was skeptical because he wasn’t “trying to get big — I didn’t want to get too big, but he told me about the Men’s Physique Division.

“We don’t wear speedos, we wear board shorts,” he added. “It’s more about an aesthetic look — a beach body, so (my friend) kept pushing me and I finally said why not, but in my first competition I came in fourth. In my second I came in sixth.

“I was hooked then.”

Sullivan, a 37-year-old security guard, will compete for Men’s Physique Olympia. He is one of 60 competitors in this division and just one of 23 from the United States, with the others hailing from all over the world, such as Spain, France, Brazil, Iran, South Korea, Morocco, Australia, China and more.

However, what’s even more remarkable is Sullivan accomplished this feat, and his sculpted body, without the guidance of a trainer. He did it with just hours of working out at Esporta Fitness in Lutz, a meticulous dietary regimen and two gallons of water a day.

All that hard work, and strict diet, paid off: He won the 2022 Daytona Pro/Am Championships, which is what qualified him to compete at Mr. Olympia.

“The hardest part is being hungry,” Sullivan said. “Having two kids, they go to a party and come back with cupcakes, and I’m like, ‘Come on!’ Or, they’re like, ‘Daddy, we want McDonald’s,’ but then I get it for them, and my whole car smells like French fries!

“And I missed Thanksgiving — I didn’t get to eat any of that. I’m sitting at the table with tuna fish and sweet potatoes and they’re passing around pies in front of me! But the alternative is I don’t spend Thanksgiving with my family?! No thanks.”

Winston Sullivan, left, seen here with his fiancée, Tiffany Rudd, holds up the medal awarded to him for winning the Daytona Beach Pro/Am, the event that qualified him for the Mr. Olympia competition. (Courtesy of Winston Sullivan)

Despite no trainer and no one at his gym knowing he could become Mr. Olympia, Sullivan hasn’t been doing this alone.

His fiancée, Tiffany Rudd, and his two kids — Gabriel, 13, and Skylar, 8 — have been there every step of the way. They’ve been supportive — even though they do eat good food in front of him.

Rudd didn’t quite understand what bodybuilding was about, at first.

“It was hard for me to comprehend at first,” Rudd said. “It was a lot more gym hours, multiple times a day, so in any relationship, everyone has that moment: Is he really going to the gym? It takes a lot of trust in your partner, to trust they are where (they say) they are.

“Of course, I was supportive, but I didn’t understand it — not until I saw (him compete in a show). And it’s crazy to tell people, too. ‘What does he do?’ and tell people he’s a professional bodybuilder, but I have to tell them, ‘Yeah, what Arnold Schwarzenegger did!’ (laughs).”

Sullivan and Rudd, who are getting married this New Year’s Eve, understood the lifestyle change when he first started competing. The workouts, the different foods, the trips to shows — but they embraced all of it, which has paid off.

Now, they’re both going on their first trip to Las Vegas, excited to see what comes of what all the hard work may bring.

It was a gamble, but one very much worth making.

“It was a lifestyle change, which is tough, but we adjusted for him and love and support him,” Rudd said. “At first, I didn’t realize the dedication it would take, but admire him for his dedication. This opportunity is amazing for him, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

“It’s kind of fun to see how far you can push yourself and your body,” Sullivan added. “I look back at myself before (bodybuilding) and I’m like, ‘Wow.’”

“To see thousands of competitors, and they say you’re one of the top 60 guys in the world, that’s an accomplishment within itself, and I’m very excited to be a part of that.”

2022 Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend
When: Dec. 15 to Dec. 18
Where: The Venetian Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas
Details: Men and women bodybuilders from all over the world will compete in various categories, from the traditional Mr. and Ms. Olympia, Men’s and Women’s Physique Olympia and even Wheelchair Olympia.
Info: Visit MrOlympia.com.

Published December 14, 2022

Sending the perfect assist, on and off the field

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Lexi Mangione knows she has a nice kit — and plenty of clothes.

However, some, especially foster children, aren’t always afforded that.
“Foster kids, they literally have nothing,” the Wesley Chapel High senior midfielder said. “Or the things they do have, they don’t even have a bag to put those things in — sometimes it’s just a garbage bag.”

Wesley Chapel High girls soccer senior midfielder Lexi Mangione stands in the Caterpillars to Butterflies Foster Closet in Zephyrhills, which holds donations the nonprofit receives. Mangione, whose family has been fostering children for more than a year now, volunteers to help at the closet and organizes clothing drives with her soccer team and in her neighborhood. (Mike Camunas)

Mangione is talking about children in the foster care system. Her family, led by father David and mother Carissa, have been fostering children for more than a year now. Sometimes, the children stay a while, such as the toddler the Mangiones have been caring for, for a year. Other times, it’s a nightly or weekly stay — just a place until the child can get into a more permanent situation.

The family has fostered nearly 30 kids in that short span.

But each time a child walked through the door, Lexi was shocked at the state of their clothes, or lack thereof.

She decided she wanted to something about it.

“It wasn’t something that just pulled at my heartstrings, so I thought I would do some community service hours — no, I really wanted to help out those kids,” she said. “Because now that I’ve seen what’s in the foster system, I want to help and make it better for the kids in the system.”

So, Lexi started hosting clothing drives.

She began in her Wesley Chapel neighborhood, making sure the donated items went to local organizations, such as the nearby Caterpillars to Butterflies. The Dade City-based nonprofit collects clothes for foster children, but also makes sure they have other resources they need to live a better life.

Lexi recently had a clothing drive in her neighborhood geared toward collecting items for teenage girls, such as makeup, hair and skin care products, and sanitary items. Those donations went to Beautiful Beginnings Boutique, out of Bay Hope Church, in Lutz. It provides underprivileged teens with clothing and other items.

Lexi didn’t stop there.

She enlisted the help of her Wildcats teammates to have clothing drives.

The soccer team did it last year and is doing it again this year.

Those items go to Caterpillars to Butterflies, where Lexi volunteers as much as she can by helping with fundraising or keeping their foster closet organized.

“It’s very impressive with what she does — starting up another foster drive with the team,” said Mark Leonard, now in his sixth year as the Wildcats’ coach. “Lexi is an amazing kid from an amazing family. … She’s kind of old school — does it the right way, knows her role, doesn’t make excuses, always asks how can I be a better player and how can I make the team better.

Lexi Mangione sprints down the field during a Wildcats game on Nov. 28.

“That’s why I picked her as (team) captain.”

Leonard says Lexi has earned every bit of her captaincy, as well as her role as starting midfielder. Lexi stepped into that position her junior year after hard work. It netted her six goals and six assists, as well as helping the team pull off the upset for a district title over River Ridge last season.

“She’s earned everything she gets, and younger players see that,” Leonard said. “When I look at her, I say, ‘That’s how you want your players, especially your captain, to be.’”

The Wildcats have won four of the last five district championships and return a lot of seniors, including leading scorer Tatum Moore (30 G, 12 A). So, the team wants to “make their senior year worth it,” Lexi said.

“Our season (2-3-1) isn’t starting out the way we like it to, but it kind of plays out that way every season,” Lexi added. “Everyone doubts us, and we come back and win when we need to.”

If anyone is winning, it’s the children the Mangiones, especially Lexi, are helping.

“We’re always just blown away by what she accomplishes with the clothing drives,” Carissa said. “Her and her teammates do a great job of that.

“Plus, she’s great at home, too, with the kids that come in. She’s right there with all the kids and the babies that live with us. She’s so responsible — she’s like a second mom.”

And to Lexi, everyone can use an assist — especially foster children.

“I just thought the kids needed more,” Lexi said. “That’s why I like Caterpillars to Butterflies. They make sure foster kids have all the things they need because most of the time they really don’t have anything at all.”

Caterpillars to Butterflies Charitable Foundation
Caterpillars to Butterflies Charitable Foundation is a Dade City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides resources to children to help them accomplish goals, explore passions and take part in activities they enjoy. Founded by Tracy Hanson, this organization relies on donations and volunteers who can take meals to foster families, help at fundraising events or work in the foster clothes closet.
The Wesley Chapel High girls soccer team is doing a clothing drive for the organization and looking for children’s PJs, socks, shoes, underwear, diapers and more. To donate to the team’s drive, email .
For more information, visit Caterflies.org.

Published December 07, 2022

2022 Sunshine Athletic Conference Fall Awards

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The Sunshine Athletic Conference, which is made up of the 14 public high school athletic programs in Pasco County, announced its 2022 Fall All-Conference Teams and Players, voted on by the sports’ respective coaches. The awards are split into East and West divisions of the county. Here are the East Division first teams and the players and coaches of the year.

Football
Team Champion: Zephyrhills
Offensive Player of the Year: Tayshaun Balmir, Pasco
Defensive Player of the Year: D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills
Coach of the Year: Alphonso Freeney, Pasco

Pasco High senior running back Tayshaun Balmir was named the East Sunshine Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,835 yards, which was ranked 10th in the state. (Mike Camunas)

First Team
Quarterback – Jack Niemann, Cypress Creek
Running back – Tayshaun Balmir, Pasco
Running back – Rodney Smith, Zephyrhills
Wide receiver – D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills
Wide receiver – Bryson Rodgers, Cypress Creek
Tight end – Dylan Lolley, Cypress Creek
Offensive line – Jaeden Ortiz, Wiregrass Ranch
Offensive line – Aiden Marsh, Land O’ Lakes
Offensive line – Kiah’eze Russell, Pasco
Offensive line – Austin Slusher, Cypress Creek
Offensive line – Gabe Coveny, Zephyrhills
Defensive line – Marcell Tucker, Zephyrhills
Defensive line – Breck Petty, Cypress Creek
Defensive line – Anthony Pratt, Pasco
Defensive line – Aiden Marsh, Land O’ Lakes
Linebacker – Josh Poleon, Wesley Chapel
Linebacker – Matt Hensley, Wiregrass Ranch
Linebacker – Kevin Marks, Land O’ Lakes
Linebacker – Alex Dulaski, Cypress Creek
Defensive back – D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills
Defensive back – Zyon Davis, Cypress Creek
Defensive back – Angel Miles, Pasco
Kicker – Sean Myatt, Land O’ Lakes
Punter – Will Fotopoulos, Sunlake
Athlete – Fred Adams, Zephyrhills

Land O’ Lakes junior outside hitter Bella Horruitiner had a team-high 284 kills and helped lead the Gators to the Class 6A state tournament. (Courtesy of Ike Klauka)

Volleyball
Team Champion: Wesley Chapel
Player of the Year: Bella Horruitiner, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Ike Klauka, Land O’ Lakes

First Team
Chloe Danielson, Wesley Chapel
Jenna Ly, Wesley Chapel
Haley Strawser, Wiregrass Ranch
Carissa Mixon, Land O’ Lakes
Madeline Snyder, Sunlake
Sydney Rolfe, Land O’ Lakes
Bella Horruitiner, Land O’ Lakes

Boys Golf
Team Champion: Sunlake
Golfer of the Year: Trey Sasser, Cypress Creek
Coach of the Year: Daniel Adams, Sunlake

First Team
Trey Sasser, Cypress Creek
Alex Dodd, Sunlake
Evan Bagniuk, Sunlake
Grant Sallengs, Land O’ Lakes
Max Haines, Sunlake

Girls Golf
Team Champion: Cypress Creek
Golfer of the Year: Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Rick Boswell, Wesley Chapel

First Team
Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake
Carmen Phousirith, Cypress Creek
Annamarie Ratican, Cypress Creek
Hailey Stricker, Sunlake
Nikki Watson, Wesley Chapel

Zephyrhills junior distance runner Will Poe broke the school record for a 5K, running it at the Sunshine Athletic Conference tournament by posting a 15:53 on Oct. 15. (Mike Camunas)

Boys Cross-Country
Team Champion: Sunlake
Runner of the Year: Will Poe, Zephyrhills
Coach of the Year: Randall Reeves, Sunlake

First team
William Poe, Zephyrhills
Jaime Candeleria, Wiregrass Ranch
Hunter Boggs, Wiregrass Ranch
Liam Ballard, Sunlake
Christian Hindman, Sunlake
Dylan Powell, Cypress Creek
Cade Culpepper, Sunlake

Girls Cross-Country
Team Champion: Sunlake
Runner of the Year: Abigail Williams, Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Randall Reeves, Sunlake

First Team
Abigail Williams, Sunlake
Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch
Carlie Ortiz, Cypress Creek
Ally Moyer, Sunlake
Aileen Castillo, Land O’ Lakes
Landyn Williams, Wiregrass Ranch
Meaghan Ballard, Sunlake

Boys Swimming
Team Champion: Sunlake
Swimmer of the Year: Alex Thai, Sunlake
Diver of the Year: Gabriel Loechelt, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Guerby Ruuska, Sunlake

First Team
200 Medley Relay – Huy Duong, Alex Thai, Jackson Houck, Juan Benitez, Sunlake
200 Freestyle – Cayden DeTillo, Sunlake
200 Individual Medley – Garret McNab, Land O’ Lakes
50 Freestyle – Alex Thai, Sunlake
100 Freestyle – Connor Harrie, Pasco
100 Butterfly – Michael McCloskey, Land O’ Lakes
500 Freestyle – Reid Knuckles, Wiregrass Ranch
200 Freestyle Relay – Michael McCloskey, Awab El Ghissassi, Aidyn Rosochowicz, Garret McNab, Land O’ Lakes
100 Backstroke – Michael McCloskey, Land O’ Lakes
100 Breaststroke – Alex Thai, Sunlake
400 Freestyle Relay – Juan Benitez, Alex Thai, Tien Duong, Cayden DeTillio, Sunlake

Girls Swimming
Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Swimmer of the Year: Madi Houck, Sunlake
Diver of the Year: Jessica Roehrig, Wesley Chapel
Coach of the Year: Jill Hebert, Land O’ Lakes

First Team
200 Medley Relay – Jena Ruste, Jennah Hafsi, Ava Edwards, Madi Houck, Sunlake
200 Freestyle – Jena Ruste, Sunlake
200 Individual Medley – Abigail Hahm, Land O’ Lakes
50 Freestyle – Jordyn Rolle, Wesley Chapel
100 Freestyle – Madi Houck, Sunlake
100 Butterfly – Ava Edwards, Sunlake
500 Freestyle – Sadie Minich, Wesley Chapel
200 Freestyle Relay – Sadie Minich, Aubrey Vaile, Savannah Stevens, Jordyn Rolle, Wesley Chapel
100 Backstroke – Madi Houck, Sunlake
100 Breaststroke – Jennah Hafsi, Sunlake
400 Freestyle Relay – Ava Adriani, Abigail Hahm, Sandali Edippili-Pathiran, Emelia D’Alessio, Land O’ Lakes

Published November 30, 2022

Local golfers swing into state tournaments

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Several local high school golfers competed in Florida High School Athletic Association state tournaments over the past few weeks, with a few of them doing quite well.

The Cypress Creek boys golf team advanced to the Class 2A state tournament for the second-straight season, this year finishing in 13th place. (Courtesy of Dennis Martin)

The tournaments were held at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, with individual golfers and full teams competing over two rounds. Boys golfers played on the 6,762-yard, par-72 El Campeon Course, while the girls hit the links on the par-72 Las Colinas Course, tapping out at 5,455 yards.

In Class 3A action played on Nov. 9, the Sunlake High girls team sent two players to the state tournament.

Junior Alyssa Mixon finished tied for eighth, shooting back-to-back 75s (six over), just one spot below her seventh-place tie she grabbed at the 2021 tournament. It’s the third-straight state tournament appearance for Mixon, who also placed 32nd in 2020 as a freshman.

Her Seahawks teammate, fellow junior Hailey Striker, joined her at the state tournament and shot a two-round 168 for a 51st-place finish.

On the boys side of 3A, Steinbrenner High’s Jack Vanderschuur was the only local golfer to play in the state tournament from this class. The sophomore finished tied for 61st after shooting back-to-back 81s for an 18-over score.

Cypress Creek junior golfer Connor Newbold finished 49th at the Class 2A state tournament. (Courtesy of Rob Patterson)

In the Class 2A tournament played Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, both Cypress Creek boys and girls teams, once again, advanced to the state tournament, giving each back-to-back appearances.

On the boys side, the Coyotes finished 13th, with a team score of 689. They were led by senior Joaquin Parrilla, who shot a team-best 165 (+21), while junior Connor Newbold finished six spots behind him at 49th, shooting a two-round 166.

Both Levi Wade and Trey Sasser finished at 74th place with scores of 180, while freshman Maximus Knight finished at 89th, shooting a 188.

In 2021, Cypress Creek boys finished sixth as a team, with Newbold placing fifth overall in the field.

For the girls, the Coyotes finished 14th, with a team score of 752. They were led by senior Carmen Phousirith, who shot a team-best 159 (+15), while fellow senior Annamarie Ratican finished eight spots behind her at 30th, shooting a two-round 165.

Rounding out the five-player team, Skylar Lee finished 86th (210), Addison Noll finished 91st (218) and Jillian Scott finished 94th (226).

Last season, Cypress Creek girls finished seventh as a team, with Phousirith placing 17th overall in the field.

Published November 23, 2022

The Cypress Creek girls golf team advanced to the Class 2A state tournament for the second-straight season, this year finishing in 14th place. (Courtesy of Rob Patterson)
The Sunlake High girls golf team finished as the Class 3A-District 9 runner-up, but did advance two players to the state tournament, with junior Alyssa Mixon placing eighth overall. (Courtesy of Sunlake High Athletics)
Cypress Creek senior golfer Annamarie Ratican finished 30th at the Class 2A state tournament. (Courtesy of Rob Patterson)