The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local Sports

Steinbrenner seeks state tournament run

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Makenzie Reynolds has one thing on her mind.

It’s not the softball rankings, not the stats or awards she’s racked up this season, nor all the wins in the team’s record.

With the FHSAA Class 7A regional tournament starting May 11 and her Steinbrenner Warriors hosting Lakewood Ranch (16-10), the one thing on Reynolds mind is getting deeper in the postseason than ever before.

Perhaps all the way to the state tournament at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont.

Warriors senior shortstop, captain and University of Tampa signee Makenzie Reynolds was named The Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) District 15 Class 7A Player of the Year on April 30 thanks to leading her team with a .418 average, 41 hits, 29 runs, seven doubles, six triples, a homer, 15 RBI and nine stolen bases. (Mike Camunas)

“Last year, we did lose a couple of our girls who were a big part of this team, but thankfully we picked it up and didn’t miss a step,” said Reynolds, a senior, who plays shortstop and is the team’s captain.

“We finally want to make it deeper in regionals. There’s always going to be some pressure, but, honestly, I love our team, and if we all play well together, I think that’s what’s going to do it for us,” added the University of Tampa signee.

However, just like last season, the Warriors (18-7-1) saw an early exit from the Class 7A-District 7 tournament, with rival Plant taking home the title on May 3.

This didn’t deter Steinbrenner, as rankings and strength of schedule still got the team into the regional tournament. 

But Reynolds knows it will take just as much, if not more, team effort to extend this year’s postseason run.

“I think if we stay up in the dugout, and everyone has a good attitude, and we play together as a team, I think we’ll go far,” Reynolds said. “Honestly, it’s just mainly playing as a team, which we know we’re capable of, and keeping up throughout the game and not let the small things get us down.”

Second-year coach Jason Gordon agrees, adding the team’s experience will play a role.

“They know my expectations and they’re proven leaders and winners,” Gordon said. “They know how to come out and win, so that makes my job as a coach a lot easier.”

Also making it easier will be the Warriors top leader, Reynolds, who was named The Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) District 15 Class 7A Player of the Year on April 30 thanks to leading her team with a .418 average, 41 hits, 29 runs, seven doubles, six triples, a homer, 15 RBI and nine stolen bases.

“She’s had a great year,” Gordon said. “Since Day 1, she’s been working hard, and leading the team in doubles and triples is no easy feat — she’s our leader out there at shortstop because she goes 110% all the time.

“She’s a coach’s dream and the kind of player you wish you had a whole team of — University of Tampa is getting a steal of a player.”

Reynolds added: “It feels good to be recognized, yeah, and it’s surprising, but I’m really thinking about playing deep into the postseason this year since it’s my final year.”

Junior Lily Holtje also is contributing on offense, with team highs in RBI (28) and homers (8), while senior Paige Bergen, has 23 RBI on 33 hits.

On the mound, freshman pitcher Lilly Patton had a breakout year, going 10-3 over 104 innings pitched, with a 2.68 ERA and 97 strikeouts.

Gordon knows it’ll take a team effort to finally push past the early regional rounds, but adds there’s extra motivation. The Warriors, all season, have felt slightly disrespected in the rankings, especially since district rival, Plant, has consistently been ranked ahead of them.

This is the same Panthers team Steinbrenner defeated twice this season: 5-2 on Feb. 23 and 3-2 on March 23.

“It’s definitely extra motivation, especially with them being in our district,” Gordon said. “We go out and beat them twice, but (we) feel we should be right there with them — and we might still have to beat them again at some point.”

“So, as long as we beat them again,” Reynolds added, “that’s fine with me where we’re ranked.

“We all play the same game, the same sport — I can’t or we can’t control that, so we’ll just go out and play and hopefully win and finally get those wins in the postseason when they matter.”

Softball regional quarterfinal games
Classes 2A-4A, May 10
Classes 5A-7A, May 11

Class 7A
No. 5 Lakewood Ranch at No. 4 Steinbrenner

Class 6A
No. 4 Charlotte at No. 5 Land O’ Lakes
No. 2 Sickles at No. 7 Gaither
No. 3 Bloomingdale at No. 6 Wiregrass Ranch

Class 5A
No. 2 Wesley Chapel at No. 7 Pasco

Class 2A
No. 4 Geneva at No. 5 Academy at the Lakes

*All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.

Baseball regional quarterfinal games
Classes 2A-5A, May 9
Classes 6A/7A, May 10

Class 6A
No. 5 Wiregrass Ranch at No. 4 Land O’ Lakes
No. 6 Palmetto Ridge at No. 3 Gaither

Class 5A
No. 7 Zephyrhills at No. 2 Sebring
No. 6 Seabreeze at No. 3 Wesley Chapel

Class 2A
No. 3 Orangewood Christian at No. 6 Bishop McLaughlin
No. 7 Carrollwood Day at No. 2 Northside Christian

*All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.

Published May 10, 2023

Running up to Boston

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Tia Pettygrue has been running toward this goal for about 12 years.

The 54-year-old New Tampa resident has qualified to run in the 128th annual Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024.

“It’s the Super Bowl for runners — because it’s the only one you have to qualify for,” Pettygrue said.

Tia Pettygrue, of New Tampa, trains at EōS Fitness, a new gym in Lutz, to prepare for the 2024 Boston Marathon. She recently qualified to run in the race after years of running and attempts. The 54-year-old financial advisor and certified running coach set a personal record of three hours, 53 minutes in a marathon in Newport News, Virginia. She will be one of 30,000 participants in the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024. (Mike Camunas)

It is still a ways off, but this longtime long-distance runner’s excitement hasn’t waned since qualifying for the event while setting a personal record (three hours, 53 minutes) in her 11th marathon — the Newport News One City Marathon — on March 5 in Virginia. 

“I am so excited. I’m thinking about it every day, and I was looking at when I crossed the finish line — the race photographer got the best shots, with all the emotions. I relive it every day now, and I don’t usually buy race photos!

“I’m known for doing a jump picture after my races. People couldn’t believe I was able to do it after running a hard 26.2 miles,” she said, with a laugh.

But all laughing aside, Pettygrue has finally qualified for her dream race, but only after several unsuccessful attempts. Those efforts fell short due to time, or added pressures of the situation, or occasional injuries.

That’s why she joined the new EōS Fitness gym in Lutz. It has trainers, a wide variety of equipment, and various recovery apparatuses and techniques that come in handy for avid runners.

That’s especially true for Pettygrue, who has been running since the mid-’90s.

EōS personal trainer Anya Kalnins has been working with Pettygrue to help her gain more unilateral strength.

She said Pettygrue is one of her most advanced clients.

Tia Pettygrue is overcome with joy and emotion after setting a new personal record at the Newport News One City Marathon, which qualifies her to run in the 2024 Boston Marathon. (Courtesy of Tia Pettygrue)

“She’s also very positive and always keeps her head high — even if she is a little injured, she doesn’t let it get her down,” Kainins said. “As you get older, your body does slow down, so recovery is key, but her training here is very impressive — you love to see that.”

Pettygrue will run long distance, outside, five days a week and then lift weights on another two. 

As for her recovery at EōS, she calls it her “spa day.”

She’ll spend 15 minutes to 20 minutes in the hot tub, 10 minutes in the sauna, finish up in the massage chairs and then put in a little stretching.

Her work and her long journey led her to being selected for the EōS Fitness’ annual “Submit Your Fit” contest, which involves members from across the nation sharing  transformational stories of how they embraced fitness to improve all aspects of their lives.

Pettygrue recalls the beginning of her journey to a more fit life.

“In 2008, on a cruise, someone I hadn’t seen in a while, said to me, ‘Tia, I didn’t even recognize you — you gained so much weight!’

”That’s what I needed to hear at the time.”

Tia Pettygrue poses with her husband, Johnny, after running the St. Pete Run Fest. Tia’s husband of 32 years is an avid long-distance runner, as well.

From there, she got back into long-distance running and signed up for the Gasparilla 15K.

Her husband of 32 years, Johnny, also is an avid runner, and he was ready to do the Gasparilla full marathon, a race that is now discontinued. He convinced PettyGrue to run with him and they have been hooked on running marathons and long races ever since. So much so, they plan trips around runs and then explore the city and area before and after the race.

In all, Pettygrue has run 158 half marathons, 11 marathons, a triathlon and an ultramarathon.

EōS Lutz fitness manager Emory Wolf-Bielawa thinks it’s awesome that Pettygrue has achieved her goal to run in the Boston Marathon.

“Just looking at her story and seeing all the highlights and photos and races she’s run, she’s come a long way,” Wolf-Bielawa said.

As Pettygrue prepares for the biggest race of her life, she will continue her work with Black Girls Run, a nonprofit aimed at getting young and adult black women out to exercise. Through the program, she has coached thousands of women as a certified running coach.

Her devotion to the sport is apparent to others.

“Honestly, I was wondering if I should go up there and support her as her coach! I’ve never been to Boston, so maybe I can make it a work trip — and to see her cross that finish line,” Kalnins said.

Now, Pettygrue is ready to cross the Boston Marathon finish line, after years of running toward it.

“It’s the runner’s Super Bowl — my Super Bowl,” she said, “and I can’t wait to run it — finally.”

Published May 03, 2023

Adaptive sports day is a home run

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It was a hit.

From Wesley Chapel to Land O’ Lakes, the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department had itself quite the day — Adaptive Sports Day at Wesley Chapel District Park, as well as the “At Bat 4 Autism” Home Run Derby at the baseball fields at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex — with both events held on April 15. 

Lauren Neal, of Ruskin, brings the basketball down court during a session of one of the four adaptive sports available at Adaptive Sports Day at Wesley Chapel District Park and Recreation Center on April 15. The event was sponsored by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department and designed to give individuals with a physical disability the opportunity to try different adaptive sports, from basketball, tennis, pickleball and archery. In all, about a dozen athletes and residents attended and were able to enjoy the sports and facilities. (Mike Camunas)

The activities were timed to bring attention to Autism Awareness Month, which is April, as well as to highlight the department’s Pasco Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (P.A.I.R) program, which provides active events and activities for those with disabilities.

“I think we had a great turn out!” said Scarlet Lawhorne, recreation leader at Wesley Chapel Recreation Center. “Everyone had a great time and we’re happy with how it all turned out. We’re definitely going to try to make it a yearly thing and hopefully see even more (adaptive sports athletes) come out.”

Senior Recreation Coordinator Kimberly Miller said these two events were put on specifically this month as the department’s initiative to provide more adaptive sports for the county.

“While we have (P.A.I.R activities) all year long, this was our way of doing things during April for Autism Awareness Month,” she added.

At Adaptive Sports Day, about a dozen or so youth and adult participants with disabilities were able to give four adaptive sports — tennis, pickleball, basketball and archery — a try. While pickleball and tennis — put on by volunteers from the Sarah Vande Berg Foundation and USTA Florida, respectively — were brought into the gym because of the heat, archery and basketball were kept outside, with the latter sport seeing some fierce competition. That included stellar play from Team USA Wheelchair Basketball point guard Paul Schulte, who is a two-time Paralympic medalist.

Adaptive Sports Day only cost $5 per athlete and it provided sport wheelchairs for those who might not have them.

Over in Land O’ Lakes, the “At Bat 4 Autism” Home Run Derby had a couple dozen hitters pre-register and participate, however, organizers who braved the heat at the all-day event during Little League and softball games saw a lot of walk-ups pay just $3 for seven swings to be crowned home run champion.

In all, the organizers added, the department made a few hundred dollars off the home run derby, with those proceeds going to the P.A.I.R program.

“It was a great day, with these events,” Miller said. “We love getting this kind of support from the community for (the P.A.I.R) program and our department.

Published April 26, 2023

Tyler Keats, of Sarasota, returns a tennis volley inside the gym at Wesley Chapel Recreation Center during Adaptive Sports Day on April 15.
Robyn Stawski, of Tampa, works on aiming the bow during an archery session at an event offering athletes a different way to compete.
Jacob Paul, of Clearwater, gears up to return a tennis volley inside the gym at Wesley Chapel Recreation Center during Adaptive Sports Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel resident and veteran Jerome Knight pulls back on his bow and takes aim during one of the four adaptive sports available to try at Adaptive Sports Day at Wesley Chapel District Park on April 15.
Shelton Mobley, of Temple Terrace, left, and Bradenton resident and Team USA Wheelchair Basketball point guard Paul Schulte battle for the ball during a game on Adaptive Sports Day in Wesley Chapel.
New Port Richey resident Isabella Thurman works on a return during a game of pickleball on the day highlighting adaptive sports.

In a club all his own

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Counting all of the wins in John Crumbley’s coaching career would take some time.

While it wouldn’t take the four decades he’s been a high school baseball coach — one would have to count up to 800.

The longtime coach, who is the father of Steinbrenner High’s baseball program, has accumulated many accolades.

And, he just added another.

Steinbrenner High baseball coach John Crumbley became the first Hillsborough County coach to reach 800 career wins on April 12 when the Warriors defeated Land O’ Lakes High 10-5. Crumbley spent 22 seasons coaching at Jesuit High in Tampa and winning three state championships (1994, 1997, 2000) before briefly retiring in 2006. However, the love of the game brought him back and he started the Steinbrenner baseball program in 2010. Just six years later, he guided the Warriors to a state championship, the fourth title of his Hall of Fame career that spans four decades. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

His team defeated Land O’ Lakes 10-5 in an April 12 game, making Crumbley the first Hillsborough County coach to reach 800 wins.

“That’s pretty remarkable for a little kid from Tampa,” Crumbley said. “I think about how blessed I’ve been. It’s not just me — it’s having a passion for the game, and it can be humbling, but there also haven’t been too many bad days (coaching) either.

“I’ve been blessed — I truly have been.”

Being this blessed may be an understatement.

His list of honors, achievements and milestones makes the 62-year-old’s resume sound like a compilation several coaches.

He is a four-time state champion coach.

He has been inducted into three separate hall of fames in the state.

He is the winningest Hillsborough County baseball coach by a mile (801-267).

He’s won the highly-respected Saladino Tournament played by Hillsborough teams every Spring Break.

He’s even had a team named national champions, as well brought home two state runner up titles.

“I never did anything with numbers,” Crumbley said. “I never thought about those things — the wins or getting into a hall of fame. I just wanted to work hard, have a nice facility for the players.”

Crumbley, a Miami native who grew up in Tampa and is a 1978 Leto grad, became the Jesuit High baseball coach in 1985 after a short stint as an assistant coach at the University of Tampa, where he also played shortstop.

He coached Jesuit’s Tigers for 22 years and brought home state titles in 1994, 1997 and 2000. His 1997 team also earned a national title from Baseball America.

Crumbley retired from coaching in 2006, to watch his son, J.J., play for Florida Gulf Coast. But he remained Jesuit’s athletic director until returning to the dugout to launch Steinbrenner’s program in 2010.

“I would clip out all the articles and lay them on the dining room table,” Crumbley recalled. “That way my wife (Lisa) would see them, as a way for me to get consent to take the job (at Steinbrenner, which was about to open). Finally she said, ‘Go for it!’ but I also think she didn’t think I’d stay this long.”

In 2016, the Warriors won a state championship with Crumbley at the helm.

Two years later, the Florida High School Athletic Association inducted Crumbley into its Hall of Fame. He had already been inducted into Jesuit’s Hall of Fame in 1997 and Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

Crumbley has come a long way since his first teaching job at Pine View Middle in Land O’ Lakes, where he would carpool with another legendary coach, Calvin Baisley.

It was Baisley, Land O’ Lakes High’s winningest coach, who embraced Crumbley when the Warriors defeated the Gators on their home field for win No. 800.

Steinbrenner baseball coach John Crumbley is embraced by friend and fellow longtime baseball coach, Calvin Baisley, after the Warriors defeated the Gators 10-5 on April 12 for Crumbley’s 800th win. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

“I never imagined we’d be coaching this long or successfully,” said Baisley, who is Pasco County’s winningest baseball coach (633). “You don’t do it this long unless you love doing it, (but) I think it’s awesome (to get 800 wins) and it shows his commitment to the game.”

“I always thought of coaching as a fraternity,” Crumbly said. “Bais(ley), (former Ridgewood coach Larry) Beets, (longtime and late Gaither coach) Frank (Permuy), (former Jefferson coach) Pop (Cuesta), (longtime King coach Jim) Mac(aluso). I always looked up to those guys, so to be with them is incredible.”

Even more so than being in a fraternity of coaches, Crumbley has enjoyed the hundreds of players he’s coached, some of which have become successful coaches themselves.

That list includes Berkeley Prep’s coach Richie Warren, who played on Jesuit’s 2000 state championship team and already has 362 wins as a coach already. Warren also was Crumbley’s hand-picked replacement at Jesuit in 2007.

“I can’t say enough about what he’s done for me — I get goosebumps talking about him and what he means to me and my family,” Warren said. “I think, early on, that I wanted to be (No.) 9 (Crumbley’s number at Jesuit). I wanted to be just like him. But through conversations with him, he got me to look at the bigger picture, not just wins.

“He’s always been great at getting the most out of players and it shows with all these wins.”

Crumbley isn’t sure if 900 wins is in the lineup card, but says he plans to coach until he is 65 years old.

In the meantime, he’ll reflect on his career, mainly focusing on the people that have made it one heck of a ride so far.

“I think back to 1981, that year with Bais(ley) and I think, where did it go?! This is year 41!” Crumbley said.

“God has put a special blessing on me, my career and my family. The results, the titles, the lifelong friendships with players and coaches — it’s been really something.

“It’s been neat, and I’ve been blessed for every year and every win.”

Steinbrenner coach John Crumbley has several milestones in his coaching career that spans four decades. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

John Crumbley Coaching Milestones

No. 500 – Jesuit 13, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney 3, March 16, 2004

No. 600 – Steinbrenner 11, Cambridge Christian 0, March 18, 2011

No. 700 – Steinbrenner 6, Alonso 4, March 18, 2016

No. 800 – Steinbrenner 10, Land O’ Lakes 5, April 12, 2023

1994 Class 4A State Title – Jesuit 10 Clearwater 2

1997 Class 4A State Title – Jesuit 7, Pasco 1

2000 Class 4A State Title – Jesuit 4, Jacksonville Bishop Kenny 1

2016 Class 8A State Title – Steinbrenner 9, Oviedo Hagerty 4

Published on April 19, 2023.

Digging deep in the sand

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Playing volleyball is just another day at the beach for them.

It doesn’t mean that the Saint Leo University Beach Volleyball players aren’t taking it seriously.

Saint Leo University beach volleyball player Aliya Fredette-Huffman dives to make a return during a training session. (Mike Camunas)

“It’s sandy and sunny and you get tan, so, unless you’re losing, there’s no complaints when you get to play this (sport) all the time,” said Jeanette Henderson, who is half of the team’s No. 1 duo. “I think beach volleyball is a lot more mental and I really appreciate that about the sport because that shows on the court — on the sand.”

Beach volleyball, which Saint Leo has been competing in since 2018, is a sport that may require more all-around skill than its indoor counterpart.

“Honestly, I think I had an easier time coming to beach volleyball because it was a little bit more individually focused and I could do a little bit of everything,” said Aliya Fredette-Huffman, who is Henderson’s playing partner. “With indoor, you pick one skill: you hit, you pass, you set, but here, on the sand, you can do it all — you have to do it all, which I really like because I enjoy doing all three (skills).

“Being an all-around player who can hit, set and pass is key.”

Jeanette Henderson, a Wharton High graduate, is one half of the No. 1 duo team on Saint Leo University’s Beach Volleyball team. Henderson, her playing partner Aliya Fredette-Huffman and their fellow teammates are headed to the 2022 Small College Beach Championship starting April 14, at Hickory Point Beach in Tavares. The Lions, who have four sandy courts on campus, are having a solid season under coach Natalia Koryzna, who also coaches the university’s indoor volleyball team.

Having the full-range skill set of a volleyball player comes in handy in beach volleyball because, unlike being a gym when the team has six players on the court, sandy matches are 2-v-2. Then, each team has five pairings, similar to how collegiate tennis matches are played. A pair must win two sets to take the match and a set is won by reaching 21 points first.

Since there are only two players, placement strategy is the real road to victory in beach volleyball.

The court dimensions are slightly smaller than indoor volleyball, but with only two players on each team, there’s much more area to place drop shots on the court.

“It’s significantly different than indoor because it’s more about perfecting placement and way more about the strategy it takes,” Lions coach Natalia Koryzna said. “You have more people to rely on when indoors, but out here in the sand, with just two people, it shows the players have to have the overall skills of every position of an indoor volleyball player. 

“So you’re going to see a lot more 1-on-1 play, which you won’t see indoors.”

However, a handful of Lions’ beach volleyball players also play for the indoor team, For example, Henderson, who is a Wharton High graduate, was recruited for beach volleyball, but also walked on the indoor team.

Assistant coach Emily Kalmink said recruiting beach volleyball players in Florida can be easier since it’s more likely players will be good on the beach given the abundance of them in this state.

“I transitioned to beach (volleyball) a lot earlier, but being from (New Smyrna Beach), it was right up my alley,” Fredette-Huffman added.

Ignacia Cortinez jumps up to serve the ball across the Lions sandy court during a training session.

Saint Leo competes in the Division II level of college sports, however, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association, “the popularity of beach volleyball has exploded over the last few years” and is “the fastest-growing NCAA sport over the last five years in Division I.”

It’s why the program is so young, but also doesn’t even have a full conference in which to hold a postseason tournament. Yet, after the team’s best season last year (22-13), Saint Leo continued those winning ways this season, finishing 15-8. The team is now headed to the Small College Beach Championships on April 14.

Last season in the same tournament, Saint Leo went 3-3 and won third in the silver bracket. This year, the Lions feel even more confident as they head to the sandy beach courts just off the shore of Lake Harris in Tavares.

“We have high expectations,” Fredette-Huffman said. “We’ve played some great teams and games and come away with some wins and also some losses, but the way the season has been going, we think we’re playing well enough to play with anyone.”

Henderson agrees, adding how close-knit the team has become in the two years under Koryzna has been crucial to their success.

“Our team chemistry is top tier,” Henderson added. “We all feel like family, like sisters and we hang out all the time together. So, it’s a lot like, even if you’re out there playing in the sand for a point or you’re not, you still feel like part of the team and want to be part of the team.”

AVCA Small College Beach Championships
When: April 14 to April 16
Where: Hickory Point Beach, 27345 State Road 19, Tavares
Details: On 21 professional-grade lighted, sand courts, universities will bring their squads of two-player teams to compete for Division II, III and NAIA Division titles.
For results or more information, visit avca.org/events/small-college-beach-champ.html.

Published April 12, 2023

Lions beach volleyball player LeeAnn Potter looks to toss back the ball during a practice on campus.
Lions beach volleyball coach Natalia Koryzna, in her second season, also coaches the indoor volleyball squad.
Amanda Doherty lunges for a return during a recent Lions beach volleyball practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their field of dreams

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They built it because it was time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And, it was a disaster.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published April 05, 2023

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Local teams compete during Spring Break

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Spring Break typically is a time for beach trips or relaxing, but not for everyone. Several high school baseball and softball players skipped working on their tan — at least for a few days — so they could compete in annual tournaments in March.

Here are the results of teams and individual performances of players in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

2023 Saladino Tournament
It was the 42nd edition of the prestigious tournament started by Tony Saladino and now run by his family and foundation. This year, the tournament expanded to have more divisions, from Gold, Silver and Bronze. Steinbrenner, Gaither and Wharton competed in the Gold Division, while Freedom played in the Silver. Each team was guaranteed four games.

  • Freedom: The Patriots, coming off a historic season in 2022, are struggling this season, including going winless in Saladino’s Silver Division. Freedom dropped games to King, Hillsborough, Leto and East Bay, respectively, while only scoring runs in the 9-7 loss to Hillsborough. In that game, Joey Wey drove in three runs, Brayden Nanns two runs, and Tommy Bradley and Ryan Acord both had an RBI.
  • Gaither: The Cowboys went 1-3 in Saladino play, with the only win being 10-3 over Wharton on March 11. Losses to Plant, Plant City and Jesuit (the eventual Saladino champion) were by a combined score of 16-6. In the win over Wharton, Jackson Mirza and Scout Simpson both drove in two RBI, while Josh Choe, David Pina, Nico Lopez and Jeffery Cavicchi all drove in a run apiece.
  • Steinbrenner: The Warriors went 1-3 in their Saladino games, losing to Bloomingdale 7-2 on March 11, 14-4 to Strawberry Crest on March 14 and 5-0 to Jefferson on March 15. The team’s lone win came in a close 5-4 win over Newsome on March 13. Dominic Sardegna drove in three RBI over those four games, while Joshua Stephens went a combined 4-for-11 with a two-run homer vs. Strawberry Crest. Bryce Andrews picked up a save in the win over Newsome.
  • Wharton: The Wildcats also went 1-3 in the tournament, losing to Gaither, Jesuit and Robinson, but then trounced Plant City 15-7 on March 14. Senior David Ascano went 7-for-11 with five RBI over the four games, while Caden Long drove in four in the blowout vs. Plant City. Justis Meadows and Jariel Garriga both drove in two RBI in that game, as well.

2023 Farm Bureau Classic
The annual baseball tournament featuring Pasco and Hernando county teams came down to a couple of Pasco County teams, with the Land O’ Lakes Gators walking away as runner-up and Mitchell, once again, taking the crown. The Mustangs won the championship game, with a score of 6-3 on March 17, which may very well foreshadow how the Class 6A-District 5 shakes out the rest of the season and into the postseason.

  • Bishop McLaughlin: The Hurricanes, coming off a stunning upset of nationally ranked Clearwater Calvary Christian on March 9, went 1-2 in the Classic, topping Fivay on March 14, but dropping matches to Hernando and Nature Coast on March 13 and March 15, respectively. In the 11-1 win over Fivay, Logan McGann went 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Tyler Pizzo, Keither Jacobs and Christopher Rodriguez all drove in two RBI apiece. Freshman Zorre Wright notched the walk-off hit vs. Springstead, while vs. River Ridge, senior Jake Carrillo drove in two RBI.
  • Cypress Creek: The Coyotes went 1-2 in the tournament, and while they grabbed a big 13-1 win over South Sumter, they dropped back-to-back games to Land O’ Lakes and Hernando by a combined score of 22-0. In the Coyotes win, sophomore Evertt Burgess went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a triple, while Ryan Maggy, Max Menendez and Braden Alexander all drove in two RBI each.
  • Land O’ Lakes: The Gators, the aforementioned runners-up, dominated in their wins on the way to the final vs. Mitchell, outsourcing Weeki Wachee, Cypress Creek and Wesley Chapel, respectively, a combined 25-8. In those wins, William Colon drove in five in two of the games, Gavin Jusino drove in two vs. Cypress Creek, and Brad Bloxsom and Dylan Makowski both drove in two RBI vs. Wesley Chapel. Anderson Gutierrez struck out 11 in the Cypress Creek game. 
  • In the championship game vs. Mitchell, the Gators grabbed a quick 2-0 lead, but saw it slip away throughout the game despite six hits, an RBI by C.J. Chalk and pitcher Sutton Christie striking out seven over four innings.
  • Wesley Chapel: The Wildcats were able to go 2-1, including facing Land O’ Lakes in the semifinals, though dropped that game 10-5. In their back-to-back wins, the Wildcats eked out a couple of one-run wins: first 7-6 over Springstead in nine innings and then 8-7 over River Ridge.

2023 Bay Made Fastpitch Elite Invitational
In just its second year, the popularity and competitiveness of this tournament has already grown. Organizer Will Turner hosted three days of games at Greco Softball Complex in Temple Terrace, but also returned all but one of the competitive teams from last year’s inaugural tournament, while expanding the field to 16 teams.

  • Gaither: The Cowboys, at 9-2 this season, picked up the team’s first loss in the tournament, coming at the hands of Bloomingdale 7-2, as well as a second loss: 12-2 to Parrish Community. On March 17, Gaither had back-to-back wins over Lakeland George Jenkins and Palmetto, respectively. The Cowboys are led by seniors Mimi Gooden and Alexsandra Wilkes, who have a combined 20 RBI through nine games.
  • Land O’ Lakes: The Gators went winless in their four games at the Invitational, losing to Hernando, Sickles, Palmetto and George Jenkins. The Gators managed 15 runs in two of the losses, but were shut out 22-0 in losses to Hernando and Palmetto. Against Sickles, sophomore Jaila Mitchell went 3-for-3 with two RBI, while vs. George Jenkins, junior Kiersten Stevens went 4-for-4 with seven RBI and two runs scored. 
  • Steinbrenner: The Warriors made it to the semifinals, one of the four teams left in the Gold Bracket, with wins over George Jenkins 8-3 and River Ridge 3-2. The Warriors lost the semifinal match vs. eventual champ Clearwater Calvary Christian 9-2, and the Gold Bracket Consolation game vs. Hernando 8-3. In the Warriors’ two wins, Lily Holtje drove in four RBI, while in the team’s two losses, Saige Simpson drove in two runs. Emma Kindle also had a two-RBI game in the win over George Jenkins and Jaily Bellamy had an RBI on a 2-for-3 game vs. River Ridge.

Published March 29, 2023

2022-2023 Sunshine Athletic Conference Winter 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 2022-2023 Winter All-Conference Teams and Players, voted on by the sports’ respective coaches.

The awards are split into East and West divisions of the county. Here are the East Division First Teams and the players and coaches of the year.

Wiregrass Ranch High School forward Alex Rodriguez led the 18-6 Bulls with 21 goals. (Courtesy of Dave Wilson)

Boys Soccer
​​Team Champion: Sunlake High School
Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Rodriguez, Wiregrass Ranch
Defensive Player of the Year: Reece Jamieson, Wesley Chapel
Coach of the Year: Sam Koleduk, Sunlake
First Team
Forward – Alex Rodriguez, Wiregrass Ranch
Forward – Will Fotopulous, Sunlake
Midfield – Matias Gonzales, Sunlake
Midfield – Alexei Leon, Wiregrass Ranch
Midfield – Juan Sanchez, Pasco
Defense – Jeremy Caruso, Wiregrass Ranch
Defense – Reece Jamieson, Wesley Chapel
Defense – Paul Grzelczyk, Sunlake
Goalkeeper – Nate Nobl, Sunlake
Utility – Dylan Ortiz, Sunlake
Utility – Mykall Lewis, Wiregrass Ranch

Sunlake High School junior Taylor Campbell tied the team record for most goals (26) and assists (15) in a season, propelling the Seahawks to its first state tournament appearance. (Courtesy of Sunlake Athletics)
Cypress Creek High School senior soccer player Abbie Pittman. (Courtesy of Jessica Herzek)

Girls Soccer
​​Team Champion: Cypress Creek High School
Offensive Player of the Year: Campbell Taylor, Sunlake
Defensive Player of the Year: Abbie Pittman, Cypress Creek
Coach of the Year: Jami Finan, Sunlake
First Team:

Forward – Campbell Taylor, Sunlake
Forward – Allison Souers, Cypress Creek
Midfield – Nemesis Arroyo, Wesley Chapel
Midfield – Maya Hinz, Sunlake
Midfield – Lex Mangione, Wesley Chapel

Midfield – Isabella Wood, Sunlake

Defense – Hannah Fulop, Cypress Creek
Defense – Bianca Martinez, Sunlake
Defense – Abbie Pittman, Cypress Creek
Goalkeeper – Alex Capocy, Cypress Creek
Utility – Emily Doonan, Wesley Chapel

Boys Basketball
​​Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch High School
Player of the Year: Trey Murray, Wesley Chapel
Coach of the Year: Jeremy Calzone, Wiregrass Ranch
First Team:
Trey Murray, Wesley Chapel
Landy Colyer, Land O’ Lakes
Amon Whitlow, Cypress Creek
Kennen Ayala, Land O’ Lakes
K.J. Smith, Wiregrass Ranch

Girls Basketball
​​Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes High School
Player of the Year: Jaylin Neder, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Peter Livingston, Wesley Chapel
First Team:
Jaylin Neder, Land O’ Lakes
Dayla Christopher, Wesley Chapel
Allison McCullough, Zephyrhills
Amaiya Potter, Wiregrass Ranch
Alexandria Gonzales, Sunlake

The Land O’ Lakes High School wrestling team won its third-straight SAC title this season. (Courtesy of Eddie Marley)

Wrestling
​​Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes High School
Boys Wrestler of the Year: Cassidy Grubbs, Pasco
Coach of the Year: Eddie Marley, Land O’ Lakes
Boys First Team:
106 – Francesco Alagna, Cypress Creek
113 – Ashton Horvath, Sunlake
120 – Marco Rivera, Sunlake
126 – Jet Griffis, Land O’ Lakes
132 – Brandon Austin, Land O’ Lakes
138 – Charles Griffis, Land O’ Lakes
145 – Wyatt Green, Land O’ Lakes
152 – Leomany Casado, Land O’ Lakes
160 – Nicholas Iserino, Wesley Chapel
170 – Hudson Merkle, Cypress Creek
182 – Brunco Ingalls, Pasco
195 – Brody Switzer, Zephyrhills
220 – Cassidy Grubbs, Pasco
285 – Garry Gilbert, Land O’ Lakes

Girls First Team:
100 – Kohana Martinez, Zephyrhills
105 – Gabrielle Thompson, Wesley Chapel
110 – Brooke Pickering, Land O’ Lakes
115 – Izabella Kullman, Sunlake High
120 – Gabrielle Asabi, Wesley Chapel
125 – Sofia Palacio, Wesley Chapel
135 – Kristy Moore, Sunlake
140 – Nicollette Watson, Wiregrass Ranch
145 – Nevaeh Tdedman, Pasco
155 – Alliyah Trahan, Wesley Chapel
170 – Megan Preston, Wiregrass Ranch
190 – Paisley Murphy, Wesley Chapel

Sunlake High School state champion lifter Elena Kulubya brought home the gold medal in the 169-pound weight class, performing a 165-pound snatch and a 215-pound clean and jerk. (Courtesy of Brett Hodros)

Girls Weightlifting
Olympic ​​Team Champion: Zephyrhills High School
Traditional Team Co-Champions: Sunlake and Zephyrhills
Olympic Lifter of the Year: Elena Kubuya, Sunlake
Traditional Lifter of the Year: Makiyah Nickerson, Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Brett Hodros, Sunlake
Olympic First Team:
101 – Gabriella Gonzalez, Cypress Creek
110 – Sienna Silvest, Cypress Creek
119 – Peyton Leidy, Zephyrhills
129 – Arianna Manzano, Cypress Creek
139 – Makiyah Nickerson, Sunlake
154 – Morgan Stewart, Wiregrass Ranch
169 – Elena Kulubya, Sunlake
183 – Carolina Crim, Sunlake
199 – Bella Patrias, Zephyrhills
Unlimited – Kennedy Arnot, Zephyrhills

Traditional First Team:
101 – Gabriella Gonzalez, Cypress Creek
110 – Sienna Silvest, Cypress Creek
119 – Peyton Leidy, Zephyrhills
129 – Sharibel Vazquez, Zephyrhills
139 – Makiyah Nickerson, Sunlake
154 – Nicole Bouserhal, Sunlake
169 – Elena Kulubya, Sunlake
183 – Autumn Spoon, Zephyrhills
199 – Bella Patrias, Zephyrhills
Unlimited – Kennedy Arnot, Zephyrhills

Cheerleading
​​Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Cheerleader of the Year: Mia Allen, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Ashley Linden, Land O’ Lakes
First Team:
Mia Allen, Land O’ Lakes
Katy Quandt, Land O’ Lakes
Gianna Ocasio, Land O’ Lakes
Lariah Coraham, Zephyrhills
Calli Catalanotto, Cypress Creek
Lauren Rossman, Cypress Creek
Hailey Gouldbourne, Wesley Chapel
MaJenna Frontado, Wesley Chapel
Bella Hicks, Pasco
Mackenzie Piotrowski, Pasco

Published March 22, 2023

Golf league promotes competition among amateurs

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These players are into the competitive swing of things.

Players of all caliber compete on the Golfweek Amateur Tour, and they’re not just there to hack away on the golf course for four-plus hours — they want to compete.

“We’re out there competing for trophies, prizes, money and other stuff, so it brings the competitiveness out of us when we play,” said Lutz resident Hank Holt, who has been on the amateur tour for 13 years. “It’s more so than just going out and playing —there’s something at stake.

Dale Missildine, of Tampa, tees off at Brooksville Golf & Country Club on Feb. 18 during a tournament presented by the Tampa Chapter of the Golfweek Amateur Tour, as Robert Ruel, left, and A.J. Joiner track the ball. The Tour provides amateurs of all ages, sexes and handicaps the opportunity to compete in stroke-play golf tournaments on a regular basis in their local area all over the country. (Mike Camunas)

(“It’s) just something to do, something different than going out shooting what you shoot,” he added. “It’s about getting on this tour and meeting guys from all walks of life and becoming friends with them.

“We’re just like the PGA Tour, except we’re not winning as much money (laughs).”

With the Golfweek Amateur Tour, there are various area chapters throughout the country that provide amateurs of all ages, sexes and handicaps the opportunity to compete in stroke-play golf tournaments on a regular basis. Each tournament follows USGA rules and places golfers in one of five flights based on their handicaps.

The Tampa Chapter covers a wide area, from Hernando County, even down to Sarasota County, and of course, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties in between. This chapter is based out of Land O’ Lakes, stationed out of Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes. It’s also the home course of the chapter’s director, Shane McAdams.

McAdams says there are about 130 players on the Tampa amateur tour this season, with most of them being men. The number of women on the roster fluctuates, with as many as seven one season.

Golfweek Amateur Tour Tampa Chapter director Shane McAdams prepares to tee off.

There also is a senior circuit of the tour, however, it is currently on hiatus, as Golfweek and other tournament directors look into revamping that tour’s rules and logistics.

Scoring and integrity are vital to the tour, McAdams said.

“We’re really trying to build up the Land O’ Lakes/Lutz area of this (tour),” McAdams said. “We go by the honor system (when it comes to players’ handicaps), so if you come to your first tourney, and we put you in the flight that is for the score you told us, but that person just dominates that flight, then we’ll disqualify that golfer. We don’t have time for guys trying to be ringers.

“And knockaround guys who think they might be good, but then the competitiveness shows them just how good they are — not that we’re looking to knock anyone down a peg, but it gives the golfers who think they’re good an idea of just how good they are.

“And a lot of them use it to get better.”

The entire tour has about 9,000 members nationwide, and at the end of the season, the top players in the five flights compete in regionals and then, possibly, the National Tournament, which is then held in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Local amateur golfers, of all ages, sexes and handicaps, work on the driving range before a Golfweek Amateur Tour event at Brooksville Golf & Country Club on Feb. 18.

This would include the top flight winner from the Tampa Chapter: Land O’ Lakes resident Zack Holiday.

Throughout the season, members get to play on a variety of courses, such as Brooksville Golf & Country Club or Lake Jovita or Carrollwood Golf Club or even the Ritz Carlton down in Sarasota.

“It takes dedication, but it’s a lot of fun to play all over the area and state and then meet a lot of different golfers, because with that comes the camaraderie,” said Theoren Smith, of Lutz, who is a two-year member of the tour. “We are competitive guys who want to come out and love playing and try to win to go for the money.

“But, all-in-all, it’s fun.”

“I really just wanted to compete again,” said Land O’ Lakes resident Andrew Gastley, who played collegiately at the University of Tampa. “It gets the adrenaline flowing when you’re got a live leaderboard (on your phone) you can look at and you’re coming down the stretch and in contention. Even if you’re not doing well, you can sit back and watch the leaderboard and watch someone you know contend.

“It’s not a lot of (prize) money, but it is some money and it gets you to really take your game seriously.”

The competitiveness is always on display, too, as McAdams said at the Feb. 18 tour event at Brooksville Golf & Country Club, two D Flight members had a hole in one: Zach Williams on hole nine and Matthew Robinson on hole 17.

Andrew Gastley, of Land O’ Lakes, watches his ball during his follow-through during an event presented by the Tampa Chapter of the Golfweek Amateur Tour at Brooksville Golf & Country Club on Feb. 18.

“Well, the better you are, the further back you go (on the tee box), right?” McAdams said. “So, really good players are tough to come by, but that’s okay, because we’re just out here to have some fun, competitive golf. When a tournament starts, we have 60 (players) or so, and not everyone plays each time, as they have families.

“But we’re close, like a family, and it is a lot of fun for a lot of golfers.”

Golfweek Amateur Golf Tour
Details: Established in 1995, the purpose of the tour is to provide amateurs of all ages, sexes and handicaps the opportunity to compete in stroke-play golf tournaments on a regular basis in their local area. The tour concludes with a National Tour Championship featuring top players in each flight who test their skills against other amateurs from around the country. Through this competition, the Golfweek Tour promotes the sport of golf by providing an atmosphere of friendly, fair, and well-managed competition for amateur golfers in the pursuit of excellence.
Cost: $105 annual membership fee, cost per tournament varies; Golfweek Amateur Tour allows all members to compete in any Golfweek Amateur Tour event across the country.
For more information on the Tampa chapter of the Amateur Golf Tour, visit www.amateurgolftour.net/tampa_tour_pages/default.aspx, call Shane McAdams at 813-789-5988 or Marie McAdams at 813-727-8960, or email .

Published March 15, 2023

Lutz resident Hank Holt hopes his ball hangs on and stays in the fairway after his early morning drive at Brooksville Golf & Country Club.
Jon Blum, of Tampa, watches his ball during his follow-through during a tournament presented by the Tampa Chapter of the Golfweek Amateur Tour at Brooksville Golf & Country Club on Feb. 18.
Amateur golfers get in some final putting touches prior to a Golfweek Amateur Tour event at Brooksville Golf & Country Club on Feb. 18.

Single-handedly throwing her own way

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Dani Kanas only needs the one arm.

To throw the javelin, to train, to drive a car, to go to school.

This is how she lives her life.

Dani Kanas is a senior javelin thrower for the Steinbrenner High in Lutz, but her journey started on the other side of the world. Kanas, 17, was abandoned at a train station as a baby, then taken to an orphanage, where an infection required the amputation of her arm. After being adopted and brought stateside, she took up field events at age 8 and it spurred a love for the sport. In November, she competed in the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports (IWAS) World Games in Portugal, where she won a gold medal in javelin. (Mike Camunas)

“I just feel like an athlete,” the 17-year-old Steinbrenner High track and field thrower said. “There are times where I’m thinking I’m not able to do this or do certain workouts, but I am able to adapt — because you don’t always have to do it like everyone else. There’s a way to do it that works for you.

“I was able to find this sport and I’m so glad I did.”

She’s been successful in throwing the javelin, the discus and shot put.

Kanas has been so successful, she was selected as one of 30 athletes to represent Team USA in the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports (IWAS) World Games. And on that world stage in November, in Portugal, Kanas did not disappoint.

She brought home three medals — a gold in javelin, a silver in discus and a bronze in shot put.

“It was a different experience because I’m used to being in the states,” Kanas said. “It was such a cool experience to see what it was like competing against people from different countries, and I enjoyed meeting other adaptive athletes from the states there, so it was a great experience to get to travel there and compete.

Dani Kanas also competes in the shot put and the discus. She brought home a silver in discus and a bronze in shot put from the IWAS games.

“Bringing back a medal was great, too!”

Javelin to the top
When Kanas was just a baby, she was abandoned at a train station in China.

She was rescued and taken to an orphanage, but an infection developed in her left arm, requiring amputation for her to survive.

She was adopted and brought to the states when she was about 18 months old.

As she grew older, she joined in all of the same games and activities as her able-bodied peers. She tried various sports, such as soccer, that didn’t require the use of both arms, but then attended an adaptive track and field camp until she was 8.

Once she had the chance to throw a javelin, the rest was history.

Dani Kanas hasn’t decided which college she will be attending, however, will go on a scholarship to programs such as Michigan or Alabama, both of which have adaptive sports and athletes.

“When I was younger, I thought my amputation was going to limit me, but as I started to compete, you learn that as an adaptive athlete, you kind of learn that it’s just another competition — no matter what.

“I was playing soccer at the time and just saw all these people at my school doing those things and I just thought that I would never be able to do certain things that other kids were doing,” she added.

“But now I’ve grown used to competing with able-bodied athletes.”

Besides competing in adaptive track and field competitions, she also competes for Steinbrenner against able-bodied student athletes from neighboring schools and teams. She is given no advantage, yet still holds her own, including taking the javelin event in the Steinbrenner Invitational this season.

Dani Kanas, a senior javelin thrower at Steinbrenner High, says she always wears her prosthetic while competing, as it helps with balance. She hopes to advance out of the district tournament in her final high school season.

“It takes a tough mindset to shrug all that off and compete against regular kids,” said Steinbrenner’s throwing coach Andre Washington, a 2016 grad and former thrower himself. “You see that in Dani, that there’s the want — it’s a want mindset — ‘I’m not going to let this one arm take anything away from me. I’m going to go out there and give it my all and win.’ … She thinks of herself as a regular person — which she is — and it’s her determination to be great that has gotten her to where she is today.

“(Her throwing with one arm) — blows my mind. It’s an incredible thing to watch.”

Ably determined
It’s hard not to notice Kanas’ determination, her drive, her desire to compete at the level she knows she’s capable of. It’s also hard not to notice that a one-arm thrower — wearing a prosthetic for some balance — is out there competing at a high level, already carrying around international medals.

“She’s one of our top throwers — obviously,” Steinbrenner’s longtime track and field coach Ladd Baldwin said. “She can throw for her size, too, because you’re not going to be wowed by her size — she’s not a big kid, at all, but her form is incredible and that’s what helps her to compete.

“She’s been wonderful here (at Steinbrenner) and she’s a great thrower — she’s just one of those kids who loves it and gets it.”

Her passion to compete is creating new opportunities, as collegiate adaptive sports programs in Michigan and Southern California have offered her scholarships. Kanas, however, is leaning toward an offer from Alabama.

“I never thought that would be a possibility,” Kanas added.

The possibilities are endless for this determined, yet still fully abled thrower, who can reach all those, and her goals, even with just the one arm.

“My goal is to show others — who may have a similar story to mine, who may be in a similar situation as me — that they shouldn’t let their disability stop them.

“I want to, and hope,” she continued, “I inspire them to go out and compete. I want them to know that this community (of adaptive athletes) exists and they shouldn’t just assume they can’t do it because they’re not able-bodied.”

Published March 08, 2023