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Wesley Chapel/New Tampa Sports

Bulls hope to raise big money with funny fundraiser

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Wiregrass Ranch High School believes comedy and cross-country means some cash for their sports program.

Tommy Johnagin, a ‘Last Comic Standing’ runner-up, performs at Side Splitters on Sept. 7. The show also is a benefit for Wiregrass Ranch High School’s boys and girls cross-country teams. (Courtesy of TommyJComedy.com)
Tommy Johnagin, a ‘Last Comic Standing’ runner-up, performs at Side Splitters on Sept. 7. The show also is a benefit for Wiregrass Ranch High School’s boys and girls cross-country teams.
(Courtesy of TommyJComedy.com)

On Sept. 7, the school’s cross-country teams will benefit from a comedy show at Side Splitters Comedy Club, 12938 N. Dale Mabry Highway. The weekend’s headliner, Tommy Johnagin, will perform at the 7 p.m. show, with 70 percent of admission receipts going to the school.

According to Side Splitters general manager Brian Thompson, having a comedy fundraiser is a good way to raise money and have a good time doing it.

“It’s a nice way for the parents to get out and generate some money for whatever event they’re raising for specifically,” Thompson said. Wiregrass Ranch has had fundraisers at Side Splitters in the past, and the comedy club has also had events benefiting other groups.”

The audience can seat 250, and has the potential to bring in thousands of dollars in fundraisers, he said.

Those funds would be welcome, since maintaining good teams can be expensive. It can cost between $4,000 and $6,000 each season to meet all expenses and maintain adequate funds in reserve, according to boys coach Chris Loth. Several rounds of T- shirts and meet entry fees can add up, with an awards ceremony thrown in as well.

Wiregrass Ranch also charters a bus for one meet each season. The school will use it this year to compete in Tallahassee.

As a result, Wiregrass Ranch must get creative with their fundraising, and pairing up with a comedy club seemed like a good fit.

“We have very supportive families and friends and alumni who are going to come out,” Loth said. “So we thought it would be a good night to get some of the families together without the kids, and have a good time and raise some money as a result.”

A fan of stand-up comedy, Loth is familiar with the club and the headlining comedian. He saw Johnagin at a local stop a few years back, and thought his style would be a good fit for the event. Johnagin is a regular on late-night talk shows, and placed second in an earlier season of “Last Comic Standing” on NBC.

If the event does well for the school, Loth said it could become part of their regular fundraising efforts. The Bulls already host a 5-kilometer run, sell advertising space on their T-shirts, and partner with a merchandiser to raise money.

It’s important to stay creative with fundraising and not fall into a routine, he said.

“Our philosophy is we don’t want to do the same thing every single year,” Loth said. “We want to give lots of different people the ability to participate and reach a lot of different folks.”

Loth is hoping for a sellout on Sept. 7, and could see doing a similar event every other year if it’s successful.

The school would be happy to see the event match the success of the teams themselves. Wiregrass Ranch is known to have successful cross-country programs for both boys and girls. They’re considered one of the top teams in Pasco County, and have a number of top 10 finishes at the state meet to their credit.

The parents have been very supportive of the team and they expect to have a successful fundraising evening at the comedy club, Loth said. As a close-knit group, he feels like everyone does their part of make sure the teams, and the program in general, maintain a level of success.

“We ask a lot of ourselves, and in turn ask a lot of our parents and they always come through for us,” Loth said. “We try to make it a family, and family supports each other with whatever you’re trying to accomplish.”

Comedians Alex Stone and Krishna Reddy also will perform.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit SideSplittersComedy.com. Tickets purchased on the website also benefit Wiregrass Ranch’s cross-country teams.

Published September 3, 2014

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Program, expectations on the rise at Freedom

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According to the record books, Freedom High School finished with a 3-7 record last year.

But head coach Tom Donohoe doesn’t see it that way.

“The program was 8-8,” said Donohoe, now entering his third season at the helm. “That’s the way we look at it, because we coach varsity and JV. Our goal is to improve as a program.”

Structure and organization are key words at Patriots’ practices under coach Tom Donohoe. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Structure and organization are key words at Patriots’ practices under coach Tom Donohoe.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Including junior varsity records, instead of back-to-back 3-7 campaigns, Freedom improved from 6-10 to 8-8 over the previous year. At least from the coach’s perspective.

Rebuilding from the ground up — the varsity team hasn’t had a winning season since 2009 — means looking at improving all aspects of the Patriots’ football program. Installing discipline, structure and stability at all levels of play is important, Donohoe explained.

Practices are more organized, and the program as a whole has a clear understanding of what they’re trying to do. The same coaches lead both teams, so the transition from junior varsity to varsity should be a smooth one for players as they advance in the system.

While that focus didn’t translate into more wins over the previous season for the Patriots, there were bright spots and areas of improvement. Freedom was involved in a number of close games, including two road losses by a total of 10 points to Strawberry Crest and district foe Steinbrenner.

Freedom plays both of those teams at home this year, and Donohoe is looking forward to seeing year-to-year improvement as they tackle familiar opponents throughout the schedule.

The Patriots’ defense also was a bright spot in 2013, providing solid play and keeping the team in many games. Eight starters are returning from last year, which provides stability at what already was a strong point for the team.

Defensive backs and linebackers should be particularly effective this season, Donohoe said.

The defense understands that they’ll be expected to continue their solid play and help the team turn the corner in 2014.

“It’s going to be on us to step up and score points defensively,” said linebacker Lee Carabali.

The team has been hitting the weight room over the summer, and is now stronger as a result. He’s even seen improvement in the offense as the defense faces them in practice.

That improvement would be welcome in 2014. While the defense was doing their part to help the team win last year, the other side of the ball wasn’t as effective.

“Our offense was sputtering,” Donohoe admitted. The Patriots only reached the 20-point mark once all last year, and failed to score 10 points four times.

But Freedom closed the year with two straight wins, including a 33-13 win over Wiregrass Ranch in their home finale.

The team is returning six starters, has talented weapons at skill positions and had strong performances in seven-on-seven competition over the summer, Donohue said. A new offensive coordinator should provide fresh perspectives as well, giving the coach plenty of optimism for the coming season.

“It’s definitely going to be a better year in terms of offensive productivity,” Donohoe said. “No doubt about it.”

The attitude change has made an impact on experienced players like defensive back Aaron Cox.

“A lot of people, since I was a freshman, were playing around and not really disciplined,” Cox said. “But now that we have better coaches, they’ve been working with us and we’ve been working real hard.”

The players have come together and bought into the system, he said.

With so many returning starters, the Patriots are feeling good about improving their fortunes in 2014. But Donohoe also is excited to see how newer players perform.

He expects athletes who played junior varsity to step up and contribute immediately. They should be comfortable with the system and ready to perform, which Donohoe hopes will lead to some better numbers for the varsity squad.

“A lot of these guys played with us for the last couple of years,” he said. “They’re a product of what we’ve been doing, and they know the expectations. It should be their time to shine.

“We feel like we’re finally getting to that point where we should be successful a little bit more in varsity now, too.”

Freedom Patriots
LAST YEAR: 3-7
1-4 in the district
fifth place in Class 7A-District 7

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS
Johnny Rodicio, slot back
Lee Carabali, linebacker

PLAYER TO WATCH
Sayff Saed, wide receiver, quarterback
“He can do a number of different things. He has a lot of talent and can go into a lot of different positions.” — Coach Tom Donohoe

Patriots 2014 Schedule
8/29 — at King
9/5 — Middleton
9/12 — at Wharton
9/19 — at Gaither
9/26 — Strawberry Crest
10/2 — at Sickles
10/17 — Tampa Bay Tech
10/24 — Steinbrenner
10/31 — at Wiregrass Ranch
11/7 — Riverview

Published September 3, 2014

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Wildcats not down, not dejected after winless 2013

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Last season the Wesley Chapel Wildcats lost all of their games.

They were shut out four times and only scored seven points or more in two contests all year. In half of their games, they lost by at least 30 points.

With another year of experience under their belts, Scott Edwards, left, and Ryan Robinson are expected to help turn around Wesley Chapel’s fortunes in 2014. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
With another year of experience under their belts, Scott Edwards, left, and Ryan Robinson are expected to help turn around Wesley Chapel’s fortunes in 2014.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

But in the locker room and at practice, no heads are hanging. Players aren’t dejected or going through the motions. In fact, there’s plenty of optimism and enthusiasm as they prepare for a new season.

And while head coach Tico Hernandez would loved to have registered some wins, he’s not ashamed of his team’s effort last year.

“The scoreboard didn’t go our way, but there are a lot of great things that we did do,” said Hernandez, now entering his second year as the school’s head coach. Participation “numbers up, kids behaving, academics up. Those are some important things that we take pride in.”

As a result, the Wesley Chapel High School administration and team parents have supported Hernandez’s efforts to build a program with a strong foundation.

Off-field production is important to Hernandez. In addition to his coaching duties at Wesley Chapel, he works with students who are in danger of not graduating, and helps them get back on the path to earning a diploma.

But he also wants to see improved results on the field, and feels that another year of experience will help his team take a step forward in 2014. The team should have around seven offensive starters returning, including their quarterback and four offensive linemen.

Hernandez believes having that consistency in the huddle will translate into a more efficient and effective unit.

Their confidence should get a boost as well. Returning quarterback Scott Edwards credits their coach for keeping the team calm and focused as they struggled through a difficult season in 2013.

“I think it was coach Hernandez’ attitude. He’s got a really positive attitude about the whole season, and I think that helps us out,” Edwards said. He believes that last year’s experience coupled with some competition will help him up his game this year.

Ryan Robinson, who plays on the offensive line, said that returning so many linemen from last year also will make a big difference. He believes that it’s up to him and his teammates on the line to step up and create opportunities for the offense.

“We play the biggest role if you ask me,” Robinson said. “Without us, none of this happens.”

Hernandez also feels good about the team’s defense. While they gave up a lot of points in some games, he said those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Mistakes on offense, special teams scores and other mental miscues often put the defense in difficult situations, and contributed to some lopsided defeats.

He has confidence the Wildcats will have a good showing on that side of the ball.

While there’s a lot of optimism headed into the season — the team feels good about their participation in seven-on-seven competition this summer — nobody is willing to make concrete predictions about the upcoming season. Hernandez acknowledges there’s a lot of talent in Class 5A-District 7, and their non-district schedule isn’t any easier, with matchups against schools like Pasco and Sunlake.

Despite the challenges, the coach believes they’re building a strong program and looks forward to seeing how his team has progressed since struggling through a winless season last year. However things turn out, Hernandez feels privileged to have the opportunity to work with the team, play a role in their growth and be part of the game he enjoys.

“I love it. I’m blessed,” Hernandez said. “Every day I’m thankful. I’ve got coaches who believe in each other, the administration is fantastic and community support’s up.

“We play a game that these kids have played since they were little kids. We’re blessed every day to be able to come out here with great health. It’s a great opportunity to play football in the state of Florida.”

Wesley Chapel Wildcats:
LAST YEAR: 0-10
0-5 in district play
Sixth place in Class 5A-District 7

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS
Scott Edwards, quarterback
Ryan Robinson, offensive line, defensive line.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Tre McKitty, wide receiver, tight end, defensive lineman
“I love his excitement. He challenges himself every day. He’s still a younger kid, but he looks (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) like he’s ready for college right now.” — Coach Tico Hernandez

2014 Wildcats Schedule
8/29 — at Zephyrhills
9/5 — Lecanto
9/12 — Pasco
9/19 — at Hudson
10/3 — Ridgewood
10/10 — Sunlake
10/17 — at River Ridge
10/25 — Anclote
10/31 — Gulf
11/7 — at Wiregrass Ranch

Published August 20, 2014

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‘D’ stands for ‘discipline’ at Wiregrass Ranch

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After back-to-back 0-10 campaigns, the Wiregrass Ranch Bulls turned things around in 2013 with a respectable 4-6 record.

As a result, they lost the losing mentality that comes with winless seasons.

Yori McMillan, left, and Austin Stroup will be part of the offensive line assigned to protect quarterback Shane Bucenell this season. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Yori McMillan, left, and Austin Stroup will be part of the offensive line assigned to protect quarterback Shane Bucenell this season.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Heading into 2014, however, they’ve lost something else: their head coach.

Mike Lawrence parlayed his successful year with the Bulls into a position with Bethany College in Kansas. That leaves Arturo Meza at the helm, who was co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Bulls last year. Before that, his resume includes Zephyrhills, East Bay and Spoto high schools.

And the United States Marine Corps. Meza said his background will factor into the Bulls’ philosophy this season.

“We have a saying, ‘Discipline is the key.’ You have to say it, you have to think it, you have to believe it,” Meza said. “Discipline is going to be a big thing in continuing to move forward.”

The players already believe it as they move forward with their preparations. At Wiregrass Ranch High School, practice includes a lot of whistles, horns and players rotating to different sections of the field, working hard at drills and remaining in constant motion. And last week, Meza had representatives from the Marine Corps visit the team to instill some mental toughness and add a little something to their physical regimen.

According to Austin Stroup, a senior who plays on the offensive line, the team is feeling the effects of Meza’s approach.

“We run so much,” he said. “We run more than any team I’ve ever been a part of. Everyone’s going to be so disciplined. There are going to be less mistakes.”

Mistakes and a lack of conditioning are part of what prevented Wiregrass Ranch from turning a respectable year into an excellent one last season. Close games and early leads turned into disappointment as the team failed to keep up with their opponents as the games progressed.

“In the Steinbrenner game, we just fell apart,” said senior quarterback Shane Bucenell, recalling how a 17-7 halftime lead against the Warriors turned into a 27-20 defeat last season.

“We have to put in the work every single day and make sure that we finish all our conditioning drills.”

Yori McMillan, a senior who also will protect Bucenell on the offensive line, believes Meza is the right coach to make sure the team puts in the necessary effort to limit errors and advance as a program.

“Coach Lawrence was big on discipline, but Coach Meza, he really wants to enforce that we don’t make mistakes,” McMillan said.

In addition to the Steinbrenner defeat, Meza pointed to the game against Gaither High School as a missed district opportunity, which they lost by 20 points. While the Bulls went 4-6 last year, they were 0-5 in Class 7A-District 7.

One of the team’s goals is to become a force in their district, where they haven’t won in three seasons.

To achieve their goals, Wiregrass Ranch will need steady production from their offense, which Meza considers to be improved over last year, but suffered some losses due to graduation. Meza isn’t as concerned with the offensive line, which lost a few starters, and he has confidence in his quarterback and receivers.

But he admits the running game lost quality players who will be a challenge to replace.

“The running back position is the question mark,” Meza said. “That’s where we’re trying to solidify some things.”

The Bulls’ off-season program has included elements of CrossFit training for strength and conditioning, agility drills and plenty of running. And while it hasn’t been easy, the players have bought into the hard-work philosophy, and are confident in the results it can bring.

Even if they don’t like all the running while they’re doing it.

“I hate it,” Stroup said. “But I know at the end of the season I’m going to be looking back and be like ‘I’m glad we did that.’”

WIREGRASS RANCH BULLS:

LAST YEAR: 4-6
0-5 in district play
Sixth place in Class 7A-District 7

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS:
Jay Minor, linebacker and wide receiver
Austin Stroup, offensive line and defensive line
Yori McMillan, offensive line and defensive line

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Shane Bucenell, quarterback
“He has prepared and studied very hard for the upcoming season, and we expect big things out of him.” – Coach Arturo Meza

2014 Bulls Schedule
8/29 – Gulf
9/5 – at Hudson
9/12 – at River Ridge
9/19 – Tampa Bay Tech
10/3 – Gaither
10/10 – at Ridgewood
10/17 – at Steinbrenner
10/24 – at Sickles
10/31 – Freedom
11/7 – Wesley Chapel

Published August 13, 2014

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Wesley Chapel All-Stars tee up a state title

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A batter steps up to the plate with two outs in the final inning of a tied game. He hits a shot near third base and drives in the winning run.

His team not only wins the game, but a state championship as well. The crowd in the bleachers applauds, his teammates cheer, and his coaches are proud of the team’s title run.

The Wesley Chapel T-Ball All-Stars had their skills tested at the district and state tournaments, but came away with the championship earlier this month. (Courtesy of Todd Owen)
The Wesley Chapel T-Ball All-Stars had their skills tested at the district and state tournaments, but came away with the championship earlier this month.
(Courtesy of Todd Owen)

Not bad for an athlete who’s up well past his bedtime.

Lucas Cinnante is just 6 years old, but his game-winning single clinched the state title for the Wesley Chapel T-Ball All-Stars earlier this month. The contest was part of a three-game final day for the team that made it past several must-win games and came from behind in the final match-up.

By the time they won the championship, a 16-15 victory over Sebring, it was nearly 10 p.m.

Cinnante and his teammates didn’t play like they were tired, and he said he wasn’t really nervous, either.

“Not that much,” Cinnante said. “My coach said to hit a ground ball, so I hit a ground ball. I just wanted to win a game and have fun.”

Wesley Chapel won the game and had fun, and their final victory capped an impressive run for the 6- and 7-year-olds on the team. The All-Stars are made up of the best t-ball players during the regular season across several teams, and they get together to compete for district and state honors.

Their run started with a strong showing at their district tournament last month in Wildwood, with Wesley Chapel earning the Dixie Youth Baseball District 6 championship after compiling a 5-1 record in the tournament.

Wesley Chapel then competed for the state title earlier this month in Mulberry, but it wasn’t an easy path to the championship. The tournament split the 12 competing teams into two pools, and Wesley Chapel completed its pool play with a perfect 5-0 record, earning a spot in the double-elimination championship portion of the tournament.

Then things got challenging. They defeated Wildwood next, but a loss to Sebring put them in the elimination bracket, meaning the next loss would end their title hopes.

They would have to keep winning to earn their way back into a rematch with Sebring, and then beat them twice in a row to claim the title. And accomplishing that task would include playing three elimination games in a single day.

Team manager Todd Owen knew that would be a tall order for athletes with just a half-dozen birthdays under their belt.

“Coach Vito (Anello) and I were saying to ourselves, ‘Just let the kids play. Let them enjoy this,’” he said. “It’s going to be a tough, uphill battle to win three games in one night. So let the kids go out, have fun, enjoy it and just be positive for the kids.

“And the kids just took the game over. They were out there just making things happen,” Owen said. “It was pure joy as far as the coaches being able to sit there and watch that.”

But nobody was sitting when the team finally won the title. The players were elated, Owen said. “They were jumping for joy.”

“I’m not sure who was more happy, the parents or the kids,” he said.

The parents were the key to the team’s success this year. Even with good coaching and talented players, the families are necessary to provide support, encourage and show patience with the young athletes, and foster a healthy environment for the team.

Cinnante’s mother, Leslie Cinnante, said that healthy environment was a positive experience for players and parents.

“This group of people is absolutely wonderful,” she said. “Everybody gets along, everybody is encouraging, everyone is positive, everybody helps each other. The All-Star team was a wonderful team.”

While winning the state championship was a special accomplishment, Owen said the team earned another title during the state tournament that was equally impressive. Wesley Chapel received the sportsmanship award.

The team organized group photos with their opponents to remember the fun times they had at the tournament, for example. And Owen was told that, unlike the t-ball championship, there wasn’t as much competition for that particular title. The people who came in contact with Wesley Chapel saw them as respectful and good sports throughout the tournament, he said.

“I did not expect that or anything,” Owen said. “That’s something to be proud of.”

The young Cinnante, who claims Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist as one of his favorites, will move up to a higher level of t-ball next year. But as much as he loves baseball and playing t-ball, there’s one thing he doesn’t like about the game: Having to wait until the next season starts to get back to practice.

“It should start like next week,” he said.

Published July 23, 2014

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PHSC finishes fourth in first-ever World Series trip

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The Pasco-Hernando State College baseball team didn’t have a great start to the 2014 season.

It was a slow beginning in February by going 1-6. By the middle of March, the Conquistadors sat at 8-11 with no momentum and the season slipping away.

Sophomore Brennan Allen was one of the athletes whose play helped the Pasco-Hernando State College Conquistadors reach the World Series for the first time in school history. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)
Sophomore Brennan Allen was one of the athletes whose play helped the Pasco-Hernando State College Conquistadors reach the World Series for the first time in school history.
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

So when longtime head coach Steve Winterling made vacation plans for the end of May, he assumed there would be nothing on his schedule.

“I didn’t have the World Series marked on my calendar book. I haven’t been there in 23 years, so why would I have it on there,” he said.

Big mistake, coach.

The team went on a 10-game winning streak and eventually qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II district tournament. The Conquistadors qualify for the tournament on a regular basis, but this time they did something they had never done before: They were the last team standing and qualified for the first World Series berth in school history.

Winterling was happy to cancel his vacation plans and lead his team to Enid, Oklahoma for the Division II World Series last month. PHSC came to play in that tournament as well, winning a couple of games before being eliminated by regular World Series participant Madison College. The Conquistadors finished their run in fourth place and with a feeling that their success was a total team effort.

“We just had some clutch players. Like I told the guys afterward, as hard as it was losing, everybody at one point in the season did something to help us win,” Winterling said. “We had some guys who would get that key hit. We didn’t have one guy that really carried us.”

Sophomore Brennan Allen is one of the players who earned a key hit when the team needed it. In the district tournament, Allen hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase a 4-2 deficit and tie the game against Wake Technical Community College. PHSC would go on to win. But after that play, they never doubted the outcome.

“At that point, everyone thought this was our game no matter what,” Allen said. “We had all the momentum.”

Allen batted .311 during the season (.378 with men in scoring position) and said the team always had talent, but needed to get past early-season struggles and play up to their potential. As he considers options for playing baseball farther into his college career, having a World Series appearance on his resume should help attract attention from potential schools, he said.

The trip to Oklahoma should help PHSC as well. Winterling said athletes who want to be part of the program already are contacting him, making his recruiting job a lot easier.

“People want to come to a program that’s been to the World Series or won a regional tournament because that’s what everybody plays for,” he said. “E-mail and phone calls have been pretty heavy.”

The tournament run concludes a year of firsts for the baseball program and the school. In addition to their first World Series berth, the team registered their first no-hitter when Danny Rodriguez, a Steinbrenner High School graduate, threw one back in March.

And when the school raises a banner for the team’s achievements, it will be the first at the school to read “Pasco-Hernando State College.” The school changed its name from Pasco-Hernando Community College in January.

Winterling, who was also named the school’s athletic director last year, isn’t the type of coach to take much credit for himself or dwell on previous successes. He’s proud of his players and what they accomplished, but he’s already back to work, with a showcase coming up and some players to sign.

For his part, Allen said he recognizes the district title and World Series run as something he and the other players won’t soon forget.

“Going from such a small school, not being known by many people and now putting them on the map, and finishing fourth in the nation, is going to a pretty awesome thing to look back on for the rest of our lives, really,” he said. “It was a great experience. It was a lot of fun, and I wouldn’t change anything.”

Published June 11, 2014

Ready for the ring: Amateurs prepare for May 3 event

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On a weekend evening, hundreds of people gather for fight night.

They cheer for two boxers, who punch, jab and defend their way through round after round in the ring.

Benjamin Vazquez, 15, prepares for his amateur boxing debut at the American Olympic League’s May 3 event. The fights are sanctioned by USA Boxing. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Benjamin Vazquez, 15, prepares for his amateur boxing debut at the American Olympic League’s May 3 event. The fights are sanctioned by USA Boxing.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

In the end one emerges victorious, sometimes by knockout and other times after the judges reveal their scoring. Records improve or fall, momentum will be gained or lost, and fans applaud the winner and await the next two competitors.

That scene occurs at boxing events all over the country, as professional and amateur fighters compete in front of fans for a shot at advancing their career. It could be in New York, or Las Vegas, or Atlantic City.

It also happens in Wesley Chapel.

The American Olympic League hosts regular boxing events at its home, 5807 Ellerbee Road in Wesley Chapel. The organization trains athletes and has classes in disciplines such as boxing, wrestling, judo, jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. But their regular fight nights draw hundreds, and the next event on May 3 will feature several amateur boxers of all age ranges who are ready to show off their skills in the ring.

“It’s amazing the talent that you can find, you see these kids have ambition and you see it carry through with their skill level,” said Carlos Valle, who serves as general manager and promoter.

The boxing events normally feature between 17 and 20 fights, with competitors usually ranging from 7-year-olds to teenagers. Some adult amateurs also compete, but the event is mostly for younger fighters who will eventually turn pro.

All fights are sanctioned by USA Boxing, so the format, protective gear, officials and judges all meet the standards required for a bout that counts toward a fighter’s record.

But Valle explained that American Olympic League isn’t about just selling tickets to events or having classes. They also sponsor Sports League of Wesley Chapel, a non-profit where Valle also is active. The two organizations work together to help area underprivileged kids learn a new skill and stay focused on their schoolwork.

“They really can’t afford to train, the uniforms, the gloves, the headgear. It gets expensive,” Valle explained. “So we pick them up from school, we bring them here and we help them with homework. We have a tutor here who helps them, and when they’re done with homework, then they come here and box.”

In addition to those participants, the events draw other groups and fighters who are interested in adding to their record. And even the younger fighters can run up significant stats.

“I was impressed when I saw some of the kids, 8-year-olds with 45 to 50 fights, because they’re competing every month and sometimes twice a month,” Valle said.

The boxing event also is a chance for less-experienced fighters to start their path into the ring. Benjamin Vazquez, a 15-year-old freshman at Wesley Chapel High School, will be on the card May 3, marking his first amateur fight after months of preparation.

“I’m ready for it. I feel confident,” Vazquez said during a training session. His confidence stems from his previous experience competing in karate, and also a strict regimen where he trains every day after school.

Shadow boxing in the ring, instruction and more boxing with a trainer who wears pads and timed work on a punching bag, are part of his daily routine.

Vazquez is ready for his match against a to-be-named opponent, and said that his training has required a lot of hard work.

“The conditioning is intense. There’s a lot of stamina, running. It’s not easy,” he said.

While his fight will be a one-on-one battle with his opponent, Vazquez won’t be alone that night. His mother, Maribel, will be one of around a dozen friends and family who will be there cheering him on and watching him compete.

“I can’t wait,” she said. “He’s going to have uncles, sister, brothers, friends” at the fight.

Maribel grew up watching boxing, and won’t hide her eyes while her son competes. She wants to watch the entire fight, and believes his hard work has prepared him well for his first boxing match.

“He trains very hard, and he has a good coach,” she said. “I have confidence in my son.”

The event begins at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The cost is $15.

For information, call (813) 284-8888.

Published April 30, 2014

Wiregrass Ranch’s Handman ready for college lacrosse

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If a high school athlete excels at their sport, it’s not unusual for them to continue playing after they graduate.

Jeffrey Handman only started playing lacrosse when Wiregrass Ranch High School started its program a few years ago, but his skills have earned him a scholarship with Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. (Courtesy of Eric Handman)
Jeffrey Handman only started playing lacrosse when Wiregrass Ranch High School started its program a few years ago, but his skills have earned him a scholarship with Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee.
(Courtesy of Eric Handman)

Players do their best to find a place in the college ranks, perhaps even with a school affiliated with the National College Athletic Association. At local schools it happens with athletes in many sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and others.

Wiregrass Ranch High School can now add lacrosse to that list.

Although the lacrosse program at the school is just four years old, Wiregrass Ranch now has its first player recruited by an NCAA school.

Senior Jeffrey Handman is a goalie for the Bulls’ lacrosse team, and has committed to play for Lincoln Memorial University, a Division II school located in Harrogate, Tenn. He’ll head up there with an athletic scholarship and a desire to be part of the new lacrosse program for the Railsplitters.

But if he had been a little better at a different sport, none of it would have happened.

“I decided that I wasn’t good enough to play high school baseball, so I decided to give lacrosse a try,” Handman said. “If I could hit a baseball I probably never would have played lacrosse.”

Fortunately, he picked up a stick and eventually found himself defending the goal. Now he has a new favorite sport and a desire to make an impact at the next level.

Lacrosse, a sport where teammates use sticks to pass and catch a rubber ball while trying to score on the opponents’ goal, is popular at the collegiate level and up north. It’s also working its way into high schools and local clubs.

Wiregrass Ranch began its own program back in 2011. That’s the same year Handman first entered the school, picked up a lacrosse stick and gave a new sport a try. And at goalie, he found a position that makes the most of his talents and allows him to excel.

Handman isn’t a boastful athlete. He takes honest stock of his abilities, and finds ways to maximize them on the field.

“Being a goalie, you have to be quick,” Handman said. “I’m not fast. I’m not going to dazzle any one with a 40 (yard dash), but I’m quick reaction-wise.”

He might have been late to the game, but once he got involved with lacrosse, Handman enjoyed it so much he found other outlets where he could participate. He’s a member of New Tampa Chill, a club league that participates in the Florida Gulf Coast Lacrosse League as part of New Tampa Lacrosse. He also referees lacrosse games for youth leagues in places like Wesley Chapel, South Tampa and New Tampa.

Handman eventually wants to coach the sport when he’s done playing, but before that happens, he’ll test his skills against Division II competition.

It wasn’t an easy path, however, going from being a first-time player to finding a spot with a college team. Unlike football, Central Florida isn’t known as a magnet for lacrosse scouts.

“Florida’s not a hotbed for the sport. Especially not Tampa,” Handman said.

The sport is growing and the players are enthusiastic and talented, but even a good player can’t afford to just sit back and wait for offers. And according to Wiregrass Ranch lacrosse coach Garrett Linquist, Handman isn’t the type to be passive and hope things go his way.

Handman approached his coaches and asked what he should be doing to give himself a good chance to play at the next level.

“He’s one of those kids who wanted to go and play in college,” Linquist said. “He went to a lot of good recruiting camps, he played for Team Florida (where Linquist also coached), and that was a great opportunity. He had a little bit more drive to go through the process.”

The process included filming his games, making a highlight video, and sending it to around 100 different coaches, Handman said. But his perseverance paid off, and he’ll be both playing lacrosse and studying business at Lincoln Memorial.

While Handman is proud of his accomplishments, he didn’t get this far by resting on his laurels. When he gets to college, he’ll show up with the same drive he used to stand out when tackling a new sport.

“I actually put more pressure on myself than other people. Personally, I feel the pressure to succeed. That’s my goal,” Handman said. “I’m not going to play college athletics up in Tennessee to sit on the bench for four years or not try my hardest to compete.”

Published April 23, 2014

New coach, no problem: Wiregrass Ranch baseball team keeps winning

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For the past five seasons, the Wiregrass Ranch Bulls boys baseball team has finished the year with a winning record. Last year, they reached the playoffs for the first time in school history and made it all the way to the regional final.

Zachary Drury, one of Wiregrass Ranch’s seniors, said that new coach Marshall McDougall has been a great fit for the Bulls as they build on last year’s success. (Courtesy of Michael Drury)
Zachary Drury, one of Wiregrass Ranch’s seniors, said that new coach Marshall McDougall has been a great fit for the Bulls as they build on last year’s success.
(Courtesy of Michael Drury)

But this year, they entered the season with a coach who wasn’t involved in the team’s previous success. Marshall McDougall had not only never coached at Wiregrass Ranch before, he had never coached at the high school level before.

For a team on the rise, it might seem like a risky move to put the team’s future in such inexperienced hands. But about halfway through the season, that move looks like a brilliant one.

Wiregrass Ranch currently has a 10-4 record, and is in the hunt for the Class 7A District 8 title with a 4-2 record. That mark includes an impressive 12-2 win over district foe Steinbrenner on March 25, and their new coach is pleased with the team’s strong start.

“As a whole, our team is pretty solid all the way through,” McDougall said. “It’s a matter of keep pushing the kids, keep improving and keep playing hard, and I think our kids can go a long way.”

While he hasn’t spent much time as a coach, McDougall makes up for it in real-world baseball experience. He played professional baseball for more than a dozen years, including a stint with the Texas Rangers. And his baseball days aren’t far behind him: At 35 and retired from the game for just two years, he’s able to not only instruct the team verbally, but go out on the field and show them exactly what he means.

McDougall believes the ability to participate with his team allows them to learn in non-verbal ways and buy into his system since it’s coming from someone who can still play the game at a high level.

And his players agree.

“Sometimes he’ll go out there and show us we’re not as good as we think we are,” said senior Ryan Girard, who pitches and plays first base for the team. “He’s definitely still got all the skills, and he passes them on to us as best he can.”

The team sees that McDougall knows what he’s doing, Girard said, and they can follow his lead knowing it comes from experience and knowledge of the game.

Zachary Drury, a senior who is a pitcher and plays third base for Wiregrass Ranch, also believes that McDougall’s ability to show the team how to execute plays is an advantage. But he said that his coaching style also helps the team succeed by allowing them to grow without over-the-top yelling and unproductive pressure.

“He doesn’t really get mad. I mean, he gets mad, but he doesn’t make you afraid to make a mistake,” Drury said. “He’s a really cool guy and we enjoy having him.”

And while the Bulls are enjoying a winning record, McDougall doesn’t want them getting complacent. The coach sets up individual competitions in practice so the players get used to trying to win on a regular basis regardless of record.

And there are small consequences for losing, such as a few laps or cleaning up after practice. Just enough, McDougall said, to keep them from being OK with losing or not hungry enough to continue improving.

While he believes Wiregrass Ranch can go far this year, McDougall is adamant that his goals don’t really matter. It’s the players, not the coaches, who must have the drive to set high objectives and then find the will to achieve them.

“My goal is to help them reach their goal. That’s the best way I can put it,” he said. “We (the coaches) are not playing. It’s up to them to decide what they want. My job is to teach them small things and try to make them reach the goal they want.”

Wiregrass Ranch baseball, at a glance
Feb. 7 – Win vs. Strawberry Crest, 4-2
Feb. 13 – Win vs. Hudson, 13-0
Feb. 18 – Win at Freedom, 8-2
Feb. 21 – Win vs. Steinbrenner, 4-2
Feb. 25 – Win at Sickles, 4-2
Feb. 28 – Win vs. Mitchell, 4-1
March 4 – Loss vs. Gaither, 3-1
March 13 – Win vs. Zephyrhills, 5-0
March 18 – Win at Weeki Wachee, 15-1
March 19 – Loss vs. Springstead, 3-2
March 20 – Win vs. Bishop McLaughlin, 8-4
March 25 – Win at Steinbrenner, 12-2
March 27 – Loss at Sunlake, 6-5
March 28 – Loss at Sickles, 2-0
March 31 – at Pasco, late
April 1 – vs. Ridgewood, late
– Courtesy of MaxPreps

Published April 2, 2014

Wesley Chapel sensei leads karate students to success

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In some athletic leagues everyone earns a medal, ribbon or trophy for participating. In others, awards only are handed out to those who win them.

Sensei Ernesto Fuentes, far right, leads the dojo in some routine moves with his son, Alex, who is a sensei as well. Fuentes’ daughters, Sashi and Alexa, also are leaders in the academy, and accomplished students themselves. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Sensei Ernesto Fuentes, far right, leads the dojo in some routine moves with his son, Alex, who is a sensei as well. Fuentes’ daughters, Sashi and Alexa, also are leaders in the academy, and accomplished students themselves.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

So when 34 students from the Keiko Shin Karate Academy competed in the United Traditional Karate Alliance district championships and all 34 came home with medals, one might wonder how they got them.

But make no mistake, those weren’t participation medals. Every student earned at least one award in the competition, showing off their karate skills and bringing home a haul of 60 medals total from the event, held March 1 at the University of South Florida.

Their sensei, Ernesto Fuentes, was very proud of their success, but said that shiny medals aren’t the reason he teaches.

“For me, seeing a medal is not as important as seeing the face of the kid achieving and winning something, the satisfaction of achieving something,” he said.

Child development is ingrained in the dojo — the place where martial arts are taught — because it’s an important issue for Fuentes. In his native Venezuela, he was a successful trial attorney, often dealing with custody cases. He also has a master’s degree in child psychology.

While his academy teaches students of all ages, he takes special pride in seeing the accomplishments of his young students and watching them succeed.

But that success is not limited to the dojo or at a competition. Fuentes’ program stresses that the discipline and respect taught by martial arts should be applied to all parts of a student’s daily schedule.

“Karate and marital arts is a way of life. I talk to my students every day,” Fuentes said. “I say ‘The same way you behave at the academy is the way you behave in school and behave at your house. It’s a 24/7 commitment to be a better person and a good citizen.’“

Parents will often recruit him for guidance to solve a school or home issue, and he makes himself available to advise students when they need it.

And his students respond in ways that sometimes even surprise themselves.

“I wasn’t the best kid. I used to get in trouble a lot,” admits Caleb Embry, 13.

A regular C student, once he started taking karate about a year ago, his grades went up to A’s and B’s. Martial arts also has challenged him to learn new things and compete, and he responded at the district championships with two first-place medals.

He attributes his success to karate and Fuentes’ teachings.

“Karate helped me stay straight,” he said. “It keeps you focused.”

Jose Gomez, 15, also is direct about the impact martial arts has had on him.

“It changed my life, especially in the education area. It made me a better student,” he said. “I’ve been doing better in my life in general. Not only physically, but emotionally.”

Where he used to go home after school and play video games, he’s now focused on karate, competing, and improving himself.

That focus led to a couple of medals at the district competition, but improvement also has been seen in the classroom.

“I was a C student, and when I started doing karate, I became an A student,” Gomez said.

As a result, he received Long Middle School’s Turnaround award for his improvement. He even mentioned the influence that karate has had on him in his speech at the awards banquet.

While Fuentes is soft-spoken, his martial arts resume speaks for itself. He was a national champion for 10 years running in Venezuela, and won an American championship in 1989. He said that seeing his students succeed brings out the same feelings he experienced in his own competitions.

“It’s a little deja vu. Watching them compete, I get the same emotions, nerves, butterflies in my stomach,” he said. “The same things as when I was a competitor. And multiply it by 34.”

While Fuentes challenges his students and drives them to constantly get better, he said the motivation isn’t a one-way street. He feels a strong responsibility to live up to the high standards he sets for everyone in the dojo.

“They force me to learn. I need to be better for them every day,” he said. “I need to study for them every day, because I want them to be challenged every day.”

The dojo is located at 3753 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. For information about Keiko Shin Karate, visit WesleyChapelKarateAcademy.com, or call (813) 994-9253.

Published March 26, 2014

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