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The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Huntingdon College

Cypress Creek celebrates inaugural signing day

February 13, 2019 By Kevin Weiss

Unlike just about every other high school in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, Cypress Creek Middle/High School last year didn’t have a National Signing Day event for student-athletes moving on to the college ranks.

That’s because, the then first-year school on Old Pasco Road had no seniors, as it pulled strictly underclassman from Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch high schools.

Cypress Creek’s athletics department made up for lost time this year, however.

Cypress Creek Middle/High had its inaugural National Signing Day ceremony on Feb. 6. Seven athletes from four sports signed their National Letters of Intent to play college athletics at various institutions. (Courtesy of Cypress Creek athletics)

Dozens of students and friends, coaches, teachers and staff, and parents and family members gathered inside the school’s media center on Feb. 6 to celebrate the school’s inaugural signing day, as seven senior student-athletes representing four sports signed their National Letters of Intent (LOIs) to various institutions.

National Signing Day is held annually on the first Wednesday in February, a day where thousands of athletes nationwide can sign a binding letter of intent with a member school of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The school’s softball program yielded the most signees, with four — Payton Hudson (Pasco-Hernando State College), Jasmine Jackson (Savannah State University), Ashley Nickisher (Newberry College) and Neely Peterson (Colorado State University).

Baseball (Ray Camacho, Saint Leo University), football (Devin Santana, Lindenwood University-Belleville) and girls’ lacrosse (Jordan Alvis, Huntingdon College) had a signee apiece, respectively.

Among the group of seven, Peterson arguably represented the most notable signing.

The All-State catcher is one of the nation’s top softball players — ranked No. 63 on the Extra Innings Softball Extra Elite 100 national rankings for 2019.

Her stats underscore the national standing.

As a junior last season, Peterson posted a .544 batting average, seven home runs, 14 doubles, 27 runs and 43 RBIs. Defensively, she registered a .984 fielding percentage, with 57 putouts and five assists.

Peterson will set foot upon Colorado State’s campus in August as the Division I softball program’s first signee from the state of Florida.

She verbally committed back as a freshman — after being the first high school freshman offered a scholarship by a Colorado State athletic program.

Peterson boasted offers from several other blue-blood softball programs.

But, she fell in love with the Fort Collins, Colorado-based campus and the coaching staff’s family-like atmosphere at a softball camp there. Additionally, she has a chance to make her mark quickly, in line to be the team’s starting catcher next season.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long,” Peterson said, of finally signing the dotted line. “It feels great.

“I love making history, so it’s great to be able to do this for our school,” she added.

Peterson also expressed joy for her fellow softball teammates who signed alongside her; each was redistricted from Wesley Chapel following their sophomore seasons.

Said Peterson, “It’s really awesome, because just to see that everything they’ve worked for is  kind of paying off, just as much as it is for me, because I get to see them hustling and all the hard work they put on the field, so just to see them find their future home makes me feel good.”

The inaugural signees were each met with balloons and celebratory cake, along with countless cheers and photo requests during the hourlong event, as memorabilia from each choice institution was visible in the room brimming with onlookers.

“It’s great, like being around all these great athletes, just knowing I’m a part of that, of creating a culture of great athletes for this school,” Devin Santana, who will play wide receiver at Lindenwood, said of the ceremony.

Becoming Cypress Creek’s first college football signee has added significance for Santana, who transferred from Wesley Chapel after his sophomore season.

“It’s crazy, like it’s a great feeling,” he said. “It’s a little nerve-wracking, because there’s a lot of pressure on me, but like I feel like I have the tools around me to be successful.”

Cypress Creek athletic director Justin Peliccia coined the event “a good look for our program.”

“It’s amazing to be able to put on this ceremony for the athletes, their parents and their coaches,” the athletic director said. “Having seven athletes move on to the next level, it’s just an awesome experience for myself as the athletic director, and the program.”

Peliccia was particularly complimentary of the varsity softball program — and its four signees — which collectively posted a 15-9 record and 10-4 district mark last spring.

“It was great to see a program roll out the end of the year and kind of bring us into, ‘Look, we have opportunities, we have chances, we do have athletes here, and we can make some noise.’”

Peliccia acknowledged that although many of the school’s varsity sports programs struggled in the school’s first year, strides have been made this year. He mentioned boys’ and girls’ soccer, and football, as a few who’ve upped their win totals.

“All of our programs this year have taken a step up,” he said. “Everything has taken a step ahead, which is what we want. Everything needs to develop and grow.”

Cypress Creek National Signing Day

Baseball
Ray Camacho—Saint Leo University

Football
Devin Santana—Lindenwood University-Belleville (Belleville, Illinois)

Lacrosse
Jordan Alvis—Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama)

Softball
Payton Hudson—Pasco-Hernando State College
Jasmine Jackson—Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia)
Ashley Nickisher—Newberry College (Newberry, South Carolina)
Neely Peterson—Colorado State University

Published February 13, 2019

Filed Under: Local Sports, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa Sports Tagged With: Ashley Nickisher, Colorado State University, Cypress Creek Middle/High School, Devin Santana, Huntingdon College, Jasmine Jackson, Jordan Alvis, Justin Peliccia, Lindenwood University-Belleville, National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Signing Day, NCAA, Neely Peterson, Newberry College, Old Pasco Road, Pasco-Hernando State College, Payton Hudson, Ray Camacho, Saint Leo University, Savannah State University, Wesley Chapel

Local athletes sign with colleges

February 8, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

The athletic talent pool continues to flourish throughout north Hillsborough, and east and central Pasco.

Zephyrhills High’s Antwione Sims will play football for the U.S Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He missed the 2016 season after tearing his ACL last March.
(Courtesy of Antwione Sims)

Dozens of local high school athletes signed their letters of intent (LOI) on Feb. 1 to various colleges and universities as part of National Signing Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in February.

Once again, schools in our coverage area were well-represented.

Wiregrass Ranch High School led the way with 13 signings, followed by Land O’ Lakes High with nine. Other high schools, including Gaither and Steinbrenner, featured a handful of signings.

While Zephyrhills High had just one signing, it was arguably the most memorable.

Bursting with emotions and tear-filled eyes, senior running back/safety Antwione Sims signed his LOI to play football at the U.S. Naval Academy.

The day signaled a redemptive moment for Sims, who missed his entire 2016 senior season after tearing his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) last March.

A trio of Freedom High School athletes signed to various colleges on Feb. 1. From left: Kalijahe Spann (Warner University), Megan Clark (Tennesee Tech University) and Tyler Bray (Maryville College).
(Courtesy of Freedom High School)

Oftentimes, football players — even those as talented as Sims —have athletic scholarships withdrawn after a serious injury, particularly from Division I programs.

But, Navy upheld its offer.

“It’s a blessing to have (this) opportunity,” Sims said, “because not everyone has that…”

Putting pen to paper marked the end of a “long journey” for the 5-foot-11, 208-pound gridiron star.

It, too, signals the beginning of a new one.

“It’s not about the next four years,” Sims said, “it’s about the next 40.”

Sims, one of the most dynamic athletes in Pasco County, was one of just four football players from the county to sign with a Division I football program.

The others were Wiregrass Ranch quarterback/kicker Chris Faddoul (Florida A&M University) and defensive lineman Jason Winston (Stetson University), and Wesley Chapel safety Ellrie Allen (Florida A&M University).

Four athletes from Wesley Chapel High School participated in National Signing Day on Feb. 1. From left: Bailey Hern (Saint Leo University), Lauren Campoe (Ave Maria University), Jacob Thomas (Mars Hill College) and Ellrie Allen (Florida A&M University).
(Courtesy of Wesley Chapel High School)

Sims, though, is the most high-profile prospect of the group.

At one point, the consensus three-star recruit had scholarship offers from nearly a dozen schools.

His recruitment picked up steam after he rushed for a school-record 2,093 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2015.

Despite that production, he won’t likely play in Navy’s offensive backfield.

Instead, he’s expected to contribute in their defensive backfield, as a safety.

Sims noted he started closely following Navy’s football program “ever since they started recruiting me.”

On the surface, he made a solid selection.

Navy, renowned for its vaunted triple-option offense, went 9-5 in 2016. Under coach Ken Niumatalolo, they’ve had a winning season in eight of the past nine years.

Sims’ choice is about more than football, however.

“I feel like making this decision will allow me to set myself up for life,” he said.

A roundup of signings of athletes in our coverage area:
Gaither
Football
Decalon Brooks—Florida State University
Estefano Feliciano—Old Dominion University (Virginia)

Soccer
Ben Hickson—Florida College
David Garzon—Florida College

Softball
Kasey Heslin—Pasco-Hernando State College

Freedom
Basketball
Megan Clark—Tennessee Tech University

Football
Kalijahe Spann—Warner University (Florida)

Golf
Tyler Bray—Maryville College (Tennessee)

Land O’ Lakes
Baseball
Troy Klemm—Palm Beach Atlantic University
Max Law—University of North Florida
McCabe Sargent—Saint Leo University
Dustin Harris—St. Petersburg College

Football
Spencer Childress—Lyon College (Arkansas)

Soccer
Devyn Cabral—Erskine College (South Carolina)
Haley Eckel—Florida Southern College

Cross Country
Skylen Acuna—Pasco-Hernando State College

Steinbrenner
Basketball
Mary Katherine Miller—Hillsborough Community College

Football
Devon Connors—U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado)
Noah Ruggles—University of North Carolina

Soccer
Claire Morrison—Stetson University

Softball
Emmalee Jansen—University of Tampa

Sunlake
Football
Tyler Peretti—Southeastern University (Florida)

Softball
Casey Gottschall—Broward College (Florida)
Shelby Lansing—Southeastern University
Haley Kirinsky—Flagler College (Florida)

Wharton
Softball
Mackenzie Allen—University of Tampa

Volleyball
Kathryn Attar—Yale University (Connecticut)
Alexandria Schneider—Florida College

Wesley Chapel
Football
Jacob Thomas—Mars Hill University (North Carolina)
Ellrie Allen—Florida A&M University

Soccer
Lauren Campoe—Ave Maria University (Florida)
Bailey Hern—Saint Leo University

Wiregrass Ranch
Golf
Morgan Power—King University (Tennessee)

Football
Chris Faddoul—Florida A&M University
Jason Winston—Stetson University

Tennis
Noah Makarome—University of Pennsylvania

Soccer
Connor Nixon—Presbyterian College (South Carolina)
Erin Brenner—Huntingdon College (Alabama)
Ysabelle Borgstadt—Andrew College (Georgia)
Sydney Chase—Saint Leo University
Maddie Moore—Shaw University (North Carolina)
John Pease—Jacksonville University (Florida)

Softball
Alexis Ridolph—Hillsborough Community College
Samantha Hiley—Edward Waters College (Florida)
Jaime Valenta—St. John River State College (Florida)

Zephyrhills High
Football
Antwione Sims—U.S. Naval Academy (Maryland)

Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Football
Serion Bellamy—Shorter University​ (Georgia)

Published February 8, 2017

 

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Alexandria Schneider, Alexis Ridolph, Andrew College, Antwione Sims, Ave Maria University, Bailey Hern, Ben Hickson, Broward College, Casey Gottschall, Chris Faddoul, Claire Morrison, Connor Nixon, David Garzon, Decalon Brooks, Devon Connors, Devyn Cabral, Dustin Harris, Edward Waters College, Ellrie Allen, Emmalee Jansen, Erin Brenner, Erskine College, Estefano Feliciano, Flagler College, Florida A&M Universitry, Florida College, Florida Southern College, Florida State University, Gaither High School, Haley Eckel, Haley Kirinsky, Hillsborough Community College, Huntingdon College, Jacksonville University, Jacob Thomas, Jaime Valenta, Jason Winston, John Pease, Kalijahe Spann, Kasey Heslin, Kathryn Attar, Ken Niumatalolo, King University, Land O' Lakes High School, Lauren Campoe, Lyon College, Mackenzie Allen, Maddie Moore, Mars Hill University, Mary Katherine Miller, Maryville College, Max Law, McCabe Sargent, Megan Clark, Morgan Power, National Signing Day, Noah Makarome, Noah Ruggles, Old Dominion University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Pasco-Hernando State College, Presbyterian College, Saint Leo University, Samantha Hiley, Serion Bellamy, Shaw University, Shelby Lansing, Shorter University, Skylen Acuna, Southeastern University, Spencer Childress, St. John River State College, St. Petersburg College, Steinbrenner High School, Stetson University, Sydney Chase, Tennessee Tech University, Troy Klemm, Tyler Bray, Tyler Peretti, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, University of North Carolina, University of North Florida, University of Pennsylvania, University of Tampa, Warner University, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Yale University, Ysabelle Borgstadt, Zephyrhills High School

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01/18/2021 – Garden club

The Dade City Garden Club will host a virtual general membership meeting on Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m., via Zoom. The program will feature a presentation by Madonna Wise, author of “A Haunted History of Pasco County.” Wise’s husband, Ernest, also will present a short demonstration on pressing flowers. Non-members can attend. Registration is through email at by Jan. 17. For information, visit DadeCityGardenClub.com. … [Read More...] about 01/18/2021 – Garden club

01/19/2021 – Best of crafts

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a “Best of Craft Tuesdays: Playlist” on Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check out a video at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary to learn about some of the craft programs that are worth revisiting from the past year. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 01/19/2021 – Best of crafts

01/19/2021 – Virtual gardening

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01/20/2021 – Library story times

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer these upcoming story times: Jan. 20, for birth to age 5: Participants can tune in anytime between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary, to hear “Private I. Guana.” For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.: “Virtual Baby Time with Miss Cindy.” Visit Facebook.com/cplib. Jan. 21 at 10 a.m., for ages 2 to 5: “Virtual Story Time with Miss Jenn.” For information, call Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – Library story times

01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club

The LOL Book Club from the Land O’ Lakes Library will meet on Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m., to discuss “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman. Register online for a Zoom link, which will be sent out via email a day ahead of the discussion. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club

01/20/2021 – Mouse bookmark

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