A Valentine’s Day ceremony and luncheon is being organized by the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County to celebrate two women of distinction. The 15th annual Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon will honor Liana Fernandez Fox, Ph.D., and the late Dena Gross Leavengood, according to a posting on the Hillsborough County website. The event will take place on the day that coincides with … [Read more...]
Locals shine during 2017-2018 college football season
January 17, 2018 By
Another exciting and memorable college football season is in the books. In addition to the University of Alabama capturing its sixth national title under head coach Nick Saban and the University of Central Florida finishing with an unblemished 13-0 record, several locals had noteworthy individual campaigns in 2017. Here’s a look back at some of the top performers from The Laker/Lutz News … [Read more...]
Wiregrass Ranch football loses two playmakers
July 5, 2017 By
The 2017 football season is two months away, but one of Pasco County’s top teams already has taken a hit. In a week’s span, two varsity standouts from Wiregrass Ranch High School — cornerback Shamaur McDowell and quarterback/safety Raymond Woodie III — have exited the rising program, which last season finished Class 7A, District 8 runner-up, making its first playoff appearance since … [Read more...]
Big Ed takes another bite out of summer
August 17, 2016 By
The heir apparent rose early last Wednesday — pre-dawn early — to greet his official transmogrification from rising senior to the full-fledged real thing. This sort of event repeats itself, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 3.4 million times each year, making it the very definition of normal. Nonetheless, when the rite arrived in the Jackson household, the … [Read more...]
Area fall football preview: Hillsborough County
August 17, 2016 By
The 2016 high school football season is just around the corner, and several teams in The Laker/Lutz News’ Hillsborough County coverage area enter the year with intriguing storylines, standout players and must-see matchups. Carrollwood Patriots Coach: Lane McLaughlin (10th year) 2015 record: 7-4 Spring Game result: 14-7 loss to Victory Christian Freedom Patriots Coach: Floyd Graham (1st … [Read more...]
Carroll vaults to top spot in Sullivan Award competition
July 15, 2015 By
As a champion gymnast and pole-vaulter, Nikki Carroll relies on her superior balance. But when she found out that she won the Amateur Athletic Union High School Sullivan Award, she became uncharacteristically shaky on her feet. "I was just so shocked. I couldn't even believe what she was saying," Carroll recalled about the phone call confirming she won the award. "I had to hold onto the … [Read more...]
Back to back: Nikki Carroll repeats as state pole vaulting champ
May 15, 2014 By
When you’re an athlete in your junior year of high school, there are few titles better than “state champion.” But “two-time state champion” is one of them. Land O’ Lakes resident Nikki Carroll earned that designation by claiming her second straight Class 2A pole vaulting title earlier this month at the state meet, on the University of North Florida campus in Jacksonville. She cleared an … [Read more...]
