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Wesley Chapel High

Spring football preview for area teams

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High school football is back in session — as preseason spring football practices are now underway statewide.

Florida high school spring football practices begin April 26. The first allowable day for full-contact tackling is May 1. (File)

And while the 2021 prep season remains months away, prep gridiron fans can still get a taste of how their teams are shaping up with a series of exhibition games and jamborees in late May.

Florida high schools are allowed a maximum of 20 practice sessions from April 26 through May, according to Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) guidelines. The first allowable day for full-contact tackling is May 1.

Here’s a closer look at how programs across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, in Hillsborough and Pasco counties:

Hillsborough County:

Carrollwood Day Patriots (Class 3A-3 — up from 2A)
Coach: Marshall McDuffie, first year
Skinny: Carrollwood Day enters the 2021 campaign with a new head coach and losses of All-State players on both sides of the ball (tight end Michael Trigg, Southern Cal; defensive tackle Desmond Mamudi, Virginia Tech). But the program remains well-stocked with other talented young players — several of whom are likewise garnering Division I FBS looks or scholarship offers. Meanwhile, the Patriots have prepared a challenging schedule, facing the likes of Clearwater Calvary Christian (7-2 in 2020), Trinity Catholic (7-4), Seffner Christian (8-5) and Cambridge Christian (9-2) high schools, among others.

Freedom Patriots (6A-9)
Coach: Christopher Short, third year
Skinny: Sure, Freedom went winless last season, with several blowout defeats to boot, but the team’s final two games — on the road — were decided by six points or fewer. Perhaps that yields confidence for a team led mostly by then freshman quarterback Taquawn Anthony. At least one other exciting player to watch is rising junior athlete Robby Washington, who generated a team-leading 1,299 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns.

The Gaither Cowboys enter spring camp fresh off an 11-1 record and appearance in the regional finals. (Courtesy of Gaither High School Athletics Department)

Gaither Cowboys (7A-9 — up from 6A)
Coach: Kirk Karsen, third year
Skinny: Gaither will need to mold a new starting signal-caller to replace the uber-productive Kiael Kelly (Ball State University) — and the loss of several other graduating All-State talents. Yet, a pressure-heavy defensive front paced by Mario Eugenio and Tawfiq Thomas should help the transition for a program that’s remarkably gone a combined 23-3 the past two seasons. Eugenio ranked third in the state in sacks (17.0) last season, while Thomas contributed 15 tackles for loss. Also, the Cowboys move up from Class 6A to 7A, with district opponents now Largo, Leto, Mitchell and Sickles high schools.

Steinbrenner Warriors (8A-11)
Coach: Andres Perez-Reinaldo, 11th year|
Skinny: Steinbrenner must replace several playmakers on both sides of the ball. Besides losing its starting quarterback and top tackler, arguably the most notable departure is All-State tailback Deon Silas — now headed to Iowa State University — though rising junior Kirby Voorhees seems poised for an expanded role after registering 461 rushing yards on 61 carries, eight touchdowns in 2020.

Meantime, special teams figures to be a strong suit thanks to the legs of punter Griffin Wiltse (returning from a torn ACL) and kicker Collin Young (made five of six field goals, including a long of 42 yards, plus 28-for-28 on extra points).

Wharton Wildcats (7A-10 — down from 8A)
Coach: Mike Williams Sr., second year
Skinny: Wharton looks to build off its first postseason appearance since 2013, under the tutelage of second-year coach Mike Williams Sr. The 37-year-old offers pedigree as a seven-year NFL veteran who was a first-round pick in 2005 by the Detroit Lions out of Southern Cal, where he achieved All-American honors. (He also prepped at Plant High in the early 2000s). Having two All-State defensive players (Daveon Crouch, Henry Griffith) returning doesn’t hurt, either. The Wildcats transition down from Class 8A to 7A, with district foes being Armwood, Strawberry Crest, Tampa Bay Tech and Wiregrass Ranch high schools.

Pasco County

Academy at the Lakes Wildcats (8-man)
Coach: Shawn Brown, eighth year
Skinny: In replacing nearly half the roster due to graduations, arguably the biggest blow to the Academy at the Lakes program is the graduation of quarterback Jalen Brown. He anchored the team for five seasons (starting as an eighth-grader) and back-to-back 8-man state titles in 2017 and 2018. Moving forward, at least one player to watch is rising sophomore linebacker Latrell Taylor, who garnered Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC) 8-Man second-team All-State honors after posting a team-leading 55 tackles in six contests.

Bishop McLaughlin Hurricanes (3A-2 — up from independent)
Coach: Ken Stills, second year
Skinny: Bishop McLaughlin wants to build off a respectable .500 campaign under coach Ken Stills, who played six NFL seasons from 1985-1990 and brings professional coaching experience from the United Indoor Football and XFL, as well as Bradenton’s IMG Academy. Stills seems to have brought stability to a program that’s now had six different head coaches since 2013. Tasks include replacing All-State quarterback Adrian Miller III (transferred to Zephyrhills Christian Academy), and navigating the upward transition to Class 3A from the Independent ranks.

Cypress Creek Coyotes (5A-9 — up from 4A)
Coach: Mike Johnson, fifth year
Skinny: Cypress Creek comes off a disappointing season exacerbated by a tough schedule against local powerhouses such as Mitchell, Tampa Catholic and Zephyrhills. What should bring confidence is the return of one of the area’s top quarterbacks in rising senior Owen Walls, who completed 54% of his throws for 1,233 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions in eight games last season. The Coyotes move up to Class 5A, joining a district that includes Hudson, Brooksville Nature Coast, Weeki Wachee, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills high schools.

Land O’ Lakes will play as an Independent this upcoming football season. (File)

Land O’ Lakes Gators (Independent — down from 6A)
Coach: Trac Baughn, second year
Skinny: Land O’ Lakes certainly had a rough go in 2020 under new head coach Trac Baughn and a young roster, going just 1-7 and being outscored by a 72-268 margin. On a positive side, Baughn brings nearly three decades of coaching high school and college football, mostly throughout Mississippi. Interestingly, the Gators have opted to play this season as an Independent — instead of Class 7A — to help ease the program’s rebuild. Replacing the production of All-State defensive end Zavian Mckinon (12.5 sacks, 43 tackles) will be tough, in any case.

Pasco Pirates (6A-5)
Coach: Jason Stokes, third year
Skinny: Pasco seems to methodically be gaining momentum under the guidance of coach Jason Stokes, as he tries to steer the program back to its first winning season since 2014. Stokes has led three other prep programs to playoff appearances and also helped the Pirates notch the elusive win over Zephyrhills in the 9-Mile War in 2019 — after four straight blowout defeats to the Bulldogs under then head coach Tom McHugh. It’s critical to find ways to replicate production from several defensive stalwarts, including its top three tacklers, top three sack artists, and top two interceptions and passes defensed leaders. After all, this was a team defense last season that earned two shutouts, and held three other opponents to eight points or fewer.

Sunlake Seahawks (6A-9 — down from 7A)
Coach: Trey Burdick, third year
Skinny: Sunlake comes off another trying season — one that saw its offense get shut out in half its contests and only two victories coming against equally struggling programs — Leto (1-8) and Land O’ Lakes (1-7) high schools, respectively. Kevin Spillane returning as starting quarterback for a third season should help, as should linebacker Mitchell Hammond, the reigning Sunshine Athletic Conference East Defensive Player of the Year. However, the Seahawks will be without its top three wideouts who each garnered at least 20 catches in 2020. The program slides down a peg to Class 6A from 7A, entering a district which features Countryside, Fivay, Freedom and River Ridge high schools.

Wesley Chapel Wildcats (5A-9)
Coach: Tony Egan, sixth year
Skinny: Wesley Chapel has yet to experience a losing campaign under the watch of coach Tony Egan. There’s optimism for similar steadiness despite a sturdy 2021 slate against the likes of Wiregrass Ranch, Zephyrhills, Brooksville Nature Coast, River Ridge and Mitchell high schools. Yet, the Wildcats have plenty of offensive and defensive production returning, including five All-Conference performers — wideout Nehemiah Morgan, linebacker Aydon Roysdon, tailback Jaylan Blake, offensive lineman Briac Riles, and linebacker Josh Poleon.

Armed with one of the area’s top quarterbacks — in rising senior Rocco Becht — Wiregrass Ranch is poised to bounce back from a 4-5 mark cut short and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School Athletics Department)

Wiregrass Ranch Bulls (7A-10)
Coach: Mark Kantor, seventh year
Skinny: Through Wiregrass Ranch finished just under .500 for the first time since 2015, it was against an objectively daunting schedule facing the likes of Armwood, Mitchell and Tampa Bay Tech (not to mention a season-ending forfeit to Orlando East River due to a COVID-19 outbreak). However, confidence appears amidst the return of rising senior quarterback Rocco Becht, the reigning Sunshine Athletic Conference East Offensive Player of the Year who, an Iowa State university verbal commit. Becht — the son of 11-year NFL veteran and current ESPN college football analyst Anthony Becht — completed 53.4% of his throws for 1,550 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions across eight games last season.

The Zephyrhills Bulldogs are poised to continue the team’s successful run under the guidance of veteran head coach Nick Carroll. The program went 8-3 last year, which included a string of eight straight victories. (File)

Zephyrhills Bulldogs (5A-9)
Coach: Nick Carroll, sixth year
Skinny: Winning consistently and in dominant fashion has been an ongoing theme for Zephyrhills under coach Nick Carroll’s tenure — collecting a pair of district titles (and another runner-up) and posting a combined 42-14 record across five seasons. The 2020 campaign, too, was noteworthy, given the team rapped off eight straight victories after dropping its two games. And six of those eight wins were of the shutout variety — the most lopsided being a 55-0 romp over Anclote in late November. Anticipate similar shutdown defensive performances to continue this year, as the Bulldogs should return five of its six top tacklers, including All-State linebacker Maguire Neal, who boasts multiple Division I FBS scholarship offers.

The Zephyrhills Christian Warriors will open up the 2021 season with a new artificial turf field and weight room. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Christian Academy Athletics Department)

Zephyrhills Christian Warriors (2A-2)
Coach: Mike Smith, seventh year
Skinny: Zephyrhills Christian enters spring camp seeking a sixth straight winning season. The prognosis seems pointed that way, as the squad returns a pair of All-State defensive backs in Quavious Cook and Fred Adams, plus the incoming transfer of All-State dual-threat quarterback Adrian Miller III, from Bishop McLaughlin. This should help boost a team that was already averaging nearly 29 points per game last season. Further adding to the program’s winning swagger is a brand-new artificial turf football field, and weight room, among other frills.

Schools in Laker/Lutz News coverage area (and their 2020 records)

Hillsborough County:

  • Carrollwood Day School Patriots (5-5)
  • Freedom High School Patriots (0-9)
  • Gaither High School Cowboys (11-1)
  • Steinbrenner High School Warriors (4-3)
  • Wharton High School Wildcats (7-2)

Pasco County

  • Academy at the Lakes Wildcats (4-2)
  • Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School Hurricanes (4-4)
  • Cypress Creek High School Coyotes (3-7)
  • Land O’ Lakes High School Gators (1-7)
  • Pasco High School Pirates (5-6)
  • Sunlake High School Seahawks (2-6)
  • Wesley Chapel High School Wildcats (5-4)
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls (4-5)
  • Zephyrhills High School Bulldogs (8-3)
  • Zephyrhills Christian Academy Warriors (8-3)

Spring game schedule

May 20
Land O’ Lakes at Cypress Creek
Wiregrass Ranch at Berkeley Prep
Steinbrenner, Gaither, Sickles at Tampa Alonso (Jamboree)
Tampa Bay Tech, Freedom, Wharton at King (Jamboree)

May 21
Mitchell at Zephyrhills
Pasco at Sunlake
Miami GDS Academy at Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Hollins at Wesley Chapel

Published April 28, 2021

All-Pasco County winter awards announced

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Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) Eastside encompasses Cypress Creek, Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills high schools.

High school coaches from the Pasco County School District recently announced the Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) All-Conference Teams, Athletes of the Year and Coaches of the Year, for the 2020-2021 winter sports season, which included basketball, competitive cheerleading, soccer, weightlifting and wrestling.

Selections were made for both the East and West division.

The following high schools from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were represented in the East: Cypress Creek, Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

Winter Sports (Boys)

SAC East All-Conference Boys Basketball
Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch (three-way tie)
Coach of the Year: Marvin Gray, Wesley Chapel
Player of the Year: Nate Santana, Land O’ Lakes

First-Team
Sam Lowe, Wesley Chapel, senior
Nate Santana, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Quincy Smith, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Kevin Pagan, Zephyrhills, junior
Josh Martin, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

Second-Team
Jaden Louden, Wesley Chapel, junior
Dylan Figueroa, Sunlake, senior
Kennen Ayala, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore
Jimmy McAuley, Zephyrhills, junior
Willie Ravenna, Cypress Creek, senior

Honorable Mention
David Barr, Sunlake, senior
Peyton Williams, Cypress Creek, senior

SAC East All-Conference Boys Soccer
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch
Coach of the Year: Dave Wilson, Wiregrass Ranch
Offensive Player of the Year: Alec Santiago, Wiregrass Ranch
Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Amis, Wiregrass Ranch

First-Team
Forward: Ethan Sternberg, Sunlake, senior
Forward: Justin Amis, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Midfielder: Mick Stauffer, Sunlake, junior
Midfielder: George Obregon, Wesley Chapel, junior
Midfielder: Aidan Ettouati, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Defenseman: Patrick Amis, Wiregrass, senior
Defenseman: Derek Isajar, Sunlake, senior
Defenseman: Sammy Salas, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Defenseman: Jarrett Scheer, Wesley Chapel, senior
Goalkeeper: Luigi Morales, Sunlake, junior
Utility: Alec Santiago, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Utility: Parker Wallace, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Second-Team
Forward: Sebastian Victoria, Sunlake, senior
Forward: Ayden Roysdon, Wesley Chapel, junior
Midfielder: Lucas Herrera, Wesley Chapel, sophomore
Midfielder: Colton Corrao, Cypress Creek, junior
Midfielder: Juan Sanchez, Pasco, sophomore
Defenseman: Ryan Fischer, Sunlake, junior
Defenseman: Colin Bailey, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Defenseman: Trevor Harden, Land O’ Lakes, freshman
Goalkeeper: Logan Grace, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Utility: Andrew Knorowski, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Utility: Jesus Trujillo, Pasco, senior

Honorable Mention
Alex Nesbath, Zephyrhills, junior

The Land O’ Lakes High varsity boys wrestling program captured its first Sunshine Athletic Conference championship in some two decades. (File)

SAC East All-Conference Boys Wrestling
Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Eddie Marley, Land O’ Lakes

First-Team
106-pound: Devin Lanier, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
113-pound: Stephen Carrico, Sunlake, junior
120-pound: Brandon Austin, Land O’ Lakes, freshman
126-pound: Orion Magoon, Sunlake, junior
132-pound: Morgan Ray, Land O’ Lakes, senior
138-pound: Jack Evans, Pasco, senior
145-pound: Nicholas Iserino, Wesley Chapel, sophomore
152-pound: Johnathan Cardona, Cypress Creek, senior
160-pound: Devin Jernigan, Pasco, senior
170-pound: Jarod Wright, Land O’ Lakes, senior
182-pound: Chance Kiuber, Pasco, senior
195-pound: Amir Burgess, Pasco, senior
220-pound: Cassidy Grubbs, Pasco, sophomore
285-pound: Dajuan McCullough, Zephyrhills, senior

Second-Team
106-pound: Cole Henderson, Land O’ Lakes, junior
113-pound: Jason DeSantis, Cypress Creek, junior
120-pound: Donavan Eury, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
126-pound: Roman Sanchez, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
132-pound: Jaiden Martinez, Zephyrhills, junior
138-pound: Jackson Hudson, Cypress Creek, junior
145-pound: Ryan Lebsack, Land O’ Lakes, junior
152-pound: Idael Reyes, Zephyrhills, junior
160-pound: Justin Bethards, Sunlake, senior
170-pound: Ben Clark, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
182-pound: Elijah Newman, Land O’ Lakes, senior
195-pound: Wilson Meisman, Cypress Creek, freshman
220-pound: Isaiah Tavo, Land O’ Lakes, junior
295-pound: Isaac Tavo, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Honorable Mention
Savion Spaights, Pasco, senior

Winter Sports (Girls)

SAC East All-Conference Girls Basketball
Team Champion: Wesley Chapel
Coach of the Year: Chris Smith, Zephyrhills
Player of the Year: Maya Llanes, Zephyrhills

First-Team
Maya Llanes, Zephyrhills, junior
Zoi Evans, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Mia Nicholson, Wesley Chapel, senior
Lily Meier, Sunlake, freshman
Emari Lewis, Wesley Chapel, junior

Second-Team
Mykaela Elliot, Wesley Chapel, junior
April Davis, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Jakayla Lewis, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore
Mikayla Cintron, Zephyrhills, junior
Sariyah Waller, Sunlake, junior

Honorable Mention
Adrianna Villanueva, Cypress Creek, sophomore
Hayli Carter, Pasco, freshman

SAC East All-Conference Girls Soccer
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch
Coach of the Year: Vicky King, Land O’ Lakes
Offensive Player of the Year: Jordan Green, Land O’ Lakes
Defensive Player of the Year: Sydney Bauer, Wesley Chapel

First-Team
Defender: Katelyn Hicks, Sunlake, junior
Defender: Kylie Denney, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Defender: Sydney Bauer, Wesley Chapel, senior
Midfielder: Maya Hinz, Sunlake, sophomore
Midfielder: Maddy Golka, Wesley Chapel, junior
Midfielder: Jordan Green, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore
Forward: Inna Neves, Sunlake, freshman
Forward: Jordyn Keene, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore
Goalkeeper: Kobi Page, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Utility: Madison Poe, Zephyrhills, junior
Utility: Ellie Klem, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

Second-Team
Defender: Kayla Ojeda, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Defender: Abbie Pittman, Cypress Creek, sophomore
Defender: Samantha Lanson, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore
Midfielder: Jada Silvest, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore
Midfielder: Taylor Denney, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Midfielder: Hannah Fulop, Cypress Creek, sophomore
Forward: Alison Souers, Cypress Creek, freshman
Forward: Teresa Rodriguez, Land O’ Lakes, junior
Goalkeeper: Ella McGahey, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Utility: Marianna Portillo, Wesley Chapel, freshman
Utility: Roxana Meillon, Pasco, junior

The Sunlake High varsity girls weightlifting team enjoyed another dominant campaign, taking conference, district and regional titles, and finishing in fifth place at the 2A state championship meet. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School Athletic Department)

SAC East All-Conference Girls Weightlifting
Team Champion: Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Denise Garcia, Sunlake
Athlete of the Year: Andje Costa, Cypress Creek

First-Team
101-pound: Andje Costa, Cypress Creek, junior
110-pound: Gabriella Schwarz, Sunlake, junior
119-pound: Ana Graves, Sunlake, junior
129-pound: Madison Guincho, Sunlake, senior
139-pound: Madison Aguilera, Zephyrhills, senior
154-pound: Grace Anne Hoback, Sunlake, senior
169-pound: Daniella Vance, Sunlake, senior
183-pound: McKenna Gilpin, Sunlake, junior
199-pound: Autumn Spoon, Zephyrhills, sophomore
Unlimited: Diamond Cowart, Zephyrhills, senior

Second-Team
101-pound: Isabella Paul, Sunlake, junior
110-pound: Alexandria Blake, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
119-pound: Tristan Rooney, Sunlake, senior
129-pound: Amber Wood, Sunlake, junior
139-pound: Makiyah Nickerson, Sunlake, sophomore
154-pound: Carolina Crim, Sunlake, sophomore
169-pound: Avary Davis, Pasco, sophomore
183-pound: Ava Rodriguez, Sunlake, sophomore
199-pound: Ashlee Cummings, Pasco, junior
Unlimited: Juliana Garcia, Sunlake, senior

Honorable mention
Victoria Vaile, Wesley Chapel, junior
Erin Welch, Land O’ Lakes, senior

The Wiregrass Ranch High varsity girls competitive cheerleading squad won the 2020-2021 ‘Best of Pasco’ county championship meet. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School Athletic Department)

SAC East All-Conference Competitive Cheerleading
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch
Coach of the Year: Maya Hines, Wiregrass Ranch
Cheerleader of the Year: Laylah Kibler, Sunlake

First-Team
Avery Warner, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Natalie Joles, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Alyson Partain, Pasco, senior
Emma Whited, Pasco, senior
Emily Kirk, Zephyrhills, junior
Brianna Cunningham, Zephyrhills, senior
Laylah Kibler, Sunlake, senior
Emma Barton, Sunlake, senior
Camryn Steele, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Taryn Brown, Land O’ Lakes, junior

Second-Team
Alexis Burns, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Ella Peckham, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Grace VanBuren, Pasco, senior
Sydney Stanaland, Pasco, senior
Baylee Todd, Pasco, senior
Madison Long, Zephyrhills, junior
Mackenzie Florez, Zephyrhills, junior
Emma Travis, Sunlake, freshman
Abigail Berberich, Sunlake, senior
Christina Agovino, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Honorable mention
Sydney Taylor, Wesley Chapel, senior
Haley Cogan, Wesley Chapel, junior

Published March 17, 2021

Locals athletes ink with colleges on National Signing Day

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Dozens of local high school athletes earlier this month signed their letters of intent (LOI) to various colleges and universities as part of National Signing Day.

It’s a special day held annually on the first Wednesday in February where thousands of athletes nationwide can sign a binding letter of intent with a member school of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

From The Laker/Lutz News coverage area alone, Wharton High registered the most signings with nine, followed by Cypress Creek and Steinbrenner high schools that each reported six apiece.

Academy at the Lakes, Freedom High, Gaither High, Land O’ Lakes High, Sunlake High, Wesley Chapel High, Wiregrass Ranch High, Zephyrhills High and Zephyrhills Christian Academy also were well-represented as part of signing day festivities.

Locals inked to play at the next level for the following sports — beach volleyball, baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, volleyball, softball, swimming and track.

Here is a closer look at some notable area athletes who signed on the dotted line and are expected to make significant contributions at the next level.

Jared Hammill, Wharton, cross-country/track (University of Tampa)
Jared Hammill turned in a banner performance at the 2020 FHSAA state cross-country championships, finishing third overall in the 4A meet — clocking a 15:51.9 (5:06-minute per mile pace).

His time and placing represented was tops among local cross-country runners from all classifications in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. (Meanwhile, the only two runners faster in all of 4A were Rheinhardt Harrison (15:26.9) and Anderson Ball (15:43.5), both teammates at Nease High, in Ponte Vedra Beach.)

The state showcase wasn’t Hammill’s fastest time of the year, however.

That came at the Hillsborough County Championships in October, where he set a new school 5K record — posting a 15:34 to win the meet, besting Tre Rivers’ 15:45.7 mark set in 2018.

Hammill now looks to end his prep running career on an even higher note with the forthcoming track season, likely to compete in the 800-meter, 1600-meter and 3,200-meter runs, as well as some relays. His personal-best in the 800-meter is 2:00.06, 1600-meter is 4:31.91 and 3,200-meter is 9:41.52.

Kiael Kelly, Gaither, football (Ball State University)
Kiael Kelly, a dual-threat quarterback, wasted no time in his lone season at Gaither — transferring in from Tampa Jesuit for his senior year.

Gaither High standout quarterback Kiael Kelly is headed to Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana. (Courtesy of Gaither High School)

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound athlete steered the Cowboys to an 11-1 record and 6A regional final —  completing 63% of his throws for 1,594 yards, 16 touchdowns and four picks, plus 399 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

Kelly also is a member of the renowned Team Tampa 7-on-7 all-star team, which has won multiple national championships since its formation in 2010.

A consensus three-star recruiting prospect, Kelly also received Division I scholarship offers from Bethune-Cookman, Bowling Green, Coastal Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Liberty, South Florida and Syracuse.

One doesn’t have to look far to see where Kelly’s athletic bloodlines originate.

His father is Kenny Kelly, a former starting quarterback at the University of Miami, who also played Major League Baseball for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals in the early 2000s. The elder Kelly also was a four-sport letterman at Tampa Catholic High School in baseball, basketball, football and track.

Lilly Kiester, Freedom, softball (University of Tampa)
Lilly Kiester first hit the big stage back in 2015, when her Team Tampa U12 travel ball softball team ventured to Sacramento, California, to compete in the Amateur Softball Association national championship for that age group.

She’s come a long way since advancing to the prep ranks.

The speedy centerfielder was en route to another strong season as a junior— before the COVID-19 pandemic cut everything short — posting a .452 batting average through eight games, adding eight runs, four RBIs and two extra-base hits.

Kiester was no slouch her prior two years on varsity, either, hitting .365 as a sophomore and .333 as a freshman.

Her career numbers thus far stack up this way: In 52 games played, Kiester has a .366 average, .428 on-base percentage, 64 hits, 51 runs, 24 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Defensively, she has a .941 fielding percentage, 66 putouts and 14 outfield assists during that time.

Meantime, the Freedom Patriots during that time have gone a combined 38-15 with two regional playoff appearances.

Expect more of the same, and maybe then some, this spring.

Academy at the Lakes swimmer McKenna Smith has signed a scholarship with Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina. (Courtesy of Academy at the Lakes Athletics)

McKenna Smith, Academy at the Lakes, swimming (Duke University)
McKenna Smith soon will venture into the competitive NCAA Division I swimming ranks after wrapping up a decorated prep career as a seven-time state medalist — which includes recent third-place finishes in the 50-yard free (23.15) and 100-yard free (50.34) at the 2020 Florida High School Athletic Association 1A championship meet.

This goes along with claiming more than a dozen individual regional and district titles combined over her varsity career, plus countless other events and invitationals won.

The sprint freestyler, too, has earned a multiple high school All-American nod for her junior cuts in the 50 free and 100 free. Her personal-best time (in yards) in the 50 free is 23.05, 100 free is 50.11, and 200 free is 1:51.65.

Besides her work in the pool for Academy at the Lakes, Smith swims year-round for Florida Elite Swimming, a club team based in Land O’ Lakes.

A volleyball player as a youth, Smith didn’t begin swimming competitively until the sixth grade.

The watersport has become a family affair, however.

Smith’s younger brother, Nate, an AATL freshman, competed in his first state swim meet this past year, finishing 22nd in the 1A 100-yard free (49.65).

Lilou Stegeman, Steinbrenner, volleyball (University of Albany)
Lilou Stegeman, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, wrapped up an impressive final campaign as a key cog in Steinbrenner’s 17-8 record and 7A regional semifinals berth.

In 55 sets played this season, Stegeman registered 136 kills, 73 digs, 44 blocks and 18 aces, en route to earning All-County honors.

Stegeman also competes for the Orlando Tampa Volleyball Academy, regarded as one of the top clubs in the country.

Stegeman also is an accomplished track athlete — a team captain who was a state finisher in the 100-meter hurdles in 2019. She also ran the 300-meter hurdles, high jump, 4×100-meter and 4×400-meter relays and 200-meter dash for Steinbrenner.

This coming fall, Stegeman will join a University of Albany volleyball program that won the 2019 America East title — its first since 2011, and sixth conference championship, overall.

Albany head volleyball coach Josh Pickard said the following of Stegeman’s athletic skillset, in a Signing Day release: “Lilou brings great size and presence in the middle. She has competed for a great club and will bring a great knowledge of the game to our squad. She has a great background in multiple sports, which helps her excel in her chosen sport of volleyball. Her upside in volleyball is huge due to her short time in the sport and we are excited to see her grow as a Great Dane.”

Peyton Petry, Cypress Creek, baseball (Saint Leo University)
Peyton Petry has established himself as one of the area’s most productive two-way players — a right-handed pitcher and outfielder —twice earning first team All-Conference honors.

A quartet of Cypress Creek High varsity baseball players signed their National Letters of Intent with various colleges and universities. From left: Peyton Petry (Saint Leo University), Anthony Menendez (Thomas University), Zach Beulk (Thomas University) and Nolan Jamison (Mars Hill University). (Courtesy of Kellie Petry)

Before the COVID-19 pandemic terminated the 2020 campaign, the 6-foot-4 Petry had a  .464/.531/.678 slash line with 12 runs, 9 RBIs and four extra base hits through 32 plate appearances in seven games, paired with a 3.50 earned run average and 27 strikeouts through 12 innings pitched.

Petry’s full sophomore run was likewise noteworthy, with his arm and his bat.

On the mound, Petry fired 36.1 innings to the tune of a 1.35 earned run average, 34 strikeouts, and a 4-1 win-loss mark. At the plate, he posted a .333/.413/.333 line, with five runs and seven RBIs, in 19 games played.

Petry also has garnered widespread recognition around prep baseball circles —  ranked among the top-500 recruits in the nation, according to Perfect Game, the world’s largest baseball scouting service.

In addition to Cypress Creek, Petry plays for the Ostingers Baseball Academy travel ball team, where he’s earned multiple All-Tournament team selections and helped the program win the 2020 Perfect Game 17U Florida World Series in Fort Myers.

Saint Leo head baseball coach Rick O’Dette said this of Petry, as part of a Signing Day news release: “We saw him early as a low to mid 80’s strike thrower who we anticipated in becoming an immediate arm. That has happened even sooner than we have thought. He is now an upper 80’s arm who can throw any pitch at any time. The ceiling is extremely high for him. His work ethic and love to get better is extremely contagious. His future is bright.”

Petry’s younger brother, Ethan, also is a talented ballplayer showing high-level collegiate potential. The Cypress Creek junior third baseman/pitcher is a University of South Carolina commit.

Here is a roundup of all known high school athlete signings in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

Academy at the Lakes
Baseball
Alex Carmichael — Upper Iowa University (Fayette, Iowa)

Football
Sean Saccomanno — Saint Norbert College (De Pere, Wisconsin)

Softball
Vanessa Alexander — Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island)

Swimming
McKenna Smith — Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)

Cypress Creek High School
Baseball
Zachary Buelk — Thomas University (Thomasville, Georgia)
Nolan Jamison — Mars Hill University (Mars Hill, North Carolina)
Anthony Menendez —Thomas University (Thomasville, Georgia)
Peyton Petry — Saint Leo University

Softball
Emma Coon — Lander University (Greenwood, South Carolina)
Hailey Vasquez — Ava Maria University

Freedom High School
Softball
Lilly Kiester — University of Tampa
Erica Wilton — Miami-Dade College

Land O’ Lakes High School
Softball
Emily Proctor — College of Central Florida
Gracie Stanley — Pasco-Hernando State College

Steinbrenner High School
Beach Volleyball
Rebecca Bach — Missouri State University

Football
Brycen Lowe — Carthage College (Kenosha, Wisconsin)

Lacrosse
Matthew Wyatt — Belmont-Abbey College (Belmont, North Carolina)

Softball
Mykayla Parise-King — Mars Hill University (Mars Hill, North Carolina)
Ashley Sholl — Concordia University-Chicago (River Forest, Illinois)

Volleyball
Lilou Stegeman — University of Albany (Albany, New York)

Sunlake High School
Baseball
Dominick Albano — Warner University
Dylan Broderick — Saint Leo University
Trevor Mannarino — Lake Sumter State College

Gaither High School
Football
Nick Bartalo — Charleston Southern University (Charleston, South Carolina)
Kiael Kelly — Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana)
Jordan Oladokun — Samford University (Birmingham, Alabama)
Ricky Parks — University of Utah

Wesley Chapel High School
Football
Matt Helms — Warner University

Wharton High School
Baseball
Zach Ehrhard — Oklahoma State University
Dylan McDonald — Saint Leo University
Frank Micallef — University of South Florida
Michael Rivera — Hillsborough Community College

Basketball
Candice Green — Webber International University

Softball
Tieley Vaughn — University of South Florida
McKayla Velasquez — Ave Maria University

Cross-Country/Track
Jared Hammill — University of Tampa

Lacrosse
McKenzie Watson — Newberry College (Newberry, South Carolina)

Wiregrass Ranch High School
Football
Grady Clower — University of Central Florida
Larry Gibbs Jr. — Warner University
Gabe Thompson — Army West Point (West Point, New York)

Zephyrhills
Football
Mike Barber — Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)

Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Football
Nicholas Novo — Apprentice School (Newport News, Virginia)

Published February 17, 2021

Creating a culture for success at Wiregrass Ranch High

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Wiregrass Ranch High School Principal Robyn White was just 13 when she decided her path in life.

“The only question I had, honestly, was whether I wanted to teach music or math,” said White, who went on to teach mathematics at the middle and high school levels, before stepping into school administration.

Next month, on March 13, White will mark her 15th anniversary at Wiregrass Ranch High, at 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Wiregrass Ranch High School Principal Robyn White has seen a lot of change through the years, but she said students essentially remain the same: ‘They just want somebody to care. They just want to know that they’re making somebody proud.’ (The principal had been wearing a mask as a precaution due to COVID-19, but she removed it for this photo). (B.C. Manion)

The educator joined the school as an assistant principal, under the direction of Ray Bonti, the school’s first principal. Later, she was promoted to the school’s top post, to replace Bonti when he ascended to become an assistant superintendent for Pasco County Schools.

White said Bonti was one of the most important mentors in her career. He gave her a chance, she said, to learn about all aspects of school administration before she took the helm at Wiregrass Ranch.

Bonti, now executive director of the Hillsborough Association of School Administrators, said White excelled, and was his logical replacement.

“Robyn is one of the smartest administrators that I’ve worked with over my almost 30 years working in Pasco County Schools,” Bonti said. “Not only was she one of the smartest that I’ve worked with — she was a tireless worker. She put 100% effort into it.”

She also provides sound guidance, Bonti added.

“I learned a lot from her. A lot of people learned a lot from her. She mentored many teachers. She mentored many students,” Bonti said.

Over the years, Wiregrass Ranch High has developed a reputation for excellence, and during the 2019-2020 school year, White was selected as high school principal of the year by the Pasco County Council PTA.

Denise Nicholas, president of the council at the time, said White is known for running a tight ship, and for welcoming student ideas.

“She has an open-door policy for her students,” Nicholas said.

White listens, she said.

“The number of activities and groups for students, with whatever different interests — if they  have a plan and they have a sponsor, and it makes sense, she absolutely will support that.

“There is a tremendous number of clubs, for every different interest, which is phenomenal,” Nicholas said.

Bonti said that White “has always maintained that really good balance of setting high expectations and creating a culture that (makes) people want to be there.”

She didn’t set out to be a principal
When White was beginning her career, her only ambition was to teach.

“I just remember being in awe of teachers, and what they did and what they taught me,” White said, noting she was particularly influenced by Marita Noe and Shirley Holm, two of her high school math teachers.

White knew she had a knack for helping her friends and other students learn.

At one point, her mom recognized her math skills and suggested she pursue a career in accounting.

But, White didn’t want to sit behind a desk, she wanted to be personally involved in helping others.

So, after graduating from the University of West Florida, in Pensacola, White landed her first job, teaching mathematics at Dunedin Highland Middle School in Pinellas County.

Students across the nation walked out of classrooms on March 14, 2018, in a protest against gun violence and a call for greater action by Congress to keep students safe. The walkout was sanctioned at Wiregrass Ranch High. ‘I believe that students should have a voice to express their concerns, their opinions,’ said Wiregrass Ranch High Principal Robyn White. (File)

After that, she worked four years in a dropout prevention program, before returning to the classroom to teach sixth-grade mathematics.

Her next teaching stop was at Dunedin High School.

“I loved being a part of the classroom,” White said.

It never occurred to her to pursue a job in administration.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined that I would have been a principal of a school. I wouldn’t have even given it a consideration,” she said.

But, gentle nudging from Dr. Mildred Reed, her principal at Dunedin High School, changed that.

White was very involved at Dunedin High. Besides teaching, she was the athletic director, she sponsored multiple clubs and she chaired a committee involving small learning communities.

Reed came to her and said: “I don’t understand. You do all of this and don’t get any pay for it, Why wouldn’t you go back to school and consider getting into administration?”

White went on: “I really hadn’t thought of it, to be very honest. I loved being in the classroom.”

But Reed had planted a seed.

White began taking a class here and there, thinking perhaps someday she might explore an administrative role. After all, she already had a master’s degree and would just need certification.

When an assistant principal retired, White became an acting assistant principal — allowing her the chance to give it a try.

“I did that for a semester, thinking that position would be open the following year and it would be a nice, easy transition,” White said.

It didn’t play out that way.

“That was the year that Pinellas County cut 23 assistant principals, so, I went back to the classroom,” she said.

That didn’t bother her, because she loved teaching.

But because she had served as an acting assistant principal, she found herself being called upon repeatedly to fill in when another assistant principal was out.

“That got a little bit old,” White said, so she decided to apply in Pasco County, which was advertising for administrators.

Her first interview was for a job at Zephyrhills High, which she didn’t get.

Her next interview was for a job at Wesley Chapel High, which she landed.

“I’ll never forget the day I got the call. It was a Friday afternoon,” she said.

She was at a conference wrestling meet.

“I thought, ‘My goodness, how am I going to tell these kids that I’m leaving?

“I can just remember, going back and sitting up in the bleachers and literally putting up a newspaper in front of my face and crying.

“Mr. (Andy) Frelick (principal at Wesley Chapel) was very kind. He allowed (me) to have some flex days in finishing up at Dunedin High School, because I was involved in so much.”

She went to work at Wesley Chapel High on Jan. 31, 2005, but her stay there was short-lived.

Wiregrass Ranch High was opening and students from Wesley Chapel were being reassigned to that school. White’s job at Wesley Chapel High was cut.

She joined Bonti’s staff on March 13, 2006.

When the new high school opened, it had a total of 700 ninth- and 10th-graders, White said, and it operated in portables behind Weightman Middle School. Wiregrass Ranch relocated to its current campus over winter break.

By its third year, the high school was operating at its 1,650-student capacity.

Its enrollment has swelled through the years, causing the school to add portables, and for two years operated on a 10-period day — to limit the number of students on campus at one time.

Its enrollment also has been reduced with boundary shifts — which were adamantly opposed by parents and students, alike.

Now, the enrollment stands at 2,078 — but the campus feels more spacious this year because about 800 students have opted to learn remotely due to concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19.

Lessons she’s learned through the years
Besides being an educator, White has been a learner, too.

As a teacher intern, her supervising teacher gave her two pieces of advice.

“Piece No. 1:  Stay out of the teachers’ lounge because that’s where negativity breeds.

“And, Piece No. 2: When you don’t enjoy it anymore, get out.

“I tell people to this day: ‘If you’re not enjoying it, why are you staying?’”

She also learned how to manage her emotions.

When she was an acting assistant principal, she said, “I remember multiple times I got very emotional and she (Dr. Reed) told me, ‘Principals don’t cry.’”

White said she has a slightly different message for the people she mentors: “I say, ‘Principals do cry, but with the door shut.’”

She thinks her years in the classroom have helped her to be a better principal.

“You need to be able to relate to what teachers are going through,” she explained.

And, as a leader of a large school, she understands the importance of teamwork.

“There’s no way that I can do this job without the team I have around me. That’s everybody from my custodial, my non-instructional staff, my teachers,” White said.

She has confidence in them.

“They’re all smart people. So, they know what’s going to work for them and what works for their kids. So, I give them the autonomy to decide how that’s going to work,” she said.

Myriad decisions must be made, but White said: “Ultimately, it’s about what’s in the best interest of the kids.”

So much has changed over the years, but students are essentially the same, the principal said.

“They just want somebody to care. They just want to know that they’re making somebody proud.”

Published February 03, 2021

All-Pasco County girls fall awards announced

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High school coaches from Pasco County Schools recently announced Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) All-Conference Teams, Athletes of the Year and Coaches of the Year, for the 2020-2021 fall sports season.

Selections were made for both the East and West divisions.

The following high schools from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were represented in the East: Cypress Creek, Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

Here is a listing of girls team and individual recipients within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area for golf, swimming & diving, and volleyball.

(NOTE: The Laker/Lutz News published the Boys All-Conference listings in its Jan. 13 edition.)

Fall Sports (Girls)

After winning the Sunshine Athletic Conference Championship, the Sunlake High varsity girls cross-country team claimed a district crown, finished runner-up at regionals, then placed 10th at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championships. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School)

SAC East All-Conference Cross-Country
Team Champion: Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Randal Reeves, Sunlake
Runner of the Year: Shannon Gordy, Sunlake

First-Team
Shannon Gordy, Sunlake, senior
Ashley Spires, Sunlake, senior
Caitlyn Culpepper, Sunlake, junior
Annie Winborn, Sunlake, sophomore
Shelby Viseur, Sunlake, junior
Maranda Hildebrand, Land O’ Lakes, junior
Alanta Lofton, Sunlake, sophomore

Second-Team
Samantha Scott, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Sarah Ellingson, Sunlake, junior
Abigail Williams, Sunlake, freshman
Hannah Sheen, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
Agnes Hernandez, Pasco, senior
Mya Hill, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Carlie Ortiz, Cypress Creek, freshman

Honorable Mention
Madison Poe, Zephyrhills, junior
Amanda Walford, Wesley Chapel, sophomore

Wiregrass Ranch senior golfer Norah Catlin finishes her prep career earning All-Pasco County honors a fourth-straight year. (File)

SAC East All-Conference Golf
Team Champion: Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Austi Dial, Sunlake
Golfer of the Year: Taylor Zachary, Sunlake

First-Team
Taylor Zachary, Sunlake, junior
Tiffany Colin, Cypress Creek, sophomore
Norah Catlin, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake, freshman
Carmen Phousirith, Cypress Creek, sophomore

Second-Team
Helena Potter, Sunlake, junior
Hailey Stricker, Sunlake, freshman
Annamarie Ratican, Cypress Creek, sophomore
Evelyn Randall, Pasco, junior
Emma Huff, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Honorable Mention
Brooke Baldus, Zephyrhills, junior
Brianna D’Agostino, Wesley Chapel, junior

The Land O’ Lakes High varsity girls volleyball team went a perfect 6-0 against East Pasco County foes. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes athletics department)

SAC East All-Conference Volleyball
Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Brittany Collison, Wesley Chapel
Player of the Year: Jordan Danielson, Wesley Chapel

First-Team
Gracie Stanley, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Catie Cordova, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Brette Heymann, Sunlake
Kylie Ciani, Sunlake, junior
Chloe Danielson, Wesley Chapel, sophomore
Zoe Evans, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Caitie Grimes, Land O’ Lakes, junior

Second-Team
Kayla Baer, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Kaitlyn Klemm, Land O’ Lakes, junior
Laynee Marsee, Pasco, senior
Mercedes Krueger, Zephyrhills, senior
Leah Vrabec, Cypress Creek, junior
Alice Stryker, Sunlake, sophomore
Amiya Oliver, Wesley Chapel, senior

The Land O’ Lakes varsity girls swimming team narrowly finished runner-up to Mitchell High at the 2020 Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) championship, representing the best showing among all East Pasco County schools. The Gators tallied 403 points to Mitchell’s 419 at the meet, at Trinity YMCA. Third place went to Wiregrass Ranch High (332). (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes athletics department)

SAC East All-Conference Swimming and Diving
Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Karen Westerman, Sunlake
Swimmer of the Year: Maryam Khalil, Wiregrass Ranch
Diver of the Year: Isa Monagas, Sunlake

First Team
200 medley relay: Sunlake (1:53.09) — Amber Ewald, junior; Lilli Hilt, junior; Madi Houck, sophomore; Alex Sprague, senior
200 freestyle: Apryl Paquette, Land O’ Lakes, senior (1:57.62)
200 individual medley: Catherine Pinkos, Land O’ Lakes, junior (2:13.13)
50 freestyle: Maryam Khalil, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (24.28)
100 butterfly: Ava Edwards, Land O’ Lakes, freshman (59.35)
100 freestyle: Alex Sprague, Sunlake, senior (54.85)
500 freestyle: Apryl Paquette, Land O’ Lakes, senior (5:15.10)
200 freestyle relay: Sunlake (1:40.17) — Madi Houck, sophomore; Amber Ewald, junior; Lilli Hilt, junior; Alex Sprague, senior
100 backstroke: Madi Houck, Sunlake, sophomore (58.56)
100 breaststroke: Maryam Khalil, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (1:05.52)
400 freestyle relay: Land O’ Lakes (3:56.12) — Jahzara Ramsey, freshman; Sandali Idippili-Pathiran, freshman; Catherine Pinkos, junior; Apryl Paquette, senior
Diver: Isa Monagas, Sunlake, senior (442.55)

Second-Team
200 medley relay: Wiregrass Ranch (2:05.34) — Sabrina Salas, freshman; Emma Boyle, junior; Jenna Darland, sophomore; Katie Wieckowski, junior
200 freestyle: Leah Fonnotto, Sunlake, junior (2:06.27)
200 individual medley: Abigail Hahm, Land O’ Lakes, freshman (2:20.34)
50 freestyle: Aubrey Vaile, Wesley Chapel, freshman (26.40)
100 butterfly: Aubrey Vaile, Wesley Chapel, freshman (1:07.38)
100 freestyle: Jenna Darland, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore (1:00.76)
500 freestyle: Leah Fonnotto, Sunlake, junior (5:30.76)
200 freestyle relay: Wesley Chapel (1:53.68) — Aubrey Vaile, freshman; Victoria Vaile, junior; Savannah Stevens, sophomore; Annalyse Rogers, junior
100 backstroke: Abigail Hahm, Land O’ Lakes, freshman (1:05.60)
100 breaststroke: Katie Madley, Sunlake, freshman (1:16.60)
400 freestyle relay: Wiregrass Ranch (4:12.61) — Kat Fleming, junior; Sasha Simonovik, junior; Sidney Thompson, junior; Ella Blakewood, junior
Diver: Abby Galo, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (383.35)

Honorable Mention
Sarah Davidson, Pasco, sophomore
Abigail Conner, Zephyrhills, sophomore
Julia Spielberger, Cypress Creek, sophomore

Published January 20, 2021

Pasco all-star football game on tap for Dec. 17

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Fans and followers of the Pasco County prep football scene can catch some final gridiron action this December.

That’s because some of the county’s top senior high football players will experience Friday night lights for one final time, at the 2020 Pasco County East-West Classic.

The sixth annual all-star showcase is slated for Dec. 17 at 7 p.m., at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 16351 Hays Rd., in Spring Hill.

The annual senior all-star showcase began in 2015. The East leads the all-time series 3-2, through the West won last year’s contest, 23-21. Team practices for the Dec. 17 game were scheduled to begin Nov. 30. (Courtesy of Fellowship of Christian Athletes-Pasco)

The game — organized by the Pasco County Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) — features dozens of the best senior players from 15 county high schools (13 public, two private).

The game is branded as, “the best players from every position, from every school, showcasing their talent.”

Players on the East squad will represent Cypress Creek, Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch, Zephyrhills, and Zephyrhills Christian high schools.

Players on the West squad will represent Anclote, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic, Fivay, Gulf, Hudson, Sunlake, Mitchell and River Ridge.

Cypress Creek head coach Mike Johnson will lead the East squad and Sunlake head coach Trey Burdick will lead the West. The scheduled start date for practices was Nov. 30. The East squad will practice at Sunlake High and the West squad will practice at Wesley Chapel.

To select the rosters, coaches from each county high school gather in a “war room” and draft players from every school, and every position. After much deliberation, the all-star teams get whittled down to 40 players in the East and 40 players in the West.

Mitchell garnered the most team selections with 12 picks, followed by Pasco (eight), River Ridge (seven), Wiregrass Ranch (seven) and Zephyrhills (seven), respectively.

The idea for a countywide all-star football game was spearheaded several years ago by FCA area director Bob Durham, upon the suggestion of local FCA board of directors, who pointed to the success of long-established all-star games in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The game has since proven to be a hit among local fans, drawing thousands of attendees each year.

The East team leads the all-time series 3-2, through the West won last year’s matchup 23-21.

For many of these players, the showcase provides a chance to perform in front of college recruiters, many of whom attend the game from across the Southeast region.

Though it may signal the last football game ever for some, other athletes are destined to play at various NCAA levels, or in the NAIA or junior college ranks.

In addition to the all-star game, players will be recognized at a dinner banquet where character awards, courage awards, GPA awards, and various skill awards will be distributed. A “Coach of the Year’” also will be named and voted on by county coaches. An all-star cheerleader team has been assembled for the showcase, too.

Tickets are $10 and will be available at the Bishop McLaughlin stadium ticket booth on gameday. Tickets also are available online at 2020PascoAllStars.eventbrite.com.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a 66-year-old ministry in public schools. In Pasco, there are chapters in every high shool in Pasco and five middle schools. Through the many student-led meetings, or “huddles” that take place on campuses, the FCA works to promote character, integrity, leadership and faith-based principles.

For more information, visit PascoAllStarGame.com, or email Bob Durham at .

Football
East All-Stars
Cypress Creek: Hunter Brinkley, Jake DiMarco, Brycen Hernandez, Gabriel Kolakoff, Collin Ostapchuk
Land O’ Lakes: Tyler Adcock, Zavion McKinon, Garrett Meredith, Issac Tavo
Pasco: Gabriel Barnes, Amir Burgess, Malcolm Gibbs, Josiah Harrison, Devin Jernigan, Jonathan Lee, Jabari Mention, Manuel Torres
Wesley Chapel: Noah Boyd, Duron Croson, Matt Helms, Owen Libby, Tyri Thomas
Wiregrass Ranch: Grady Clower, Larry Gibbs, Broden Guirl, Connor Hogan, Craig Kailimai, Adam Mihalek, Gabriel Thompson
Zephyrhills: Brian Ashmore, Mike Barber, Clayton Cornelius, Tre Gallimore, Jarrin Galyan, Dajuan McCullough, Zyre Roundtree
Zephyrhills Christian: Nick Novo, Bakari Sampson, Jonathan Zelasko

East coaches:
Head coach: Mike Johnson, Cypress Creek
Mark Barnes, Pasco
Trac Baughn, Land O’ Lakes
Nick Carroll, Zephyrhills
Tony Egan, Wesley Chapel
Mark Kantor, Wiregrass Ranch
Lane McLaughlin, Zephyrhills Christian Academy

West All-Stars
Anclote: Jedrek Cordero, Thomas Crawford, Daionta Reynolds
Bishop McLaughlin: Nick Fairweather, Malik Giles, Shane Schull
Fivay: Justin Benson, Autin Blandford, Bryant Brooks, Desean Maytum, Richard Spade
Gulf: Malachi Rohling
Hudson: Derek Aarnio, Trey Angwin, Tim Harris, Chris Keeler, Zach Lewis
Mitchell: Maguire Anderson, Evan Brennan, Ezra Brennan, Cole Castro, Elijah Hadley, Johnny Fairbank, Ronnie Fiumara, Devin Nelson, Gary Shepard, Khamari Smith, Jacob Van Schenck, Greg Washington
River Ridge: Aiden Benjamin, Connor Finer, Grant Deshazer, Robert Marzicola, Robby Rinaldi, Alex Storey, Aaron Wyman
Sunlake: Will Arnett, Julian Galdos, Harrison Moran, Darrell Stevens

West coaches:
Head coach: Trey Burdick, Sunlake
Ryan Benjamin, River Ridge
Matt Durchik, Fivay
Donald Flannery, Hudson
Dan McLeod, Gulf
Andy Schmitz, Mitchell
Antony Smith, Anclote
Ken Stills, Bishop McLaughlin

Cheerleaders
East All-Stars
Cypress Creek: Taryn Clowe, Brooke Sokolowski
Land O’ Lakes: Christina Agovino, Camryn Steele
Pasco: Alyson Partain, Emma Whited
Wesley Chapel: Tatum Hauser, Sydney Taylor
Wiregrass Ranch: Natalie Joles, Avery Warner
Zephyrhills: Madison Aguilera, Brianna Cunningham
Zephyrhills Christian: Leah Bush, Tayler Stanley

West All-Stars
Anclote: Harley Green, Summer Johnson
Bishop McLaughlin: Tania Barbre, Alexis Deese
Gulf: Amaria DeCola, Ella Frerichs
Fivay: Amaree Belser, Kaley Werner
Hudson: Ariana Perri, Ryan Sullivan
Mitchell: Jenna King, Marissa Zullo
River Ridge: Bri Marney, Lexi Smith
Sunlake: Laylah Kibler, Bella Vento

ublished December 02, 2020

Finding new ways to celebrate, amid COVID-19

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It may not have been the graduation ceremony he envisioned, but 17-year-old Carl Scavino seems to be enjoying himself, as he took advantage of the sunroof to wave to the crowd. His mother, Judy Scavino, appeared to be having a good time, too. (Randy Underhill)

COVID-19 may have delayed graduations for the Class 2020, but it couldn’t curb the enthusiasm of graduates, and their loved ones, to celebrate their achievements.

Drive-by celebrations were held at The Grove in Wesley Chapel for members of the Class of 2020 from Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Cypress Creek high schools. Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore read the list of graduates’ names. Family and friends applauded and cheered, as vehicles drove by with the graduates.

There also was a celebration at Idlewild Baptist Church, in Lutz, for graduates from the church, as well as for graduates of various Pasco and Hillsborough County schools.

Kristen Engasser, 17, of Lutz, waits patiently for the 2020 Land O’ Lakes High School senior graduation parade to begin at The Grove shopping complex, Wesley Grove Boulevard in Wesley Chapel. The parade is a celebration of Land O’ Lakes seniors unable to have a formal graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 school closures.
Minister Kelly Knouse, of Idlewild Baptist Church, greets Travis Shelby, a member of the Sunlake High Class of 2020.
Katheryn Munger, a member of Wesley Chapel High’s Class of 2020, gets ready to take part in the June 1 drive-by celebration for graduating seniors held at The Grove in Wesley Chapel. She plans to attend the University of South Florida.
Graduate Ashley Bischof is in the driver’s seat, as she takes part in the celebratory parade. She plans to attend Pasco-Hernando State College.
This group helped graduating seniors from Cypress Creek Middle High, during festivities at The Grove. From left, Jennifer Yingling, Mark Gold, DJ Night Mixer Makayla Gulash, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, Troy Stevenson, Cypress Creek Middle/High School Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles, Jennifer Welling, and Tami Baker, along with the school’s Coyote mascot. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

Cypress Creek receives FHSAA sportsmanship award

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The Cypress Creek High School athletics department has made numerous strides in on-field performance since the school first opened in 2017.

But, it’s the way the school’s student-athletes, coaches and fans conduct themselves before and after athletic events that has garnered statewide attention.

Cypress Creek earned the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for Class 4A for the 2019-2020 school year. In total, 14 high schools and two middle schools received the notable honor on June 4. (Courtesy of Cypress Creek athletics department)

Cypress Creek earned the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for Class 4A for the 2019-2020 school year. In total, 14 high schools and two middle schools received the notable honor on June 4.

As part of the award, the Wesley Chapel-based school will receive a commemorative plaque and a $2,500 check, to go toward ongoing athletic department funding.

Cypress Creek, also known as the Coyotes, originally was nominated for the award because the school had not received any disciplinary actions or ejections among all athletes and coaches; the school also was required to submit information to the FHSAA outlining the athletic department’s overall philosophy and how it fosters good sportsmanship among all participants.

Cypress Creek athletic director Justin Pelliccia labeled the honor as “something we’re definitely very proud of” and “great publicity for Pasco County as a whole.”

“It’s definitely a huge honor for all of us, all of our coaches, all the countless hours that they’ve put in and dedication that they’ve put into their programs,” said Pelliccia, who’s served as athletic director since 2018.

“Sportsmanship is always key,” he said, noting if kids are respectful and they buy in and they are respectful to the coach and to other teams, it contributes to success.

The statewide award has been presented annually since 1991. It is named in honor of FHSAA Commissioner Emeritus Fred E. Rozelle.

This is the first time since 2014 that a school in The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area has received the distinction. Land O’ Lakes-based Rushe Middle School received the honor in 2014 and Sunlake High School received it for the 2012-2013 school year.

Cypress Creek athletic director Justin Pelliccia (Courtesy of Justin Pelliccia)

Cypress Creek principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles is elated the school received the prestigious designation.

“I am absolutely thrilled about our students, fan base, and coaches being recognized with this award,” she wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

“This is truly an honor! This honor is a testament to the dedication of our coaches, community & students and their commitment to our H.O.W.L. mission, which is to Have a growth mindset, Own their education, Work as a Community, and to Lead responsibly. I am proud of our entire Coyote Nation for being honored with this award!”

When it comes to promoting good sportsmanship, the Cypress Creek athletics department takes a multi-faceted approach.

Student-athletes, for instance, are advised to keep a positive outlook on social media sites, and partake in various community service and fundraisers, such as pancake breakfasts and car washes.

In general, the school’s athletes are “very respectful” to opposing teams before and after competitions, Pelliccia said.

Also, Coyotes coaches “go above and beyond” in the name of setting a good example, Pelliccia said. As an example, he said many coaches make it a point to recognize rival schools’ student-athletes — in addition to their own —  during Senior Night ceremonies.

Moreover, the school is revered for its active spirit group — student fans who attend countless sporting events each year, both home and away.

The athletic director explained school administration outlines guidelines, ideas and expectations for appropriate student section behavior.

“I know you can go to some schools and their student sections are crazy and ruthless, so we’ve kind of taken the step to make sure that sportsmanship is their focus. We’ve had meetings with them, we go through kind of things they can use while they’re at the games, and they were great this year,” Pelliccia said.

The Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award honors schools whose athletic teams demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship during the regular season and the FHSAA State Series. The award is presented to one school in each classification whose entire sports program best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship as demonstrated by its coaches, players and spectators. (File)

Meanwhile, Cypress Creek athletics as a whole has come a long way since its inaugural year — when softball was then the only program to achieve a winning campaign.

Pelliccia acknowledged it was initially difficult for the upstart school to field competitive athletics teams. It also proved challenging for students rezoned from rival high schools — Land O’ Lakes, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch — to gel.

Pelliccia observed: “All these kids came from different schools, so getting them to be a cohesive unit in Year One was our struggle; they were still all sort of enemies at that point.”

However, as the school embarks on its fourth year in existence, triumphs have begun to show.

Besides the sportsmanship designation, the Coyotes had a banner year in terms of on-field success.

The school’s football team made its first playoff appearance; the boys soccer and girls weightlifting teams were district champions; and, boys cross-country and girls weightlifting were district runner-up, among other notable benchmarks.

“The kids are taking pride in their athletic teams, and the success is coming and definitely showing,” Pelliccia said.

The athletic director himself has picked up some individual recognition, while serving as the school’s varsity boys soccer coach. Pelliccia was named Sunshine Athletic Conference East Boys Soccer Coach of the Year, after guiding the program to an 11-6 mark and a Class 4A regional semifinals appearance this past year.

Published June 10, 2020

New year in sports offers plenty to enjoy, experience

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As we embark on a new year, the sports world within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area promises to deliver plenty to watch and experience.

Here is a sampling of what’s ahead in 2020:

Sports and recreation in East Pasco
The year 2020 may become widely known as ‘the year’ of new sports and recreational facilities in East Pasco. Three significant sporting venues are expected to open: The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, in Zephyrhills; the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex, in Wesley Chapel; and Snowcat Ridge, in Dade City.

Each offers its own unique twist.

  • The Zephyrhills tennis center will offer 11 USTA-quality tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and four padel courts, plus an indoor fitness and rehabilitation center.
  • The 100,000-square-foot Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex figures to be a national draw for basketball, volleyball and cheerleading events, and competitions.
  • Snowcat Ridge — being marketed as Florida’s first snow park — features a 60-foot-tall and 400-foot-long real snow-covered tubing hill with a magic carpet lift, an Alpine Village, and a 10,000-square-foot snow dome.

Major sporting events coming to Pasco, Tampa Bay
Pasco County and the Tampa Bay region, as a whole, are poised to host some major sporting events in the new year.

Among the most notable in Pasco: Skydive City in Zephyrhills will host the 2020 USPA (United States Parachute Association) National Parachuting and Skydiving Championships, from Oct. 30 through Nov. 24. While the event doesn’t begin until the fall, competitors will actually be training in Zephyrhills all summer long.

Zephyrhills’ Skydive City will host the 2020 National Parachuting and Skydiving Championships in the fall. (File)

Before that, Skydive City also will host the first annual Pasco Sports Fair on Feb. 16. The free, family friendly event will feature a meet-and-greet with renowned professional athletes, plus an introduction to various sport and game offerings in Zephyrhills and Pasco County, including tennis, soccer, football, basketball, skating, skydiving, boxing, mini-golf and more. Some noted pros scheduled to be in attendance include former English Premier forward Gary Blissett, former NFL defensive end Melvin Williams, former NBA shooting guard/small forward Anthony Parker, and former Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach Stuart Campbell.

Wesley Chapel’s AdventHealth Center Ice will be the venue for a slew of prominent events, including the Sunshine State Figure Skating Games (May 15 to May 17), USA Hockey Adult National Championships (April 19 to April 26), and Torhs2Hot4Ice roller derby national championships (June 28 to July 9), among others.

Meantime, Pasco and north Hillsborough residents may find some interest in these big draw events throughout the Tampa Bay region:

  • 2020 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament first and second rounds on March 19 and March 21, at Amalie Arena, Tampa
  • PGA Tour Valspar Golf Championship, March 19 to March 22, at Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor
  • WWE Wrestlemania 36 on April 5, at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Saint Leo’s new sport
Saint Leo University’s new acrobatic & tumbling program will begin its inaugural season in February, which will include seven regular season matchups and three home meets.

Acrobatics & Tumbling, a discipline of USA Gymnastics, is the evolution of different forms of gymnastics and involves tumbling, tosses, and acrobatic lifts and pyramids. Teams participate in head-to-head competition and are scored in six events, including Compulsory, Acro, Pyramid, Toss, Tumbling, and Team.

Acrobatics & tumbling marks the 21st intercollegiate sport offered at Saint Leo and the school’s 12th offering in women’s sports.

The athletics department last added women’s beach volleyball to its sports offerings in 2017.

The acrobatics & tumbling team’s 18-member roster includes five athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, with the remainder representing other areas of Florida, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and North Carolina. The team is coached by Allie Williams and Joely Smith.

The Pasco-Hernando State College men’s baseball team is coming off a third-place finish at the 2019 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II College World Series. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College athletics)

These teams look to repeat success
The 2019 season — and last several years, for that matter — yielded banner campaigns for many prep and college teams in our coverage area. Here are some programs that may be worth watching to see if they maintain or build off past successes:

  • Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High varsity volleyball
  • Gaither High varsity football
  • Land O’ Lakes varsity girls soccer
  • Pasco-Hernando State College men’s baseball
  • Steinbrenner High varsity football
  • Steinbrenner High varsity boys cross-country
  • Saint Leo University men’s golf
  • Sunlake High varsity girls weightlifting
  • Wesley Chapel High varsity girls basketball
  • Wiregrass Ranch High varsity boys tennis

Plenty to do
There’s no shortage of recreational activities and outdoor destinations in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Here are a few options our readers may enjoy trying sometime in the new year:

  • Bike, run or walk the Upper Tampa Bay Trail or Withlacoochee State Trail
  • Hit the links at Trinity’s Fox Hollow Golf Club, Wesley Chapel’s Saddlebrook Resort & Spa, or Lutz’s TPC Tampa Bay, or one of the many other golf courses
  • Learn to ice skate at Wesley Chapel’s AdventHealth Center Ice
  • Take the family to Lutz’s Lake Park for hiking, biking, BMX racing, equestrian riding, kayaking, fishing, boating and more
  • Test your skeet shooting skills at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O’ Lakes, or Silver Dollar Shooters Club in Odessa
  • Gather your friends and coworkers and join a senior, men’s or coed softball league at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park or the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex
  • Learn to skydive, parachute and tandem jump at Zephyrhills’ Skydive City
  • Visit Dade City’s Treehoppers to try out the largest zip line aerial adventure park in Central Florida

Published January 08, 2020

School boundary workshop set

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Thousands of Pasco County Schools students will be affected by proposed boundary changes for the 2020-2021 school year.

Most of the boundary changes are related to the opening of Cypress Creek Middle School, which is scheduled to open next fall.

But there are also some changes being proposed that will affect schools in Central Pasco — but would not affect any current students in those schools. Those changes are being proposed based on future development, according to school district materials.

A public workshop is planned on Oct. 7, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, to detail the proposed boundary shifts.

The proposed boundary maps will be displayed and district staff will be available to answer questions.

The Pasco County School Board also will hold a public hearing on Nov. 5, at 6 p.m., at the district’s office complex, 2727 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. A final public hearing on the proposed changes is scheduled at the same location for Nov. 19, at 6 p.m.

The district is in the midst of constructing a new Cypress Creek Middle School, boosting the capacity on the Cypress Creek Middle High campus, at 8701 Old Pasco Road. That campus has been serving students in grades six through 12.

Initially, the district had planned to build both a high school and a middle school on the site, but lacked sufficient funding. So, it opened the high school, but used the buildings to serve students in grades six through 12.

Now, it is planning to open the new middle school in 2020 — shifting existing middle school students into the new school and adding additional students to fill it up.

The extra space in the high school also will be filled through boundary shifts.

The district plans to shift some students from John Long Middle School to Cypress Creek Middle, and also to shift some students from Wiregrass Ranch High to Cypress Creek High boundary.

But boundaries at Pasco High, Pasco Middle, Quail Hollow Elementary, San Antonio Elementary, Wesley Chapel High and Zephyrhills High also will be affected.

The additional proposed boundary adjustments are designed to align school feeder patterns and keep students together as they progress through the school system.

In addition to posting this information on the district’s website, district officials also are contacting potentially impacted families to share this information.

Besides the changes relating to Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High boundaries, the district also is proposing boundary adjustments to provide for future development.

These boundary changes would not affect any current students, according to information on the district’s website. But changes are being proposed that would affect future populations of these schools: Connerton Elementary, Dr. Mary Giella Elementary, Crews Lake Middle, Pine View Middle, Hudson High and Land O’ Lakes High.

Where: Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel

When: Oct. 7, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Details: Maps of proposed boundary changes will be displayed and school district staff will be on hand to answer questions about the proposed changes.

More information: Go to www.pasco.k12.fl.us for additional information.

Published October 2, 2019