Wesley Chapel/New Tampa Sports

Sending the perfect assist, on and off the field

December 6, 2022 By Mike Camunas

Lexi Mangione knows she has a nice kit — and plenty of clothes.

However, some, especially foster children, aren’t always afforded that.
“Foster kids, they literally have nothing,” the Wesley Chapel High senior midfielder said. “Or the things they do have, they don’t even have a bag to put those things in — sometimes it’s just a garbage bag.”

Wesley Chapel High girls soccer senior midfielder Lexi Mangione stands in the Caterpillars to Butterflies Foster Closet in Zephyrhills, which holds donations the nonprofit receives. Mangione, whose family has been fostering children for more than a year now, volunteers to help at the closet and organizes clothing drives with her soccer team and in her neighborhood. (Mike Camunas)

Mangione is talking about children in the foster care system. Her family, led by father David and mother Carissa, have been fostering children for more than a year now. Sometimes, the children stay a while, such as the toddler the Mangiones have been caring for, for a year. Other times, it’s a nightly or weekly stay — just a place until the child can get into a more permanent situation.

The family has fostered nearly 30 kids in that short span.

But each time a child walked through the door, Lexi was shocked at the state of their clothes, or lack thereof.

She decided she wanted to something about it.

“It wasn’t something that just pulled at my heartstrings, so I thought I would do some community service hours — no, I really wanted to help out those kids,” she said. “Because now that I’ve seen what’s in the foster system, I want to help and make it better for the kids in the system.”

So, Lexi started hosting clothing drives.

She began in her Wesley Chapel neighborhood, making sure the donated items went to local organizations, such as the nearby Caterpillars to Butterflies. The Dade City-based nonprofit collects clothes for foster children, but also makes sure they have other resources they need to live a better life.

Lexi recently had a clothing drive in her neighborhood geared toward collecting items for teenage girls, such as makeup, hair and skin care products, and sanitary items. Those donations went to Beautiful Beginnings Boutique, out of Bay Hope Church, in Lutz. It provides underprivileged teens with clothing and other items.

Lexi didn’t stop there.

She enlisted the help of her Wildcats teammates to have clothing drives.

The soccer team did it last year and is doing it again this year.

Those items go to Caterpillars to Butterflies, where Lexi volunteers as much as she can by helping with fundraising or keeping their foster closet organized.

“It’s very impressive with what she does — starting up another foster drive with the team,” said Mark Leonard, now in his sixth year as the Wildcats’ coach. “Lexi is an amazing kid from an amazing family. … She’s kind of old school — does it the right way, knows her role, doesn’t make excuses, always asks how can I be a better player and how can I make the team better.

Lexi Mangione sprints down the field during a Wildcats game on Nov. 28.

“That’s why I picked her as (team) captain.”

Leonard says Lexi has earned every bit of her captaincy, as well as her role as starting midfielder. Lexi stepped into that position her junior year after hard work. It netted her six goals and six assists, as well as helping the team pull off the upset for a district title over River Ridge last season.

“She’s earned everything she gets, and younger players see that,” Leonard said. “When I look at her, I say, ‘That’s how you want your players, especially your captain, to be.’”

The Wildcats have won four of the last five district championships and return a lot of seniors, including leading scorer Tatum Moore (30 G, 12 A). So, the team wants to “make their senior year worth it,” Lexi said.

“Our season (2-3-1) isn’t starting out the way we like it to, but it kind of plays out that way every season,” Lexi added. “Everyone doubts us, and we come back and win when we need to.”

If anyone is winning, it’s the children the Mangiones, especially Lexi, are helping.

“We’re always just blown away by what she accomplishes with the clothing drives,” Carissa said. “Her and her teammates do a great job of that.

“Plus, she’s great at home, too, with the kids that come in. She’s right there with all the kids and the babies that live with us. She’s so responsible — she’s like a second mom.”

And to Lexi, everyone can use an assist — especially foster children.

“I just thought the kids needed more,” Lexi said. “That’s why I like Caterpillars to Butterflies. They make sure foster kids have all the things they need because most of the time they really don’t have anything at all.”

Caterpillars to Butterflies Charitable Foundation
Caterpillars to Butterflies Charitable Foundation is a Dade City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides resources to children to help them accomplish goals, explore passions and take part in activities they enjoy. Founded by Tracy Hanson, this organization relies on donations and volunteers who can take meals to foster families, help at fundraising events or work in the foster clothes closet.
The Wesley Chapel High girls soccer team is doing a clothing drive for the organization and looking for children’s PJs, socks, shoes, underwear, diapers and more. To donate to the team’s drive, email .
For more information, visit Caterflies.org.

Published December 07, 2022

Wildcats dream season comes to an end

November 8, 2022 By Mike Camunas

They did it.

It took the program nearly 20 years to do it again and the current players nearly two years, but the Wesley Chapel Volleyball Team accomplished the goal the players set well before this season started.

The Wildcats (23-6) made the Class 5A state tournament.

The Wesley Chapel Volleyball Team reached its main goal this season, which was a state tournament appearance, the program’s first since 2003. (Courtesy of Wesley Chapel High Athletics)

“We’ve had these players that have poured their hearts out for this team for the past two, three, even four years,” sixth-year-coach Brittany Collison said. “In the end, they accomplished our goal and it’s amazing to see how far some of them have come.”

Unfortunately, the season did come to an end for the Wildcats after a 3-0 (27-25, 25-13, 25-21) loss to Naples Barron Collier on Nov. 5 in a state semifinal match. It ended a season that saw Wesley Chapel win its first conference title (undefeated in regular season matches), its second-straight district championship and its first regional championship for these players.

“We spoke to them after the game and told them they should be proud,” Collison said. “To do all the things they set out to do, accomplished them, to get to the state tournament for the first time since 2003, that’s pretty huge. In no way does (losing in the state tournament) diminish what they accomplished this season.”

The Wildcats also will say goodbye to Chloe Danielson, arguably one of the best players in program history. Danielson finishes her career with 1,031 kills, including a team-high 241 this season and a school-record 375 in her junior season.

“It’s, obviously, so sad to lose her,” Collison said. “To see how far she’s come for her whole high school career and just see her for four years, it was incredible.”

While losing seniors Danielson and Jenna Ly (a team-high 451 assists), a number of skilled players are returning.

Those include the next top three team leaders in kills: juniors Lizzie Ekechi (195), Grace Korta (184) and Emma Letourneau (164). Also entering her senior year next season will be Brooke Ashkenase, who led the team with 337 digs.

“Just two core seniors, who will be missed, but all those juniors are a core part of the team,” Collison added. “Our million juniors — Lizzie, Brooke, Grace, Emma — it was incredible to see how hard they worked, even in the offseason, so it’ll be great to have them all back next year.”

And the Wildcats will need those players, as they look to continue their winning ways and secure the program’s third state tournament berth.

That’s just another goal already set forth to be accomplished.

“I mean, it wasn’t the outcome we hoped for, but it was still an incredible season with an incredible team that looks to do it again next year,” Collison said. “This season, we got to where we wanted to be and we just want to do it again already.”

Published November 09, 2022

Wild about reaching the state tournament

October 25, 2022 By Mike Camunas

They all wrote the same thing.

Before the season started, the Wesley Chapel High volleyball players had a meeting with their coach where they were asked their goals for the 2022 season. At the meeting, each player went to the whiteboard, took a dry erase marker and passionately wrote the same thing.

State tournament.

Wesley Chapel senior middle hitter and reigning Pasco County Player of the Year Chloe Danielson leads the team with 202 kills. She also has led Wildcats to back-to-back district titles. Danielson and the team have high expectations, as the squad is looking to make the program’s first state tournament appearance after falling a match short in 2021. (Mike Camunas)

Coming off the Wildcats’ best season in program history, in which the team nearly reached said state tournament, the players were anxious from Day One to get back on the court and wildly chase down that collective goal.

“When we met with coach, we all wrote on the board either states or state tournament,” said senior middle hitter Chloe Danielson, who leads the team with 202 kills. “That taste of getting so close, we want it again and we want to achieve our goal of getting to states.”

The Wildcats (20-5) were so close last season, falling just a match short of the state tournament in the final round of the regional tournament: a 3-1 loss to Ocala Vanguard. It was easily the best season in program history, but it left a resonating feeling the players have been chasing for a year now.

“We did all write it down on that board because no matter what, we wanted to make it further than last season,” junior outside hitter Grace Korta said. “We’re all super eager to even just get to states — it’s been the goal from Day One.”

Junior outside hitter Grace Korta is third on the team in kills (154).

“Of course everyone starts writing down states,” sixth-year coach Brittany Collison added. “I had to stop them and take the marker away, because look, we have to win districts first, then we have to win regionals, where it gets much harder from there.”

Wesley Chapel is off to a good start, having secured its second-straight district title with a 3-0 win over nearby rival Cypress Creek (16-7) on Oct. 20 at Fivay High. The Class 5A-District 6 title secures the Wildcats home-court advantage, which is always beneficial; however, the team has been dominant all season.

Danielson, the 6-foot reigning Pasco County Volleyball Player of the Year, may not have as impressive stats as 2021 when she had a team-record 375 kills, but she’s had help.

Korta and fellow junior Lizzy Ekechi are third (154) and second (160), respectively, on the team in kills, while senior Jenna Ly has a team-high 46 aces. Adding to the fray has been Pasco High transfer Emma Letourneau, a 5-foot-11 junior who led the Pirates with 198 kills, only to turn around and be fourth best on the Wildcats (133).

This has all led to an incredible stat: the Wildcats were undefeated in regular season matches, with their five losses all coming in tournaments.

Sixth-year Wildcats coach Brittany Collison proudly displays the team’s second-straight district championship trophy to the team. It has bigger aspirations as it heads into the regional tournament.

“I think we’ve had big expectations for this season because of how we did last year and (because we returned eight of the 12 players) from last season,” Collison said. “Getting (Letourneau) from Pasco gave us a lot of versatility on the team.

“But (the tournament losses) were a big wake-up call,” she added. “They understood that we’re good, but we can be better — we’re not perfect and always have stuff to work on.”

“I was very confident coming into the season knowing who was back and who came to the team,” Korta said, “and I’m super excited to see how far we can go.”

Danielson agreed, adding the returners stayed cohesive the whole offseason.

“We were able to gel right away — get on our A game right away,” Danielson said. “We all know each other, so we were ready to go right from the start.”

Now, it’s the start of a postseason run that the players are hoping ends at the place they all wrote down.

“This year,” Danielson said, “we all had the same mindset because we all went through it together, we all went through getting so close and not getting our goal, which was to go to states.

“The talent is all there, but to finish it off, we just have to stay focused as a team and keep up the team camaraderie. If we can, I think we can get to where we want to be.”

Regional Tournament games
Classes 2A-4A, Oct. 25
Classes 5A-7A, Oct. 26
All games are at 7 p.m.

Class 7A
No. 8 Steinbrenner (18-8) at No. 1 Venice (17-4)

Class 6A
No. 7 Fort Myers (10-8) at No. 2 Land O’ Lakes (21-7)
No. 6 Sunlake (13-9) at No. 3 Bloomingdale (14-4)
No. 5 Springstead (22-4) at No. 4 Mitchell (18-5)
No. 8 Wharton (15-9) at No. 1 Punta Gorda Charlotte (17-1)

Class 5A
No. 8 Fivay (12-14) at No. 1 Wesley Chapel (20-5)
No. 3 Cypress Creek (16-7) at No. 6 Lake Wales (14-4)
No. 8 Freedom (10-4) at No. 1 Naples Barron Collier (15-5)

Class 4A
No. 6 Anclote (12-15) at No. 6 Lemon Bay (11-9)

Class 3A
No. 2 Tampa Prep (15-7) at No. 7 Carrollwood Day (20-6)

State tournament
Host: Polk County Public Schools
When: Nov. 11-12
Where: Polk State College – Winter Haven Health Center, 999 Ave H N.E., Winter Haven

Info: Visit FHSAA.com/sports/gvb.

Published October 26, 2022

Coyote girls golf on course for another state tournament

October 18, 2022 By Mike Camunas

There isn’t much that stops them from playing golf.

Weather, forces of nature, even course conditions, no matter what — the Cypress Creek girls golf team is going to get in its rounds.

From left: Addison Noll, Skylar Lee, Annamarie Ratican and Carmen Phousirith make up the Cypress Creek girls golf team that finished seventh at the Class 2A state golf tournament in 2021. (Mike Camunas)

“My dad has always said, that if you want to go back to states, you have to get the girls together (to play golf). So, I just always ask whoever wants to go out, we do. But as we practice, we also like to have fun,” said Carmen Phousirith, a senior, who is the team’s No. 1 golfer.

“If practice is canceled or something, it might be lightning or rain, but that’s the school rules. We go out and play whenever we can.”

The Coyotes (10-3) are hoping practice makes, well, nearly perfect and paves the way for them to return to the Class 2A state tournament. That’s where they finished with their best season in the program’s short history — a seventh-place finish out of 16 teams.

“For us, as a team, we’re looking to build upon where we left off last year, so we’re starting with the regular season and it’s one match at a time obviously,” said Rob Patterson, the team’s coach.

“And once we get into the postseason, we want to see how they’ve grown as players from that time last year, but all along the way, it’ll be one hole at a time, one shot at a time,” the coach added.

“It’s a great environment and a great team,” Phousirith added. “We just all bring each other up, especially as a team, and always looking at ways to improve as players and as a team.

“But, yeah, to get back (to states). That is the goal, for sure.”

Phousirith will lead the way as the team’s top golfer, especially after shooting a 16-over par over 36 holes (160), to finish 17th among 96 golfers at the 2A tournament in 2021.

Senior Carmen Phousirith looks to improve on her 17th place finish at last season’s state tournament, when she shot 16-over par.

The team, however, did lose one of its top golfers, Tiffany Colin (tied 24th, +19), who opted to focus on track. But there still is Skylar Lee, who has been contributing in the top 5, and Addison Noll (91st, +81).

No. 2 golfer Annamarie Ratican should also shoot low, especially after a 37th-place tie (+27) in 2021.

“We want to see them improve their own individual game,” Patterson said. “Even though it’s a team sport, we want to see them reach the personal goals they set for themselves at the start of the season.

“From that aspect, the girls, as long as they approach it one shot at a time, they’ll improve and succeed.”

Succeeded they already have, even before the postseason. The Coyotes finished off the regular season with just three losses — to the perennially good Mitchell; McKeel, which topped Cypress Creek at states last year by seven strokes; and Sunlake.

“I definitely think you don’t want to look too far ahead and the big thing is we have to get through the next round, the next match,” Patterson said. “So, you never want to assume anything. We just have to keep doing what we’re doing, keep the eye on the prize in front of us at the moment, and if we do that, we’ll eventually get to where we want to go: back to states.”

Published October 19, 2022

Coyote boys golf swinging back toward states

October 18, 2022 By Mike Camunas

The thing about the first time is that it can’t be repeated.

However, the Cypress Creek boys golf team sure is going to try to repeat its incredible success from 2021.

From left: Connor Newbold, Trey Sasser, Levi Wade and Joaquin Parrilla make up the Cypress Creek boys golf team that finished sixth at the Class 2A state golf tournament in 2021. (Mike Camunas)

“We’ve been trying to build on each match, and focus on practice and get better each day,” the team’s No. 1 golfer, junior Connor Newbold, said, “and really just prepare for the playoffs. That’s what we’ve really been looking at because we know that’s where the competition will be the hardest.

“Because it’s all about getting back to states.”

One can’t blame the Coyotes (10-2) wanting to get back to their most successful season ever in the program’s short history. Last year, Cypress Creek finished sixth in the Class 2A state tournament, which is obviously a best for the school and a best for local teams.

“The expectation is, absolutely, to improve upon what we did last year,” said Dennis Martin, the team’s coach. “We only lost one senior from last year, and had two really good freshmen jump right in and make a difference, so the expectation is to get back.”

Junior Connor Newbold carded a 5-over par over two rounds to finish fifth at last season’s state tournament, giving him the best score among all local golfers.

“We’re feeling pretty confident about getting back,” Newbold added, noting the team has experienced players who have competed in tournaments and at states.

“So, they can play 18 holes out there, and score low and play smart.”

Playing smart will start with Newbold. As the team’s No. 1 golfer, he’ll be looking to go low in the postseason, including when he finished fifth at the 2A tournament last year with a two-round 5-over par (149). The score gave him the best score among all local golfers.

Newbold will need help, but the Coyotes do return three other of the top five starters, including Trey Sasser (tied 66th, +32), Joaquin Parrilla (tied 70th, +34) and Levi Wade (93rd, +58).

“(They’re) easy to coach — I don’t have any knuckleheads,” Martin said. “They’re a great group of guys and they’re not just recreational golfers, if you will. They’re very serious about it and put in the work and can be hard on themselves because they expect to do well.”

So far so good, as the Coyotes lost just twice in the regular season — to the perennially top team, Mitchell, and Jesuit, which was 2A state runner-up last season.

“The mindset has been one match at a time,” Martin reiterated. “That’s what we focus on, and if we continue to practice and play up to our potential, then the results will take care of itself.

“We don’t really talk about states — we talk about the next match, and they’re focused on the task at hand. Sometimes they don’t even know who the next opponent is because the day before they’ll ask, ‘Who are we playing tomorrow? Where are we playing?’ (laughs).”

High School Golf Postseason

Districts
Class 3A-District 9
Host: Mitchell High School
When: Boys – Oct. 25, 9 a.m.; Girls – Oct. 26, noon.
Where: Boys: Crescent Oaks Golf Club, 3300 Crescent Oaks Blvd., Tarpon Springs; Girls: Heritage Springs Country Club, 11345 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, Trinity
Teams: Countryside, East Lake, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Mitchell, Palm Harbor University, Pinellas Park, Sunlake

Class 3A-District 10
Host: Wharton High
When: Boys – Oct. 24, 7:30 a.m.; Girls – 7:30 a.m.
Where: Heritage Isles Golf & Country Club, 10630 Plantation Bay Drive, Tampa
Teams: Alonso, Armwood, Gaither, Steinbrenner, Hillsborough, Leto, Plant, Plant City, Sickles, Strawberry Crest, Wharton, Wiregrass Ranch

Class 2A-District 9
Host: Springstead High
When: Boys – Oct. 25, 9 a.m.; Oct. 24 – 9 a.m.
Where: Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club, 5230 Delacroix Drive, Brooksville
Teams: Central, Cypress Creek, Fivay, Gulf, Hernando, Hudson, Nature Coast, Pasco, River Ridge, Springstead, Weeki Wachee, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills

Class 1A-District 10
Host: Tampa Prep
When: Boys – Oct. 25, 9 a.m.; Girls – Oct. 25, 9 a.m.
Where: Westchase Golf Club, 11602 Westchase Golf Drive, Tampa
Teams: Academy at the Lakes, Bayshore Christian, Berkeley Prep, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic, Cambridge Christian, Carrollwood Day, Hernando Christian, Seven Rivers Christian, Tampa Catholic, Tampa Prep

Regional Tournaments
When: Oct. 21 thru Nov. 2
Where: Varying sites

State Tournament
When: Class 1A, Nov. 11-12
Class 2A, Nov. 15-16
Class 3A, Nov. 8-9
Where: Mission Inn Resort & Club, 10400 FL-48, Howey-In-The-Hills

Info: Visit, FHSAA.com/sports/golf.

*Bolded teams are Pasco County teams and teams in the publication’s coverage area.

Published October 19, 2022

Pirates punching up the points

September 27, 2022 By Mike Camunas

The Pirates are making waves again.

And not just the extremely loud sound waves from cannon fire that reverbs W.F. Edwards Stadium each time Pasco scores a touchdown. The Pirates, the county’s most successful high school football program, seemingly is back as one the area’s top teams, thanks to an impressive 4-0 start.

First-year Pasco High Football head coach Alphonso Freeney has the Pirates off to a 4-0 record, which is a stark contrast to last season when the Pirates went winless and scored just 18 points. (Mike Camunas)

A start that all began with a new head coach.

“Honestly, it’s about making the kids care about football again,” said first-year head coach Alphonso Freeney, who after seven seasons as an offensive assistant at Mitchell was hired by Pasco in December. “And not just football, but care about school. First thing we had to do was get them to understand that you’re not just an athlete, you’re a student-athlete. When they started buying up there on the hill (at school), everything else started rolling.

“Because I told them, if you go to school and get that done, then you come down here (to football), it’ll be easy — doing something you love will be easy. And at the end of the day, they’re high school kids — they’re not professionals. They’re kids and it needs to be fun.”

Senior running back Tayshaun Balmir is leading the way in the Pirates’ impressive 4-0 start, thanks to his 840 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, which rank him third and fourth in the state, respectively.

Unfortunately, Pasco High Football — the only county team to ever win a state championship (1992) — hasn’t had much fun since 2014, which was the last time the Pirates had a winning record. After 12 seasons under coach Tom McHugh (2007-2018), the program’s winningest coach (86-50), the Pirates struggled, to say the least. Three seasons under Jason Stokes produced a 9-22 record, including a winless 2021 season that saw Pasco score just 18 points.

Last season was a brutal stretch that included two forfeited games and a season-ending 56-0 loss in the 9-Mile War to rival Zephyrhills.

“Coming from Mitchell where we were successful, I told the kids, ‘I don’t know what it’s like to go 0-10 — I hope I never have to.’” Freeney said.

Junior safety Angel Miles is tied for the team high with two interceptions, and also leads receivers with two touchdown catches.

“As far as I’m concerned, that’s in the past, so we don’t even bring it up. We don’t go back there.

“When I first got the job, people asked how are we going to be, to give them football talk. I said, ‘I’m not going to give you football talk,’ and you know, we go off (winning), but we practice like we’re 0-0, that’s the mindset we take into each game,” Freeney added.

“But when I came in and I saw these kids, I said we’re going to be a pretty good football team and knew from the get-go we had something special.”

Senior defensive end Anthony Pratt leads the Pirates with 31 tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries. The Pirates have allowed just 66 points in four games after allowing 343 points in a winless 2021.

It seems the Pirates have found something special — lightning in a bottle in the form of senior running back Tayshaun Balmir. Through four games, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound back has rushed for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking him third and fourth, respectively, in the state in those categories. In fact, Balmir’s yards are almost 400 yards more than the next county running back: Zephyrhills’ Rodney Smith, at 465.

“I expected myself to make a little noise, but I never expected to go (that high) in the state — I ain’t gonna lie (laughs),” Balmir said. “You know, it is pretty great, so I figure I’ll just keep running when I get the ball.”

Balmir didn’t play for the Pirates last season, but was around, even if now he is formally a starter. But like all Pirate football players, he’s well aware of the history, and the community’s affinity, for this team.

“Everybody is congratulating us, and making me feel good,” Balmir said. “(What’s different from last season is) communication on the team. Last year, our players were all fighting, like we weren’t playing as a team — we were just out there playing with no direction.

“Now, it’s a lot of fun. We have fun at practice, we have fun at the games, we have fun outside of football and school — like we just have a bomb as a team.

“And, yeah, it’s fun to win, too.”

Fellow senior and linebacker Anthony Pratt agrees.

“It was really tough,” said Pratt, who leads the team in tackles (31) and sacks (five). “Coming out here every Friday and knowing you were just going to get beaten. It was, of course, not fun. But now practice is fun, the games are fun, and I feel as if we’re all on the same page out here, finally, and the results are showing we are.

Senior quarterback Enrique Matos has amassed 386 total yards and five touchdowns.

“Hopefully, our offense keeps putting up points and our defense keeps stopping (the opponent).”

Cypress Creek (4-0, 0-0) vs. Pasco (4-0, 0-0)
When: TBA due to Hurricane Ian
Where: W.F. Edwards Stadium at Pasco High, 36850 State Road 52, Dade City
Coaches: Cypress Creek – Michael Johnson; Pasco – Alphonso Freeney
Outlook: Pasco and Cypress Creek head into district play, both undefeated and looking to get a leg up in the district standings for postseason positioning. Expect the Pirates to turn to star running back Tayshaun Balmir, whose 840 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns is not only best in the county, but some of the best numbers in the state. Pasco was winless last season and only scored 18 points, but has quickly turned things around under new head coach Alphonso Freeney, outscoring opponents 140-66. … The Coyotes are really churning behind a two-punch offense led by quarterback Jack Niemann (762 passing yards, nine touchdowns) and running back Malachi Askin (526 yards, eight touchdowns). This is just the sixth season in program history for Cypress Creek, which is looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Class 3 Suburban, Region 2, District 7 Standings
Pasco 4-0
Cypress Creek 4-0
Zephyrhills 2-2
Wesley Chapel 0-4

Published September 28, 2022

Curl up with this different type of sport

September 13, 2022 By Mike Camunas

It’s a sport that typically only gains attention during the Winter Olympics, but curling is becoming a more popular sport, locally.

Russ Thor, of New Tampa, slides a stone across the ice on a rink at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel during a practice session of the Tampa Bay Curling Club. The club’s fall season began on Sept. 10 and runs through November. New people looking to take up the sport are encouraged to join at any time. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

It’s a pursuit that looks a little like shuffleboard on ice, with a splash of household cleaning.

And, there are opportunities to try your hand at it at AdventHealth Center Ice, at 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

That’s the home of The Tampa Bay Curling Club (TBCC), which offers league play.

It’s also where people who are interested can give it a try, in Learning to Curl sessions.

“It’s a great sport because it doesn’t matter how old or how athletic you are, anyone can curl,” said John Drysdale, a hockey and curling coach at Center Ice. “A lot of people even do it as a date night — I know my wife and I do! It’s a very social sport, too. You can come out and chat, and interact with everyone, so it’s a very cordial atmosphere out here.

“So they come out thinking it looks easy on TV, and everything looks easy on TV, but they find out it’s also a blast to play.”

When Center Ice started the curling club in 2017, it came with a huge distinction: the largest curling club in the Southeast, even if Drysdale can’t remember the exact number it started with. However, the club has reached as high as numbers as 16 teams and 150 players.

“It’s something different,” he said. “It’s something unique and, in the time anyone does it — an hour to an hour and a half — they realize just how fun it is, too.”

The TBCC gains new members all the time, usually after they get hooked thanks to Learning To Curl classes hosted Saturday evenings before league play begins.

Andy LaRosa, of the curling team, I Swept With Your Wife, holds a perfect position, as he slides a stone down the ice at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, as part of the Tampa Bay Curling Club. The league hosts play on Saturday evenings. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

Cost is $30 per class, and Drysdale says he sees a lot of people trying it as a fun group activity, only to want to join the club, once learning about it.

“I guess it is a little like bowling,” Drysdale admitted. “A lot of teams, they’ll get here a little early, go up and get something to eat and drink at (the restaurant) Top Shelf, and then you come down and play.

“Then after the match, you go back up with all the teams and eat and drink some more maybe, then leave around midnight and the whole thing is very social — and a lot of fun.”

The Learning to Curl classes touch on the basics of curling, along with safety, etiquette and techniques. Teams of four slide a 38-pound to 44-pound stone, or rock, down the sheet that is 150 long and 16 feet wide, to the target, or house. Brooming techniques are taught, too, as they are used to speed up and slow down the stone.

Kyle Van Der Meyden, of the curling team, Mount Brushmore, works with his sweeping and stone sliding form during a practice session of the Tampa Bay Curling Club at AdventHealth Center Ice. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

While Learning to Curl is a very popular activity at Center Ice, Drysdale does admit every time the Winter Olympics coverage pops up, curling interest also increases.

“The Winter Olympics creates a boom (in participation) because there’s a lot of curling coverage during the Olympics, and sure, they probably showed it ironically back in the day, but it’s (well-watched now). People see it and they’re like, ‘Oh, I want to try that,’ and then realize, ‘Hey, it’s right here in Wesley Chapel!’”

Which is exactly how Mike Valentine, of the curling team, Athletic Calves, came from Clearwater to curl.

Ryan Schleich, of the curling team, Athletic Calves, directs his teammates where to slide the stone during a practice session of the Tampa Bay Curling Club. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

“It’s hard to find in Florida,” Valentine said. “I took a couple of classes of Learning to Curl and just got hooked. … (People) have no clue, really, (about curling) and you have to explain it to them. Sure, you’ve seen it on the Winter Olympics, but it’s harder and more fun than you see on TV.”

Other curlers didn’t need the Olympics to spur their interest.

Lutz resident Charles Lauricello, with the club since nearly the beginning, said: “I love curling because it’s like chess on ice.

“You’ve got to strategize a lot,” he said. “I don’t think people realize how much strategizing goes into curling, but I love it.”

Tampa Bay Curling Club
When: League play and practice is on Saturday evenings.
Where: AdventHealth Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel
Details: The Tampa Bay Curling Club promotes and supports the growth of the sport in the Tampa Bay and surrounding area. It provides education and training to curlers 15 years or older via instructional programs and league play. All experience levels are welcome, however, it is recommended curlers bring their own brooms and shoe sliders. Participants are encouraged to dress warm.
AdventHealth Center Ice also hosts Learning to Curl sessions prior to league play on Saturday evenings. Cost is $30 per class and new curlers are recommended to attend at least three sessions before joining the club.
Cost: $1,000 per team per season ($25 per player per game), plus there is an annual membership fee of $85 per player.
Info and registration: Visit TampaBayCurling.com, or email .

Published on September 14, 2022

A monster accomplishment

August 30, 2022 By Mike Camunas

Angie Ng didn’t see the creature.

First, she’s not sure the legendary monster of the Loch Ness exists. And secondly, the water in the Scotland loch is pitch black.

Angie Ng, a 52-year-old mother and nurse practitioner from Wesley Chapel, recently was part of a four-person team that swam the Loch Ness in Scotland and set the relay record with a time of 11 hours, 29 minutes and 27 seconds. (Mike Camunas)

“People say that it doesn’t exist because it’s a tourist trap,” the 52-year-old mother and nurse practitioner said, with a sly smile. . So … I didn’t see it — it’s not there (laughs), … but also the water is very deep and it’s very dark. So I didn’t get (how dark it was) until I swam in it. It was just black, so maybe it was hiding under the water, but I didn’t want to think of that (laughs).

“To me,” she added, “I always figured Nessie is friendly because there’s so many toys and fun things of it, so never really a ‘RAWR’ kind of monster, but a friendly one, so I guess that helped (laughs).”

From left: Ryan Leung, Angie Ng, Eliza Chang and CK Mak celebrate becoming the first Hong Kong relay team to complete the Loch Ness swim. The team also set a new record of 11 hours, 29 minutes and 27 seconds, besting a record set by a Czechoslovakian team set in 2019 by 9 minutes. (Courtesy of Angie Ng)

Ng partnered with friends Ryan Leung, Eliza Chang and CK Mak, and on July 27, they dove into the frigid Loch Ness waters to complete a 23-mile relay swim. Not only did they complete the bucket-list feat, but did so in record time. The foursome, all of whom hail from Hong Kong, finished in 11 hours, 29 minutes and 27 seconds, besting a record set by a Czechoslovakian team set in 2019 by 9 minutes.

Ng hangs her swimming cap on the record, which was certified by both the British Long Distance Swimming Association and Marathon Swimmers Federation, and is another impressive accomplishment for the longtime swimmer.

Ng also swam across Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong in 2016, marking the second time she accomplished that feat. She also did it as a 9-year-old and finished seventh, however, that swim was not held for decades due to water pollution.

“Why did I do it?” Ng asked. “There is really only one reason and that reason is … because it’s there! Because, really, why not? Yeah, it seems dangerous or a big goal, but it’s taking a calculated risk — because it’s not like I was going to do it without any preparation.”

Wesley Chapel resident Angie Ng took a fun selfie after finding the Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie — a tiny stuffed animal she got while on her trip to Scotland. (Courtesy of Angie Ng)

Preparation included hours upon hours swimming laps at the pool at the Seven Oaks Clubhouse, starting all the way back in January. However, there was one thing Ng wasn’t prepared for. The airlines lost her luggage, which she would not have for the entirety of her three weeks in the United Kingdom.

“As adventurous as it can be, you try to plan for everything, but from the start, everything could go wrong,” Ng said. “As soon as I get there, I didn’t have my prescription goggles, I didn’t have my swimsuit, I didn’t have anything. … I had to go into town and look and look for a new swimsuit. … And in the shop there was a mannequin with a swimsuit and it fit perfectly — it’s the only one left and it’s bright orange, so (it’s) perfect for open-water swim, but that’s what I had to do within the first hour after I land.”

Angie Ng swims across the Loch Ness in Scotland, during one of her legs of the relay. (Courtesy of Angie Ng)

So as Ng battled the cold 50-degree water, while not thinking if Nessie was watching from below, she thought about what the accomplishment meant.

“Lesson learned: Even when nothing goes according to your plan, try to go with the flow and just see what surprises life will bring you,” she said. “Never underestimate your potential. A working mother can be very determined and powerful, too.”

Now back stateside and still getting in her laps, Ng shows no signs of slowing down. Already there have been discussions on her next challenge: swimming the English Channel, which, “I think that for open-water swimmers, that swimming that is the ultimate goal,” she said.

Because even at her age, Ng is a creature of habit.

“At age 50, it almost feel like the beginning, because it doesn’t matter the age,” she added, “I still want to be adventurous, and whether you’re 17 or 70, I think you’re still looking for something. You know when it’s something that you know it’s not a piece of cake, but you want to finish it — that’s what this was for me. I always want to finish the next challenge.”

Published August 31, 2022

National ice skating showcase comes to Wesley Chapel

August 9, 2022 By Mike Camunas

It was figure skating’s time in the spotlight.

Literally.

AdventHealth Center Ice — known widely for its hockey teams and tournaments — hosted an entirely different kind of event, when more than 500 performers laced up their skates for the U.S. Figure Skating 2022 National Showcase.

Megan Siemp, of the Ice House Skating Academy in Michigan, performs her Junior Character Performance Showcase during the U.S. Figure Skating 2022 National Showcase at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel. More than 500 performers came to the weeklong competition, and put on varying showcases with costumes and musical numbers. (Mike Camunas)

The competition ran from Aug. 1 to Aug. 6.

The performers donned impressive costumes and used various props to perform to memorable songs, to demonstrate their impressive skills.

“We do have a lot of hockey events, so it was really nice for figure skating to take over the rink for a whole week,” said Jenna Dispenza, who, with her husband, Vinny, are the skating directors at Center Ice. “Hockey is great — Go Lightning! — but it’s nice for figure skating to get its turn here to shine.

“And it’s pretty incredible,” she added. “(The showcase) is the biggest national-type of competition U.S. Figure Skating hosts. Plus, the elite level of the theatrical side is just a huge bonus, because it’s comparable to Broadway (shows).

Traverse City (Michigan) Figure Skating Club’s Anna Rossiter goes full ‘greased lightning’ for her Junior Character Performance Showcase.

“Once the showcases get going, it’s really ‘Lights, camera, action!’”

Skaters flooded the common areas and halls of Center Ice, wearing elaborate costumes and makeup. They worked with props to come up with theatrical performance showcases, fusing figure skating with artistic creativity.

Showcase events were open to single skaters, duets, small ensembles and production numbers.

Skaters performed in the categories such as Emotional Performance, Choreographic Artistry, Lyrical Pop, Character Performance, Comedic Impressions and Interpretive.

Remington Bennett, of the Ice House Skating Academy in Michigan, was one of more than 500 performers at the recent U.S. Figure Skating 2022 National Showcase, at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.

“The incredible entertainment this event, its skaters are bringing is so different in our sport where it’s not just the technical part,” Dispenza said. “It’s not just jumps and spins — it’s the costumes, the props, the music, the theatrical side of skating, some of which you don’t typically see.”

Dispenza said the community came out in large numbers, not just to see the showcases, but also to volunteer.

“A lot of people really wanted to see a different side of skating,” Dispenza added.

“And they weren’t disappointed. They saw some incredible showcases.”

The Dispenzas also coach Champion’s Edge, the figure skating club at Center Ice. The club was well represented in the National Showcase, with the skaters performing their own showcases, as well as a team performance.

Figure skater performers from Michigan, Paige Bartholomew, left, and Lexi Lafata, help each other apply makeup for their performances at the U.S. Figure Skating 2022 National Showcase, at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.

The team — featuring eight girls, ages 11 to 16 — offered their take on Florida by transforming themselves into “The Beach Girls” for the performance on Aug. 6.

“It’s incredible to get a big group of skaters like that working toward one big showcase,” Dispenza said. “We have local skaters who want to get out there and just take complete advantage of this opportunity to put on a showcase here.”

Jessica Romonosky, a 14-year-old Land O’ Lakes resident with Champion’s Edge, was proud of the way Center Ice hosted the event.

“This is the biggest thing to ever happen (to figure skating) at the rink,” Romonosky said. “It’s really great to see how our rink is being fully represented with such a huge event. It’s so awesome to be a part of this entire showcase.”

Fellow Land O’ Lakes resident Mackenzie Toews, 11, said she wasn’t used to so many additional figure skaters beyond her Champion’s Edge club.

“But it was so cool and awesome to see everyone’s different routine and what they ended up doing for a performance,” she added.

That was the whole point: figure skaters had a whole week to spotlight their talents.

Just like Olivia Bosley, a 13-year-old Dade City resident, who performed her showcase to ‘When I Am Older,’ a song sung by Olaf (Josh Gad) in ‘Frozen 2.’

“I’m really proud of my work, considering it’s at a national showcase,” Bosley said. The event, she said, “is pretty exciting because you get to see what everyone else comes up with and puts together in different categories. I think we’re all excited to perform, but we’re also very excited to watch other performances, too.”

Published August 10, 2022

Kasey Breul, dressed as Marty McFly from ‘Back To The Future,’ views a television screen to watch other skaters performing at the U.S. Figure Skating 2022 National Showcase, in Wesley Chapel.

Alexandra Nelson, dressed as Doc Brown from ‘Back To The Future,’ awaits in full costume to perform her showcase with her partner, Kasey Breul, dressed as Marty McFly.

Gemma Soles, of the Traverse City (Michigan) Figure Skating Club, dons a yellow costume and soulful song for her Junior Character Performance Showcase during the U.S. Figure Skating 2022 National Showcase, at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.

Kate Mullen, of All Year Figure Skating Club in Los Angeles, was one of more than 500 performers from across the nation at the figure skating showcase.

A few ‘sticking’ points, in the art of self-defense

July 26, 2022 By Mike Camunas

This is definitely one way to stick it to the opposition.

Kali Filipino Stick Fighting. This martial arts form is gaining popularity, as it becomes more and more prevalent in media — from movies and TV shows.

Noah Hioario works with a stick and a rubber knife instrument during a Kali Filipino Stick Fighting class at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex. This beautiful, but deadly, art form instills awareness of self-defense, and of its Filipino heritage and culture. (Mike Camunas)

At the Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex, Grandmaster James Berdal is teaching this form of self-defense that came to the mainstream during the 1970s, taking its place next to other major martial arts.

“From Day One, a stick, or two, will be in your hand,” said Berdal, who was trained in stick fighting by Supreme Grandmaster Floro Villabrille and Grandmaster Ben Largusa. “Unlike other systems, the weapons training is not until after a certain level. With the use of the sticks, the hands develop and become ambidextrous with (all the) drilling.

Kali Filipino Stick Fighting students learn techniques and moves through smooth rhythm and flow, which leads to self-defense that can be used with other martial arts forms.

“The main purpose, for me, is to perpetuate this very beautiful and deadly art form, and its cultures, and to instill awareness of self-defense to my students.”

Berdal, originally from the Philippines, teaches the Kali form, which is what he learned from Villabrille-Largusa teachings. It emphasizes weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, bladed weapons and various improvised weapons, as well as “open hand” techniques without weapons. The method can be used in any fighting system, defensively or offensively, through the use of angles and zone concepts by rhythm and flow.

“Why stick fighting?” Berdal asks. “It gives individuals a well-rounded application of weapons and a strong base core to multiple weapons with simplicity.”

Kali Filipino Stick Fighting Grandmaster James Berdal runs this self-defense class at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex, teaching students a method that one can adapt to any fighting system, especially with rhythm and flow.

Students of the twice-weekly class work with long sticks that resemble bamboo poles, but they also work with actual deadly weapons.

For the most part though, and for safety reasons, participants — who must be 13 or older — will use a rubber-knife weapon with their stick to practice moves and flow.

“In a nutshell,” Berdal adds, “it’s a cultural art that is just now getting recognized — no one knew it was a part of the Philippines. Most everyone thought it was part taekwondo or judo or just karate.

Kyle Lacanlale works his sticks in defense doing drills with a partner, during a Kali Filipino Stick Fighting class at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex.

“Stick fighting is coming out and it’s in demand. It’s in the movies, it’s on TV, and now it’s requested by many stunt operators and military-combat training advisors.”

Kali Filipino Stick Fighting is very controlled. While the students do pick up weapons very quickly, they are taught discipline, which is evidenced by Berdal’s use of a drum to instruct and coordinate precise moves, both with weapons and empty hands.

Those who take stick fighting classes are surprised by its good, low-impact workout and that it teaches how to use weapons in a controlled manner.

“I thought it was just like, you know, swinging sticks, especially after listening to them talk about it,” said student Marley Galan. “But then I actually tried it, and I’ve been really enjoying it. … At first, it was really hard, and they just taught me the basics. Even to this day, I still get a whole bunch of stuff wrong, but I’ve seen progress.

“For me, I like the idea of learning a new skill, and this skill seems like it’s pretty useful, and I know it’s a good way to keep active.”

As for Berdal, it is important to teach the culture behind Kali Filipino Stick Fighting. That’s definitely what one might call, a “sticking” point, for him.

In his classes, he shares stories about his teachers to honor their legacy and to teach the Kali system to the community.

“The movements can be like a dance,” Berdal added. “This is a very controlled, very slow martial art that’s not as aggressive as some others. There’s balance that comes with the movements, but then also the points of finesse and accuracy. Very Ying to the Yang.”

Kali Filipino Stick Fighting Classes
Where: Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex, 7727 Boyette Road
When: Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $60 per month
Details: Learn the finer points of Kali Filipino Stick Fighting from Grandmaster James Berdal. This class includes weapons and is for participants ages 13 and older. Register online at secure.rec1.com/fl/pasco-county-fl.
Info: Call 813-345-3145.

Published July 27, 2022