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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills and East Pasco Sports

Running down a record

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Will Poe knew the exact time.

He also knew the exact runner.

Because it’s a runner he’s trying to catch.

“Jose Espinosa. 16 minutes, 10 seconds,” the Zephyrhills High junior distance runner said, without a second thought.

Poe is referring to the 18-year-old school record Espinosa set for the fastest 5K run in 2004.

Will Poe, a junior distance runner at Zephyrhills High, is on the verge of breaking an 18-year-old school record for the fastest 5K run, which is held by Jose Espinosa, when the former Bulldog ran a 16:10 in 2004. (Mike Camunas)

“I don’t remember the year, but it was a long time ago, and I’ve been eyeing it for a while,” the distance runner said.

And, he is getting close.

With a 26th place in last year’s cross-country state tournament and his personal best time already at 16:26, Poe is on the verge of setting a new Bulldogs record.

However, his season was nearly derailed when he broke his toe over the summer, making everyone, including his coach, catch their breath.

“It was definitely a scary moment because his dad (Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe) told me, and I was like, ‘Oh … well this is going to be fun!’” second-year coach Matt Page said. “Luckily, it didn’t impact him or his season at all and it’s all water under the bridge now.

“You don’t want to hear it happen to any of your runners, and certainly not your top guy.”

Poe, himself, definitely was worried.

“My cousin broke his toe like a year ago and he had to get surgery, and it messed up the tendons and stuff, so I was pretty nervous I had messed up my foot for running on it,” he said. “But it healed up pretty nice and quick.”

After a collective sigh of relief, Poe went back to work on his goals. Those include not just breaking the school record, but also a return to the state tournament on Nov. 5 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.

But first, there’s the little matter of the competition.

Poe’s biggest competitor has been Sunlake senior Alex Pena, arguably Pasco County’s top runner, who recently posted a 15:30 at the 40th Annual Spanish River XC Invitational in Boca Raton on Sept. 16.

However, with new Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) classifications this season, Sunlake moves up to Class 4A, while Zephyrhills stays in 3A. This helps both Poe and the Bulldogs, because the Seahawks and Pena both finished third as a team and individually in the 2021 state championships.

Yet, runners remain that Poe will try to catch or pace. Cypress Creek senior Zach Poekert is one of those. Poekert finished sixth at states last year, as well as second at the Spanish River Invite, just 11 seconds behind Pena.

There’s also River Ridge senior Chase Thurber, who was chasing Poe at the St. Leo Abbey Invitational on Sept. 24. Poe finished fifth (16:36) and Thurber was seventh (16:37).

In that same race, Cypress Creek junior Dylan Powell finished eighth (16:43), while Wiregrass Ranch junior Hunter Boggs also cracked the top 20 with a 17:06.

“I’ve been battling it out (with those guys) all year and for a long time,” Poe said. “They are my biggest competitors.”

Page, however, says Poe is an easy runner to coach.

“I don’t really have to show him anything, which is great,” said Page, who was a distance runner at Pasco High. “The other day, he literally told me, ‘You’re running with me,’ and so, we ran from Lowe’s in Zephyrhills to Winn-Dixie in Dade City, which is 10 miles. I’m a little sore, but it was fun.”

As much fun as it is to have a coach who can keep up, Poe is focused on one thing between now and Nov. 5.

And that’s to have a place on the podium that day.

“I’ve put a lot of work into this season, so hopefully I can get 15th place or better at states and break the school record at states,” Poe said. “The top 15 runners get on the podium and get a medal. It’s that position or higher, or nothing. That is what I’ve been running for all season.”

Cross-Country Postseason:

Sunshine Athletic Conference Tournament
When: Oct. 15
Where: Sunlake High, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Details: This is the annual conference tournament for all Pasco County High School boys and girls cross-country teams.

District Tournaments
Class 4A-District 3
Host: Plant High
When: Oct. 20, 8 a.m.
Where: Rogers Park Golf Course, 7910 N. 30th St., Tampa
Teams: Alonso, Armwood, Bartow, East Lake, George Jenkins, Steinbrenner, Haines City, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Mitchell, Palm Harbor University, Plant, Plant City, Ridge Community, Sickles, Strawberry Crest, Sunlake, Wharton, Winter Haven, Wiregrass Ranch

Class 3A-District 4
Host: Citrus High
When: Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Whispering Pines Park, 1700 Forest Dr., Inverness
Teams: Belleview, Citrus, Cypress Creek, Fivay, Gulf, Lake Minneola, Lecanto, Leesburg, Pasco, River Ridge, Springstead, Tavares, Vanguard Ocala, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills

Class 3A-District 5
Host: King High
When: Oct. 18, 5 p.m.
Where: Mary Help of Christians Center, 6400 E. Chelsea St., Tampa
Teams: Blake, Boca Ciega, Brandon, Clearwater, Countryside, East Bay, Freedom, Gaither, Hillsborough, Hollins, Jesuit, King, Leto, Middleton, Northeast, Osceola, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Spoto, St. Petersburg

Class 2A-District 5
Host: Robinson High
When: Oct. 19, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Mary Help of Christians Center, 6400 E. Chelsea St., Tampa
Teams: Anclote, Bell Creek, Berkeley Prep, Brooks-DeBartolo, Calvary Christian, Carrollwood Day, Chamberlain, Clearwater Central Catholic, Davenport, Discovery, Dunedin, Four Corners, Gibbs, Hudson, Jefferson, Lakewood, McKeel, Mulberry, Robinson, Tampa Catholic, Tarpon Springs, Tenoroc

Class 1A-District 3
Host: Oak Hall
When: Oct. 18, 9 a.m.
Where: Alligator Lake, 420 Southeast Alligator Glen, Lake City
Teams: Bishop McLaughlin

Class 1A-District 5
Host: Indian Rocks Christian
When: Oct. 20, 8 a.m.
Where: Taylor Park, 1100 Eighth Ave., SW, Largo
Teams: Academy at the Lakes

Regional Meets
When: Oct. 26 thru Oct. 29
Where: Various Sites

State Championships
When: Nov. 5
Where: Apalachee Regional Park, 7550 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee

For more information visit, FHSAA.com/sports/cross.

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

Published October 12, 2022

Hoopsters seek to elevate their skills

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Colin Bolinger was coaching travel ball, but not the traditional way.

As coach of Chapel Rip City, which are AAU basketball teams, for the past eight years, Bolinger rented out gyms and spaces to practice.

When COVID hit, it was more difficult to rent out those gyms, mainly because they were at local schools.

At Hoops Heaven, Evan Butler gets set to shoot during a basketball training class. (Mike Camunas)

“Finally, it just came down to a desperate need to get a place for the kids, so I opened this place in October,” said the former Indiana State shooting guard.

He was referring to Hoops Heaven, an indoor training facility for basketball players of all skill levels.

Bolinger runs five teams — elementary boys, middle school boys and girls, JV boys and varsity boys — with Chapel Rip City.

Hoops Heaven has now become a place to identify players looking to not only take their game to the next level, but to also join those teams.

“Having the youth development league really gives us a way to identify kids here that want to join AAU, so that allows us just to lead them into it,” he said.

Jaylin Gordon, an athlete at Hoops Heaven (an indoor basketball training facility in Zephyrhills), concentrates on his dribbling skills during an evening class.

The facility, he said, provides an opportunity to find youths who have a keen interest in basketball.

“There is nothing like this around our area, nothing like that out here in Zephyrhills, and I’ve seen the huge growth in Wesley Chapel and just knew that there would be kids coming to me for basketball,” Bolinger added.

Being a native of Indiana, Bolinger has basketball in his blood. He was a graduate assistant coach at Indiana State, the storied program where basketball legend Larry Bird played. Bolinger also played for the last Sycamore team to make the NCAA Tournament in 2011.

And as a coach, Bolinger doesn’t focus primarily on winning. Of course, that’s the desire of all players and coaches, but his main interest is working with players to help them develop the skills to succeed on the court, no matter where they compete.

“I want these players to learn how to play the game from a complex level,” he said. “I definitely know that I approach (teaching) differently than a lot of coaches — I give the kids a lot of stuff, but I’m trying to make it where they can be successful under any coach.

Colin Bolinger teaches basketball skills to aspiring players at Hoops Heaven, a training facility in Zephyrhills.

“Some coaches are focused on getting them to win right this moment, and that’s not what we do here, which I know takes some getting used to on the players’ part.”

Once they buy into the philosophy, however, players are embracing Bolinger’s style, and then succeed in improving their skills.

“They teach you how to work on your handling a lot and they have a lot of great drills,” said Joe Brunfeld, who has been training at Hoops Heaven for six months now.

“I think they try to work you pretty hard, but in a smart way. More so where it’s helpful for your whole game and not just one certain part of it. I think my game has improved from being here,” the teenager said.

The players’ parents are seeing the results, too.

“She’s picking up good habits and fundamentals, and it’s something she loves to do,” said Delano Howson, whose daughter, Kayden, trains at Hoops Heaven. “Before she got here, she knew how to shoot and stuff, but is now putting it all together — like dribbling with both hands and making proper layups. The improvement has been (like) night and day.

“And,” Howson added, “having this right here in Zephyrhills, where she can meet some kids, too, is absolutely the best.”

In the end, Bolinger is trying to coach his players the best way he knows how.

“I try to give them the baseline so they can go to any program, any team, any coach and know what to do,” he said. “It’s a lot different than just working on layups. That’s important, but it’s also a little higher concept, so it doesn’t just look like a bunch of crowded kids running down the court.”

Hoops Heaven
Details: An indoor basketball training facility that teaches players of all skills the fundamentals, and offers camps, as well as parties.
Where: 40417 Chancey Road, Zephyrhills
Info: Visit TheHoopsHeaven.com, call 812-841-6042, or email .

Published August 24, 2022


Young basketball player Niko Figueroa works on his passing skills during a drill at Hoops Heaven.
Miley Sommers shoots a three-pointer during a skills class at Hoops Heaven in Zephyrhills.
Kayden Howson takes a long-range shot at Hoops Heaven in Zephyrhills.
Young basketball player Major Simmons is focused on developing his budding basketball skills at Hoops Heaven, an indoor basketball training facility in Zephyrhills.
Fabrizio Lacicco practices his dribbling skills at Hoops Heaven, in Zephyrhills.
Ellis Johnson passes the ball during a skills class at Hoops Heaven, an indoor basketball training facility in Zephyrhills.

 

They be jammin’ to gymnastics

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It tumbled right into Zephyrhills’s airport district.

JAMM Gymnastics is a new training facility — next to the Municipal Airport — and it’s already establishing itself as a place to enhance tumbling and other gymnastics skills.

Elaina Safft Guadawama, 9, works on a split tumble at JAMM Gymnastics in Zephyrhills. (Mike Camunas)

“We’ve been well-received by the community, especially since the demand for gymnastics has been pretty high in Zephyrhills for a while now,” said owner Steve Paul, who also coaches at the gym. “We’re focusing on recreational gymnastics, so a lot of tumbling classes, but they’re also able to work on the bars and beams and rings, too.”

Instructor Katelyn Napoleone helps Tayla-Anne Taylor, 12, execute a flip during a tumbling class at JAMM Gymnastics.

Paul and his wife, Gabby Quattlebaum, are co-owners of the center. It opened its doors on June 13.

The center offers tumbling classes, camps and space to host birthday parties.

The co-owners are both active coaches for the classes.

The East Pasco Invaders, a cheerleading squad for children ages 5 to 18, also has made its home at JAMM.

Paul and Quattlebaum have credentials, plus knowledge.

They have helped develop three Olympic trial members, an NCAA All-Around Champion, 12 NCAA All Americans, three World Team members, four USA Team members and 30 college scholarship recipients.

Payton Larkin, 8, works on keeping good form during bounces on a trampoline at JAMM Gymnastics, a new training facility and center at 5048 Airport Road, in Zephyrhills.

“I’ve been around or coaching gymnastics for about 30 years,” Paul said. “My wife used to be a gymnast, and we have the tools and the skills that we know will make them better cheerleaders, which is why we are now the home of the Pasco Invaders.”

Paul adds it’s not just aspiring gymnasts and cheerleaders that are looking to be coached.

Lillianan Salas, 7, works on her form and dismount on the trampoline during a tumbling class at JAMM Gymnastics in Zephyrhills.

Athletes from various sports see the value of gymnastics training, he said.

“What they learn in gymnastics will help them in just about any other sport they play,” Paul said.

“We can help kids develop through some gymnastic skills and become better football, basketball, soccer, baseball players — any sport — and help them run faster, jump higher.

“That’s where we really come in and want to help,” he said.

While JAMM has hosted open houses, and summer and back-to-school camps, it has seen its fair share of new athletes join the ranks. While tumbling and cheerleading are a big draw for now, locals are enjoying the affordability and laid-back atmosphere of a gym still very apt at improving skills.

JAMM Gymnastics instructor Gabby Quattlebaum, who owns the center with her husband, Steve Paul, speaks with a student during a recent class.

“My daughter is a cheerleader and her shortcomings were in tumbling scenarios,” Zephyrhills resident Teddy Taylor said. “This place allows her to expand her talents, work on the things she needs and become a better cheerleader.

“(It’s a) little bit more (of) nextdoor neighbor,” he added. “They don’t seem to be out to just make the big dollars — it’s about the girls, the athletes here, and whatever they can do to make them better as athletes and people.

“It’s all about fun, and that they’re having fun.”

Teddy’s daughter, 12-year-old Tayla-Anne, is definitely having fun.

“I wanted to take gymnastics so I could learn to do different things and so I could advance with my tumbling for cheerleading,” the Pasco Invaders cheerleader said. “I like this place a lot. It’s pretty fun, and I’ve learned a lot, especially during a gymnastics camp I took. I learned how to do stuff on the bar and the beams, so it’s been great to have a place I come to a lot, to learn even more tumbling.”

Next on the agenda for JAMM is to partner with after-school programs. By doing that, children can take gymnastics as an extracurricular activity in the afternoons.

It will be more than mere tumbling, Paul said.

“We do want to provide recreational after-school programs,” he said. “Because we’ll teach them tumbling and gymnastics, but also help them learn to set goals, and have a positive, can-do attitude. All while learning gymnastics.”

JAMM Gymnastics
Where: 5048 Airport Road, Zephyrhills
Details: A gymnastics training facility that offers lessons, classes, camps and birthday parties.
Info: Visit JammGymnastics.com, or call 813-602-8960.

Published August 17, 2022

This kid is revved up and ready to go

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Just like that, the training wheels came off.

It took no time at all for Elijah Sumner to be riding a pint-sized dirt bike.

By himself.

Elijah Sumner, 10, of Zephyrhills, races around the track at Dade City Motocross during a recent practice session. Sumner won the 65CC championship in 2021. (Mike Camunas)

That led to racing around the track at Dade City Motocross.

And, eventually, that led to winning the 65CC Championship for 7- to 9-year-olds in 2021.

“I couldn’t believe it (that I had won) because we had been working toward it ever since I was 6 or 7 (years old), and then I finally won it and all the emotions broke loose,” the 10-year-old said. “I was just so happy. It was a lot of work.”

The work paid off for the soon-to-be fifth-grader at Chester Taylor Elementary. The championship earned him a 4 ½-foot trophy, a $500 helmet, various other prizes, and a poster of him on the track, riding in his championship run.

Elijah Sumner catches some air, at Dade City Motocross.

“I like to compete with my friends, just trying to win, plus just being on the track,” Sumner added. “I remember being out here when I was little (at age 4) and it was fun, and it’s where I learned the competitiveness.”

Competitiveness comes with the territory in motocross. So does the drive. Because as Andy Sumner, Elijah’s dad, remembers it, he couldn’t hold back his son from motocross racing.

“Back in 2015, when he was still somewhat of a baby, one of my good friends, his son, was racing,” Andy said. “So, I’d just put him on a little dirt bike, and I’d get on and ride it with him. Then I bought a dirt bike and put training wheels on it, and at about 4 ½, he was riding by himself.

Elijah Sumner preps with his dad, Andy, before making rounds on the track at Dade City Motocross.

“It’s all about the love of racing, with me and my son,” Andy added. “Just that father-and-son bond, just having fun out here racing. He’s got his friends out here, too, ones he’s been riding with for years and growing up together at this track since he was 4 or 5 years old.

Elijah Sumner

“Motocross is a moto-family all the way.”

Elijah’s performance has earned him a handful of sponsorships, because, as Andy puts it, “They say you got to spend $2 million to make a million in this sport.”

Local businesses — such as Dad’s Powder Coating in Zephyrhills, Sunrise Eatery in Zephyrhills, Bullfrog Performances in Zephyrhills and Southern Savage Photography — are taking notice of the young dirt biker and supporting him in his fun endeavor.

“He loves it and has fun with it — that’s the biggest thing,” Andy said. “We’re lucky to have those sponsors and he’s earned it. He cried when he won the championship — was just full of emotion getting his biggest win to date.”

So Elijah is now onto the next challenge, or class, that is. He moves up to the 85CC class, which runs for ages 10 to 15, and features a larger bike and bigger motor.

Elijah knows it’ll be hard work, but hopes another championship will come in no time at all.

“That’s the goal,” said a sweaty, out-of-breath Elijah, as he pulled off his helmet after practice laps at Dade City Motocross. “I’m going to try to win my age group on the 85(CC) now. It’s time for a bigger bike and a harder class — and more of a challenge.”

Dade City Motocross
Where: 36722 State Road 52, Dade City
When: Practices are Thursdays and Saturdays, with races held Saturday nights.
Info: Visit DadeCityMx.com, call 813-781-9569, or email .

Published August 03, 2022

Bulldog blazes to track state title

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Maguire Neal got over one extra hurdle, to reach the top of the podium.

Zephyrhills High’s Maguire Neal took home the gold for the Class 3A 300-meter hurdles on May 13, giving him the first state title for that event in school history. Neal, who is committed to play football and run track for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, won the event with a time of 37.31 seconds. (Mike Camunas)

That hurdle was a disappointing performance in the 110-meter hurdles. Had the Zephyrhills High senior track star done better, he’s not sure he would have had the drive to become the first Zephyrhills High athlete to bring home the 300-meter hurdles state title.

“When I did the 110, I didn’t do so hot,” the senior sprinter explained.

“(Doing poorly on the 110) pushed me harder to do better in the 300. I knew I’d have to go hard.

“I was nervous in the blocks, but once I was out of those, everything was smooth.”

“Honestly, it was a blessing in disguise — that he didn’t do so well in the 110 hurdles,” said Bryan Thomas, Neal’s coach. “I feel he would’ve been more complacent if he had been able to get on the podium.

“So not taking that podium (for the 110), he went out and ran the 300 with that edge that really helped. I’d never seen him attack the hurdles that way.”

Neal competed in four events at the Class 3A track and field state championships on May 13, at the Florida-Percy Beard Track Stadium at the University of Florida, in Gainesville.

In addition to the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, he also ran in the 100-meter and the 4×100-meter relay. 

It was finishing 10th in the 110 hurdles that proved to be the extra motivation.

“I’d been running the 300 hurdles since freshman year,” Neal said. “I was thinking, yeah, by senior year I should be close to or getting a state championship.”

He credits his sister, Maya, for helping him to become a better hurdler.

Indeed, Maya, was a track star at Zephyrhills, finishing in the Top 5, when she was a senior.

“Maya was great for us here at Zephyrhills, but she was like, ‘My brother is better,’” Thomas recalled. “She used to show me videos of him and say, ‘He’s going to come here and run — he’s at Centennial Middle!’ … Just seeing him develop over the years, I knew he was going to be something special. Seeing him become a state champ was just icing on the cake for him.

“It has been a blessing to coach this kid,” the coach added.

Thomas is no stranger to the track and field state championships. After winning the long jump state title in 2006 (and playing college football for the University of Florida and North Alabama), he returned to his alma mater as an assistant football coach in 2016.

Neal is the second state champ that Thomas has coached. The first was Cartrell Strong, who won the triple jump state title in 2019.

Thomas acknowledged that not only does running track run in the Neal family, but that the family support system was key for Maguire.

“As a coach, you wish every athlete had that,” Thomas said. “They’re at every event, they ask if they can help out the team with tents and water — they’re unbelievable. A lot of what he does on the field and on the track is for his family.”

Maguire said the support he receives from his family has been invaluable.

“My whole family has always had my back and has been at every race. “I couldn’t’ve (won states) without them,” he said.

Maguire Neal let his grandma, Leona Hiatt, wear his gold medal after he won the 300-meter hurdles state title on May 13. (Courtesy of Maguire Neal).

Initially, he couldn’t believe that he’d won the race.

“When I crossed the (finish) line I was just in shock, really. It finally hit me when the medal was put around my neck,” he said.

The athlete’s future is filled with possibilities.

He’s committed to play football, and run track, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

He left for Charlotte on May 20, but will be back to attend Zephyrhills’ graduation at the University of South Florida on June 9. 

Now, as he graduates, he’ll leave high school with a little extra hardware.

On the podium

Several other track and field athletes shined during the state meets in May. Here are a list of the individuals that placed in the top three, in their respective events:

First (Gold)

Class 1A

300-meter hurdles – Camila Garaton – Carrollwood Day – Sr. – 44.88

Class 4A

1600 meter – Brooke Reif – Wharton – Sr. – 4:53.27

Second (Silver)

Class 3A

1600 meter – Alex Pena – Sunlake – Jr. – 4:14.18

3200 meter – Zack Poekert – Cypress Creek – Jr. – 9:16.93

Discus – Isaiah Tavo – Land O’ Lakes – Sr. – 51.59m

Class 4A

400-meter – Serenity Brazell – Wharton – Jr. – 55.03

Third (Bronze)

Class 1A

Discus – Leighann Hanley – Carrollwood Day – So. – 34.80m

Class 3A

Javelin – Aiden Marsh – Land O’ Lakes – Jr. – 52.32m

Published May 25, 2022

Holding court after school

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Like a volley, these tennis players are ready to return to the court.

Ava Sambrano smiles as she coaches students during the after-school tennis program at Stewart Middle in Zephyrhills. The Sarah Vande Berg (SVB) Tennis Foundation sponsors the program, which meets twice a week. (Mike Camunas)

The Stewart Middle School students are taking part in an after-school tennis program put on by the Sarah Vande Berg (SVB) Center and Foundation.

The youths spend afternoons twice a week doing their homework and then heading out to the school’s tennis courts to learn the fundamentals of the sport. Plus, they get some exercise, too.

“They embrace getting the work and homework done, and then they pressure us, ‘OK, we’re done. Let’s go out to the court,’” coach Ava Sambrano said with a smile. “And, that’s because we keep it very fun. We teach them different drills, the different types of strokes with the racquets — we work on footwork, hand-eye coordination and keep it all fun because that’s what they look forward to.”

Sambrano is a coach from the SVB Center, which will provide this program twice a week through nearly the rest of this school year at Stewart Middle, 38505 10th Ave., in Zephyrhills.

The program, presented by the SVB Foundation’s Play Days program, explains tennis basics to many who have not been exposed to the sport.

It’s a way to provide those students with access to lessons and tennis equipment.

“Tennis can be a very expensive sport,” said Sambrano, who played college tennis and was a JuCo national champion. “It’s free (thanks to the Center and Foundation) for them to participate, so we try to bring a sport that they can do and enjoy. I think it’s great we can try to pass on these skills and some values that might prepare them for not only tennis, but in life, as well.

“Parents want them to do an activity,” she added. “A little after-school thing to do before they can be picked up. Many are from low-income homes, so we try to promote physical activity and fitness, and have a better focus on their life.”

And, it’s easy to see the kids are all on board, as Sambrano pointed out. The program has nearly 25 kids and each is eager to grab a racquet after school.

Zachary Causey, 13, returns a volley during the after-school tennis program at Stewart Middle in Zephyrhills.

“I’ve learned a lot here playing tennis,” student Charles Irving said. “It’s a lot of fun. I’m always looking forward to getting my work done, so we can get on the court.”

Trey Hochstetler, another student, said: “I really like tennis a lot. And I like tennis because it’s a sport I’m actually good at, and I plan on playing in high school and going to the (SVB) Center.”

Stewart Principal Joshua Borders hopes this tennis program will pave the way for additional after-school programs.

The school has athletic teams, but Borders wants to add other sports that offer similar after-school programs.

The programs can be a pipeline to high school teams, Borders said.

By getting an early start, the athletes will be better prepared if they would like to keep on playing, he added.

“We want to do more after-school programs with other spots, so, hopefully, with this success, we’ll be able to do that in the future,” Borders said.

Published April 13, 2022

Carlos Rivera, 13, takes some tennis instructions from Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center coach Matt Walton, during the after-school program at Stewart Middle in Zephyrhills. Students do homework and other academic activities before hitting the court.
Students from Stewart Middle in Zephyrhills work on drills during the after-school tennis program that meets twice a week.

Zephyrhills Skatepark comes alive during ‘Grind for Life’

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Competitors came from as close as a neighborhood nearby to as far away as Hawaii — and from a wide array of places in between — for the Grind for Life Series, a national competition hosted on March 19 at the Zephyrhills Skatepark, 39096 Alston Ave.

Thirteen-year-old Zion Effs makes a jump, as he prepares for the Grind for Life skateboard series on March 19, at the Zephyrhills Skatepark. Effs traveled from Miami to test his skills. The event featured 156 competitors, in various divisions and age classes, demonstrating their abilities in the daylong event. (Fred Bellet)

There were 156 competitors, of all ages and skill levels, including 20 first-time skaters and 17 women, according to statistics provided by the City of Zephyrhills.

Contestants included 10-year-old Samantha Livaditis, of Chicago, who dazzled the judges with a ‘front side air trick.’ She traveled to the competition with her dad, Steve Livaditis.

Twenty-year-old Jesse Yates didn’t travel far at all. He lives in Zephyrhills and was the only Pasco County resident to compete in the tournament.

Anthony Ferraro, of Spring Lake, New Jersey, is a relative newcomer to skateboarding — starting just two years ago. Blind since birth, Ferraro and other competitors with disabilities approach the sport differently. Before the competition began, he and other competitors with sight disabilities familiarized themselves with the placement of jumps, ramps, walls and rails, and distance. Ferraro took fourth place in the men’s adaptive division.

He showed off his skills in a street division jump, flipping his skateboard beneath his feet.

He said he took up the pursuit when the Zephyrhills Skatepark was completed in 2015.

Anthony Ferraro of Spring Lake, New Jersey, competed, too.

He’s a relative newcomer to skateboarding, starting just two years ago.

Blind since birth, Ferraro and other competitors with disabilities approach the sport differently.

Prior to the competition’s start, he and other competitors with sight disabilities familiarized themselves with the placement of jumps, ramps, walls and rails, and distance.

Ferraro placed fourth in the men’s adaptive division.

The Grind for Life Series benefits the Grind for Life organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that assists cancer patients with travel expenses, according to a news release from the City of Zephyrhills.

The skateboarding competition was founded in 2003, by lifelong skateboarder Mike Rogers, after his second battle with sarcoma cancer. He beat cancer once as a preteen, and again 25 years later. Rogers beat the odds and is a competitive skateboarder again.

The City of Zephyrhills has been a host for a Grind for Life Series leg for several years, with the city’s public works crew members providing cleanup assistance during the course of the event.

The competition includes a men’s and women’s bowl, and street division, as well as an adaptive skateboarding division, for athletes with disabilities.

Registration was $35.

Published April 06, 2022

Ten-year-old R.J. Serkland first hopped on a skateboard when he was 2 years old. He recently competed in his second Grind for Life Series. Here, he performs a trick called ‘the slob-plant.’
Kelly Ferraro caught it all on camera, after her husband, Anthony, left, of Spring Lake, New Jersey, took to the course. Even though he has been blind since birth, Anthony began skateboarding two years ago. He placed fourth in his division.
Zephyrhills’ own Jesse Yates, 20, shows his skills in a street division jump, flipping his skateboard beneath his feet. Yates said he began skating when the Zephyrhills Skatepark was completed in 2015. The park is near his house, motivating him to take up skateboarding.
Seven-year-old Coco Waldo, of Fernandina Beach, competed for the first time at the Grind for Life Series. Her mom, Britni Waldo, said her daughter has been skating for just two years.
With a watchful eye, 9-year-old Nicholas Delacruz, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, checks out the street course, as he waits his turn for the Street Men’s 9 and under division. At right, a hopeful 12-year-old Taylor Burnett, of Orlando, holds her board close while waiting for her turn to show the judges her skills.

Dade City golfer readies for professional tour

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Bailey Shoemaker’s first set of golf clubs was plastic.

“I’ve been playing since I could walk,” the 17-year-old amateur golfer said.

“I played in my first tournament when I was about 7, and I just wanted to keep playing ever since I was old enough to play.”

Bob Shoemaker — her dad, who also happens to be her caddie — agrees with his daughter’s recollections.

Dade City resident and amateur junior golfer Bailey Shoemaker hits a shot at Lake Jovita Golf Course during a three-day tournament hosted by the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour. (Mike Camunas)

“By the time she could talk,” he reminisced, “Bailey would be asking, ‘When are we going to the course? When are we going to the range?’”

Besides being eager to get out on the course, she was easy to teach.

“I never forced it on her and — it didn’t come naturally, because she worked hard at it, but she was always good and has always enjoyed it,” the caddie said.

Enjoyment has led to success, too.

On March 1 through March 3, Bailey competed in the Lake Jovita Women’s Championship hosted by the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour (ECWPGT).

She tied for eighth place, shooting a 4-over par on her home course.

Dade City resident and amateur junior golfer Bailey Shoemaker speaks with her dad, Bob, who caddied for her during a three-day tournament hosted by the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Lake Jovita Golf Course.

“I’ve been wanting to get on this tour for a while,” Bailey said. “It’s a good first one to have, too, on your home course.”

“Nice to sleep in your own bed at night, too,” Bob said, with a laugh.

Although she had hoped for a stronger finish, this event is just one of many she’ll be playing during her junior season.

After that, Bailey, who is an online student, will begin her senior year. She committed to play women’s collegiate golf for the University of Southern California.

The ECWPGT is a professional golf tour for young women who are in high school, in college or recent graduates from collegiate golf.

The tour was rebranded from the National Women’s Golf Association.

Its new owner, Mark Berman, a 25-year golf industry veteran, has worked for the PGA TOUR, the World Golf Foundation and the World Golf Hall of Fame.

He has turned the tournament into a competitive stepping stone for women golfers to make the Epson Tour — the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA — and, of course, the LPGA.

Bailey Shoemaker, an amateur golfer from Dade City, signs her scorecard after playing in a three-day tournament hosted by the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Lake Jovita Golf Course. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

“(The ECWPGT) helps her even more to prepare for college golf,” her dad said.

“Out here are either college golfers or golfers who just graduated, and it’s really helpful to play this and prepare for other tournaments.

“We’re always trying to make sure she’s playing up as much as possible because out here the competition is going to be deeper and stronger and better than your average amateur tour,” he said.

“It’s great preparation,” added Bailey, who carries a 6.5 handicap.

She added that it’s a great competition, giving her the chance to go up against golfers she hadn’t seen in a while and some that she’d never played.

“It’s really just an all-around great event,” Bailey said.

The tournament is more than just playing competitive rounds, it’s set up to prepare the young women golfers with an atmosphere of professional events.

“It’s great that everyone is encouraging us (young women) to get out and play,” said Bailey, whose golf career highlight so far is an ace that came during the Stacy Lewis Invitational at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

“I know when I started golfing, just after I was born, that’s when women’s golf really started to boom and then the women (golfers) started to get longer and longer (on shots). Now, with each generation, you keep seeing everyone getting better and better.”

The ECWPGT looks to create more and better playing opportunities for aspiring LGPA players.

It’s a tour aimed at emboldening the next generation of talented women golfers.

Like Bailey.

Published on March 09, 2022

Sunlake boys finish third at state cross-country championships

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The Sunlake High School varsity boys cross-country team continued to show itself as among the state’s elite distance running programs and tops in Pasco County, and in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

The Seahawks finished in third place out of 32 schools in Class 3A at the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park, in Tallahassee.

The Sunlake High School varsity boys cross-country team finished third in the Class 3A state championship meet, representing the best finish among all local schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. From left: Nathan Lee, Cason Meyer, Cade Culpepper, Alex Pena, Colby Robbins, Maximillian Goserud and Cody Smith. (Courtesy of Randal Reeves)

The 3A team crown went to Miami’s Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, which tallied 42 points after its top five runners went second, ninth, 10th, 14th and 17th place, respectively. It represents that private school’s fifth-consecutive state title and 13th all-time.

Second place went to Fort Myers High School, who tallied 132 points after its top-five finished seventh, 22nd, 37th, 44th and 50th.

Sunlake wasn’t far behind.

They tallied 151 points, as its fleet went third, 16th, 23rd, 58th, and 76th in the 3.1-mile course on Nov. 12.

Rounding out the top five team finishers were Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas High School (201 points) and Naples High School (235 points), respectively.

Junior Alex Pena — who paced Sunlake with a third-place individual finish — broke the 16-minute mark by clocking a 15:46.8, a 5:04 per mile pace.

The lone runners in the 3A meet who finished ahead of Pena were Leon High School sophomore Patrick Koon (first place, 15:23.8) and Belen Jesuit sophomore Joshua Ruiz (second, 15:37.4).

Following Pena for Sunlake were seniors Colby Robbins (16:21.3) and Cason Meyer (16:21.3); freshman Cade Culpepper (17:03.1); and, senior Maximillian Goserud (17:16.9).

The Seahawks sixth and seventh varsity runners — whose scores aren’t tallied in the results — were junior Nathan Lee (17:47.7) and senior Cody Smith (18:16.7).
The timed average for the Sunlake boys was 16:36, equating to an average pace of 5:21 per mile. There was just a 1:31 gap between its No. 1 through No. 5 runners.

The Seahawks, coached by Randal Reeves, racked up a number of other accolades during the season — altogether sweeping conference, district and regional team titles.

Robbins took individual crowns at each of those three meets. This included recording the fastest time in county history (and setting a new Sunlake record) with a 15:14 mark on the school’s 5K home course at the Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) meet on Oct. 20.

The 2021 (FHSAA) Florida High School Athletic Association State Cross Country Championships was held Nov. 12 at Apalachee Regional Park, in Tallahassee.
(Courtesy of Florida High School Athletic Association)

Other individuals from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area also fared well in the 3A boys meet.

Cypress Creek High School junior Zack Poekert finished sixth overall, timing 16:05.

Zephyrhills High School sophomore William Poe took 26th, clocking 16:35.

The meet featured 234 runners.

Several local teams and individuals exhibited solid showings at the state finals across other classifications, too.

The Wharton High School varsity girls yielded the next best local team showing — finishing 10th in the Class 4A meet.

The Wildcats were paced by senior Brooke Reif — a University of Richmond signee — who finished fourth among all individual 4A girls, after running an 18:49.2, an average pace of 6:03 per mile.

The Sunlake girls went 14th in the 3A meet, while the Land O’ Lakes High School girls collected a 26th place finish.
The Steinbrenner High School boys program went 24th in the 4A contest.F
Land O’ Lakes native Elli Black — a home-schooled seventh-grader who runs for Tampa Cambridge Christian School — finished state third overall in the 1A girls meet, posting 18:26.4. The other state qualifying girls individual was Wiregrass Ranch freshman Ava Schmitt (48th, 20:27.3, 4A girls).

Roundup of local teams and individuals at the 2021 FHSAA Cross Country State Championships:

Boys

4A
Steinbrenner (24th)

Ronald Aeschleman, senior (57th, 16:52)

Sawyer Raveling, senior (111th, 17:37.1)

Jaden Simpson, senior (124th, 17:46.0)

Jacob Smith, junior (169th, 18:25.4)

Joaquin Abanses, freshman (170th, 18:26.3)

Brady Peifer, freshman (172nd, 18:28.3)

Eion McDarby, senior (212th, 19:49.7)

3A
Sunlake (third)
Alex Pena, junior (third, 15:46.8)

Colby Robbins, senior (16th, 16:21.3)

Cason Meyer, senior (23rd, 16:31.8)

Cade Culpepper, freshman (58th, 17:03.1)

Maximillian Goserud, senior (76th, 17:16.9)

Nathan Lee, junior (110th, 17:47.7)

Cody Smith, senior (148th, 18:16.7)

Indvidual(s)

Cypress Creek: Zack Poekert, junior (sixth, 16:05)

Zephyrhills: William Poe, sophomore (26th, 16:35.5)

 2A

No local teams or individual runners

 1A
No local teams or individual runners

 Girls

Class 4A
Wharton (10th)

Brooke Reif, senior (fourth, 18:49.2)

Alexi Amer, senior (51st, 20:30.8)

Alexandria Frye, senior (81st, 20:56.5)

Olivia Hammill, junior (109th, 21:18.3)

Aubrey Raile, junior (127th, 21:46.6)

Keira Moody, freshman (191st, 23:27.7)

Dana Robinson, senior (209th, 24:22.9)

 Individual(s)

Wiregrass Ranch: Ava Schmitt, freshman (48th, 20:27.3)

3A
Sunlake (14th)

Sara Ellingson, senior (54th, 20:15.7)

Shelby Viseur, senior (77th, 20:39.9)

Avery Pham, sophomore (78th, 20:41.1)

Abigail Williams, sophomore (89th, 20:49.8)

Jaiden Wickert, junior (128th, 21:35.8)

Emma Burleson, senior (145th, 21:57.8)

Ally Moyer, sophomore (165th, 22:22.6)

Land O’ Lakes (26th)

Maranda Hildebrand, senior (88th, 20:48.9)

Sara Ashley, senior (133th, 21:39.2)

Aileen Castillo, sophomore (152nd, 22:04.0)

Dixie Blessing, freshman (169th, 22:43.5)

Ava Adriana, sophomore (171st, 22:47.0)

Grace Connoy, sophomore (200th, 23:38.6)

Alli Laffler, freshman (202nd, 23:40.9)

 1A
Individual (s)

Elli Black, Cambridge Christian (Land O’ Lakes resident), eighth grade (third, 18:26.4)

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Longtime volunteers receive permanent honor

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Greg First and Kerry Ryman have witnessed their fair share of Zephyrhills High School football games over the last 40 years or so.

They’ve played a notable role over that time, too, with First providing play-by-play as the stadium announcer, and Ryman operating the clock and scoreboard.

Former longtime Zephyrhills High School football coach Tom Fisher, right, welcomes Kerry Ryman, left and Greg First, center, to the namesake club. Fisher’s name, tops the scoreboard, while the inscription on the press box will bear the names of First and Ryman. (Fred Bellet)

They’ve also helped out with countless homecomings, senior nights and other special events at  the school.

Because of those efforts, the press box at the high school stadium has been named to honor the two men.

A pregame ceremony on Oct. 1 made it official.

The Zephyrhills High press box at Tom Fisher Field in Bulldog Stadium has been named the First-Ryman Press Box.

The two men have relinquished their volunteer duties this season, after serving for some four decades.

Early-comers to the bleachers at Tom Fisher Stadium sit in front of the base of the Zephyrhills High School stadium press box, now named for Greg First and Kerry Ryman. A ceremony took place prior to the start of the recent football game between Zephyrhills and Weeki Wachee high schools.

The dedication ceremony was organized by Zephyrhills High principal Dr. Christina Stanley and athletic director Bruce Cimorelli.

The ceremony followed official approval of the honor by the Pasco County School Board, which happened during a board meeting in August.

Besides receiving plaques during the press box ceremony, the duo also basked in appreciation from family, friends and fans during the ceremony at the field.

The press box now dons the volunteers’ names in large black font with an orange backdrop — the school’s signature colors. Zephyrhills students designed and painted the press box’s new look.

First and Ryman — both Zephyrhills High graduates — expressed gratitude for the school’s gesture, during a later interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

Rodney Price said he went to school with Greg First and will miss his friend announcing the play-by-play action.

“It’s an honor,” said Ryman, owner of 3R Garage Door Company in Zephyrhills.

“It’s very humbling to see your name up there,” said First, who was the public relations director for OneBlood and Dade City Hospital. “That’s a legacy for us, you know what I mean, and we couldn’t be happier.’

First continued, “It’s never really been about us, because it’s really about the community, it’s really all about the school. There’s so many pieces to this puzzle, we’re just a small part of it.”

As a part of the action for so long, First and Ryman were in on many highs, some lows and countless unforgettable occurrences.

Zephyrhills High School teacher Justin Santiago, 26, of Wesley Chapel, has taken over calling the play-by-play for Greg First.

There was a playoff game where the Bulldogs’ opponent — Bartow High — was given five downs and ultimately won on the game’s last play.

There was a game when a referee gave First a penalty flag after he inadvertently bemoaned a referee’s questionable call on the field under a hot mic.

There were the numerous highlight-reel plays of All-American defensive lineman Ryan Pickett from 1994 to 1997, who would go onto enjoy a 13-year NFL career and win a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 2011.

“We need to write a book,” First said. “There’s so many memories over the years that you really could write a book.”

Their duties and dedication were easier said than done.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Ken Burgess comments on Greg First and Kerry Ryman during the press box naming ceremony.

Year in and year out, the duo built their respective Friday nights in football season around Bulldog football.

First had to be locked in on all aspects of the game, taking cues from spotters and properly pronouncing players’ names on a particular offensive or defensive play, all while peppering in various school announcements and sponsorships throughout the game, as his voice was heard by everyone from the stadium’s booming sound speakers.

He became so adept that the school’s athletic director didn’t bother giving him a script. He knew what he had to do.

“From the very beginning when the Bulldogs come on the field — to the opening ceremonies and the pledge — there’s a lot of things happening,” First explained.

Ryman, meanwhile, had to pay rapt attention to the game’s head official, monitoring various starts and stoppages in action and other game situations, while simultaneously following specific clock and scoring procedures.

Friends and family watch as Kerry Ryman and Greg First receive plaques and recognition for their 40 years of voluntary service providing play-by-play and scoreboard duties for the Zephyrhills High School Bulldogs football team. Here, principal Dr. Christina Stanley makes the honor official, during a pre-game ceremony.

Complicating matters — the crowded press box had people steadily filing in and out, and asking questions or making requests.

“I have to keep an eye on the white hat for what’s happening as far as starting and stopping and the whole nine yards, and people are coming up there (to the press box),” Ryman said. “There’ve been times where I’ve had to say, ‘Not now, I can’t do this, I’m busy, I’ve got to pay attention.’”

All told, First and Ryman have relished their tenures at the center of the action, lifted above the stands at the 50-yard line.

Although they were volunteers, First and Ryman quipped they did get paid over the years — in the form of hearty ballpark meals and snacks, like hamburgers, hot dogs and boiled peanuts.

Plus, Zephyrhills generally has had a strong football program, year in and year out.

Those attending the game heard new voices emanate from the Zephyrhills High press box speakers. Justin Santiago did the play-by-play announcement, replacing Greg First.

“I can say, over our 35-plus years, we’ve done a lot more laughing and high-fiving than we did crying up there,” Ryman said. “But we had some lean years where we were like, ‘Holy moly.’ But the majority of them were fun and good.”

The two men had considered stepping away from their positions for the last few years, but didn’t make it official until this season.

Now, teacher Justin Santiago is doing play-by-play and teacher Will Terranova is handling the scoreboard duties.

First and Ryman still plan to enjoy Friday nights at Bulldog stadium, albeit from a different vantage point.

They did that on the night they were honored, with the Bulldogs trouncing Weeki Wachee, 48-0.

“It was a little weird, watching everything from down in the end zone instead of up in the press box,” said Ryman, chuckling.

The two are bullish on the team’s prospects.

“This could be a year that they go all the way,” First said. “We hope that every year, we’ve been hoping it every year.”

Published October 20, 2021