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Graduation rates rise in local public schools

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The graduation rate continues to improve in the Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts.

Pasco County Schools charted a 91% graduation rate in 2021, more than a full point increase over the prior year, according to Pasco school district officials.

Hillsborough County Schools recorded a graduation rate of 89.2% — the highest rate in the district’s history, according to the Hillsborough school district news release.

Pasco’s rate has improved by 15 percentage points since 2013, district officials said in a news release.

“We are seeing steady progress year after year,” Superintendent Kurt Browning said in the release. “I can’t say enough about how hard our students worked during a challenging and unusual school year. All our teachers in elementary, middle, and high school can share the credit because it really takes a team effort to prepare students for college, career, and life.”

Cypress Creek High School had the highest graduation rate of 99.4% and Wesley Chapel High posted a 96.6% rate, an increase of more than 3 percentage points.

Fivay High School had a second year of impressive gains, increasing by 6.7 percentage points, after a gain of 6.4 percentage points the previous year.

Hudson High saw the biggest increase, improving by 10 percentage points — up to 86%.

Pasco school district staff also noted that students who graduated in 2021 did so after a highly unusual year of school due to COVID-19. Many missed significant time in school, either due to illness or due to quarantine requirements, a district news release noted.

Because of the COVID-related disruptions, the state waived state assessments required for graduation for the second year in a row, making it difficult to make historical comparisons, according to the Pasco district’s release.

Hillsborough officials were delighted by the district’s record accomplishment.

Hillsborough high schools within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area fared well.

Wharton High charted a 90.9% graduation rate; Gaither, 92.2%; Freedom, 94.1%; and, Steinbrenner, 97.8%.

Sickles High, which is near the newspaper’s coverage area, charted a graduation rate of 98.4%, the highest among Hillsborough public schools.

“I am so excited for our community and our organization for obtaining the highest graduation rate in district history,” Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis said in the school system’s news release. “This is in direct correlation to the hard work and dedication exhibited by our students, caregivers, teachers, school leaders, school counselors, support professionals, and district staff.”

To view the statewide results, visit the Florida Department of Education web page.

Published January 12, 2022

2021 offered special moments in local sports (Part Two)

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This past year levied countless memories in the local sports scene — from shattered records and career achievements for individuals and teams, to several major events and showcases in the area.

Here is a look back at some of the moments in sports in 2021, from across Pasco and Hillsborough counties, in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

(This is Part Two of a two-part series.)

Bishop McLaughlin baseball coach brings major league pedigree
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School tabbed a decorated big-leaguer to lead its pedigreed baseball program, back in August.

His name is Rob Ducey, and he spent parts of 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1987 to 2001 — playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, California Angels, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos.

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School has tabbed former major-leaguer Rob Ducey, pictured, to lead its baseball program. (File)

A left-handed hitting outfielder, Ducey played over 700 games in the majors, posting a .242 batting average, .331 on-base percentage, .396 slugging percentage, with 309 hits, 190 runs, 146 RBIs, 31 home runs and 22 stolen bases.

Ducey later served as a hitting coach in the minor leagues for the New York Yankees, Expos and Phillies; and was a talent scout for the Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays.

This baseball lifer status — and one of the very few Canadian big-leaguers — has Ducey enshrined into both the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame (2006) and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (2013).

All told, Ducey has been involved with professional baseball in some shape or form for over 37 years.

And now, the 56-year-old Tarpon Springs resident is taking his varied experiences to the Hurricanes varsity baseball program, which has won five district championships and two regional championships, and has made a pair of state final four appearances

Ducey has clear expectations for the area team he takes over.

“Obviously, I want the pitchers to throw strikes, I want the defenders to handle the baseball, and the hitters to be able to situational hit,” he said, in an exclusive interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

“We may not have the most ability on the field, but you’re going to know that you’ve got to fight, and if we do that every single day we come out and work improves in those areas, then it’ll be a successful year.”

Future NHL stars showcase skills in Wesley Chapel
For a few days, the National Hockey League’s (NHL) next generation of talent skated into Pasco County —  showing puck fans and pro scouts their skills in shot-making, blocking, toughness and teamwork.

AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel was the site of the 2021 NHL Prospect Showcase, held from Sept. 18 through Sept. 21.

Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, goalie Hugo Alnefelt, No. 60, blocks a shot by Carolina Hurricane prospect Blaker Murray, No. 85, during action at the 2021 Lightning Prospect Showcase at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel. (File)

Hosted by the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, the event also welcomed prospect teams from the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers.

With it being the Lightning’s turn to coordinate the event, the Wesley Chapel-based facility provided an ideal locale.

The 150,000-square-foot complex — the largest ice sports facility in the southeastern United States — is known for having four full-sized ice rinks and a mini-rink housed under one roof.

Aside from sheets of ice, the facility was designed to meet various NHL specifications, all the way down to specific railings and glass around the boards.

The facility also features an on-site sports medicine clinic with an evaluation and treatment room; a fully equipped fitness center with over 2,000 square feet of space; and a 90-yard indoor track turf.

Those features, plus the accessibility to on-site hotels and restaurants, as well as nearby Saddlebrook Resort, were other selling factors for the Lightning and other franchises, officials said.

Each prospect team featured a couple players who’ll likely see time in the NHL this year, which only added to the event’s allure.

Twenty-year-old Panthers goalie Spencer Knight fit that description.

Last year, Knight became the first goaltender to ever have played both in the Stanley Cup playoffs and NCAA (at Boston College) in the same season.

Meantime, Lightning fans received a glimpse of the franchise’s wave of younger talent over the course of the four-day competition.

The Lightning’s 24-man prospect squad finished the tournament as the only team with a perfect 3-0 record. They never trailed in any of their three tournament wins against the Hurricanes, Panthers and Predators.

Zephyrhills football volunteers receive permanent honor
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 stadium announcer, and Ryman operating the clock and scoreboard.

In many ways, the friendly pair were synonymous with Zephyrhills High athletics.

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 pregame ceremony. (File)

Because of those varied efforts, the Zephyrhills High press box at Tom Fisher Field in Bulldog Stadium officially was named the First-Ryman Press Box — during a pregame ceremony in October.

The press box 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, as a show of gratitude.

Year in and year out, First and Ryman 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.

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.

As a part of the action for so long, First and Ryman were in on many highs, some lows and countless unforgettable occurrences. “There’s so many memories over the years that you really could write a book,” First told The Laker/Lutz News.

The two men relinquished their press box volunteering duties this season, after serving for some four decades.

Their press box presence may be gone, but it won’t soon be forgotten.

Freedom High swimmer wins state title
Local athletes and teams performed well at the 2021 FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Swimming and Diving Championships.

But it was Freedom High senior Michelle Morgan who registered the best individual showing among all area swimmers.

The Division I University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill verbal commit took gold in the 3A 200-yard individual medley, clocking 2:01.06 to finish ahead of Gainesville High senior Katherine Sammy (2:01.90).

Morgan also won the event last year, posting a 2:00.92.

The Freedom High swimmer collected additional individual hardware in 2021, taking silver in the 3A 500-yard freestyle.

Her time of 4:53.78 trailed only Chiles High senior Stella Watts, who swam in 4:46.86 in the event.

Morgan also was a leg on the Patriots’ medal-earning 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relay teams, which finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Other Freedom relay members were seniors Carly Joerin and Alexa Valdez Velez, and freshman Alex LaBohn.

Altogether, Morgan helped pace Freedom to arguably its best showing in program history. The girls squad finished fifth at states, won its first-ever regional title, and also claimed district and conference crowns.

“We had a phenomenal season,” Freedom head swim coach John Olewski wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News. “Assistant Coach Catherine Wright and I are so proud of the Freedom swimmers and divers. The administration, faculty, staff and students of Freedom High School applaud the Freedom Swim & Dive team members and join them in celebrating their many successes this season.”

Lutz native Kevin Cash claims second-straight manager award
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash — a Lutz native and Gaither High product —  became the first American League (AL) manager to win Manager of the Year twice in a row, announced by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) in November.

The Freedom High School girls swimming and diving team finished in fifth place at the 3A state championships last month in Stuart. The squad collected seven medals, including the 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay. From left: freshman Alex LaBohn, senior Carly Joerin, senior Michelle Morgan and senior Alexa Valdez Velez. (File)

Also, Cash is only the second manager to win such a BBWAA Manager of the Year Award in back-to-back seasons — joining Bobby Cox, who did so with the National League’s Atlanta Braves in 2004 and 2005.

Cash was recognized for steering the Rays to a franchise-best 100-62 regular season mark in 2021. (However, the Rays playoff dreams ended sooner than expected, losing to the Red Sox in four games in the AL Division Series in October).

He did so under weighty circumstances, with one of the sport’s lowest payrolls, a bevy of injuries (33 different players being placed on the injured list) and a competitive division that featured three other teams that won 90-plus games (Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays).

Besides wins and losses, Cash receives high marks for his ever-changing batting orders, unconventional pitching usage, and ability to maintain a positive culture in the team clubhouse.

Locally, Cash grew up in the Valley Ranch Drive neighborhood across from Lake Park in Lutz, along North Dale Mabry Highway.

His baseball notoriety began as a young boy.

Some three-plus decades ago, he was a 12-year-old second baseman on the 1989 Northside Little League team that reached the 43rd Little League World Series.

He later would star at Gaither High and Florida State University through the mid- and late- 1990s before enjoying an eight-year MLB career as a journeyman catcher.

Published January 05, 2022

2021 offered special moments in local sports (Part One)

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This past year levied countless memories in the local sports scene — from shattered records and career achievements for individuals and teams, to several major events and showcases in the area.

Here is a look back at some of the moments in sports in 2021, from across Pasco and Hillsborough counties, in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

(This is Part One of a two-part series.)

Land O’ Lakes Little League celebrates 50th anniversary
The start of each Little League season often elicits a heightened level of nostalgia.

Alissa Canter, vice president Land O’ Lakes Little League, holds the 50th Anniversary charter with director, Gary Gwinn. (File)

With spring in the air, youth of all ages and skills partake in America’s favorite pastime, testing their mettle on the mound, at the plate and in the field.

For Land O’ Lakes Little League, this year’s Opening Day festivities took on added significance: The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary on Feb. 27, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, off Collier Parkway.

The organization actually formed back in 1967 at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center (now Heritage Park) off U.S. 41, but it didn’t receive its first Little League charter until 1971.

The local league has come a long way since its initial startup — boasting upwards of 800 boys and girls, ages 4 to 16, playing baseball and softball across 10 fields.

The large ballfield took center stage in the league’s season-opening event.

Teams from all age divisions were spread across the infield and outfield, signaling the league’s staying power and sustained growth.

First pitches were accurately thrown from veteran baseball players, as well softball Little League players.

Local players sang the national anthem and read the league pledge.

There was the unveiling, too, of a framed 50th anniversary “golden ticket” issued and signed by the Little League International Headquarters, which is based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The beauty of the organization is it’s a recreational format.

It welcomes the novice player that may never make an all-star team or play high school ball, to others who have the potential to earn college scholarships and maybe play professionally someday.

“I think every kid should play Little League,” Land O’ Lakes Little League President Gary Gwinn told The Laker/Lutz News.

NBA hopefuls showcase hoops skills in Wesley Chapel
Pasco County and the greater Tampa Bay region isn’t really known for its basketball prowess, but that reputation, or lack thereof, may soon change.

Pursuing dreams of playing professional basketball, a large group of athletes dropped by Wesley Chapel, of all places.

Six-foot-11-inch Nate Reuvers, from the University of Wisconsin, takes a few practice shots prior to the start of the 3-point and slam dunk competitions held during the Tampa Bay Pro Combine. Some 50 players from throughout the country converged in Wesley Chapel for the basketball event. (File)

In early June, some 50 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft-eligible hopefuls descended upon the area to showcase their athleticism and hoops skills in the inaugural Tampa Bay Pro Combine (TBPC), at the AdventHealth Sports Arena at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County.

The elite-level hoopers — many from recognizable high and mid-major NCAA Division I programs — dribbled, dunked, jumped, shot and passed their way into the eyes and impressions of various NBA and international coaches and scouts.

Several names may be familiar from deep runs in the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tournament, such as University of Southern California guard Tahj Eaddy, University of Houston forward Justin Gorham, and University of Loyola-Chicago center Cameron Krutwig, among others.

The three-day event featured drills, games (5-on-5, 2-on-2 and 3-on-3), athletic testing and measurements, as well as a 3-point shootout, dunk contest and more.

The player selection committee was led by ESPN television analyst Fran Fraschilla and BasketballNews.com NBA Draft analyst Matt Babcock, who were there to evaluate players during the weekend.

The competition came together in a matter of about six weeks, seeking to replicate the Virginia-based Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a long-running hoops combine event canceled a second-straight year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quade Green was the leading scorer at the University of Washington this past season, at 15.4 points per game.

Like others, it was his first time stepping into the Wiregrass Sports Campus.

He came away impressed with the state-of-the-art digs.

“This is a beautiful gym,” Green said, in an interview with The Laker/Lutz News. “Lot of great players here, great people around you, too. They’ve got connections. Life connections, too, for the long run.”

Zephyrhills runner competes in U.S. Olympic trials
Evan Miller’s sprint for a spot on Team USA for the Tokyo Summer Olympics may have come up short — but it was still an experience most athletes can only ever dream about.

The Zephyrhills athlete on June 25 competed in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials at the legendary Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Miller — then a rising senior at University of South Carolina — clocked 21.04 seconds in the first-round heat of the men’s 200-meter dash, finishing 23rd overall.

Evan Miller (File)

He competed in the same heat against other widely known professional sprinters, including Terrance Laird and Jaron Flourney, among others.

The competition was televised live nationally on NBC Sports Network.

Miller’s trials mark was a shade off his personal best of 20.50 seconds — which he recorded at the Weems Baskin Relays hosted on-campus at South Carolina in late March; he wound up earning second-team NCAA All-American honors during the season, too.

Miller was one of about 30 sprinters nationwide who either qualified or accepted an invitation, and declared for the men’s 200-meter trials event.

From there, the top three men’s 200-meter finishers at trials earned spots on the U.S. Olympic team — Noah Lyles (first, 19.74 seconds), Kenny Bednarek (second, 19.78) and Erriyon Knighton (third, 19.84).

While disappointed with his own trials output overall, Miller relished the opportunity so very few earn — let alone coming off a 2020 track season hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All around, it was a really good experience,” Miller told The Laker/Lutz Newspaper. “It was kind of surreal that I was there with the top athletes in the country. It was just a really good feeling. I was kind of trying to take it all in, but I also couldn’t like believe it at the same time.”

Before college, Miller had made a name for himself as a sprinter at Zephyrhills Christian Academy.

His senior year, he won the Class 1A individual crown 100-meter dash (10.75) at the 2018 FHSAA State Track & Field Championships. He also was a leg of the school’s 4×100 relay team that won back-to-back state crowns in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Locals athletes taken in 2021 MLB Draft
It’s not uncommon for at least a few ballplayers from area high schools and colleges to be taken in the Major League Baseball (MLB) first-year player draft.

The year 2012 was no different, as five local athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were taken in the nationally televised draft, which spanned 20 rounds (and 612) picks from July 11 through July 13:

  • Sunlake High/University of Florida pitcher Tommy Mace (Cleveland Indians/Guardians, Comp B, 69th overall)
  • Wharton High shortstop Zach Ehrhard (Boston Red Sox, 13th round, 376th overall)
  • Gaither High shortstop A.J. Graham (Pittsburgh Pirates, 18th round, 523rd overall)
  • Saint Leo University left-handed pitcher Jimmy Burnette (Toronto Blue Jays, 18th round, 543rd overall)
  • Gaither High/University of Texas third baseman Cam Williams (Kansas City Royals, 19th round, 559th overall)
Sunlake High/University of Florida product Tommy Mace was selected 69th overall by the Cleveland Indians (now named Guardians) in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft. (File)

Every player, except for Ehrhard opted to sign with their drafted team, for various dollar figures.

Mace — the highest selection from the local community — inked with the Indians (now Guardians) for a $1.1 million signing bonus; Graham signed with the Pirates for $125,000; Burnette signed with Blue Jays for $50,000; and, Williams signed with the Royals for $25,000.

Ehrhard, meanwhile, will play collegiate baseball at NCAA Division I Oklahoma State University, majoring in applied exercise science with a focus on strength and conditioning. He was this year’s recipient of the 2021 Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award, which honors a high school baseball player in Hillsborough County on the basis of outstanding athletic, scholastic and community achievements.

(While slightly outside our coverage area in west Pasco County, Fivay High/University of Mississippi product Gunnar Hoglund went in the first round (19th overall) to the Blue Jays. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander from Hudson ultimately signed with the team for just under $3.25 million.)

National champion returns home to teach aspiring players
Land O’ Lakes native Shannon Saile was a part of history — guiding the University of Oklahoma women’s softball team to the 2021 NCAA Division I national title, serving as one of its top senior pitchers.

With her decorated athletic career in tow, Saile’s next major task was organizing a series of fastpitch softball clinics to train the next generation of youth standouts.

Shannon Saile, left, a national champion softball pitcher for the Oklahoma Sooners, explains the fundamentals of the fast pitch to 11-year-old Laila McClelland, center, of Odessa. (File)

To do that, the 23-year-old returned to her central Pasco hometown and set foot on the same park ballfields that forged a pathway for myriad athletic accomplishments.

The upstart Shannon Saile Pitching Clinic was held on July 25 at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, home to Land O’ Lakes Little League.

About 30 girls — ages 8 to 15 — took part on a steamy Sunday, eager to take in guidance from Saile and other widely known pitching instructors and volunteers.

With Saile’s tutelage, young campers sharpened their fastballs and secondary offerings like changeups, through arm path mechanics and leg drive techniques, as well as various speed, agility and balance drills.

“I just hope that I can teach them the foundation of pitching, because it’s much more important than just getting out there and throwing pitches,” Saile explained to The Laker/Lutz News. “The drills are super important, because they help me grow my strength and my confidence in my pitches.”

Besides learning newfound softball techniques, campers also had an opportunity to get signed autographs and take pictures with Saile, who’s become a household name in the sports world. She was invited to ESPN’s nationally televised 2021 ESPY Awards, for being part of one of the best moments from the year in sports.

Saile goes down as one of the most accomplished — if not most accomplished — fastpitch softball players to ever come out of Land O’ Lakes High School and the greater Tampa Bay area.

As a Gator, she amassed 517 strikeouts and a career 1.76 ERA in four varsity seasons from 2013 to 2016, also compiling a combined 41 wins, 31 complete games, 11 shutouts and five no-hitters.

The advancement to the college ranks likewise went swimmingly for the 5-foot-7 right-hander.

Saile began her Division I softball career at Florida International University, finding immediate success with a pair of sub-2.00 ERA seasons in the circle, before transferring to Oklahoma.

As a redshirt senior this past season, Saile posted an impressive 1.70 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while being second on the team in wins (17), innings pitched (100.1), complete games (six), and strikeouts (132).

Published December 29, 2021

Local swimmers make waves at state championships

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Local athletes and teams performed well at the 2021 FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Swimming and Diving Championships, held last month at the Sailfish Splashpark Aquatics Athletics Center, in Stuart.

The Freedom High School girls swimming and diving team finished in fifth place at the 3A state championships last month in Stuart. The squad collected seven medals, including the 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay. From left, freshman Alex LaBohn, senior Carly Joerin, senior Michelle Morgan and senior Alexa Valdez Velez. (Courtesy of John Olewski)

Eleven local schools were represented across the four classifications —  Academy at the Lakes (Class 1A), Carrollwood Day School (1A), Cypress Creek High (2A), Wesley Chapel High (2A), Freedom High (3A), Gaither High (3A), Land O’ Lakes High (3A), Sunlake High (3A), Wharton High (3A), Wiregrass Ranch High (3A) and Steinbrenner High (4A).

Two of these programs registered top-10 finishes — the Freedom Patriots girls team finished fifth among the 46 schools competing in 3A, while the Sunlake Seahawks girls team finished eighth in the same classification.

Other noteworthy team showings came on the boys side in 3A — with Freedom notching a 14th place finish and Wiregrass Ranch a 15th place finish, out of 46 schools, respectively.

Freedom had a banner season — its boys and girls squads each won regional titles for the first time in school history — under the guidance of coaches John Olewski and Catherine Wright.

The Steinbrenner High School swimming and diving team was well-represented at this year’s state championships in Stuart. (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High School athletics department)

The squads claimed district and conference titles during the season, too.

“We had a phenomenal season,” Olewski wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News. “Assistant Coach Catherine Wright and I are so proud of the Freedom swimmers and divers. The administration, faculty, staff, and students of Freedom High School applaud the Freedom Swim & Dive team members and join them in celebrating their many successes this season.”

Freedom senior Michelle Morgan — a Division I University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill commit —  registered the best individual showing among all area swimmers.

Morgan is a familiar name, for those who follow swimming.

She was one of the state’s top distance swimmers for years and she qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympics Trials in the 400-meter individual medley.

Carrollwood Day School sophomore Adele Sands finished third in the Class 1A 100-yard freestyle (51:50) and fourth in the 1A 200-yard freestyle (1:50.59). (Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School athletics department)

At states, Morgan took gold in the 3A 200-yard individual medley, clocking 2:01.06 to finish ahead of Gainesville High senior Katherine Sammy (2:01.90).

She also won the event last year, posting a 2:00.92.

For reference, the state record in the girls 200-yard individual medley is 1:57.07 set in 2009 by then Countryside High’s Melanie Margalis, who went on become an Olympic relay gold medalist for the U.S. National Team.

Morgan collected more hardware, taking silver in the 3A 500-yard freestyle.

Her time of 4:53.78 trailed only Chiles High senior Stella Watts, who swam in 4:46.86.

She also was a leg on the Patriots’ medal-earning 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relay teams, which finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Other Freedom relay members were seniors Carly Joerin and Alexa Valdez Velez, and freshman Alex LaBohn.

Joerin — a Division I Dartmouth College commit — likewise notched robust individual medalist performances, taking fourth in the 500-yard freestyle (5:00.03) and fifth in the 200-yard individual medley (2:08.56).

The Sunlake High School swimming and diving team earned five individual and relay medals at the state meet. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School athletics department)

Also in 3A, the Sunlake girls tallied five medals (or top-eight finishes).

The Seahawks best showing was the 400-yard freestyle relay, which finished in sixth place with a 3:42.12. The squad consisted of seniors Lillian Hilt, Amber Ewald and Leah Fonnotto, and junior Madison Houck.

Carrollwood Day sophomore Adele Sands was another area standout, in the small-school 1A competition. She took third in the 1A 100-yard freestyle (51:50) and fourth in the 1A 200-yard freestyle.

In the boys’ end of the pool, the highest individual finish came from Gaither freshman Aidan Levine, who took sixth in the 3A 100-yard backstroke (52.85).

Levine also was a leg on Gaither’s 3A 200-meter freestyle relay, which finished 16th (1:33.11).

The next best showing was Wiregrass Ranch senior Noah Porter, who earned seventh in the 3A 100-yard freestyle (48.11).

He also took 11th in the 200-yard individual medley (1:59.12) and was a leg on the team’s 200-yard medley relay (ninth, 1:40.98) and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:21.40).

Altogether, local boys and girls individual and relay teams combined to register 16 medals (top-eight finishes).

Also noteworthy: The girls state 50-yard free record (22.22) set last year by former Steinbrenner High swimmer Lexi Mulvihill remained intact.

The closest to that mark came in the 1A meet, when South Florida HEAT (Home Educated Athletic Teams) sophomore Erika Pelaez posted a 22.29 — .07 behind the record.

Mulvihill is now a freshman scholarship swimmer for Auburn University.

Results among locals at the state meet:

4A Boys
Steinbrenner (tied 41st place, out of 47 schools)

Events:
50-yard freestyle: Gavin Peck, sophomore (disqualified, false start)
100-yard freestyle: Gavin Peck, sophomore (10th, 47.18)

4A Girls
Steinbrenner (22nd place, out of 43 schools)

Events:
200-yard individual medley: Kayla Daley, junior (16th, 2:11.26)
100-yard butterfly: Kayla Daley, junior (14th, 57.69)
100-yard freestyle: Gavriela Daniels, sophomore (15th, 52.96)
200-yard freestyle relay: Charlotte MacGregor, sophomore; Kayla Daley, junior; Gavriela Daniels, sophomore; Abigail Greene, senior (ninth, 1:38.36)

3A Boys
Freedom (14th place, out of 46 schools)

Events:
200-yard medley relay: Martin Ferrebee, junior; Anthony Murashkin, freshman; Gregory Murashkin, freshman; Sean Thatavakorn, freshman (10th, 1:41.27)
200-yard freesyle: Martin Ferrebee, junior (14th, 1:45.62)
200-yard individual medley: Sean Thatavakorn, freshman (15th, 2:00.69)
100-yard freestyle: Sean Thatavakorn, freshman (12th, 48.82)
500-yard freestyle: Martin Ferrebee, junior (10th, 4:41.90)
100-yard breaststroke: Anthony Murashkin, freshman (15th, 1:02.02)
400-yard freestyle relay: Martin Ferrebee junior; Ethan Udagawa, junior; Brandon Thatavakorn, freshman, Sean Thatavakorn, freshman (11th, 3:19.90)

Wiregrass Ranch (15th)
Events:
200-yard medley relay: Parker Munari, senior; Noah Porter, senior; Robert Childers, senior; Kevin Chen, senior (ninth, 1:40.98)
200-yard individual medley: Noah Porter, senior (11th, 1:59.12)
100-yard freestyle: Noah Porter, senior (seventh, 48.11)
400-yard freestyle: Kevin Chen, senior; Robert Childers, senior; Parker Munari, senior; Noah Porter, senior (13th, 3:21.40)

Gaither (tied 31st)
Events:
200-yard freestyle relay: Aidan Levine, freshman; William Acero Clark, senior; Anibal Utrera, senior; Zachary Cannon, senior (16th, 1:33.11)
100-yard backstroke: Aidan Levine, freshman (sixth, 52.85)

Sunlake (tied 31st)
Events:
200-yard freestyle relay: Tien Duong, junior; Jackson Houck, junior; Connor Canfield, sophomore; Alex Thai, junior (13th, 1:32.37)
100-yard breaststroke: Alex Thai, junior (10th, 1:01.04)

Land O’ Lakes (40th)
100-yard butterfly: Michael McCloskey, junior (ninth, 51.83)

3A Girls
Freedom (Fifth, out of 46 schools)
Events:
200-yard medley relay: Michelle Morgan, senior; Alex LaBohn, freshman; Carly Joerin, senior; Alexa Valdez Velez, senior (fourth, 1:49.36)
200-yard individual medley: Michelle Morgan, senior (first, 2:01.51); Carly Joerin, senior (fifth, 2:08.56)
500-yard freestyle: Michelle Morgan, senior (second, 4:53.78); Carly Joerin, senior (fourth, 5:00.03)
200-yard freestyle relay: Carly Joerin, senior; Alexa Valdez Velez, senior; Alex LaBohn, freshman Michelle Morgan, senior (fifth, 1:39.58)
100-yard breaststroke: Alex LaBohn (15th, 1:09.10)

Sunlake (Eighth)
Events:
200-yard medley relay: Amber Ewald, senior; Lillian Hilt, senior; Piyarmard Edwards, sophomore; Madison Houck, junior (seventh, 1:51.26)
200-yard individual medley: Lillian Hilt, senior (seventh, 2:10.31)
50-yard freestyle: Madison Houck, junior (14th, 24.81)
500-yard freestyle: Leah Fonnotto, senior (16th, 5:22.77)
100-yard backstroke: Madison Houck, junior (seventh, 58.77); Lillian Hilt, senior (eighth, 59.57); Amber Ewald, senior (10th, 58.93)
400-yard freestyle relay: Lillian Hilt, senior; Amber Ewald, senior; Leah Fonnotto, senior; Madison Houck, junior (sixth, 3:42.12)

Wiregrass Ranch (28th)
Events:
50-yard freestyle: Maryam Khalil, senior (tied 11th, 24.60)
100-yard breaststroke: Maryam Khalil, senior (seventh, 1:07)

Wharton (37th)
Events:
100-yard breaststroke: Lauren Blevins, sophomore (12th, 1;07.41)

Land O’ Lakes (No points)
Diving: Lillianna Diberadinis, sophomore (20th, 223.55)

Class 2A Boys
No local schools or individual placed finishers

Class 2A Girls
Cypress Creek (No place)
Events:
1-meter diving Isabelle Le-Nguyen (17th, 204.80)

Wesley Chapel (No place)
Events:
1-meter diving: Jessica Roehrig, junior (21st, 126.40)

1A Boys
Academy at the Lakes (34th, out of 38 schools)
Events:
50-yard freestyle: Nathaniel Smith, sophomore (15th, 22.02)
100-yard freestyle: Nathaniel Smith, sophomore (13th, 23.11)

1A Girls
Carrollwood Day School (18th, out of 44 schools)
Events:
200-yard freestyle: Adele Sands, sophomore (fourth, 1:50.59)
100-yard freestyle: Adele Sands, sophomore (third, 51.50)

Published December 01, 2021

Local prep athletes shined during 2021 spring sports season

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As the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out most, if not all, of last year’s high school spring sports season, these local athletes and teams made up for lost time in 2021.

Here’s a closer look at some of the more notable moments from the recent prep spring sports season within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area — games, events and achievements that couldn’t be celebrated in spring 2020.

Pasco tennis standout secures second state title
If not for the coronavirus outbreak last spring, Pasco High varsity boys’ tennis standout Logan Haga very well could’ve been a three-time state champion.

Pasco High tennis standout Logan Haga, a multi-time state champion (File)

Two will have to do though, when he won the 2021 Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) 3A individual singles state title, downing St. Petersburg High sophomore Peter Keber in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs in late April.

He also defeated Pines Charter’s Sumedh Edavalluri in the finals (6-1, 6-2), Viera’s Leo Da Silva in the semifinals (6-3, 6-2) and Matanzas’ Ilya Korolev in the quarterfinals (6-0, 3-6, 11-9).

Haga also won the 3A individual singles crown as a sophomore in 2019, when he beat Venice’s Benjamin Zipay in the championship draw.

The local tennis star next will be competing at Division I Jacksonville University, in Alabama.

He’s set to join a diverse Jacksonville roster, with new teammates hailing from California, Japan, Italy, England, Ecuador and Slovenia, among other locales.

Haga is a four-star recruit by Tennis Recruiting Network, ranked as the state’s No. 25 prospect and No. 139 nationally.

He’s certainly left his mark at a program not really known as a tennis powerhouse like Wiregrass Ranch or private sports academy like Saddlebrook Prep. He trains regularly at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center.

Land O’ Lakes’ softball finishes state-runner up
After playing in only 11 games during the 2020 pandemic-shortened season, the Land O’ Lakes High varsity girls softball program made up for lost time this year.

The Land O’ Lakes varsity girls softball team finished runner-up at the FHSAA Class 5A state championship. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High School Athletics)

They finished the 2021 season with a 24-8 mark and earned state runner-up honors after losing 7-6 to Fort Myers High in the Class 5A state championship in Clermont on May 21.

Their run through the state playoffs was impressive, downing Seminole (8-0 win), River Ridge (3-1 win), Palmetto (6-3 win) and Pace (5-4 win) high schools, up until the loss in the title game. The championship game defeat came in excruciating variety, having lead by 3-0 in the top of the first inning, held a 4-3 lead in the fourth and a 6-3 lead in the sixth, until a combination of walks and errors did them in.

Other area teams should beware in the years to come — most of the Gators top contributors are returning next year and beyond, including freshman ace Mia Fields (1.97 ERA, 67 strikeouts and 12 complete games in 96 innings).

The program, led by head coach Mitch Wilkins, has been a powerhouse for some time, also winning a state title in 2017.

Area athletes collect state track and field hardware
Like all other spring sports during 2020, track and field athletes didn’t get an opportunity to showcase their abilities against Florida’s best as competitions abruptly shut down in mid-March last season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Land O’ Lakes High field athlete Issac Tavo won state titles in the discus and shotput events, in the Class 3A championships. (File)

But local performers and schools made up for lost time during the 2021 Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) state track and field championships, at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville.

More than two dozen boy and girl athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area ran, jumped and tossed their way to podium honors, or top-eight finishes, across all classifications at the state meet on May 7 and May 8. (Several others earned top-16 overall finishes in the finals, as well.)

The performances included a handful of individual and relay gold medalists.

Land O’ Lakes senior Isaac Tavo showed his pure strength, taking first-place crowns in both the 3A boys shot put (57-7) and discus (154-0). Tavo bested Tallahassee Rickards sophomore La’Darion Dudley in the shot put (55-1.5) and Milton senior Dominic Lucas in the shot put (151-5), respectively.

Gaither senior Elizabeth Lydon claimed first in the 3A girls pole vault, clearing 11-9.75, narrowly edging Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy sophomore Sydney Nicholson, who cleared the same height but lost on fewer misses.

Sunlake senior Daniella Vance earned top crown in the 3A girls javelin, tossing 119-6, to beat the event’s second-place finisher, Harmony junior Thora Gaston (117-11).

Local schools that earned points in the state meet for their respective classification included Bishop McLaughlin, Carrollwood Day, Cypress Creek, Gaither, Land O’ Lakes, Steinbrenner, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wharton, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

Steinbrenner runner named Academic All-State
Steinbrenner High School senior distance runner Zachary Harrigan in April was named to the 27th annual Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team — a recognition program presented by the FHSAA that honors 24 graduating student-athletes (12 boys, 12 girls) who excel in both athletics and academics.

Steinbrenner distance runner Zachary Harrigan (File)

As part of the designation, Harrigan receives a $1,700 scholarship and commemorative medallion.

Harrigan owned a 4.0 GPA and finished top of his class. He lettered in cross-country and track all four years of high school, and was a member of Steinbrenner’s 2019 FHSAA cross-country state championship team. He also was a 2018 state qualifier in track and field.

Off the course and out of the classroom, Harrigan earned more than 225 community service hours working with the Humane Society, Idlewild Baptist Church and Feeding Tampa Bay. He plans on studying pre-medicine at Auburn University in Alabama this fall.

To be eligible for Academic All-State, students must be a graduating senior with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA, and must have earned a minimum of two varsity letters in at least two different sports during their junior and senior year.

Just three other Tampa Bay area student-athletes were bestowed the honor — Plant High’s Brooks Bak and Hartley Hill, and Clearwater Central Catholic’s Kasey Singer.

Spring football returns
Last year’s prep spring football season in Florida was over before it ever got started, when the FHSAA then in late April officially announced the cancellation of all affiliated sports for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.

The Cypress Creek High varsity football team looked to take advantage of the return of the spring football practice season. (Courtesy of Cypress Creek High School Athletics)

Normalcy returned in 2021 — with gridiron followers again having the chance to see the development of area players and teams, some with new coaches, transfers and different classifications.

Florida high schools were allowed a maximum of 20 practice sessions from April 26 through May, according to FHSAA guidelines.

The first allowable day for full-contact tackling was May 1. Spring games and jamborees were played throughout late May.

The additional practice period provides players an opportunity to have a routine to add strength and conditioning in the weight room, as well as speed, agility, tackling and game strategy drills, under coaches’ supervision.

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

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

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

Pasco All-Star Game back on the diamond
The annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Pasco County All-Star Baseball/Softball Game brings together the best senior players, from every school, to compete in one last game for bragging rights between the county’s east and west sides.

The fourth annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Pasco County Senior All-Star Baseball/Softball Game returned to Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School. (File)

It returned this year after being canceled in 2020, due to the coronavirus crisis.

Dozens of baseball and softball players were selected for the event, representing the following schools: Academy at the Lakes, Anclote, Bishop McLaughlin, Cypress Creek, Gulf, Fivay, Hudson, Mitchell, Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, River Ridge, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

The May 22 games were played simultaneously on adjacent baseball and softball fields at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, in Spring Hill.

The West All-Stars reigned supreme over the East All-Stars in both contests, winning 10-0 in softball and 11-8 in baseball in extra innings.

While winning was important, to players and coaches alike, the showcase was more about capping four years of high school and relishing the prep ballfields one final time with families, friends and teammates, in a relaxed setting.

Rosters were finalized midway through the regular season, where all-star baseball and softball coaches deliberated the best collection of players through a draft format, taking into account offense, defense, and pitching metrics, among other factors.

The all-star event also included an awards dinner banquet the night before, as well as a couple tranquil meetings and practices in the week leading up. The activities led to lasting memories and positive vibes for all involved.

Published June 30, 2021

Locals shine at state track championships

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The Sunlake track and field program had several representatives and put forth a strong showing at the 3A state championships in Jacksonville. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School Athletics)

Like all other spring sports during 2020, track and field athletes didn’t get an opportunity to showcase their abilities against Florida’s best as competitions abruptly shut down in mid-March last season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

But, local performers and schools made up for lost time during the 2021 Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) state track and field championships, at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville.

More than two dozen boy and girl athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area ran, jumped and tossed their way to podium honors, or top-eight finishes, across all classifications at the state meet, on May 7 and May 8. (Several others earned top 16 overall finishes in the finals, as well.)

Land O’ Lakes senior Isaac Tavo earned a pair of individual state titles in the 3A boys discus and shot put. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High School Athletics)

The performances included a handful of individual and relay gold medalists.

Land O’ Lakes senior Isaac Tavo showed his pure strength, taking first-place crowns in both the 3A boys shot put (57-7) and discus (154-0). Tavo bested Tallahassee Rickards sophomore La’Darion Dudley in the shot put (55-1.5) and Milton senior Dominic Lucas in the shot put (151-5), respectively.

Gaither senior Elizabeth Lydon claimed first in the 3A girls pole vault, clearing 11-9.75, narrowly edging Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy sophomore Sydney Nicholson, who cleared the same height but lost on fewer misses.

Sunlake senior Daniella Vance earned top crown in the 3A girls javelin, tossing 119-6, to beat the event’s second-place finisher, Harmony junior Thora Gaston (117-11).

Gaither senior Elizabeth Lydon won gold in the 3A girls pole vault, clearing 11-9.75. (Courtesy of Gaither High School Athletics)

Land O’ Lakes resident Elli Black — a seventh grade home-school student who competes for Tampa Cambridge Christian School — anchored her school’s 4×800 relay team that took first in the 1A event, clocking 9:26.12. Others on the winning relay squad included juniors Caroline Lehman, Moriah Friedman and Mary Ellen Eudaly.

Black also took silver in the 1A 1,600-meter run, posting 5:01.75. She was second to the older Eudaly, who timed 4:52.93.

There were other notable showings throughout the meet, including several athletes making multiple podium appearances throughout the competition.

Carrollwood Day junior Camila Garanton claimed silver in the 1A 300 hurdles, clocking 44.63. (Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School Athletics)

Wharton junior Brooke Reif established herself as one of the state’s top distance runners, taking third place in both the 4A girls 1,600 (4:57.58) and 3,200 (10:49.47).

Zephyrhills junior Maguire Neal took sixth in the 3A boys 300 hurdles (39.09) and anchored the Bulldogs seventh-place 4×100 relay team, which also featured juniors Willie Queen and Timothy Jackson, and senior Clayton Cornelius, together clocking 42.39.

Sunlake senior Cade Whitfield went fifth in the Class 3A boys 800-meter run (1:56.52) and paced the Seahawks’ third-place 4×800-meter relay, which also featured sophomore Alex Pena and juniors Cason Meyer and Colby Robbins, together timing 8:00.34.

Bishop McLaughlin junior Dontrevius Jackson positioned himself as one of the state’s best small-school sprinters, placing fourth in the 1A 200-meter dash (22.19) and fifth in the 100-meter (10.83).

Others went home with exclusive hardware, too.

Land O’ Lakes resident Elli Black competes on Tampa Cambridge Christian School’s varsity girls track and field team. The seventh-grader took silver in the 1A 1,600 meter run (5:01.75) and was a leg on the gold medalist 4×800 team (9:26.12). (File)

Cypress Creek senior Carlos Lacosta took bronze in the 2A boys discus (143-9), finishing behind Boynton Beach Somerset Canyon senior Tremain Robinson (153-0) and Sarasota Cardinal Mooney senior Max Middleton (150-9).

Carrollwood Day junior Camila Garanton took silver in the 1A 300 hurdles (44.63), narrowly behind Naples Community School senior Loren Brown (44.45)

Local schools that earned points in the state meet for their respective classification included Bishop McLaughlin, Carrollwood Day, Cypress Creek, Gaither, Land O’ Lakes, Steinbrenner, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wharton, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.
The Land O’ Lakes boys tied for eighth place in 3A, tops among all local teams. Next best among area schools was the Wharton girls, who tied for 14th place in the 4A meet.

Class 4A
Boys-Teams
Wharton (Four points, tied-45th)
Steinbrenner (2.5 points, tied-56th)

100 — Tavis Wilson, Wharton, senior (ninth place, 11.07)
1,600 — Jared Hammill, Wharton, senior (fifth, 4:16.97)
High jump — Justin Boyles, Steinbrenner, senior (sixth, 6-3.5)
Pole vault —Illya Jackson, Wharton, senior (11th, 12-9.5)

Girls-Teams
Wharton (12 points, tied-14th)
Steinbrenner (Four points, tied-33rd)

400 — Serenity Brazell, Wharton, sophomore (11th place, 58.32)
1,600 — Brooke Reif, Wharton, junior (third, 4:57.58); Jacquelyn Abanses, Steinbrenner, senior (seventh, 5:03.59)
3,200 — Brooke Reif, Wharton, junior (third, 10:49.47); Jacquelyn Abanses, Steinbrenner, senior (seventh, 10:58.93)
110 hurdles —Kat Fleming, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (ninth, 15.13)
300 hurdles — Kat Fleming, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (ninth, 45.07)
4×800 relay — Wharton: Brazell, sophomore; Alexandria Frye, junior; Olivia Hammill, sophomore; Brooke Reif, junior (10th, 9:37.38)

Class 3A
Boys-Teams
Land O’ Lakes (22 points, tied-eighth)
Sunlake (10 points, tied-19th)
Zephyrhills (Five points, tied-39th)

100 — Maguire Neal, Zephyrhills, junior (12th place, 10.86)
200 — Jacoreyus Demps, Gaither, junior (15th, 22.77)
400 — Jaylon Gardiner, Gaither, senior (10th, 49.98)
800 — Cade Whitfield, Sunlake, senior (fifth, 1:56.52)
3,200 — Colby Robbins, Sunlake, junior (ninth, 9:33.47); Cason Meyer, Sunlake, junior (15th, 10:01.66)
110 hurdles — Maguire Neal, Zephyrhills, junior (16th, 29.83)
300 hurdles — Maguire Neal, Zephyrhills, junior (sixth, 39.09)
4×100 relay — Zephyrhills: Willie Queen, junior; Timothy Jackson, junior; Clayton Cornelius, senior; Maguire Neal, junior (seventh, 42.39)
4×400 relay — Gaither: Jacoreyus Demps, junior; Jacob Choe, senior; Tyler Summers, junior; Jaylon Gardiner, senior (14th 3:26.47)
4×800 relay — Sunlake: Cade Whitfield, senior; Alex Pena, sophomore; Cason Meyer, junior; Colby Robbins, junior (third, 8:00.34)
Triple jump — Mychael Tucker, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore (seventh, 45-3.75); Darrien Smith, Pasco, junior (14th, 41-3.75)
Shot put — Isaac Tavo, Land O’ Lakes, senior (first, 57-7); Aidan Marsh, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore (10th, 49-6.25)
Discus — Isaac Tavo, Land O’ Lakes, senior (first, 154-0)

Girls-Teams
Gaither (10 points, tied-20th)
Sunlake (10 points, tied-20th)

4×800 relay — Sunlake: Caitlyn Culpepper, junior; Shelby Viseur, junior; Ashley Spires, senior; Cathryne Newport, senior (12th, 10:16.80)
High jump — Maya Llanes, Zephyrhills, junior (15th, 4-9.75)
Pole vault — Elizabeth Lydon, Gaither, senior (first, 11-9.75); Lizzie Epps, Sunlake, junior (11th, 9-10)
Javelin — Daniella Vance, Sunlake, senior (first, 119-6)

Class 2A
Boys-Teams
Cypress Creek (Six points, tied-33rd)
Wesley Chapel (Three points, tied-48th)

100 — Davian Worrels, Wesley Chapel, senior (12th place, 10.86)
400 — Davian Worrels, Wesley Chapel, senior (eighth, 49.63)
1,600 — John Rowsell, Cypress Creek, senior (10th, 4:27.69)
High jump — Isaiah Burns, Wesley Chapel, senior (seventh, 6-3.5)
Discus — Carlos Lacosta, Cypress Creek, senior (third, 143-9)
Javelin — Carlos Lacosta, Cypress Creek, senior (12th, 139-11)

Girls—No local teams placed

300 hurdles — Ashleigh Lacey, Cypress Creek, senior (14th place, 49.27)
4×100 relay — Wesley Chapel: America Christopher, senior; Remiyah Harris, junior; Annalyse Rogers, junior; LaTia Dove, junior (12th, 50.92)
Long jump — Ashleigh Lacey, Cypress Creek, senior (16th, 14-10.75)

Class 1A
Boys-Teams
Bishop McLaughlin (Nine points, tied-31st)

100 — Dontrevius Jackson, Bishop McLaughlin, junior (fifth place, 10.83)
200 — Dontrevius Jackson, Bishop McLaughlin, junior (fourth, 22.19)
300 hurdles — Devin Chernin, Carrollwood Day, senior (13th, 43.39)
Triple jump — Gregory Smith, Carrollwood Day, freshman (11th, 41-5)
Javelin — Joseph Yann, Academy at the Lakes, senior (16th, 120-11)

Girls-Teams
Carrollwood Day (Thirteen points, tied-19th)

100 — Camila Garanton, Carrollwood Day, junior (ninth place, 12.62)
200 — Camila Garanton, Carrollwood Day, junior (ninth place, 26.20)
1,600 — Land O’ Lakes resident Elli Black, Cambridge Christian, seventh grade (second, 5:01.75)
300 hurdles — Camila Garanton, Carrollwood Day, junior (second, 44.63)
4×800 relay — Cambridge Christian: Caroline Lehman, junior; Moriah Friedman, junior; Mary Ellen Eudaly, junior; Elli Black, seventh grade (first, 9:26.12)
Long jump — Ariana Davis, Carrollwood Day, freshman (15th, 13-6.75)
Discus — Leighann Hanley, Carrollwood Day, freshman (fourth, 103-4)

Published May 19, 2021

Paying it forward, through music

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For 35 years, Karen Bishop taught orchestra in the schools, working with kindergartners through high school seniors. She saw it all. Or, so she thought.

Nearly two years after her retirement — and the immediate realization that she “missed it terribly’’ — Bishop has organized a community orchestra that motivates her passionate musicians and helps worthy causes at the same time.

Karen Bishop, who directs the Play it Forward Orchestra, stands alongside Daniel Ramos. The group had a Christmas benefit concert to help Ramos, a violinist in the orchestra, who has cancer. (Courtesy of Karen Bishop)

The “Play It Forward Orchestra’’ is a 25-member group that adheres to its motto — “A group of beautiful humans making the world a better place through music.’’

Last July, Bishop called around, trying to assemble a few violinists for a driveway concert to benefit the medical needs of a former student. More than two dozen musicians showed up. There was no rehearsal, just some inspired music for the cars that drove by. Someone asked, “When are we doing this again?’’

It has been going strong ever since.

In December, the orchestra held a fundraising Christmas concert for one of its own, violinist and Steinbrenner High School senior Daniel Ramos, who has cancer. Drinks and snacks were served by the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation Fighters, a Steinbrenner group formed by Lexie Mulvihill, whose brother died of cancer last year.

The orchestra, open to anyone with high school or college music experience, includes current and former musicians from Blake, Gaither, Hillsborough, Steinbrenner, Hillsborough Community College, the University of South Florida, the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida.

“It’s all volunteer and people who are doing it for the love (of music),’’ said Bishop, who spent the last 12 years of her career at Martinez Middle School. “It has been so much fun. The people in the group are loving and caring. If you tell them, ‘We have something next week in Ybor City at 8 in the morning,’ they will be there.

Karen Bishop directs the Play it Forward Orchestra, during a driveway concert.

“I hope it continues to grow. They love practicing and performing. There are a lot of fundraising and benefits we can do to help out.’’

In turn, the orchestra has been a helpful experience for the musicians — even beyond their love of music and performing.

Just ask violinist Bryan Camus, 32. He was in the orchestra at Blake, a performing arts magnet school. He became a nurse practitioner and lost himself in that career, partially losing his identity in the process. Life’s stresses seeped in. He experimented with drugs, considered suicide and spent nearly a month in rehab.

When he heard from Bishop, who was his middle school teacher, Camus hadn’t played his violin for nearly four years.

“We went through all of the pieces, and Karen and I were both shocked at how well I was playing,’’ said Camus, now a nursing professor at Rasmussen University. “Music has saved me.

“Looking at my life, I had some trauma piled on top of other trauma. My career didn’t help. In nursing school, you learn to put your emotions aside to help others. But you break at some point. “Now I have found an outlet, my love of music, and I look forward to everything we do,” he said.

Members of the Play it Forward Orchestra take their cues from their director, Karen Bishop.

The group gathers for a weekly rehearsal and for events, as needed.

Camus said the level of music ranges from intermediate to advanced. The enjoyment level? Off the charts.

“The basis for this is having fun and raising money for people who need it,’’ Camus said. “I think we will continue to grow. When Karen wants something to happen, it tends to happen.

“This isn’t like a full symphony. It’s still a small group. We all enjoy each other and pick fun at each other. I am the oldest and half these kids are better than I am, even though I’m twice their age. But it’s a very welcoming, inclusive group and you feel great just being around everyone.’’

Bishop said the group’s numbers could easily double, perhaps incorporating more adults who haven’t played in a while but never lost their musical interest. She’s looking into requesting nonprofit status and exploring other fundraising options.

For more information on the Play It Forward Orchestra, contact Bishop at .

By Joey Johnston

Published March 17, 2021

Locals athletes ink with colleges on National Signing Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The watersport has become a family affair, however.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steinbrenner High School
Beach Volleyball
Rebecca Bach — Missouri State University

Football
Brycen Lowe — Carthage College (Kenosha, Wisconsin)

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

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

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

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

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

Wesley Chapel High School
Football
Matt Helms — Warner University

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

Basketball
Candice Green — Webber International University

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

Cross-Country/Track
Jared Hammill — University of Tampa

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

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

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

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

Published February 17, 2021

Area swimmers make a big splash at state meet

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Records were broken and titles were claimed by area athletes at the 2020 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state swimming and diving championships, held last month at the Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center, in Stuart.

A total of nine local schools were represented across all four classifications —  Academy at the Lakes (Class 1A), Carrollwood Day School (1A), Cypress Creek Middle High (2A), Freedom High (3A), Gaither High (3A), Land O’ Lakes High (3A), Sunlake High (3A) and Wiregrass Ranch High (3A) and Steinbrenner High (4A).

Two of these programs registered top-10 finishes— the Freedom Patriots girls team finishing eighth among the 41 schools competing in 3A, and the Land O’ Lakes Gators boys team winding up eighth out of the 43 schools competing in 3A.

Another notable combined team showing came from the Steinbrenner Warriors, whose girls team finished 11th (among 32 schools competing in 4A) and boys team went 17th (among 37 schools competing in 4A).

The most striking showings came in the way of individual and relay performances.

On the boys side, Land O’ Lakes senior Zuri Ramsey captured three medals, headlined by his second-consecutive gold medal in the 3A 50-yard free, clocking 20.51. That bested his state title in the event last year, when he posted 20.53.

Ramsey also took second in the 100-yard free (45.87) and fifth in the 200-yard medley relay, teaming with sophomore Michael McCloskey, senior Griffin Sutek and freshman Garret McNab, who combined to post a 1:37.12 in the race.

Ramsey is the younger brother of former Gators standout Jabari Ramsey, who was a three-time state champion in the 100-yard breast and a one-time champion in the 200-yard medley relay — making him the swimmer to win the most gold medals in Pasco County history.

Cypress Creek senior Clyde Crouse captured multiple 2A medals for the second-straight year — placing fourth in the 200-yard medley free (1:42.43) and fifth in the 500-yard free (4:40.35) Last year, Crouse took silver in the 500-yard freestyle (4:34.48) and sixth in the 200-yard freestyle (1:44.01).

Other medals (top-eight finish) were collected in diving by Land O’ Lakes senior Mason Gandy and Cypress Creek freshman Jace Beckwith. Gandy went eighth in the 3A event (scoring 340.55) and Beckwith took seventh in the 2A event (322.40).

Also, Freedom senior Zachary Kopel earned an eighth-place medal in the 3A 500-yard free (4:39.62)

Steinbrenner High senior Alexis Mulvihill won gold and set a state record in the 4A 50-yard free, clocking 22.22. The Auburn University signee also took gold in the 100-yard fly (53.16). (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High School)

A slew of banner performances took place on the girls side of the pool, as well.

Most notable was Steinbrenner senior Alexis Mulvihill, who took gold in both the 4A 50-yard free (22.22) and 100-yard fly (53.16).

The Auburn University signee’s 50-yard free time is a new state record.

The previous mark of 22.30 was set in 2002 by Gulliver Prep’s Christina Swindle. Interestingly, Swindle went on to swim at Auburn and competed at the 2003 Pan American Games, winning gold in the 400-meter free and silver in the 100-meter free.

Of note: Mulvihill was about a half-second shy of the national high school swim record in the girls 50-yard free clocked at 21.59 — set in February by Gretchen Walsh, of Nashville, Tennessee.

And, Mulvihill wasn’t the only local girls swimmer to earn a state crown.

Freedom junior Michelle Morgan took first in the 3A 200-yard medley, clocking 2:00.92.

She also took silver in the 500-yard free (4:48.43) and anchored bronze in the 400-yard free relay with senior Hannah Labohn, and juniors Alexa Valdez-Vellez and Carly Joerin, who combined to swim the event in 3:32.58.

Other local female swimmers captured multiple medals, too.

Academy at the Lakes senior McKenna Smith — a Duke University signee — took third in both the 1A 50-yard free (23.15) and 100-yard free (50.34).

Carrollwood Day School freshman Adele Sands medaled in the 200-yard free and 100-yard free, in the 1A state meet. (Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School)

Carrollwood Day School freshman Adele Sands went fifth in the 1A 100-yard free (51.96) and seventh in the 200-yard free (1:52.60).

Wiregrass Ranch junior Maryam Khalil went fifth in the 3A 100-yard breast (1:06.53) and eighth in the 50-yard free (24.48).

Land O’ Lakes senior Apryl Paquette took eighth in the 3A 200-yard free (1:57.62) and anchored an eighth-place finish in the 200-yard free relay, teaming with freshmen Jahzara Ramsey and Abigail Hahm, and junior Catherine Pinkos, as the group clocked 1:41.29 in the event.

Other medal performances came out of Sunlake, where it’s 3A 200-yard free relay team took seventh (1:40.17), while senior Isabella Monagas finished eighth in diving (342.25). The podium-earning relay team consisted of sophomore Madison Houck, juniors Amber Ewald and Lillian Hilt and senior Alex Sprague.

Results among locals at the state meet:

4A Boys
Steinbrenner (17th place, out of 37 schools)

Events:
200-yard freestyle relay: Jayden Repak, freshman; Alex Harkness, senior; Shane MacGregor, senior; Gavin Peck, freshman (ninth, 1:27.35)
100-yard backstroke: Shane MacGregor (11th, 52.81)
100-yard breaststroke: Garrett Sykes, junior (16th, 1:01.65)
400-yard freestyle relay: Shane Macgregor; Jayden Repak; Alex Harkness; Gavin Peck (ninth, 3:13.06)

Girls
Steinbrenner (11th, out of 32 schools)

Events:
50-yard freestyle: Alexis Mulvihill, senior (first, 22.22)
100-yard butterfly: Alexis Mulvihill (first, 53.16)
400-yard freestyle relay: Alexis Mulvihill; Emma Brown, senior; Kayla Daley, sophomore; Gavriela Daniels, freshman (ninth, 3:34.30)

3A Boys
Land O’ Lakes (eighth, out of 43 schools)

Events:
200-yard medley relay: Michael McCloskey, sophomore; Griffin Sutek, senior; Garret McNab, freshman; Zuri Ramsey, senior (fifth, 1:37.12)
50-yard freestyle: Ramsey, senior (first, 20.51)
Diving: Mason Gandy, senior (eighth, 340.55)
100-yard freestyle: Ramsey (second, 45.87)
200-yard freestyle relay: McCloskey; Sebastian Arbelaez, senior; McNab; Ramsey (12th, 1:31.58)
100-yard breaststroke: Griffin Sutek (ninth, 59.53)

Wiregrass Ranch (16th)

Events:
200-yard intermedley: Noah Porter, junior (14th, 2:03.21)
100-yard freestyle: Yuheng Chen, junior (14th, 49.30)
50-yard freestyle: Emanuel Silva, senior (12th, 22.17)
200-yard freestyle: Emanuel Silva; Matthew Gomez, senior; Noah Porter; Yuheng Chen (10th, 1:31.03)
400-yard freestyle relay: Noah Porter; Matthew Gomez; Emanuel Silva; Yuheng Chen (ninth, 3:19.97)

Freedom (25th)
500-yard freestyle: Zachary Kopel, senior (eighth, 4:39.62)

Gaither (tied 41st)
100-yard freestyle: Zachary Cannon, junior (15th, 49.64)

Girls
Freedom (eighth, out of 41 schools)
200-yard intermedley: Michelle Morgan, junior (first, 2:00.92)
50-yard freestyle: Hannah LaBohn, senior (tied 15th, 24.15)
100-yard freestyle: Hannah LaBohn (10th, 53.77)
500-yard freestyle: Michelle Morgan (second, 4:48.43); Carly Joerin, junior (11th, 5:03.06)
400-yard freestyle relay: Hannah LaBohn; Alexa Valdez-Vellez, junior; Carly Joerin; Michelle Morgan (third, 3:32.58)

Sunlake (14th)
200-yard medley relay: Amber Ewald, junior; Lillian Hilt, junior; Madison Houck, sophomore; Alex Sprague, senior (ninth, 1:53.64)
50-yard freestyle: Alex Sprague (tied 13th, 24.92)
Diving: Isabela Monagas, senior (eighth, 342.25)
200-yard freestyle: Madison Houck; Amber Ewald; Lillian Hilt; Alex Sprague (seventh, 1:40.17)
100-yard backstroke: Madison Houck (13th, 1:00.39)

Land O’ Lakes (23rd)
Events:
200-yard freestyle: Apryl Paquette, senior (eighth, 1:57.62)
Diving: Madison Burnstein, senior (20th, 199.75)
200-yard freestyle relay: Jahzara Ramsey, freshman; Abigail Hahm, freshman; Catherine Pinkos, junior; Apryl Paquette (eighth, 1:41.29)

Wiregrass Ranch (tied 24th)
Events:
50-yard freestyle: Maryam Khalil, junior (eighth, 24.48)
Diving: Abby Galo, junior (12th, 307.20)
100-yard breaststroke: Maryam Khalil (fifth, 1:06.53)

2A Boys
Cypress Creek Middle High (tied 19th, out of 48 schools)
200-yard medley freestyle: Clyde Crouse, senior (fourth, 1:42.43)
Diving: Jace Beckwith, freshman (seventh, 322.40)
500-yard freestyle: Clyde Crouse (fifth, 4:40.35)

Girls
No local schools or individual placed finishers

1A Boys
No local schools or individual placed finishers

Girls
Academy at the Lakes (18th, out of 48 schools)
50-yard freestyle: McKenna Smith, senior (third, 23.15)
100-yard freestyle: McKenna Smith (third, 50.34)

Carrollwood Day School (tied 20th)
Events:
200-yard freestyle: Adele Sands, freshman (seventh, 1:52.60)
100-yard freestyle: Adele Sands (fifth, 51.96)

Published December 09, 2020

Lutz teen gets heartwarming surprise

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When Abbie Grace Flohr returned to her Lutz neighborhood after a life-saving surgery, she was greeted with a life-affirming welcome home celebration.

Cheryl Flohr stands with her daughter, Abbie Grace, in front of a large group of well-wishers. Abbie Grace, who will be a freshman this fall at Steinbrenner High School, just returned home. The teenager had been hospitalized following a six-hour surgery to remove a blood clot from a vein near her heart. (Courtesy of Carter Gaddis)

The young woman, who will be a freshman at Steinbrenner High this fall, was coming home from the hospital, after a surgery to address a massive blood clot in a vein near her heart, according to her mom, Cheryl Flohr.

The operation took six hours and involved putting in five stents.

This is just the latest medical issue for Abbie Grace, who has been hospitalized more than 120 times, her mom said.

When Julie Dumois-Sands, the social worker at Martinez Middle School heard that Abbie Grace would be returning home, she came up with the idea of greeting the girl with a driveway concert and car parade.

Dumois-Sands turned for help to Karen Bishop, a retired Martinez Middle orchestra teacher.

Bishop texted some of her former students to see if they could help, and she got a huge response.

Some of the volunteer musicians were Bishop’s private students, so they didn’t even know Abbie Grace.

Just the same, they turned out to create a pop-up orchestra with 25 players, including Steven Bossert, orchestra director at Plant High, and musicians from Martinez Middle and Steinbrenner, Gaither, Hillsborough and Blake high schools.

Karen Bishop stands with Abbie Grace Flohr in front of a group of musicians who welcomed the young woman home with a driveway concert and car parade.

They played a 10-minute concert, without the benefit of any practice.

It was: “Show up. Set up. Let’s go,” Bishop said.

Besides being the social worker at Martinez, Dumois-Sands also founded the school’s Circle of Friends, Bishop said. That group aims to prevent bullying and to promote inclusion, and both Bishop and Abbie Grace are among its members.

Abbie Grace and her mom were touched by the outpouring of warmth.

“We live in a place where we truly are a community,” Cheryl Flohr said. “Over 20 kids took time out of their day to do this. Thank you to all of our friends that came by to show your support,” she said.

But, Abbie Grace and her mom weren’t the only ones to take joy from the event, Bishop said.

“It certainly brought sunshine to a lot of people, not only the Flohr family, but to the kids, parents and teachers that just wanted to spread the love —  a much needed thing, especially when the world is a tough place right now, the retired orchestra teacher said.

This kind of love makes the world a “kinder place” and offers hope for the future, she said.

Published July 08, 2020