The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Land O' Lakes High School

New start times for some schools

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The Pasco County School Board has approved school bell times for the 2017-2018, and those times include some changes for schools within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Here’s a look at which schools are getting new starting times, along with an explanation that was provided in a news release from Pasco County Schools.

  • Bexley Elementary, 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., a new school, will begin its school day at 9:40 a.m. and finish the day at 3:50 p.m.
  • Cypress Creek Middle/High School, 8701 Old Pasco Road, also a new school, will begin its school day at 7:25 a.m. and finish it at 1:50 p.m.
  • Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane, will begin its day at 7:25 a.m. and end it at 1:55 p.m. The school’s starting time is five minutes earlier to provide additional time for passing between classes. The additional time is needed because the school will be undergoing a large construction project.
  • Charles S. Rushe Middle School, 18654 Mentmore Blvd., will begin its school day at 7:25 a.m. and finish it at 1:40 p.m. Rushe’s school day previously started at 8:40 a.m. and ended at 2:50 p.m. The new starting and ending times are needed to balance routes associated with the opening of the district’s new transportation garage and compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station in Odessa.
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., will have a starting time of 7:25 a.m. and ending time of 1:56 p.m. for all students. The school had been using dual bell times associated with a 10-period day, but the school will resume a normal schedule with the opening of Cypress Creek Middle/High School in August.

Published April 12, 2017

Wesley Chapel softball on the rise

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The Wesley Chapel High varsity softball program has never experienced a winning season — until now.

Years of futility were dotted by coaching instability and a dearth of talent, since the program began in 2007.
In the program’s first five years, the Wildcats went 1-15, 2-20, 2-21, 1-22 and 2-21. Ensuing years were likewise taxing, as the team went 5-14, 0-24, 2-22 and 7-17.

This season, however, is unlike any other.
The Wildcats — 13-5 overall, 7-3 district — are in the midst of a complete 180, under new head coach Steve Mumaw, and an influx of young standouts.
Besides one senior, the varsity squad consists entirely of freshman and sophomores.
While chockfull of underclassman, the newfound group has proven it can compete — and defeat — any opponent in District 7-6A.
That includes Land O’ Lakes (19-3) and River Ridge (13-5), two of the toughest teams in the Tampa Bay area.
Now enjoying a four-game winning streak, the Wildcats are arguably playing their best softball yet.
“It’s all the girls. When you have talent, it’s tough to mess that up,” said Mumaw, a former baseball coach and athletic director at the school.

And, the roster — top to bottom — is loaded with it.
Seven hitters in the regular lineup are batting .333 or better.
That includes sophomore catcher Neely Peterson, who’s pacing the team with a .459 average and .630 on-base percentage.

The Wesley Chapel varsity softball team is experiencing its first winning season in program history.
(Courtesy of Gigante Productions)

“I think we’re looking pretty good right now,” said Peterson, a verbal commit to Colorado State. “It’s very different than what it was in the past.”
The pitching staff, led by freshman ace Jordan Almasy (2.62 ERA, 90 strikeouts in 77.1 innings), has also proven vital to the program’s budding success.
“We’re just going to keep making progress,” said Almasy, a verbal commit to the University of Central Florida.
“We all pick each other up — it’s a team effort,” added sophomore third baseman Ashley Nickisher.

The team’s lone senior is Dana Mumaw, the daughter of Steve Mumaw.
She’s witnessed firsthand the program’s struggles in prior years. “It was tough,” she said, bluntly.
Yet seeing the team “come together” this season has been a memorable experience, in what has otherwise been a turbulent softball career at Wesley Chapel.
“I think from the first day on, we’ve developed and gotten better, especially with a bunch of new players,” Dana Mumaw explained. “I knew we were going to be pretty good, but I didn’t know if we were going to be this good.”
Being coached by her father has proven rewarding, too.
“I love having my dad as the coach,” she said. “It’s really great…and I learn so much from him.”
With four regular season games remaining, the attention soon will focus squarely on the district tournament, beginning the week of April 24. Should the Wildcats win or finish runner-up, they’d be making their first-ever appearance at regionals.
It would be a significant feat, considering the program had never even won a district tournament game until 2016, when they upset Pasco High.
“Our goal is to advance out of districts,” Steve Mumaw said, “and see what happens.”
“We’ve got something pretty special going on here,” he added.

Published April 12, 2017

Sunshine Athletic Conference East awards announced

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On March 6, high school coaches from the Pasco County School District announced SAC (Sunshine Athletic Conference) All-Conference Teams, Athletes of the Year, and Coaches of the Year, for the 2016-2017 winter sports season.

Selections were made for both the East and West Division.

The following high schools from our coverage area were represented in the East: Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

Longtime Land O’ Lakes High boys basketball coach Dave Puhalski guided the Gators to a 15-8 record, including a 6-1 mark in district play, during the 2016-2017 season. (File)

Winter Sports (Boys)
2016-2017 SAC EAST All-Conference Boys’ Basketball
Coach of the Year: Dave Puhalski, Land O’ Lakes High
Player of the Year: Devin Wilson, Wiregrass Ranch High

First-Team All-Conference
Devin Wilson, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
Sam Schneidmiller, Wesley Chapel High, senior
Trivone Hill, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
Dre’ wan Clarke, Zephyrhills High, senior
Alizea Quiles, Zephyrhills High, senior

Second-Team All-Conference
Elijah Howell, Wiregrass Ranch High, sophomore
Isaiah Ramsey, Wesley Chapel High, freshman
Roney Webster, Pasco High, junior
Mekhi Perry, Land O’ Lakes High, freshman
Conner Lloyd, Sunlake High, junior

Wiregrass Ranch boys soccer coach David Wilson guided the Bulls to a 15-4-5 mark, during the 2016-2017 season. (File)

2016-2017 SAC EAST All-Conference Boys’ Soccer
Coach of the Year: David Wilson, Wiregrass Ranch High
Player of the Year: Sabi Restrepo, Sunlake High

First-Team All-Conference
Jackson Trudell, Wiregrass Ranch High, junior
Michael Tarig, Sunlake High, senior
Jake Baker, Pasco High, senior
Royce Ludde, Wiregrass Ranch High, junior
Ian Flores, Wiregrass Ranch High, junior
Perez Estaban, Pasco High, senior
John Pase, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior

Second-Team All-Conference
Jake Nolting, Wiregrass Ranch High, junior
Jason Nicolette, Pasco High, sophomore
Grant Presson, Sunlake High, junior
Edwardo Ordaz, Pasco High, senior
Parker Ludwick, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
Will Lovelace, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
Alex Nyguen, Sunlake High, junior
David Hillner, Pasco High, senior
JP Torres, Wiregrass Ranch High, junior
Cory Mills, Pasco High, senior
Payton Wilson, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior

Honorable Mentions
Marco Suolinsky, Wesley Chapel High, freshman
Armando Hernandez, Zephyrhills High, senior

2016-2017 SAC EAST All-Conference Wrestling
Coach of the Year: Jeff Beson, Wesley Chapel High
Player of the Year: Jacob Conrad, Land O’ Lakes High

 First-Team All-Conference
106-pound: Chase Ayers, Pasco High, sophomore
113-pound: Jeremiah Beck, Pasco High, sophomore
120-pound: Jarrett Kinney, Land O’ Lakes High, sophomore
126-pound: John DeAugustino, Pasco High, junior
132-pound: Troy Nation, Land O’ Lakes High, junior
138-pound: Jacob Conrad, Land O’ Lakes High, sophomore
145-pound: Emmanuel Torres, Wesley Chapel High, senior
152-pound: Josh Spears, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
160-pound: Angel Hernando, Pasco High, sophomore
170-pound: Marcus Gillott, Wesley Chapel High, senior
182-pound: Jack Faysash, Wesley Chapel High, senior
195-pound: Jack Ward, Wesley Chapel High, senior
220-pound: Donovan Willingham, Wesley Chapel High, senior
Heavyweight: James Perez, Sunlake High, senior

Second-Team All-Conference
106-pound: David Cifuentes, Wesley Chapel High, senior
113-pound: Krystian Maldonado, Sunlake High, sophomore
120-pound: Alex Alvarez, Wiregrass Ranch High, sophomore
126-pound: Connor O’ Malley, Wiregrass Ranch High, sophomore
132-pound: Skot Dakin, Wesley Chapel High, senior
138-pound: Rudy Hajaistron, Wesley Chapel High, senior
145-pound: Torben Moses, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
152-pound: Jared Ladd, Pasco High, senior
160-pound: Devin Praesel, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
170-pound: Cameron Lee, Pasco High, junior
182-pound: Tyler Estep, Sunlake High, junior
195-pound: Elijah Capshaw, Land O’ Lakes High, junior
220-pound: Zach Masci, Zephyrhills High, junior
Heavyweight: James Perez, Sunlake High, senior

Winter Sports (Girls)
2016-2017 SAC EAST All-Conference Girls’ Soccer
Coach of the Year: Michelle Clark, Wesley Chapel High
Players of the Year: Samantha Epifanio, Land O’ Lakes High
Haley Eckel, Land O’ Lakes High

First-Team All-Conference
Rachel Hillner, Pasco High, junior
Haley Eckel, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
Carissa Dixon, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
Jennifer Luna, Pasco High, junior
Morgan Craven, Land O’ Lakes High, junior
Samantha Epifanio, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
Bailey Hern, Wesley Chapel High
Sydny Nasello, Land O’ Lakes High, junior
Jordyn Kadlub, Pasco High, sophomore
Hannah Young, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
Ysa Novak, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore

Second-Team All-Conference
Emma Hanyok, Sunlake High, senior
Abigail Murphy, Wesley Chapel High, freshman
Sydney Chase, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
Riley Morrison, Sunlake High, senior
Kelly Vester, Wesley Chapel High, senior
Lauren Campoe, Wesley Chapel High, senior
Jeanine Sullivan, Sunlake High, sophomore
Victoria Mitchell, Wesley Chapel High, junior
Landon Carter, Sunlake High, senior
Brooke Blommel, Pasco High, senior
Avery Wild, Zephyrhills High, sophomore

Honorable Mention
Sara Madagan, Zephyrhills High, sophomore

2016-2017 SAC EAST All-Conference Girls Basketball
Coach of the Year: Reesa Hendrix Pledge, Sunlake High
Player of the Year: Stephanie Brower, Wiregrass Ranch High

First-Team All-Conference
Stephanie Brower, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
Andrea Wallace, Sunlake High, junior
Char Niya Darby, Land O’ Lakes High, junior
Dana Mumaw, Wesley Chapel High, senior
Mary Moran, Sunlake High, junior

Second-Team All-Conference
Melissa Gordon, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
Nicole Carey, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
Kiara Broner, Pasco High, junior
Micaiah Young, Pasco High, senior
Kayla Grant, Wesley Chapel High, freshman High

Honorable Mention
Chelsea Junes, Zephyrhills High, sophomore

Sunlake High’s cheerleading varsity team featured eight SAC East All-Conference honorees for the 2016-2017 season. The team won the ‘Best of Pasco’ cheerleading title in January. (File)

2016-2017 SAC EAST All-Conference Competitive Cheerleading
Coach of the Year: Pennye Garcia, Sunlake High
Cheerleader of the Year: Mallory Mock, Sunlake High

First-Team All-Conference
Meghan Edkins, Sunlake High, sophomore
Lauren Gobea, Sunlake High, junior
Brooke Hodge, Sunlake High, sophomore
Mallory Mock, Sunlake High, senior
Caitlin Bobo, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
Alexis Watts, Land O’ Lakes High, senior
Sophie Davidson, Wiregrass Ranch High, sophomore
Sierra Perez, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
Alyssa Loo, Wiregrass Ranch High, junior
Samantha Flannery, Pasco High, senior

Second-Team All-Conference
Jillian Seaton, Sunlake High, sophomore
Taylor Broderick, Sunlake High, junior
Claire Goltermann, Land O’ Lakes High, junior
Abby Runkel, Land O’ Lakes High, sophomore
Mackenzie Heinzman, Sunlake High, freshman
Savannah Bobik, Sunlake High, junior
Natalie McFadden Land O’ Lakes High, junior
Amber Kennison, Land O’ Lakes High, sophomore
Abbi Laferriere, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
Alyssa Moore, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior

Honorable Mention
Madison Wertovich, Wesley Chapel High, senior

2016-2017 SAC East All-Conference Girls’ Weightlifting
Coach of the Year: Denise Garcia, Sunlake High
Athlete of the Year: Jessica Guadarrama, Zephyrhills High, junior

First-Team All-Conference
101-pound: Shelby Lewis, Sunlake High, senior
110-pound: Savannah Sutton, Zephyrhills High, sophomore
119-pound: Lizbeth Estrada, Zephyrhills High, senior
129-pound: Loah Castro, Sunlake High, sophomore
139-pound: Caroline Winstead, Sunlake High, sophomore
154-pound: Tricia Clifton, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
169-pound: Alysa Kremer, Land O’ Lakes High, freshman
183-pound: Jessica Guadarrama, Zephyrhills High, junior
199-pound: Yarixa Casasnovas, Sunlake High, junior
Unlimited: Micaiah Long, Sunlake High, senior

Second-Team All-Conference
101-pound: Sara First, Zephyrhills High, senior
110-pound: Maria Espinal, Sunlake High, sophomore
119-pound: Caitlyn Elling, Pasco High, sophomore
129-pound: Mariah Melendez, Sunlake High, sophomore
139-pound: Isabella Garcia, Sunlake High, freshman
154-pound: Katelyn Ortiz, Sunlake High, senior
169-pound: Veronica Salazar, Land O’ Lakes High, sophomore
183-pound: Hailey Parks, Sunlake High, senior
199-pound: Tatyana Cole, Zephyrhills High, junior
Unlimited: Abby Shaffer, Zephyrhills High School, sophomore

Honorable Mention: Abigail Monticco, Wesley Chapel, junior

Teen isn’t defined by rare disease

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Remington Walls is just like any other 17-year-old.

Except that he can’t eat food.

Walls, a junior at Land O’ Lakes High School, suffers from a rare disease called Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE).

Essentially, all food deteriorates his esophagus — and there is no cure.

Remington Walls, right, is pictured with Cameron Douglas, a childhood friend. Walls is a switch-hitting, leftfielder on the Land O’ Lakes Gators varsity baseball team. He suffers from a rare disease called Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), in which all food sources cause inflammation in his esophagus.
(Courtesy of Stephanie Walls)

His only source of nutrition comes via a hypoallergenic amino acid-based liquid formula, called Neocate EO28 Splash.

It’s specifically designed for patients who are allergic to proteins.

Walls drinks the “shake” 15 to 18 times per day, about every two hours.

Moreover, he’s been drinking the same flavor — orange-pineapple — every day since he was removed from all foods at age 4. It is his only flavor option.

The teen, however, doesn’t let the disorder define him.

“You try not to think about it,” he said.

It also hasn’t prevented him from pursuing his passions, including baseball.

He’s currently a switch-hitting, leftfielder on the Land O’ Lakes Gators varsity squad.

“The only thing I can’t do is eat,” he said. “That’s how I look at it.”

And, over the years, he’s learned to cope with the realization he can’t enjoy any of the foods his peers consume on a daily basis.

“I’ve been around it so long it doesn’t bother me at all. I drink my shake, they have their food,” he said.

But, in recent months, a new hurdle has emerged.

Every year, Walls’ formula was fully covered through insurance — until now.

His mother, Stephanie Walls, says coverage was coming through Verizon, her husband’s employer. However, when Frontier Communications bought out the company in 2016, the insurance coverage changed under a policy with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Shown here is a photo of the Walls family. From left: Stephanie Walls, Mike Walls, Dalton Walls and Remington Walls. They are pursuing legislation, calling for mandated coverage for those who suffer from Eosinophilic disorders.
(Courtesy of Stephanie Walls)

As of Jan 1, the insurance company has declined any coverage of the formula.

The family has made multiple appeals, but has been denied each time — even after Anthem’s board of doctors deemed that Walls’ formula was medically necessary for “sustenance of life.”

Stephanie’s insurance plan, likewise, doesn’t cover the elemental formula.

“For Rem, his nutrition is like insulin for diabetics,” she explained. “How do you deny this? It’s not like it just came up over night. We’ve had this disease now since (Remington was) the age of 4. We are absolutely stymied that they are allowed to do this.”

Remington, too, is aghast by the situation.

“I was shocked,” he said, “because I knew insurance always said they covered it, and then they said they didn’t cover it. I knew it was expensive, but I didn’t know how expensive until the price is actually shown.”
The formula, on average, costs about $2,000 a month.

Stephanie predicts the monthly formula payments will become even pricier as her son grows.

On top of that, the family has travel costs from the seasonal visits they must make to the Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders, in Ohio.

“It makes me nervous,” she said of the looming expenses.

Fortunately, Stephanie said a private source has stepped forward to fund formula payments for the rest of the year.

But, the family is still battling the insurance company, trying to serve as a “voice for the voiceless.”

Remington Walls’ only source of nutrition comes via a hypoallergenic amino acid-based liquid formula, called Neocate EO28 Splash. He drinks the ‘shake’ 15 to 18 times per day, about every two hours.
(Courtesy of Neocate)

“We’re going to stand up for the injustice that’s taken place,” Walls said. “I don’t know if we’ll ever make progress, but we’re determined to get out there and make a difference, somehow.”
The family is now pursuing legislation, calling for mandated coverage for those who suffer from Eosinophilic disorders and need the formula to survive.

Florida law currently has a mandate to cover formula for those with Phenylketonuria, but not Eosinophilic disorders.

Stephanie — an eighth-grade language arts teacher at Pine View Middle School — has already reached out to U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.

“We’re just trying to find the people we need to contact to get us in the right direction,” she said. “I have to do a ton of research and gather data before I can even move forward.”

She believes legislative efforts could take at least two years.

No matter how long it takes, she plans to keep fighting.

“It is imperative that we pass this legislation — something’s got to change,” she said. “What’s going to happen to all the kids and grownups that need this formula for later on in life?” she asked.

Between dealing with the insurance company and pursuing legislation, countless hours have been spent to help her son — and others like him.

“It’s absolutely mind-boggling the amount of time we’ve invested on this,” Stephanie said. “But, we felt forced to do it.”

Meanwhile, there has been a ground swell of community support for the Walls family.
A GoFundMe page was created on March 3 by Janeen Salzberger, a longtime family friend.

Word quickly spread after Land O’ Lakes High principal Ric Mellin passed along the information to the Pasco County School District.
As of March 27, $16, 617 has been raised. The goal is set at $40,000.
“It has humbled us greatly,” Stephanie said. “This is something we could not take on ourselves.”

To donate, visit GoFundMe.com/remington-walls.

Published March 29, 2017

Land O’ Lakes buses to roll out in May

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Land O’ Lakes residents can soon step aboard buses on a special circular route through the community.

By May 22, Pasco County expects to begin the new route. A tentative ribbon cutting will be on May 18 at a bus stop at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The first buses would roll a few days later.

A Land O’ Lakes circulator bus route is scheduled to begin by May 22.
(Courtesy of Pasco County)

The announcement came at a March 9 board meeting of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization in Dade City.

Previously, county officials had hoped to begin the route in March.

“This is going to be another win for Pasco County,” said Kevin Hoyt, the county’s transportation operations manager. “We are all extremely excited.”

The route will move north on U.S. 41 with bus stops that include the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, the post office, Land O’ Lakes High School and the detention center.

A loop eastward along State Road 54 will have stops at Collier Commons and the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library.

There also will be a stop at the Target Super Store on North Dale Mabry Highway, where riders can transfer to buses operated by the Hillsborough County Area Regional Transit system, known as HART.

The Land O’ Lakes circulator route is one of three the county put on its 2017 list of capital improvement projects.

Estimated costs for the circulator route were about $300,000 a year for operations, and a one-time purchase of a bus at a cost of about $110,000.

Two other routes along State Road 54 and in the Moon Lake area of New Port Richey already are operating.

Published March 22, 2017

Going out on top

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Pennye Garcia, the longest-standing cheerleading coach in Pasco County is retiring — and she’s going out on top.

Sunlake cheer coach Pennye Garcia, left, is retiring at the end of the school year. For the second consecutive year, Garcia was named SAC East Cheer Coach of the Year. Also pictured: Sunlake principal Michael Cloyd and senior Mallory Mock, who won SAC East Cheerleader of the Year.
(Courtesy of Pennye Garcia)

Garcia, who’s coached at Sunlake High in multiple stints (2007-2008, 2013-2017), was recently crowned Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) East Cheer Coach of the Year, for the second consecutive year.

It, too, marks the second straight year one of Garcia’s cheerleaders — senior Mallory Mock — was awarded SAC East Cheerleader of the Year. (In 2016, then-senior Amanda Slozer won the honor.)

Moreover, eight of Garcia’s cheerleaders from this season were selected to the SAC East All-Conference teams, the most of any east Pasco school.

One of the premier cheerleading coaches in the area, Garcia maintained a successful track record at Sunlake — four consecutive state appearances — by instilling discipline, consistency and purpose. She also maintained the quality of cheerleaders she would select for her varsity squad.

She, too, is regarded for her diligent preparation.

“I like to do things way ahead of time,” Garcia said, “so that there’s no surprises.”

Other coaching stops during her 15-year career included Academy at the Lakes, Hudson, Mitchell, Land O’ Lakes and Wiregrass Ranch high schools.

Yet, some of her most impressive accomplishments occurred during her tenure at Sunlake.

In the 2013-2014 season, she led the Seahawks to a state title in the Class 1A Medium Division.

Sunlake’s inaugural 2007-2008 season was memorable, too.

Under her tutelage, a group consisting of six freshman and no seniors advanced to states, finishing seventh out of 24 teams.

Under Garcia, Sunlake has been one of the top cheerleading programs in Pasco County. She is the longest-standing cheerleading coach in Pasco County, at 15 years. Garcia previously coached for Academy at the Lakes, Hudson, Mitchell, Land O’ Lakes and Wiregrass Ranch high schools.

“I had a really young team,” Garcia said, of the inaugural team. “When they announced the teams to go to finals…I was totally shocked.”

Besides the competitive cheer success, Garcia will miss Friday night high school football games, along with the countless relationships she cultivates each year.

Over the past few weeks, it’s been a teary-eyed farewell tour, of sorts.

“It’s just very emotional,” Garcia said, “because…I love what I did and I have special (feelings) for my kids.”

Garcia, too, wants to be remembered as a coach who cared for her athletes, wanting to see them improve, both on and off the floor.

“She’s just an amazing coach,” Mock said. “She’s made me the person that I am today. She’s taught me strength, determination, and how to set examples.”

Over the years, Garcia has remained “real close” with many of her former cheerleaders.

Some of them, likewise, have made significant coaching strides.

For instance, Hudson High coach Chelsea Hatcher, the 2016-2017 SAC West Cheer Coach of the Year, is one of Garcia’s former cheerleaders.
So, too, is Sophia Fluellen, the head cheer coach at Pasco-Hernando State College, a program that has won five College Co-Ed Level 6 division titles in the past seven years.

While there’s no indication yet who will replace Garcia, one thing’s for sure: the new coach is taking over a program with a solid foundation.

“I’ve got everything all set,” she said. “We’ve got uniforms; they don’t have to really fundraise too much.”

And although she’s retiring from coaching high school, Garcia’s not completely saying goodbye to the sport.
Garcia will still organize private instructions, and teach lessons at Mary Jo’s Performing Arts, in Tampa.

She also plans to judge at various Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) competitive cheer competitions.

She said she might even publish a book on cheerleading coaching, providing tips on tryouts and formations, especially for new coaches.

“I’ll miss the thought process of putting (cheerleaders) into groups and doing the brain work, because I do that constantly,” Garcia said.

Mock, too, plans to stay involved with the sport, after she graduates in May. One possibility is auditioning to be a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) staff member. Another is joining University of South Florida’s Coed Cheer Team.

Published March 22, 2017

Area softball preview

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The high school softball season in Florida is underway, and several of the top players — and teams — in the state reside right here in our coverage area. From Land O’ Lakes to Steinbrenner, there’s no shortage of prep softball talent.

Academy at the Lakes’ Alexis Kilfoyl
(File)

Some players to watch, as the season progresses:

 

  • Pitcher Alexis Kilfoyl, sophomore, Academy at the Lakes: Just a few weeks into the 2017 season, the 6-foot-1 sophomore ace and University of Alabama commit is already living up to the national hype she received throughout the preseason. Kilfoyl, a varsity standout since seventh grade, has won her first five starts, tallying a 0.50 ERA and 50 strikeouts through 28 innings. Her presence is also being felt at the plate, with a .471 average and a team-leading three home runs. Kilfoyl was selected in January to join the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Training Team, along with just 23 other athletes nationwide. She is known for her ability as a drop-ball pitcher.
  • Infielder/Outfielder Isabella Huff, junior, Sunlake High: A transfer from Bishop McLaughlin, the versatile fielder is on a tear this season for the Seahawks, batting a whopping .625, with two home runs, a triple and seven RBIs, through five games. It’s not a surprise, considering Huff had a breakout season in 2016, batting .441, with four home runs, six triples and 18 RBIs. Huff is also a threat on the base paths (nine steals in 2016). She was a 2016 Miracle Sports All-State Class 3A Honorable Mention.
  • Pitcher Callie Turner, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High: This season, Turner has been tasked with assuming the ace pitcher role vacated by Shannon Saile, now at Florida International University. Through five appearances, Turner has handled the challenge swimmingly, compiling a 0.68 ERA and 68 strikeouts through 31 innings. A University of Tennessee commit, Turner is quickly establishing herself as one the region’s top pitchers. As a freshman in 2016, Turner won five games, netting a 0.46 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 46 innings.
  • Pitcher Hailee DeCicco, junior, Gaither High: The 5-foot-10 right-hander is picking up precisely where she left off in 2016. Through two starts, DeCicco has a 0.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts through 12 innings. Last season, DeCicco was one of the most unhittable pitchers in Hillsborough County, compiling a 0.91 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 100.1 innings. In 2016, she was a Hillsborough County Western Conference American Division First-Team selection and a 2016 Miracle Softball All-state Class 7A Second-Team selection.
  • Shortstop/Catcher Emma Frost, senior, Carrollwood Day School: Perhaps the most consistent hitter in our coverage area, Frost is looking to put together one of the more impressive four-year prep careers in recent memory. An immediate impact player since her freshman year, Frost has eye-popping career numbers in several categories, including batting average (.664), triples (21), doubles (24), hits (103), runs (92) and stolen bases (51). Through four games this season, Frost has already slugged two homers and is batting .615. A Florida International University signee, Frost is lauded by coaches for her all-around athleticism and deep understanding of the game.

Other key players:
Catcher Kameron Aitken, senior, Wiregrass Ranch
P/INF Emalee Jansen, senior, Steinbrenner
INF Tia Williams, junior, Land O’Lakes
3B Ashley Nickisher, sophomore, Wesley Chapel
P/SS Jordyn Kadlub, sophomore, Pasco High

Three teams to keep an eye on:

Land O’ Lakes High’s varsity softball team looks to return to the state tournament in 2017.
(Courtesy of Edwin Rodriguez)

Land O’ Lakes High: Despite graduating three starters — including former dominant ace Shannon Saile — the Gators, coached by Mitch Wilkins, are still primed as a regional powerhouse. Plenty of skill and depth remain from last year’s 27-win team that advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals. A trio of juniors — Tia Williams, Ashley Smith, Brianna Lindner — expect to offer plenty of support for sophomore ace Callie Turner. Meanwhile, opponents will have to contend with several heady baserunners, like sophomore Shelby Westbrook and senior Jessie McCallister. The Gators are currently 5-1.

Academy at the Lakes: Armed with one of the nation’s elite pitchers in Alexis Kilfoyl, the Wildcats also add a bevy of power-hitting youngsters in eighth-graders Kendra Falby, Brooke Blankenship and Devyne Davis, each of which are already making an immediate impact for the 6-0 Wildcats. It doesn’t hurt, either, to have an experienced Division I coach anchoring the program. In the offseason, the Wildcats hired Diane Stephenson to oversee the team’s move to Class 3A. Stephenson served as the head softball coach at Indiana University from 1987 to 2002. She was also an assistant softball coach at both the University of Iowa (2008-2010) and Purdue University (2010-2013). More recently, Stephenson was the head softball coach at Division II Saint Joseph’s College (2014-2015) in Renssalaer, Indiana.

Steinbrenner High: Already off to a blistering 6-0 start, the Warriors’ winning ways don’t appear to be going away anytime soon, especially under third-year coach Brenda Leach. In addition to having one of Hillsborough County’s top pitchers in Emalee Jansen (a University of Tampa signee), the Warriors return five .300 hitters from the 2016 squad. Also a solid team defensively, the Warriors figure to win several close games. Over the last two seasons, Steinbrenner has 40-13 combined record.

Published March 8, 2017

Area baseball players to watch

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The high school baseball season in Florida has kicked off. Some of the top players — and teams — in the state reside right here in our coverage area. From Steinbrenner and Gaither to Land O’ Lakes High, there’s no shortage of prep baseball talent.

Here’s a look at some players to keep an eye on as the season progresses:

Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk is one of the top players in Hillsborough.
(File)

RHP (right-handed pitcher)/INF (infielder) CJ Van Eyk, Sr., Steinbrenner: The 6-foot-2 Florida State commit is looking to build off an eye-opening 2016 campaign (12-1 record, 0.77 ERA, 130 strikeouts), where his performance on the mound buoyed Steinbrenner to the Class 8A state title. His arsenal consists of a low-90s fastball, along with a power curve and changeup. Also an outstanding hitter, Van Eyk batted .340 with five doubles and 13 RBIs in 2016. In October, Van Eyk was one of just 20 players across the country selected to the USA Baseball 18U National Team. Could be a high-round draft pick in the MLB draft in June.

Land O’ Lakes High’s McCabe Sargent is one of the top players in Pasco County.
(File)

RHP/3B (third-baseman) McCabe Sargent, Sr., Land O’Lakes: The Saint Leo University signee will be relied upon heavily this season following the graduation of RHP Kirby Osborn, now pitching for High Point University in North Carolina. Sargent burst onto the scene last year with a 0.47 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. His skills with the bat, too, were impressive (.384 average, 16 RBIs). His well-rounded play earned him team most valuable player and Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) East Pasco Player of the Year honors. In addition to an 89-mph fastball, Sargent throws a slider, changeup and curveball. Models his game after Jacob deGrom, a starting pitcher for the New York Mets.

RHP/INF Darin Kilfoyl, Sr., Academy at the Lakes: At 6-foot-8 and 280 pounds, Kilfoyl is easily the most physically imposing prep player around. And, he has the skillset to back it up. Last year, the St. Johns River College signee had a 0.91 ERA and 97 strikeouts in just 46 innings. He also threw a no-hitter and pitched five complete games, thanks to four functional pitches — fastball, curveball, changeup and cutter. Kilfoyl was no slouch at the plate, either, batting .348 with two home runs and 16 RBIs. Over the summer, Kilfoyl played for the Atlanta Blue Jays, an elite travel club for 15-year-olds to 18-year-olds. He also was a standout player for Academy’s basketball team.

CF (center-fielder) Jose Cadenas, Sr., Gaither: Known for his elite speed (set a school-record 32 stolen bases) and outfield range, Cadenas was also Gaither’s top hitter (.398, six doubles, 11 RBIs) during the team’s 7A state title run in 2016. Cadenas, who committed to Polk State last summer, made a full recovery from a season-ending broken hand injury he suffered during a game in early 2015. Also noteworthy: Cadenas and his family moved to Tampa from Cuba when he was 8.

INF Michael Wu, Sr., Sunlake: The University of South Carolina-Sumter commit was one of the most consistent hitters in the area last season, batting .407 with two home runs, six doubles and 16 RBIs. Moreover, Wu struck out just three times in 66 plate appearances. A versatile fielder, Wu can play first base, second and third. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound standout also can step in on the mound, when needed. He played for Wiregrass Ranch as a freshman and sophomore.

Other players to watch:
RHP Tommy Mace, Sr., Sunlake
OF/RHP Patrick Morris, Sr., Steinbrenner
INF Max Law, Sr., Land O’ Lakes
RHP/OF Colton Bierly, Jr., Wesley Chapel
RHP Khalil Alumatism, Sr., Freedom
INF Drew Ehrhard, Sr., Wharton

Published March 1, 2017

Sunlake falls short of state title bid

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They were just one win shy from reaching the Class 7A state tournament.

Yet, as the performance in their first-ever region final would indicate, Sunlake’s varsity girls basketball team still has some work to get there.

The Seahawks (17-9) — the last girls hoops squad standing in Pasco County — suffered a devastating 66-24 loss to Orlando Edgewater (16-14) on Feb. 17 at Wiregrass Ranch High School.

Sunlake fell one win shy of reaching the Class 7A state tournament. However, they return all but one player for the 2017-2018 season.
(Kevin Weiss)

A sizable Seahawks crowd — loud and proud in pre-game warmups — was quickly silenced as Edgewater roared to a blazing 24-0 start, less than 7 minutes through the opening quarter.

The Eagles attacked Sunlake’s 2-3 zone, mostly by hitting 3s, drawing fouls and getting second-chance opportunities.

Edgewater’s well-rounded athleticism and on-ball traps, too, proved a problem for the Seahawks throughout the contest.

The first Sunlake points finally came with 51 seconds left in the first quarter — a three-point play by 5-foot-10 junior guard Elizabeth Moran, who led the team with eight points.

It was far from enough, though.

By halftime, Edgewater’s lead grew to 53-16.

A running clock ensued in the second half.

For the game, Edgewater made 18 three-pointers, and out-rebounded the Seahawks 27-12.

Edgewater, which has won four state championships since 2007, is now playing in the state tournament for the sixth time in 10 years.

Despite the lopsided defeat, Seahawks coach Reesa Hendrix Pledge remained upbeat.

“Sometimes you’re just not ready,” Hendrix Pledge said, honestly. “But, we’ll be ready next year. We’ll be back.”

There’s a solid chance of that, considering Sunlake has just one senior— guard Cheyenne Yucatonis — graduating from a team that returns five juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen.

“They’re babies,” Hendrix Pledge said. “There’s two of them that started last year, and the rest of them are just now playing.”

The 2016-2017 season, she noted, was more about “coming together as a team.”

“The greatest thing,” Hendrix Pledge said, “is they love each other more, and they fight for each other.”

Sunlake’s final basket of the season, fittingly, was scored by Yucatonis. The senior was subsequently pulled out of the game as a show of gratitude for her contributions to the program.

“She’s meant everything,” Hendrix Pledge said. “She’s worked hard, she’s been the first one to practice, she’s been the one that helps clean up, she’s (taught) them what it takes to work year-round and to get better.

“That’s what we needed this year — that leadership — and she showed it.”

Prior to the setback to Edgewater, Sunlake won four consecutive playoff games, defeating Springstead twice, Land O’ Lakes and Brandon high schools.

Elsewhere in our coverage area, the Carrollwood Day School’s varsity girls basketball team advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history. Under first-year coach Karim Nohra, the Patriots (27-2) are heading to Lakeland to play in the Class 3A state semifinal, following a 51-43 victory over Orlando Christian Prep in the region final on Feb. 14.

Nohra previously guided Academy at the Lakes to the final four in five of his six years before departing to CDS in October.

The Patriots enter the state tournament with youth — and lots of it. The roster of 10 players includes just two sophomores, six freshmen, an eighth grader and a seventh grader. Additionally, all five starters are freshman, including top player Tiasia McMillan, a guard who averages 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Key returnees for Sunlake in 2017-2018

  • Andrea Wallace, junior center: 11.9 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 2.2 blocks per game
  • Mary Moran, junior guard: 9.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.5 steals per game (SPG)
  • Kasia Ramirez, junior guard: 8.3 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.1 SPG

Published February 22, 2017

Zephyrhills girls weightlifting shines at states

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The Zephyrhills High School girls weightlifting team can now lay claim as one of the top teams in the state.

Buoyed by the performances of two upperclassmen and an underclassman, the Bulldogs sprung into a tie for seventh place (out of 35 schools) at the FHSAA Class 1A girls weightlifting finals at Belleview High School on Feb. 3.

The Zephyrhills girls weightlifting team placed seventh at the FHSAA Class 1A state finals. The team is only losing four seniors.
(Courtesy of Joseph Rinaldo)

“I did not ever expect to be a top-10 team,” said Joe Rinaldo, in his ninth year at Zephyrhills. “That was surprising.”

At the same token, the 2016-2017 team is one of the best he’s ever had.

“I would take this team against any of those teams I’ve ever had. They were that good,” he said.

Three girls did the heavy lifting for the Bulldogs: senior Sara First (101- pound class), junior Jessica Guadarrama (183) and sophomore Abby Shaffer (unlimited).

In the 183-pound class, Guadarrama finished state runner-up with a 175-pound bench press and 175-pound clean-and-jerk for a 350-pound total. Those numbers were a sizable jump from her sophomore year at states, when she put together a 305-pound total (140-pound bench, 165-pound clean-and-jerk).

She credits her year-round training.

“I worked for what I got,” Guadarrama said, assuredly. “I had a lot of offseason time to practice.”

Her mindset during the state finals helped, too.

“When I went into the meet, I was focused on myself. I didn’t pay attention to the other (competitors) because that would mess my focus,” she explained. “I came here to do my own numbers and what I know I can do, and whatever place I can get with those numbers.”

In the unlimited class, Shaffer placed fourth (185-205—390). Meantime, First placed sixth (120-110—230) in the 101-pound class.

“At first, you look at it, and it’s like nerve-wracking because it’s like the best in the state get there,” Shaffer said. “But once you get into it, you realize it’s just like a normal meet — just more schools and more on the line a little bit.”

Rinaldo said he expected top-tier finishes for both Guadarrama and Shaffer. Yet, it was his senior—a first-time lifter— that surprised him the most.

“She was in a tough spot going into it, and between her lifting and other people failing ahead of her, she was able to move up and get on the medal stand,” Rinaldo said, of First.

“It was so amazing to see her journey from the start to the ending,” Guadarrama said. “I did not expect her to go to states; it was awesome.”

The team’s core development began last summer, when Rinaldo signed up several lifters to compete in a USA Weightlifting club affiliated with Fortitude Fitness in Trinity.

It went a long way toward improving lifting technique, especially for Guadarrama and Shaffer.

“We made a lot of changes in the clean-and-jerk technique,” Rinaldo said. “Learning to snatch helped immensely with their cleans. …It was hard at first for them, but once they picked it up and learned how to use it, it made their cleans that much better.”

In essence, small changes led to big increases, he said.

Guadarrama agreed.

“The majority of weightlifting,” Guadarrama said, “is more of technique than how much muscle you have. It’s 10 percent physical, and the rest is mental…””

Meanwhile, excitement is already building for the 2017-2018 season.

Credit the youth movement.

“There’s a lot of good girls that didn’t make it to states that are still young that are coming back,” Rinaldo said. “I’m only losing four seniors.”

Among those up-and-coming lifters are sophomore Savannah Sutton (110 pounds) and juniors Halee Karppe (129) and Chase Booker (139).

“I’m pretty sure there’s going to be more (state qualifiers) next year,” Guadarrama said. “As a team, I would like to see us go higher, like fifth place.”

“I think we could maybe get better,” Shaffer said. “Some of the freshman this year — they have potential.”

Some first-timers, too, could one day make a splash.

“The popularity of our team—probably the past few weeks—has grown,” Rinaldo said. “I’ve got people coming up to me in the hallways saying, ‘Hey, when do we start back up again? I’ve got girls that want to come out.’ I don’t know how good they are, but what we’re doing is speaking volumes right now.”

Other state results from area weightlifters

Bench press-clean-and-jerk—Total
Class 1A
101 pounds
Sara First (Zephyrhills High): sixth place; 120-110—230

139 pounds
Eliahnis Lewis (Pasco High): 140-125—265

183 pounds
Jessica Guadarrama (Zephyrhills High): second place; 175-175—350

Unlimited
Abby Shaffer (Zephyrhills High); fourth place; 185-205—390

Class 2A
101 pounds
Shelby Lewis (Sunlake High) 115-120—235
Zeena Zayed (Freedom High) third place; 130-135—265

139 pounds
Caroline Winstead (Sunlake High); 140-0—140

154 pounds
Tricia Clifton (Wiregrass Ranch High): 145-135—280

169 pounds
Josie Blew (Freedom High): 140-180—320
Alyssa Kremer (Land O’ Lakes High): 165-140—305
Veronica Salazar (Land O’ Lakes High): 160-145—305

183 pounds
Hailey Parks (Sunlake High): sixth place; 170-170—340

Unlimited
Micaiah Long (Sunlake High): third place; 215-185—400

Published February 15, 2017