The Laker and the Lutz News has released The Laker/Lutz News all-star team for the 2012 fall high school athletic season. Members were selected based on skill, value to their team and final statistics. Schools in the coverage area are Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin, Carrollwood Day, Freedom, Gaither, Land O’ Lakes, Saddlebrook Prep, Steinbrenner, Sunlake, Wharton, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch. The football team will be released in a later edition. Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono and Staff Writer Jeff Odom selected the team. Stats are as recorded to Maxpreps.com and all playoff performances are as recorded by the FHSAA.
Girls golf first team
–Claire Becker, So., Steinbrenner. Part of the Warriors’ big two. Averaged 38 in nine-hole rounds and shot a 78 to help her squad win the Class 2A-District 10 title.
–Mallory Etcheberry, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. The University of Akron signee won individual district and regional titles as the Wildcats’ only girls golfer.
–Kelsy Holbert, So., Steinbrenner. Became a much more consistent player this season. Cut her score to 41 in the regular season to help the Warriors go 14-0 through regionals.
–Claudia Rami, So., Carrollwood Day. Finished as a district runner-up by carding a 78 and advanced to the Class 1A state tournament, where she tied for 21st.
Girls golf second team
–Shannon Clark, Sr., Wharton. Her 88 at districts was good enough to tie for seventh and earn a spot at regionals.
–Brooke Dalton, So., Bishop McLaughlin. Finished as a district and regional runner-up and finished 78th at the Class 1A state tournament.
–Heather Muse, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Her 82 at districts led the Bulls to finishing third and earning a regional berth for the first time in program history.
–Hana Lee, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Won the individual Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) championship and helped the Wildcats make regionals.
Player of the Year: Terese Romeo, So., Freedom. She captured individual district (75) and regional (75) championships, but that doesn’t tell half of Romeo’s battle this year. She had her second surgery on her right wrist in mid August, which forced her to golf with one hand for most of the year. Romeo fought through the setback to tie for 11th at the Class 2A state tournament.
Coach of the Year: Mark Mann, Steinbrenner. Mann takes the honor for the second straight season. He lost two seniors from last year’s squad that just missed states. His young team, which had only one senior, claimed district and regional titles and finished 14th at the Class 2A state tournament. The Warriors went 14-1 this year, with the only defeat coming at states.
Boys golf first team
–Ryoto Furuya, Fr., Saddlebrook Prep. Placed second at regionals with his 72. Also helped the Spartans place sixth at the Class 1A state tournament.
–Jimmy Jones, Jr., Freedom. Carded a 75 at districts, tied for the fifth-best round to help the Patriots make regionals.
–Jorge Junquera, Jr., Wharton. His 75 at districts was critical in giving the Wildcats the third-place spot over Steinbrenner by just two strokes.
–Won Jun Lee, 8th, Saddlebrook Prep. Earned the individual Class 1A-District 9 title (71) while helping the Spartans earn a regional championship.
Boys golf second team
–Ricky Condon, So., Wharton. Shot a 78 at districts to help the Wildcats return to regionals after missing it last season.
–Turner Imhoff, Jr., Wesley Chapel. The Pasco High transfer earned an individual spot at regionals by shooting an 81 at districts.
–Nik Kalolo, Sr., Steinbrenner. His 76 at districts was tied for the 10th-best round. He missed qualifying for regionals by one stroke.
–Trevor Moore, Sr. Freedom. Rose up the Patriots rankings after the squad lost three of its top five from a year ago.
Player of the Year: Jimmy Stanger, Sr., Gaither. Captures Player of the Year for the second straight season. The University of Virginia signee averaged a 1-under 35 in nine-hole rounds. He won individual district and regional titles this year and finished third overall at the Class 2A tournament by carding a two-day score of 145, four strokes away from the state championship.
Coach of the Year: Michael Passarelli, Freedom. In his fourth year at the helm, Passarelli got his Patriots to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Freedom finished as the Class 2A-District 10 runner-up with three of his golfers shooting in the 70s after losing three of his top-five scorers from last season.
Volleyball first team
–Libero: Chanelle Hargreaves, Fr., Wharton. Used her lightning speed to post 326 digs while adding 38 aces.
–Middle hitter: Avery Day, So., Wharton. The 6-foot-1 Day led all area athletes with 98 blocks. Also put down 114 kills.
–Middle hitter: Lauren Heldt, So., Steinbrenner. Smacked 121 kills while adding 32 blocks and 20 aces.
–Outside hitter: Caci Andreychuk, Sr., Wharton. Used her power to lead the Wildcats with 396 kills. Utilized her versatility to record 198 digs, 43 aces and 29 blocks.
–Outside hitter: Jasmyn Perry, Sr., Freedom. Smashed a program-record and area-best 422 kills with 158 digs, 24 aces and 21 blocks.
–Outside hitter: Madison Seuzeneau, Sr., Steinbrenner. Her senior leadership and 236 kills, 150 digs and 38 aces helped the Warriors win districts and finish 19-9.
–Rightside hitter: Avery Bradshaw, So., Steinbrenner. Did her best hitting as the season progressed. Totaled 130 kills with 32 digs.
–Setter: Kelly Schaller, Jr., Freedom. Showed off her athleticism again this season by racking up 655 assists, 154 digs, 92 kills, 80 aces and 17 blocks.
–Utility: Casey McLean, Jr., Steinbrenner. Began the year as the starting setter (169 assists), but moved to defensive specialist (148 digs, 55 aces) to fill a team need.
–Utility: Grace Olsen, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Did everything for the Bulls, namely 305 kills, 232 digs and 50 aces.
Volleyball second team
–Libero: Natalia Campos, Sr., Steinbrenner. Manned the Warriors’ back row to the tune of 350 digs while adding 34 aces.
–Middle hitter: Lindsey Schaible, Fr., Wharton. The younger half of the Wildcats’ duo in the middle. Posted 89 kills and 74 blocks.
–Middle hitter: Hannah Skendziel, So., Freedom. Led the Patriots with 55 blocks while contributing 33 kills.
–Outside hitter: Hanna Kelley, Jr., Gaither. Led the Cowboys with 203 kills and 126 digs while contributing 47 aces.
–Outside hitter: Rachel Mathison, Jr., Steinbrenner. Seamlessly moved from rightside this season and smacked 237 kills while adding 164 digs and 28 aces.
–Outside hitter: Ashley Wilson, Jr., Freedom. Returned to the court after focusing on softball last year. Added 212 kills and 48 aces to the Patriots offense.
–Rightside hitter: Ashle Thompson, Sr., Freedom. Her 49 kills, 37 blocks and 17 aces helped Freedom stretch its playoff streak to three straight years.
–Setter: Teddi Wright, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Compiled 511 assists, 223 digs, 100 kills, 79 aces and 23 blocks.
–Utility: Lauren Evans, Jr., Academy at the Lakes. Led the Wildcats in kills (110) and blocks (78) while adding 25 aces.
–Utility: Kylie Paul, Jr., Wharton. Bolstered Wharton’s back row with 236 digs and 59 aces.
Volleyball honorable mention
–Libero: Izah Deang, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Racked up 337 digs and 24 aces.
–Libero: Cara Walden, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Led all area athletes with 359 digs.
–Middle hitter: Ryann Martin, So., Steinbrenner. Added depth to Steinbrenner’s front row with 44 kills and 19 blocks.
–Middle hitter: Danielle Thomas, Fr., Freedom. Totaled 31 blocks, 28 kills and 26 aces.
–Middle hitter: Alyssa Mathis, So., Bishop McLaughlin. The Land O’ Lakes transfer showed scary power for a sophomore.
–Rightside hitter: Kennedy Stocker, So., Wharton. Added 42 kills and 18 blocks to the Wildcats record-setting season.
–Setter: Nicole Neugebauer, Sr., Carrollwood Day. Her setting and leadership guided the Patriots to a 19-7 record, their most wins ever.
–Setter: Brooke Royals, So., Steinbrenner. Took over as the starter at midseason. Recorded 570 assists, 78 digs and 24 aces.
–Utility: Kayla Ireland, Jr., Freedom. Posted 106 digs and 24 kills.
–Utility: Andrea Mazur, Jr., Gaither. Had 78 kills, 72 digs and 44 aces as Gaither’s starting middle.
Player of the Year: Ashton Stocker, Sr., Wharton. Wasn’t the flashiest player in the area, or even on her team, but the Furman University signee had a hand in everything the Wildcats did. The setter amassed 631 assists, 79 kills, 51 aces, 42 blocks and 34 digs while holding down a key leadership role for Wharton’s 25-3 season and first playoff berth since 2006.
Coach of the Year: Laura Stegenga, Steinbrenner. Pressure came with taking over a program that had won district titles the last three years. Stegenga didn’t just continue the Warriors’ winning ways in her first season, she added to it by getting the squad its fourth district championship and to the regional finals for the first time in program history.
Girls swimming first team
–Krystin Demsher, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Advanced to states in the 200 freestyle (17th, 1:57.83), 100 butterfly (22nd, 1:01.72) and with 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
–Nicole Harder, Sr., Sunlake. Finished 22nd at states in the 500 freestyle (5:28.67).
— Jocelyn Williams, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Qualified for states in the 200 individual medley (14th, 2:13.34), 100 breaststroke (17th, 1:09.75) and 400 freestyle relay.
Girls swimming second team
–Carigan Albert, Jr., Sunlake. Made states in the 200 individual medley after placing third at districts.
–Athena Cimino, So., Wiregrass Ranch. Took third at districts in 50 (24.60) and 100 freestyle (54.54).
–Mackenzie Koth, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. District runner-up in the 50 freestyle (26.45) and third in the 100 freestyle (58.94).
Swimmer of the Year: Dee Sopapong, So., Wharton. Advanced to the Class 3A state meet in two events, where she claimed third in the 200 individual medley (2:06.70) and fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.17). No other area athlete finished as well in even one event at states.
Coach of the Year: Robin Hilgenberg, Land O’ Lakes. Hilgenberg’s Gators were again the deepest in the area, which is why they claimed their fourth straight Sunshine Athletic Conference and district championship this year.
Boys swimming first team
–Cam Hilgenberg, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Made states in three events: 50 freestyle (fifth, 21.42); 100 breaststroke (eighth, 1:00.54) and the 200 medley relay (ninth, 1:41.63).
–John Thompson, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Won the Class 2A-District 5 title 100 freestyle before taking 23rd at states (50.70).
–Caleb Zeleznock, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Won the Class 2A-District 5 title in the 200 freestyle (1:50.87) while placing 13th at states in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.59).
Boys swimming second team
–Ryan Heckel, So., Wharton. Advanced to regionals in the 100 freestyle while helping the 200 and 400 freestyle relays also qualify.
–Alex Long, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. District runner-up in the 200 individual medley (2:11.57).
–Tyler St. Onge, So., Sunlake. Took second at districts in the 50 freestyle (22.95) and third in the 100 freestyle (51.21).
Swimmer of the Year: Jordan Wheeler, So., Land O’ Lakes. Placed fifth and seventh at the Class 2A state meet in the 100 butterfly (51.20) and 200 individual medley (1:58.26), respectively. Also helped the Gators 200 medley relay team take ninth at states (1:41.63).
Coach of the Year: Barbara Hayes, Land O’ Lakes. In her 13th and final season, Hayes coached the Gators to their 12th straight Sunshine Athletic Conference championship and another perfect regular season.
Girls cross country first team
–Rachel Cazares, Jr., Gaither. Battled through a foot injury late in the season with a 20:39 to take third at districts.
–Elise Cedre, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Won her first individual title at the Bulls’ invitational (19:49) and helped her squad win conference, district and regional titles.
–Madison Conway, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch. The freshman stepped right into the Bulls’ top pack. Set her personal record 20:00 to take sixth at conference.
–Berlin Waters, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Finished sixth at regionals (19:41) and 24th at states (19:21), where she set her personal record in her final high school race.
Girls cross country second team
–Lauren Arfaras, Jr., Freedom. Rose to Freedom’s No. 2 runner, helping the Patriots finish as the district runner-up in consecutive years.
–Addie Cornwell, So., Wiregrass Ranch. Finished 12th at conference (21:05), 14th at districts (21:10), 23rd at regionals (20:39) and 89th at states (20:40).
–Alex Mitchell, Sr., Freedom. Added the depth the Patriots needed to return to regionals. Was 10th at districts (20:14) and 24th at regionals (21:23).
–Katie Monds, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Late injuries prevented her from advancing beyond districts, but still posted a 20:45 to take ninth at conference.
–Annie Tedesco, Jr., Freedom. Freedom’s top runner posted a 20:47 at regionals to place 12th and earn a spot at the Class 4A state meet (78th, 20:44).
Girls cross country honorable mention
–Chelse Davis, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Had trouble with a back injury early, but returned to help the Bulls win conference, district and regional titles.
–Lauren Garris, Sr., Steinbrenner. Underwent an appendectomy just before the season and still advanced to regionals by placing 10th (21:27) at districts.
–Mariah Henderson, Jr., Wharton. Was 16th at regionals (21:04), one spot from advancing to states.
–Emily Payne, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Closed out her high school career by taking 103rd at states (21:04) to help the Bulls finish sixth.
–Alyssa Turner, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Ran a 21:08 to claim 13th at conference.
Runner of the Year: Nikita Shah, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. The Harvard University commit again showed that she is the top distance runner in the area. This is the third straight time Shah has earned the honor. She set a new personal record at 17:48 and also won individual conference (18:05), district (18:39) and regional (18:32) titles while taking 15th at the Class 3A state meet (18:58).
Coach of the Year: Don Howard, Wiregrass Ranch. Takes the award in consecutive seasons. Howards’ Bulls were the model of excellence all other area cross country squads tried to achieve this year. Wiregrass Ranch won conference, district and regional championships and matched its best placing at states by taking sixth at the Class 3A meet.
Boys cross country first team
–Ermias Bireda, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Shin and back injuries slowed Bireda, but he was still third at conference (16:08) and seventh at regionals (16:19).
–Tyler Lima, Sr., Steinbrenner. Took sixth at the Hillsborough County meet (16:44), fourth at regionals (16:11) and 22nd at states (16:05).
–Matt Magee, Sr., Steinbrenner. Saved his best performance for his last. Ran a personal record 15:56 to finish 11th at states, the best placing in program history.
–Tyler Stahl, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Part of the Gators one-two-three punch. Was the conference runner up (15:57) and placed 17th (16:02) at states.
Boys cross country second team
–Tanner Biles, Sr., Steinbrenner. Finished as the district runner up in 17:17 and helped the Warriors take fifth at states, the best finish for the program.
–Ben Hall, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Shook off late-season surgery to claim 22nd at regionals (17:02) and 54th at states (16:38).
–Andy Hippely, So., Wiregrass Ranch. Set a new personal record by running a 16:52 to take 68th at states.
–Jake Poore, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Put up his best times when they mattered most. Finished 42nd (16:25) to help the Gators take 11th at states.
–Adam Urbaniak, Sr., Freedom. Paced the Patriots by claiming ninth at districts (16:53).
Boys cross country honorable mention
–Thor Alastre, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Gave the Bulls the depth needed to claim their fifth straight top-10 placing at states.
–Chris Cerreta, Sr., Steinbrenner. The Warriors needed his constancy to win the Hillsborough County and district meet while placing fifth at states.
–Patrick Hill, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Shin inflammation caused him to miss the first half of the season, but still placed 84th at states (17:02).
–Zach Lima, Sr., Steinbrenner. His 17:05 at states was good enough to secure 89th.
–Dillon Oergel, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Ran a 17:36 at states to help the Gators take 11th, their best placing in three years.
Runner of the Year, Travis Nichols, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Nichols didn’t win every race this season, but he never seemed to have subpar performances. Was a constant in the lead pack from Week 1 to states. Won an individual conference title in 15:48 while placing third at regionals (16:09) and 12th at the Class 3A state meet (15:57).
Coach of the Year: Chris Loth, Wiregrass Ranch. Second straight year Loth has picked up the honor. He lost three of his top four runners for multiple weeks this year because of injury and surgery, but his Bulls managed to place 10th at the Class 3A meet, the program’s fifth straight top-10 performance.
