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Jesus in limbo, or so he thought.
Like, at minus 0, most of us would probably answer with a yawn.
To the Catholic Church, however, limbo is numero uno on the list of today's most vital issues. 32 Students and Faculty Massacred by Campus Madman…Hundreds Killed in Latest Iraqi Car Bombing…New Horrors of Global Warming Revealed…Darfur Genocide Still Raging…Iran Continuing with Nuclear Program…No More Limbo!
In the words of that A-1 Steak Sauce commercial: Yeah, it's that important.
Yesterday, after years of deep reflection and theological agonizing, Pope Benedict XVI formally abolished the concept of limbo. In a 41-page document, the Pontiff expressed "optimism that unbaptized children will someday reach heaven," reported the Catholic News Service. It's something Benny has been mulling over ever since he was plain old Cardinal Ratzinger. In his 1985 "Ratzinger Report," the Cardinal assured the world that "Limbo was never a defined truth of faith. Personally, I would abandon it, since it was only a theological hypothesis." Later, in 2000, he went on to elaborate, explaining that the idea of limbo came about as a protective measure, "to justify the necessity of baptizing infants as early as possible" in order to wash away any traces of Original Sin.
Limbo was actually a creation of the 13th century imagination that had a two-fold purpose. The Limbo of the Fathers was a waiting room where the ancient righteous who lived before Jesus were housed until the Son of God could liberate them. The Limbo of Children, or Limbo Infantium, was an antidote to the sadistic 5th century vision of St. Augustine, who, in one of his viler curmudgeonly moods, proclaimed that any baby who died unbaptized would go directly to hell.
Kiddie Limbo was a sort of benign nursery where dead unbaptized babies ended up. Not good enough for heaven, not bad enough for purgatory or hell, the poor little things were relegated to an eternal life of unbeatified bliss. Limbo's tiny residents were supposedly happy, even though there were two big things missing: their families and Divine Grace. Come to think of it, this might not be such a bad thing. Imagine an eternal Carnival Cruise without your parents or God on board. Spiritually bereft, perhaps, but not too shabby.
For the Church, limbo became a convenient location that accommodated the innocent while at the same time upholding the requirements for membership in the Heaven Club. Instead of being open-minded and open-hearted and saying, "Oh, heck, those little bitty babies never had time to do anything bad, so let's let 'em in," the self-appointed guardians of the Pearly Gates had to keep up standards. After all, what good is a club that takes just anybody?
Um, excuse me, but who in their right mind would even believe such crap to begin with? If you were a parent who'd lost your newborn before you'd had a chance to baptize it, would you for one minute accept the horrible idea that your baby will never be with the angels? And worse, that it's all your fault because you didn't get him or her sprinkled with magic water in time? Wouldn't you ask yourself what kind of a religion would make such senseless, heartless rules? And what kind of God would approve of them?
Which brings up an important point: reason or treason? When it comes to religion, people are never rational. Benedict has his work cut out for him because, as conservative as he may be, he has always been a brilliant scholar and passionate disciple of logic. And this doesn't sit well with the zealots.
Take Kenneth J. Wolfe, columnist for the conservative rag The Remnant, who complains that no limbo means people will get lazy about baptisms. "It makes baptism a formality, a party, instead of a necessity," Wolfe harrumphs. "Without limbo, there's no reason for infant baptisms. It would put the Catholic Church on a part with the Protestants." Horrors!
There are other problems with not having limbo around anymore. For instance, we can no longer use the expression "In limbo." A substitute will have to be found. "In Cleveland," perhaps? Then there's the Limbo dance. What can we call that now? I think the "Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell Hop" works, don't you?
Isn't it time to get real? The very notion of limbo defies simple intelligence. It's a made-up place! Period! It's almost like, if anyone chooses to believe in such inanity, they deserve what they get. The idea that a human being—and I'm sorry, but that's what the Pope is—has the power to officially decree the existence or non-existence of some imaginary land is even more mind-boggling. Let's put it this way. If you were a grownup who still believed that every word of Mother Goose was true, where do you think you'd be? The state asylum might be a good bet. But if you're a grownup who still believes in limbo—and mind you, there are plenty of Catholics out there who simply refuse to give up the notion, no matter what the Pope says—nobody's going to send in the guys with the nets. On the contrary, you'd probably be commended for your holy devotion.
I'm serious. After all, we're truly fortunate that we have such a forward-thinking pope. Maybe I shouldn't be leaking this, but as SoMA's Vatican Watchdog, I do have the inside track on the rumblings from Rome, and the latest scuttlebutt is that the Holy Father's next shocking move will be to declare that the earth is not flat and that the Chinese do not walk upside down.
Now I can finally stop worrying about how much globe-trotting I can do before I finally fall off the edge, and if all the blood will go to my head if I travel to Taiwan. Whew!
Senior editor Mary Beth Crain's last piece for SoMA was The Secret of My Success.


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All-Pasco County fall awards announced
January 12, 2021 By Kevin Weiss
High school coaches from Pasco County Schools recently announced Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) All-Conference Teams, Athletes of the Year and Coaches of the Year, for the 2020-2021 fall sports season.
Selections were made for both the East and West divisions.
The following high schools from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were represented in the East: Cypress Creek, Land O' Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.
Here is a listing of boys team and individual recipients within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area for cross-country, football, golf, and swimming & diving.
(NOTE: The Laker/Lutz News will publish the Girls All-Conference listings in its Jan. 20 edition.)
Fall Sports (Boys)
It's no surprise the Sunlake Seahawks was named Sunshine Athletic Conference East's Cross-Country Boys Team of the Year for the 2020-2021 season. The Seawhawks captured conference, district and regional titles, then finished state runner-up at the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) Class 3A championship meet. (File)
SAC East All-Conference Cross-Country
Team Champion: Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Randal Reeves, Sunlake
Runner of the Year: Colby Robbins, Sunlake
Colby Robbins, Sunlake, junior
Alex Pena, Sunlake, sophomore
Sebastian Hernandez, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Zach Poekert, Cypress Creek, sophomore
Cade Whitfield, Sunlake, senior
Cason Meyer, Sunlake, junior
Andres Alfonso-Herrera, Sunlake, junior
Second-Team
Romal Estemcdonald, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Brandon Castillo, Land O' Lakes, senior
Max Goserud, Sunlake, junior
Jaime Candelaria, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
Nathan Lee, Sunlake, sophomore
Joseph Obradovich, Land O' Lakes, senior
Dalton Sellengs, Land O' Lakes, sophomore
William Poe, Zephyrhills, freshman
Cole Couch, Wesley Chapel, junior
River Cole, Pasco, junior
The Zephyrhills Bulldogs varsity football team finished the 2020 season with an 8-3 mark and an appearance in the Class 5A regional semifinal. The Bulldogs — after dropping its first two games to start the season — reeled off eight straight wins until falling to Orlando's Jones High in the playoffs. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills High School Athletics Department)
SAC East All-Conference Football
Team Champion: Zephyrhills
Offensive Player of the Year: Rocco Becht, Wiregrass Ranch
Defensive Player of the Year: Mitch Hammond, Sunlake
First-Team Offense
QB: Rocco Becht, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
RB: Zyre Roundtree, Zephyrhills, senior
RB: Kenny Walker, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
WR: Bryson Rodgers, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
WR: Nehemiah Morgan, Wesley Chapel, junior
TE: Grady Clower, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
OL: Isaac Tavo, Land O' Lakes, senior
OL: Gabe Thompson, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
OL: Quinn Hewitt, Sunlake, junior
OL: Brian Ashmore, Zephyrhills, senior
OL: Kaleb Rivera, Wesley Chapel, senior
First-Team Defense/Special Teams
DL: Maguire Neal, Zephyrhills, junior
DL: Zavian McKinnon, Land O' Lakes, senior
DL: Dajuan McCullough, Zephyrhills, senior
DL: Chris Pressley, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
LB: Gabe Barnes, Pasco, senior
LB: Mitch Hammond, Sunlake, junior
LB: Theotis Smith, Zephyrhills
LB: Aydon Roysdon, Wesley Chapel, junior
DB: Julian Galdos, Sunlake, senior
DB: Grady Clower, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
DB: Nick Sheldon, Zephyrhills, junior
P: Spencer DeLessio, Sunlake, senior
K: Colton Corrao, Cypress Creek, junior
Utility: Tre Gallimore, Zephyrhills, senior
Second-Team Offense
QB: Owen Walls, Cypress Creek, junior
RB: Jaylin Thomas, Zephyrhills, junior
RB: Jaylan Blake, Wesley Chapel, junior
WR: Dontrell Clerkley, Cypress Creek, junior
WR: Merrick Simmons, Cypress Creek, junior
TE: Owen Libby, Wesley Chapel, senior
OL: Paul-Andre Tre, Cypress Creek, senior
OL: Briac Riles, Wesley Chapel, junior
OL: Dajuan McCullough, Zephyrhills, senior
OL: Tucker Schwab, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
OL: Jarrian Galyan, Zephyrhills, senior
Second-Team Defense/Special Teams
DL: Jaden Haynes, Wesley Chapel, sophomore
DL: Vincent Tre, Cypress Creek, sophomore
DL: Will Arnett, Sunlake, senior
DL: Tyree Thomas, Wesley Chapel, senior
LB: Josh Poleon, Wesley Chape, sophomore
LB: Larence Graham, Zephyrhills, sophomore
LB: Matt Hensley, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
LB: Amir Burgess, Pasco, senior
DB: Broden Guirl, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
DB: Jonathan Lee, Pasco, senior
DB: Clayton Cornelius Zephyrhills, senior
P: Zachary Hammer, Land O' Lakes, senior
K: Daniel Lester, Sunlake, junior
Utility: Owen Libby, Wesley Chapel, senior
Honorable Mention(s)
Manuel Torres, Pasco, senior
Tyler Adcock, Land O' Lakes, senior
Garrett Meredith, Land O' Lakes, senior
Craig Kailimai, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Gabriel Kolakoff, Cypress Creek, senior
Collin Ostapchuk, Cypress Creek, senior
Mike Barber, Zephyrhills, senior
Cypress Creek's Connor Newbold, right, was the only freshman boys golfer to earn All-Sunshine Athletic Conference East honors, as a first-team selection. Newbold also was an individual qualifier at the FHSAA Class 2A state championships in November. Newbold stands with Cypress Creek golf coach Rob Patterson. (File)
SAC East All-Conference Golf
Coach of the Year: Bob Kamps, Sunlake
Golfer of the Year: TJ Floberg, Pasco
TJ Floberg, Pasco, senior
Connor Newbold, Cypress Creek, freshman
Max Barile, Sunlake, senior
Cody Williams, Sunlake, junior
Scott Atkins, Pasco, senior
Fab Laude, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Michael Depue, Land O' Lakes, senior
Logan Jackson, Land O' Lakes, senior
Nathan Dube, Cypress Creek, senior
Trevor Myers, Zephyrhills, senior
Chase Hanson, Wesley Chapel, senior
Land O' Lakes senior Zuri Ramsey was named Sunshine Athletic Conference East Boys Swimmer of the Year, for a second straight season. (File)
SAC East All-Conference Swimming and Diving
Team Champion: Land O' Lakes
Coach of the Year: Jen Gaete, Land O' Lakes
Swimmer of the Year: Zuri Ramsey, Land O' Lakes
Diver of the Year: Mason Gandy, Land O' Lakes
200 medley relay: Land O' Lakes (1:37.12) — Michael McCloskey, sophomore; Griffin Sutek, senior; Garret McNab, freshman; Zuri Ramsey, senior
200 freestyle: Clyde Crouse, Cypress Creek, senior (1:42.43)
200 individual medley: Noah Porter, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (2:00.78)
50 freestyle: Zuri Ramsey, Land O' Lakes, senior (20.51)
100 butterfly: Noah Porter, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (53.84)
100 freestyle: Zuri Ramsey, Land O' Lakes, senior (45.87)
500 freestyle: Clyde Crouse, Cypress, senior (4:40.35)
Land O' Lakes senior Mason Gandy was named Sunshine Athletic Conference East Boys Diver of the Year, for a second straight year. (File)
200 freestyle relay: Land O' Lakes (1:30.19) — Michael McCloskey, sophomore; Griffin Sutek, senior; Garret McNab, freshman; Zuri Ramsey, senior
100 backstroke: Michael McCloskey, Land O' Lakes, sophomore (57.71)
100 breaststroke: Griffin Sutek, Land O' Lakes, senior (59.53)
400 freestyle: Wiregrass Ranch (3:19.06) — Manny Silva, senior; Noah Porter, junior; Matt Gomez, senior; Kevin Chen, junior
Diver: Mason Gandy, Land O' Lakes, senior (430.45)
200 medley relay: Sunlake (1:45.80) — Caiden DeTillio, Sunlake, freshman; Alex Thai, sophomore; Jackson Houck, sophomore; Tien Duong, sophomore
200 freestyle: Aidyn Rosochowicz, Land O' Lakes, sophomore
200 individual medley: Tien Duong, Sunlake, sophomore
50 freestyle: Alex Thai, Sunlake, sophomore (23.05)
100 butterfly: RB Childers, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (59.84)
100 freestyle: Aidyn Rosochowicz, Land O' Lakes, sophomore (54.65)
500 freestyle: Clay Ballash, Cypress Creek, freshman (5:11.15)
200 freestyle relay: Sunlake (1:36.06) — Caiden DeTillio, freshman; Alex Thai, sophomore; Jackson Houck, sophomore; Tien Duong, sophomore
100 backstroke: Caiden DeTillio, Sunlake, freshman (59.54)
100 breaststroke: Alex Thai, Sunlake, sophomore (1:02.35)
400 freestyle relay: Land O' Lakes (3:48.41) — Aidyn Rosochowicz, sophomore; Liam Grubaugh, sophomore; Krishnavamsi Chundi, sophomore; Sebastian Arbelaez, senior
Diver: Jace Beckwith, Cypress Creek, freshman (358.95)
Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Cypress Creek High School, Land O' Lakes High School, Pasco County Schools, Pasco High School, SAC All-Conference, Sunlake High School, Sunshine Athletic Conference, Wesley Chapel High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills High School
Sunlake XC strides for another banner finish at states
November 10, 2020 By Kevin Weiss
It'd be understandable if the Sunlake High School varsity cross country program took a slight step back following a banner 2019 campaign that saw its boys team finish fifth and girls team sixth at the Class 3A state championship — the best combined finish that year among schools in all classifications in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.
Those respective Seahawks' seniors — many of whom are now running in college — all but carried the program to the banner showing, including:
Five of the boys team's top seven runners were seniors, four of whom are now running on scholarship at in-state Flagler College, Saint Leo University and Southeastern University, respectively.
Three of the girls team's top seven runners were seniors, including decorated and school record-setting Liina Winborn, who finished fourth overall at the 2019 state finals (18:11.16),
and is now on a distance running scholarship at Division I University of Florida.
But, this year's Seahawks teams may soar to even greater heights, once the season officially crosses the finish line.
The Sunlake High School boys and girls cross-country programs are poised to each have its highest finish at the 3A state finals on Nov. 14 at Apalachee Regional Park, in Tallahassee. Each squad swept its conference and district meets. The boys team won regionals, while the girls finished runner-up, respectively. (Courtesy of Randal Reeves)
The boys and girls squads each swept its conference championship and district championships. At regionals on Nov. 7 at Holloway Park in Lakeland, the boys took first place and the girls took runner-up.
With that, both advance to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 3A state championships on Nov. 14, at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.
Expectations at states are a top three or four finish for the boys, and a top four or five for the girls, respectively.
So, what else separates this team from years past? A valuable combination of depth, dedication, accountability, and some natural talent, of course.
"We lost a lot of seniors last year who went on to run in college," said Sunlake distance coach Randal Reeves, "but, returning runners from last year just really stepped it up, by putting in all the training over the summer; that's what made the difference, and all that hard work is just paying off."
Reeves further praised teammates for having the commitment to show up to practices and workouts each day, and doing what is asked of them, and more.
"These kids are extremely dedicated," the seventh-year coach said. "You've gotta have the right kids involved, and I'm blessed. I do have the right kids."
The effort level comes from many of the runners' desires to earn college scholarships and compete at the next level, the coach said.
"Every single one of these kids is looking to run in college," Reeves said. "They don't want to miss out on the opportunity to get their training in so that they can perform well, so I think that's what the difference is with these kids. They all want to get some races in so they can show a recruiter, 'Hey, look at the times I've been running,' so I think that might be where a lot of the dedication is from."
The inner drive to succeed elsewhere comes from distance runners having what likely would've been a banner track season ripped away from them back in March, as all spring sports were canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic surge.
"I think it's definitely a lot of build-up from almost having an incomplete season of track," said junior Caitlyn Culpepper, a team captain.
"I think that motivation definitely carried into our summer training, because I know when I ended the (track) season, I was like, 'Wow, I have so much more left to give,' so we just carried that motivation into our summer training, 'Hey, we've gotta work harder. We weren't able to achieve this goal of state tracks, so let's put this toward cross-country,' so I think that drove a lot of us. We were just ready to get out there and start competing again."
Other top-level 3A cross-country programs may have anywhere from 50 to 100 runners on their roster.
Sunlake has less than 30 runners combined between the boys and girls teams.
The 3.1-mile state meet course at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee features a mix of hills and flat terrain. The team has prepared for the course in training at Trout Creek Park in Thonotosassa. (Courtesy of Florida High School Athletic Association)
In this case, it's about quality, not quantity.
Both squads boast eight closely matched runners who are strong enough to register points (finish in the top five for their team in a race).
Each squad's No. 6 or No. 7 runner may finish as high as No. 4 or No. 5 in a particular meet or race.
It's one of those good problems to have.
"I have the problem, of my top seven, any one of 'em would be varsity on any team in the state of Florida. I mean, they're that good," Reeves said.
This tight margin among Sunlake runners has created an accountability factor among each other, keeping everyone on their toes and forced to give their best effort in practice and meets.
The girls team, for example, has eight runners who run a 5K (3.1 miles) under 22-minutes, led by senior Shannon Gordy, who's personal record is 18:53. The boys team has eight runners who can finish under 18 minutes, led by junior Colby Robbins, who captured individual titles at conference, districts and regionals, and whose personal-best 15:56 is two seconds off the school record held by the graduated Gavin Kennedy (15:54.6).
"We're so close in times, which gives us that awesome pack up in the front," Culpepper said, "and, you know, we have that accountability for each other, so we're able to push each other, so that inner competition among each other creates for great competition against other teams."
The depth means "it could be anybody's race," even for those lower-ranked runners, said Gordy. "Those No. 6 and No. 7 runners, they know that we're strong as a whole and they have a part in the team. They may not score points, but they know they're important to our team. As the team runs, we run as a group," she said.
Robbins likewise underscored how the depth — and corresponding camaraderie, he said — has carried the team so far: "If somebody decides to slack off, instead of just saying, 'Oh, that's not me, it's individual sport,' we're going to get on them because we care, so I think that's what sets us apart. We have a degree of responsibility that we uphold for each other, because I'm not going to be the one that holds my team back, because we all care about each other."
Coach's impact
Other reasons for the program forming as one of the state's best is Reeves, who's earned his fair share of Sunshine Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in cross-country and track.
"He can take anyone and turn them into a great athlete, and if you have natural talent, he can then turn you into world-class," said Robbins, who entered Sunlake as a soccer player but made the transition to distance running freshman year, and is now among the state's best runners in Class 3A.
The Sunlake cross-country program is among the state's top-ranked teams entering the Florida High School Athletic Association's Class 3A state championships. The boys and girls teams compete on Nov. 14 at Apalachee Regional Park, in Tallahassee. (Courtesy of Florida High School Athletic Association)
"Even though we don't have the biggest group, because of coach's training and because of our buy into the training, he's able to take a group of 15 boys and make them state contenders."
Senior Cade Whitfield missed all of last season amid a hip injury. He returned this year as the team's No. 3 runner and a personal-best 16:37.
Whitfield credits Reeves' passion for the sport and attention to each runner's needs and goals.
"I've never experienced a coach like him," he said. "He sat down with me with college recruiting and told me every single step I've needed to take, and he's honestly the one that inspired me to give it my all like he does, because I just didn't want to give 50% for him."
Gordy expressed similar feelings for the coach: "He knows every runner has different motivations and different goals, so he makes sure that he specializes our training to what we want to run, like our times, and like what we want to do after high school, and how we want to get there."
Running through quarantine
Even with myriad medals and trophies earned this season, it hasn't all been smooth sailing for Sunlake this season.
The team was forced to quarantine from Sept. 24 through Oct. 3 after one of its runners tested positive for COVID-19.
Unable to practice together as a group, runners had to train individually and log their times online each day. Meetings and workout instructions were held virtually, through Zoom.
The team took the setback in stride, viewing it as an opportunity to not take the season for granted.
"Being quarantined, it really showed the value of having teammates to run with," said Culpepper. "When you're running on your own, you've gotta push yourself a little more, versus, when you're running with the team as committed as you are, it definitely helps you.
"It's definitely made us more appreciative of our team and our dynamic, and the ability that we have to be able to run together and even have a season this year. It was kind of a new perspective that we needed," he said.
Gordy believes the occurrence made the team stronger, in the end, too.
"I feel like when we came back, we were eager to race and be better at the races, and we were more rested," she said. "It was like a refreshment, kind of. Like a break, and then we focus on what we want as a team."
As Reeves puts it: "The world gave us lemons, and we decided to make lemonade out of it."
Now, looking ahead to this weekend's state championship, the Seahawks are confident for a strong showing — maybe even better than 2019's version.
Training at Trout Creek Park in Thonotosassa — plus past experience competing at states — has prepared Sunlake for the mix of hills and flat terrain at the Apalachee course, Reeves said.
"It plays well for us," Reeves said of the state meet course. "We do a lot of our training that replicates parts of the state course, and so they're not surprised. When they get out to that course, they're going to feel fine, nothing's going to shock them, they're going to know how to run."
Sunlake varsity boys cross-country
Colby Robbins, junior (15:56)
Alex Pena, sophomore (16:15)
Cade Whitfield, senior (16:37)
Cason Meyer, junior (16:48)
Andres Alfonso, junior (16:54)
Max Goserud, junior (17:13)
Nathan Lee, sophomore (17:39)
Cody Smith, junior (17:47)
Sunlake varsity girls cross-country
Shannon Gordy, senior (18:53, personal record)
Ashley Spires, senior (19:59)
Atlanta Lofton, sophomore (20:26)
Shelby Viseur, junior (20:44)
Caitlyn Culpepper, junior (20:44)
Sarah Ellingson, junior (20:48)
Annie Winborn, sophomore (21:01)
Abigail Williams, freshman (21:10)
Filed Under: Land O' Lakes Sports, Local Sports Tagged With: Apalachee Regional Park, Cade Whitfield, Caitlyn Culpepper, Colby Robbins, cross-country, FHSAA, Flagler College, Florida High School Athletic Association, Gavin Kennedy, Liina Winborn, Randal Reeves, Saint Leo University, Shannon Gordy, Southeastern University, Sunlake High School, Sunshine Athletic Conference, Trout Creek Park, University of Florida
Local golf standout swings into senior year
August 4, 2020 By Kevin Weiss
When Norah Catlin showed up for Wiregrass Ranch High School girls golf tryouts in 2017, it wasn't long before coach Jeremy Calzone realized a special talent had entered the program.
The longtime Bulls coach originally wasn't aware of the then-incoming freshman's background winning countless junior tournaments; being named the Greater Tampa Junior Golf Association's player of the year; qualifying for the Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at the Masters; and first picking up the sport at the age of 4.
Wiregrass Ranch High School rising senior Norah Catlin stands alongside head coach Jeremy Calzone at the 2019 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championships.
As a junior last year, Catlin finished tied for 17th at the Class 3A championships, firing five-over par (74-75—149) in the two-day tournament.
(Courtesy of Kim Catlin)
Moreover, the timing couldn't have been better.
The team had just graduated a strong senior class buoyed by Morgan Powers, Alexis Lane and Lexy Frenchko.
With that, Calzone figured the 2017 season would be a retooling year. "We were like, 'Man, it's going to be a struggle this year,'" he recalled.
Little did the coach know the most accomplished female golfer in school history had walked in the door, and she'd guide the program to three straight conference championships and district titles.
At tryouts when Calzone asked which of the newcomers had ever golfed before, Catlin meekly raised her hand, speaking softly without much conviction.
Assuming she was mostly a novice with the sport, Calzone unwittingly placed her with a beginner's group, instead of with some of the team's more experienced returnees.
He soon discovered a mistake was made.
"It took me two shots to realize, 'Ok, you need to be in that (top) group with those other girls…,'" Calzone chuckled. "I joke with her all the time, like, 'You could've told me you were like one of the elite players in the area.' …It was a good surprise to have, obviously."
The rest is history.
"She's definitely by far the best (player) we've had," Calzone said of Catlin.
Since entering the Wiregrass Ranch hallways, Catlin has laid claim to the county's top female
golfer. She is a three-time Sunshine Athletic Conference Player of the Year and three-time state qualifier.
Her freshman year she became the first female golfer in school history to qualify for the state finals, held annually at the Mission Inn Resort & Club, in Howey-in-the-Hills.
As a junior last year, Catlin finished tied for 17th at the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) Class 3A state championships, firing five-over par (74-75—149) across the two-day tournament.
It represented the best showing among female golfers from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. The next top score among locals was Steinbrenner High's Posie Farrelly, who carded nine-over par (79-74 — 153)
Entering her senior campaign, Catlin is looking to build on her past accolades and then some, if and when the already-delayed Florida prep sports season gets underway due to COVID-19.
In addition to trying to secure top county honors and a strong state finish a fourth time, her main goal is to finish undefeated in the dozen or so regular season matches scheduled.
"It's something that I've gotten very close to the last three seasons. I want to be able to do it at least once before my high school career is over," she said.
Catlin, too, hopes her accomplishments inspire her younger teammates and the next generation of female golfers: "Honestly, I really hope somebody sees what I've done and wants to beat it, because that's how you get better."
'A mental game'
On the course, Catlin takes pride in her short game, particularly her chipping ability. It was a skill she began mastering at a young age, using her family's backyard to practice various angles and distances.
To shore up her accuracy, Catlin's father would give her $1 every time she hit a tree from a particular position. "We had to stop that very quickly because I'd bankrupt him," she quipped.
Catlin's chip shot proficiency, too, has awed Calzone over the years: "It's crazy, she'll be five or 10 feet within the pin, ready for birdie almost every time, and if she's not, it's almost like you're shocked, you know."
The mental side of the game is another of Catlin's strengths. She makes a point to not let a bad shot or two ruin an entire round — a common theme for some golfers. Instead, she tries to stay level-headed and keep her composure throughout.
Catlin detailed her mindset: "The biggest mistake that some golfers make is when they hit one bad shot, they get very upset, because they think their day is ruined, whereas their attitude towards the situation is what ruins their round. By keeping a level head and telling yourself, 'Golf is a game, at the end of the day,' it's a lot easier to hit the next shot and bounce back."
Better prepared
Each summer, Catlin travels to St. Petersburg, Russia, to visit family members on her mother's side.
Catlin doesn't pick up a golf club during that period, which admittedly leaves her rusty for a couple weeks in advance of the season.
Norah Catlin said one of her main goals as a senior is to be undefeated in all regular season matches. She'd been close to achieving that feat in the past.
The pandemic, however, cancelled the teen's annual Russia trip.
From a golfing standpoint, it could prove a blessing in disguise.
That's because she has used the extra downtime in town to hit the links with more fervor — and should yield a more polished version of herself by the start of the season, whenever that is.
"I think all this extra practice that I've been able to do is really going to help me," Catlin said, adding she's fortunate golf courses have stayed open during the pandemic, as the sport's been deemed an essential recreational activity by state and local governments. "It's been nice to still have my sport running, and it gives me something to do every day."
More prepared than usual for the start of a season, Calzone acknowledged Catlin could put forth her best showing of her prep career.
"If she's been playing all summer, look out," the coach said. "She's never disappointed me, so my expectations are always pretty high for her, because I know what she's going to do."
Promising future awaits
Catlin has multiple offers to golf collegiately, but she hasn't yet decided if that's a path she'll take.
One of the top students in her senior class with a 4.5 GPA who takes a heavy dose of Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-enrollment classes, Catlin aspires to study political science in college and attend law school. She also is passionate about environmental issues, recently completing an online environmental justice fellowship amid the pandemic. Studying abroad in Russia and becoming fluent in the language are some other lofty objectives.
When it comes to higher education, Catlin said, "I just want to focus more time on my school and focusing on my GPA."
In either case, golf will still be a lifelong hobby for her, whether she's playing competitively or not.
"It's definitely going to be in my life, probably for the rest of my life," Catlin said. "I genuinely like it because it gives me time alone, time to think, and it's as much of a mental game as it is a physical game. …Also, it's just a nice way to get fresh air."
Whatever Catlin winds up doing, Catlin's high school coach is sure she'll find success.
"She's just an unbelievable person," Calzone said. "She's just a great, all-around person. Her grades, she's very polite, she's well-liked by all the teachers, the kids at school. Just a great, unbelievable person. I mean, she's unbelievable at golf, but I think she's just an unbelievable, all-around student-athlete."
Filed Under: Local Sports, People Profiles, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa Sports Tagged With: Alexis Lane, COVID-19, Florida High School Athletic Association, Greater Tampa Junior Golf Association, Howey-in-the-Hills, Jeremy Calzone, Lexy Frenchko, Mission Inn Resort & Club, Morgan Powers, Norah Catlin, Posie Farrelly, Steinbrenner High School, Sunshine Athletic Conference, Wiregrass Ranch High School
Cypress Creek receives FHSAA sportsmanship award
June 9, 2020 By Kevin Weiss
The Cypress Creek High School athletics department has made numerous strides in on-field performance since the school first opened in 2017.
But, it's the way the school's student-athletes, coaches and fans conduct themselves before and after athletic events that has garnered statewide attention.
Cypress Creek earned the Florida High School Athletic Association's (FHSAA) Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for Class 4A for the 2019-2020 school year. In total, 14 high schools and two middle schools received the notable honor on June 4. (Courtesy of Cypress Creek athletics department)
Cypress Creek earned the Florida High School Athletic Association's (FHSAA) Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for Class 4A for the 2019-2020 school year. In total, 14 high schools and two middle schools received the notable honor on June 4.
As part of the award, the Wesley Chapel-based school will receive a commemorative plaque and a $2,500 check, to go toward ongoing athletic department funding.
Cypress Creek, also known as the Coyotes, originally was nominated for the award because the school had not received any disciplinary actions or ejections among all athletes and coaches; the school also was required to submit information to the FHSAA outlining the athletic department's overall philosophy and how it fosters good sportsmanship among all participants.
Cypress Creek athletic director Justin Pelliccia labeled the honor as "something we're definitely very proud of" and "great publicity for Pasco County as a whole."
"It's definitely a huge honor for all of us, all of our coaches, all the countless hours that they've put in and dedication that they've put into their programs," said Pelliccia, who's served as athletic director since 2018.
"Sportsmanship is always key," he said, noting if kids are respectful and they buy in and they are respectful to the coach and to other teams, it contributes to success.
The statewide award has been presented annually since 1991. It is named in honor of FHSAA Commissioner Emeritus Fred E. Rozelle.
This is the first time since 2014 that a school in The Laker/Lutz News' coverage area has received the distinction. Land O' Lakes-based Rushe Middle School received the honor in 2014 and Sunlake High School received it for the 2012-2013 school year.
Cypress Creek athletic director Justin Pelliccia (Courtesy of Justin Pelliccia)
Cypress Creek principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles is elated the school received the prestigious designation.
"I am absolutely thrilled about our students, fan base, and coaches being recognized with this award," she wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.
"This is truly an honor! This honor is a testament to the dedication of our coaches, community & students and their commitment to our H.O.W.L. mission, which is to Have a growth mindset, Own their education, Work as a Community, and to Lead responsibly. I am proud of our entire Coyote Nation for being honored with this award!"
When it comes to promoting good sportsmanship, the Cypress Creek athletics department takes a multi-faceted approach.
Student-athletes, for instance, are advised to keep a positive outlook on social media sites, and partake in various community service and fundraisers, such as pancake breakfasts and car washes.
In general, the school's athletes are "very respectful" to opposing teams before and after competitions, Pelliccia said.
Also, Coyotes coaches "go above and beyond" in the name of setting a good example, Pelliccia said. As an example, he said many coaches make it a point to recognize rival schools' student-athletes — in addition to their own — during Senior Night ceremonies.
Moreover, the school is revered for its active spirit group — student fans who attend countless sporting events each year, both home and away.
The athletic director explained school administration outlines guidelines, ideas and expectations for appropriate student section behavior.
"I know you can go to some schools and their student sections are crazy and ruthless, so we've kind of taken the step to make sure that sportsmanship is their focus. We've had meetings with them, we go through kind of things they can use while they're at the games, and they were great this year," Pelliccia said.
The Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award honors schools whose athletic teams demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship during the regular season and the FHSAA State Series. The award is presented to one school in each classification whose entire sports program best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship as demonstrated by its coaches, players and spectators. (File)
Meanwhile, Cypress Creek athletics as a whole has come a long way since its inaugural year — when softball was then the only program to achieve a winning campaign.
Pelliccia acknowledged it was initially difficult for the upstart school to field competitive athletics teams. It also proved challenging for students rezoned from rival high schools — Land O' Lakes, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch — to gel.
Pelliccia observed: "All these kids came from different schools, so getting them to be a cohesive unit in Year One was our struggle; they were still all sort of enemies at that point."
However, as the school embarks on its fourth year in existence, triumphs have begun to show.
Besides the sportsmanship designation, the Coyotes had a banner year in terms of on-field success.
The school's football team made its first playoff appearance; the boys soccer and girls weightlifting teams were district champions; and, boys cross-country and girls weightlifting were district runner-up, among other notable benchmarks.
"The kids are taking pride in their athletic teams, and the success is coming and definitely showing," Pelliccia said.
The athletic director himself has picked up some individual recognition, while serving as the school's varsity boys soccer coach. Pelliccia was named Sunshine Athletic Conference East Boys Soccer Coach of the Year, after guiding the program to an 11-6 mark and a Class 4A regional semifinals appearance this past year.
Filed Under: Local Sports, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa Sports Tagged With: Carin Hetzler-Nettles, Cypress Creek High School, FHSAA, Florida High School Athletic Association, Fred E. Rozelle, Justin Pelliccia, Land O' Lakes High, Rushe Middle School, Sunlake High School, Sunshine Athletic Conference, Wesley Chapel High, Wiregrass Ranch High
Senior guards leave a lasting impression
May 5, 2020 By Kevin Weiss
The 2019-2020 season for the Land O' Lakes High School varsity basketball program is sure to be remembered for some time.
Not only was it the final of 31 seasons for longtime head coach Dave Puhalski, but it also marked the senior campaigns of Mekhi Perry and Chase Farmer — two of the most decorated players in Land O' Lakes and Pasco County history.
Perry exits as the Gators all-time leading scorer, with 1,616 career points.
Second on the list? Farmer, who finished his Gators career with 1,403 points.
Land O' Lakes senior guard Mekhi Perry exits as the school's all-time leading scorer. He's signed with Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. (Courtesy of James Trapani)
Those figures surpassed former Land O' Lakes star Jeff Baisley's 1,394 career points — a record held strong since 2005.
The dynamic guard duo and team captains sparkle school record books in many other categories, too.
Perry, a four-year starter, exits as the program's all-time leader in games played (101), made 3 pointers (178), second in assists (394) and 10th in rebounds (440), steals (138) and blocks (59).
Meantime, Farmer is the school's all-time leader in dunks (90), seventh in assists (191) and 10th in blocks (72). He compiled those stats in just three seasons, transferring in from Leto High School following his freshman campaign.
Also, both players have been named Sunshine Athletic Conference Eastside Player of the Year during their career — Farmer his junior year; Perry as a sophomore and senior.
The combo, naturally, won their share of games when on the court side-by-side for three years — going a combined 63-17 and twice reaching the Class 7A regional semifinals.
Their skillsets played off each other well and kept opposing teams off balance.
Land O' Lakes senior guard Chase Farmer is the school's all-time dunks leader and second leading scorer. He's signed with Cape Fear Community College, in Wilmington, North Carolina.
At point guard, the 6-foot-1 Perry played the role of ball handler and outside shooter.
Farmer, at 6-foot-3, offered more as a slasher and rim finisher from the off-guard spot.
Those complementing styles formed "a match made in heaven on the court," Puhalski said.
"It was tough for teams to match up with us," he said, "just because if you isolated on one, the other would kill ya."
Of the hundreds of players coached at Land O' Lakes, Puhalski considers Perry and Farmer "together, the best one-two guard combination that we've had."
"We've had some really good point guards, good two-guards, but these two were the best together at each position," said Puhalski, who won 479 career games at Land O' Lakes.
"They were probably two of the better basketball players in Land O' Lakes, maybe Pasco County. They're really special kids."
Their talents shine
While the two generally had separate friend and peer groups at school, Puhalski noted "once they hit the court they were on the same page."
The pair was a coach's and teacher's dream off the hardwood.
"They were just really two good kids," Puhalski said. "They were never in trouble. They never had a minute of problems at school, never were suspended, never been to ISS (in-school suspension), never any problems off the court, either. Just great kids. I never had any problems with either one of them."
Puhalski knew he had something special when he first saw Farmer join offseason team workouts and practices in spring 2017. The Land O' Lakes coach had only heard of the Leto transfer's talent secondhand from his AAU coach, Mario Lovett.
Puhalski recalled, "You could tell he was already head and shoulders above the kids, him and Mekhi."
Land O' Lakes reached the Class 7A regional semifinals the past two seasons, winning more than 20 games in each.
Perry also salivated about the team's possibilities in initial workouts with Farmer. "As soon as I saw him play and I saw his athletic ability," Perry said, "I automatically thought we could be a good duo if we both kept developing."
That, they did.
The pair made it a point to add strength in the weight room "and that just elevated their game," Puhalski said.
Farmer went from benching 145 pounds as a sophomore to 260 by his senior year. Perry added some size on his own throughout high school, with the help of his father, a bodybuilding enthusiast.
"They had the skillset, and all they needed was some strength," Puhalski said. "I think that was the key for these guys, to have that next level body when the college coaches came in and looked at them and said, 'Well, geez, these guys have a next level body already on them, they're not that skinny high school kid.'"
Both strived to make each other better every day, too.
"We always wanted to push each other, and wanted to push everybody," Farmer said. "We knew that me and him could get to a different level, so we just wanted to make sure we helped each other every day in practice."
The accomplished seniors soon will be going their separate ways — embarking on what they hope are illustrious college careers.
Perry is headed to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. Farmer is off to Cape Fear Community College, in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Both look back fondly on their prep careers and made memories at Land O' Lakes.
Farmer said he'll mostly miss the school's gameday atmosphere, road trips and being coached by Puhalski. (Land O' Lakes fans will certainly miss his signature breakaway windmill dunks.)
"It's a really good community. I like the people," Farmer said. "Coach P just led me in with open arms; we just went on from there."
Perry, too, appreciates what was a positive basketball experience overall.
"The different teams I got to mesh with, hanging out with all those guys, it was just fun," Perry said. "Every year we got closer and closer, but the freshman year varsity team (in 2016-2017) being around all those seniors, that kind of like exposed me to what Land O' Lakes was about and that was probably one of my favorite years."
Now retired from coaching, Puhalski will make it a point to catch as many of the duo's college games as possible. He's already planning dates to St. Petersburg and North Carolina, as well as a tournament in Orlando that'll feature Farmer's new team.
Said Puhalski, "It's really gratifying that these last few years, with these two guys on the team and the success they had, and we had, just makes me feel real good. Now, I can watch these guys play at the next level, and that's really the best feeling right there."
The coach added: "I don't know how well they'll be at the next level, but they'll be great citizens, and that's the important part."
Filed Under: Land O' Lakes Sports, Local Sports Tagged With: Cape Fear Community College, Chase Farmer, Dave Puhalski, Eckerd College, Jeff Baisley, Land O' Lakes High School, Mario Lovett, Mekhi Perry, Sunshine Athletic Conference
Cancellation of spring sports leaves many dejected
April 28, 2020 By Kevin Weiss
There was at least a glimmer of hope the 2020 Florida high school spring sports season would resume, even amid concerns about coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
But, optimism vanished when the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) on April 20 announced it would cancel all FHSAA-affiliated events.
The cancellations include the state series and championships events, for spring sports.
Due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) on April 20 announced it would cancel all FHSAA-affiliated events, including the state series and championships events, for spring sports. (File)
The statewide sports organization also announced no additional eligibility will be granted for spring sport athletes, including seniors, "under the guidance of the Florida Department of Education regarding grade level retention, and upon review of Florida Statutes and FHSAA Bylaws."
And, just like that, high school senior athletic careers have come to an end.
It happened months sooner than expected, with no clue for athletes that a game, match or meet around mid-March would officially be their last.
The reality has left many local senior athletes feeling dejected, including Sunlake High's Gianna Levy.
"It was really hard on me," said Levy. "I cried. To be honest, I cried a lot."
The prep track and field season offered Levy a final chance to boost her stats and times, to get on the radar of NCAA Division I college programs, as a heptathlete. She's still holding out hope of being able to compete on the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) circuit this summer to get those college looks, but even that's no guarantee.
"It definitely is really taking a really big toll on me," Levy said. "This was a lot of people's out ticket (to college) and now we don't have that out ticket."
Levy was only able participate in a couple track events before the varsity season came to a screeching halt. She was nursing a hip injury, which arose in February after she won a state title in girls weightlifting.
Though she'd already been a three-time state track and field qualifier and holds the school's 400-meter dash record, Levy was dogged to put forth a banner senior campaign. "I just had so many goals in mind," she said.
Other seniors had similar ambitions for their high school swan song.
Land O' Lakes High senior Courtney Piltaver is a two-time Sunshine Athletic Conference East Girls Tennis Player of the Year. She was poised again to shine in her final high school tennis season, coming off a district title and state finalist.
From left: Wiregrass Ranch High softball seniors Kailey Riddlesworth, Cassidy Eason, Lexi Gaiefsky and Loryn Finn. These athletes only played nine games of a 27-game regular season schedule, due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Courtesy of Tyler Finn)
"I was pretty upset because it was my senior year, and it really sucks that I didn't get to enjoy the full season with my team and my coaches, and kind of just close out," said Piltaver, who's signed with NCAA Division II University of Montevallo in Alabama.
The tennis standout added that not having the typical ceremonial senior night celebration, "was kind of heartbreaking, because that was something I was really looking forward to since my freshman year."
Senior infielder Loryn Finn was in the midst of her best hitting season on the Wiregrass Ranch High softball team, sporting a .360/.467/.440 slash line through nine games.
The team captain also was chasing the 100 career hit milestone — a possibility with 18 regular season games remaining on the schedule, until athletics activities were scrapped.
Finn won't be playing college ball. She hasn't quite come to grips that a March 11 loss to Wesley Chapel High is perhaps the final time she'll pick up a bat, ball and glove competitively.
"It's definitely hard. I'm kind of in shock," Finn said, bluntly.
Aside from game action, Finn still longs for those last few "bus rides to games, and just jamming to music with players and teammates."
With a tinge of despair in her voice, Finn labeled her four-year softball experience as "just always been fun."
Wiregrass Ranch assistant softball coach Tyler Finn feels for his senior daughter and the many other players on the team: "It's really just not the seniors, it's freshmen, it's everybody. It's tough on them, too. It affects every player, all of them; their season was cut short."
He also observed his daughter's high school athletics career coming to an abrupt halt.
Besides softball, Finn was a three-time All-Conference golfer: "She's gotten to the point where she just wants to get into college and get the education going. She had a really good high school softball career and golf career. …She's going to miss those kids that she played with since she was little — that's the hard part."
Though the traditional season is done, the assistant coach is looking for some way to hold a final showcase in the summer that would bring together various senior high school softball players countywide, assuming restrictions on parks and gatherings are lifted.
"The kids deserve it," he said.
'I knew it was coming'
Back on March 31, the FHSAA issued a statement that left open the possibility of a spring sports season, saying they could run from as soon as May 3 through June 30.
The FHSAA also had indicated if a spring sports season is canceled altogether, it was working on a solution to create additional athletics eligibility for students who were unable to participate.
FHSAA-sanctioned spring sports include baseball, flag football, lacrosse, softball, tennis, track & field, boys volleyball, water polo and boys weightlifting.
However, as days and weeks pressed on, many saw the writing on the wall that spring sports would not return this year, due to the pandemic.
Sunlake High senior track and field standout Gianna Levy was looking to get on the radar of Division I college athletics programs before the spring season was cut short. (Courtesy of Gianna Levy)
"I knew it was coming. I didn't want to admit it to myself, I didn't want to accept it, but I knew it was coming," said Academy at the Lakes (AATL) varsity baseball coach Ken Akins.
"Once the FHSAA said, 'OK, we're thinking about extending it into summer and deep into June,' there was a little bit of hope there, but once you get into June you start messing with all the travel sports — baseball and softball are huge in the summertime."
Academy at the Lakes athletic director Tom Haslam offered a similar take on the FHSAA's decision: "We kind of knew this was coming, but we hated to hear the actual directive."
He added: "It's understandable, they have to do it, so we don't disagree with it, we expected it."
The directive came at a time when multiple AATL programs were hitting their stride.
The AATL baseball team was on its best start in program history, already matching its win total from 2019 — thanks to contributions from four seniors.
The school's boys tennis team, meanwhile, was expected to contend for a state championship, like the prior season.
Of course, the FHSAA's salvo wiped out the Land O' Lakes-based private school's softball, track and field, and boys weightlifting teams.
All told, there were 17 seniors among those five teams.
"It affects everybody's season," Haslam said, "but the seniors, you really feel for it."
He added, "It's not just athletic seniors, but seniors in anything. You're talking about proms and special events that just aren't going to happen. It's just sad. Sad's the best word I have for it."
Though much attention has been brought to how this year's seniors are affected, and rightly so, the longtime athletic director also believes the canceled spring season could have major ripple effects for juniors looking to get recruited by various college programs.
Haslam put it like this: "It hurts a lot of the juniors, because not only are they putting stats on paper, but they're also missing workout time, and it's going to be hard to develop their skills as normal, because they can't get in the cages and gyms, and there's no spring ball, and there may not even be travel ball in the summer.
"It's pretty far-reaching, so it doesn't just affect seniors on that level. You can't even go out in a park and shoot hoops," he said.
Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Academy at the Lakes, Amateur Athletic Union, Courtney Piltaver, COVID-19, FHSAA, Florida Department of Education, Florida High School Athletic Association, Gianna Levy, Ken Akins, Land O' Lakes High School, Loryn Finn, Sunlake High School, Sunshine Athletic Conference, Tom Haslam, Tyler Finn, University of Montevallo, Wesley Chapel High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School
All-Pasco County winter awards announced
March 18, 2020 By Kevin Weiss
High school coaches from the Pasco County School District recently announced the Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) All-Conference Teams, Athletes of the Year and Coaches of the Year, for the 2019-2020 winter sports season, which included basketball, competitive cheerleading, soccer, weightlifting and wrestling.
Selections were made for both the East and West division.
The Sunlake High varsity boys basketball team finished 17-8 this season and reached the district finals. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School athletics)
Winter Sports (Boys)
SAC East All-Conference Boys Basketball
Coach of the Year: David Puhlaski, Land O' Lakes
Player of the Year: Mekhi Perry, Land O' Lakes
Chase Farmer, Land O' Lakes, senior
Jordan Golden, Sunlake, senior
Dontae Marchman, Zephyrhills, senior
Brian Parker, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Mekhi Perry, Land O' Lakes, senior
Jelani Vassell, Wesley Chapel, senior
Matt Webster, Pasco, sophomore
Ethan Jones, Wesley Chapel, senior
Jacob McCaslin, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Josh Bent, Sunlake, senior
Joe Vreeland, Cypress Creek, senior
SAC East All-Conference Boys Soccer
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch
Coach of the Year: Justin Pelliccia, Cypress Creek
Offensive Player of the Year: Malcolm Lewis, Wiregrass Ranch
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben McQuay, Wiregrass Ranch
Logan Grace, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
Ethan Sternberg, Sunlake, junior
Justin Amis, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Joey Maulorico, Land O' Lakes, senior
Carter Corrao, Cypress Creek, senior
Alec Santiago, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
Sebastian Victoria, Sunlake, junior
Malcolm Lewis, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Ben McQuay, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Jake Bierhorst, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Derek Isajar, Sunlake, junior
Jaxon Landry, Sunlake, senior
Spencer Rawlings, Land O' Lakes, senior
Jared Jimenez, Pasco, senior
Jori Ndrita, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Carlos Morales, Zephyrhills, senior
Landon Craven, Pasco, senior
Mario Garcia, Land O' Lakes, senior
Sam Salas, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Brock Montei, Sunlake, junior
Alex Bronnan, Cypress Creek, junior
Julian Padilla, Pasco, senior
Destin Rogers, Wesley Chapel, senior
The Pasco High varsity boys wrestling team won an SAC conference championship. (Courtesy of Pasco High School athletics)
SAC East All-Conference Boys Wrestling
Team Champion: Pasco
Coach of the Year: Tim Maples, Pasco
Wrestler of the Year: Zach Spicer, Sunlake
106-pound: Donavan Eury, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
113-pound: Deshawn Creary, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman
120-pound: Orion Magoon, Sunlake, sophomore
126-pound: Dante Reese, Land O' Lakes, senior
132-pound: Travis Knowlton, Pasco, senior
138-pound: Jacob Thornton, Pasco, senior
145-pound: Jake Koener, Sunlake, junior
152-pound: Kevin Johnston, Pasco, senior
160-pound: Devin Jernigan, Pasco, junior
170-pound: Savion Spaights, Pasco, junior
182-pound: Zach Spicer, Sunlake, senior
195-pound: Amir Burgess, Pasco, junior
220-pound: Theotis Smith, Zephyrhills, sophomore
285-pound: Cayman Wiseman, Sunlake, senior
106-pound: Jason DeSantis, Cypress Creek, sophomore
113-pound: James Day, Zephyrhills, freshman
120-pound: Exavier Beckwith, Wesley Chapel, junior
126-pound: Kyle Dickerson, Pasco, senior
132-pound: Morgan Ray, Land O' Lakes, junior
138-pound: Jackson Hudson, Cypress Creek, sophomore
145-pound: Jack Evans, Pasco, junior
152-pound: Idaael Reyes, Zephyrhills, sophomore
160-pound: Collins Bogie, Land O' Lakes, sophomore
170-pound: Renso Fernandez, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
182-pound: Chance Kuber, Pasco, senior
195-pound: Zavion McKinnon, Land O' Lakes, junior
220-pound: Cassidy Grubs, Pasco, freshman
285-pound: Dujuan McCullough, Zephyrhills, junior
Briac Riles, Wesley Chapel, sophomore
The Wesley Chapel High School varsity girls basketball team went 26-4 and reached the Class 4A regional final. (Courtesy of Wesley Chapel High School athletics)
Winter Sports (Girls)
SAC East All-Conference Girls Basketball
Team Champion: Wesley Chapel
Coach of the Year: Peter Livingston, Wesley Chapel
Player of the Year: Kayla Grant, Wesley Chapel
Kayla Grant, Wesley Chapel, senior
Zoi Evans, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Arianna Rivera-Heppenstall, Wesley Chapel, senior
Taija McCullough, Zephyrhills, junior
Daisy McQuain, Sunlake, senior
Mia Nicholson, Wesley Chapel, junior
Natalie Rodriguez, Land O' Lakes, senior
Allison Fleming, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
April Davis, Land O' Lakes, junior
Emari Lewis, Wesley Chapel, sophomore
Evelyn Randall, Pasco, sophomore
Adrianna Villanueva, Cypress Creek, freshman
SAC East All-Conference Competitive Cheerleading
Coach of the Year: Danielle Hammer, Wiregrass Ranch
Cheerleader of the Year: Sarah Spitzig, Land O' Lakes
Sarah Spitzig, Land O' Lakes, senior
Laura Madison, Land O' Lakes, senior
Lauren Jones, Land O' Lakes, senior
Gabriela Miller, Land O' Lakes, senior
Emma Flannery, Pasco, senior
Kristal Prado Zapata, Wesley Chapel, senior
Layla Gilyard, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Taryn Clower, Cypress Creek, junior
Brooke Sokolowski, Cypress Creek, junior
Brianna Cunningham, Zephyrhills, junior
Christina Agovino, Land O' Lakes, junior
Mayah Ocasio, Land O' Lakes, senior
Camryn Steele, Land O' Lakes, junior
Emma Runkel, Land O' Lakes, junior
Juliette Pacheco, Sunlake, senior
Julia Thomas, Sunlake, senior
Sydeny Taylor, Wesley Chapel, junior
Laynye Longley, Wesley Chapel, sophomore
Brooke Pudoka, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Alyssa Pollicita, Cypress Creek, sophomore
SAC East All-Conference Girls Soccer
Coach of the Year: Jen Craven, Land O' Lakes
Offensive Player of the Year: Avery Damjanovic, Wiregrass Ranch
Defensive Player of the Year: Sydney Bauer, Wesley Chapel
Ashley Doers, Land O' Lakes, senior
Nisa Cahoon, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Sydney Bauer, Wesley Chapel, junior
Jada Silvest, Land O' Lakes, freshman
Gaby Cardenas, Wesley Chapel, senior
Kylee Ehmann, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Avery Damjanovic, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Jordan Green, Land O' Lakes, freshman
Madison Holcombe, Wesley Chapel, junior
Maddy Golka, Wesley Chapel, sophomore
Avery Wild, Land O' Lakes, senior
Katelyn Hicks, Sunlake, sophomore
Kelsey Kadlub, Pasco, junior
Jaydean Ireland, Zephyrhills, senior
Ashley Roth, Sunlake, senior
Abby Murphy, Cypress Creek, senior
Kaylei Koschman, Wesley Chapel, junior
Amaris Hamilton-Grein, Wesley Chapel, freshman
Raegan Bourne, Cypress Creek, senior
Kobi Page, Land O' Lakes, sophomore
Rylee Humphries, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
Delaney Sanders, Cypress Creek, senior
SAC East Girls Weightlifting
Coach of the Year: Denise Garcia, Sunlake
Athlete of the Year: Juliette Pacheco, Sunlake
101-pound: Andje Costa, Cypress Creek, sophomore
110-pound: Gabriella Schwarz, Sunlake, sophomore
119-pound: Madison Guincho, Sunlake, junior
129-pound: Delaney Pratt, Sunlake, senior
139-pound: Gianna Levy, Sunlake, senior
154-pound: Sarah Davis, Zephyrhills, senior
169-pound: Juliette Pacheco, Sunlake, senior
183-pound: Brianna Caban, Sunlake, senior
199-pound: Antoinette Farmer, Sunlake, senior
Unlimited: Sarita Alzate, Land O' Lakes, senior
101-pound: Alexandria Black, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
110-pound: Savannah Lee, Wesley Chapel, senior
119-pound: Gianna Long, Sunlake, freshman
129-pound: Asia Wilmer, Zephyrhills, junior
139-pound: Gianina Rios, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
154-pound: Madison Aguilera, Zephyrhills, junior
169-pound: Alyssa Kremer, Land O' Lakes, senior
183-pound: Lakisia Thomas, Zephyrhills, senior
199-pound: Kyleigh Smith, Zephyrhills, senior
Unlimited: Juliana Garcia, Sunlake, junior
Moriah Tucker, Pasco, freshman
Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Cypress Creek High School, Land O' Lakes High School, Pasco County School District, Pasco High School, SAC, Sunlake High School, Sunshine Athletic Conference, Wesley Chapel High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills High School
Sunlake distance runners leave lasting mark
February 12, 2020 By Kevin Weiss
For this group of distance runners, the thousands of miles of foot to pavement have finally paid off — in the form of college athletic scholarships.
The past few years, Sunlake High School's boys and girls cross-country and long distance track programs have established themselves as among the best in the area, and the state.
This year's National Signing Day festivities underscored that fact: Five senior runners made their college commitments official on Feb. 5 — Luke Scheid (Flagler College), Gavin Kennedy (Saint Leo University), Drew Knobl (Southeastern University), Albert La Red (Saint Leo University), and Liina Winborn (University of Florida). A sixth distance runner, Emily Jenkins (Pasco-Hernando State College) participated in an early signing day ceremony in December.
Five Sunlake distance runners signed their National Letters of Intent on Feb. 5 to various colleges and universities. From left: Luke Scheid (Flagler College), Drew Knobl (Southeastern University), Albert La Red (Saint Leo University), Gavin Kennedy (Saint Leo University), and Liina Winborn (University of Florida). A sixth distance runner, Emily Jenkins (Pasco-Hernando State College), not pictured, participated in an early signing day ceremony in December. (Kevin Weiss)
Sunlake also celebrated two boys lacrosse signings — Jason Schwarz (Barton College) and Roberto Valentin (Webber International University).
But, it was a particularly special day for the Seahawks' runners, who leave a lasting legacy as they take the next step to the college ranks.
The Seahawks cross-country program in 2019 experienced arguably its best season ever, as the boys squad finished fifth and the girls team sixth at the Class 3A FHSAA state championships. Both teams also claimed conference titles and had strong showings at districts. The girls took first place, and the boys finished runner-up. Both squads also garnered top-five finishes at regionals — boys, third; and girls, fourth.
Many of those same distance runners also helped steer the school's 2019 track team to sweep conference and district crowns. The boys team went on to win regionals, while the girls finished runner-up that season, then advanced to states.
Saint Leo University signee Albert La Red believes the distance team's recent string of success and the large 2020 signing class now will help underclassman gain exposure from colleges and universities "that weren't looking at us before."
"It's exciting," La Red said, "because now we get these young guys over there, they have such a bright future for them."
Sunlake's distance runners logged an estimated average of 1,600 miles per year, with some runners racking up as many as 7,000 miles during their four-year prep running careers.
Besides developing their athletic skills, the grueling practices and stressful meets also forged lasting bonds and memories for La Red and other distance runners.
"I grew up with everybody at this school, and so it was super fun just running with my friends all time," La Red said. "We always hang out outside of school and stuff, always inviting each other over, always doing things."
Fellow teammate and Flagler College signee Luke Scheid also appreciates the "lifelong friends" established through the cross-country and track programs — ones that helped push him through daily workouts.
Scheid said the thing he'll likely miss the most from his time at Sunlake is the way he felt during hard practices — when running with his teammates was motivating, and made those difficult practices feel easier.
Liina Winborn's pledge to the University of Florida marks the cross-country team's first NCAA Division I signing in program history.
In her time at Sunlake, the decorated distance runner set several school records, claimed multiple conference and district individual titles, and earned fourth-place and sixth-place individual finishes the past two years at the 3A state cross-country championships.
With that, the two-time Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) East girls' cross-country runner of the year and defending girls track runner of the year had trouble settling on her favorite memory as a Seahawk.
"It's hard to pick one," Winborn said, noting there were so many fun and funny moments.
Born into a military family, Winborn transferred into Sunlake as a sophomore from an international school in Belgium.
The school's cross-country and track programs made the cultural transition easier — by offering Winborn an immediate peer group.
"The hardest thing was getting used to it and making new friends," she said, "but having the team automatically gave me those amazing friendships that I know are going to last forever."
The highly coveted athlete said she's relieved to be done with the recruiting process, which ended when she signed the dotted line to become a Florida Gator.
"It feels amazing to finally not stress about it for one, but to have my future set and to be going to such an amazing school," she said.
She also said: "I wouldn't be going there without my team and my coach, and just everybody at Sunlake supporting me."
Winborn received looks from other NCAA Division I programs, but it was Florida that ultimately stood out, offering her what she thinks are the best tools to be successful. She explained, "They personally told me they could take me as far as I wanted to go, athletic and academic-wise…and them saying that they could make that possible for me is bottom-line what I wanted to do."
Sunlake athletic director Reesa Pledge at the ceremony said the group of distance runners "put Sunlake on the map," adding, "their hard work and dedication has been unmatched by previous by runners that have been here at the school."
Sunlake track coach Brett Hodros added he was "so proud" to see the distance runners' efforts being rewarded in the form of scholarships.
"They were doing probably the hardest workouts in the track program," he said, "because they were definitely putting in the most miles."
Emphasizing that point, Hodros mentioned when he tries to pitch athletes around the school to join the track team, they question whether they'll have to put in the same amount of time and effort as long distance runners.
Explained Hodros: "It's very, very difficult to get people to run track first off, and then they're like, 'Oh, you're not going to be make me run like those distance kids,' and that's what these kids did every single day, these four years they've been at Sunlake."
Hodros also read prepared remarks from Sunlake distance coach Randal Reeves, who was unable to make the signing day event.
In a later telephone interview with The Laker/Lutz News, Reeves commended the scholarship recipients for their efforts, and for buying into the distance program.
Said Reeves, "These kids have been leaders amongst the rest of the group in getting everybody together to run as group, really year-round."
Even more college signings could be on the way for other Sunlake senior distance runners before the year's end, Reeves said. Eleven of his 12 seniors intend to run at the next level, either through scholarship or as walk-ons.
"The success of the program has really led to a lot of attention to our runners," he said. "My job is to get them recruited, to put them in the spotlight so they can earn the college scholarship opportunities, where all that hard work pays off."
Filed Under: Land O' Lakes Sports, Local Sports Tagged With: Albert La Red, Barton College, Brett Hodros, Drew Knobl, Emily Jenkins, Flagler College, Gavin Kennedy, Jason Schwarz, Liina Winborn, Luke Scheid, National Signing Day, Pasco-Hernando State College, Randal Reeves, Reesa Pledge, Roberto Valentin, Saint Leo University, Southeastern University, Sunlake High School, Sunshine Athletic Conference, University of Florida, Webber International University
December 24, 2019 By Kevin Weiss
Here is a listing of girls team and individual recipients within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area for volleyball, cross country, golf, and swimming and diving.
The Sunlake High School varsity volleyball team went 18-7 and reached the Class 6A region quarterfinals. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School Athletics)
Fall Sports (Girls)
SAC East All-Conference Volleyball
Coach of the Year: Robin Holowiak, Wiregrass Ranch
Player of the Year: Bianca Vieira, Land O' Lakes
Kayla Baer, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
Cydnee Reimann, Sunlake, senior
Caroline Schoonover, Sunlake, senior
Brette Heymann, Sunlake, junior
Taylor Moore, Pasco, senior
Jordan Danielson, Wesley Chapel, junior
Caitlin Astell, Sunlake, senior
Sofia McGuire, Sunlake, senior
Hanna Sifford, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Abbie Hindersman, Land O' Lakes, senior
Rebecca Wolfe, Pasco, senior
Chloe Danielson, Wesley Chapel, freshman
Jasmine Christian, Land O' Lakes, sophomore
Mercedes Kruger, Zephyrhills, junior
Alexis Driggers, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
The Sunlake High varsity girls cross-country team won the Sunshine Athletic Conference title, then went on to place sixth in the Class 3A state meet — the best finish among girls programs in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School Athletics)
AC East All-Conference Girls' Cross-Country
Coach of the Year: Randall Reeves, Sunlake
Runner of the Year: Liina Winborn, Sunlake
Liina Winborn, Sunlake, senior
Shannon Gordy, Sunlake, junior
Ashley Spires, Sunlake, junior
Emily Jenkins, Sunlake, senior
Emma Burleson, Sunlake, sophomore
Mya Hill, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Hannah Sheen, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman
Breanna Preiser, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Annie Winborn, Sunlake, freshman
Maranda Hildebrand, Land O' Lakes, sophomore
Destiny Saltzman, Sunlake, senior
Elise Noll, Land O' Lakes, senior
Brianna Patane, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Madison Poe, Zephyrhills, sophomore
Agnes Hernandez, Pasco, junior
Mary Flook, Cypress Creek, senior
Amanda Walford, Wesley Chapel, freshman
The Wiregrass Ranch High School varsity girls golf team was the Sunshine Athletic Conference Eastside's conference team champion. The Bulls ended up advancing to the 3A-3 regional. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School Athletics)
SAC East All-Conference Girls' Golf
Coach of the Year: Jeremy Calzone, Wiregrass Ranch
Golfer of the Year: Norah Catlin, Wiregrass Ranch
Taylor Zachary, Sunlake, sophomore
Tiffany Colin, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman
Sophia Clark, Sunlake, senior
Loryn Finn, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Madison Wagner, Sunlake, senior
Carmen Phousirith, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman
Ricci Guico, Zephyrhills, senior
Calissa Kwiat, Cypress Creek, senior
Cydnee Jonas, Wesley Chapel, junior
Hailey Hannigan, Land O' Lakes, senior
Helena Potter, Sunlake, sophomore
The Sunlake High varsity girls swimming and diving team won the Sunshine Athletic Conference title for a second straight year, then went on to place ninth in the 3A state championships. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School Athletics)
SAC East All-Conference Girls' Swimming & Diving
Coach of the Year: Lorin Collins, Sunlake
Swimmer of the Year: Gisella Wright, Sunlake
Diver of the Year: Isabela Monagas, Sunlake
200 Medley Relay: (Sunlake) — Amber Ewald, sophomore; Audrey Ballash, senior; Gisella Wright, freshman; Alex Sprague, junior
200 Freestyle: Apryl Paquette, Land O' Lakes, junior
200 Individual Medley: Audrey Ballash, Sunlake, senior
50 Freestyle: Alex Sprague, Sunlake, junior
100 Butterfly: Gisella Wright, Sunlake, freshman
100 Freestyle: Gisella Wright, Sunlake, freshman
200 Freestyle Relay: (Sunlake) — Tori Eurell, senior; Audrey Ballash, senior; Alex Sprague, junior; Gisella Wright, freshman
100 Backstroke: Amber Ewald, Sunlake, sophomore
100 Breaststroke: Audrey Ballash, Sunlake, senior
400 Freestyle Relay: (Sunlake) — Tori Eurell, senior; Leah Fonnotto, sophomore; Madison Houck, freshman; Lilli Hilt, sophomore
Diver: Isabela Monagas, Sunlake, junior
200 Medley Relay: (Wiregrass Ranch) — Cheyenne Herold, sophomore; Maryam Khalil, sophomore; Jenna Darland, freshman; Kathleen Wiechowski, sophomore
200 Freestyle: Jennifer Zartman, Land O' Lakes, senior
200 Individual Medley: Catherine Pinkos, Land O' Lakes, sophomore
50 Freestyle: Amaya Henry, Land O' Lakes, senior
100 Butterfly: Jenna Darland, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman
100 Freestyle: Amaya Henry, Land O' Lakes, senior
500 Freestyle: Catherine Pinkos, Land O' Lakes, senior
200 Freestyle Relay: (Cypress Creek) — Gianna Nuguit, junior; Casey Cubitt, senior; Reeya Latchana, freshman; Julia Spielberger, freshman
100 Backstroke: Jenna Darland, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman
100 Breaststroke: Maryam Khalil, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
400 Freestyle Relay: (Wiregrass Ranch) — Cheyenne Herold, sophomore; Maryam Khalil, sophomore; Jenna Darland, freshman; Kathleen Wiechowski, sophomore
Diver: Tifani Farquhar, Wesley Chapel, senior
Casey Wright, Pasco, freshman
Mykenzy Neal, Zephyrhills, senior
Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Cypress Creek High School, Land O' Lakes High School, Pasco County Schools, Pasco High School, Sunlake High School, Sunshine Athletic Conference, Wesley Chapel High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills High School
Land O' Lakes cheerleaders win 'Best of Pasco'
After a long history of struggles, the Land O' Lakes High School varsity girls competitive cheerleading team is finding its groove.
The Gators won the prestigious 'Best of Pasco' Sunshine Athletic Conference Cheerleading Competition on Nov. 16.
At the event, hosted by Land O' Lakes High, the Gators claimed a score of 78.4, defeating 12 other county high schools. The school's crosstown rival, Sunlake High, scored 76.2, to earn second place.
The Land O' Lakes High School varsity girls competitive cheerleading team won the 'Best of Pasco' meet on Nov. 16. (Courtesy of Ashley Linden)
The last time Land O' Lakes won a 'Best of Pasco' meet was so long ago that Gator cheerleaders and coaches can't be sure when it was.
"It's a very big deal for us," said third-year coach Ashley Linden. "It's been a very long time," she added, noting it's been at least since the early 2000s.
Senior team captain Sarah Spitzig thinks it might have never happened before.
In any case, it marks a striking accomplishment for a program that had not garnered much of a reputation through the years.
Spitzig said it's the first competition the Gators have won during her four years in the program. "We're all super excited about it. It's just boosted the team's confidence a lot," she said.
The coach added of the 'Best of Pasco' achievement: "Seeing them be successful is just the best feeling, because some of them have been there for competitions where they didn't do so great, and they still stuck it out and still kept coming back."
Like other cheer programs, the Gators 2½-minute routine combines an array of acrobatic and athletic tumbling, stunts, cheers and dances — to the sound of upbeat music.
Linden described the team's routine as "creative" combined with "a lot of really great tumbling."
Many of those advanced skills were fine-tuned at summer Universal Cheerleaders Association camp, Linden said.
The offseason reps must've helped, as Linden said the team's execution of the routine was "clean" and "sharp" at the countywide meet.
The team's newfound taste of victory extends beyond just technical skills, however.
Linden said it also can be explained by better attitudes and coachability overall, plus more pronounced leadership from a quartet of team captains (Spitzig, along with seniors Laura Madison and Gabriela Miller, and junior Emma Runkel).
The Gators competitive cheer routine combines an array of acrobatic and athletic tumbling, stunts, cheers and dances, all to the tune of upbeat music.
All those qualities, the coach said, "makes or breaks a team."
"Everything has just taken like a huge turn for the better," said Linden, a former high school cheerleader herself with experience coaching All-Star and recreational teams. "This group of girls is just different; they want it this year."
It's an assessment Spitzig can agree with.
"It's less about the skills sometimes, but more about the attitudes," the cheerleader said. "We won even without the highest skills that we could've been doing; it was more just about attitude coming together and working for it."
Hand in hand with that is a stable and dedicated coaching staff, as Linden and assistant Gators cheer coach Karlee Roach have been working in tandem for three years to rebuild the program; Roach actually served as the team's head coach the previous two seasons, then reversed roles with Linden this year.
When it comes to their efforts, the coaching duo goes the extra mile, cheerleaders say.
Runkel noted that the coaches "care so much for us."
She added: "Personally speaking, I had such a negative attitude my freshman year that they really helped me grow as a person, and personality-wise, I've grown so much from them. "They've always been there supporting us, on and off the mat," she added.
Spitzig concurred: "We've all just developed into more of a family having them here. They give up so much time, we just appreciate it."
The signs of a budding 2019-2020 campaign were in the works toward the end of last year as the Gators placed fifth in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 1A medium division state championships.
At the beginning of the season, Linden felt the team had the opportunity to build on that.
She was optimistic despite the fact that 13 seniors graduated and the team would be relying heavily upon four freshman flyers.
The current 25-member roster consists of five seniors, 13 juniors, three sophomore and five freshman.
"I've been saying it since the beginning of the season that, 'This is our season,'" Linden said.
"People probably thought we were going to be in a rebuilding year, and here we came. To win ('Best of Pasco'), no one expected that. We kind of came out from under."
And, what made the 'Best of Pasco' victory even more special — was earning bragging rights over a Sunlake cheer program that for years has been a local powerhouse.
"They've always been out for us and always proved that they're better than us, but this year we're actually coming up on top of them," Runkel said.
"I've heard they're coming back for us — but we're coming back for them," Runkel said.
2019-2020 Land O' Lakes competitive cheer roster
Head coach: Ashley Linden
Assistant coach: Karlee Roach
Team manager: Mayah Ocasio
Christina Agovino
Mia Allen
Lexi Brown
Ariana Butler
Aysiah DeBernardi
Peyton Fields
Elizabeth Harmon
Alex Heck
Grace Huff
Maddy Huff
Lauren Jones
Madelyn Macaluso
Laura Madison
Gabriela Miller
Leah Mixson
Gianna Ocasio
Katy Quandt
Paige Randall
Emma Runkel
Skyler Sander
Sarah Spitzig
Camryn Steele
Alyssa VanMeter
Nevaeh Vercellona
Kaitlyn Wall
Filed Under: Land O' Lakes Sports, Local Sports Tagged With: Ashley Linden, Emma Runkel, FHSAA, Florida High School Athletic Association, Gabriela Miller, Karlee Roach, Land O' Lakes High School, Laura Madison, Sarah Spitzig, Sunlake High School, Sunshine Athletic Conference, Universal Cheerleaders Association
Zephyrhills Brewing Company
Foodie Friday Gallery
A New Look For 2021 From Tampa Surgical Arts
January 12, 2021 By Kelli Carmack
Tampa Surgical Arts offers cosmetic treatments that give patients confidence and makes them look years younger. Two of … [Read More...] about A New Look For 2021 From Tampa Surgical Arts
01/19/2021 – Best of crafts
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a "Best of Craft Tuesdays: Playlist" on Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check out a video at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary to learn about some of the craft programs that are worth revisiting from the past year. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at
. … [Read More...] about 01/19/2021 – Best of crafts
01/19/2021 – Virtual gardening
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present "Virtual Backyard Gardening with Jo Ann" on Jan. 19 at 2 p.m., via Zoom. Registration is required to receive an email on how to join the meeting. For information, email
. … [Read More...] about 01/19/2021 – Virtual gardening
01/20/2021 – Library story times
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer these upcoming story times: Jan. 20, for birth to age 5: Participants can tune in anytime between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary, to hear "Private I. Guana." For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at
. Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.: "Virtual Baby Time with Miss Cindy." Visit Facebook.com/cplib. Jan. 21 at 10 a.m., for ages 2 to 5: "Virtual Story Time with Miss Jenn." For information, call Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – Library story times
01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club
The LOL Book Club from the Land O' Lakes Library will meet on Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m., to discuss "Beartown" by Fredrik Backman. Register online for a Zoom link, which will be sent out via email a day ahead of the discussion. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club
01/20/2021 – Mouse bookmark
Learn to make a folded paper mouse bookmark on Jan. 20. Participants will use the art of origami to make the bookmark. Watch the instructional slide show, all day, on the South Holiday Library Facebook page. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – Mouse bookmark
01/21/2021 – Gasparilla History
The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host a virtual session entitled "The History of Gasparilla" on Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. Those that tune in can learn the legend of Jose Gaspar, intertwined with facts, fallacies and fantasy. The program will be presented by Carl Zielonka in partnership with the Tampa Bay History Center. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/21/2021 – Gasparilla History
More of What's Happening
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This week in SPORTS: All-Pasco County fall awards announced. https://buff.ly/3srDpyU
State road projects will ease congestion. https://buff.ly/3oIP5eo
Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News
Rioters breach U.S. Capitol building
Zephyrhills development yields roadway concerns
400 apartments proposed on Wesley Chapel Boulevard
Law enforcement memorial receives donations
New community planned along State Road 56
Pigz in Z'Hills festival postponed until April
COVID-19 vaccinations in high demand
Zephyrhills seeking state funding for four projects
Bridging Freedom is charity of the month
Pasco County approves $205,000 for work on comprehensive plan
State road projects will ease congestion
Street hockey rinks open in Wesley Chapel, Holiday
Dade City approves modified CRA plan
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New year in sports to deliver joy, excitement, adventure
2020 had shining moments in sports, despite COVID-19 (Part 2)
2020 had shining moments in sports, despite COVID-19
Toronto Raptors training camp a slam dunk at Saint Leo
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