Bloomingdale Set For Spring Ball
Bloomingdale Set For Spring Ball
By Tamas Mondovics
Bulls baseball Head Coach Kris Wilken is not complaining with his team’s 4-3 season opening night win against Riverview, followed by a strong performance at Durant High School, beating the Cougars 8-1 and giving the team some confidence ahead a tough district line-up.“I am pretty happy with both our offense and defense, and we have a great season to look forward to this year,” he said.Wilken is reminded of last year’s district semi-finals loss and the program’s need to stay on track if there is ever going to be any chance of a Class 6A-District 8 success.“It comes down to who makes fewer mistakes,” Wilken said as he talked about the keys to turning in a strong season. “We are going to focus on playing hard and keep our mental focus.”The Bulls are facing district opponents Alonso, Plant, Wharton and Brandon high schools, but the program is not without the needed talent to get the job done, including left-handed pitcher Steven Burnham, third baseman Sam Morgan and catcher Sal Giardina. Wilken spoke highly of the three senior captains, who are once again ready to lead.On the girls side of the fence, the Bloomingdale softball program is also ready, with Head Coach Mike Clamon at the helm, but is starting the season with the loss of some key players.“Every hit counts,” Clamon reminded his players during practice as the program struggles to break even. As far as the Bulls’ spring flag football is concerned, there was no shortage of girls trying out to be a part of the program.“More than 50 girls showed up our first day of tryouts and had a consistent numbers showing up for conditioning,” said Head Coach Eric West.West, a former Newsome High School defensive football and wrestling coach, is returning to the athletic arena after taking a couple of years off coaching.Bulls team captain and senior quarterback Sam Copley and junior Kelsey Lay are both sporting strong arms and will be leading Bloomingdale on its quest to victory.For more information about the Bulls, please visit www.maxpreps.com.
Thundercats Wrestlers Sport Great Showing At Games Of Rome Tourney
By Tamas Mondovics
The season did not start quite as expected by Cougars Head Coach Dennis Kitko. Of course, that was then. Now the Durant High School wrestling program is celebrating its recent district championship win.But, for some members of the talented squad, who took part in some additional competitions, the district title is not the only success to be proud of. Five members of the Thundercats Wrestling Club had a rare opportunity to represent their teammates during the Games of Rome Wrestling Tournament held at Osceola Heritage Park, in Kissimmee, last month. The event was Part of the Rocky Mountain Nationals series and a chance for the boys to compete at a national level tournament. With Thundercats President and Coach Drake Millard at the helm, the club took five athletes to the competition and came home with great results, including two first place wins. Best friends since they were five years old, Matthew Millard, weighing in at 140 lbs., and Keith Watford, weighing in at 135, both freshmen at Durant and members of the Cougars varsity wrestling team, placed first in their weight classes.Feeling good about his performance, Watford, who won all three of his matches by pins and currently has a 7-4 all pins record with the Cougars, gives credit to his school and his club for the results. “I felt that I was wrestling pretty strong during the tournament and I am doing better on reversals and escapes,” he said. “Being on the Thundercats year-round helps me compete at all of these events.” Teammates Cody Craven (160) and Bobby Richardson (125) both placed third, while Quinton Rogers (119) placed sixth. Millard spoke highly of his boys as they represented the club during the tournament, drawing attention to more than just his wrestlers’ physical abilities and skills on the mat.“These boys demonstrate a good attitude and bring a lot of experience to each match,” Millard said.The Thundercats meet every Tuesday and Thursday at Durant High School from 5 – 7 p.m.For more information about the Thundercats Wrestling Club, please visit www.thundercatwc.com.
Bloomingdale Cheerleaders Aim To Win State Title After Western Conference Win
By Tamas Modovics
That the Bloomingdale High School cheerleading squad would have certain success at this year’s Western Conference, there was very little doubt. But reclaiming the Hillsborough County crown was the icing on the cake.According to Bulls Head Coach Candice Teague, the girls pulled together, kept the bar high and performed a flawless routine, resulting in winning the 2010 Western Conference Cheerleading Championship. ”I am honored to be a part of the girls’ success and to celebrate the result of their hard work,” said Teague who took over the coaching responsibilities of the well-respected and successful program this year.It has been two years since the Bulls won the title, including last year’s loss to Plant City and to Durant High in 2008.During the competition held at Freedom High School last month, Durant finished second ahead of Chamberlain out of the 10 teams that had the chance to advance to compete. Newsome came in fourth, ahead of host Freedom, Wharton, Steinbrenner, Riverview and Plant.The Bulls’ aim now is to bring home the FHSAA State Competitive Cheerleading Championship title for the third time in three years, scheduled for Friday, February 5, in Kissimmee.Taking the lead on the squad are seniors Larissa Menke, Marissa May and junior Dominique Celerin. Teague said that the girls are ready and are on track, although things for the 20-member squad started a bit slow due to the changes many had to get used to, including the direction of their new coach.“The girls were questioning themselves at the start of the season,” she said. “But, I believed in them and in their abilities, which is now evident and is a huge confidence booster. It also shows who the Bloomingdale cheerleaders really are and what they are made of.”For more information about the upcoming state cheerleading competition, please visit www.FHSAA.org.
Student Soccer Star Plans To Shift Skills To College Field
Student Soccer Star Plans To Shift Skills To College Field
By Tamas Mondovics
Perhaps one of the most improved and promising programs drawing the attention of coaches and athletes this season is the East Bay High School Indians girls soccer.While a program’s success depends on everyone’s input, there are always a few athletes that stand out due to their skill, ability or, perhaps, heart and dedication they possess for the sport they love.It is safe to say that Indians senior Brittany Cox, captain of the Indians soccer team, is one of those student-athletes, who, for the past four years, gave testimony to what being a great athlete, team player and outstanding example truly means.“I love the game, and, while I do play other sports during the year, for me, soccer is the main sport,” Cox said.Holding the position as center forward, Cox is known for her speed, excellent ball control technique and ability to know her place on the field that other players envy and coaches would love to call their own.Another important quality that makes a player valuable is the way he or she views her team and teammates. Cox seems to fit the bill here as well. Instead of focusing on her strengths and talent, the young athlete gives credit to her team for her own success as well as what the program has been able to achieve for the past few years.“We are a young team but are playing with a lot of heart and dedication, and I am proud to be a part of it,” she said. “Our record shows who and what we are all about.”While focusing on her schooling, Cox’s goals include furthering her education at St. Leo University and playing college soccer.“I would like to get involved with sports management or do something that involves sports and the outdoors,” she said.At present, finishing the 2009-2010 winter soccer season tops the Indians’ to-do list, which Cox, in her final season, hopes to complete with at least a district title. For more information about local athletes and programs, such as the East Bay High School Indians, please visit www.maxpreps.com.
Athlete Steps Up In Leadership
Athlete Steps Up In Leadership
By Tamas Mondovics
Being
the captain of the Newsome High School girls soccer team may not be the most promising prospect prior to the start of the current season.True, the program did finish the past year with an outstanding record by winning district, only to be halted at the regional playoffs. However, to begin the present season with the loss of nine starters, including players who have made their unforgettable mark on the sport statewide, caused many to anticipate a tough, rebuilding season. While the chance of such an outcome was also on the minds of the Wolves’ current team captain and senior defender Hannah Rainey, who for the past four years has been playing in the shadow of a number of talented athletes at Newsome, she now sees her final season having the potential to be her best yet.“I know that the Wharton tournament at the start of the season surprised everyone, including us,” Rainey said. “It gave us the confidence we needed this year and proved that we have what it takes to once again post a strong season.”As captain of the now No. 1 seeded Wolves team, Rainey, who has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old, commends the respect of her teammates while enjoying her position as a leader, both on and off the field.One of the main reasons for the young athlete earning such a position has to do with the way she views the Newsome soccer program and her fellow athletes. “We have a great team this year. We work well together and have a great chemistry. We have a good chance to reach the state,” she said.While soccer is the sport she not only grew up playing and loves the most, Rainey hopes to focus her efforts on furthering her education and earning her degree at Florida State University. For now, however, Rainey and the rest of the Wolves are focusing on finishing the 2009-2010 season with a better than ever record in hopes of actually reaching the coveted state title.For more information about the Wolves girls soccer program, please visit www.maxpreps.com.
Durant Wrestlers Not Left Empty Handed During Invitational
Durant Wrestlers Not Left Empty Handed During Invitational
By Tamas Modovics
The 14th annual Cougars wrestling tournament, held earlier this month at Durant High School, may not have resulted in the outcome expected for its host squad. However, the now relatively young Cougar team did not leave the competition empty handed.Considered by many as one of the toughest wrestling events in the state, the tourney hosted a total of 30 teams, six of which won championships in the past, including last season’s Class 1A state champion (Fort Myers Riverdale) and Class 3A state champion (Kissimmee Osceola). While day one started out as any other, the Cougars squad spent most of day two without its Head Coach Dennis Kitko, who was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.The Durant team continued to wrestle with Assistant Coach Derek Beaty at the helm, focusing on the performances of team favorite Alex Hamm and finishing in 10th with 102.5 points. Springstead won the tourney after gaining 212.5 points, being put ahead of Kissimmee Osceola (211 points).“We are a young team, as we have lost a number of big names,” Beaty said. “Our focus, this year, is to get back into the competition.” Tampa Prep’s Wes Jarrell finished ahead of Hamm as the two became the county’s only wrestlers to reach the individual title finals.Although in the lead at first, Hamm couldn’t hang on and suffered a 3-2 loss to Kissimmee Osceola’s Tim Locksmith in the 125-lb. title match.Durant’s Titus Horner (171) placed third, while teammate Alex Cook (heavy) finished sixth as a medal winner.“I mainly focused on conserving my strength for the title match without injury,” Horner said.The Cougars squad entered the event following an impressive showing a week prior during the Ocala Forest Invitational, where Durant finished second, while Hamm and Horner each won individual titles. For more information about the Durant wrestling program, please visit the school Website at www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.
Local Sponsors Contribute to Summer Bible and Basketball Camp’s Success
Local Sponsors Contribute to Summer Bible and Basketball Camp’s Success
By Tamas Mondovics
What do 18 coaches, 26 corporate sponsors, 93 children and $4,000 in cash and donations equal? One of the most successful summer camps in the area. Bibles and Basketball Summer Camp—as it has come to be called over the years—was once again hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church and School and led by Ed Treimanis, Chief Financial Planner of Ameriprise Financial Services, who was proud to announce that this year’s camp was an overwhelming success. Due to the overwhelming support from local Platinum corporate sponsors, Women’s Care of Brandon, William F. Price Foundation, Treimanis, and the camp’s original sponsor Neal A. Kahn of Olin Mott Tire Store, Carlos Velez of the Orlando Magic, who has co-sponsored this year’s camp and other individual and corporate sponsors, for the first time all 93 children that attended camp did so free of cost. “Our goal to ensure that no child is turned away from our Bibles and Basketballs camp due to finances was reached beyond our expectation,” Treimanis said. “Originally, we were able to let the first 77 children enjoy the camp without cost, but after the support from the community, we knew this number would be much higher.” The camp concluded with a pizza party as well as an evening charity basketball tournament at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, which welcomed more than 200 parents, fans and local sponsors, who came out to support the event and to give back to their community. Treimanis and the Immanuel Lutheran Annual Basketball Camp have chosen (Sharing Hope for Orphans and Every Soul) SHOES to receive half the proceeds of the charity game. “We would like to extend a special thank you to Dick’s Sporting Goods, who donated equipment and prizes for the camp including basketballs, Nike bags, whistles as well as gift certificates for coaches and volunteers and coupon books for basketball related items from Dick’s,” said Ameriprise intern Jeremy Whitehead. During a recently held banquet at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, at 9331 Adamo Dr., in Tampa, awards were handed out to coaches and players for their participation. Besides the willing support of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s management team, Treimanis also acknowledged Marie Gilmore of the Osprey Observer and the Christian Voice, along with Carlos Velez and Pat Williams of the Orlando Magic for getting the word out prior to camp. For further information feel free to call Treimanis 623-5713 or contact Immanuel Lutheran School at 685-1978. To learn more about SHOES, please visit www.destinyshouse.com/shoes.
FishHawk Wolfpack’s Year-End Event Fills Palmetto Club To Capacity
FishHawk Wolfpack’s Year-End Event Fills Palmetto Club To Capacity
By Tamas Mondovics
“It’s the first time the Palmetto Club has been filled to capacity,” said Wolfpack Youth Football and Cheerleading Association Board of Directors President Ted Koontz, during the organization’s second annual year-end celebration held last month in FishHawk. Close to 1,000 young football players, cheerleaders and their parents, as well as fans and volunteers, took part in the festivities, which began with dinner, provided by All Stars Italian American Grill. It hosted nine VIPs and two Buccaneers cheerleaders, distributed 1,200 autographs, took more than 400 children on hayrides and awarded 350 trophies.The Wolfpack is affiliated with the National Pop Warner Little Scholars and is a member of the Foundation for Youth Development Tampa Conference. Proud of what it has been able to accomplish since its inception in 2007, and pleased with the event’s turn out, Koontz spoke to a packed ballroom, recounting the organization’s speedy success.“The attendance of the event itself gives testimony to how far we’ve come as an organization and how much support we have from our parents, players and cheerleaders in all that we do, including scholastics and our charitable giving,” Koontz said. In football, the past season included two teams going undefeated for the entire season: Jr. Pee Wee Blue and Pee Wee White. Pee Wee White was the first Wolfpack team to win a playoff game and make it 10-0 for the season. FishHawk was also selected as the host for both playoff and bowl games.In cheer, all three of the Wolfpack competitive teams, a total of 79 girls, advanced to the Pop Warner Southeast Regional Championships in Orlando and are now preparing to compete for a chance to advance to nationals at Walt Disney World’s Wide World of Sports. The Wolfpack cheerleaders’ efforts to give back to the community also deserve recognition, as it included receiving $1,000 in food and art supplies that were, in turn, donated to A Kid’s Place on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon.The Wolfpack also collected food for Lighthouse Ministries and sports equipment for the local Girls and Boys Club and donated a percentage of the silent auction proceeds to its Rastus-Ward Scholarship fund, which is used to fund registration fees for those children who would otherwise not have the opportunity to play for the Wolfpack. Year-End Celebration Chairman Andy Ruesche agreed when he said, “Thanks to everyone who attended and who volunteered to help with this event. We truly pulled together as an organization, and I want to especially thank our parents for all their support and assistance with this event and throughout the entire year.”For more information about the FishHawk Wolfpack Youth Football and Cheerleading Association, please visit www.fhwolfpack.com.
Runners From Brandon Complete Multiple Fall Marathons
By Tamas Mondovics
ton and Washington have in common for many Brandon area residents? Well, for those who enjoy running, it is the annual fall marathon races. The Brandon Running Association is now proud to recognize its members who have been working hard over the summer months to get prepared for each marathon event, which, according to club president Elton Kostecka, is by no means a walk or “run” in the park, thanks to the local climate.”Training in the Florida summer is very tough, but our runners were out there regardless, doing the work necessary to get ready,” Kostecka said. “Many times, the high temperatures and humidity forced the group to start long before sunrise.” Kostecka was quick to say, “The effort was all well worth it,” as he recounted the club’s success starting with four runners who took part in the Chicago marathon, held in early October.Jess Sims completed that race with an official time of 3:32:06 while club member Michael Demko also completed the marathon with an official time of 3:12:51. Both runners have qualified for the 2010 Boston Marathon.Jen Morgan completed her first marathon in Chicago with a time of 4:08:26, and Judi Letteri finished with a time of 5:11:38. A total of 15 members of the club took part in the Marine Corps Marathon held in Washington, D.C. in late October with several members attending as supporters, while Craig Osborn and David Garrison took on running in the New York City Marathon, which was held earlier this month. The Brandon Running association was formed in 1978, with the purpose of gathering those together who love to run, meet and train in groups as well as enjoy food, drinks and good company.The group has 50 plus members and meets six days a week for group runs. With the help from additional sponsors and volunteers, the association annually holds the Brandon half Marathon and 5K as well as the Shamrock 10K and 5K. The association welcomes runners of all paces with no membership requirements. For more information about the Brandon Running Association, please visit www.brandonrunning.com.
East Bay Volleyball Focuses on Program For New Year
By Tamas Modovics
Although the season kicked off on a high note, for the East Bay High School Indians varsity volleyball team Head Coach Katrina Toth was not making room on the shelf for a season trophy. There was plenty on the to-do list for the young team that posted only four Varsity returnees on its 2009-2010 roster, and finished the regular season with a 4-10 (3-4 home) overall and a 1-5 league record prior to entering the district playoffs sheld this past October.Such a season would serve as a reality check for any program.But, according to Toth, a former Armwood High School cheer coach and now a first-year Indians volleyball coach as well as the Physical Education (PE) and Health teacher, building a strong program by helping the girls to work well together was, and continues to be, priority. “Worrying about ranking and winning districts, or beyond, will come later,” she said. “We are now focusing on team work and trusting each other.”Toth’s optimism about the upcoming seasons is not without merit. Though young, the team has plenty of skill and talent. The goods include the ability to set up hits along with a number of good outside hitters. While all of the players count, Toth did mention a couple of names that stood out this year and are to be counted on during the next season, including Indians sophomore mid-blocker Jasmine Queen, who has grown in strength over the months, as well as team captain Victoria Cooper, a junior, who according to Toth, has all the talent and skill any team would love to call their own.As one of only two seniors on the team, Britney Cox has also added to the season being a dedicated athlete setting an example for the rest of her teammates. But this season is now done and what all this means for this young team next year remains to be seen. “For now,” Toth said, “I am focusing on building the program and getting ready for next year.”For more information, call 671-5134. The school is located at 7710 Old Big Bend Rd. in Gibsonton.
