East County Observer Sports May 10 & May 17

Y O U T H | H I G H S C H O O L | G O L F | S E N I O R S | C O M M U N I T Y | T E N N I S

Sports Huntyre Elling anchors Mustang

squad. 15A

ATHLETE OFTHE WEEk

The Lakewood Ranch High softball team celebrates after scoring the final run of its 10-0 victory over New Port Richey River Ridge to earn its first trip to the state semifinals.

COMMENT

2012 proves to be Lakewood’s ‘Year of the Champion’

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LAKEWOOD RANCH — Devin McDermott didn’t have time to be nervous.

The Lakewood Ranch senior knew exactly what she had to do. In the back of her mind, it had al-ways been something she want-ed to do. She just never thought it would be an option.

But when the opportunity arose just hours before she and her teammates were scheduled to walk out onto the track at the University of North Florida for the Class 3A state meet May 4, the pressure began to mount, and McDermott was overcome with a wave of emotion.

After agreeing to anchor the Lady Mustangs 4x800 meter-relay for the first time since her freshman year, McDermott did her best to push aside the doubt that had slowly begun to set in.

She went back to tying match-ing green ribbons in her team-mates hair.

“I just tried to stay focused,” McDermott said. “I had done this before. I used to anchor my freshman year.”

A few hours later, McDermott walked onto the track for her fi-nal state meet. And after three years of hard work, sweat and tears, McDermott and her team-mates weren’t about to settle for anything less than their best.

“I was little nervous — OK a lot nervous,” McDermott said. “We had plenty of time to get warmed up, and we were pretty focused. You can always tell it’s a state meet when our warm-ups are completely silent.

“You have a lot of thoughts in your head, and it came (more quickly) than I could’ve even imagined,” McDermott said.

As the gun sounded, McDer-mott watched Natalie Novak, Olivia Ortiz and Kristin Zarrella

GOLDEN GIRLLakewood Ranch senior Devin McDermott anchored the Lady Mustangs 4x800 relay to a first-place finish at the Class 3A state meet May 4, in Jacksonville.

track By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor

Every athlete across the board strives for perfection in one way or another.

Whether it’s setting a personal record, winning a championship or moving on to play at the next level, each individual athlete has his or her own idea of what it means to be a successful athlete.

And in many cases, that notion of success is often defined by state champion-ships.

Lakewood Ranch High senior Devin McDermott described it as “one perfect moment.”

Lakewood Ranch High junior Taylor Newton called it “everything.”

Braden River High alum Nicole Tira described it as “any girl’s dream.”

State titles are coveted, but they don’t just happen every day.

Apparently, someone for-got to mention that to Lake-

wood Ranch High’s athletes this year.

It’s been the “Year of the Champion” at Lakewood Ranch, as the Mustangs have won seven individual or team state titles this season. Lake-wood started its state title run this fall, with Olivia Ortiz capturing an individual state title in cross country and the boys golf team capturing the Class 2A state tournament.

Swimmers Danielle Valley and Will Kazokas and tennis

players Arnav and Arsav Mo-hanty, Cari Berry and Ashley Bongart all added state titles of their own earlier this year.

Most recently, the girls 4x800 relay of McDermott, Ortiz, Kristin Zarrella and Natalie Novak won gold at the Class 3A state meet May 4.

And the school may not be done yet, with the softball team competing in the state Final 4 May 9-10, and the baseball team in the midst of

its regional tournament run. The softball team has never

won a state title, and the baseball team won its one and only state title in 2003.

Now with only one week at the most left in the spring season, Lakewood is making a strong case for having one of the area’s most talented athletic programs. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Lake-wood has to make room in its trophy case for another state title by this time next week.

JENBLANCO

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The Lakewood Ranch High softball team is on a journey.

It began nearly five months ago, when the Lady Mustangs walked onto the field for their first official practice of the 2012 season and will culminate this week at the National Training Center in Clermont — the site of the Class 6A state finals.

The Lady Mustangs have made several stops along the way, including returning home to win their third consecutive district championship April 20, and their first-ever regional championship — a 10-0 vic-tory over New Port Richey River Ridge in the Class 6A-Region 3 finals — May 1.

Now, Lakewood is in the final leg of its journey — one it hopes will result in the program’s first state championship.

“I don’t even know how to describe it,” senior pitcher Huntyre Elling said. “I’ve always wanted to go to states. I knew we could do it. I don’t think it’s even completely set in to me yet that we’re going, and it (proba-bly won’t) until next week when

we’re going up and playing.” Teammate Taylor Newton

agreed. “It feels pretty great,” Newton

said. “I’m pumped and ready to win. It would mean everything (to win a state title). I’m really

STATE-BOUNd By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor

Lady Mustangs slide into statesThe Lakewood Ranch softball team will make its first appearance in the state semifinals after defeating New Port Richey River Ridge 10-0.

Courtesy photo

Lakewood Ranch High senior Devin McDermott reacts after anchoring the 4x800 relay to a first-place finish in her final high school meet. SEE TRACK / PAGE 16A

SEE SOFTBALL / PAGE 18A

Photos by Brian Blanco

Junior shortstop McKaleigh Goodale makes a throw back over to first base for an out.

YourObserver.com THURSdAY, MAY 10, 2012

EAST COUNTY ObSErvErTHURSDAY, MAY 10, 201214A YourObserver.com

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LAKEWOOD RANCH — Even though the game wasn’t scheduled for another two hours, Lakewood Ranch High senior Seth McGarry was standing on the mound, star-ing down to home plate.

The Mustangs right-hander, who was making only his third start of the season because of an elbow injury he suffered during the offseason, visualized the game he was about to pitch. He saw throws hit-ting their mark and batters off-balance.

The visualization technique, one he learned he learned a few years ago from watching St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia on a television pre-game show, paid off for McGarry, who shut down visiting Tampa Sickles.

McGarry threw 55 pitches, allowing three hits and striking out five while lead-ing the host Mustangs to an 8-1 victory over the Gryphons in a Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinal May 3.

McGarry, who will play for Florida Atlan-tic University next year, suffered a tender elbow and spent much of the season serv-ing as Lakewood’s DH. The transition to not being out on the field with his team-mates was difficult for McGarry initially, but he knew it was ultimately in his best interest.

“My favorite thing to do is being in the field having fun and talking to all of the players,” McGarry said. “Hitting is a plus, but I really like to be on the mound and in the field.”

Now with his elbow finally starting to feel better, McGarry, who went 2-for-4 with a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored, is making his way back into the Mustangs starting rotation at just the right time.

“It feels a lot better,” McGarry said of his elbow. “I’ve been rehabbing and working it

out. This year has just been getting back to it, and I’m starting to come alive at the end of the year when we really need it.”

“We have been waiting for Seth McGarry to be healthy all year, and it was worth the wait,” Lakewood coach Mike Mullen said. “I think we did the right thing with him by putting him on the shelf early, and we got him a couple good starts.

“We had planned to run him out for a while, and then, we found ourselves in a good situation. It was a very good pitch-ing performance for us. It just one of those things where we’ve got to kind of corral and think more about the kids than we are about our organization. We’ve got to keep kids healthy.”

McGarry pitched five solid innings for the Mustangs before turning the ball over to Jake Axley in relief. Axley pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out the Gryphons final batter to seal the victory.

Lakewood took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Bryan Vanvranken drew a walk and eventually came around to score on a RBI single by Brad Zunica. The Mustangs took control of the game in the fourth inning, when they scored seven runs on six hits, two walks, five errors and a wild pitch.

With the win, Lakewood traveled to Tampa King for a regional semifinal May 8. The winner will advance to the regional finals.

Results from the Lakewood’s regional semifinal appearance were unavailable as of press time Tuesday. Be sure to check www.YourObserver.com to see how the Mustangs fared.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].

McGarry hurls Lakewood Ranch to regional semis

BASEBALL by Jen blanco | Associate Editor

The Lakewood Ranch extended its season with a 8-1 victory over Tampa Sickles in the Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinals.

Jen Blanco

Lakewood senior pitcher Seth McGarry, who suffered an elbow injury in the offseason, made his third start of the season, leading the Mustangs to a 8-1 victory.

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ATHleTe of THe week by Jen blanco | Associate editor

What does it mean to you to be going to the state semifinals?

It means a lot. I’ve been dreaming about this all season, and now the fact that we’re packing and leaving tomor-row night to head up there … It has just sunk that this is my last practice here.

How long have you been playing softball?

I’ve been playing since I was 8 years old. I wanted to play volley-ball, but when I was young, they didn’t have a (youth) rec volleyball league where I lived. I decided to play softball, and I ended up liking it.

What do you enjoy the most about soft-ball?

Playing with a team. I probably could never play an individual sport, because I would get bored with myself. I like the interaction.

What’s the toughest part about being a pitcher?

The mental side of it. Picking out how batters swing with (different) pitches and figuring out their weak-nesses.

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?

A physical occupational therapist. I want to work with disabled or athletic

teenagers.

Who is your biggest role model?My sister. She has epilep-

sy and cerebral palsy, but she’s always smiling. When she can come to my games,

I can always hear her cheer-ing me on. She’s always happy, no matter how many surgeries she’s had to go through.

If you could play another sport for a day, what would it be?

Football. It’s very com-petitive. I always wanted

to play, but I was told, “You can’t, because you’re a girl.” I like how intense it is, and I think it would be fun to tackle someone.

Huntyre elling Lakewood Ranch High senior Huntyre Elling recorded her eighth shutout of the season,

allowing three hits and one walk, while striking out seven en route to leading the Lady Mustangs to a 10-0 victory over New Port Richey River Ridge in the Class 6A-Region 3 finals May 1. Elling, who will pitch for Indian River State College next year, improved her overall record to 20-4. Here is an inside look at this week’s Athlete of the Week.

The east County observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the east County’s top athletes. each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.


JUliA ThiElENAge: 9 years oldGrade: Third-grader, Williams ElementaryPosition: PitcherHow long have you been playing softball? I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old. What do you enjoy the most about softball? We get to have fun all together and work as a team. This is one of the best teams (I’ve been on). Last season, we won second in County Cup. If you could describe The Observer team in one word, what would it be? Awesome

ZACk MiSiUrAAge: 12 years oldGrade: Seventh-grader, Haile Middle Position: Pitcher How long have you been playing baseball? This is my third season. What made you decide to start playing? I wanted to try it. What was your reaction when you learned you were on The Observer team? I was confused, because I was on a young team last year, and now I’m one of the oldest kids. If you could describe The Observer team in one word, what would it be? AwesomeDo you have a favorite base-ball team? The Chicago White Sox. My dad is from Chicago.

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put the Lady Mustangs in position to finish in the top three.

McDermott stood at the finish line anxiously awaiting the baton; and as she began to run the final 800 of her high school career, McDermott focused on the one thing she had to do — stay with the girl in front of her.

With 200 meters to go, McDermott passed the Estero runner. She kicked it into high gear and refused to look back for the final 150 meters.

It wasn’t until she was crossing the finish line with a huge smile across her face and her finger pointed to-ward the sky that McDermott finally allowed herself to relax and revel in the moment.

The Lady Mustangs crossed the finish line in 9:14.15, breaking their

school record by six seconds and beating state runner-up Estero by four seconds. McDermott also ran a personal best 2:15.

“That was the fastest 800 I’ve ever run,” McDermott said. “I was so pumped up. I knew what I had to do, and I just focused on that one thing. At the 150, I just started running for my life, and I didn’t look back.”

As her teammates rushed over to congratulate her, the reality that the Lady Mustangs had achieved their ultimate goal of winning a state title finally set in.

“I’m not normally one to cry over those things, but it was a flood of relief,” McDermott said. “For the past three years, the core five of us have been together, and it’s always been one thing after another. This is something we’ve been aiming for,

and it was an amazing feeling. At first I was nervous, but I’m definitely glad I had that feeling. It was the ultimate experience.

“Over the past three years, we’ve watched each other grow and get better,” McDermott said. “We’ve put in the time and (mental) effort piece by piece to make this one perfect moment.”

Following their emotional high, the girls prepared to take the track in the remainder of their respective events. Ortiz finished second in the mile before suffering a broken femur in the two-mile, and McDermott finished seventh in the two-mile. Zarrella finished 13th in the 800 and the 4x400 relay of Zarrella, Mariah Higgins, Novak and Ashley Platt fin-ished 12th.

Now with her final high school practice and state meet behind, Mc-Dermott will turn her attention to the next phase of her career — run-ning for the University of Florida.

Initially, McDermott thought she’d attend college out of state, but at the beginning of the year, she set time goals for herself. And after achieving those goals, more options began to open. At that point, McDermott de-cided to run for the Gators, and she couldn’t be happier with her deci-sion.

“What I didn’t expect the most is where I’ve ended up,” McDermott said. “I was at the top my freshman year, and then they all came in and wiped me out. I learned I’m not the best, and I have to work from that.

“I’m thankful they came in and pushed me,” McDermott said. “I want them to realize things don’t al-ways end up the way you want them to, but no matter what it is you have to keep doing what you’re doing, have each others backs, move one, learn, grow and get better.”


Courtesy photo

kristin Zarrella, Devin McDermott, Olivia Ortiz and Natalie Novak celebrate after breaking their school record by six seconds and winning the 4x800 relay at the Class 3A state meet May 4 in Jacksonville.

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ST. PETERSBURG — Tyler Dietrich and Austin Hoppe stood in the visiting dugout and looked on as the Thunder headed to the plate in the top of the sixth inning.

Heeding the advice of their coaches, the two Out-of-Door Academy freshmen grabbed their baseball hats and sunglasses. They tossed their shades on upside down and put their hats on sideways, looking to rally teammates back from a 6-1 deficit.

It didn’t take long for their teammates to catch on and before long half of ODA’s ros-ter was sporting a similar look.

And while its temporary new look didn’t keep the Thunder from seeing their season come to an end with a 6-1 loss to St. Pe-tersburg Catholic in the Class 3A-Region 3 quarterfinals May 2, it reminded the play-ers the importance of staying competitive while having fun at the same time.

“That’s the one thing the young kids have a difficult time with is they want to com-pete so bad and do well that they don’t un-derstand that baseball is a game of failure,” ODA coach Billy Dietrich said. “It’s impor-tant (to have fun). We preach to go out and have fun and play the game the right way.”

St. Pete jumped out to a 5-0 lead, scor-ing four runs in the bottom of the second inning. ODA, which notched a hit in every inning except the top of the sixth, scored its lone run in the top of the third inning.

Jake Romine hit a double and advanced to third on a single by Tyler Dietrich. Ro-mine came around to score on a RBI by Zach Hoppe.

ODA finished its best season in school history with a 19-5 record and reached the regional tournament for the second con-secutive season. The Thunder loses two seniors — Zach Hoppe and Joey Grano — from this year’s 13-man roster.

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“I’m so proud of Zach and Joey for the leadership they’ve had this year,” Billy Di-etrich said. “The future is good — there’s no question. We won’t sneak up on anybody.

“It was a great season,” he said. “We played top-notch competition this year, and we’re going to continue to do that next year.”


Thunder’s season ends in regional quarterfinalsThe Out-of-Door Academy baseball team lost 6-1 to St. Petersburg Catholic.

baseball by Jen blanco | Associate Editor

Jen Blanco

ODA junior Alex Horan pitched the first inning of the Thunder’s 6-1 loss to St. Petersburg Catholic May 2.


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competitive and it would be nice to repre-sent Lakewood Ranch High School with a softball state win.”

The Lady Mustangs nearly reached the state semifinals in 2010, but a 5-0 loss to eventual state runner-up Naples ended Lakewood’s season. Elling and Newton both were on the team then, making this year’s trip to the Final Four even more en-joyable.

Lakewood was loaded with talent then and has continually produced top-notch talent in the couple of years ever since; but there’s something to be said for this year’s team. They are different. They are special. They all get along. They communicate on the field.

And most importantly, they know how to win as a team.

“I thought it from the beginning,” Lake-wood coach Tony Cummins said. “This is a special group — a really special group. I have more faith in those girls than prob-ably any other team I’ve coached. It’s been a phenomenal experience.”

Prior to the regional championship game, the players gather together for a team meeting and had dinner while watch-ing “Rudy.”

“We had faith,” Elling said. “We were

pumped up. We had motivational stuff the entire time after school.”

The Lady Mustangs came out pumped up and ready to go. Lakewood’s momen-tum carried out onto the field as the Lady Mustangs posted their eighth shutout of the season. Elling earned her 20th win on the mound, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out seven in five innings of work.

Lakewood scored 10 runs on 10 hits and didn’t strike out at the plate for the sixth time this season. The Lady Mustangs held an 8-0 lead after two innings, but Elling continued to pitch as if the scoreboard said otherwise.

“It makes me pumped up and so excited, but on the mound, I have to pretend its 0-0 still,” Elling said. “I can’t lighten up or any-thing.”

As regional champions, the Lady Mus-tangs traveled to Clermont to face Pem-broke Pines in the Class 6A state semifinals May 9. The winner will face the winner of the other state semifinal between Niceville and Eau Gallie.

“We are super excited,” Cummins said. “They are not only great kids, but there is as fine of softball talent in that dugout as I believe you’ll find anywhere.”


Brian Blanco

Lakewood Ranch senior Dana Hutchins slides safely into second base in the third inning.

SOFTbALL/PAGE 13A

Y O U T H | H I G H S C H O O L | G O L F | S E N I O R S | C O M M U N I T Y | T E N N I S

SportsATHLETE OF

THE WEEkRanch catcher

calls own game in finals win. 11A

They walked onto the field together as a team.

And as I watched the Lake-wood Ranch High softball team walk away from the National Training Center fol-

lowing its 4-0 loss to Pembroke Pines Charter in the Class 6A state semifinals together, I couldn’t help but notice the dedication the Lady Mustangs

showed not only for their sport but one another.

In a season in which Lakewood captured its first regional championship and advanced to the state semi-finals for the first time in school history, the Lady Mus-tangs never lost sight of the importance of teamwork.

Sure, the players all had their share of individual ac-complishments and acco-lades, but it’s what they were able to accomplish together as a team for which they will be remembered. They will be remembered for their domi-nance and their persever-ance. They’ll be remembered for their district and regional championships and their state semifinal appearance — a first for the program.

The Lady Mustangs began paving the way for their legacy at the beginning of the season and cemented it fur-ther as the season continued.

And one game won’t change that.

“I’m not going to remem-ber this year, and I’m not

JENBLANCO

COMMENT

One loss won’t mar Mustangseason

BASEBALL By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor

BRADEN RIVER — Curt Brad-ley admits he has always been a better baseball player than foot-ball player.

But playing sports isn’t what Bradley was called to do. Instead, the former Minor League base-ball player felt compelled to teach others how to be the best players

they could be both on and off the field.

Now, the Missouri native is hoping to not only help the Braden River High football team discover a newfound passion for the sport but also teach them the many life lessons that go along with being a part of a team.

On May 11, Bradley was named the Pirates’ new head football coach. Bradley, who turns 27 in June, replaces former coach Don Purvis, who resigned last month after two seasons at the helm.

“To say the least, I was more than excited,” Bradley said. “This is a great area and a great school

with a great athletic director and administration. I’m looking for-ward to (the opportunity), and I’m just so excited.”

“He’s a very intelligent young man,” Braden River Athletic Di-rector Bob Bowling said. “He ob-viously was a good athlete, and he brings a lot to the table. He’s extremely organized and very disciplined. That’s what sold us Courtesy photo

New Pirate coach Curt Bradley turns 27 in June.

Leesburg High defensive coordinator Curt Bradley was named Braden River High’s new head football coach May 11.

FOOTBALL By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor

Pirates name new head coach

SEE BRADLEY / PAGE 12A

QUEST CONTINUES

SEE SISTERS / PAGE 13A

The Lakewood Ranch baseball team will make its first appearance in the state Final Four since 2003 when it travels to Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie to face Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy in the Class 6A state semifinals May 17.

Photos by Jen Blanco

Lakewood Ranch left fielder Brandon King makes a diving catch to end the second inning.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Nine years ago, the majority of the play-ers on the Lakewood Ranch High baseball team were in the midst of their Minor League careers.

The then-Little Leaguers were focused on learning how to pitch, improving their mechanics and making their respective All-Star teams.

At the time, those same players also were aware of the fact that the 2003 Mustangs were making a run toward the program’s first state title. But it would be nearly a decade before those players, who grew up watching Lakewood win its first state title with a 7-6 victory over Tallahassee Lincoln,

would be on the verge of seeing their own state title dreams come to fruition.

Senior Seth McGarry was one of those players. McGarry remem-bers getting caught up in the ex-citement of watching Lakewood make its run.

“It was insane,” McGarry said of watching Lastings Milledge steal home to help the Mustangs come from behind to win a cru-cial game.

Now, McGarry and his team-mates are two games away from creating their own state cham-pionship magic after defeating

The Lakewood Ranch High baseball team rushes the mound in celebration after earning a trip to the Class 6A state semifinals with a 4-1 vic-tory over Winter Haven in the Class 6A-Region finals May 11.

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012YourObserver.com

SEE MUSTANGS / PAGE 13A

EAST COUNTY ObSErvErTHURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012 YourObserver.com 11A

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ATHleTe of THe week by Jen blanco | Associate editor

What does it mean to you to be going to the state semifinals?

It means everything to me. I’ve been dreaming about this since I started playing high school baseball. Now that we are here and have a chance to do it, it feels amazing.

What do you enjoy the most about baseball?

It just fun for me — everything about it. I just have a good time playing.

What’s the toughest part about being a catcher?

Blocking balls. That can get an-noying. When you’re taking balls to the arm, it starts to hurt, and that can get annoying.

If Lakewood Ranch wins a state title, what’s the first thing you’ll do?

I’m probably going to have a dog pile on the mound. Then, I’ll probably walk up to coach (Mike) Mullen and give him a bear hug.

If you could play another sport for a day,

what would it be?Volleyball. It’s so much fun. We used to go

into practice before baseball season started and mess around and play with the girls team.

What’s your favorite subject?Is lunch a subject? I would definitely get

an “A” in lunch.

Do you have any siblings?I have two brothers, Michael,

19, and Ryan, 12, and one sister, Melissa, 12.

Who is your biggest role model?My older brother. Ever since I was

younger, I wanted to be around him and try and do what he

does.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

I want to read people’s minds just

to know what they are thinking.

Do you have a favorite movie?

“Pineapple Express.” No

matter how many times I’ve seen it,

I laugh through-out the whole movie.

Tyler DauphineeLakewood Ranch High senior Tyler Dauphinee hit a three-run double in the bottom of

the first inning propelling the Mustangs to a 4-1 victory over Winter Haven in the Class 6A –Region 3 finals May 11. The Mustangs catcher also called his own game. Here is an inside look at this week’s Athlete of the Week.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — For the past three months, the Clearwater Chargers at Lakewood Ranch U16 boys team has taken the role of the underdog to new heights. With a brand of soccer entirely its own, the team has developed from an av-erage team to one of the four in the state.

This season, the Chargers’ motto has remained the same: Why not us? Now, the team hopes to carry that same mentality into the Florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup Final Four May 19-20, in Au-burndale. The Chargers will play Jack-sonville United in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to face the winner of the semifinal between West Florida Pre-mier and A1SAA Soccer Academy of the Americas Real Madrid.

“Our goal all along was to advance be-yond the first round, so it was a huge suc-cess for us to get to the (Sweet) 16,” coach Geoff Womeldorph said.

The team advanced to the Final Four

after defeating Boca United 1-0 in pen-alty kicks. With the game scoreless after double overtime, goalkeeper Ian Craw-ford saved Boca United’s first penalty kick attempt. Stephen Mack, Ramon Elliott, Miguel Rebollo, Erik Kreider and Ryan Sollazzo each scored a penalty kick to preserve the win for the Chargers.

“At first, I couldn’t quite believe it,” 16-year-old goalkeeper J.J. Byrnes said. “We worked so hard to get here.”

The players, some of which previously played at the Braden River Soccer Club, the Charlotte County Soccer Federation and Venice Area Youth Soccer, among others, represent eight different area high schools and a variety of cultural back-grounds. But on the field, they unite.

“Not every team has that kind of to-getherness,” Braden River’s Jared Bieber said. “It makes us really hard to beat.”


Boys charge into final fourlakewood’s Clearwater Chargers U16 boys team will compete in the florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup final four.

soccer by Jen blanco | Associate editor

Courtesy photo

The Clearwater Chargers at lakewood Ranch U16 boys soccer team, which compris-es players from eight area high schools, will compete in the florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup final four May 19-20, in Auburndale.


on him. He’s very disciplined and hardworking.” A two-sport athlete in high school, Bradley earned a

football scholarship to Northern Iowa University, where he also played baseball. Bradley played on two conference championship football teams and a national runner-up team. He was named the Peacocks’ captain in 2006 and was an honorable mention All-Gateway Conference and All-Academic team selection twice.

“I just enjoy the game itself and the lessons the game teaches you,” Bradley said. “It’s the ultimate team sport. You can learn a lot about yourself, and the lessons it teaches you are life lessons. That’s what I really enjoy the most.”

At the end of his junior year of college, the Los Ange-les Dodgers drafted Bradley in the 33rd round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft. Bradley went back to finish his psychology degree and spent a season playing Minor League baseball for the Dodgers.

Following his season with the Dodgers, the shortstop and center fielder decided to forgo his baseball career and turn his attention to a career coaching football.

“I was a better baseball player than I was a football player, but my calling wasn’t to play a sport,” Bradley said. “It was to encourage and build up other individuals as a coach rather than me playing myself.”

A former wide receiver, Bradley volunteered for a year at Rock Bridge Senior High School in Colombia, Mo., be-fore being offered a graduate assistant coaching position at Syracuse University. Bradley spent two-and-one-half years serving as a linebacker coach for Syracuse, where he got his first glimpse at coaching defense.

“The only position (Syracuse) had open was on defen-sive side of the ball,” Bradley said. “I just tried to learn as much as I could as fast as I could.”

In July 2010, Bradley was named Leesburg High’s defen-sive coordinator, where he has spent the past two years. Bradley learned about the open position at Braden River from a family friend and decided to apply. Bradley, who was one of 40 applicants, interviewed May 8 and was in-vited back for a second interview May 11.

“Coach Bradley was very honest, and from an X and O standpoint, was by far the best we spoke with,” Bowling said. “He is very big on doing things the right way on and off the field. He is full of positive energy, and I believe will get the most out of our players.”

Bradley will assume his new position following spring practice after completing his remaining responsibilities with Leesburg.

“I’m just looking forward to getting around the other coaches and, first and foremost, around the kids,” Bradley said. “Football is the ultimate team game in which to do so.”

Greg Williford, an assistant coach under Purvis, will continue to run spring practices and coach the Pirates in their spring game May 25, at Naples.


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AbbY PANikAge: 8 years oldGrade: Third-grader, Ashton ElementaryPosition: First baseHow long have you been playing softball? I started playing T-ball when I was 3 years old. What made you decide to start playing? My dad signed me up. What do you enjoy the most about softball? I like everything. If you could describe The Observer team in one word, what would it be? OK

rOrY ATkiNSAge: 11 years oldGrade: Fifth-grader, Gene Witt Elementary Position: OutfieldHow long have you been playing baseball? This is my fifth season. What made you decide to start playing? I was really young, and my parents made me try it. What do you enjoy the most about baseball? Base running. I’m fast, and it’s fun. If you could describe The Observer team in one word, what would it be? YoungDo you have a favorite base-ball player? Albert Pujols

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going to remember this team by this game,” first-year coach Tony Cum-mins said. “I’m going to remember that this team was loaded with special talent and special ladies that took our school further than they’ve ever gone before.”

Lakewood’s Fab Five seniors, as they’ve been dubbed by Cummins, now will move on to the next chapters in their storied careers. They helped pave the way for the program and in doing so left behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.

“The Fab Five lived up to every challenge that I gave them,” Cum-mins said. “They were the perfect example to the younger players. They will be missed.”

But with six starters from this season’s state semifinal roster and a freshman pitcher waiting in the wings, the future remains bright for the Lady Mustangs.

“It means so much,” senior Quil-lan Toler said. “To leave this kind of a legacy is something very special. We accomplished something no other team has, and I will always remember this experience.

“This year sets the bar high for every incoming team; but there is so much talent coming up through the system and with the returning players, I believe Lakewood Ranch is going to be that team to look out for,” Toler said.

And several years from now when the youth softball players of today become the high school softball play-ers of tomorrow and they look back on the 2012 Lady Mustangs historic season, the final score won’t matter.

All that will matter is what the play-ers were able to accomplish both on and off the field for themselves, their team, their school and their commu-nity.

Winter Haven 4-1 in the Class 6A-Region 3 championship May 11.

With the win, the Mustangs will travel to Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie to face Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy in the Class 6A state semifinals at 7 p.m. May 17. The winner will face the winner of the other state semifinal between Pace and Mel-bourne in the state championship May 18.

“We’ve been stuck on that (regional) quarterfinal and once we got past that we knew we were going to be good,” McGarry said. “I’m pretty happy with our perfor-mance, and we’re going to keep it rolling.

“The thing we always say after we play a game or practice is family,” McGarry said. “We’re really tight with each other, and we’ve been working together since fresh-

man year on JV to get to this point right here. So, this is huge for us, and we’re just going to try and keep it going.”

Lakewood advanced to the regional championship after defeating Tampa King 6-4 in the regional semifinals May 8. Mc-Garry came on in relief to strike out the final two batters and preserve the win for the Mustangs before getting the call on the mound in the regional final.

McGarry, who suffered an elbow injury in the offseason, pitched his first complete game of the season, allowing two hits and three walks without allowing an earned run while striking out eight.

“I feel like it really played out to my ad-vantage, because I was kind of able to relax and get back to where I should be; and I’m just coming back at the right time,” McGar-ry said of his injury.

“Without a doubt we knew we were throwing McGarry,” coach Mike Mullen said. “He’s been working his whole life for this game, and we were happy to give it to him. It was Seth’s game. He was going to be pitching this game regardless.”

Lakewood took a 3-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the first inning when catcher Tyler Dauphinee hit a bases clear-ing double to drive in Justin Greenaway, Zack Larson and Brandon King, who all drew walks.

“He deserves a lot of credit for this win,” Mullen said. “He had the three RBIs in the first inning, and up until (Bryan) Vanvran-ken’s home run, that was all of our scor-ing. He deserves a ton of credit for calling the game the way that he did, because I let him call his own game. For him to get the double with the bases loaded couldn’t be sweeter for him, for our team and for his family.”

The Devils scored their lone run in the top of the third inning on a wild pitch, but McGarry retired 12 of the final 14 batters he faced.

“I accidentally threw a cutter, and after we got out of that, then I knew it was going to be a good night,” McGarry said.

Lakewood responded in the bottom of the sixth inning on a solo home run by Bry-an Vanvranken to seal the victory for the Mustangs.

Vanvranken went 1-for-1 with a home run, two walks, a RBI and two runs scored and Dauphinee went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBIs to lead the way for the Mus-tangs at the plate.

“Every high school coach’s dream is to take his kids to the Final Four,” Mullen said. “It’s difficult because you get over there and you get out of your element and your rou-tine, but the team that handles it the best is typically the team that wins it. We just have to figure out a way to keep our kids even keel and that’s one thing about our kids is that we don’t get too high or we don’t get too low.”


Jen Blanco

Lakewood Ranch third baseman bryan vanvranken catches a Tampa King player in a rundown to end the sixth inning.

COMMENT/PAGE 10A

MUSTANGS/PAGE 10A


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SARASOTA — From the moment they first donned an Out-of-Door Academy uni-form, eight seniors have had their hearts set on playing at the next level.

And over the past month, those same eight seniors have all seen their dreams come to fruition after having signed na-tional letters-of-intent to play collegiate athletics. On May 12, they were honored for their achievements during the school’s annual athletics award ceremony in the Thunderdome at the Uihlein Campus.

TYleR BURgeTTSpOrT: FootballCOllEgE Of ChOiCE: Indiana UniversityMAjOr: Sports management

What made you choose Indiana Univer-sity?

The opportunity to play for a Big Ten school, which will not only provide the ath-letic experience I am looking for but also a great education. Also, I am originally from Indianapolis.

What’s the biggest adjustment you’ll have to make going from high school to college athletics?

The level of competition will be unlike anything I have seen thus far. Also going to a high school with just over 300 stu-dents to a college with more than 35,000 students. JIMMY DonnellAnSpOrT: FootballCOllEgE Of ChOiCE: Bowdoin CollegeMAjOr: Pre-med

What are you looking forward to the most about playing in college?

I’m excited to have the opportunity to play. I know I’m (not necessarily) going into

the NFL, so my goal for the next four years is to help the team any way I can and to have a lot of fun while doing it.


The biggest thing I’ll have to figure out is time management.

MARA FAlAHeeSpOrT: girls Basketball COllEgE Of ChOiCE: Scripps CollegeMAjOr: economics and international rela-tions; minor in a foreign language

What does it mean to you to be able to continue playing at the next level?

Playing basketball in college has been a dream of mine since kindergarten. I still have the sticky note on my desk from last year that states, “I will play basketball in college,” and a goal guideline on how I will achieve it. Knowing I have achieved my goal makes playing at the college level ex-tremely exciting.

What has been your biggest ODA athletic accomplishment?

Scoring over 1,000 points. It was the first time in ODA history that a student scored 1,000 points; and

ODA was amazing at supporting me through my 1,000th-point game.

ZACH HoPPeSpOrT: BaseballCOllEgE Of ChOiCE: eckerd College MAjOr: Criminology

What made you choose Eckerd College?I was really impressed with the baseball

team and the school itself is beautiful and close to home.

What has been your biggest ODA athletic accomplishment?

Helping my team reach the playoffs two years in a row, becoming the first baseball team in ODA history to do so.

gRAnT MCCARTHYSpOrT: FootballCOllEgE Of ChOiCE: Rhodes CollegeMAjOr: neuroscience

What does it mean to you to be able to play at the next level?

Playing football at the next level means that I can continue my passion for football and do what I love.

What are you looking forward to the most about playing at the next level?

At the next level, I look forward to bond-ing with my teammates, mentoring from the coaches and playing in front of a wider crowd. Everything that I loved about play-ing high school football will still remain, just elevated and taken to a more serious level.

CARA MeSSInASpOrT: SwimmingCOllEgE Of ChOiCE: guilford CollegeMAjOr: english; art history minor

What made you choose Guilford College?The school that I am attending is a

Quaker school, and that was really one of the many reasons I chose it. Guilford is beautiful and has that old collegiate feel, but it is the Quaker values of friendship and integrity that made it so attractive to me.

What are you looking forward to the most about playing at the next level?

The opportunity to really get to know my

teammates and build on the skills I devel-oped in high school.

BRIAn o’ConnoRSpOrT: FootballCOllEgE Of ChOiCE: University of WyomingMAjOr: Business


It’s very rewarding and exciting. It’s al-ways been a goal of mine to be able to play at the college level

What made you choose Wyoming?The location, facilities, and how the

whole state rallies around the Wyoming Cowboys football team make it exciting to play in that environment.

BRIAn RAgoneSpOrT: Football and trackCOllEgE Of ChOiCE: Amherst CollegeMAjOr: economics and math


I’m very happy to be able to continue to play on a higher level, where the competi-tion is more intense and I can continue learning more about the position I play, in the sport I love.


The biggest adjustment will be going from the top, to the bottom of totem pole again. Going from a team captain, who is calling the shots, to a freshman, who nor-mally is told what to do.


Eight seniors from The Out-of-Door Academy recently signed national letters-of-intent to play at the next level.

Thunder athletes ink college scholarshipssigning day by jen blanco | Associate editor

Documents

East County Observer Sports May 10 & May 17