Six Berkeley Prep athletes will sign NLIs

Posted Apr 29, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 29, 2013 at 03:55 PM

Six student-athletes from Berkeley Prep will sign national letters of intent Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. in the school’s Straz Family Field House.

Chris Erdmier, baseball, Sewanee:  Erdmier is currently hitting .271 with 15 RBI’s and 4 doubles. He has been a four-year starter for Berkeley, and his consistent play at second base along with his ability to hit in high pressure situations have once again taken the Bucs to the state playoffs.

Hilleary Gramling, cross country and track and field, Emory University.  A team captain, Gramling posted a season-best time of 2:33 in the 800 and earned a place as a regional qualifier after running the 1600 meter in 5:37. Gramling also qualified for regionals as a member of the 4 x 400 and 4 x 800 relay teams. 

Francis Migliore, rowing, Colgate University. Migliore has been a member of Berkeley’s rowing team for four years, and this year, he broke the seven-minute mark on his 2k erg time. 

Samantha Moench, volleyball, Washington and Lee University. Moench played back row at Berkeley and led the team with 31 aces in her senior season. She was a part of three state champion teams while at Berkeley and was a state runner-up as a senior. 

Morgan Orobello, soccer, Georgia. As Berkeley’s goalkeeper, Orobello recorded three shutouts in her senior season. She also contributed to Berkeley’s offense, scoring five goals in 2012-13. 

Georgette Price, cross country and track and field, University of Hartford. As a senior, Price finished sixth in the state championships and won the district championship in the 800 meters. Her best time of the season was 2:17.83. Her season best for the 1600 was 5:32 and she posted 12:10 in the 3200 meters. She was a regional qualifier in the 4 x 400 and 4 x 800 relay teams. 

Senior Caroline Willis will sign a national letter of intent to compete in rowing for Duke University at a later date.

Robinson athletes to sign NLI’s

Posted Apr 25, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 25, 2013 at 03:54 PM

Robinson High will hold a signing ceremony for the following athletes Monday at 7:45 a.m:

WRESTLING

CHRIS RODRIGUEZ – WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY
JEREMY ANDUJAR – WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY
DAMIEN MCKINZIE – WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY

SWIMMING

JOHN NOLTE – Florida Atlantic

BASEBALL

ZACK SABO – SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY

FOOTBALL

ANDRES NADER – JOHN CAROLL UNIVERSITY
BROOKS LOVELY – MARYVILLE COLLEGE
JOHN TAYLOR – BELOIT COLLEGE
AUSTIN EADS - HIRAM COLLEGE
ZAIN GILMORE, JR. – EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
CARLOS DUCLOS – ELLSWORTH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
NAHSHON SIMMONS – WEBBER INTERNATIONAL
TED KELLY – MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY
PRESTON MACKABEE –HIRAM COLLEGE
DEMETRIUS PAGE – RIDGE WATER COLLEGE
DOMINIQUE JENNINGS – WEBBER INTERNATIONAL
RYAN WOEHLERT – CHOWAN UNIVERSITY

VOLLEYBALL

ALEXANDRIA GAERTNER – MARYVILLE COLLEGE

GIRLS BASKETBALL

CORNIKA WRIGHT – SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Wharton’s McGill signs with University of Mobile

Posted Apr 22, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 22, 2013 at 02:03 PM

Wharton senior point guard CJ McGill, who led the Wildcats to their first state tournament this past season, has signedwith the University of Mobile on a full athletic scholarship.

The University of Mobile is an NAIA affiliate.

McGill was given the Alston “Mac” McGahagin Award by Hillsborough County Schools, which goes to the top senior boys basketball player in the county.

McGill averaged 17 points per game and finished his career with 1,036 points. McGill missed his entire sophomore season with a kneee injury but still earned a career record of 76-10 with three district titles while at Wharton.

Former longtime Land O’ Lakes Gators football coach John Benedetto passes away

Posted Apr 22, 2013 by Mike Camunas

Updated Apr 22, 2013 at 05:03 PM

Former Land O’ Lakes football coach John Benedetto, who coached the Gators from 1977 to 2008, passed away early Monday morning, the Tampa Tribune has learned.

Benedetto, 66, died in his sleep.

During his 32-year tenure, Benedetto amassed 196 wins, 13 district titles, 18 winning seasons, 17 postseason appearances and two trips to the regional finals. Benedetto, who celebrated his birthday Friday, is Pasco County’s winningest coach.

On Oct. 19, the Land O’ Lakes stadium was re-dedicated in his honor.

“There was not a more caring individual I knew than John,” former assistant and player under Benedetto Tom Carter said. “He was all about the kids, the players.”

House Speaker Will Weatherford once played for Benedetto and had this to say Monday afternoon:

“I am saddened by the passing of a family friend and a great high school football coach, John Benedetto. As a coach to my brothers and me, Coach Benedetto taught us lessons on the football field that have made a lasting impact on all of our lives. I am forever grateful to have called him a coach, a mentor and a friend. We will miss him, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @MikeCamunas.

Robinson’s Gilmore commits to Eastern Kentucky

Posted Apr 19, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 19, 2013 at 01:47 PM

Robinson senior quarterback Zain Gilmore has verbally committed to Eastern Kentucky, the team announced via its Twitter account.

Gilmore threw for 1,422 passing yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 912 yards with 15 touchdowns last season.

Gilmore helped lead the Knights to the Class 5A state semifinals last season.