SAC Track: Soto Wins 3; Meet Postponed to Friday

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Bart O'Connell

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 07:25 PM

WESLEY CHAPEL—Land O’ Lakes junior Felix Soto captured three Sunshine Athletic Conference track and field titles before lightning forced Pasco County’s premier meet to be postponed until Friday at 10 a.m., with just the 4x400 relays remaining for the boys and girls.

Soto, an elite distance runner, won the 1600 and 3200-meter runs easily. But it was his victory in the 800, an event he rarely runs, that put the Land O’ Lakes boys on the verge of upsetting Wesley Chapel in the team competition. The Gators led the Wildcats in points, 117 to 108, with the relay left to go. If Land O’ Lakes finishes seventh or better, they will clinch the crown. Wesley Chapel must win and hope Land O’ Lakes finishes out of the top eight in order to win outright.

Wildcats senior Jeff Webster joined Soto among the four competitors to win multiple individual events, capturing the 110 and 300 Hurdles. Fellow Wesley Chapel senior Jasmine Pleasant won the 100 and 200-meter runs for the girls, also anchoring the winning 4x100 relay team. Mitchell senior Tyrone Hendrix had victories in the 100 and 400 and finished a close second to Zephyrhills’ Josh Perkins in the 200.

There were several surprises on the day, particularly from Gulf. In the 1600, Senior Courtney McAuliffe bested a talented field with a personal best 5 minute, 25.08-second run, while Wiregrass Ranch freshman Ariel Grey, the eventual 3200 winner, set her own PR (5:29.28) in finishing runner-up. Hurdler Jennifer Johnson edged Wesley Chapel’s Patience Shackley in the 100 Hurdles (16.69 to 16.79). And Josh Roberts won the long jump and finished second in the 400.

Ridgewood freshman Karissa Bertling had a state-caliber performance in winning the 400 (59.71 seconds), beating a PR from past state qualifier Emily Seda of Land O’ Lakes (1:00.03). Bertling also finished second in the 100, .04 seconds behind Pleasant.

Other top performances were turned in by Wesley Chapel’s Earon Hicks (won triple jump, second in the long and high jump), Perkins (won 200, anchored winning 4x100, second 100 and triple jump) and Wesley Chapel thrower Kamran Joyer (won shot put in 51-07.25, third in discus).

Sunshine Athletic Conference
At Wesley Chapel
Postponed (lightning); will resume Friday at 10 a.m.

Boys Team Results (Through 16 of 17 events)

1. Land O’ Lakes 117; 2. Wesley Chapel 108; 3. Zephyrhills 77; 4. Mitchell 75; 5. Pasco 58; 6. Ridgewood 56; 7. Wiregrass Ranch 48; 8. Gulf 46; 9. Sunlake 14; 9. Hudson 14; 11. River Ridge 10.

Girls Team Results (Through 16 of 17 events)

1. Wesley Chapel 132; 2. Ridgewood 83; 3. Wiregrass Ranch 81; 4. Land O’ Lakes 73; 5. Gulf 64; 6. Zephyrhills 55; 7. River Ridge 53; 8. Mitchell 49; 9. Pasco 23; 10. Hudson 9; 11. Sunlake 2.

Boys Results (4x400 Relay to be run Friday, 10 a.m.)

100 – 1. Hendrix (M) 11.24; 2. Perkins (Z) 11.35; 3. Trinidad (M) 11.39. 200 – 1. Perkins (Z) 23.04; 2. Hendrix (M) 23.08; 3. Walton (G) 23.12. 400 – 1. Hendrix (M) 52.52; 2. Roberts (G) 52.59; 3. Boyd (WC) 52.63. 800 – 1. Soto (LOL) 2:02.42; 2. Mi. Avadikian (Z) 2:04.35; 3. Ruiz (M) 2:09.22. 1600 – 1. Soto (LOL) 4:37.53; 2. Schwartz (LOL) 4:42.93; 3. Landreth (Rw) 4:45.37. 3200 – 1. Soto (LOL) 10:03.37; 2. Landreth (Rw) 10:19.04; 3. Schwartz (LOL) 10:28.31. 4x100 Relay – 1. Zephyrhills 43.85; 2. Wesley Chapel 44.31; 3. Pasco 44.87. 4x800 Relay – 1. Wesley Chapel 8:41.35; 2. Zephyrhills 8:41.54; 3. Land O’ Lakes 8:45.29. 110 Hurdles – 1. Webster (WC) 15.83; 2. Williams (WR) 16.45; 3. Patrias (Z) 16.58. 300 Hurdles – 1. Webster (WC) 42.22; 2. J. Grunewald (LOL) 42.23; 3. Patrias (Z) 42.31. Long Jump – 1. Roberts (G) 21-01.50; 2. Hicks (WC) 20-09.50; 3. C. Davis (LOL) 20-04.50. High Jump – 1. Mundy (M) 6-00; 2. Hicks (WC) 5-10; 3. Tolliver (Rw) 5-08. Triple Jump – 1. Hicks (WC) 42-07; 2. Perkins (Z) 41-02; 3. Williams (P) 39-02. Shot Put – 1. Joyer (WC) 51-07.25; 2. Minichino (Rw) 46-11.75; 3. Solis (H) 42-03.00. Discus – 1. Minichino (Rw) 141-00.00; 2. Hisamoto (S) 132-06.00; 3. Joyer (WC) 125-09.50. Pole Vault – 1. Cicanese (P) 11-06; 2. Z. Grunewald (LOL) 11-06; 3. Britton (M) 11-06.

Girls Results (4x400 Relay to be run Friday, 10 a.m.)

100 – 1. Pleasant (WC) 12.66; 2. Bertling (Rw) 12.70; 3. Parker (Z) 12.80. 200 – 1. Pleasant (WC) 25.58; 2. Parker (Z) 26.63; 3. Houston (WR) 26.68. 400 – 1. Bertling (Rw) 59.71; 2. Seda (LOL) 1:00.03; 3. Sturman (WR) 1:01.56. 800 – 1. Jagielski (M) 2:26.44; 2. Vaughns (WC) 2:31.52; 3. Ibison (WR) 2:32.26. 1600 – 1. McAuliffe (G) 5:25.08; 2. Grey (WR) 5:29.28; 3. Reynolds (H) 5:30.36. 3200 – 1. Grey (WR) 12:20.15; 2. Furst (WC) 12:31.05; 3. Fee (WC) 12:34.50. 4x100 Relay – 1. Wesley Chapel 50.04; 2. Wiregrass Ranch 50.31; 3. Zephyrhills 51.25. 4x800 Relay – 1. Wesley Chapel 10:04.33; 2. Land O’ Lakes 10:09.26; 3. Wiregrass Ranch 10:18.47. 100 Hurdles – 1. Johnson (G) 16.69; 2. Shackley (WC) 16.79; 3. Arnold (Z) 16.91. 300 Hurdles – 1. Forbes (RR) 48.10; 2. Hill (WC) 48.52; 3. D. Schulman (G) 48.68. Long Jump – 1. Madison (Rw) 15-06; 2. Parker (Z) 15-00; 3. Houston (WR) 14-11. High Jump – 1. Woodard (LOL) 5-00; 2. Gentry (P) 5-00; 3. Butler (Rw) 5-00. Triple Jump – 1. Schmidt (LOL) 32-03; 2. Keough (LOL) 32-00; 3. Ramey (Rw) 31-05. Shot Put – 1. Hull (RR) 35-00.75; 2. Cohen (G) 34-03.00; 3. Ducos (WC) 33-03.25. Discus – 1. Ducos (WC) 117-02.00; 2. Patton (Z) 108-04.00; 3. Olin (RR) 104-11.50. Pole Vault – 1. Brink (Rw) 9-06; 2. Morolla (RR) 8-06; 3. Rasmussen (Rw) 8-00.

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Rainy day in Washington (Vinny down and out)

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 09:33 PM

Sorry for the late post on a gameday, but I took advantage of some free time in D.C. today and took a subway ride after lunch down to the Mall area. After seeing that the American History Museum is still undergoing renovations (it’s been closed since September 2006), which is a major bummer because it’s my favorite Smithsonian museum here, I wandered over to the Air and Space Museum, mainly because they had some items on display from the American History Museum until it opens up later this summer (I hope!!!). After spending about an hour in there, I went over to the National Archives, I find it very inspiring to check out the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and the Magna Carta. Being involved in Watching John Adams on HBO right now, it seemed like a logical stop today. But when I got there, a line was formed out the door, and then they cut it off because so many people were in the rotunda room and I happened to be the cut off point. So being that close, I decided to wait it out the 30 minutes before they reopened the lines (it started to rain at this point, fortunately I was under the entranceway). I kept checking my watch to see if I still had time to get in and still get to the game on time. When I was finally let in to the building, the line to see the Constitution and such was about another 30-45 minuted long. So I just took a peek inside the room to get a view of the mural on the wall which features the members of the first Continental Congress. It wasn’t the inspiration I was looking for, but it had to do for today as time was running short. I was able to walk around a little to some of the other exhibits before heading to the gift shop. I had to do my part to fund the museum, so the kids will be getting a gift when I get back home (of course, I had to buiy something for myself, too. . . hey, just trying to help fund the musuem to keep it up and running)

I’m happy to report I made my way back through the rain to my hotel, changed my shirt and put on my tie (Mickey Mouse, what else) and endured a subway delay in order to get to the rink in time.

And I’m glad I did as Karri Ramo is absolutely putting on a show in this game. The kid has been unbelievable stopping every shot the Caps have thrown his way. The only one of the 20 shots to get by him actually deflected off his own stick then the back of Filip Kuba’s skate and then in the net off the skate of Alex Picard. Bad luck, but the game is tied, but only because of Ramo who has 19 saves already on 20 shots. Guess he took that comments from Tortorella about starting next year in the AHL to heart. the kid is pretty good.

The 20 shots allowed, by the way, is a season high for Tampa Bay.

Quick observation - Damn, Matt Cooke hits hard!!!

SECOND INTERMISSION

A little more in control that period, or at least under control anyway. Ramo is still playing terrific, even though he only faced 9shots in that period, a far cry from the first period when he was under siege to keep Tampa Bay in the game. Ramo came up with a terrific save on Alex Ovechkin after a bad giveaway in the Lightning zone. Ovechkin, by the way, was credited with the first Washington goal (their only goal to this point) to set a new single-season record for most goals by a left wing with 64. Replays showed that the puck, which looked like it hit the skate of Filip Kuba, was actually swiped by Ovechkin before it bounced off the skate of Alex Picard.

Cristobal Huet made a dandy save of his own in that period, stopping Craig MacDonald all alone in front after a turnover behind the Washington net. Will be interesting to see what happens in the third period here with Washington needing the two points to stay in playoff contention. If the Caps come out in the third like they did in the second, they will win this game going away. But with the way Ramo is playing, he just might spoil Washington’s party.

One thing of note here, at the end of the period, Lightning coach John Tortorella put Jeff Halpern on left wing with Vinny and Marty. Guess he thinks that if Halpern has been the spark on the second line no matter who else has been playing with Halpern, then maybe he can spark Marty and Vinny. Uh, whatever. . . .  Jussi Jokinen is now playing with Mathieu Darche and Michel Ouellet.

One other observation - Damn, Alex Ovechkin hits hard, too. (He also got hit hard on the knee when he blocked a shot, keep an eye on that)

UPDATE 9:00 P.M.

Vinny Lecavalier just left the game and he looks to be done for the season (I know, only one game left) after he got hit by Matt Cooke. Lecavalier went down and didn’t get up for several moments, laying the same position and kind of writhing there a bit. When he finally did get up, he had to be helped to his feet by Brad Lukowich and Mathieu Darche. Lecavalier appeared to be holding his right arm. I don’t want to speculate on what the injury is, but I’ll pass along when I know.

UPDATE 10:30

Team is diagnosing Vinny’s injury only as a right shoulder injury, but he walked out of the arena with the shoulder in a sling. He has already been ruled out of Saturday’s season finale in Atlanta. Good thing this happened now and not in December.

But the team did feel that Cooke took a cheap shot and should have been an interference call on Cooke. Here’s a quote from John Tortorella after the game:

“It’s an absolute cheap shot,’’ Lightning coach John Tortorella said. “We have stick foul after stick foul, and then I see that, it’s a guy in a vulnerable position. The puck isn’t anywhere near him and that isn’t called. It’s an absolute cheap shot.’’

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Dietz Striving For Perfection, Continues To Work

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 06:36 PM

Tampa Bay Storm coach Tim Marcum didn’t exactly hang quarterback Brett Dietz out to dry, but he obviously made it clear he was unhappy with the second-year signal caller’s play in last week’s loss to Philadelphia.

Dietz had a terrific game by the numbers, finishing 31 of 46 for a career-high 400 yards and six touchdowns against the Soul, but Marcum said Dietz’s decision-making wasn’t the best. The coach cited, specifically Dietz’s fumble near the end of the first half, which allowed Philadelphia to kick a late field goal to steal the momentum, and Dietz missing a wide open Hank Edwards streaking down the middle late in the game, which would have allowed the Storm to take the lead.

Dietz, speaking Wednesday after practice, took the criticism in stride.

“Obviously, I didn’t play well enough or we would have won, but overall I don’t think I played that bad. But they’re looking for perfection from me, and that’s what I’ve got to strive for,” Dietz said. “I’ve got to see what I need to see on every play, no matter if it’s a busted coverage or what it is.”

To Dietz’ credit, he hasn’t exactly had a chance to build a rapport with his receivers. Starters Terrill Shaw and Sedrick Robinson both missed significant time in training camp with injuries, and Tampa Bay has yet to have the same receiving corps on the field for consecutive games.

“It is tough, especially in camp, too. We had so many bodies in camp, so many starters hurt in camp. It’s been a little frustrating. Last year I think I got a little bit lucky, going on a 10-game run where nobody got hurt and I kind of got used to that,” Dietz said. “But injuries are a part of football and you’ve got to adjust. The other guys that have been in there have done a good job, and it’s just working with them and getting used to them and getting better. And we’re getting there.”

Marcum even acknowledged Dietz has been in a tough situation with the lack of continuity at the receiver position, but with the Storm mired in a two-game skid and in desperate need of a positive to close out this lengthy road trip, the coach said it needs to be corrected. And soon.

To do so, Marcum said he simplified the playbook for this week’s game at Columbus. The change-up won’t take away from what the Storm want to do offensively, but should aide Dietz in being able to better know where his receivers are going to be. Edwards, Lawrence Samuels and Brent Holmes will be the three primary targets against the Destroyers, with David Saunders occupying the fourth receiver position.

Dietz said he believes things are coming along.

“It’s coming,” Dietz said. “I feel a little more with Hank right now, just because I’ve been with him last year. Me and Brent are still trying to get on the same page. Lawrence is always Lawrence, and I know he hasn’t been happy with the way he’s been playing and he can play better. But I think it is coming.”

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A Few Quick Hitters

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 06:37 PM

The radio station carrying the Storm’s game Saturday at Columbus has been changed to WFLA 970 AM, with the broadcast for the 7 p.m. game set to begin at 6:45. Jack Harris and Jason Dixon will call the action.

The game was originally scheduled to air of WHNZ 1250 AM.

LINEUP ADDITIONS: DB Daryon Brutley and DL Clifford Dukes have been added to the active roster, and both are expected to see action this week against Columbus. Brutely saw some action in a Week 3 loss to New Orleans, while Dukes, who was very impressive in training camp, will make his AFL debut.

RETURN MAN: Brent Holmes will handle the kick return duties this week against Columbus. Jeroid Johnson struggled in that role last week against Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay’s unit as a whole struggled all game against the Soul.

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Flames Down Wizards At Nationals

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Nick Murray

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 06:38 PM

The Gulf Coast Flames scored three first period goals on their way to a 6-2 win against the Wonderland Wizards at the USA Hockey under-12 Tier II Championships in Hackensack, N.J. on Thursday evening. The victory leaves the Flames tied with the Northbrook Hawks and assured of advancing to the elimination round on Saturday.

Jeremy Butterworth played a part in the Flames first two goals, assisting on Jimmy Jones’ opener 1:31 into the game, and then on Joey Fabec’s midway through the first. Drew Fineberg scored twice for the Flames, giving him three in two games, while goalkeeper Reid Simpson made 30 saves to pick up the win.

The Flames face the Neponset Valley River Rats in their final pool game on Friday at noon.

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Shaw, Robinson Likely Will Be Sidelined Longer Than Expected

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 05:47 PM

It turns out the Storm are going to be without two of their top two playmakers a little longer than expected.

Neither WR Terrill Shaw nor WR/KR Sedrick Robinson are practicing, and both players are likely going to miss more than the four weeks team officials originally thought they would.

Shaw, the team’s leading receiver in 2007, suffered a knee injury in a Week 2 win over Georgia and has been out since. He was placed on injured reserve and the timetable for his return was the Storm’s home game with Arizona on April 13. However, there’s no guarantee Shaw will be ready to return to game action at that time.

“Maybe Arizona, I don’t know,” Marcum said. “If not Arizona, it’s got to be New York [on April 18].”

Meanwhile, Robinson is now recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, which was performed Tuesday. Marcum said an MRI revealed cartilage damage, which wasn’t initially caught during a preliminary examination. Robinson was originally sidelined with an ankle injury suffered in a Week 3 loss to New Orleans. He was one of the team’s biggest impact players through the first two weeks, and the Storm definitely missed his services on special teams in last week’s loss to Philadelphia as Tampa Bay continually started with poor field position.

“Hopefully it’s just four weeks [from the date of surgery],” Storm coach Tim Marcum said. “But it could be longer.”

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FSU Yanks Mic From Former QB Willis

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Aaron Knox

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 05:51 PM

Former Florida State quarterback Peter Tom Willis, who has been radio play-by-play man Gene Deckerhoff’s broadcast partner for the last nine years, will not be back in the booth with Deckerhoff next season.

Willis was told by the school that his contract would not be renewed, an announcement the school made early Thursday evening.

“We thank P.T. for the fine work he has done and for his dedication to Florida State Athletics,” Rob Wilson, FSU Associate Athletics Director, said in a statement.

Willis, whose name remains prominent in FSU’s all-time passing records, was often critical of the team’s offensive struggles on-air in recent years in his role as analyst. His tell-it-like-it-is style drew criticism at times from FSU backers, including from FSU coach Bobby Bowden.

The Seminole ISP Sports Radio Network, which oversees broadcasts of FSU football games, has yet to hire a replacement for Willis.

“Our goal is to provide the best broadcast possible and we will work with FSU to find a new color analyst,’’ said Mike McClure, vice president of the Seminole ISP Sports staff.

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Rays log first rainout of year

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 05:31 PM

BALTIMORE—Well, the Rays made it one game longer this year. In 2007, the second game of the season was rained out. This time, it was the third.

You know the weather’s bad when a game gets called this early, and it is. Supposed to rain all the way up the Eastern seaboard through tonight and all of tomorrow, so we may be doing this routine again tomorrow.

Unfortunately for the Rays, their charter plane isn’t supposed to get into BWI until about 9:30, so they’re stuck hanging out in the clubhouse for the next few hours. Some intrepid members of the traveling party, however, are hopping trains to get to New York a little earlier tonight.

The Rays have juggled their rotation a bit to make up for tonight’s events. Here’s the new lineup, which features Matt Garza being pushed back a day to start the home opener Tuesday.

Friday - Sonnanstine
Saturday - Jackson
Sunday - Shields
Monday - Hammel
Tuesday - Garza

Joe Maddon’s explanation for going that route was they didn’t want to wait too long to get Hammel his first start. If they’d just skipped Hammel and picked him up the next time, he wouldn’t have started until next Wednesday.

No word yet on when this game might be made up. This morning I predicted Aug. 21, and I think there’s a chance that’ll happen. If not, perhaps a doubleheader May 1. We’ll see.

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Sickles’ Blake Off To MIT

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Katherine Smith

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 07:33 PM

Doug Blake, a three-year starter at Sickles High, has been offered and accepted into MIT for school and football, Gryphons coach Pat O’Brien said.

The offensive lineman played a big role in helping Sickles advance to the playoffs for the first time in school history.

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Price Commits To Miami

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Bill Ward

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 04:01 PM

Berkeley Prep distance running star Page Price, an all-state performer in track and field last season, has made a commitment to the University of Miami.

Last track season, Price made it to the medals podium in both the 1,600-meter run and 800. She was seventh in both events, running personal bests in each race with her times of 5 minutes, 13.31 seconds and 2:19.25, respectively. This spring, Price is No. 3 in Hillsborough County for the 1,600 (5:16.72, a time she ran last week to win the event at the FSU relays) and second in the 800 (2:18.11, her new personal record). She has also been a member of the Buccaneers state-qualifying cross country teams, running the No. 1 spot for the squad in 2006 and, despite a nagging calf injury, the No. 2 spot most of last fall.

Price’s father, Dr. Doug Price, is a former national and world-ranked shot put and discus thrower who competed for Brown University. Page is expected to sign with the Hurricanes on Monday afternoon at Berkeley Prep, athletic director Bobby Reinhart said.

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