Boys track top runner signs scholarship

Jo’van Randolph-McNeill has been the captain for the boy’s track team for the last two years an has run the following: quarter mile, mile relay, 330-yard hurdles and the 110-yard hurdles.

At the last meet, held at Robinson High School, Randolph said “The team didn’t get to run what they usually run because it was a punishment race that coach [Joseph Sipp] gave us for not showing up to practice during spring break. I got stuck running the mile and the 800-yard sprint.”

Randolph was district champion, regional finalist, 2003-04 team rookie of the year, and the team M.V.P for 2004-05.

Signing day was April 12 and Randolph was considering Wayne State College, Indiana State, University of Charleston and Southern Arkansas University; Randolph chose Wayne State College. Tatiana Ramirez said “No one says negative things about him in running. He’s got a good personality and is very positive about life, all in all he has a good attitude at what is thrown at him.”

On the other hand senior Adam Rivera, also known as Spandex, has run track for seven years, three at Sligh Middle School and the other remaining four at Hillsborough where he has run 100-yard,200-yard,400-yard sprint, 4-400-yard, 4-100-yard relay.

At the meet held at Robinson, Rivera made third in the 100-yard sprint, first in the 4-400-yard and on the 4-100-yard he received third.

Rivera said “I ran track because it looked like fun and I wanted to stay out of trouble.” Rivera intends to go to the University of Florida and continue running.

11-1 record gives tennis team hope in districts

The team finished the regular season 11-1, with the loss coming to Wharton. Districts started April 17.

Alternate Brett Van Boven says “This is the best team we’ve had from top to bottom. We feel this is our year to make it back to the state tournament. This was a very well-played season and we were very happy to make it out of our district with an 11-1 record.”

Fifth starter Dan Schwartz said “I think we did a pretty good job, finishing the season 11-1. I’m proud of the team. I think this year is our best chance of winning districts, it’s the best team we’ve had since I was here as a freshman.”

Crew takes home three gold medals at TYRC

The Tampa Youth Rowing Championships took place April 8 and the Women’s Varsity Four (juniors Emily Collins, Ariana Spano and Megan Kelly and seniors Jolene Brezenski and Elicia Bush) won gold with a time of 5:32.6 on the 1500m Bypass Canal.

“It was crazy intense, I could see Plant sprinting in Lane 1 (we were in Lane 5) and then I saw the 1500m sign and the finish buoys. I just kept thinking ‘GOOO!’ I pushed the girls as hard as I could, to push it the last few stokes, ‘don’t let Plant catch them, just please let us get there first,’” said Collins, who is the coxswain for the team. Basically the coxswain steers and provides technical and motivational support during the race.

“At first we weren’t sure if we had won because the horns sounded so close together. Then we congratulated the other teams as they finished and they asked us if we had won, but we modestly said we hoped so. As soon as we got back to the return dock our coach [Athena Dicus] came down and we knew we got it by the look in her eyes. We were all super happy and a few girls cried. We did a group hug and then just talked about getting ready for the state competition.

Collins also said that the team has its own Cinderella story going on “because our team has always been considered “ghetto” and poor, so to be able to come back and defeat all these tough competitors just shows how much a lot of dedication, perseverance, and hard work can do.”

The Men’s Third Four and the Men’s Novice Four also earned gold medals. The state competition is April 28.

Both varsity and JV teams having tough times

The girls’ varsity flag football team has started its inaugural season 0-7. So far, Jessica Cayugan has one touchdown, the only Terrier touchdown this season so far for the varsity team.

The junior varsity team finished 0-6 but did score two touchdowns and show steady improvement.

Nicole Bowman said, “It’s our first year and I know we tried our best. Little by little we improved.”

LeAndra Hall added that, “Next year, we’re going to come out tougher and stronger and more experienced. A lot of the girls didn’t really know football. Next year we’re going to come out rougher.”

Both the varsity and JV teams will merge together for the last two games of the season against Blake and Plant.

Softball team gearing up for districts

The team is getting ready for districts. Last year, the team placed third out of the eight competing teams in the district.

“There are no individuals on our team,” said softball coach Kevin Williams, who will not return next year. “Whether we win or lose, we take the outcome as one.”

Districts are this week.