HERNANDO COUNTY SPORTS BRIEFS ar-281703

HERNANDO COUNTY SPORTS BRIEFS
Start Smart baseball program begins March 3

BROOKSVILLE – The Start Smart Sports Development Program will be offered for eight weeks on Tuesdays from 5:45-6:45 p.m. beginning March 3 at the Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Pl., Brooksville.
The program brings parents and children (ages 3-5) together to work on pre-sport skills such as catching, throwing and batting in a fun, non-competitive environment. This eight-lesson program that costs $50 includes a program T-Shirt.
Start Smart curriculum teaches parents how to best work with their children to develop motor skills that will give both parent and child a positive and successful start in sports.
To register, the Jerome Brown Community Center at (352) 540-3835.

HHS cheerleaders excel during Super Bowl competition

BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando High School varsity cheerleaders participated in the Super Bowl cheerleading and spirit competition on Jan. 24 in Tampa.
The competition was held at the NFL Experience at Raymond James Stadium, and featured cheer and dance teams from across Florida.
Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson was in attendance, along with Buccaneers cheerleaders and players.
The Leopard cheerleaders took home the second-place trophy in the High School Jazz division.
Members of the team included: Melinda Blount, Crystale Torres, Scotti Browning, Allison Donato, Kim Chipelo, LeAnn Shafer, Alyson Buggle, Cassie Rollins, Alex Hayden, Ashley Spradlin, Carly Moore, and Rachael Minjarez.
The team is coached by Tanya Goodwin and Debra Parnell.

Fit N Fun “4” Kids exercise program

BROOKSVILLE – Fit N Fun “4” Kids is a new one-hour exercise program offered by the City of Brooksville Recreation Department that allows children the opportunity to play video games powered by GameBikes, which are stationery bikes that are used to play the games.
The program is offered to children, ages 7-14, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays at the Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Place, Brooksville.
The program is free to youth who are more than 85 percent of the recommended Body Mass Index (BMI).
For additional information, contact JoAnn Munford at 352-540-3835.

Challenger K-8’s Berube fifth Killearn CC

TALLAHASSEE – Orlando’s Joey Petronio and Annie Park of Lake Mary were victorious in this weekend’s 13-15 year-old divisions at the Florida Junior Golf Tour’s (FJT) event at Killearn Country Club and Inn in Leon County.
Petronio was in a four-way tie for first after a one-over par 73 in round one on the 6,702-yard course. After firing a two-under par 70 in the second round, he won his first FJT title by three strokes.
James Yoon, of Bradenton, took home second place honors after shooting 74-72-146 total. Ryan Orr, of Belleair, was third behind a 74-74–147.
Brooksville’s Zack Teele tied for 35th overall behind an 18-hole 84-86-170 total.
Park, playing in her first FJT event, shot a two-under par 70 in the first round, the only under par score for the day. Returning with a 73 in the second round, she captured her initial FJT title by seven strokes.
Three players tied for second place. Sisters Anna and AJ Newell of Tampa, shooting rounds of 78-72 and 73-77 respectively, tied with Samantha Wagner, of Celebration, who shot 72-78, for a 150 total.
Challenger K-8 eighth-grader Megan Berube finished fifth behind a 12-over-par, 81-75-156 total.
Conducted by the Florida State Golf Association, the Florida Junior Tour (FJT) is a junior golf tour offering highly competitive and affordable competitions for juniors in Florida.
The 2008-2009 season consists of 23 events for juniors, male and female, ages 13-18. Beginning September and running through May, the FJT schedule will play at some of the state’s top courses including LPGA International Golf Club and Sara Bay Country Club. This year will also feature 54-hole events over the Thanksgiving and Memorial Day weekends. The FJT’s focus is on quality, affordability and integrity. Tournaments consist of 36 holes conducted over 2 days, typically weekends, with an entry fee of $95. Scholarship entry is available to junior golfers unable to afford the entry fee.
Working closely with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), FJT top competitors will receive exemptions and performance points towards AJGA events. The FJT is the only Florida tour to participate in the AJGA’s Performance Based Process. In addition, FJT events will be ranked by the Junior Golf Scoreboard, which helps junior golfers market themselves without having to travel the country. The FJT will maintain a points list to assist in determining Junior Player-of-the-Year and invitations to other tournaments.
To view complete pairings, tee times, and results, please see www.floridajuniortour.org.

Florida Junior Tour – Killearn CC (13-15)
02/07/2009 – 02/08/2009
Killearn Country Club, Tallahassee, FL

Boys 13-15 Par: 72 Yardage: 6,702
Joey Petronio, Orlando, FL 73-70–143
James Yoon, Bradenton, FL 74-72–146
Ryan Orr, Belleair, FL 73-74–147
Ian Facey, Miami, FL 73-77–150
Jeffrey Meltzer, Guanajuato, Mexico 76-74–150
Jason Zhou, Skillman, NJ 74-77–151
Jesse Perkins, North Babylon, NY 76-75–151
Wade Chen, Orlando, FL 74-77–151
Trey Rule, Palm Beach, FL 78-74–152
Davis Riley, Hattiesburg, MS 75-78–153
Jared Carver, Weston, FL 79-74–153
Joshua Lee, Orange Park, FL 73-80–153
Reed Berry, Longwood, FL 75-78–153
David Varga, Saint Augustine, FL 77-77–154
Jack Hernandez, Fort Myers, FL 81-74–155
Conor Richardson, West Palm Beach, FL 75-82–157
Nick Celestino, Sarasota, FL 80-77–157
Alex Perkins, Jacksonville, FL 76-82–158
Andrew Wong, Deerfield Beach, FL 81-77–158
Dylan Larson, Wesley Chapel, FL 80-78–158
Mark Giardino, Homosassa, FL 78-80–158
Matthew Plunkett, Saint Augustine, FL 81-77–158
Otto Mand, Caerwent, United Kingdom 81-77–158
Domenico Geminiani, Bradenton, FL 82-77–159
Corey Carlson, Green Cove Springs, FL 79-81–160
Michael Visacki, Sarasota, FL 79-81–160
Tyler Gentilella, Parkland, FL 84-76–160
Gabriel Ormachea, Aventura, FL 79-82–161
Evan Byrd, Ocala, FL 78-86–164
Richard Zhang, Bradenton, FL 82-82–164
Anthony King, Deland, FL 78-87–165
Marcus Plunkett, Saint Augustine, FL 82-83–165
Taylor Yohner, Tallahassee, FL 85-82–167
C J Wagner, Celebration, FL 84-84–168
Kevin Liu, Bradenton, FL 90-80–170
Zack Teele, Brooksville, FL 84-86–170
Dillon Deemer, Tavares, FL 85-87–172
Halley Lewis, Tallahassee, FL 86-86–172
Joseph Aguirre, Navarre, FL 87-89–176
Dillon Board, Jacksonville, FL 94-84–178
Brecken Whitfield, Gainesville, FL 87-92–179
Oliver Fisher, Rye Brook, NY 97-94–191
Tildon Spikes, Panama City, Florida 100-102–202
Samuel Murphy, Fort Myers, FL 99-WD–WD

Girls 13-15 Par: 72 Yardage: 5,896
Annie Park, Lake Mary, FL 70-73–143
A J Newell, Tampa, FL 73-77–150
Anna Newell, Tampa, FL 78-72–150
Samantha Wagner, Celebration, FL 72-78–150
Megan Berube, Spring Hill, FL 81-75–156
Ashley Holder, Orlando, FL 81-76–157
Stephanie Liu, Bradenton, FL 80-77–157
Lauren Gros, Gainesville, FL 78-81–159
Madison Opfer, Plant City, FL 83-80–163
Stefanie Mitchell, Sarasota, FL 85-80–165
Julia McQuilken, Riverview, FL 86-81–167
Epiphany Prophet, Hialeah, FL 83-85–168
Angela Gaines, Ocala, FL 89-90–179
Haley Hill, Tallahassee, FL 102-97–199

Adult Baseball League seeking players

SPRING HILL – The Pasco-Hernando Area Senior Baseball League (PHASBL) is offering a 15-game summer season beginning March 29.
The adult league expects to field six teams of players, age 16 and over.
Games will be played primarily on Sundays, with the possibility of some weeknight games later in the season.
Games will be played on various high school and park fields throughout western Pasco County as well as the Spring Hill/Brooksville area in Hernando County.
The league is continuing to hold registration.
To register or to get more information, contact Dave Conrad at 683-1692 before March 1.

HYL sets softball, T-Ball sign-ups

BROOKSVILLE – Hernando Youth League (HYL) will hold softball and T-Ball evaluations for ages 4-12, from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Cost is $40 dollars for ages, 4-12, and $45 dollars for ages, 13-18.
For additional information, contact Tracy Sinwelski at 544-1021 or Kathy Hayden at 754-9573.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary boating courses

HERNANDO BEACH – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be offering safe boating courses over the coming weeks at the Auxiliary Building at 4340 Caliente St., Hernando Beach.
How to Read a Nautical Chart runs from 9 a.m. until noon on Feb. 14. Fee is $35 and includes excellent text on charts. Subjects include types of charts, capabilities and limitations of charts, interpretation of symbols and how to select a chart for your use.
Hernando Beach Coastal Navigation runs from 9 a.m. until noon on Feb. 21. Fee is $15. Learn how to navigate the area through the use of charts, instruments used in plotting courses and a compass. Practical exercises on development of routes on the coast of Hernando Beach will be conducted.
For more information, contact Cathy at 754-1104 to reserve a seat for any of the above courses or visit the Web site at http:/a0701508.uscgaux.info/.

Spartans seek players

SPRING HILL – The Spring Hill Spartans, a competitive Under 11 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) travel ball baseball team, is seeking additional players. Players cannot turn 12 before May 1, 2009.
Practices will be held at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill and Kennedy Park in Brooksville.
For more information, contact Jeff Hamilton at 346-1802, Gary Myers at 650-9070, or Angelo Sparacia at 428-9032 or online at [email protected].

AAU Bombers 13-U seeking players

BROOKSVILLE – The Bombers Baseball Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) travel ball team is seeking players 13-and-under.
For a tryout, contact Shawn Laferty at 813-267-8530 or online at [email protected].

Free vessel check

HERNANDO BEACH – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering free vessel safety checks.
The auxiliary will come to your boat wherever you keep it.
Contact Jackie at 666-7239 to set up an appointment.
For more information on the auxiliary visit online at http:/a0701508.uscgaux.info.

West Florida Panthers baseball tryouts

SPRING HILL – The West Florida Panthers, a 14-and-under Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) elite travel baseball team based in Hernando County, will be hosting open tryouts for the spring season.
If you wish to play at a higher competitive level, contact Coach Scott Treverton at 263-9302 or email him at [email protected].

SH Wrestling Club seeks additional members

SPRING HILL – The Spring Hill Wrestling Club is the place to learn the fundamentals of wrestling.
Practices run through March, 2009 in the wrestling room at Springstead High School. Grades K-3 will practice from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Grades 4-8 from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Cost is $80. Checks should be made out to Springstead Wrestling. For more information, visit online at www.springhillwrestling.com or contact Springstead Head Coach Eric Swensen at 797-7010, Ext. 347.

Learn to scuba

SPRING HILL – Learn to scuba at the Hernando County Family YMCA. Classes begin Feb. 10 and run Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-9:30 p.m.
This course includes six class and pool sessions for ages 12 and older in good physical health and comfortable in and under the water.
There will also be classes from 8:30 a.m-4:30 p.m. for ages 10 and older, plus open water dives on Thursday and Friday in the Gulf of Mexico or Rainbow River at $20 per day.
Upon completion of the classes persons will be certified as Open Water Scuba Diver, recognized worldwide.
The cost is $120 for YMCA members and $140 for non-members, plus $60 for use of scuba equipment.
Personal equipment, mask, fins and snorkel are not included, but can be purchased at a discount from instructors: Jack Farrell at 727-861-3483 or 800-633-1633 and Mark Butler at 352-214-1171, who are YMCA, PADI and NAUI instructors.
For additional information, contact Olivia Matles at the YMCA at 688-9622.

Doubles Tennis Tourney in Citrus County

HOMOSASSA – The 1st Annual Doubles Classic Tennis Tournament takes place Feb. 28-Mar. 1 at the Oak Village Tennis Center in Sugarmill Woods. The event benefits ATC Youth Group.
The tourney is open to men’s, women’s, mixed doubles and senior players (60+) for A-B-C levels.
Two matches are guaranteed. There will be complimentary T-shirts to all entrants and awards for winners in each division.
Entry deadline is Tuesday, Feb 25. Entry fee is $20 per person (1st event), $10 (second event).
U.S.T.A. rules and “the code” will govern play.
Matches will be best 2-of-3 sets with a 12-point tiebreaker played when the score is 6-6. Balls will be provided. The tournament director will evaluate all entries.
Check-in is 30 minutes before each scheduled match.
To register contact tournament directors: Rick Scholl at 352-382-0353 or online at [email protected]; A.J. Glenn at 796-3363, Ext.207, or online at [email protected] or Sally deMontfort at 352-795-9693 or online at [email protected].

WWJB (AM) 1450 and Golf, Etc. sponsor benefit golf event

BROOKSVILLE – Golf, Etc. is teaming up with WWJB (AM) 1450 to present a benefit golf tournament at Southern Hills Plantation Club, on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The tourney, which features a 4-person team scramble, offers registration at 8 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 10 a.m.
Cost is $85 for single players and $320 per foursome.
There will be an awards presentation with a buffet following play, plus a ticket raffle.
For more information, contact Golf, Etc at 597-5994 or go to WWJB.com to download an entry form for your team.
All the tourney proceeds go to the Hernando County Veteran’s Round Table to help local veterans and their families.

Junior Golfers Nights at Golf, Etc.

BROOKSVILLE – Golf, Etc. is offering FREE lessons to children, 12 and under, each Monday for 15 minutes between 4-7 p.m.
The lessons will include tips on utilizing a full swing, stance, grip, putting and chipping.
Golf, Etc. is located in the Western Way Shopping Center, 13045 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville.
For additional information, contact Golf, Etc. at 597-5994.

Do you live and breathe sports?

BROOKSVILLE – If you love sports — all kinds of athletics — perhaps you would like to write about local games for Hernando Today.
We are always looking for aspiring sports writers. You won’t make a lot of money, but you’ll attend games free and write a report on the game for publication.
Being a sports correspondent enables you to talk with the coaches and players.
If you’re not a journalist, we’ll help you tell your story so readers will understand the game.
We will give you tips on exciting sports writing style and story formatting.
Necessary tools? Aspiring writers need a computer (preferably a laptop), a cell phone, dependable transportation and a willingness to learn.
If you are interested, talk with sports editor, Tony Castro, by calling him at 544-5278.

Seeking boys volleyball players

SPRING HILL – The Hernando Juniors (nonprofit volleyball club) is looking to form boys volleyball teams in three age groups (16U, 14U and 12U).
To register or for additional information, contact Doug Liddle at 556-8054 or Dan Murphy at 650-7363 or visit www.hernandojuniors.com.

Youth baseball, softball coaching clinics

BROOKSVILLE – The City of Brooksville Recreation Department is hosting a series of educational coach training clinics for all youth baseball and softball coaches. The clinic is offered through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association.
A baseball coaches clinic is set from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 and from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Pl., Brooksville.
A softball coaches clinic is set from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 and from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, also at the Jerome Brown Community Center.
The cost of each clinic is $20.
Pre-registration is required.
To signup or for additional information, contact the City of Brooksville Recreation staff at 540-3835.

Sheriff’s Office Youth Education Golf Tourney

BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Youth Education Services will be hosting its 23rd Annual Scramblers Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 14, at Brooksville Golf and Country Club.
Hole sponsorships are $50 and registration is $75 per player, which includes a buffet lunch. Donated items that could be used as prizes are also being accepted and all donors/sponsors will be recognized at the event.
All proceeds from this annual event will benefit the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Youth Education Services (Y.E.S.), which is a non-profit organization that was formed to develop programs for our growing youth population.
To register or for additional information, visit www.hernandosheriff.org for a printable registration form for both sponsorships and registrations; or call 754-6830, Ext 53660.

3-on-3 Hoop Tourney

SPRING HILL – The West Hernando Cougars Youth Football league is sponsoring a King of the Courts 3-on-3 basketball tournament, ages 12-14, 15-17 and 18-up, from Feb. 28 through March 1 at Delta Woods Park. There will be a maximum four players per team. The event will feature a 3-point shooting contest and dunk contest for $10 per player.
Cost is $60 per team. All checks are made payable to West Hernando Cougars, 8263 Nuzum Road, Brooksville, FL 34613.
Trophies will be given in each division.
Registration deadline is Feb. 20.
To signup or for additional information, contact Bobby McFarland at (352) 585-6524.