TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

FHSAA Votes To Drop Fall Soccer

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2007

GAINESVILLE The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors approved a recommendation to discontinue the state fall soccer series immediately if 48 schools do not commit to participate in the event. The organization will continue recognition status as long as at least 32 schools sponsor a fall soccer program.

Locally, Bayshore Christian, Berean Academy, Citrus Park Christian and Seffner Christian participated in fall soccer.

"We knew this meeting was coming and we were expecting something," Seffner Christian coach Mark Canterbury said. "But the original timetable was supposed to be after the 2008 season. We are going to appeal this in hopes we can get at least one more year of soccer in. It's disappointing, especially for our boys."

The FHSAA Board of Directors also announced the creation of an Infractions Appeals Committee to hear appeals of schools challenging findings of major violations and penalties imposed.

The committee will meet five times a year as needed to hear appeals. The first meeting, if needed, will be in February 2008.

ELY SIGNS: Sickles senior softball player Khrystyne Ely became the seventh player in program history to sign a Division I scholarship when the pitcher officially signed with Troy University on Monday.

Before receiving a scholarship offer from Troy, Khrystyne said only community colleges were interested in her. She said signing the letter-of-intent papers on Monday was a relief in more ways than one.

Ely's older sister, Katie, who was present at the ceremony, signed with Troy last year.

SO DOES GERBASI: Plant City senior Aaron Gerbasi signed a baseball scholarship Monday with two-time Division II national champion Tampa.

Gerbasi, a Tribune All-Hillsborough County honorable mention selection, posted a 2-4 record with a 0.28 ERA as a junior, striking out 76 in 49 innings pitched. He recently was selected as a 2008 Under Armour Preseason All-American and invited to showcase his skills during an invitation-only tournament Jan. 11-13 in Tucson, Ariz.

JACKSON A DEMON DEACON: Plant starting tailback Lovell Jackson verbally committed to Wake Forest over the weekend. Jackson was hampered by hamstring and ankle injuries earlier in the season, but has come on strong in recent weeks, averaging nine-yards per carry.

"It's a great program and it fit my body style and my running style," said the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Jackson. "They use a spread type of offense that we have now and I thought that would suit me."

PLANT PLAN OF ATTACK: Coach Mark Kantor, whose Gaither team played both Plant and Jefferson in the regular season, offered some insight on how difficult it is to contain the Panthers' offense. He had this bit of advice for the Dragons defense as they prepare to face the defending state champions Friday night.

"Go down to One Buc Place and get their secondary and get their linebacking corps too," Kantor said. "I think they're so dynamic in what they do it's just hard. They do some really good things. They've got almost a college style passing attack. It's almost a pro-style passing attack."

VOLLEYBALL: On Monday night during the Hillsborough County Volleyball Officials Association banquet, Sickles senior outside hitter Sara Vance was presented the Rose Diaz Award, which is given to the player exhibiting the highest degree of leadership and sportsmanship. Vance led the Gryphons to a district championship and a trip to the Class 6A region semifinals. She ended the season with 291 kills, 79 aces and 119 digs.

Also receiving an award during the banquet was Carrollwood Day School athletic director Frank Mabry, who received the Deane Booth Award for the coach or athletic director who best promoted the sport of volleyball in the area. Booth, president of the HCVOA and Florida volleyball official for 22 years, will also celebrate the announcement of his retirement.

Earlier Monday, Gaither senior Elissa Hausmann, a libero for the Cowboys, signed a letter-of-intent to play for Florida Gulf Coast, which is in its first Division-I season.

CAMARA TO SACRED HEART: Freedom senior Margaux Camara will sign a Division I golf scholarship today with Sacred Heart University, her father, Frank, said Monday.

Camara earned first-team All-Western Conference honors this season, and shot a team-best 95 to finish 11th at the Class 2A-District 11 tournament. Camara also had drawn interest from Boston University.

KNIGHTS WIN INVITE: Robinson's wrestling team won the 16-team Berkeley Prep Invitational on Saturday, getting three individual champions in the process.

Leading the way for the Knights was senior Ellis St. John, named the tournament's most outstanding wrestler after winning the 189-pound title. Also winning titles were Zack Boyer (135 pounds) and heavyweight Michael Benitez, a first-year wrestler who remained undefeated.

Robinson finished with 190.5 points, 12.5 better than runner-up Hernando.

Adam Adkins, Jarrett Guthrie, Nick Williams, Katherine Smith

Keyword: Prep Sports, for an expanded

version of Tuesday's Prep News and Notes.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT