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Tuesday's Prep News And Notes

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 27, 2008

Chiefs' Locke Picks Tennessee

Chamberlain star Dentarius Locke has accepted a full scholarship offer to run track for the University of Tennessee.

Locke said he received the offer following his official visit with the Vols this past weekend in Knoxville. Locke also received official offers from Kentucky and South Florida.

Locke said Tennessee and USF had been at the top of his list and he planned to make his decision in February, at the conclusion of his indoor season, but a weekend trip to Knoxville sped up the process.

"It just where I feel like I fit in," Locke said. "I've got family there and I really like the coaching and the philosophy about training and weight lifting.

"I like the competition that I'm going to get there and in the SEC."

Full scholarship offers are rare in men's track.

Locke, the Tribune's two-time defending Male Track Athlete of the Year, won AAU Junior Olympic national championships this summer at 100 and 200 meters, was the Nike Outdoor National runner-up in both events and won the 100 and finished second in the 200 at the FHSAA Class 4A state finals in May in Winter Park.

GIRLS GOLF: Newsome standout Jessica Alexander has verbally committed to Coastal Carolina, a Division I program.

Alexander has been one of the Wolves' top performers each of the past three seasons, especially in the postseason.

In 2006, Alexander finished sixth in the Class 1A-District 14 tournament and tied for sixth at the 1A-Region 5 tournament. In 2007, she tied for fourth at the 2A-District 11 tournament and tied for fifth at the 2A-Region 4 tournament. This season, Alexander finished third at the 2A-District 11 tournament after firing an even-par 72 at Heritage Isles, and tied for 11th at the 2A-Region 4 tournament.

Alexander will sign with the Chanticleers, who compete in the Big South Conference and finished second at last season's conference tourney, during the early signing period in November.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Oldsmar Christian 6-foot-2 senior shooting guard Eric Segert has verbally committed to Idaho State.

Segert averaged more than 25 points per game as a junior at Clearwater Central Catholic. Oldsmar Christian coach Ryan Pannone said Segert visited Idaho State on Oct. 17. Segert also had interest from Longwood.

CROSS COUNTRY: Gaither High will host the Hillsborough County Championships today at Lake Park in North Tampa. Action begins at 4:30 p.m. with a girls junior-varsity race, followed by JV boys at 5. Varsity girls are at 5:30 and varsity boys run at 6.

The meet is a true county championship because every public and private school is invited. There will be overall team titles awarded and, for the public schools, the results will be divided into the American, Federal and National divisions for separate awards.

WRESTLING: Wrestling International News magazine has listed Brandon's Eric Grajales and Joe Cozart among the nation's best at their respective weight in its initial 2008-09 preseason national rankings.

Grajales, a senior and three-time state champion who recently verbally committed to Michigan, is listed as the nation's top 130-pounder. Meanwhile, Cozart, a junior and two-time state champ, is listed at the nation's 10th-best 145-pounder.

SOFTBALL: Jennifer Steadham has been hired as the Brandon softball coach. Steadham, a Brandon alum, replaces Penny Burg, who stepped down to focus on her teacher certification.

Adam Adkins, Bill Ward,

Nick Williams

NEWS AND NOTES

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