Tringali leads way at Wiregrass

As the high-school football season begins, Wiregrass Ranch will be led by a familiar face.

Senior James Tringali, 17, has been the starting quarterback since the last three games of his freshman year. In his sophomore and junior seasons, he passed for more than 1,000 yards, and now he hopes to lead the Bulls to their first winning season.

His talent on the field has attracted interest from several colleges, including Ivy League schools Dartmouth and Cornell.

As soon as football season is over, Tringali will lead his school in another sport.

As the point guard for the school's basketball team, he has earned All-Sunshine Athletic Conference recognition the past two seasons. As a junior, he averaged 10 points, four assists and four rebounds per game, leading the Bulls to a first-place tie in their district.

"He is always trying to do whatever he has to do to win," basketball coach Jeremy Calzone said. "Last year, during our district semifinal win against Nature Coast, he got the team fired up, then scored 13 points, had six assists and five rebounds."

Tringali is also a leader in the classroom.

He carries a 3.9 grade-point average and takes dual-enrollment classes at Pasco-Hernando Community College in English and algebra. His schedule also includes Advanced Placement classes in physics and microeconomics.

Tringali recently scored 1810 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT college entrance exams. He is considering a career in engineering or medicine.

"I have known James since his fourth grade year at Sand Pine Elementary," said John Long Middle School science department chair and 2009-10 Pasco County Teacher of the Year Kathryn Bylsma. "At that early stage, he established himself as an academic leader among his peers. Learning for him has always been intense and focused."

Tringali volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries during the Christmas season, delivering gifts to poor families.

"I realize how fortunate I am, and I believe that every child should have at least one present at Christmas," he said. "It's a good feeling to know you're helping someone else."

During the summer, he returns to John Long to help clean the school and prepare it for the next year. He also mentors younger athletes at his school's basketball camp.

"I've always had patience with small children and enjoy helping them develop skills," he said. "They always have a smile on their face and show genuine appreciation when I teach them something."

Several of Tringali's teachers and coaches smile when they reflect on the impact he has had on them.

"James is the face of Wiregrass Ranch athletics," Calzone said. "He is a leader in the hallways, on the field and on the court."