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Hernando Today

Springstead Becomes the Hunted

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Central High’s Johnisha Jackson kept her eyes on the prize last winter – the FHSAA State Finals – to finish fourth in the heavyweight division of girls weightlifting at New Port Richey’s River Ridge Middle/High School.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: December 9, 2008

Though F.W. Springstead successfully defended its county championship last winter, it has other goals. That could spell worse news locally.
Second-year Eagle Head Coach Mike Garofano was fine with last winter's 5-1 dual meet record, plus the school's second straight county team title.
What the Lady Eagles were not able to do was compete at the elite level.
No one scored a point for the county champion Eagles in coveted State Championship at New Port Richey-River Ridge Middle/High School's campus.
That elite meet returns to Royal Knights campus on Feb. 14.
The Lady Eagles have made reaching states its top priority.

Eagles: four champs back

The Lady Eagles will certainly miss the services of departed veterans, seniors Brittany Morrissey and Linda McCarthy, who toted home first place at 110 and 119 pounds respectively.
But the cupboard is far from bare.
To that end, SHS returns four county champions including Lindsay Kuhn at 101, Karlee Burrows at 139, Jennifer Dragonchuk at 154 and Olivia D'Acunto at 169.
A few others just missed winning last winter including: Courtney Toles at 110 (2nd), Katelin Killory at 129 (2nd) and Frances Pagan at 199 (2nd).
Now blend in several newcomers pushing for stardom including: Victoria Bocchio, Brittany Morgan, Iza O'Neal, Jennifer Rosino, Caroline Monzo and Adreanna Marks, who was a member of 2006-07 county championship squad.
Mix in the fact that SHS had 66 girls initially sign up for the sport and no wonder Coach Garofano is optimistic.
"It starts with the turnout," beamed Garofano. "Even if we only keep 40 girls. That's fine with me. All I want is girls that are committed to the sport and their teammates."
What about being the proverbial team to beat?
"I don't mind being the hunted," smiled Garofano. "I like the role. Our kids have worked their butts off and they've got calluses to prove it. What I like most is the work ethic."
What about opening the season Wednesday at archrival Hernando?
"The first meet is to see where we're at," pointed out Garofano. "It's a gauge. Right now, the girls get real excited every time they set a new PR (personal record)."
Overall goal?
"We did well last year, but in this sport it's all about states," said Garofano. "But that kind of commitment isn't done overnight. Girl's states are harder than boy's states because they only take the top 18 girls in each class. We've got a few on the cusp (of reaching states). By the end of the year, I hope they have a legitimate shot (of reaching states) at sectionals."

HHS: Decker out, Bigham in

Hernando High's popular head coach Judi Decker did not return (personal reasons) giving way to football guru Shawn Bigham.
Bigham, who has never been a girl's head coach, saw his first action Monday in Brooksville. Visiting Lecanto spanked HHS, 55-28.
On the plus side, the Leopards had four individual champs against the always-tough Lady Panthers including Emily Calamari at 101, Melinda Blount at 129, Alex Hayden at 154 and Ava Baylor at unlimited.
Calamari, who finished runner-up in the county meet, along with county champ and 2008 state qualifier, Jasmine Sharpe, will lead the way for the Purple and Gold.
"The team is built around Jasmine (Sharpe) and (Emily) Calamari," indicated Bigham. "But I think we've got some other girls ready to step up."
Bigham noted unlimited lifters Baylor and junior Sharvae Bennett, who totaled 255 and 235 respectively Monday at Hernando.
How has the transition gone?
"It's a mental process," replied Bigham. "I'm learning the kids and the kids are learning me. My football background has helped me prepare for this role. Our main goal is to get stronger and get some girls to state."
Who is the team to beat?
"There's no doubt with Springstead coming here, it will force us to push the envelope on Wednesday," remarked Bigham. "What I learned on Monday is Lecanto has the strength in numbers, so does Springstead. We need to get more girls out, especially in the 110-119 range."

NCT: ready to make a move

NCT's fourth-year mentor Ryan Wilson realizes the Sharks have never been included in the discussion for a county title.
"So far, we've had the best attendance we've ever had," explained Wilson. "This year, we've got a lot of different athletes out here. We should be OK if we can keep them out and keep 'em healthy."
Who are the Sharks chasing?
"I think its Springstead," answered Wilson. "Their kids work hard and they come in prepared. Nobody has ever talked about our kids, but we have a lot of juniors and seniors that know what it takes to get the job done. We'll see."
The Sharks open today on the road at The Villages.
"We'd like to see our kids compete and win," shared Wilson. "I don't want any weight issues and I'd like to see the kids push themselves."
NCT will be led by senior Marissa Perez, who finished runner-up at 119 last winter. Also, Amanda Lehman, who tied for first place at 154, but weighed in heavier and eventually lost the tie-breaker to place second.

CHS: rebuilding continues

Before the 2006-07 season, Central High practically owned girls weightlifting locally, capturing four county titles in five seasons.
Though last winter, county heavyweight champion Johnisha Jackson, placed fourth at states, the Lady Bears slid to fourth among the county ranks.
With Jackson gone, the Bears pin their rebound on senior Hailey Goodwin at 110 and junior Kim Austin at either 169 or 183.
"Our numbers are up from last year," sighed sixth-year Bears skipper Cliff Lohrey. "And anybody who knows this sport realizes you've got to have some standouts, but you've also got to have some numbers."
Are the Eagles the team to beat?
"On paper, there's no question to that," Lohrey replied. "But like every other sport there's some strategy involved and of course the kids have to perform when the lights go on."
What are Central's goals?
"Ultimately, we'd like to send some kids to states," expressed Lohrey. "Right now, it's a little too early to say where we'll be come February."

2008-09 HERNANDO COUNTY GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING RECAPS
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

Central Bears Results
Head Coach - Cliff Lohrey (6th Year)
Date Opponent  Site Result/Time
12-10 Lecanto  Away 4 p.m.
12-17 Springstead  Away 3 p.m.
01-07 NCT, Hernando+ Away 3 p.m.
01-14 County Meet#  Away 3 p.m.
01-21 Citrus   Away 4 p.m.
01-23 Lecanto  Home 3 p.m.
01-31 Section 5 Qualifier^ Away 9 a.m.
02-14 State Championship= Away 9 a.m.
+ Denotes Tri-Meet at Hernando
# Denotes County Meet @ Hernando
^ Denotes Section IV Qualifier @ Belleview
= Denotes State Championship @ River Ridge

Hernando Leopards Results
Head Coach - Shawn Bigham (1st  Year)
Date Opponent  Site Result
12-08 Lecanto  Home L 28-55
12-10 Springstead  Away 3 p.m.
12-17 Crystal River  Home 3 p.m.
01-07 NCT, Central^  Home 3 p.m.
01-14 County Meet  Home 3 p.m.
01-28 Citrus   Away 6 p.m.
01-31 Section 5 Qualifier+ Away 9 a.m.
02-14 State Championship= Away 10 a.m.
^ Denotes Tri-Meet @ NCT
+ Denotes Section IV Qualifier @ Belleview
= Denotes State Championship @ River Ridge

Nature Coast Technical Sharks Results
Head Coach - Ryan Wilson (4th Year)
Date Opponent  Site Result
12-10 The Villages  Away 4 p.m.
12-18 Lecanto  Home 4:30 p.m.
01-07 Central, Hernando+ Away 3:30 p.m.
01-14 County Meet  Away 3 p.m.
01-21 Crystal River  Away 4:30 p.m.
01-31 Section 5 Qualifier^ Away 9 a.m. 
02-14 State Championship= Away 9 a.m. 
+ Denotes Tri-Meet at Hernando
^ Denotes Section IV Qualifier @ Belleview
= Denotes State Championship @ River Ridge

Springstead Eagles Results
Head Coach - Mike Garofano (2nd Year)
Date Opponent  Site Result/Time
12-10 Hernando  Away 3 p.m.
12-17 Central   Home 3:30 p.m.
01-09 Citrus   Home 5 p.m.
01-14 County Meet  Away 3 p.m.
01-21 Lecanto  Home 4:30 p.m.
01-31 Section V Qualifier+ Away 9 a.m.
02-14 State Championship= Away 10 a.m.
+ Denotes Section V Qualifier @ Belleview
= Denotes State Championship @ River Ridge
 

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com

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