This week in FlaSports - November 19-25
 

Welcome to This week in FlaSports.  This space on the Florida Sports Foundation web site will give a weekly smattering of information about what's going on in sports in the Sunshine State.

Whether it be professional, amateur or recreational sports, and it's happening in Florida, look for it at This week in FlaSports.

Information on this page will be updated on Monday of each week.  To have your organization's events or happenings on This week in FlaSports, send an email to ngandy@flasports.com. 

Volume 1, Issue 13
November 19, 2007

► Lacross legend and Hall of Famer Gary Gait to be in Tampa Bay area

► Alachua County to host Winter National Baseball Invitational
► Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award set for Palm Beach County
► Florida Amateur Athlete Accolades
► This Week in FlaSports Calendar of Events
► Archive of previous issues of This Week in FlaSports

Lacrosse legend and Hall of Famer Gary Gait in Tampa Bay area to promote National Championship

Lacrosse’s most dynamic player, Gary Gait, will visit the Tampa Bay area on Thursday, November 29 to promote the Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions, the boys’ high school club lacrosse championship. The international field will crown its champion January 5-6, 2008 in Pasco County, at the Wesley Chapel District Park.
 

Considered the Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky of his sport, Gait set college and professional scoring records while winning MVP’s and team titles.

Gait’s contributions in the 1988 NCAA tournament are legendary and were making ESPN’s highlight reel almost two decades ago.  He twice pulled off what is considered one of the most spectacular moves in the game’s history, leaping over the crease line and slamming the ball home into the 6-foot net from behind the goal. The “Air Gait”, as it was coined, is now banned from the high school ranks but is legal in the NLL.

 
Besides coaching Gait is a promoter and developer of the game. Considered a niche sport, lacrosse’s growth is becoming exponential. That growth will be on display in Pasco County for the 2008 club championship.

“NDP Lacrosse is very excited to have found an ideal location like Pasco County to host the Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions,” said Gait. Wesley Chapel District Park, featuring ten fields, will serve as the venue for the international event.

Now in its second year, the Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions has added a boys’ high school club rising stars’ division and a girls’ high school elite club bracket.
 

According to U.S. Lacrosse, varsity high school programs have increased by nearly 200 percent since the mid-90’s. Recently the governing body of high school sports in Florida (FHSAA) announced 63 and 65 teams will play for a boys and girl’s lacrosse championship, respectively, in April 2008.

Alachua County to host Winter National Baseball Invitational

The City of Newberry will host the 13^th Annual Winter National Baseball Invitational, November 30^th – December 2^nd at the Newberry Sports Complex and Diamond Sports Park.

Age divisions competing range from 9- 16 with 12 Boys of Baseball National Teams registered (players from Ohio, Illinois, Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, New York, California, Tennessee, Colorado, Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, Delaware, Missouri, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Arkansas and Canada), Alabama Vipers Baseball Academy, Gatorball Baseball Academy and other Florida teams.

Games will be played at Newberry Sports Complex (4 fields); Diamond Sports Park (8 fields), Newberry West Park (2 fields); Santa FE Community College (1 Field), Newberry High School (1 field); Santa Fe High School (1 field) and Buchholz High School.

Palm Beach County hosts annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award

The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Program is the premier sporting event of the year in Palm Beach County. The event to name the Collegiate Place-Kicker of the Year and the Outstanding Palm Beach County Players and Coaches of the Year will be held Tuesday, December 4 at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The evening begins with a relaxing cocktail reception and silent auction. The reception and auction are followed by a delicious dinner and exciting awards presentation announcing the Top 3 Collegiate Place - Kicking Finalists and recognizing their many accomplishments. Additional Awards Include: Palm Beach County High School Player of the Year; Palm Beach County High School Place-Kicker of the Year; Sam Budnyk Palm Beach County High School Coach of the Year. 

Reservations for the Lou Groza Awards program must be made by Friday, November 23

Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Finalists

- Connor Barth, North Carolina
- Travis Bell, Georgia Tech
- Michael Braunstein, Ohio University
- Kyle Brotzman, Boise State
- Gary Cismesia, Florida State
- Jud Dunlevy, Virginia Tech
- Matt Evensen, Oregon
- Steven Hauschka, North Carolina State
- Daniel Lincoln, Tennessee
- Jose Martinez, UTEP
- Pat Mcafee, West Virginia
- Taylor Mehlhaff, Wisonsin
- Ryan Pretorius, Ohio State
- Jason Reda, Illinois
- Louie Sakoda, Utah
- Alexis Serna, Oregon State
- Austin Starr, Indiana
- Sam Swank, Wake Forest
- Swayze Waters, UAB
- Thomas Weber, Arizona State

Lou Groza High School Awards Finalists

Palm Beach County High School Player of the Year Finalists
- Star Jackson, Lake Worth
- Myles Jackson, The King's Academy
- Martavous Odoms, Pahokee

Palm Beach County High School Place-Kicker of the Year
- Emmanuel Charlot, Palm Beach Lakes
- Brendan Gibbons, Cardinal Newman
- Myles Jackson, The King's Academy
- Daniel Riddle, William T Dwyer

Sam Budnyk Palm Beach County High School Coach of the Year
- Brian Dodds, Park Vista
- Errick Lowe, Lake Worth
- Kevin McLeod, Inlet Grove
- Blaze Thompson, Pahokee,

Amateur Sports Accolades

Dowling is a swimmer for life

Evelyn Dowling, a Synchronized Swimmer from Palm Beach County, recently competed in the U. S. Masters Synchronized Swimming Championships at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, October 25 – 27 placing in three events.

Dowling, who considers Synchronized Swimming a lifetime sport, won first place in the 80-89 age group Figures event, second place in the 80-89 Free Solo event and placed fifth in the Free Duet, 60 - 69 age group (ages averaged). 

She has also competed in four Sunshine State Games competitions since 2000.  At the 2007 Games in Polk County, she won a bronze medal in the Open Solos competition and won a pair of gold medals in the Open Solo and Open Duet events.  Dowling also serves as an assistance coach for the Palm Beach Coralytes, team that regularly competes in the Sunshine State Games.

A synchronized swimmer since 1986 when she was in her 50s, Dowling competes several times a year.  “There is always a lot of competition at these National meets,” said Dowling.  “I enjoy the meets, practice hard and it keeps me in shape.  I feel like I could swim routines to music forever!!!"

FlaSports Calendar of Events this week, November 12-18

This week in FlaSports Archive
Volume 1, Issue 1, August 27
Volume 1, Issue 2, September 4
Volume 1, Issue 3, September 10
Volume 1, Issue 4, September 17
Volume 1, Issue 5, September 24
Volume 1, Issue 6, October 1
Volume 1, Issue 7, October 8
Volume 1, Issue 8, October 15
Volume 1, Issue 9, October 22
Volume 1, Issue 10, October 29
Volume 1, Issue 11, November 5
Volume 1, Issue 12, November 12

 

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