By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
It wasn't the usual dominant performance by Tampa Jesuit at the state track and field meet - a 16th place team finish - but one athlete did manage a stellar showing.
Connor Revord ran to a second-place finish in the 1,600 meters. The Jesuit sophomore finished the race with a 4:17.09 time, highlighting an otherwise disappointing Class 2A state meet for the Tigers.
Jesuit was without defending 400 meter champion Hunter Clasen, who injured his hip during the regional meet and could not compete. Clasen also was missed on the 4x800 meter relay team, which placed ninth without him.
But, solid individual performances were turned in by St. Petersburg Catholic's Jaggar MacDonald and Kevin Harley. MacDonald was second in the high jump while Harley placed second in the 800 meters.
More solid outings were turned in by Tampa Berkeley Prep's Page Price, Richard Blake, and Robert Livingston.
Price, a junior, ran to seventh place times in the 1,600 and 800 meter races. Blake, also a junior, placed fourth in the 3,200 and sixth in the 1,600. Livingston, a senior, was fifth in the 1,600 and eighth in the 800.
Tampa Academy of the Holy Names hurdler Lauren Pacetti finished fourth at the state meet in the 300 hurdles, running a personal best time of 46.38 seconds. Meanwhile, Dade City Pasco's Demetrious Larry was sixth in the high jump, Lithia Newsome's Luke Drake was seventh in the discus, and Keegan Bixler was eighth in the 3,200.
Also, the Tampa Robinson 4x800 meter relay team set a school record while placing fifth in that race. The team of Matt Altimari, Justin Logan, Cody Hill and Darrin Gibson ran an 8:09.36 time.
Baseball: Area Teams Looking Strong Heading to Regionals
Dade City Pasco pitcher Dustin Brown and his teammates made quick work of Brooksville Nature Coast in the Class 4A, District 8 championship. Brown threw a one-hitter as the Pirates thumped Nature Coast 11-0 in five innings. Pasco (24-3) is ranked fourth in the state in Class 4A.
Land O'Lakes had almost as easy a time with New Port Richey Ridgewood in the Class 5A, District 7 title game. Land O'Lakes junior pitcher Matt Fuglesang led the way in the 11-0 win. Fuglesang had a three-run double and also pitched a complete-game six hitter and struck out five.
In the 6A, District 7 final, Tampa rivals Alonso and Gaither met with Alonso claiming its first district crown, winning 6-0. Alonso starter Alex Panteliodis pitched a complete game to stay unbeaten on the season (9-0). He allowed five hits and struck out six Gaither batters. He was backed up with a two-run home run from Tommy Toledo.
The regional baseball playoffs take place throughout the area this week.
Tennis: Repeat for Broderick
Alonso senior Megan Broderick is the first Hillsborough County girl to win multiple state tennis titles. Broderick claimed that honor after defeating Miami Palmetto's Liset Brito 6-3, 6-1 for the overall Class 4A state championship.
Broderick, a University of Kentucky signee, also won the No. 1 singles title in Class 4A, topping Jenna Dierfler of Winter Park 6-0, 6-4. Broderick helped Alonso finish second among the eight girls teams competing.
The only other local competitors were St. Petersburg's Shaye Wali and Aaron Ellison, who lost in the doubles final.
Lacrosse: Parkland Douglass Edges Tampa Plant
Tampa Plant's second loss to Parkland Douglass this season was much more costly. Plant fell 10-4 to Douglass in the state lacrosse finals. Douglass handed Plant both of its two losses this season. Plant led 1-0 and 2-1 on goals from Ben Ebaugh and Garrett German but fell behind 3-2 and never recovered.
Scholarships
Tampa Freedom quarterback Andrew Carr has signed with Webber International University, a NAIA school in Babson Park, Fla. Carr, a left-hander, threw for 1,841 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2006, while leading the Patriots to their first playoff appearance.Tampa Prep swimmer Ryan Stumpf is headed to Davidson College in North Carolina. Stumpf placed fourth in the 100 freestyle and seventh in the 100 backstroke at the Class A state swim meet in November.
