Sports Page 17
The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010 COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
High school athletes shine in the NCAA
SHINING STAR: Former Krop baseball star, Garret Wittels, follows through on his swing. Wittels went on to have a hit streak of 56 games for Florida International University.
by Daniela Guenoun opinion editor For many students, dedication to sports does not
end at graduation. Krop’s athletes train in hopes of being signed to Division One (D-1) collegiate athletics. D-1 schools are those with the
highest level of intercollegiate athletics authorized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Carly Marcus, Krop’s former varsity
softball captain, was offered the chance of a lifetime. Florida Atlantic University signed her last month to play as a utility player for its softball team. “Only 4,000 girls in the country get the opportunity to play D-1 college softball, and I’m extremely grateful to be a part of that,” Marcus said. Although the contract does not allow participation in sports outside of her school, Marcus stays focused with practice 20 hours a week, compared to the approximate seven hours that Krop high school athletics required. The level of difficulty is higher in college and is more time consuming, but Marcus feels that her experience on high school sports teams gave her the discipline and sportsmanship necessary for college softball. She received input from private batting coaches as well as althletic director Michael Kypriss and softball coach Krista Latessa. “Being able to manage her time and balance the things that are important to her will make her go far in life,” graduate and sister Sarah Marcus said, “Carly makes it a priority in her schedule to come home weekly to visit her family and boyfriend.” Cameron Webman, a former varsity basketball player who originally signed with the D-1 school Alabama State
University, has also worked his way up and hopes to become a professional baseball player and later a strength and conditioning coach for baseball players. “With 10-15 hours a week of workouts, practices and conditioning followed by class and homework, the balance of social life and sports is pretty tough,” Webman said. “Luckily, Coach Larsen and Sullivan instilled a lot of discipline and mental toughness in us.” Another Krop high school graduate who is making history is Garrett Wittels, Florida International University’s shortstop who committed to play for them his senior year in high school. His 56 game hit streak has made him number two in D-1 history and led him to be nominated Best Male College Athlete in the 2010 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) awards. Wittels’s last season ended before his 56 game hit streak, which leaves him time for next season to beat the record. With two more hits, he would be tied with the 58 game hit streak record. With three more, he would set a new record. “Being mentioned in the same sentence as people like Robin Ventura and Joe DiMaggio is just an honor,” Wittels said, “I never expected this to ever happen, but with hard work, good coaching and a great team, it has.”
HOOPS
Boys’ Basketball led by an “Angel” by Alexander Stella sports editor
With high hopes of success this season, the boys’ Lightning basketball team will be lead by an “Angel.” Like a character from some biblical tale, Angel Rodriguez’s passion and commitment to the game has this year’s basketball team feeling as confident as ever. “I realized I really had a gift for the game last year after I had a good season,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez has been playing basketball since he was 11-yearsold, and has always put the game before everything, to which he attributes much of his success. “To be honest, I can say that basketball is the only thing that keeps me really focused, more than anything else in the world,” Rodriguez said. For the past three seasons, Rodriguez has been a leader for the Lightning basketball team and now, in his senior year, looks to take this team to the next level. “I’ve been very successful up to this point in my career;” Rodriguez said. “But I still have a lot to accomplish, like winning
a state championship, so I have to stay focused.” The dedication and work ethic Rodriguez possesses impacts his level of play on the court and those around him, including the man who knows him best on the court, head coach Marcos “Shakey” Rodriguez. “Angel is a tremendous competitor and a tremendous teammate,” Shakey said. “Day in and day out he not only makes himself better, he also makes those around him better as he leads by example.” Shakey has coached Rodriguez throughout his high school career and has watched him develop. “Angel has become a much more dynamic player; instead of being a straight shooter he has developed much better ball control,” Shakey said. Angel’s hard work and devotion to excellence are reinforced by dominant performances on the court. Each and every game Rodriguez inspires his fans and teammates with his exceptional skills. Senior Jacob Muskat has had the pleasure of watching Rodriguez
baffle his opponents, and he is a huge fan. “Despite his height, he manages to stand his ground with good body control, an automatic jump shot and smooth ball handling,” Muskat said. Senior guard Patrick George plays against Rodriguez in practice and feels that this had benefited him. “He [Rodriguez] is one of the most underrated point guards in the nation, and is the hardest player I’ve ever had to guard,” George said. “He challenges me and has made me better.” In the future, Rodriguez looks to take his game to the collegiate level and then dreams of making basketball his profession. “My future goals are to go to a college and have a great career, and then who knows,” Rodriguez said. “But for right now, I’m playing for a high school state title.”
SHINING STAR: Right: Senior guard Angel Rodriguez jumps to attempt a lay up. Rodriguez has been a leader on the basketball team for the past three seasons.