Jacksonville Sports Council to Host First Coast Spelling Bee
Refining the Pitch Andrew Williamson Christ’s Church
GOOD, BAD,
INDIFFERENT?
NCAA Has New Football Signing Period
RESPECT ALL,
FEAR NONE GAME NORTHEAST FLORIDA
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Raines Football Earns State Championship
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LIVING IN THE GAME Coach Sam Greiner and Braheam Murphy have a special bond that goes beyond the field. Greiner stepped in when he found out one of his players was homeless by offering his home to Murphy and his sister. With Greiner's encouragement Murphy excels not only on the field, but in the classroom. This year the Rams won North Carolina's first state championship in 60 years. Sam Greiner is living In the Game not only for his leadership on the field as a coach, but for helping others continue to play the game.
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e u s s I s i h In tT
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What’s New for the 2018 Winter Olympics Player Profiles Long’s Leadership Noticed Beyond the Soccer Field Brooke Long, Beach High School
Jacksonville Sports Council to Host First Coast Spelling Bee
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Greg Myers Connecting Through Sports
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Refining the Pitch
49
Howze Dives for 1st Place
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Connectable Jax
Andrew Williamson, Christ’s Church Nathan Howze, Bartram Trail
Northeast Florida Fall Athletic Awards Banquet The Mental Impact of Injuries JOI
Good, Bad, Indifferent? NCAA Has New Football Signing Period
The Winning Ways of Mandarin Coach Natalia Gonzalez
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Raines Football Earns State Championship In The Game | 9
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The New Year is upon us, and with it a time for reflection, growth, and change. Change can be scary. Change can be fun. Change can be thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Moving to a new city, embarking on a fitness journey, forming new relationships, starting a new job – all of these things have the potential to drastically impact the course of your life. Nothing worth having comes easy, and the hardest part of a journey is often the first step. In the spirit of growth and change, In the Game is evolving. We’re still celebrating the successes of high school athletes, and we’re still inspiring your inner athlete. But, we’re ready to take that a step further; we’re ready to take our game to the next level. ITG Next, our new apparel line, can be found in our downtown Valdosta retail store or on our brand new website, itgnext.com. Speaking of taking things to the next level, the subjects of our cover story did just that this year. The Raines Vikings faced the Cocoa Tigers in December for the FHSAA 4A title, winning 13-10 and securing the school’s second football state championship in school history, the first being won in 1997. In this issue, we take a look at the latest news and changes regarding the Winter Olympics. We also dive deep into the NCAA’s new early signing period and its potential impacts on student-athletes. We speak with Nathan Howze, who won an FHSAA 3A state title in diving this past November. We recap our Annual Northeast Florida Fall Athletic Awards Banquets. We also get the chance to talk to Mandarin High School head softball coach Natalia Gonzalez, who feels her team has a bull’s eye on its back this year due to their past several successful seasons. These stories and more pack the pages of this magazine. However, it isn’t just about the athletic abilities and achievements of these teams and players; while their talents may bring them to the center of conversation, it is their character, work ethic, support systems, and drive that will make them successful in life. On the field, in the classroom, around the community, being In the Game isn’t being in our magazine. It’s about living In the Game.
If you’re in search of great stories, we have the answer. ITGNext.com features apparel, stories from the magazine, and much more all at your finger tips. There is even a spot to submit your ideas to us.
Tell us what you thought about the December/January issue of In the Game! info@itgnext.com
Contributors Publisher Mark Dykes Editor Anna Limoges Graphics Mandy Douthit Cover Photography Garrison Muelhausen Feature Photography Aaron Musgrove Garrison Muelhausen Feature Writers Susannah Parmenter Jeff Elliott Mary Catherine Bell Joshua Miller Copy Editors Anna Limoges Alex Dunn Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes
mark@itgsportsnetwork.com
Website Manager Mandy Douthit
In the Game is published bi-monthly. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. M&S makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2018 M&S. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458
@ITGNext In The Game | 11
The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast is proud to announce that In The Game Sports Network is now the official coverage partner of the Y’s First Coast Games.
OFFICIAL COVERAGE PARTNER
Beginning in March: Channel 4 • Saturdays at 3:30pm YouTube • First Coast YMCA Facebook • First Coast Games
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Contributors
BE IN THE GAME 14 | itgnext.com
Mark Dykes
Brittany k. Wyche
Mandy Douthit
Chief Executive Officer
Account Executive
Graphic Designer
Founder Mark Dykes is the entrepreneur and mastermind behind the In the Game vision. Back in 2007, Mark set out to create a company that captured the passion, intensity, and unrivalled commitment toward high school athletics in the South Georgia area. Today, that vision has become a reality, and he continues to be the leading influence in what lies ahead for ITG Next, despite his annual prediction that UGA will win the national championship.
Whether it’s creating relationships with clients or designing the cover of a magazine, Brittany’s multiple talents bring value, and personality, to the In the Game team. Upon recognizing her natural ability to sell, combined with her insatiable drive to succeed, her original role as a graphic designer evolved into primarily client relations. Unfortunately, she and her husband, who looks like Shaun Livingston, are big Golden State Warrior (bandwagon) fans.
As a Pine Mountain, Georgia, native, Mandy’s move to Valdosta has brought enhanced artistry and intricacy to the ITG design team. The University of West Georgia alum graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in art with a concentration in graphic design. Her artistic nature has allowed her to use graphic design to win national and international design competitions, all of which are meant to serve as diversions and coping mechanisms for Alabama’s loss against Auburn.
Garrison Muelhausen Video Coordinator
Susannah Parmenter
aNNA Limoges
Writer
editor
Moving from Atlanta, Garrison is now a member of our growing video department in Jacksonville. As a graduate of Thomas County Central and Valdosta State University, this filmmaker has been filming and working in a variety of sports since high school all the way up to working for CBS Sports. He always strives to add creative pizzazz in all of his work and in his own personal hobbies such as drawing graphic novels.
Susannah Parmenter is a Florida transplant, originally from California. After graduating from California State University, Fullerton with a broadcast journalism degree she continued her education with a meteorology degree from Florida State. Now, as part of In the Game, she combines her journalism and broadcast skills to highlight the athletes who inspire and motivate us to release our “inner champion.”
After four years as an interdisciplinary studies major at Valdosta State University and nearly two years as an ITG intern, Anna has remained a member of the team as a copy editor. Since her start in early 2016, she has devoted her editorial eye toward serving as one of the first and last lines of defense against errors within these pages. More importantly, while her Facebook page says that she likes the Saints, there is fortunately no other sign of such irrational fandom.
Aaron Musgrove
Mary Catherine Bell
Alex Dunn
Contributing Photographer
writer/video intern
Copy Editing Intern
Originally from Live Oak, Florida, Aaron found his home as a multitalented photographer and graphic designer after moving to Valdosta in 2007. As the lead graphic designer at Colquitt Regional Medical Center since 2010, Aaron has found his passion in corporate graphic design and commercial photography, but he also loves capturing the unique dynamics of sports with ITG. Fortunately, his notable lack of any sports career that lasted more than a single day does not impact his sports photography.
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, and student-athlete at Flagler College, Mary Catherine aspires to bring her passions for sports and journalism into one dream. After making leaps and bounds playing soccer at the collegiate level, she hopes to use this unique background in her evolving work as an ITG intern.
Alex is a senior English-Journalism major at Valdosta State University. She recently started working for In The Game the summer of 2017 to lend her editorial eye to the many articles that filter through her before heading on to print. Although her main job is devoted to copy editing, she does a little bit of everything from creating closed captioning for a video to writing the occasional article or two for the magazine.
Ambassadors
In 2017, In the Game launched its inaugural Ambassador Program. In the Game Ambassadors exhibit academic excellence, a passion for athletics, outstanding character, and a strong commitment to their schools and communities. As role models, Ambassadors are encouraged to inspire their peers to explore and create new initiatives within their high schools and communities by being a part of In the Game’s mission, which is inspiring your inner athlete toward the passionate pursuit of excellence, on and off the field.
Kofi Bame
Leah Pelham
Paxon School
Paxon School
Kofi is a sophomore at Paxon School for Advanced Studies, and his hobbies are track and cross country, which he also runs competitively. Besides running, he enjoys hanging out with friends and going to new places. His goal is to one day become a neurologist because it is an amazing field filled with uncertainty. Kofi joined the Ambassador Program to expand his skill set and make new connections.
Leah,16, is a sophomore at Paxon School for Advanced Studies. Her favorite things to do are play tennis, run, and participate in her youth group at church. In the future, she hopes to be a physical therapist so she can help athletes just like her. Leah chose to be an Ambassador for In the Game so she can meet new students and network with people who can help her reach her goals.
Taryn Peterson
Jalondra Jackson
Episcopal School of Jacksonville
Sandalwood High School
Taryn is a junior at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville. She is an avid tennis player and has been on the varsity team since sixth grade. She also has a deep interest in video production and has produced many promotional films for her school. She hopes to attend University of Virginia or Georgetown University to pursue her passion for psychology. Taryn wanted to join the In the Game Ambassador Program to continue learning about video production. She also hopes to learn more about social media, communications, and writing for magazines.
Jalondra, 16, is a junior at Sandalwood High School. In her free time, you can find her shopping or expanding her wardrobe in some way. She's always had a passion for fashion, a passion that seems to grow as she begins to launch her fashion styling/ consulting business. Becoming an Ambassador for In the Game will provide Jalondra with opportunities to enhance her entrepreneurial spirit. This program will give her the chance to work on her merchandising and networking skills.
Tamara Barrs Mandarin High SchooL
Cooper Huskey
Tamara, 17, is a junior at Mandarin High School. She became an Ambassador to meet like-minded peers and to explore new opportunities. Her passions are basketball, running the 300 IH hurdles, and reading. When she graduates high school, Tamara plans to attend a 4-year university and major in veterinary medicine.
Cooper is a senior at Bishop Kenny High School. He became an Ambassador to help build his skills to become a sports broadcaster for television. Being a part of this program, he is excited to further his anchoring skills on the television show and also learn how to film and edit different sports in new ways. Going into sports journalism is not work for Cooper, but a passion.
Be a part of In the Game’s 2018-19 Ambassador Program!
For more information, email us at nefl@itgsportsnetwork.com.
Bishop Kenny High School
In The Game | 15
What’s New for the 2018 Winter Olympics Written by: Joshua Miller
The 23rd Winter Olympics will be held in PyeongChang, South Korea, and the opening ceremonies begin Feb. 9. This time around the Winter Olympics will be a little different from the previous games. The International Olympic Committee made a few changes to the 2018 games and added four new competitive events. Athletes on the slopes will now compete in freestyle skiing and big air snowboarding, an electrifying event that has been a staple sport in the Winter X-Games. For events on the ice, mass start speed skating and mixed doubles curling will also debut in this Olympics. Perhaps the new events will fill the void caused by the NHL not willing to compete in the Winter Olympics for the first time in 20 years due to various disagreements with the IOC. The show must go on, however, and with many NHL players hailing from the USA or Canada, the two countries basically had to make their rosters from scratch by using former veteran players or young and upcoming players. Stars from the NHL won’t be the only absence from the 2018 Winter Olympics as the Russian team will not be found at the games. Russia is “banned” from the games after a huge doping scandal in 2016 revealed that Russia was operating a state-sponsored doping program for about 99 percent of its athletes. Russia is still pushing for its athletes to compete under a neutral team with no representation of their country, and the atheltes are expected to enter the games as Olympic athletes from Russia. More than 40 Russian athletes are appealing their lifetime suspensions in hopes of participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics. The appeals court expects to release verdicts by Jan. 31, according to the AP. Excluding the potential Olympic athletes from Russia from competition, the country favored to walk out with the most hardware is Germany with 14 gold medals and 40 overall, per Gracenote. Team USA is predicted to finish third with 29 total medals, with 10 of them being gold. In the previous Winter Olympics in 2014, Team USA came second to Russia in total medals won, while this year’s favorite, Germany, only won 19 overall medals in 2014. The 2018 Winter Olympic games will be broadcasted by NBC and will last Feb. 9-25.
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Sofia Valbuena
Atlantic Coast High School Softball
What is your favorite memory from your high school career? Being able to pray with my team before every game. Who is your biggest sports inspiration? Michael Phelps because of his dedication. What makes you different from everyone else? In every aspect of my life I always have a positive aspect in everything I do.
IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY OTHER SPORT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Soccer because my
GRANDFATHER played professionally. In The Game | 17
Danielle Corbin
Episcopal School of Jacksonville Tennis Varsity Captain Team Line 1 Singles and Double
What is your favorite memory from your high school career? This past year my team and I won every single line, both singles and doubles, at the district tournament, attaining a clean sweep of 21-0. Who is your biggest sports inspiration? My great grandfather played both tennis and baseball for Cuba in the Pan-American games. He also played in the equivalent of what is the Davis Cup today. He inspires me because he was able to pursue excellence in many areas, not just one. What makes you different from everyone else? My perseverance and will to win makes me different. Despite fracturing my back at states in the ninth grade, I was able to compete with players who hadn’t taken any time off.
AFTER YOUR SPORTS CAREER IS OVER, WHAT DO YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING? I have been accepted to the
University of Notre Dame, where I plan to pursue architecture.
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In The Game | 19
Ben VanSickle
Paxon School for Advanced Studies Baseball Pitcher What is your favorite memory from your high school career? Pitching a shutout and winning against Ponte Vedra in the regional tournament. Who is your biggest sports inspiration? Derek Jeter because I have always liked how he played the game and how he was always so respectful. What makes you different from everyone else? I feel as though I can do a pretty good job of controlling the game while I am pitching, and I always try to give my team the chance to win.
WHO HAS HELPED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR SPORTS CAREER?
MY DAD
because he is the one that got me into baseball and has taught me most of the things I know about baseball. 20 | itgnext.com
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Nydia Kayanna Perez Paxon School for Advanced Studies Softball Shortstop
What makes you different from everyone else? I look at sports as more than just a way to compete. I take emotion and relationships into consideration so I can always help my teammates. After your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing? Being a nurse to help kids. If you could play any other sport, what would it be? Volleyball because I love all the action and being able to dive everywhere.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR SPORTS CAREER TO DATE? The day I was committed to college,
JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY.
In The Game | 23
Joseph Mansour
Christ’s Church Academy Baseball Catcher
What is your favorite memory from your high school career? Hitting my first career home run my sophomore year in the regional final game. First ever home run was a grand slam. After your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing? I’m aspiring to become a human rights attorney. What makes you different from everyone else? I’ve never been the best player on any of my teams in any sport since I was a kid. I’m different because of my drive. I just want to win. It doesn’t matter what my batting average is at the end of the season. What matters to me is winning and being a champion.
WHO HAS HELPED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR SPORTS CAREER?
MY FATHER. He knows the least about sports, but throughout my career he has taught me the value of a team and brotherhood. I’ve always been my worst critic, but he always supports me. 24 | itgnext.com
Nominate Male & Female Athlete of the Year
Submit your nominations to nefl@itgsportsnetwork.com
In The Game | 25
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Gabriel Durant Paxon School for Advanced Studies Baseball Outfielder/Pitcher
What is your favorite memory from your high school career? Scoring the winning run against Terry Parker in the district semifinal to guarantee our spot in the playoffs. Who has helped you the most in your sports career? Both my parents and my high school coach. My parents have always been supportive and have given me everything I’ve needed for success. My coach was someone who never gave up on me, even through my first two struggling years. After your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing? I see myself going into the engineering field, either nuclear, electric, or aerospace.
WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM EVERYONE ELSE?
MY WORK ETHIC. I always want more reps and practice, and my goal is always to push myself further and just get better every day.
In The Game | 27
Jake Morrow Providence High School Baseball Outfielder
What is your favorite memory from your high school career? Last year our team won a perfect game tournament and climbed the rankings to No. 1 in the country. If you could play any other sport, what would it be? Basketball. I grew up playing basketball, and I love playing it today. What makes you different from everyone else? I have a determined attitude on and off the field, and I strive to lead and inspire the younger players to be better every day.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST SPORTS INSPIRATION?
DEREK JETER. The way he handled himself over all his career is very impressive and insightful, and it's how I want to lead throughout my life. 28 | itgnext.com
Savannah Parker Bartram Trail Weightlifting 154 -lbs. Weight Class
What is your favorite memory from your high school career? Going to state championships last year was so cool! It's a great feeling and experience to know you're one of the best athletes there. Who has helped you the most in your sports career? My dad is always there for me, always telling me what to do to better myself athletically and as a person. He's made me so much better mentally. What makes you different from everyone else? I'm a quiet one. I get to the gym and do what I need to do and work hard.
WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I'm committed to
FLORIDA STATE for softball, so I will be pursuing that after high school, but still incorporating lifting. In The Game |
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Tyler Callihan Providence High School Baseball Third Baseman
Who has helped you the most in your sports career? My parents because they have pushed me beyond what I thought I could do. Who is your biggest sports inspiration? Chipper Jones because I have modeled after him for my whole life. What makes you different from everyone else? My mental aspect of the game.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR SPORTS CAREER TO DATE? Committing to the
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
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Rohan Bongu Creekside High School Tennis Line 1 Varsity IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY OTHER SPORT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Honestly, I would never even dream of playing another sport because tennis is just
What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date? I received the tournament Sportsmanship Award in Savannah, Georgia. Who is your biggest sports inspiration? My father. He has always believed in me no matter how tough things have been and is always by my side. What makes you different from everyone else? Whether it’s on the court or in school, I keep my cool in the toughest of situations. You won’t get a reaction out of me.
MY GAME.
In The Game | 31
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In The Game | 33
HERE TO HELP LIFE GO RIGHT
Wellington Hawkins 2801 Saint Johns Bluff Rd S. Suite 3 Jacksonville, FL 32246 904-646-0107
Margie Harner 4540 Southside Blvd Suite 1102 Jacksonville, FL 32216 904-296-2500
Michael Tauzel 13170 Atlantic Blvd Suite 58 Jacksonville, FL 32225 904-425-4100
Craig Dewhurst 315 W Town Pl Suite 4 St Augustine, FL 32092 904-940-9740
Therese Quinn 1944 Southside Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32216 904-724-6040
Edie Williams 2325 Park St Jacksonville, FL 32204 904-425-4054
34 | itgnext.com
Brandon O’Leary The Bolles School Soccer Center Back
What is your favorite memory from your high school career? Playing overseas in England for a week and then watching professional matches. Who has helped you the most in your sports career? My mom because she always drives me to my goals and has been my No. 1 fan since I was small. If you could play any other sport, what would it be? Basketball because before I played soccer I had only played basketball.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST SPORTS INSPIRATION?
DAVID LOVIS
because he plays the same position as me and when I had long hair we looked alike. In The Game | 35
Long’s Leadership Noticed Beyond the Soccer Field Written by: Mary Catherine Bell | Photography courtesy of Brooke Long
Leading her teammates on the soccer field and during track meets is one of many places you will find Brooke Long making an impact at Fernandina Beach High School. She has won the nomination to represent Region 1 of the Florida High School Student Athletic Association student advisory board in Florida. Long is one of 16 student-athletes picked to represent high school athletics in the state of Florida and the first student-athlete to be picked from the Fernandina Beach area.
“I think it is really cool because we have never had someone from Nassau county or Fernandina Beach, and I think it’s good to see what FHSAA does and to be that role here in our school,” she said.
Long said this will be her first year on the advisory board and has already attended her first meeting this past October. “I listen to the FHSAA leaders, and we help them with things that will affect student-athletes," she said. "We are kind of like the liaison between the athletes and FHSAA.” Long said her job focuses on getting students involved in athletics as well as volunteering at tournaments and conferences. “I helped run the state volleyball competition; I helped them with the award ceremony and leading teams around,” she said. “We are part of the committee. They take us to volunteer at places so we can see how FHSAA runs athletics.” Long said she is excited about her role as a representative because she can show student-athletes that FHSAA is here to make an impact on high school athletics. “I feel like a lot of people here see FHSAA as abstract and just makes the rules, but they are here for the athletes, so being that person to show student-athletes that there are people out there looking to make
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“Everyone has different opinions, but if you lead by example and it works, then people are more likely to follow that.”
— Brooke Long
it better and make it a good experience for everyone,” she said. Long said she enjoys having the opportunity to meet other student-athletes who want to work toward the same goal. “I’m excited because it’s a lot of like-minded people when we go to these meetings,” she said. “Everyone is there and determined to succeed in sports and grades and helping athletics become better in high school.” Long said her new position allows her to be in a leadership role in athletics without having to be the best at her sport. “I am not the best athlete ever," Long said. "I have a good standing at our school, but I go to this meeting, and there are some of us that are high school athletes that try our best, and there are some people that are already committed to D-I schools. You can still be a leader in athletics without being that person who is committed. It’s cool to have a role even if you’re not the best of the best.” Long said she tries to show leadership in her sports by leading through example. “I put my best effort into everything so that other people might show that effort too,” she said.
“I put my best effort into everything so that other people might show that effort too.”
Long said living in different places around the world has opened her up to different types of people. “I have lived here and Texas and New Zealand," she said. "The people I have met along the way and the different walks of life makes me aware that the best way is to lead by example and not by telling someone what’s right or what’s wrong. Everyone has different opinions, but if you lead by example and it works, then people are more likely to follow that.” Long said her leadership skills will help her in the future to bring together different kinds of people who are all working toward the same goals. “I think it helps me with collaboration, learning how to delegate, learning how to appeal to people and get them on board with things,” she said. "I think most of all it has helped me make connections and see that I have a purpose in different roles. There is value in different types of people.”
— Brooke Long In The Game | 37
POCOCURANTE • PROSPICIENCE • SUCCEDANEUM • VIRONMENT CHIAROSCURIST • GREEK • EUONYM • ISEPULTURE • ANCIENT • TAPHEPHOBIA • ANTEDILUVIAN TRANSLATION • ODONTALGIA • ELUCUBRATE • CULATURE • ESQUAMULOSE • SMARAGDINE • LATIN • LEPSIS • CRUSTACEANS • PROMISCUOUS • ALBUMEN • MULTANEOUSLY • REFERENCE • COMMISSAR • GRAUPEL SCRIPPS • CYNOSURE • ASANA • VOORTREKKER • DISH • PREROGATIVE • CAPPELLETTI • COMPETITION • ADRAGENARIAN • ROOT-WORD • ORTHIAN • PILONCILLO TOTIPOTENCY • JICAMA • SCRIPPS • MUSSITATION • WAGER • PEKOE • MYTHOLOGY • LANGUAGE • FEBRILITY MEIOSIS • GENETICS • BEETHOVENIAN • DEFINITION AGEUSIA • HYETOMETER • HALLOCK • DIPLODOCUS • IMIA • SUSSULTATORY • ECPHONESIS • CYANOPE • UFFIX • MOROSOPH • SUSSULTATORY • CABOTINAGE PARAPSYCHICAL • CALOTTE • BEE • BOURREE • LOCOTON • ZENAIDA • FRENCH • PERGAMENEOUS • NENATE • OLECRANON • JACKSONVILLE • DORYLINE HALLALI • PTYALAGOGUE • SUCCESS • KNAIDEL • ETAPENS • URSPRACHE • SPELLING • POCOCURANTE PROSPICIENCE • SUCCEDANEUM • ENVIRONMENT AROSCURIST • GREEK • EUONYM • VIVISEPULTURE • CIENT • TAPHEPHOBIA • ANTEDILUVIAN • TRANSLATION • ONTALGIA • ELUCUBRATE • MACULATURE • ESQUAMULOSE SMARAGDINE • LATIN • SYLLEPSIS • CRUSTACEANS • OMISCUOUS • ALBUMEN • SIMULTANEOUSLY • REFERENCE COMMISSAR • GRAUPEL • SCRIPPS • CYNOSURE ASANA • VOORTREKKER • YIDDISH • PREROGATIVE CAPPELLETTI • COMPETITION • QUADRAGENARIAN • OT-WORD • ORTHIAN • PILONCILLO • TOTIPOTENCY • AMA • SCRIPPS • MUSSITATION • DOWAGER • PEKOE MYTHOLOGY • LANGUAGE • FEBRILITY • MEIOSIS • NETICS • BEETHOVENIAN • DEFINITION • AGEUSIA • ETOMETER • HALLOCK • DIPLODOCUS • AMIMIA • SSULTATORY • ECPHONESIS • CYANOPE • UFFIX • MOROSOPH • SUSSULTATORY • CABOTINAGE PARAPSYCHICAL • CALOTTE • BEE • BOURREE • LOCOTON • ZENAIDA • FRENCH • PERGAMENEOUS • NENATE • OLECRANON • JACKSONVILLE • DORYLINE • LLALI • PTYALAGOGUE • OFFICIAL • SPELLING 38 | itgnext.com
JACKSONVILLE SPORTS COUNCIL TO HOST
FIRST COAST SPELLING BEE It’s a 74-year annual Northeast Florida tradition – and this year it’s getting an upgrade! The Jacksonville Sports Council will now serve as host and continue the annual regional spelling bee that serves as a qualifier for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This is JAXSPORTS first year sponsoring this event. As host of the event, JAXSPORTS has partnered with both the Florida Theatre and WJXT to provide a unique event experience for the participating spellers and patrons alike. The First Coast Spelling Bee will be hosted at the iconic Florida Theatre and for the first time will be televised live in primetime on WJXT, Channel 4, The Local Station. “JAXSPORTS is excited to host this signature community event that focuses on youth and education in Northeast Florida,” said JAXSPORTS Chairman Charlie Tomm. “Our goal is to celebrate the time, hard work, and preparation that each of the students dedicate to their education.” The First Coast Spelling Bee hosts the top two spellers from fourteen area counties, where they compete not only for the title of First Coast Spelling Bee Champion but also for a chance to represent the First Coast at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Local spellers will first compete at both the school and district spelling bees prior to competing to be crowned the First Coast Spelling Bee champion. Last year’s regional winner, Sreeniketh Vogoti from Fruit Cove Middle School, placed fourth at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. “We welcome the Jacksonville Sports Council as a valued sponsor of our program,” said Paige Kimble, executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee held outside of Washington, D.C., and televised on ESPN. “The local spelling bee is an important community event, and JAXSPORTS Council is committed to continuing the longstanding tradition of spelling bees for schools in their community. This is a wonderful example of how Jacksonville celebrates grit, achievement, and the spirit of competition.” The First Coast Spelling Bee will be held on March 9, 2018, and is open to the public and free to attend. To register to attend the First Coast Spelling Bee as a spectator, visit jaxsports. com. Live television coverage of the event will begin at 8 p.m. and can be viewed on WJXT, The Local Station. For more information on the First Coast Spelling Bee, including announcement of the 28 competitors, visit jaxsports.com.
Friday, March 9 Florida Theatre
th
Spelling Bee is FREE and open to the public. Register to attend at JAXSPORTS.com Live coverage will begin at 8:00 pm on Channel 4, The Local Station
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In The Game | 41
Greg Myers
Connecting Through Sports Written by: Susannah Parmenter | Photography courtesy of Candy Myers and Connectable
Greg Myers is a guy who loves sports — he plays football, basketball and soccer - and spends his spare time watching his favorite pro and college teams progress. In fact, Myers is what some call a Jaguars “superfan.” He follows the team religiously and said one of his favorite things to do is cheer on the Jags. Myers' favorite football teams are the Jags and the Gators. Greg also brings a unique point of view and skill set to the competition. He is one of many individuals in Northeast Florida who have an intellectual and developmental difference, or an IDD. Greg is also taking part in the Connectable Jax Campaign, a new initiative providing the Northeast Florida community a way to connect with individuals who have IDDs. Greg’s mom Candy Myers said she became concerned when her son was about 3 years old. “He wasn’t talking; he wasn’t communicating,” she said. “We were directed to Child Find through the school board to have him tested, and at that point they realized he needed extra help.” Greg was ultimately diagnosed with IDD, the term, according to the
Connectable Campaign, often used to describe a group of disabilities that begin at birth or in childhood that can affect a person’s intellectual, physical, and emotional development. “The journey has been hard, but it has gotten better as has he has gotten older," Candy Myers said. "He has grown and matured into a wonderful young man, and we’re very proud of him.” The Connectable Jax campaign, funded by Delores Barr Weaver, is an outreach program that works to promote connections between people with IDDs, like Greg, and the local population. Barr Weaver had the idea to start the yearlong campaign after she realized that most of the conversation surrounding those with IDDs was often focused on the word disabled versus what they are able to bring to the community. Barr Weaver worked with the Commu-
nity Foundation for Northeast Florida to launch a campaign that highlights the ways people with IDDs contribute to the community. Susan Datz Edelman, the Vice President of Strategic Communications at The Community Foundation, described how the Connectable Campaign came to be. “Mrs. Weaver was at an event that was highlighting some wonderful stories that were happening at a non-profit that served the IDD community, but she was very disturbed by the fact that they kept talking about these individuals being disabled,” she said. “She got a bee in her bonnet and said, 'This really bothers me. We should be talking about their wonderful contributions and not disabilities.'” Candy Myers just wants the community to give people with IDDs a chance. “They are just like ev-
“Everyone has their own battles and crosses that they bear every day. If you let them just shine their light on you, then you can see what a blessing they can be to your life.” — Candy Myers
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eryone else,” she said. able to people with IDDs. “Everyone has their own The “Pledge” is on the battles and crosses that organization’s website. It they bear every day. If you includes a space where let them just shine their you can write your name, light on you, then you can age, and a reason that has see what a motivatblessing ed you to they can make this be to your commitlife.” ment. Greg F o r Myers’ h i g h re l a t i o n school stuship with dent-athhis coach, l e t e s looking to Bob Graver, is a become prime exinvolved ample of in their the friendcommuniships the ties, Leg— Greg Myers Connectgett said able camthe campaign is striving to make. paign offers an enriching Graver, a student job de- experience. veloper at Palm Avenue “People with IDDs are Exceptional Student Cen- more alike to us than difter, first met Greg Myers ferent,” she said. “They when he was a student give unconditional accepat the school. Since then, tance, and that is sometheir relationship has thing that we should give developed past that of them the same.” coach and athlete to that As for Greg, the fuof mentor and friend. ture is bright. Between “Just to see him grow his commitment to sports makes me proud,” Grav- and the Special Olympics er said. “He’s got a job at and his job as a bagger at Publix now, and he’s been Publix, he is a busy guy. there almost five years. “I love competing and He now gives speeches having practice every for the Special Olympics, week,” he said. “I love to he fundraises, he has be- make new friends and come an athlete leader. meet new coaches. And And he really is a leader I love working at Publix.” on the field and off the But Greg also enjoys field.” his downtime. According to Jennifer “I love playing on my Leggett, a Connectable play station, and if I’m not spokesperson, there are doing that, I am playing many ways to seek out with my dog,” he said. these interactions. And of course, he is “It could be employ- always cheering on those ing someone with an IDD, Jags. just a friendship, volunteering, or just becoming For more information educated about IDDs and on the Connectable how to approach and talk Jax campaign, visit to someone with an IDD,” connectablejax.com. she said. Leggett said there is one action that is very easy — take the “Pledge” to become more connect-
“I love competing and having practice every week,” he said. “I love to make new friends, and meet new coaches."
In The Game | 43
SUPER SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP
Imagination will get you everywhere. We’re proud to have been voted the BEST SUMMER CAMP in Jacksonville for 2017. At camp, children will discover new adventures, interests, skills, build self-confidence, make new friends and feel a sense of achievement. Above all, we focus on nurturing the potential of every camper and making summer fun!
Find your Y and register online at FirstCoastYMCA.org. 44 | itgnext.com
YMCA OF FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST | FirstCoastYMCA.org
Refining the Pitch Written by: Susannah Parmenter Photography courtesy of Andrew Williamson
Christ’s Church Academy pitcher Andrew Williamson approaches baseball with one goal in mind — to improve his game. Whether he is stepping up to the mound to start a game or just training with teammates, Williamson is working on perfecting his pitch. The 2018 regular high school baseball season just launched Feb. 19, but during the offseason the 17-year-old senior spent the majority of his off time training and exercising. “During baseball season, we practice or play games at least five days a week, and I go to the gym to work out on off days and sometimes after practice,” Williamson said. “During the offseason I go to the gym three to four times a week to get stronger. I also go to the field a couple times during the week to throw with my teammates.”
Last season, Christ’s Church made it to the 2A semifinals, but lost in a shutout to Trinity Christian. However, the Eagles — always tough competitors — are predicted to make it to the semifinals again this year. For Williamson, this means more time to refine his pitching skills before he begins his college career at Florida Southern.
“My motivation is working really hard so I can have a great senior season,” he said. Williamson’s love of baseball started when he was a kid. His parents signed him up for a local T-ball team at age 4. However, he didn’t zero in on pitching right away. “When I was younger, I pitched, hit, and played the field,” he said. “Once I got in high school, I started to focus on my pitching. My favorite part of playing baseball is definitely working on my pitching.” Pitching is more than just learning to throw the ball and practicing differ-
ent pitches, he pointed out. Each individual pitcher has to find his or her own unique rhythm and discover what pitches work for them. While Williamson jokingly said his favorite pitch is whatever gets a strike, he admitted that he has one pitch that he constantly practices. “Growing up, I have always had a hard time getting comfortable with my changeup,” he said. “Whenever I go to the field to throw, I try to work really hard to perfect it.” For Williamson, baseball is a priority, but he is also serious about his studies and maintaining a 3.75 GPA.
“I balance baseball with academics and life in general by having structure, keeping a schedule, and support from my family,” he said. Williamson’s professional idols are Dodger’s pitcher Clayton Kershaw and Giants catcher Buster Posey. He has dreams of one day joining them in the majors, but for now, he is looking forward to college.
“My baseball goal is to have a great college experience, and I would love to get drafted,” Williamson said. “In life, I would like to graduate with a finance degree and possibly a master’s degree.”
Respect All, Fear None Raines Football Earns State Championship Written by: Jeff Elliott | Photography by: Garrison Muelhausen
The streak is over. No longer does Jacksonville have to be reminded how long it had been since a Duval County public school football team called itself a state champion. The last, and only other one, was Raines in 1997. But that’s no longer a trivia question, not after this year’s Raines team capped the 2017 season with its 13th consecutive win, a heart-stopping 1310 triumph over Cocoa in the Class 4A state championship game played in Orlando the first Thursday in December. For 20 years, Jacksonville had to be content with the ’97 Raines team producing the only state crown for public schools in Duval. Certainly there were other local schools that captured state titles with the likes of Bolles, Trinity Christian, and University Christian enjoying a plethora of success in the past two decades. Several St. Johns County schools (St. Augustine and Nease) also have state titles while Bartram Trail and Ponte Vedra along with Baker County’s Wildcats have all had runner-up finishes in the last couple of years. But the futility in Duval County with public schools had been on-going, that is until Raines’ magical run this past season. 46 | itgnext.com
While it was a total team effort that earned the Vikings their second state championship, the two people who stood head and shoulders above everyone else and who were recognized by their peers as having elite seasons were head coach Deran Wiley and quarterback Ivory Durham IV. Both were instrumental in the Vikings recovering from an opening-season loss at Lee to then win 13 consecutive games. Wiley molded a team that had come close in previous seasons to one that dominated opponents this year; this year marked the second championship game appearance in the last three years for Raines. Durham was the coach on the field, leading a powerful offense that built 35-point leads that resulted in a running clock in six of their games, two of which came in the playoffs . Wiley resurrected the Raines program in 2009 when he was elevated from defensive coordi-
nator to head coach fol- came focused, they were Killian for a 33-yard completion that lowing a 2-8 season the a heck of a group to deal gave the Vikings a first-and-goal inside the 10. The final year before. He gradual- with. It's “We won the was a third-down ly changed the culture, discipline pass from the 8-yard instilling a tough, disci- and focus state title line to teammate Kaplined atmosphere that that gets maree Noble into the because permeated the locker you over end zone for the goroom and weekly prac- the top the offense ahead touchdown. tices, leading to Friday of things. “On the long night success on the field. Y o u ’ v e complemented run, I couldn’t find W i l e y got to rethe defense anyone open, and and the spect all something just told V i k i n g s and fear so well.” w e r e none, and — Deran Wiley me to run,” Durham said. “I did what I had c l o s e that has to to state be your approach to life. to do to get the first down. On the fame two These guys saw the ingre- long pass, I just had to be patient. years ago, dients that are needed to They were in a cover-3. I ran up into the pocket and was able to get it to leading Mi- be successful.” ami Booker T. No one had a bet- Rayneil, and he took it down close. Washington in ter vision of that than Then on the touchdown, I rolled to the fourth quar- Durham. Vastly un- the right, saw Kamaree coming back ter of the state dersized at 5-10, 170 on a slant, and ripped it in to him as title game, only to pounds, Durham finished hard as I could.” Even then Raines had to sweat implode, allowing as Raines’ all-time lead29 points in the final ing passer (4,997 passing out the final five minutes of the 12 minutes and losing yards, 48 TDs) in just two game when Cocoa put together a 43-23 contest. seasons while finishing their quest for a winning drive. The But not this year. No. 4 in area history for Tigers advanced it to the Raines 34Raines had to fight off a career passing yards with yard line but could get no further. 10-6 deficit with nine min- 9,761 and 103 TDs when The Vikings defense stiffened, and utes left against Cocoa, adding in totals from his when a fourth-down run came up the defending Class 4A two years at Cedar Creek short, all Raines had to do was kill state champion, in order Christian. He was named the final 42 seconds and let the celto complete its mission the Times-Union offensive ebration begin. With the team trophy safely of winning a state cham- player of the year and finpionship. ished No. 3 in the voting tucked away in the Raines trophy “We won the state ti- for the top high school case and the individual awards piltle because the offense player of the year in Flori- ing up at his home, Durham has since turned his attention to his next complemented the de- da for 2017. fense so H e ’ l l goal in life — playing at the collegiate well,” Wi- “The talent this group forever be level. He’s verbally committed to Valley said. of guys had was incred- r e m e m - dosta State but did not sign his Let“In those ible, and when they be- bered in ter of Intent during the early signing c l o s i n g came focused, they were R a i n e s period in December. He’ll visit the m i n u t e s a heck of a group to deal lore for Georgia-based school in January a g a i n s t with. It's discipline and " T h e and will likely sign with the school Drive,” an in early February, depending on any Cocoa, focus that gets you over 8 1 - y a r d other offers that might come his way. you saw “I’m keeping my options open, a great the top of things. You’ve m a r c h drive by got to respect all and for the but wherever I go, it will be to play our of- fear none, and that has w i n n i n g at quarterback,” Durham said. “My f e n s e , to be your approach to score in strength is that I move in the pockand then life. These guys saw the fourth et really well, I have good escape the de- the ingredients that are q u a r t e r moves, and I can throw on the run f e n s e needed to be success- that in- — all the things you need to have to came in ful.” c l u d e d be an effective quarterback. I’ll get with a three cru- in a good weight program wherever — Deran Wiley great fincial third I go and plan to add 10-15 pounds, ish to seal it. The defense down conversions by which will make me more durable. did a great job all year to Durham. The first was I feel I can win the job against anyget the offense the ball, a 39-yard zig-zag run body; just give me a chance.” It’s an indication that Durham has and the offense knew through Cocoa defendwhat to do with it. ers that put the ball inside followed his coach’s belief — “Re“The talent this group the 50. Moments later on spect all. Fear none.” of guys had was incredi- a third-and-15, Durham ble, and when they be- connected with Rayneil
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In The Game | 47
48 | itgnext.com
Howze Dives for 1st Place Written by: Mary Catherine Bell Photography courtesy of Bryan Howze
A shiny new medal may be a symbol of victory for some, but for Nathan Howze it means much more. Howze won a high school state championship for diving this past November and will be attending Saint Bonaventure University in the Fall of 2018. “Winning state was probably one of my most fond moments,” he said. “I
ended up winning by less than five points, which in the diving world is very close. It came down to one last dive, and it was one that I had learned maybe four weeks before competing.” Howze said his ability to perform well during state championships is largely accredited to the advice of his coaches.
“I think it’s so funny
because when I look back at it, it’s a combination of all my coaches telling me stuff to learn this one dive that I won off of,” he said. “Everything that they had told me helped me out with that one dive. It was fantastic. It all just pieced together.” Howze’s success with diving has not always
been this sweet. He said there have been many difficulties in the sport including a lack of popularity and resources available for divers. He said after moving back to Jacksonville in 2011, he spent much of his time training at the University of North Florida Aquatic Facility. “They had a pool, it was great, we had a very big team, and then UNF shut
down their facility,” he said. “It kind of threw a rock in the whole diving spectrum.” Howze said his diving coach secured training time at Bolles High School as well as utilized other locations that can take up to an hour to reach. He said he also had to attend many training camps to gain exposure from coaches. “I’ve been to Gainesville, Tallahassee, Georgia,
In The Game | 49
Orlando…all to compete and practice,” he said. “I went to a camp in San Antonio. It was a Texas diving camp. I got input from seven different coaches, and now one of them is the coach of the college I am going to.” Howze said balancing school, his sport, and a social life is difficult. “Before I had my car
and was able to take myself from place to place, I would always go to school, get off the bus, go to my mom, drive to practice,” he said. “It was like that every day about four or five days a week. The weekends I usually have free, but I may have a meet here and there.” Howze said he appreciates those who have
supported him along the way, especially his parents. “I’m so thankful for my parents because ever since I started diving, they would always take me,” he said. “It was so great because now realizing how much time they put into helping me is amazing.” Howze said his role models Sam Dorman, Steele Johnson, and David
Boudia have taught him how to stay positive when things don’t go his way. “I’ve always looked toward them,” he said. “They taught me even if you go in wrong, you have to smile and say the next one is going to be better.” Howze said he had an epiphany about three years ago during a time when he was struggling
to find passion in his sport.
“I didn’t think diving was going that well for me,” he said. “I considered quitting, and then something clicked. I realized that if I kept a positive attitude toward the sport, and say, 'Hey, I may have not done that good today, but I’m sure I can do it all better tomorrow,' and it happened. It didn’t happen with a negative attitude. It happened with a positive attitude.”
Howze said he is thankful for his parents, Rebekah and Bryan Howze; diving coaches Bill Sutton, Courtney Gills, Nathan Schreiber, and Stephanie Fleming; swim coach Robert Bruns; and his high school and club teams.
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Northeast Florida High School Fall Athletic Awards Banquet January 21, 2018 | Omni Hotel Thanks to Our sponsors
In The Game | 51
Congratulations Chase Rivera
Duval Ford Scholar-Athlete of the Year
ITG Next Fall Athletic Awards Banquet
Congratulations Deran Wiley Baker's Sports Coach of the Year
ITG Next Fall Athletic Awards Banquet
Congratulations
Darrell Farrell & Paige Johnson YMCA of Florida's First Coast Excellence in Character
ITG Next Fall Athletic Awards Banquet
Congratulations
Tori Mouton & Trayaun Webb ITG Next Outstanding Youth Athlete
ITG Next Fall Athletic Awards Banquet
Congratulations to all of our overall award winners! Congratulations to all of our o
Each year, In the Game takes time to recognize the top athletes in Northeast Florida at the Fall Athletic Awards Banquets. We see the value in our local student-athletes and like to give every single sport the recognition it deserves. This wouldn’t be possible without our amazing sponsors, who have so much respect for this community and the youth within it.
ITG Next's Football Players
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ITG Next's Bowlers
overall award winners! Congratulations to all of our overall award winners!
ITG Next's Male Swimmers & Divers
ITG Next's Female Swimmers & Divers
ITG Next's Male Cross Country Runners
ITG Next's Female Cross Country Runners
In The Game | 55
overall award winners! Congratulations to all of our overall award winners!
ITG Next's Female Golfers
ITG Next's Volleyball Players 56 | itgnext.com
ITG Next's Male Golfers
The Mental Impact of Injuries Injuries are inevitable in sports. No matter the actions athletes take to prevent injury, the risk will always be there. Of course, athletes cannot play if they are injured, but the mental impact could be as bad or worse than the physical injuries. It does not just affect youth athletes; it affects the pros as well. When an athlete is injured, a great amount of uncertainty surrounds the nature and severity of the injury until a doctor evaluates and diagnoses the physical injury. Psychological factors play into an athlete's recovery from physical injuries. Anxiety may develop as the athletes learn more about what's happened to them and hear stories from fellow athletes about their experiences. Stress and maybe even depression may come into play when they realize they are unable to compete for an extended period of time. Recovery times for injuries differ greatly from athlete to athlete. A torn ACL can take longer to heal and recover than a broken leg. Long-term injuries often take a bigger emotional toll on athletes. The healing process can cause a multitude of psychological and emotional symptoms.
Every athlete differs when responding to injuries, but common feelings are • Lack of motivation
• • • • • • •
Depression Sleeping problems Impatience Detachment Displeasure Uneasiness Lack of appetite.
These symptoms can effect the actual injury and prolong the healing process. If athletes lack motivation or are struggling with these symptoms, they may not be as diligent in seeking treatments and physical therapy. Integrating athletic trainers and physical therapists in an athletic program to assess and treat injuries can safely speed up injury recovery. These highly trained professionals can help athletes recognize these emotional and psychological symptoms and manage these symptoms, making a significant impact on athletes' careers. In The Game | 57
Good, Bad, Indifferent? NCAA Has New Football Signing Period Written by: Jeff Elliott
A number of the top high school football players throughout the country faced a new dilemma in their pursuit to play at the collegiate level. Not only did they have to decide which school and coach they would align themselves with for the next four years, but for the first time ever, players had to decide when they would make such a commitment. Prior to this year, when to sign was out of their hands. National Signing Day was always set for the first Wednesday in February. That was altered this year when the NCAA changed the rule and added an early signing period for recruits to sign their National Letters of Intent. A new threeday window of Dec. 20-
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22 was adopted, not to replace the traditional February signing date — in this case Feb. 7 — but to supplement it. So, at 7 a.m. ET on Dec. 20, high school fax machines started cranking out NLTs to schools with a signed commitment from a perspective recruit. Why did this happen? The simple reason is that the NCAA wanted to allow players and coaches the opportunity to lock in their choices ahead of time. It was designed for the player who had finalized his decision and wanted to make it final. Such a chance to sign with a school in December was especially gratifying for the players who intended to graduate early and were set to enroll in the colleges of their
choice. This provided these players with the opportunity to enjoy the fanfare of National Signing Day and still be an early enrollee at their college. Prior to this, any player that opted to leave high school early and enroll in college did so without all the attention and school assemblies and under the glare of TV lights, which were on hand for a normal February signing. Football players could enroll early; they just couldn’t sign the paper work prior to the February signing date. With change like this, there of course comes contrasting viewpoints. Whether it be players who were still undecided in December or whether it was the college coach who was coming on
board at a new school just weeks before the December signing date, there was one side who despised the new signing period. And there was the other side which opined why it took so long to finally come up such a sensible change. There likely would be a few leftovers who didn’t care either way or who maybe wanted to see how this would play out the first year. That being said, let’s take a look at the opposite sides.
Favor the December signing period: Several coaches, like Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly and Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, were on the record in December talking about how much they liked having the majority of their recruiting done before Christmas. By signing players in December, it alleviates a coach from having to watch over a committed prospect for the next two months and the possibility a rival coach could make a late push to try and flip the prospect’s commitment. Many of the Power 5 Conferences expected to sign 80 percent of their incoming 2018 recruits during the early signing period. Schools would rather have the assurance that prospects are locked in place by having them sign their National Letters of Intent in December. Schools that did not change head coaches especially like the early signing period. It allows them to have a recruiting advantage over the schools with new coaches who have a short window from the time they were hired (usually in late November/early December) to try and get a staff assembled and then establish bonds with high school players and coaches that they quite likely have never met before. Twenty teams, including almost half of the SEC, changed coaches after the regular season ended. Established coaches who are on firm ground at their universities like the early signing period. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, who won the national championship a year ago and made it to the national semifi-
nals this year before the Tigers were beat by eventual national champion Alabama, is all for the early signing period.
“An early signing period is just that — an opportunity for these young people that know what they want to do to go ahead and formalize the process and not have to sit around and deal with all the drama any longer,” Swinney said. “It’s not a day everybody has to sign. It’s intended for guys who know what they want to do, and I love it because it cleans the whole process up for the guys who’ve been committed a long time. It allows guys to go ahead, check that box, and get their eyes focused on what’s next and not have to spend January dealing with grown men still calling them and trying to talk them out of something.” Certain prospects might like the early signing period if they are still undecided in December and aren’t ready to make such monumental decisions just yet. They may also want to see which other prospects sign with who. It could influence their decisions if they see Team A loading up with prospects at their positions compared to Team B, which didn’t sign anyone at their positions. It gives them a second chance to make a commitment and get a firm offer from Team B to agree to sign with them on the February signing date.
Oppose the December signing period: Let’s start first with the prospect and why they would be opposed to the early signing period. There will be some who have not made enough academic progress to qualify to sign with a school and need the completion of their first semester of their senior year in high school to make them eligible to sign with a school. There are times when prospects are not discovered until a month or two after their senior seasons. This would eliminate their chances to be an early signee. Some prospects might feel pressured to sign early with a smaller or not so successful school for the fear of waiting until February when that offer at the bigger, more prestigious school might not be there anymore. If a school has made a coaching change, quite possibly the recruit hasn’t had a chance to form a bond with who would be his new position coach. Waiting to sign in February would allow him to develop that needed relationship with assistant coaches and give him an extra two months to make the decision for which school he feels he would be the best fit. This was more evident this year than ever when Florida State, Tennessee, and UCLA all made coaching changes at the end of the year. All three programs annually produce recruiting classes that are among the national leaders. Such isn’t likely to be the case this year as all three programs struggled to retain the recruiting class that the former coaching regime
had put together. Florida State went from having a Top 5 recruiting class in mid-November to a 44th ranking after the December signing period, due in part to the late change to replace a departed Jimbo Fisher. To hear Alabama head coach Nick Saban talk about the new signing period, you would think college football took a major step backward with the new signing period. Having won his sixth national championship in January with the overtime win against Georgia, Saban was one of the most outspoken coaches against the additional signing dates.
"Two things happen: I see more players getting pressured by some schools to sign early so that they don't get an opportunity from maybe a bigger school later, which I don't think is in the player's best interest," Saban said. "A guy may have an opportunity to go to a place he's always wanted to go to or maybe an SEC school when he's getting pressured by another place to sign early. Then other guys are trying to make a decision about signing early or not signing early. And they have all these new coaches and new coaching staffs bum rushing them to get them not to do that so they have a chance to recruit them. I have not talked to a coach who's happy with it. Not one."
So there you are. Some players, some coaches are happy with the December signing period. Others feel just the opposite. Saban raised some obvious concerns from the pressure coaches put on players to sign early, to the uncertainty regarding the number of scholarships available on the February signing date. Depending on circumstances, a coach could feel one way one year and 12 months later take the opposing viewpoint. It’s an issue that will likely be debated each year. In The Game | 59
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The Winning Ways of Mandarin Coach Natalia Gonzalez Written by: Susannah Parmenter Photography courtesy of Natalia Gonzalez
Mandarin’s head softball coach Natalia Gonzalez wears many hats. She divides her time between being a full-time coach, an assistant athletic director, and also head of the physical education department. While her role may change frequently, one thing is constant — her love for the school and program.
Gonzalez is entering her 16th year as the head softball coach at Mandarin High School. The veteran coach has led her team to 10 district championships, nine Gateway Conference Championships, and two state Final Four appearances. However, coaching is only part of what she does at Mandarin.
“I feel like Mandarin is the total package,” Gonzalez said. “The academics and the overall athletic program make it an exciting place. Our softball players support our baseball players and support our basketball team and soccer team and vice versa. It’s a nice community, and it’s just a great place to be.”
Gonzalez’s own athletic career began when she started playing organized softball at age 12. “I was very much the sandlot type player,” she said. “My brother played organized baseball, and I found myself in the outfield shagging balls while his team was practicing. Eventually my parents realized I should be doing it in an organized fashion because I was becoming consumed with the sport, but I didn’t have anything to show for it.” Gonzalez was quickly picked up by a travel ball team in addition to her high school team at Miami Coral Park. She went on to get a scholarship to play at Daytona State College before being recruit-
ed to play at the University of North Florida. Gonzalez first realized her interest in coaching while working with youth at UNF’s softball summer camps. After graduation and an internship at Wolfson High School, Gonzalez said an opportunity opened up at Mandarin.
“I happened to be at the right place at the right time,” she said. “The athletic director was sending her kids to a soccer camp at UNF and happened to be asking if there were any certified teachers or coaches that might be interested in teaching over at Mandarin. So, I quickly contacted her, and she explained to me that not only did they have a teaching position, but they also had a JV head coach position available for the softball team.” Gonzalez was offered the job on the spot, and after a year as the junior
varsity coach was named the head coach. Last season, Gonzalez’s team consisted of several new players. Mandarin had a ninth-grader, Ashley Wiebenga, on the mound as its ace and scored a Top 16 finish. “With a ninth-grader on the mound, you don’t know what to expect,” Gonzalez said. “We knew she had enough talent to be successful, but we didn’t know how she would handle the pressure. But we had a great combination of young and experienced athletes, and I think these experienced athletes gave her the confidence to stay cool under pressure.” The team went on to win a district championship and a playoff game against DeLand High School before being taken out of the playoffs by Spruce Creek High School. Last year’s softball team was also recognized by the Florida High In The Game | 61
School Athletic Association for its academic success, being named an Academic Team Champion.
“We are just as successful off the field as we are on the field, and a lot of our players are a part of the ACE program and take AP classes,” Gonzalez said. “I started playing around with the GPAs to see if we qualified for the FHSAA award, and we ended up having a 3.51 cumulative GPA. After submitting the report to the FHSAA, we found out that we were the No. 2 school in our classification.”
Gonzalez feels that, as a coach, it is her job to push her athletes to succeed in the classroom as well as on the softball field. “At Mandarin we have very well rounded students,” she said. “I think academics and athletics go hand in hand. The emphasis has to be on both, and that’s how I run
my program. We have a responsibility to provide our athletes with the opportunity to be successful, not only on the field but off the field as well.” Gonzalez is currently preparing to begin the 2018 season. She said the team is ready to bring its best and face tough opponents. “We have a bull’s eye on our back,” she said. “We’ve had quite a bit of success, and we know that everybody is going to give 100 percent or more when they face us. No body is going to take us lightly. So, whether we have a strong year or whether it is a rebuilding year, we are always going to get everybody’s best.”
Hardest Positions in Softball Catcher:
They have to squat for 2-5 hours each game. It’s their job to call the right pitches and make sure nobody is trying to steal a base. They also have to wear heavy equipment to protect them from rouge balls.
First Base:
They need to be flexible to stretch or even do splits to catch those balls. Concentration is important because most plays occur at first base.
Pitcher:
One of the most physically demanding positions, the stress for this position makes it one of the toughest.
Outfield:
They have a large area to patrol and need to be fast too. Arm strength is a top trait to be able to catch those balls and throw them back as quickly as possible.
Layer Up — Wearing several thin layers can be more effective than wearing one big fluffy coat. Having breathable material in layers ensures that the body heat is being trapped but also allows your skin to breathe and wicks away sweat. Bring a Heated Water Bottle — Having a bottle of water that is heated can help keep your hands warm and maintain internal temperature when you drink. It will also make sure that your bottle doesn’t freeze during the coldest days. Don't Overheat — Some people like to wear heating pads or hand warming packets when they run. However, make sure you do not place them on areas where air does not circulate. It will cause those areas to sweat prematurely, resulting in the sweat being unable to evaporate and cool those areas, making them colder.
Middle Infield:
Strip Quickly — After you come home from your workout, take all of your sweaty clothes off and replace them with dry ones. Sweat underneath your workout clothes will cool and cause you to become colder at a quicker rate.
Courtesy of justbats.com
Courtesy of shape.com
They need to be extremely quick in terms of sprinting and lateral quickness. They are also responsible for covering second and third base in certain situations. 62 | itgnext.com
How to stay warm during winter workouts
In The Game | 63