Northeast Florida December/January 2018-19 Edition

Northeast Florida's Baseball Previews

Lifting Beyond Limits Addison Frisbee, St. Johns Country Day

Local Gymnasts Seek National Title

A Champion On and Off the Field

IN THE

GAME NORTHEAST FLORIDA

DEC/JAN 2018-19

Kamy Loustau St. Johns Country Day

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We are Jacksonville’s Orthopaedic Institute Sports medicine provider for:

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Atlantic Coast High School

Bishop Kenny High School

Bishop John J. Snyder High School

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The Bolles School

Paxon School for Advanced Studies

Fernandina Beach High School

In The Game | 3

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In The Game | 5

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e u s s I s i In Tth 14 32 33 34 35 36 41 42 45 46 83

Player Profiles Northeast Florida’s Top Athletes

COWORKING

PRIVATE OFFICES OFFICE SUITES

Jaguars’ Edwards Has Seen Them All Dan Edwards, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lifting Beyond Limits

COWORKING SPACE

Addison Frisbee, St. Johns Country Day

Training in the Cold JOI

Outlaws Win City Championship Pop Warner Football

A Race Through the Red Sea Kensey McMahon and Leah DeGeorge

Wanting Dartmouth for Football and Academics Jack Barksdale, Episcopal High School

25 N MARKET STREET CALL 904-900-4330

A Champion On and Off the Field Kamy Loustau, St. Johns Country Day

Military Veteran Now a Coaching Success Jim Piggott, Ponte Vedra High School

Let’s Get a Little Bit Rowdy!

Jojo Morgan, Creekside High School

Local Gymnasts Seek National Title

ITG Next Apparel

Jonathan Bailey and Connor Farwell

Baseball Previews

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Mandarin Mustangs Atlantic Coast Stingrays First Coast Buccaneers Fletcher Senators Fleming Island Eagles Oakleaf Knights Bartram Trails Bears Creekside Knights Middleburg Mustangs Nease Panthers Orange Park Raiders Paxon Eagles Ponte Vedra Sharks

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Terry Parker Braves Bishop Kenny Crusaders Bradford Tornadoes Fernandina Beach Pirates West Nassau Warriors Yulee Hornets Bolles Bulldogs Episcopal Eagles Providence Stallions St. Johns Country Day Spartans University Christian Christians

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Ridgeview Panthers In The Game | 7

FROM THE PUBLISHER December is here, and a new year is on the horizon. Winter sports are in full gear, but before we know it, springtime will be upon us. And with spring comes baseball. In this issue we will preview baseball teams all across Northeast Florida. Bigger programs, smaller teams, and everything in between, this issue will guide you through what to expect for the upcoming season.

We also highlight Kamy Loustau, team captain of the St. John’s Country Day School girls soccer team. SJCDS’s program is well known throughout Florida, having won seven consecutive state championships.

We meet Jojo Morgan, a member of the Creekside Shining Knights, an inclusive cheer squad that allows those with disablilities to cheer alongside junior varisty and varsity cheerleaders. Jojo is a vital member of the team and always puts a smile on everyone’s face.

This issue also spotlights two area swimmers who competed in a race in Israel. Kensey McMahon, a Mandarin graduate, and Leah DeGeorge, a junior at Bolles, competed in the World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships, both achieving top-6 finishes.

As we end the year, we are gearing up to host our first awards banquet of the season. Athletes in fall sports will be recognized. These events are an honor for us to put on. It means so much to be able to highlight the hard work athletes across Northeast Florida put in day in and day out.

And as always, we are looking for deserving athletes, coaches, and community members to spotlight in our magazine and on our show. Whether it is a student excelling academically, an athlete pushing the boundaries of their sport, or a coach inspiring the next generation, we are here to tell their stories.

If you know of any athlete, coach, or program that embodies this spirit, head to our website to nominate them.

As always, we thank you for your continued support of In the Game and your local athletic programs. To make sure you never miss a chance to #StayInTheGame, follow us on social media @itgnext and check out our new website at itgnext.com.

Contributors Publisher Mark Dykes Editor Anna Limoges Susannah Parmenter Graphics Mandy Douthit Cover Photography Allen Allnoch Player Profile Photography Allen Allnoch Marque Milla Reese Milla Creationz Photography Feature Photography Allen Allnoch Feature Writers Susannah Parmenter Jeff Elliott Mary Catherine Bell Hannah Simpson Copy Editors Anna Limoges Julie Jergans Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes

mark@itgnext.com

Website Manager Mandy Douthit Special thanks to Phil Jones for writing our baseball previews.

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 April/May issue of In the Game! info@itgnext.com

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 | 9

PLAY HARDER W I N T E R B A S K E T B A L L AT T H E Y

Last season, our All-Star teams won 18 championships from Jacksonville to Orlando.

Our Youth Basketball program is designed to build skills both on and off the court. We strengthen the fundamentals of the game in every participant, bring them up to the next level, and instill and develop the YMCA character values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. We teach the value of hard work, but know that it’s about having fun and sharing a love of the game.

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Learn more at wolfsonchildrens.org/ER.

4 locations: 1 Main Hospital 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 904.202.2000

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Baptist/Wolfson Children’s Emergency at Town Center 4085 Town Center Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida 904.202.6800

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904.516.1000

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904.202.6905 In The Game | 11

Contributors

Kendra Ehrenberg Video Coordinator

aNNA Limoges

A native of Tampa, Florida, Kendra is a recent graduate of the University of North Florida (Swoop!). Playing soccer most of her life, she is excited to work for a company that highlights student athletes. She is currently living her dream of combining her love of sports and journalism into one career. When Kendra's not busy crying over the Bolts' loss to the Caps last year, she is a dog mom to her sweet pup Sandy.

After four years as an interdisciplinary studies major at Valdosta State University and three semesters as an ITG intern, Anna has remained a member of the team as an 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.

Hannah Simpson

Julie Jergans

Intern

Copy Editing Intern

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 realize our inner champions.

A native of South Georgia, Avery holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Valdosta State University in mass media. His passion on and off the job is media, and he enjoys producing short films as well as playing music on the side. Avery tries not to tell cheesy jokes, even though his fellow Green Bay Packers fans are cheeseheads.

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, Hannah moved to Jacksonville to attend the University of North Florida. Graduating in 2019 with a public relations degree, she interns with In the Game as a writer for the magazine, also helping with social media and taking photos for student athletes. When she’s not at school or at the beach, she’s watching her favorite team, Alabama, win yet another football game.

Julie is a South Georgia native and senior at Valdosta State University who is majoring in English with a minor in journalism.

This is her first semester with ITG as an intern copy editor and writer, and she already feels at home. When she’s not in the office, she’s in class or working in VSU’s Spectator office. After graduation, she hopes to continue providing unbiased news to the community. More importantly, she hopes Auburn can continue their momentum this season well after halftime.

Marque Milla Reese

Jeff Elliott

Mary Catherine Bell

Phil Jones

Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

After graduating from Michigan State University, Jeff Elliott worked at the Big Ten Conference office for 20 years, the last 17 years as the director of public relations. He moved to Jacksonville in 1990 and became editor of Jacksonville Sport magazine for four years and then was a sports writer and TV columnist for the Times-Union for 14 years. He is currently a correspondent with the Associated Press covering all Jaguars and Florida Gators home football games.

A native of Charleston, South Carolina, and a 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 has used this unique background in her work as an ITG intern and now as a contributing writer.

Phil Jones began lending his voice to In the Game in 2017. He serves as a radio station manager and host of two daily radio shows: “The Phil Jones Show” on WJHC Talk 107.4 and “The Afternoon Sports Drive” on WJEM AM-FM and on WJHC FM. Jones is a 20year veteran of the newspaper business, serving as manager of marketing and distribution for newspapers in Tifton, Albany, and Atlanta. He was recognized by the Georgia Press Association as “Georgia’s Top Newspaper Circulator” in 2003.

Mark Dykes

Mandy Douthit

Chief Executive Officer

Creative Director

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.

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.

Susannah Parmenter

Avery Stephen Marketing coordinator

Area Coordinator

Contributing Photographer Milla was born a humble, ambitious child on the south side of Tifton, Georgia. He has always see things differently than others as he drew on his imagination, and he went through numerous potential career choices before finding “the one”: the dream of becoming a photographer. With the helpful hand of his wife, Rebekka, Milla is living out that dream as a key contributor of ITG. With that said, the cries of “War Eagle” from them both have fallen strangely silent since 2010.

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editor

ITG Next Ambassadors 2018-19 In 2017, ITG Next launched its inaugural Ambassador Program.

ITG Next 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.

Be a part of ITG Next’s 2018-19 Ambassador Program!

For more information, email us at nefl@itgnext.com.

Alana Lecointe Bishop Snyder High School

Brandon Carroll Creekside High School

An Tran

Taryn Peterson

Douglas Anderson

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Tamara Barrs Mandarin High SchooL

Kira Goodwin

Ashley Ricketts

Kofi Bame

Middleburg High School

Paxon School

Paxon School

Leah Pelham

Alyvia Goodwin

Jalondra Jackson

Gannon Nolan

Paxon School

Ridgeview High School

Sandalwood High School

Stanton High School

Brianna Toawicha

Kelsey Sparks

Atlantic Coast High School

Creekside High School In The Game | 13

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TAYLOR HOLWELL Fernandina Beach High School

Golf

What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

Being able to win districts and go onto regionals every year.

Who is your biggest sports inspiration?

Michelle Wie because she is a great golfer who stands out from all other golfers by being herself on and off the course.

In The Game | 15

MICHAEL PHILLIPS Creekside High School

Junior Basketball

What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

The road to states was incredible. The amount of support we had from our school and our fans was the reason we were able to make so much history.

Who is your biggest sports inspiration?

My Pops. He played Division I basketball and went pro overseas. He used basketball to instill in me the values every young man should have.

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Participating Schools Bishop Kenney Bolles Episcopal First Coast Orange Park Ponte Vedra Providence Ribault

December 13-15 Episcopal School of Jacksonville Select games broadcasted on TV and radio

Basketball Invitational

In The Game | 17

JACK WESSELL The Bolles School Senior Swimming What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

When I first qualified for Junior Nationals, my entire team stood behind my lane and cheered me on the entire race. It reminded me why I swim and the importance of a team that cares about you.

Who has helped you the most in your sports career?

My middle school coach, Oale Porter, has helped me the most as he taught me the value in goal setting, hard work, and, most importantly, how to respond to failure.

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一攀眀 夀攀愀爀✀猀 䔀瘀攀 㜀㨀㌀ 瀀洀 琀椀愀愀 戀愀渀欀 昀椀攀氀搀

䜀刀伀唀倀 倀刀䤀䌀䤀一䜀 ☀ 䘀唀一䐀刀䄀䤀匀䤀一䜀 伀倀倀伀刀吀唀一䤀吀䤀䔀匀 䄀嘀䄀䤀䰀䄀䈀䰀䔀

䌀伀一吀䄀䌀吀㨀 䨀伀刀䐀䄀一 䄀䰀䰀䔀刀䐀䤀一䜀 䄀吀 㤀 㐀ⴀ㜀㤀㠀ⴀ㔀㤀㤀㈀ 漀爀 䨀伀刀䐀䄀一䀀䨀䄀堀匀倀伀刀吀匀⸀䌀伀䴀

䘀漀爀 洀漀爀攀 椀渀昀漀 瘀椀猀椀琀 吀愀砀匀氀愀礀攀爀䈀漀眀氀⸀挀漀洀

In The Game | 19

HERE TO HELP LIFE GO RIGHT

Craig Dewhurst 315 W Town Pl Suite 4 St Augustine, FL 32092 904-940-9740

Jim Register 12058 San Jose Blvd Suite 302 Jacksonville,FL 32223 904-268-5522

Margie Harner 4540 Southside Blvd Suite 1102 Jacksonville, FL 32216 904-296-2500

Chris Nickas 9542 Argyle Forest Blvd Suite 12 Jacksonville, FL 32222 904-854-4700

Michael Tauzel 13170 Atlantic Blvd Suite 58 Jacksonville, FL 32225 904-425-4100

Randy Taylor 3041-1 Monument Road Jacksonville, FL 32225 904-642-2400

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LAUREN-MARIE BOSWELL The Bolles School

Soccer

What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

Saving a goal with my head my junior year against Bishop Kenny in the district game.

What makes you different from everyone else?

What makes me different is that I have survived two brain surgeries and still played a contact sport even though my doctors and everyone thought I wouldn’t.

In The Game | 21

What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

The most memorable moment of my sports career was finishing a seven-mile mountain race and leaving everything I had on the course.

After your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing?

After high school sports are over, I see myself attending a four-year university. My goal is to attend the University of Florida. The medical field is what interests me the most in the future.

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MICHAEL ADAMS Mandarin High School

Junior Cross Country

What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

When we beat our rival school, Mandarin, in the Gateway Conference in their house for softball and volleyball. Also, as a freshman I made it to regionals for weightlifting and hit my personal best.

ALLISON MCMULLEN Atlantic Coast High School

Volleyball Weightlifting Softball

What makes you different from everyone else?

I am a three-sport athlete, and even though it is a lot of work, I love to compete. I couldn’t imagine watching an Atlantic Coast game from the bleachers.

In The Game | 23

SAUL STOREY Creekside High School Football

What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

The most memorable moment of my sports career would have to be all of last year. If you didn’t already know, we lost more than 20 games in two years. Then, last year, we had a brand new coaching staff step in, and I will always remember them telling us how hard the process was going to be and how much we would need to put in to be a winning team again.

Then on Aug. 25, 2017, we ended the streak and went home knowing that if we work hard enough we can beat anyone.

If you could play any other sport, what would it be?

I think ping pong would be my go-to if I were to start another sport.

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Nominate Male & Female Athlete of the Year

Submit your nominations to nefl@itgnext.com

In The Game | 25

ISAIAH ADAMS Paxon School Basketball

What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

The most memorable would have to be our game last year against Yulee. In regulation we were tied, and I missed the game winner, but we went into OT, and we were tied again, and I made the game winning 3 (pointer).

Who is your biggest sports inspiration?

It would be Rajon Rondo because of his love and IQ for the game and his passing. I’ve just always liked him for that, and it made me want to understand the game more.

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CAMILA BATISTA The Bolles School

Swimming What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

My sophomore year at states, the girls were supposed to get third place, and it all came down to the last race, the relay. We ended up winning the meet, and I was the last person on the relay.

What makes you different from everyone else?

I am from Brazil, and I moved here almost seven years ago. I also enjoy pushing my teammates and being a part of a team.

In The Game | 27

MAEVE O’RIORDAN The Bolles School Senior Cross Country Track and Field

What is the most memorable moment of your sports career to date?

I would say my first race I ran for my school, but in an open race with my dad. I just remember feeling very proud of myself and the ability to improve from that point forward.

If you could play any other sport, what would it be?

I would maybe do gymnastics because I would like to be flexible and I’m not. Plus, I respect gymnasts and their abilities.

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In The Game | 29

Finishing as a Champion Written by: Alana Lecointe

It has been a successful season for Bishop Snyder’s girls cross country team, as they finished the season as conference champions. Gianna Forte leads not only her team, but also Region 1-1A girls as the fastest competitor this season. Starting strong at the Cecil Field Preseason Classic, Forte regularly cut her time all the way to the district championship. Her time of 18:48 set her far above the other athletes. Forte even won the senior superlative “most likely to become an Olympic champion”. Forte is not only strong in sports, but she is also an exceptional student. Students and teachers alike recognize her ability to work hard and put 110 percent into everything she does.

Eagles Versus Blue Devils Written by: Leah Pelham

During the regular season, Paxon’s football team faced their biggest rival, the Stanton Blue Devils, at their home stadium. What used to be an annual defeat for the Blue Devils changed last year when Stanton ended their losing streak with a winning score of 28-27.

“It was big,” said Cooper Dawson, a senior offensive lineman. “We had four years in a row, and we were hoping for that five. But things happened last year, and you have to bounce back. We’re hoping to start that new streak again.”

With this year’s game falling on senior night and the last home game, the team entered the game with much confidence. Paxon was first on the board after Malcom Seaborn covered over half the field scoring a touchdown. Another touchdown followed later, this one by Damari Massey, making the score 14-0.

The Blue Devils started making their comeback in the second quarter with a touchdown in the first five minutes, followed by another, tying up the score. The Eagles kicked a field goal as the third quarter expired, giving them the 17-14 lead at halftime.

As the second half began, the tension between the two school was intense. Stanton, having possession, pushed down the field and kicked another field goal, giving them their first lead of the game.

As the time ran out, the Eagles were never able to work their way back on the score board, making the final score 20-17.

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From Newscaster to Teacher Written by: Brianna Toawicha

You don’t have to play a sport to be In the Game. Former sportscaster for First Coast News Chad Cushnir is a perfect example of staying In the Game, even as a current TV production teacher at Atlantic Coast High School.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? CUSHNIR: Most of my childhood I wanted to be a sportscaster, and I always enjoyed watching sportscasters on TV. Of course, watching sports in general I always knew I wanted to do it in high school and middle school, as well.

WHO WAS SOMEONE YOU LOOKED UP TO IN THE SPORTSCASTER BUSINESS? CUSHNIR: I would say, locally, a guy named Dan Hicken. I used to watch him

growing up, and I used to be pretty impressed with how he would always be at the big events. I thought, "Wow, I want to do that and go to these big games." Then, when I graduated from college, I ended up working with Dan Hicken. I actually interned with him when I was in college, and then I ended up working with him for 1 years, and he’s still a good friend to this day.

HOW LONG DID YOU WORK AT FIRST COAST NEWS? CUSHNIR: I worked at First Coast News from 2002 to 2015, so approximately 13

½ years.

HOW DID YOU LAND THE JOB AT FIRST COAST NEWS? CUSHNIR: So, as I mentioned, while I was in college I did intern there for about six

weeks, which wasn’t a super long time. But, I was able to make a good impression and stay in touch with those guys like Dan Hicken, who was the boss at the time. A year later after my internship when I graduated from college, it was good timing to where they had an opening within their small sports department, and they even waited around a month for me to graduate from college first. They were willing to wait for me to do that, and then they hired me. So, I graduated college on a Friday, and that following Monday I started my job.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE THE GLAMOROUS LIFE AS A LOCAL TV STAR AND BECOME A TEACHER AT ATLANTIC COAST HIGH SCHOOL? CUSHNIR: I’d say family played a big part. At the time that I made the move going

from TV to teacher, I had two kids. Now I have three, and they’re obviously very young, so they do require a lot of assistance. So, my wife was doing a lot on her own because I was working the evenings, the weekends, and even on the holidays.

The schedule wasn’t really conducive to family life, and I was looking for a new challenge, something different. I felt like I advanced as far as I could go, at least at First Coast News, and I always enjoyed covering high school sports. I always enjoyed the Friday night football games, and I always enjoyed visiting high schools and meeting high school students. Now I get to visit a high school every day and see hundreds of high school students every day, and I enjoy it.

In The Game | 31

Jaguars’ Edwards Has Seen Them All Written by: Jeff Elliott Photography courtesy of Dan Edwards

Ever wonder if there is someone who has been with the Jacksonville Jaguars since Day 1 and who has seen every regular season and postseason game that the Jaguars have played? There are just two such people who can lay claim to such a distinction — Senior Vice President of Communications Dan Edwards and Director of Football Technology and Facilities Mike Perkins.

Both are among six people who have been with the team for all 25 years, joining the Jaguars organization in 1994, the team’s first year of existence and a year before it played its first official season in the NFL. The other four people are Alisa Abbott (executive assistant to owner and president), Tim Mingey (assistant director of college personnel), Chris Driggers (director of pro personnel) and Tim Bishko (director of ticket operations). All four have seen most or all of the team’s home games, but not the away contests.

Then, there’s a small group, — Edwards, Perkins, and two oth-

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ers — who have witnessed every home and away game and all 382 contests in the 23 seasons leading up to the 2018 season.

Those two others are Skip Richardson (director of team security) and Brian Sexton (former Jaguars broadcaster and now senior correspondent), both of whom joined the Jaguars organization in 1995.

Edwards, 59, spent nine successful and award-winning years with the Pittsburgh Steelers before the challenge of joining an expansion operation like the Jaguars intrigued him enough to leave his position with the Steelers.

“Expansion in the NFL had not happened since 1976, and it was one of those once-in-acareer opportunities you get with an expansion team and start from the beginning,” he said. “You only get to do that one time. I wasn’t looking to leave Pittsburgh, but I was intrigued with the opportunity to join an expansion team.”

The first couple of years for Edwards and other Jaguars employees were difficult. They were

forced to work out of trailers ad“That prepared my sons for jacent to the stadium as administheir current jobs, and that’s retrative offices within the structure ally gratifying to me knowing my were built and the renovation sons are with NFL teams enjoyto the stadium was completed. ing this type of work.”

The 1995 season was difficult Edwards’ two sons are both as the young Jaguars struggled part of communications staff through a 4-12 season. with other NFL teams, ChrisMuch has changed with Edtian with the Indianapolis Colts wards’ job since that time. and Preston with the Carolina “In the very beginning I had Panthers. His two daughters three responsibilities: dealing also have sports connections. with the media, Danielle works publications, “Social media has totally with special and community changed the job in work- needs children relations,” Ed- ing in public relations. It in Jacksonville wards said. “It’s changes the way we do and is married changed over everything from releases to Geoff DeLuthe years. When ca, who is with to notifying the media on [current Jaguars the Jaguars owner] Shad the things, to announce- e q u i p m e n t Khan came, he ments and statements. staff, and Vicwanted to create It’s changed our world, no toria is a fresha digital depart- question, but mostly in a man at Florida ment to include good way." who also works broadcasting — Dan Edwards in the telecomand all the social munications media platforms. department and hopes to land “Social media has totally a public relations job with an changed the job in working in NFL team. public relations. It changes the When Edwards retires from way we do everything from rehis job with the Jaguars, he and leases to notifying the media wife Tricia will continue to live on the things, to announcein their Jacksonville area home ments and statements. It’s and work in the yard, which changed our world, no queshe enjoys. He credited those tion, but mostly in a good way. around him for such a good Fortunately, we have a lot of working environment within the young people on staff who are Jaguars operation. technology-savvy and are very “I’ve had a lot of good peogood at the social media and ple to work with both in my dethose platforms.” partment and throughout the Working in the Jaguars organization,” he said. “That’s press box has been a family one of the biggest reasons I’ve endeavor for Edwards and his stuck around for this long. It’s a four children. good place to work. It always “All my kids grew up around has been. And, of course, it’s this team, and I put them all to always better when you win.” work in the press box when they Which is what Edwards has turned 14, distributing stats and done for the Jaguars the past quote sheets,” Edwards said.

25 years.

Lifting Beyond Limits Written by: Hannah Simpson | Photography by: Allen Allnoch

Weightlifting Champion and St. Johns Country Day seventh-grader Addison Frisbee started training and competing at the age of 10. Her older cousin, Tristian, taught her the basics, and from there, Frisbee has trained almost every day for the past two years. Now at 12 years old, she holds the title of 2017 Olympic State Champion for Weightlifting, bringing home six silver medals.

“My proudest moment was winning states last year, and I plan to win again this year,” she said.

Frisbee started as a CrossFit kid when she was 8 and now continues her workouts at her home gym after school. She completes her own programmed workouts daily and trains a three-hour session monthly with her weightlifting coach in Orlando. She has driven herself farther than a normal 12-year-old would, and her hard work is not in vain. Recently, she made it the top of her weightlifting class.

Frisbee’s mother, Jennifer Fris— Addison Frisbee bee, is nothing but proud of her daughter, especially for winning so many titles in her first and second years of weightlifting.

“My proudest moment was winning states last year, and I plan to win again this year.”

“I think it is worth recognizing strong, confident girls who are doing sports that aren’t very common,” Jennifer Frisbee said. “She is able to snatch 90 percent of her body weight and clean and jerk more than she weighs.”

In weightlifting competitions, athletes are judged on their performances with three attempts of the clean and jerk and three attempts of the snatch. The clean and jerk is lifting a barbell from the crouching position, pausing at the shoulders, and pushing it above the head. The snatch is lifting the barbell from the crouching position and snatching the bar straight over the head in one fluid movement.

The highest weights successfully lifted in those three attempts are the final scores, combining the snatch and jerk scores. Competitors are broken into weight classes, so the winning score is compared against the other athletes within the weight classes.

“My favorite is the clean and jerk,” Addison Frisbee said. “The snatch is the hardest to accomplish. It’s only one movement, but the technique is very important.”

Many schools don’t offer weightlifting as a team sport, especially for middle school kids. Frisbee realizes she is a part of a unique sport.

“I think Olympic weightlifting is unique for girls because not a lot of girls lift weights, especially at the age of 12,” she said. “It’s not a mainstream sport or one that is offered in schools, but it is a sport that can help condition you and get you stronger for any other sport you choose.”

In The Game | 33

Training in the Cold Training outdoors in the winter season is a change from the fierce heat of the summer. Along with the change in weather, there is a change in the way your body dissipates heat while exercising. If you're not properly prepared, the winter conditions can be risky. Here are some tips to keep you warm and safe while working out in the winter.

LAYER UP:

It is important to wear clothes that trap in heat and whisk away moisture at the same time. Start with the basics: a warm hat, compression long sleeve shirt, and compression pants. Don't forget thick or double-layer socks and an insulated jacket. Make sure everything is breathable but holds in body heat.

CHECK THE WEATHER:

Check the local weather forecast before you head out. This will tell you how many layers you should wear. You can check for conditions like snow, rain, or sleet. Dress accordingly based on what the forecast tells you.

COLD WEATHER DANGER:

Hypothermia sets in when the core body temperature reaches below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. While the body loses heat more quickly in wet, windy conditions, hypothermia can occur even in relatively mild conditions of 60-65 degrees if exposure is prolonged and unprotected.

To prevent hypothermia in cold and wet conditions wear a water-repellent coat and pants if it is raining and keep hands and feet as dry as possible.

If you decide to work out in the cold, use these tips to make the most of your workout and stay healthy. Check the weather conditions, wear layers, and work out inside if you think the weather is putting your health at risk.

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HYDRATION:

People don't think as much about hydration when it's cold out compared to when it's hot.

You can still break a heavy sweat working out in cool conditions.

Your body also loses water through your mouth when you breathe in cold air and breathe out warm, moist air. Take care to hydrate yourself even though you may not feel as if you’ve lost much water.

Outlaws Win City Championship Written by: Susannah Parmenter | Photography courtesy of Johnny Flowers

The Creeks Outlaws Mighty Mites, a pop warner a lot of great coaches, a lot of great parents, and a football team in Jacksonville, is just “perfect.” lot of great kids. We've also got very smart kids as The team, 9-0 during season play, recently well. So when you have that right combination of made it 10-0 after clinching athletic kids and very smart kids the city championship, dethat work hard, then it makes it a “They’re willing to work lot easier to coach.” feating Oceanway 21-0.

Head coach Johnny FlowFlowers remains optimistic harder than anybody ers is proud of his team, esabout his team’s chances for a reelse in the city. We've pecially for defeating some peat city champion win next year. tougher teams.

The team moves up to be Junior got a lot of great “We’re considered a DiviPee Wee — and the location of the coaches, a lot of great sion II team, and we played championship holds a lot of exagainst three Division I teams citement for the players, he said. parents, and a lot of this year," Flowers said. "One “The goal is to win the city great kids. We've also was Westside, and that team championship next year," Flowers had not been scored on in said. "Once the kids have reached got very smart kids as two years. We ended up beatJunior Pee Wee, we'll have a well. So when you have ing them at their park, which chance to play at TIAA Bank Field, that right combination where the championship will be.” was a huge win for the program. And then of course the Win or lose, Flowers’ mission of athletic kids and very championship game itself was is to instill a sense of pride in his smart kids that work against Oceanway, which is a players. program that we’ve been put “Confidence, speed, perfechard, then it makes it a up against quite a bit since tion — that’s our little motto," he lot easier to coach.” we've been the Outlaws.” said. "With confidence, you gain — Johnny Flowers Flowers was introduced that through practice, and if you to the Pop Warner program gain confidence, you can do through his son, Jaden, that thing faster. So that's where when he was tapped to teach his son’s team. speed comes in. And then the more you practice, While Jaden went on to play high school footthat's where the perfection comes in.” ball at Creekside, his father has continued with For Flowers, history is repeating itself. He now his coaching duties with the Creeks Outlaws coaches his younger son, Jaxon, who is 9. Flowers' Mighty Mites — to quite a bit of success over personal goal for his players? the years. Flowers credited his players for the “At every practice I want them to have fun team’s accomplishments. and get better," he said. "So if we can do those “They’re willing to work harder than anythings while also teaching them some life lessons body else in the city," Flowers said. "We've got along the way, we've done our job as coaches.”

A Race Through the Red Sea Written by: Mary Catherine Bell Photography courtesy of Leah DeGeorge and Kensey McMahon

The FINA Open Water Junior World Championships calls on some of the most passionate, talented young swimmers in the world. Two of them happen to be from the Jacksonville area.

University of Alabama freshman Kensey McMahon and Bolles High School junior Leah DeGeorge both represented Team USA in the FINA Open Water Junior World Championships in Israel this past September.

McMahon competed in the 10-kilometer race and finished sixth, while DeGeorge competed in the 7.5k race and also finished sixth.

McMahon, who competed in the FINA Junior World Championships two years ago, was inspired to represent team USA again and push her-

36 | itgnext.com

self in open waters.

“I’m always striving to improve and compete at the highest levels possible,” McMahon said. “This was the biggest junior (18 and under) open water event in this two-year cycle.

McMahon also had the opportunity to be part of the second-place mixed 5k relay team, which is made of two girls and two boys who share the distance.

“We brought a really strong team to this championship, and team USA came in first out of all 32 countries represented,” McMahon said. “This was the first time a junior USA team had ever won an international open water competition.”

McMahon experienced everything from joy to anx-

iety training for the competition, but once the race started, it was all focus.

“My self-talk included 'long and strong,' 'yes, I can,' and 'Do this for Team USA,'” she said. “From this race, I learned that I can keep digging. My self-talk and digging moved me up several places before the finish. Doing my very best was important because I wanted to do my best for the team. I am extremely grateful for the experience.”

McMahon plans to continue racing open water competitions and grow as a competitive swimmer.

“I have learned to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” she said.

“Open water racing is a completely different experience every time. Its exciting to test yourself and your ability to adapt to all the variables while competing.”

First-time competitor Leah DeGeorge shares the same determination and passion for open water competition as her teammate, but racing 7.5 kilometers in the Red Sea was no easy task.

“The day of the race, I felt very rested and ready to race,” DeGeorge said. “I definitely felt nervous, and I wanted to do well not just for myself but also being a first-timer representing Team USA. I wanted to perform my best.”

DeGeorge welcomed the challenge to compete

BENEFITS OF A SWIM CAP 1. PROTECTION Chlorine and other chemicals in the pool can be extremely harsh and damaging to your hair.

While swim caps don’t keep your hair completely dry, they do limit the exposure that your hair has to those chemicals.

2. THE PERFECT PAIR What goes pairs perfectly with your fancy swim cap? Why, goggles of course! Swim caps are useful because they prevent the goggles from pulling on your hair and also help with positioning the goggle straps.

3. STREAMLINE Swim caps tuck away hair, reducing drag in the water and making you more streamlined, thus improving your performance.

Information courtesy of www.simplyswim.com

TIPS TO MAKE YOUR COMPETITION SWIMSUIT LAST LONGER 1. ALTERNATE, ALTERNATE, ALTERNATE. Give your swimsuit at least 24 hours of rest between each wear. This helps the material regain its memory shape 2. USE PRACTICE SUITS. These could be old suits that you have in your “swim drawer.” Bust those puppies out and keep your good suit for competition day.

3. FIND A SHOWER OR SINK. This is the best way to rinse out the body soil and chlorine from your swimsuit 4. WATCH WHERE YOU SIT. Most pool sides and decks are rough. Always try to sit or lay on a towel. Once a swimsuit is snagged, it cannot be repaired.

Information courtesy of www.thespruce.com

in the biggest open water race in the world with open arms.

“I love open water racing because it brings a whole new aspect of competition and strategy that sometimes you don’t get swimming in the pool,” DeGeorge said. “Not only that, but swimming is something I’ve grown up loving, and an open water race allows you to swim for over an hour.

To do it in such amazing places like the Red Sea was a dream.”

DeGeorge overcame many challenges during her first open water adventure.

“I learned a lot about sighting and how import-

ant it is to stay on course throughout the race,” DeGeorge said. “Sometimes it was really difficult to see the next buoy due to kayaks in the way and my goggles filling up with water during the race. I also learned that I don’t enjoy swimming in the pack very much, and to avoid swimming with them, I should break away earlier in the race.”

For it being her first international appearance, DeGeorge was happy to finish in sixth place despite leading the lead pack for the majority of the race.

“On the last lap, I got pushed back to sixth,” she said. “This was a little dis-

appointing to be towards the front for so long in the race, but I’m still very happy with what I did and can’t wait to improve and get better.”

DeGeorge believes the experience prepared her for swimming at the college level, where she wants to continue competing in open water races.

“I definitely plan to keep improving in them,” she said. “I just started my open water journey last May, so I have tons to learn in the sport. I can’t wait until my next opportunity to try again.

In The Game | 37

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In The Game | 39

Celebrating Cancer Free

Volleyball Lessons

Bishop Snyder High School celebrated their home football game in a heartwarming way with all the students and teachers wearing pink to support those who have had breast cancer. This hits close to home, as last year Snyder’s algebra and MCR teacher Dominique Cook was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. This October marks her one-year anniversary of being cancer free, and she celebrated with the whole school proving that cancer will not beat her.

“Volleyball has given me the ability to develop myself more and more every day, and without it, I don’t know what my life would be like,” said Sarah Boudreaux, a senior at Sandalwood High School.

Boudreaux has played volleyball since the seventh grade when she saw the enjoyment it brought her sister.

“I know volleyball has provided me with lifelong friends and has also taught me many life skills,” she said.

Written by: Alana Lecointe

Written by: Jalondra Jackson

Open for Adventure Breakout is a set of real-life games where you and your friends follow clues and solve puzzles to escape a room before the clock runs out. Join in the adventure at breakoutgames.com/jacksonville

40 | itgnext.com

Wanting Dartmouth for Football and Academics Written by: Jeff Elliott | Photography courtesy of Jack Barksdale

Jack Barksdale does not look like your typical linebacker at 6’0” it’s just expected that you’re going to do well in school. That’s been and 180 pounds dripping wet. a priority to me and something I’ll pass on to my kids someday.”

However, the Episcopal senior compensates for his lack of size His parents are both involved in the political scene. His mom, with quickness, speed, and smarts, the combination of which can Patty, is a federal judge, and his dad, David, is a defense attorney be used to describe the typical Episcopal playwith the Bedell firm in Jacksonville. He has a siser. That’s the type of player that head coach ter, Sally, a sophomore at Episcopal who plays Mark Brunell is developing with the Eagles lacrosse and basketball, and a younger brother, “There’s an expectation in our program.

Sam, who is nine years old. household that you do well in “We don’t have a lot of 5-star or 4-star kids “School was a natural thing until about 10th within the program, but we have a lot of kids,” grade,” Barksdale said. “Then I started challengschool with academics. It’s not the former Jaguars quarterback said. “Jack is ing myself and picking harder classes. I get done pressure per say, but it’s just certainly one of them who makes the most of with football and then spend from 8 p.m. until 1 their talent. I get excited when I see players like a.m. every night on homework. It’s a big part of expected that you’re going to him maximize their talents. They work hard and my life. The fall season is tough, but I’m young. I do well in school. That’s been a train hard to get stronger and faster. Jack is don’t need a lot of sleep.” priority to me and something I’ll one of our more physical players. On the field, Barksdale is a history buff. He said the best he’s our best leader. He’s very vocal. He’s a class he’s had at Episcopal was AP World History, pass on to my kids someday.” great kid who does very well in the classroom, and that Natalie Herford, who teaches the course, and that’s important to him. He wants to get a — Jack Barksdale is his favorite teacher at the school. good education.”

“History is fascinating to me,” he said. “That’s Which is why Barksdale hopes to learn in early December that one class I can sit in and I’m fascinated by it. Class time goes by he’s been accepted at Dartmouth. so fast.”

He’s conferred several times with Big Green head coach Buddy On the field, Barksdale is versatile. He plays on both sides of Teevens about becoming a member of the Dartmouth football program. the ball as a slot receiver and outside linebacker. He started out “I’m hoping to go to Dartmouth and play football,” Barksdale his senior season as a safety as Episcopal coaches felt that’s where said. “I’m also looking at my dad’s alma mater, Vanderbilt, along he would play in college, and they wanted him to gain experience with Duke, UNC, and Florida. Dartmouth has all my academic info. at that position. But a depth issue early in the season required his Coach [Teevens] told me I have a spot on the team if I get into moving back to linebacker. Barksdale doesn’t care where he plays. school.”

He just wants to be on the field with his teammates.

Football aside, Barksdale knows what he wants for his academic “The camaraderie with this team is so good,” he said. “It’s like future. He plans to major in public policy, eventually getting into I’m getting to hang out with my friends on the weekends, and I’m politics. Academics are as important to him as playing football. doing it every day at football practice as well. It’s what makes all the “There’s an expectation in our household that you do well in grueling parts of football that much better.” school with academics,” Barksdale said. “It’s not pressure per say, but

In The Game | 41

A CHAMPION On and Off the Field Written by: Susannah Parmenter | Photography by: Allen Allnoch

This past season, the St. John’s County Day School girls soccer team won the 2017 1A FHSAA Championship — its seventh consecutive state title win and 10th overall.

For some, that level of success and recognition could be daunting to deal with, but for team captain Kamy Loustau and her teammates, it’s all just part of competing in a sport they love.

“We don't really talk about it as much as some people might expect,”

she said. “We don't really wear our rings that often, and it's not because we're ashamed of it or because we're not proud, but I think it's just being a part of the team.

We know every single year we want to go after another state championship, and that is our big goal. Most of the time we just focus on each individual game that we play.”

One of four children, Loustau comes from a soccer family. Her father,

Carlos Loustau, who was born in Mexico, played in a semi-pro league called Club America. He inspired her to take up the sport, and she joined a club in first grade near her home in Kansas. Her mom's job in the Navy brought the family to Jacksonville, and Loustau hopped from club to club before finding a home at SJCDS. “I was with a club called Florida Elite, and my coach, Brad Schmidt, was the boys coach at St. John’s,” she said. “He knew Coach Pickett, and I knew it was a great school. That’s how I made the connection.”

Girls soccer coach Mike Pickett has been the head of the program for the past 20 years. He offered the role of captain to Loustau this past year, and she accepted. Mainly, her job is to keep all the athletes accountable.

“On the field, I am just being a supporter of everybody on the team,” Loustau said. “You have to lead by example.”

Loustau believes, however, that pushing her teammates to work hard begins with a positive approach.

“When one of your teammates isn’t working the way they should, you don't have to yell at them, but just say ‘Hey, that's 42 | itgnext.com

We know every single year we want to go after another state championship, and that is our big goal. Most of the time we just focus on each individual game that we play.

— Kamy Loustau

okay, but make sure next time Laurel said she never you do this specific correction doubted that her daughter, an to fix that,’” she said. exceptional athlete, would reWhen it comes to motivation, alize her dream. She especially Loustau said Pickett is a good admires her resilience and terole model. nacity.

“He just makes you feel like “I would be crying and wavyou're like ing for the his daugh- “The team is like a big fam- stretcher if ter,” she said. ily support system. I think someone “He wants slammed we're really lucky just in our into me the you to be the very best program to be able to have way oppothat you can a pool of girls for JV, varsity, nents often be.” do during and middle school.”

Pi c ke t t games, and regularly Kamy just — Kamy Loustau hops up drafts girls from the and keeps middle school to play on his going,” she said. varsity team, and this season Her mom, Laurel, said it’s there are quite a few newcomher daughter’s behavior off ers since many of the team’s the field, however, that sets starters have graduated. Howher apart. ever, Loustau is excited at the “Kamy's kindness and prospect of new teammates. work ethic make me the most “The team is like a big famproud,” she said. “She has a big ily support system,” she said. heart, and she wants everyone she meets to feel better about “I think we're really lucky just life. She cares about her parin our program to be able to have a pool of girls for JV, varents and her siblings too. She sity, and middle school.” has this belief in God that imWith so many changes to presses me, and she stays centhe roster, the girls have been tered of her own accord.” working to bond as a group.

Loustau's dad, her first “This year we started doing coach, agreed. these little lunch time meet“She is like many othings,” she said. “Every Friday er girls in the world today the soccer team will get toworking hard and staying gether and eat together, and focused on the things that we play a lot of trivia games — a lot of Disney movie trivia. matter regardless of the Sometimes that gets compeer pressure of today’s petitive, and I definitely think young culture,” he said. we'll be competitive when we “Kamy is a kind, gentle practice together. Everybody knows each other and has soul that reaches for the known each other for a really stars only to give them long time. I think we're really to somebody that needs lucky in that aspect to have more light in their lives a group of girls who are all and lives every day to the fighting for the same goal and wanting to get better every fullest while spreading time they step on the field.“ joy and love to the peoThis will be Loustau’s final ple around her.” season at SJCDS. Next year, Loustau is excited for she will be playing for Princewhat lies ahead. She isn’t sure ton in the fall. whether she wants to play pro“When Princeton is like, fessional soccer, join the Peace ‘Hey, we saw you play, and Corps, or start her own church, we're really interested in you. but there is one thing she is Please come to our camp, so certain of. She is ready to make we can watch more,’ I thought, the most of her last season at ‘This is a dream come true. Oh SJCDS. my goodness.’ It was just this miracle that happened,” she said.

JOI: Proud team physicians keeping the Jaguars and you on your game.

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As team physicians for the Jaguars, area high schools, colleges, and universities, you’ll find us on the field and at convenient office locations across Northeast Florida. That’s good for the team — and good for you.

To learn more or to set an appointment, call JOI-2000 or visit joi.net

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Military Veteran Now a Coaching Success

Written by: Jeff Elliott Photography courtesy of Ponte Vedra

For over two decades, Jim Piggott served his country after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Upon his retirement in 2006, Piggott took up another cause, serving as a YMCA girls basketball coach. That led to Amateur Athletic Union coaching, and that led to his accepting a job as head girls basketball coach at Ponte Vedra High School, where he’ll start his eighth season in that position.

in her last two seasons and set the school and county record for career scoring with 2,254 points, 19.6 points per game average. That helped her father compile a 123-73 record in his seven seasons. The ex-military leader said the wins and losses are secondary as to why he’s coaching.

“The best thing is just working with the kids, hoping I make a difference in their lives,” Piggott said. “It’s not about the wins and losses; it’s about what positive impact I can make on their life, remembering my childhood and the coaches that coached me. I think about them on almost a daily basis.”

Before Piggott, Ponte Vedra had enjoyed success on the basketball court. The last two seasons the Sharks advanced to the Class 6A Final Four only to come up short on both occasions. Two years ago they were beat in the semifinals, and last year a talented American Heritage team deprived the Sharks of their first ever state basketball title by beating them in the championship game. When the season was over, Piggott finished as runner-up for the Florida Dairy Farmer’s Class 6A Coach of the Year voting.

The Sharks will have a tough time making it three straight trips to the Final Four in Lakeland since talented junior guard Channing Chappell elected to transfer to DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach for her last two years of high school. She had aver-

Did he have any experience in coaching girls basketball? None whatsoever.

Did he have a daughter who wanted to play on a YMCA basketball team that needed a coach? Absolutely.

And with that, Piggott was introduced to the sport and started another career.

Piggott served as the inspector general for the state of Maine when he retired in 2006, but then he moved his family to Jacksonville, Florida, and took up coaching his daughter’s, Megan Piggott, YMCA team. Shortly after that, he applied for the vacancy for the girls head basketball coach at Ponte Vedra, where Megan was a student-athlete. He was then hired for the job and has been there ever since.

Megan has since graduated and is now in her fourth year playing basketball for Nova Southeastern in Davie, Florida. However, before she departed Ponte Vedra, she averaged more than 23 points a game

1. RJ Barrett — Guard & Forward — Duke

2019 TOP 10 NBA DRAFT PROSPECTS

2. Cameron Reddish — Guard & Forward — Duke

3. Nassir Little — Small Forward — North Carolina 4. Sekou Doumboya — Forward — Limoges 5. Zion Williamson — Forward — Duke

aged over 15 points a game as a freshman and sophomore for the Sharks. But, Piggott is confident that the Sharks can still be successful for the coming season.

“This year’s team has great work ethic, probably the best in the eight years I’ve been at the school,” Piggott said.

Piggott spends close to 90 minutes each day traveling between his home near the World Golf Village, his job in St. Augustine, and basketball practice at Ponte Vedra. He calls it his “devil’s triangle,” as it's approximately 30 minutes between each site. All of the practices take place after he’s put in his eight hours on the job for the city of St. Augustine.

“This is almost a relief for me to get out on the court with a bunch of great kids after a tough day at the office,” Piggott said.

“It’s kind of therapeutic for me.”

Even with his daughter having departed and now finishing her education at Southeastern Nova, Piggott plans to continue coaching Sharks basketball.

“I’m very happy where I am,” he said.

“The kids are at such an age right now where you can make an impact on their life, so I’m very happy where I am. I’ll probably keep doing this until I don’t enjoy it any more.”

That’s definitely good news for the Ponte Vedra girls basketball program and Sharks supporters.

6. Romeo Langfors — Shooting Guard — Indiana 7. Quentin Grimes — Guard — Kansas

8. Daniel Gafford — Center — Arkansas

9. Rui Hachimura — Forward — Gonzaga

10. Luka Samanic — Forward — KK Olimpija In The Game | 45

Let’s Get a Little Bit Rowdy!

Written by: Mary Catherine Bell Photography courtesy of Kaley Presnell

The halls of Creekside gy rubs off on everybody High School wouldn’t be around her,” Triay said. “She as energetic on game days has more school spirit than if it weren’t for junior Jojo I think just about anybody Morgan. at Creekside.”

Morgan is an active Morgan loves to show member of the Creekside her support and enthusiHigh School Shining asm for the Shining Knights Knights, an all-inclusive by leading cheer practice. cheer squad for students “My favorite memory with disabilities. would definitely be Jojo Her sociable and infec- leading one of our practictious personality spreads to es when the cheer coaches her classmates and fellow couldn’t make it,” Triay said.

Shining Knights.

“She took it upon herself to Coach lead and call and Excepcheers so tional Stuwe wouldn’t dent Educahave to cantion teacher cel. This has Stephanie happened a Triay believes few times.” that MorMorgan’s gan’s energy favorite part and big smile about being brighten a Shining each day she Knight is is with her. cheering for “My favorite part “She is her fellow always in a about being a Shining classmates good mood, Knight is cheering at on and off always has a the field. football games and positive at“My fatitude, and making new friends.” vorite part her enerabout being — Jojo Morgan

46 | itgnext.com

a Shining Knight is cheering at football games and making new friends,” Morgan said.

The all-inclusive cheer squad was started by former teacher Jamie Godfrey and her daughter Taylar, who participated in the varsity cheer program.

Coach and Exceptional Student Education teacher Kaley Presnell believes the Shining Knights give students with disabilities like Morgan the opportunity to interact with the rest of the student population, a daily challenge many students with disabilities face.

“They want to be included just like everyone else,” Presnell said.

“They want to go to football games, participate in homecoming activities, and attend school dances.

Jojo is extremely social and strives to make friends and be included.”

Presnell believes Morgan’s participation in the Shining Knights helps give her the opportunity to be part of the typical high school experience.

“She is able to not only attend the football games, but to have friends to cheer with and include her in all of the festivities that every high school student enjoys,” Presnell said.

Morgan has learned many lessons from her involvement with the all-inclusive cheer squad. “[ I focus on] remembering cheers, remembering cheer moves, how to be a good friend, and following directions,” she said.

The Shining Knights not only create an all-inclusive

atmosphere for students with disabilities, they also create an all-inclusive culture at Creekside High School.

“It sets an example that all students, no matter their differences, can be included in school sports,” Presnell said. “It also promotes friendships and spreads disability awareness throughout our school.”

Morgan’s enthusiasm and passion for life make her relationship with Presnell special.

“I adore Jojo,” Presnell said. “She is such a dedicated student to everything that she does. She puts her 110 percent in everything. She makes my day every day.”

Mandarin Mustangs

Photography courtesy of Mandarin High School

You’ll have to excuse Mandarin head baseball coach Stephen Stewart if you see him around town with a big smile on his face. His team is coming off a 21-win season that saw his Mustangs lose only six games. And he has 13 returning contributors from a year ago.

Out of those players, Stewart points to a handful that he expects to lead the team this year. Ethan Jenkins is a four-year starting outfielder and team captain; he stole 10 bases last year while drawing 13 walks and is a FAMU commit.

Jose Marcos Sevillano is a senior outfielder and third baseman; he led the team in runs scored (19), had 13 walks, and tied with Jenkins with 10 steals last year.

Carson Beck is a new transfer from Providence and is being recruited by the University of Florida. Beck will add great depth.

Senior right-handed pitcher Nick Martins will be the team's No. 1 pitcher in the rotation. Junior outfielder and infielder Ty Jackson is back for his third year as a starter on varsity. He finished third in RBIs last year with 12, and his seven steals were good enough for second best on the team.

Junior Ayden Sciandra will return at first base and will be counted on as one of the team's best offensive hitters.

Stewart will miss several key players from last year due to graduation, including Nolan Lepkoske, who is now at UCF. According to Stewart, he likes his team's experience with so many key returners. He and the Mustangs will enjoy having back so much talent this year, especially in the areas of pitching and hitting. If there’s a weakness, it's pitching. Stewart and the team will miss their top four pitchers from a year ago and will rely on young arms to grow up in a hurry this season.

Mandarin opens the season against Ponte Vedra.

REGION 1-9A Coach Stephen Stewart

2018 RECORD

21-6

Players To Watch

P

OF

Martins

Jenkins

OF/3B OF/3B/C Sevillano

Beck

2 home runs .399 On Base % .282 Batting Avg.

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame and #JoinTheNation by following us on each of our social media platforms!

In The Game | 47

Atlantic Coast Stingrays

Photography courtesy of Atlantic Coast

REGION 1-8A Coach Joel Davis

Players To Watch

C/INF OF/P Rosario

Macklin

OF Moeller

The Stingrays took a step backward last season, finishing up 7-14, including losses in eight of their last 10 games to end the 2018 season. This came after Atlantic Coast won 15 games in 2017 and advanced to the district tournament against Oakleaf (a 3-2 loss to end the season).

Head coach Joel Davis will welcome back four starters from a year ago: junior outfielder and pitcher Robert Macklin, a 6-foot-4, right-handed batter; junior Cameron Rosario (catcher and infielder); senior Chandler Moeller (outfielder); and senior Lance Bolton (infielder and pitcher).

That still leaves four other positions for Davis to find new players to fill. Among the players that won’t be back are lead off hitter Alex Parcell, who is now at the University of Florida.

Two other key players who are now playing collegiately are infielders and pitchers Jared Cox and Drew Rusak.

Davis knows his pitching staff will be young, but he still likes the direction his team is headed.

“Although we are competing with some real young pitchers and some young position players, I like the direction our team is headed in right now," Davis said. "We should compete well this season.”

The Stingrays will kick off the 2019 season at home against Paxon High School.

Returning Starters 2 home runs .331 On Base % .222 Batting Avg.

WATCH 48 | itgnext.com

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2018 RECORD

7-14

First Coast Buccaneers

The Buccaneers of First Coast High School are in a rebuilding mode, and according to third-year head coach George Eldridge, that can be a daunting task when you not only play in the always tough District 2-8A, but also when you come from a school primarily known for its football prowess. Nevertheless, Eldridge said playing so many young players over the last couple of years will begin to pay off in wins. Whether that comes this season remains to be seen, but Eldridge is confident in his six returning starters from last year. The Bucs only lost three seniors to graduation from last year’s 8-18 season.

Those players Eldridge points to as the key to improving their chances in the district include senior shortstop Matt Guard. He hit just under .300 last season and could be a real offensive and defensive leader for the Bucs this season. According to Eldridge, Guard has a solid glove and is well respected by his teammates.

Senior Johnny Bell will most likely be the Pirates' No. 1 pitcher this season.

Eldridge said Bell can throw a lot of junk at hitters, but will sneak in a low-80s fastball that will keep opposing batters off balance at the plate. Bell will play first base when not pitching.

Returning starter senior Klifton Davis will man one of the outfield positions this season, and Eldridge said Davis could be their power guy, hitting in the middle of the batting order.

The First Coast head man said he’s been in a rebuilding mode since he arrived three years ago, but if there’s anyone made for the job, it’s Eldridge.

He’s a long time baseball man with over 20 years of experience. Eldridge said the Buccaneers have played a lot of younger players over the last couple of years, and he’s hoping that experience will finally pay off this season with more wins. He thinks this year’s team is a “blue collar” team and that they’ll be the team that beats opponents 4-3 and 2-1. He added that if they can keep it close, they’ll have a chance to win it at the end.

First Coast kicks off their season against Paxon.

2018 RECORD

8-18

REGION 1-8A Coach George Eldridge

Players To Watch

SS

OF

P

Guard

Davis

Bell

Returning Starters .287 On Base % .153 Batting Avg.

In The Game | 49

Fletcher Senators

Behind All-Conference selections Brian Veniard and Jevin Relaford, Fletcher High School figures to be right back where they’ve been the last few years: winning a lot of games and fielding a top notch program. But, they’ll have to do better than last year in District 2-8A, where 18 wins still wasn’t good enough to advance to the playoffs.

Still, 39 wins over two straight seasons is something to keep building on if you’re head coach Mike Grillo and the Senators. The fact that you’re returning the top two hitters and five through nine from your batting lineup from last year is a good starting point. The pitching isn’t too bad either, with Veniard back to lead the staff.

Veniard was an All-Conference selection a year ago, and like 2018, he’ll certainly get the ball in the Senators' biggest games. Veniard finished with a 5-1 record with three no-decisions last season and an ERA under 2.00. He has a fastball in the mid- to high-80s and is mulling offers from St. Johns and Flagler.

Other returners include shortstop Relaford, who is also an All-Conference selection. He hit just under .400 last season with 18 steals.

He has several Division I offers as well as an offer from Valdosta State University.

Relaford will hit lead off again this year. Behind him in the No. 2 spot will be second baseman Ian Brown, a left-handed batter. He hit right at .300 last season. According to Grillo, his team’s strength will be their offense.

“We can swing it,” Grillo said. “We have power in the lineup, and we can spray it around from foul line to foul line.”

Juniors Blake Pound and Cherokee Nichols will also contribute in the batting order this season, according to Grillo.

Fletcher will open the season of hope at home against Englewood High School.

REGION 1-8A Coach Mike Grillo

Players To Watch

SS

Relaford

P

Veniard

2B Brown

Returning Starters

Randy Taylor 3041-1 Monument Road Jacksonville, FL 32225-5711 Phone: 904-642-2400 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm Evenings & Saturday by Appt

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2018 RECORD

16-10

Fleming Island Eagles

The Golden Eagles are coming off one of their best postseason runs after what was a less than spectacular start to their regular season last year.

Fleming Island finished with four playoff wins in their last five postseason contests, giving them 12 total wins against 14 losses for their overall record.

After starting the year with just one win in their first eight games, the Golden Eagles responded at the end, winning their District 2-8A and defeating defending state champions Tallahasee Lincoln 3-1 in the regional quarterfinals. They then beat Tallahassee Chiles 7-3 at their place in the regional semifinals before losing to Strawberry Crest High School 2-0 in nine innings in the regional final.

Returning to lead the team in 2019 will be six starters from a year ago. That group includes senior Zack Mercer, a pitcher, outfielder, and third baseman.

He hit over .300 while leading his team in extra base hits last year. As a pitcher, he had a 1.00 ERA in 35 innings pitched.

Noah McCollum also returns. The senior shortstop hit over .300 and led the team in stolen bases, game winning hits, and fielding percentage.

Sophomore Aiden Mastantuno returns to lead the Fleming Island pitching staff. As a freshman, he pitched and won the district championship for the Golden Eagles. He pitched 45 innings over the course of the season with 50 strikeouts and an ERA under 3.00.

As an outfielder, he played great defense, and at the plate he showed his offensive prowess with a home run in his first game of the season. He is sought by several Division I schools, but is committed to Florida State University.

Coach Grant Bigilin expects his Golden Eagles team to once again advance deep in the postseason and is excited to have double digit seniors back this year.

Fleming Island will open the season at home against Paxon High School.

2018 RECORD

12-14

REGION 1-8A Coach Grant Bigilin

Players To Watch

SS

P/OF/1B

P

McCollum

Mercer

Mastantuno

Returning Starters

3360 FL-17 Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 (904) 236-6884 www.garberautomall.com In The Game | 51

Oakleaf Knights

After winning 18 games in 2017, the Knights advanced through the state playoffs, winning games against Atlantic Coast and Fletcher High before losing to Lincoln High School. This past season, Knights head coach Chris Lannum finished 12-8, losing early in the district playoffs to Atlantic Coast by a 4-1 score. It was a bit of an off season for Lannum and the Knights.

Oakleaf has had a super baseball program in the school's short history, winning an average of 14 games over the past five seasons. The school is entering its ninth year in 2019, and Lannum has been the head coach since its inception.

Speaking of the 2019 season, Lannum and his staff will still figure to compete for a run in the district and state playoffs by season’s end, but the loss of a few key contributors from the last couple of seasons will make the journey just a bit tougher.

Gone is last year’s lead off hitter and third baseman, Keegan Barrs, who has taken his talent to Andrew College. Barrs hit .433 in his career at Oakleaf.

Also graduated is Noah Detrick, who was a submariner closer last year for the Knights. He is now at South Georgia State College. The Knights will also miss Blain Jones and Dustin Espinosa, who were each offered baseball scholarships to Thomas University.

Three players back this season are junior standout Logan Schmidt — who throws an 82-84 mph curveball to go along with a 90 mph fastball — and seniors Kobe Branch and Alex Guzewich. According to Lannum, Branch really got after it in the weight room this offseason and should provide power in the middle of the lineup. Guzewich, known as “Goose” to his teammates, has recovered from an arm injury that hindered much of his junior season and will most likely be the No. 2 pitcher in the starting rotation this year, behind Schmidt. Lannum said Guzewich is a team leader who really works well with the team’s younger players.

The Knights open the season against Ponte Vedra at home.

REGION 1-8A Coach Chris Lannum

Players To Watch

P

Schmidt

OF/1B Macklin

P Guzewich

2018 RECORD 2 home runs .345 On Base % .215 Batting Avg.

Chris Nickas 9542 Argyle Forest Blvd Suite 12 Jacksonville, FL 32222-2826 Phone: 904-854-4700 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm After Hours by Appointment

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11-8-1

Coach of the Year

Who Will Be this Year's?

In The Game | 53

Bartram Trail Bears

REGION 1-7A Coach Ryan Fitzpatrick

2018 RECORD

14-11

The Bears of Bartram Trail High School are looking to improve on last year’s 14-11 record that included a 4-4 mark against their District 4-7A opponents.

Stepping in to lead the diamond Bears this year will be first year head coach Ryan Fitzpatrick, who comes to Bartram Trail from Creekside High School, where he spent the last two years as a coach.

He will take over a team that lost some good players, but also has some solid talent coming back in 2019.

Dante Visconti is back and will lead on the mound. As a right-handed pitcher, he has already committed to Florida Atlantic University. Visconti is listed as “one to watch” by many Florida and national baseball publications. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he is an intimidating presence on the mound. He finished with a 6-2 record last season with a 1.42 ERA and 70 strikeouts in just over 54 innings pitched.

Also returning is outfielder Bryan Scribner. He, Visconti, has already committed to play collegiately. Scribner will take his talents to Pensacola State College.

Blake DeLamielleure is returning to play at shortstop, and he’ll be used as a right-handed pitcher. Jake Bennett will return behind the plate at catcher this season as he readies for his next stop at Eastern Florida State University.

Clayton Ledford will return, also.

The team will look to these players and others to fill the shoes of Ryan Emmett and J.T. Larson who have graduated.

Despite these two absent players, Fitzpatrick likes his team's athleticism and speed. He expects the team’s speed on the bases to wreak havoc on opposing teams' defenses. He also feels like the speed mixed in with some power in the middle of the lineup will give the Bears a unique advantage.

As far as pitching, expect Visconti to get the ball as much as he wants it, especially in the big games this year. Because after him, the pitching depth becomes just a little thin.

“I think we will be very good,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our outfield can cover some ground, our infield will be solid, and we have two proven catchers. I really like our chances.”

Bartram Trail opens the upcoming season against Ponte Vedra.

Players To Watch

0.406 On Base % 0.296 Batting Avg.

P

Visconti

SS

DeLamielleure

OF Scribner

In The Game | 55

Creekside Knights

REGION 1-7A Coach Kristopher King

Players To Watch

P

Whalen

SS/2B 2B/3B Frisbee

Topping

The Creekside Knights baseball program strives for excellence year after year, and last season was no exception. The team finished with a 22-7 record overall with a 6-2 mark in District 4-7A. In the playoffs, Creekside saw the great season come to an end with a 3-2 loss to Pace in the regional finals.

Now, the challenge for head coach Kristopher King will be to take advantage of what will be a great deal of experience returning and compete once again in what is considered one of the toughest districts in Class 7A. District 4 has been represented by one of its teams in the state semifinals, and King and the Knights are hoping to get back there again this season.

Creekside returns seven starters, including Josh Frisbee and Daniel Cantu, two players who were big in the clutch. Others returning include Jacob Topping, Vincent Carguillo, J.J. Stanton, Michael Whalen, and Mitchell Fairgrieve.

King and the Knights will lose three big-time players to graduation: Ty Angevine, Nick Tripp, and their “go-to� guy, Hunter Bratek.

Despite the losses, King feels like the starters coming back will give his Creekside team the core it needs to return to the finals once again.

The Knights kick things off in 2019 with a solid road contest against Fellowship Christian in Roswell, Georgia.

Returning Starters

Jason Wells

Brightway, The Jason Wells Agency P: 904-260-6811 | F: 866-765-1032 Jason.Wells@Brightway.com www.BrightwayJasonWells.com

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2018 RECORD

22-7

Middleburg Broncos

After a first season at Middleburg High School that saw Daniel Pearce and his Broncos win just eight games against 18 losses, including a first-round playoff lost against Columbia in the district tournament, the new coach was determined to keep his team improving.

The baseball Broncos responded with a 10-13 overall record with four district wins. Despite a second straight season-ending loss to the Columbia High Tigers in the district tournament, Pearce sees a program on the way up heading into his third year as head coach.

He pointed to the return of six starters and contributors from last year’s team as a big reason to feel optimistic about the Broncos.

That includes center fielder Collin Henderson, who batted .329 last year with 15 RBIs and two home runs. The speedy outfielder also had six doubles, one triple, and an outstanding 13 stolen bases.

Also returning from last year’s squad is fellow outfielder Cameron Faucett. The left fielder hit .318 with five doubles and 10 stolen bases. The two speedy outfielders will certainly give Pearce and the Broncos a big advantage defensively.

Speaking of defense, catcher Christian Powell returns behind the plate for Middleburg. He hit .278 last year with one home run, four doubles, and 11 RBIs. Lost to graduation are shortstop Scott Kneer and key pitchers Corey Strange (Northwest Florida State College), Zach Kelley (Jamestown Community College), and Seth Lloyd.

“With a core group of experienced players with great team chemistry, I expect to see continued improvement that we’ve started over the first two years here,” he said. “I also continue to challenge our players to get better so we can compete for the top spot in a very competitive district and finally make that jump to the state playoffs.”

Middleburg will open the season at Bradford.

REGION 1-7A Coach Daniel Pearce

Players To Watch

C

Powell

OF

Henderson

OF Faucett

2018 RECORD

10-13

Returning Starters

8 home runs .398 On Base % .286 Batting Avg.

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In The Game | 57

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Nease Panthers

Photography courtesy of Nease High School

Head coach Jeremiah Klosterman begins his third year as head coach at Nease High School, and fans of the Panthers are hoping for another season like the coach’s first, when Klosterman led Nease to a district and state title.

Last season, the Panthers finished 13-11 overall and 7-1 in district play. Any hopes of a return to the title game were dashed with a loss in the first round of the state playoffs.

This season, Klosterman will have four key members returning to lead Nease through what looks to be a daunting schedule.

Shortstop and second baseman Cody Hargus is back. He hit .309 with 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored last year. Hargus was the team’s starting second baseman during their state championship season, and this season will mark his third straight year as a starter for the Panthers and Klosterman.

Jared Whittle returns and will man any one of the outfield positions. He hit a solid .333 last year with 11 runs scored, and his speed gave opponents fits last year as he stole 10 bases. Klosterman expects to bat Jared at the leadoff spot, setting the table for the Nease offense. Whittle is a Coker College commit.

Pitcher Jack Carver returns to lead the pitching staff this year. He was 3-3 last year with a 4.20 ERA. According to his head coach, the University of North Florida is very interested in Carver, and the senior hopes to receive an offer from them before the season is finished.

Joining his teammates back at Nease this year will be third baseman Nick Godzich.

Nease and Klosterman are hoping that one of their big contributors from two years ago will be back healthy this year. Catcher Jacob Allsup hit .345 in 2017, but was hurt all of last season. His hopeful return will help add depth to a team that needs it.

Klosterman and his Nease Panthers lost 11 players from last year's team, including their top two pitchers. Klosterman said some younger players will have to step up.

“This is one of the youngest, most unproven groups I’ve had,” he said. “We play an extremely tough schedule this year. We have talent, but we’re young.

I’m excited to see how the players step up and respond to these challenges this year.”

Nease will open their season at home versus Englewood High.

2018 RECORD

13-11

REGION 1-7A Coach Jeremiah Klosterman

Players To Watch

P

Carver

SS/2B OF Hargus

Whittle

Returning Starters

In The Game | 59

2018 Northeast Florida High School Athletic Awards Fall Banquet 1.19.19 6 p.m.

Orange Park Raiders

At Orange Park High School, the past few baseball seasons have simply not been any fun. The team has endured a revolving door of head coaches who have come through the program only to leave after a season or two.

From 2015 through 2017, the team had won exactly seven games and lost 72. The last time the Raiders had a season of double-digit wins was 2014, when they finished 14-15.

Enter Steve Adams. When he took over before the start of last season as the program's newest head coach, he knew something had to change.

Actually, a lot had to change. He decided to start over, and that meant starting from scratch — even the very ground that the team called home had to change.

With the help of the school’s administration, Adams had the old field bulldozed, literally burying the ghosts of seasons past. A new baseball field was built, and that meant never returning to the old habits that brought the once-proud baseball program down.

With the new stadium came new goals. It had been 13 years since the school had won a playoff game. Adams set the goal of playing in a postseason game, which they did and won.

Now, the goals will grow, as will expectations. And they should; in 2019, Adams will have everyone back except for three seniors. Two of them, Hunter Hackney and Christian Inyang, signed with Florida State College at Jacksonville.

With some basic goals reached by the team and its fans seeing the light, Adams will try to capitalize on the experience this season and hopes that the team can once again get back to double-digit wins and go even further in the playoffs.

Coming back to lead the team this season will be second baseman Devon Pounds, who started as a freshman last season. His middle infield partner will be junior Alex Oakes at shortstop. He will also be used at pitcher.

The team will lean heavily on junior Stucci Regal, a 6’4” pitcher whose fastball has been measured at 86-88 mph. Regal will get the ball in practically every district contest this season.

Adams said pitching will be the key to his team's growing confidence.

Orange Park opens the season at Ponte Vedra High School.

2018 RECORD

4-18

REGION 1-6A Coach Steve Adams

Players To Watch

2B Pounds

P

Regal

SS Oakes

Returning Starters 1 home runs .336 On Base % .220 Batting Avg.

Paxon Eagles

Photography courtesy of Paxon High School

REGION 1-6A Coach George Wahl

Players To Watch

C

Dowling

OF/P Turner

2018 RECORD

16-11 62 | itgnext.com

P Blakeslee

After a couple of assistant coaching stints at Orange Park and Terry Parker High School, George Wahl took over at Westside High School last year as the head baseball coach. He led them to a 13-13 record last season. Wahl comes in this season and takes over a Paxon High baseball program that finished 16-11 last season.

Wahl will have a solid core of returners back to work, including a player many feel is the best catcher in the city: senior Ryan Dowling. He batted .323 last season, and not only can he hit for average, but he has some power as well.

Of course, Dowling is also known for his abilities behind the plate. According to his coach, Dowling can block everything and will keep base runners at bay with a strong arm, making him a player that Wahl and the Golden Eagles will rally around. Dowling was voted an All-Gateway Conference team member last season as a junior. He will also contribute as a right-handed pitcher.

Speaking of pitchers, senior Brycen Blakeslee was the ace on the mound last season and won Pitcher of the Year by the Paxon coaching staff. Wahl said Blakeslee is a grinder with multiple pitches and a strong arm. He’ll get the ball in big games this season.

Cole Turner is an outfielder/right-handed pitcher who is a good defensive outfielder with a plus arm and great speed to track down balls hit in the gap. He is tough at the plate and regularly works deep counts and fouls off pitches not necessarily to his liking. Wahl said Turner is the type of hitter who finds a way to get on base, then poses a big issue for opposing pitchers.

Newcomers to the team include junior third baseman Sean Reed. Other than Reed, Paxon will have almost every starter from last year returning this season.

Behind this experienced and talented group, Wahl is expecting big things from his team this year, including what will hopefully be a return to postseason prominence. It’s been 10 years since Paxon won a district championship, and Wahl thinks this year's group has got what it takes to change that.

Paxon will open the season against the Englewood Rams as part of the Preseason Classic tournament at Terry Parker High School.

Ponte Vedra Sharks

Head coach Tom Stanton and his Ponte Vedra Sharks are hoping backto-back solid seasons will produce a winning formula for the upcoming season. After finishing 17-11 and advancing to the regional semifinals in 2017 against Clay, a game that they won 3-2, the Sharks once again made the playoffs behind a 15-13 record and earned a rematch against Clay.

However, it was Clay’s turn for a win in the regional semifinal.

Stanton will have six seniors returning to the team this year. Leading the group will be left-handed pitcher Tony Rosa, who Stanton said will be the ace of the pitching staff this year. Rosa is committed to the University of North Florida and will also play first base this season.

Another lefty that Ponte Vedra will count on this season is senior Brady Maynard, who will alternate with Rosa at first base when not on the mound. Stanton said Maynard may be counted on to pinch-hit late in games.

At the plate this year, look for returning senior Sebastian Rothman to provide a lot of offense. A right-handed batter, Rothman hit .380 last year with three home runs and 20 RBIs. He will play the corners of the infield at third base and first base.

Also returning to provide pop at the plate is left fielder Carter Paige.

The right-handed batter hit .292 last season with one home run and 16 RBIs. These two seniors will be the heartbeat of the Ponte Vedra lineup offensively and will be counted on to pick up the void left with the graduation of Jacob Young, a top 300 Max Prep choice. Young is now playing with the University of Florida. He will no doubt be missed; however, Stanton said he will be counting on a handful of underclassmen “to do a lot” this season.

The Sharks open the season against Colquitt County as part of the annual Georgia/Florida Challenge in Moultrie, Georgia.

REGION 1-6A Coach Tom Stanton

Players To Watch

1B LHP/1B 1B/3B

Maynard

Rosa

Rothman

2018 RECORD

15-13

Returning Starters

6 home runs 0.394 On Base % .266 Batting Avg.

Craig Dewhurst

315 W Town Place Suite 4 World Golf Village St Augustine, FL 32092-3105

Phone: 904-940-9740 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm Evenings & Weekend by Appt.

Ridgeview Panthers

Photography courtesy of Ridgeview High School

REGION 1-6A Coach John Sgromolo

2018 RECORD

19-7

The Ridgeview Panthers keep knocking on the door of the regional finals, having advanced to either the district championship or the regional playoffs over the past five seasons. With an always tough schedule looming again and being part of a tough district (including traditional baseball powerhouses Ponte Vedra and Clay), Ridgeview have their work cut out for them if they are to take that next step forward in the postseason.

Ridgeview is coming off consecutive 18-win seasons that saw the Panthers lose to Ponte Vedra each year in the district semifinals. But, head coach John Sgromolo is counting on several key returners and a couple of newcomer transfers this year to lead Ridgeview.

Coming back this year are seniors Evan Wickeri and Anthony Roman.

Wickeri batted .342 last year with 27 hits at the plate while being one of the Panthers top pitchers, compiling a 1.54 ERA in 36 innings pitched.

Roman is the team's starting catcher from a year ago, throwing out 22 of 31 stolen base attempts from behind the plate. Meanwhile at the plate as a hitter, the senior catcher hit .268 with 11 RBIs and a .500 on-base percentage.

Richard Long is a returning sophomore, who as a freshman right-handed pitcher last season posted a 2.43 ERA. Sgromolo likes that Long is a strike thrower and challenges opposing hitters.

Sgromolo and the Panthers welcome newcomers Ryan Dickey and Max Williams to the team this season. Dickey is a sophomore outfielder and right-handed pitcher, while Williams is a freshman outfielder and left-handed pitcher.

Sgromolo said this may be the best defensive team he has fielded in his five years as head coach at Ridgeview. He thinks that this also may be the deepest pitching staff he has had at Ridgeview with a lot of strike throwers in the rotation and bullpen. If there is a concern, it’s that Ridgeview will have only five seniors on the roster heading into the season, making them one of the younger teams in the area.

Ridgeview will open the season in Lake City against the Columbia Tigers.

Players To Watch

4 home runs .443 On Base % .313 Batting Avg.

WATCH 64 | itgnext.com

OF/P P Dickey

Wickeri

OF/LHP Williams

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P Long

C

Roman

Terry Parker Braves

The Terry Parker High School Braves baseball program is one that many Jacksonville and Northeast Florida programs seek to emulate. After all, they have 20-plus wins in each season over the past decade, and they consistently send players on to college to continue their baseball careers with many winding up in professional camps.

Head coach Dennis Robinson is a former high school and college All-American and MLB player. He has been named coach of the year in three of the past four seasons. He has been the head coach at Parker since 2010.

Last year the Braves finished 22-8 and finished as the district runner-up, losing to Stanton in the district championship contest. The Braves are hoping to repeat two years ago, when they last won the district.

Returning to help the team get back to that point are starters sophomore Blake Jones, junior Andrew Diaz, and senior Seth Carroll.

Jones will pitch this season and will also play center fielder and first base.

He is 6'0", 185 pounds, and can throw it in the mid-80s. Robinson said Jones is being recruited as a Division I pitcher.

Diaz is a big-bodied junior catcher and first baseman who batted .472 last year. He will be counted on for power in the middle of the lineup. Robinson considers Diaz one of the strongest players he’s ever coached.

Seth Carroll is a four-year starter and is the team captain. His coach calls him a hard-nosed player who will play second base and third base this year.

The Braves will have two freshmen in the starting lineup: shortstop Charlie Mims and center fielder Alex Collins.

The Braves will open their 2019 season at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville against Paxon.

REGION 1-6A Coach Dennis Robinson

2018 RECORD

22-8

Players To Watch

SS P Mims

Jones

C/1B 2B/3B CF Diaz

Carroll

Collins

140 Runs 0.491 On Base % .406 Batting Avg.

In The Game | 65

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Bishop Kenny Crusaders

For most teams, a 19-win season would be considered a success by any standard. Last season saw the Crusaders on their way to another successful season of 20-plus wins and a run in the state playoffs.

Bishop Kenny entered the first round of the state 5A playoffs in Live Oak as a big favorite against the Suwannee Bulldogs, who had not won a state playoff game since 2011. After all, Bishop Kenny was one year removed from a 25-4 season and a nice run in the state playoffs, so things were looking promising for coach Tommy Edwards and his Crusaders.

The 15-11 Bulldogs defeated Bishop Kenny by a 4-0 score, bringing an end to the season for Edwards and his team. It marked the first time in the last three seasons that the Crusaders didn’t win at least 20 or more games.

Putting 2018 in the rearview mirror, Bishop Kenny will look for a return to the playoffs — and hopefully a championship. They’ll have to do it without the services of nine key contributors from a year ago who have graduated. Six players return, including three who started last season: Cade Sams, who hit .368 last year; infielder and pitcher Colby Halter, a University of Florida commit who batted .387 and was the team’s top pitcher; and Nikko Calabro, who hit .405. Also coming back are Parker Kennedy, David Variano, and Malik Young.

Edwards said his team’s strengths will be pitching and infield play, while the weakness will be younger players without much varsity experience and mixing in a few of the new faces that have transferred into the program this year.

The Crusaders will open the 2019 campaign against Columbia High at home.

REGION 1-5A Coach Tommy Edwards

Players To Watch

C

Powell

OF

Henderson

OF Faucett

2018 RECORD

25-4

Returning Starters

In The Game | 67

Bradford Tornadoes

REGION 1-5A Coach Matt Stilley

Players To Watch

P

3B

Martin

Rabb

SS/P Cassels

The Bradford High School baseball program is hoping that new head coach Matt Stilley will be able to turn around a program that suffered through fewer than 10 wins in each of the last two seasons.

If Bradford needed a guy to come in and instill a winning attitude in Starke, it’s Stilley. He comes from a program in Louisiana, Doyle High School, that made the playoffs every year with Stilley primarily handling the pitching staff.

In his new job at Bradford, Stilley will be in charge of every aspect of the team, but will continue to work closely with the pitchers as he did in his former job.

Whether its pitching or hitting, Bradford will look for talent anywhere they can find it; Stilley inherits a team that graduated seven and lost three to transfers.

Stilley will have a chance to work with senior pitcher Cayden Martin, whom Stilley expects to be the team's No. 1 guy on the mound.

Martin has a good fastball and slider and will also play first base and outfield.

Sterling Rabb is a senior whom Stilley said has a lot of pop with his bat and will hit somewhere in the middle of the batting order.

Rabb is also pretty solid on the mound and will be a utility type player for the Tornadoes, playing any position on the field. Right now, it is looking like Rabb may be the team’s third baseman.

Brayden Cassels is a returning contributor for Bradford and as a sophomore is already a Division I prospect. According to the head coach, Cassels is a great shortstop, has quick hands, and will pitch some this year.

Catcher Hunter Thomas will return behind the plate to handle the pitchers.

Stilley said the strength of the team will be pitching, catcher, and the middle infield. As far as areas to work on, the first-year head coach said his team is young and the key to this year will be if they can survive the start of the schedule. Stilley said it’s a tough one, though. His goal is to grow the confidence of the players and to shoot for a playoff berth.

1 home runs .341 On Base % .224 Batting Avg.

2018 RECORD

8-15 68 | itgnext.com

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Fernandina Beach Pirates

Photography courtesy of Fernandina Beach

The Fernandina Beach Pirates are looking to rebound from a tough-luck season in 2018. They finished with an impressive 20-6 record, but in the always tough District 4-5A, 20 wins isn’t always good enough to finish ahead of everyone else.

That was the case with the Pirates last year, as they finished in a three-way tie with Bishop Kenney and Yulee. It took a coin flip to determine the seeding for the district tournament, and Fernandina Beach got the No. 3 seed. Unfortunately, their season ended with a loss to Yulee in the district tournament.

Head coach John Shave and his longtime assistant Mitch Purvis are looking to get their alma mater Pirates back to a 20-win season (both coaches played at Fernandina Beach), and they’ll have some good, young talent to rally around.

Returning this year is junior three-year starter Aiden Sweatt. He will continue to man the middle infield positions. According to Purvis, Sweatt is “a real pleasure to coach.”

Another junior, Caleb Goltz, will be back for the Pirates in 2019. He stepped up last season to lead the Pirates on the pitching mound, and Purvis said that he will be counted on once again to take the reigns as one of their top pitchers. Goltz will also play first base. Purvis said Goltz has “a lot of pop” in his bat at the plate.

Sophomore Hunter Ramsey will be looked upon to take the ball as the No. 1 pitcher in their rotation this season. Ramsey began to make strides as a freshman pitcher in 2018.

Junior Bryant Cullen will most likely share the No. 1 pitcher slot with Goltz.

According to the Pirates coaches, Cullen has a good fastball, has become a good sinker baller pitcher, and has an intimidating mound presence.

The Pirates' strength might just also be their weakness this season: youth.

While their top players will be sophomores and juniors this year, the team lost 12 seniors from a year ago. Gone are Kyle Richardson (to Jacksonville University) and Trip Vonnoh, their top pitcher from a year ago.

Despite those players and 10 others having graduated, Purvis and Shave are expecting another big year from the Pirates in 2019. Purvis and Shave said they will challenge their kids to step up with a blue collar mentality this year to get the Pirates back to another 20-plus win season.

The Pirates open the year with the Tornadoes of Bradford High.

REGION 1-5A Coach John Shave

2018 RECORD

20-6

Players To Watch

P/1B SS/2B Goltz

WATCH

Sweatt

P

P

Ramsey

Cullen

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West Nassau Warriors

REGION 1-5A Coach Richard Pearce

Players To Watch

P

Bass

C

Barnes

OF/P Peterson

West Nassau will have four returning starters this year from last year’s 13-14 season. While having almost half of your starting eight position players back, that of course means you must replace the other half who are gone due to graduation or transfers. And while that may indicate to some that West Nassau has their work cut out for them, head coach Richard Pearce actually said his team will have a ton of depth to replace those key players.

Of the returning starters from last season, Clay Bass has developed into one of West Nassau’s top pitchers, according to Pearce, and will slide into either the No. 1 or No. 2 pitcher this season. Bass maintained a 1.64 ERA last season in 211/3 innings pitched at the plate this year.

Also back is senior Dalton Taylor, who has good power at the plate. Pearce said Taylor can play any number of positions and has great baseball knowledge, so expect him to be used all over the field.

The Warriors and Pearce will have their starting catcher back. Senior Hunter Barnes is a third-year starter and has a strong arm behind the plate, limiting opposing base runners’ steal attempts over the last two seasons.

Senior Cameron Peterson returns and will be used as one of the starting or relief pitchers this season as well as an outfield position. Peterson hit just a few points shy of .400 last year, finishing the year with a .395 batting average.

Players who didn’t start last year will return to the team seeking a starting spot. Sophomore Jordan Rosepiler plays both catcher and middle infielder and knows how to hit. He will certainly compete for a starting position. Other players vying for a starting position under Pearce this season, or who at least will be looking for increased playing time, are Austin James, Bobby Jacobs, Dawon Larsen, and Malachi Moore.

The Warriors will get help from a new face this year as Callahan resident Christian Nobles has transferred in to play his senior season at West Nassau.

He will play second baseman and some third base. Along with the afore mentioned returners from last season, he will look for one of the available starting positions.

The bottom line for West Nassau in 2019 is that there will be a lot of competition for playing time among returners from last season along with the new faces. And good competition figures to only make West Nassau a better team this year.

Returning Starters 4 home runs .437 On Base % .304 Batting Avg.

2018 RECORD

13-14

Yulee Hornets

Photography courtesy of Yulee High School

The Yulee High School Hornets baseball team is riding a wave of momentum heading into the upcoming season after last year’s successful run. With Fred Matricardi taking over as head coach last year, Yulee won 21 games against only 10 losses overall, including an impressive 8-3 district record. Matricardi’s Hornets won the district championship, advancing to the quarterfinals, where they lost to Bolles in an 8-inning, 6-4 classic matchup.

Now, with Matricardi set to begin his second year at Yulee, he will have a solid core of players to build around, starting with Tyler Green.

He hit .378 last season, was a Second Team All-City selection, and committed to Daytona State University. Also returning this season is Avery Love, who led the Hornets in home runs and RBIs and was second in stolen bases. He was an honorable mention in the All-City selection last year. As good a hitter as he was, Love has committed to Jacksonville University as a pitcher to continue his baseball career.

Yulee will welcome Dylan Rader to their team this year. Rader is a transfer from Paxon, where he was one of the Golden Eagles' leading hitters. He hit over .500 at Paxon, where he was a Third Team All-City selection. His teammate at Paxon, Mickey Crider, comes with him to Yulee.

Yulee lost a big arm in Nick Love. He was one of the best pitchers in Jacksonville high school baseball last year and will continue to pitch in the city, as he accepted a full baseball scholarship at Jacksonville University.

Matricardi said he expects his Hornets to return to compete for a district championship this season.

Yulee opens the season against Cook High School in Adel, Georgia.

REGION 1-5A Coach Fred Matricardi

2018 RECORD

21-10

Players To Watch

P

Love

OF Green

3 home runs .407 On Base % .277 Batting Avg.

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Bolles Bulldogs

Photography courtesy of Duval Sports LLC

REGION 1-4A Coach Mike Boswell

Players To Watch

P

Barco

C

Hendrikson

OF Kirksey

As one of Florida’s top baseball programs, the Bolles School is always facing tough opposition from all sides, even from within. The expectations at Bolles are always sky high, and the upcoming season will be no different.

After finishing 24-6 and advancing to the class 5A state championship game a year ago and winning it all the two seasons prior to that, Bolles will certainly be looked at as one of the teams to beat this year. Head coach Mike Boswell did lose a couple of players who graduated, and they will be missed this season. They are Austin Knight and Max Ferguson, both of whom signed to play college baseball with the University of Tennessee.

However, with five Division I pitchers returning, including senior Hunter Barco who is considered by many to be the top player in the state, the Bulldogs should be just fine. Barco finished last year with an 8-1 record with 84 strikeouts in just over 63 innings pitched and a 1.98 ERA. Barco will also be counted on to deliver from the plate as he did last season. His .342 batting average along with 28 RBIs was tops on his team a year ago. He also hit four home runs. Barco is a University of Florida commit, but many expect the standout senior to be a first round pick in next season’s MLB draft.

Barco won’t be the only weapon Boswell has at his disposal in 2019. Senior outfielder Bryson Kirksey, who is a three-sport star and a state champion in track, will be back. He will be the starting center fielder.

Behind the plate for the Bulldogs will be returning senior Cal Hendrikson. Boswell will need an experienced receiver to handle those top line pitchers, and Hendrickson is just the guy for the job.

Another one of those pitchers leading the group is senior right-handed pitcher Patrick Libby, a Furman University commit.

Expect Bolles to be right in the thick of things this season. According to Boswell, he has perhaps one of the strongest pitching staffs around, and the Bulldogs will go as far as his pitchers take the team. On the other hand, Boswell admitted that there could be a drop off in offensive production. Look for Bolles to play a lot of “small ball” this season, according to Boswell.

The Bulldogs will open the 2019 season at home versus the Ponte Vedra Sharks.

Returning Starters 21 home runs .4 On Base % .272 Batting Avg.

Jim Register 12058 San Jose Blvd Suite 302 Jacksonville, FL 32223-8669 Phone: 904-268-5522 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 Evenings and weekends by apt

72 | itgnext.com

2018 RECORD

26-4

Episcopal Eagles

The Eagles of Episcopal High School look to rebound in 2019 after finishing a game below .500 at 13-14 last year and, in the process, missing the playoffs. But for head coach Mike Jones’s team, a return to a winning record and the playoffs will depend on the seven returning starters bringing back valuable experience and leadership while overcoming the loss of some key contributors.

Of the five starters from a year ago that are gone due to graduation, three were the team’s top pitchers: Pete Komaroski, Jack Fant, and Mike Barber. Together they accounted for 80-plus innings on the mound for Episcopal.

It’s always tough to lose that much pitching, but with seven of the eight position starters returning, that much experience could offset Episcopal's pitching woes.

Rounding ou this year's team are shortstop Matthew Cooper, return catcher Cayden McGarity, Cab McIvor, Kolby Mullaney, Matt Komaroski, Connor McGarity, and Clayton Hodges.

Cooper will primarily play shortstop, but will also be one of the top pitchers. He can hit the radar gun in the high 80s and sometimes reach 90 mph.

At the plate, Cooper can hit for average, has decent power, and has great speed, having been clocked at 6.7 seconds in the 60-yard dash. He can also play third base.

Cayden McGarity will return behind the plate, and that’ll be huge with so many young pitchers expected to step up.

Newcomer Hunter Russell is a welcomed transfer from St. Johns Country Day, where he has played in 23 games over the last two seasons. He batted .356 in 70 plate appearances with 11 stolen bases. Russell will compliment Cooper near the top of the batting order this season.

Jones said that his team will be young, athletic, and sound defensively. His pitchers throw a lot of strikes, which is a key to not giving opponents easy opportunities this year.

The Eagles will open the season on the road at Interlachen High School.

2018 RECORD

13-14

REGION 1-4A Coach Mike Jones

Players To Watch

SS

Cooper

C

McGarity

1B Russell

Returning Starters

In The Game | 73

Providence Stallions

There aren’t many programs with the history of the Providence Stallions, and there aren’t many coaches like Mac Mackiewitz, the head man of the Providence diamond Stallions.

Under Mackiewitz, who is now entering his 19th year as head coach, the Stallions have 46 playoff wins, good enough for ninth all time in the state of Florida. They have competed for a state title in each season over the last decade. They have won state championships in classes 1A, 2A, and 3A, and with six of their nine top players returning this year, the Stallions will be one of the favorites to win it all in class 4A. If they do, they will become the only team in FHSSA history to have won state titles in four different classifications.

Providence finished 25-5 last season with a 7-1 mark in district play.

Returning this season is right-handed pitcher and infielder Tyler Callihan, a standout player who has signed with South Carolina. Callihan hit .440 last season with six home runs and 34 RBIs. As a pitcher, he finished with a 9-1 record, 1.30 ERA, and 55 strikeouts in just 38 innings.

Joining him will be teammate Mason Hickey, a catcher and right-handed pitcher. He can also play shortstop. Hickey, like Callihan, hit over .400 last year with a .419 clip. He added seven home runs and 26 RBIs at the plate. Hickey will also play in the SEC at the University of Florida.

Josh Gray, an outfielder and first baseman, is back to add more offense for the Stallions. Gray hit .333 with one home run and 18 RBIs. Providence and Mackiewitz welcome transfer Tucker Talbott to the Stallions this season. He is a right-handed pitcher and plays center field. Like Hickey, Talbott has signed with the University of Florida.

Led by a solid group this season, the Stallions will begin by playing at home against Interlachen.

REGION 1-4A Coach Mac Mackiewitz

Players To Watch

P

Callihan

OF/1B C/P Gray

Hickey

2018 RECORD Returning Starters

Michael Tauzel 13170 Atlantic Boulevard Suite 58 Jacksonville, FL 32225 Phone: 904-425-4100 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm After Hours by Appointment

25-5

In The Game | 75

St. Johns Country Day Spartans

Photography courtesy of St. John's Country Day

REGION 1-3A Coach Tom Lucas

Players To Watch

C

Kuramoto

P/SS Hodges

LF Tolbert

After two straight seasons as the runner-up in district play and advancing to the regional semifinals last season, head coach Tom Lucas and his St. Johns baseball team are hoping this season will finally be their year.

Entering his seventh year at St. Johns, with the last five as the head man, Lucas is hopeful that with several key starters back, along with a few transfers coming in, the Spartans can finally break through to a district title and perhaps even further. Last year, St. Johns finished 14-13 overall, but with an outstanding 7-1 in district play.

Lucas will welcome back five starters. Returning is senior catcher Tyler Kuramoto, who batted .364 last year with 11 extra base hits.

Joining him is teammate Jack Hodges, who played shortstop and pitched last year, compiling a 3-3 record on the mound. Hodges has committed to Flagler College.

The other three starters are left fielder Jack Tolbert, second baseman Finn Howell, and center fielder Jordan Taylor. Other returning contributors include two left-handed pitchers, sophomore Jace Thomas and freshman Brad Hodges, who Lucas expects to be a No. 1 starter in the rotation.

St. Johns will have four transfers: Conner Moore, who Lucas expects to hit at or near the top of the lineup; Mason Davis, a sophomore pitcher; Jack Gidcumb, a 6’4� catcher who will be a backup starter to Kuramoto; and freshman Tyce Moore, an infielder and pitcher.

Lucas points to wins over larger county schools such as Fleming Island, Ridgeview, and Oakleaf over the past two seasons as proof that St. Johns is on the right track. He feels that the Spartans have a legitimate shot at a district title and the Final Four.

St. Johns will open the season against St. Francis Catholic at home.

Returning Starters 4 home runs .397 On Base % .255 Batting Avg.

76 | itgnext.com

2018 RECORD

14-13

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In The Game | 77

University Christian Christians

Photography courtesy of Suncoast News

The Christians finished with another great season on the baseball diamond last year with a 19-10 overall record and a 7-1 district record, good enough for the No. 1 spot in District 2-3A. University Christian advanced to the regional championship game, but came up just a little bit short, losing 11-3 to rival North Florida Christian out of Tallahassee.

After spending the last five years as head coach at the Jacksonville-area private school, Daryl Bizier has left to take the head coaching position at Eagles View Academy. Taking his place this year will be new head coach John Sirmon. According to the first-year Christians coach, with the change in the coaching staff will come wholesale changes on the roster.

That means new looks being given at every position.

“We will have no starters returning this year, as far as I am concerned,” Sirmon said. “We will basically have a brand new roster. I will say that the strength of our team this year will be in our chemistry. We are going to have to rely on each individual member of the team as we will not have any standouts. But, we are going to be a hard-working, grinding baseball team.”

Sirmon will surely miss pitcher Darien Smith, who was a go-to guy last season for University Christian. Smith committed to and will attend Jacksonville University. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-hander also played shortstop and third base at University Christian, and his talent will be missed.

While Sirmon plans to open up all positions, two returners that may deserve a look at remaining at their old positions are infielder Luke Dexterhouse and catcher Gage Dixon. In 55 games with the Christians, Dixon has batted .298 with an on base percentage of .412 and had a 2.10 ERA in 11 games that he appeared in as a pitcher. Dexterhouse appeared in 31 games as an infielder and pitcher for University Christian over the past three seasons. He batted .361 with 22 hits and 12 RBIs. Sirmon and his University Christian Christians will open the 2019 season against Bolles at home.

REGION 1-3A Coach John Sirmon

Players To Watch

C

Dixon

INF Dexterhouse

Returning Starters 10 home runs .428 On Base % .319 Batting Avg.

Margie Harner 4540 Southside Blvd Suite 1102 Jacksonville, FL 32216 Phone: 904-296-2500 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm Saturdays by Appointment

78 | itgnext.com

2018 RECORD

13-14

Eagle's View Warriors

Photography courtesy of Eagles View

The Eagle's View Warriors are hoping a new head coach with a winning history at another area school will equate to more wins.

Daryl Bizier comes to Eagle's View from University Christian School, where he led the Christians to a state championship game appearance just two seasons ago and several winning seasons. Now, Bizier and key assistant coach Don Pressley will try to bring that same winning attitude back to the Warriors.

According to the new head coach, a championship may not necessarily come overnight. “(The team) will be very young, but we’re going to plug these guys in right away as starters and see what they’ve got,” Bizier said.

When Bizier said his team is young, he wasn't kidding. Only one senior graduated, a part-time player with just 13 at bats, and the remainder of the squad is made up of mainly freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with only three seniors this year.

One of those seniors will be Robert Williams, who was one of the top pitchers for Eagle's View last year. He also hit .370 on the year with an on base percentage of .470.

Brady Perry is one of several true freshmen who played last year. The sophomore will play middle infield and will hit leadoff in 2019.

It’s not as if Eagle's View is approaching this season from the bottom looking up. They won more games in District 2-2A last year than their league opponents with a 5-1 record and finished 10-16 overall. Still, it’s not where Eagle's View wants to be, and the new coach knows and understands that.

“I’m excited to get this program back to where it was,” Bizier said.

With the young lineup, Bizier said the roster will get valuable experience and will be prepared for the next couple of seasons.

The Eagle's View schedule and opening opponent was not ready at the time of this preview's writing.

REGION 1-2A Coach Daryl Bizier

2018 RECORD

10-16

Players To Watch

P

Williams

SS/2B Perry

4 home runs .463 On Base % .274 Batting Avg.

www.faithfield.org

“For the love of Jesus, it isn’t only about the game.”

* Using baseball as a ministry * Building leaders and reaching youth through America’s pastime * Giving back to the game for others

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Contact us: 904-908-5544 In The Game | 79

Christ's Church Academy Eagles

Photography courtesy of Christ Church Academy

REGION 1-2A Coach Kurt Dugan

Players To Watch

P/SS P/CF Anderson

Hollis

1B Shaffer

Head coach Kurt Dugan has the Christ Church Academy Eagles on a roll right now, and one look at the returning talent may indicate that it's not going to end any time soon.

The Eagles are coming off another stellar season, finishing 17-8 last year overall with a perfect 5-0 district record in District 2-2A. This is after the Eagles finished with 20 wins two years ago and an astounding 26-4 record in 2016.

Looking ahead, Dugan will have about half of his starters returning. They are pitcher and shortstop Ben Anderson, first basman Ben Shaffer, pitcher and center fielder Ander Hollis, pitcher Carson Brown, and outfielder Jack Rhodes.

They did lose a few contributors from last year, including pitcher Andrew Williamson, third basman Tyler Fleming, and second basman Jeffrey Feltman.

Dugan thinks his squad will be poised to make another run at a district title, with his team’s strength being experience, especially with his pitchers. The head coach did acknowledge that there will be a few positions to work out exactly who will start. But, the team has good defensive players, and he thinks that, along with the solid pitching, will be the keys to another successful season.

Returning Starters 3 home runs .471 On Base % .344 Batting Avg.

WATCH 80 | itgnext.com

SATURDAY | 3:00 P.M. | WJXT BROUGHT TO YOU BY

2018 RECORD

17-8

Marathon High Training the Next Generation Written by: An Tran

Marathon High is a nonprofit, afterschool running program that operates October-February and is geared toward training high school students of any background or fitness level to run a half marathon (13.1 miles).

Founded in 2011 by Deborah Dunham, an avid runner and also the founder of Girls on the Run, Marathon High’s goal is to “develop positive futures, athletic skills, social skills, self-respect, self-esteem, strength, courage, confidence, healthy lifestyles, and a positive direction.”

Marathon High has impacted over 1,500 Northeast Florida high school students and will challenge many more. Twenty-one high schools have registered this season, spanning from highly rigorous academic schools such as Stanton to art schools such as Douglas Anderson. It is a noncompetitive program and employs the Jeff Galloway method (interchanging intervals of running and walking), allowing for students who may not think of themselves as athletes or runners to do the “impossible": complete a half marathon.

Last season, Marathon High’s achievements were acknowledged by Lenny Curry, mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, who authorized Feb. 15 as the official “Marathon High Day.” This year Marathon High will challenge its students to complete the Donna.

Records Set for Paxon Swimmers Written by: Ashley Ricketts

Paxon swimmers competed in the Daytona Record Breaker Invitational on Sept. 22, the first meet that Paxon School for Advanced Studies did off of starting blocks. Nervous but excited for the competition, the Paxon swimmers did their usual 30-minute warmup and prepared for the upcoming races. After 24 events and with several worn out swimmers, Paxon had an great meet overall.

Many of the students set personal records for themselves, and it was a great way to prepare for upcoming conference and district meets. Many students came not only in first for their heat, but in first overall. Head coach Erin Crabtree was happy with everyone's performance and felt even more ready for the remaining season.

Matching Kidneys George Labecki has had problems with his kidneys since he was a teen, but in January of 2017, his kidneys started to fail. Labecki was placed on a transplant list, but his wife also insisted he take his search for a donor to social media. They posted his story on Facebook and watched as people began to share it.

Labecki taught English at Cedar Cliff High School in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, for about 35 years. Lindsay Wenrich attended Cedar Cliff High School, but never had Labecki as a teacher, so you can imagine his surprise when Wenrich agreed to donate her kidney. She noticed the Facebook post about Labecki’s search for a donor and felt compelled to help.

“It’s not super often that I see someone I know who needs an organ donor, and even though I never had him, Cedar Cliff is a close-knit community,” Wenrich said.

Wenrich was tested and was a match to give Labecki her kidney. The surgery was scheduled for Oct. 26. Wenrich’s compassion, sympathy, and altruistic attitude show how she is #LivingInTheGame.

In The Game | 81

Coaches’ Certification Duval County Public Schools Written by: Tammie K. Talley

Back in the early 1980s, there were some significant cutbacks in physical education in Duval County. The “pool” of coaches was limited in physical education, and at that time, our county had to look at other options to fill coaching vacancies in our middle and high schools.

Several teachers were interested in the coaching positions, but had limited knowledge of the Florida High School Athletic Association and the rules of the games. This is how the certification process developed for all individuals who wanted to become a coach in Duval County Public Schools. The process we know today consists of a rules examination for the specific sport and a knowledge test of the FHSAA bylaws and policies.

The applicant must make 70 percent or better on the exams to pass. The rules portion of the exam for each sport consists of 100 questions (true/false and multiple choice). The FHSAA portion of the exam is a “fill in the blank” style that includes by-laws, policies, and procedures that we want to highlight. The test questions change from year to year, based on what is new or a hot topic, but usually include the following: • Season limitations • Girls playing on boys teams • Length of eligibility • Grading period • Proof of age • Academic requirements • Attendance • Physical examination • Offseason guidelines • Unsportsmanlike conduct • List sanction sports • Open facilities • Policy 36

The process for testing has been modified and improved over the years to fit the needs of our district and ensure that our coaches are knowledgeable of the rules and regulations of the sport. All coaches must maintain a current first aid and CPR certification with AED training. We also educate the coaches on sportsmanship, and they have to complete an ethics training with our human resources department.

Once a coach completes the requirements in our office, they are clear to coach any sport at any school in our district, provided they maintain current first aid and CPR certifications.

Prior to the testing portion in our office, which is the last step of the process, applicants must be interviewed by the athletic director and the principal of a school, complete the application with the Department of Education for a coaching certificate, submit letters of recommendation, provide a health certificate, and be fingerprinted by human resources. Coaches are issued a three-year temporary certificate that allows them the time to take the required nine hours in the following courses: • Care and prevention of sports injuries • Theory and practice in coaching • Coaching a specific sport Each year, our office certifies over 300 new coaches in DCPS. We feel this is a great tool to educate new coaches on the rules of the games and the FHSAA by-laws, policies, and procedures and demonstrate good sportsmanship for being role models to our student-athletes.

10 Interesting Gymnastics Facts 1. Friedrich Ludwig

Jahn is considered the father of modern gymnastics.

2. Gymnastics originated in the late 1700s.

3. The birthplace of

gymnastics is Greece.

4. The first gymnasts practiced nude.

5. Men’s apparatuses

include pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar.

6. Women’s appara-

tuses include vault, uneven bars, and balance beam.

7. Gymnastics was at the first Olympics.

8. Trampolining

bounced into the Olympics in 2000.

9. Women’s gymnastics was introduced at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.

10. Only women prac-

tice rhythmic gymnastics competitively.

Information courtesy of www.facts.net, gymnastics

82 | itgnext.com

Local Gymnasts Seek National Title Written by: Susannah Parmenter Photography courtesy of Jonathan Bailey and Connor Farwell Jonathan Bailey and Connor Farwell are two friends with one common goal: win a Junior Olympics national gymnast title.

Best friends and level 10 gymnasts, both are sophomores but at different schools, Bailey at Atlantic Coast and Farwell at Creekside. They met and became friends while competing for North Florida Gymnastics Orange Park, a competition-level team.

Both boys have been competing for years and have brought numerous state and regional titles to Northeast Florida.

Their mission this year is to break into the national spotlight, which requires not only talent but extreme dedication and just plain old hard work.

Both agree that having a friend to train with helps them remain more focused and motivated.

Bailey said: “You definitely need people to help you go through the mental blocks and help get you skills. Also, having a person that is trying to do the same thing you’re doing helps.”

While going to different schools, they found they have a lot in common: Both started in gymnastics at a young age, both explored other sports but kept coming back to gymnastics, and both decided to focus full-time on the sport.

And in Bailey’s experience, once you decide on gymnastics, it becomes a full-time commitment.

“In the early levels, you're able to do other sports like soccer and football, but once you get to the higher levels, you really have to choose if you want to do gymnastics or if you want to do other sports,” he said. “If you choose gymnastics, that's all you can do.”

Farwell agreed that you have to fully commit to gym-

nastics, even if it means missing out on a social life.

“I only really have time to do schoolwork when I get home, and then I practice,” he said. “I don't have time to go out and be with friends.

So, it's all this schoolwork and gymnastics.”

The boys know they made the right choice, though. Bailey loves the sport for the challenge it provides.

“I love extreme sports, and this is one of the most extreme sports you can do,” he said.

Farwell feels rewarded when he masters a new trick.

“It’s really hard, and when you get a new skill, it feels great,” he said. “It pushes you to get more, and then you just never want to stop.”

Bailey’s mother, Estrella, knows how hard the boys work to be physically prepared for the sport.

“Men's gymnastics is the only sport I know that produces a well-rounded athlete,” she said. “They have the best flexibility, coordination, and strength.”

While the sport provides physical challenges, most gymnasts agree that mental toughness is vital to success.

Bailey and Farwell both said practice, practice, practice helps them beat the nerves.

Farwell’s mom, Deborah, finds that watching her son compete is a nerve-wracking event.

“I'm a wreck,” she said.

“I don't watch when he competes. When he hits an event, I'm in the bathroom, and then I have to watch the video because my stomach hurts watching him. It’s not that I'm scared he's going to get hurt, but it's so much riding on everything he does.”

And while Farwell said he doesn’t really get nervous, he isn’t immune to the pressures of competing.

“It's not like soccer and football, where there's a lot of people and you can rely

on your team,” he said. “It's really all on you, and it’s about how hard you try and how much dedication you have.”

That dedication means that Bailey and Farwell spend most of their time training.

For Bailey, this means that the other athletes at the gym have become like family.

“Some of my other friends understand how hard it is, but most people don't,” he said. “My main friend group is the kids I have in gymnastics.”

Farwell agreed: “The guys who are really my closest friends are the people I've been training with my whole life. If you're not doing it, then it's really hard to understand.”

They both hope that achieving a Junior Olympic national title will help place gymnastics on the map in Jacksonville. Deborah also hopes the boys will get the recognition from the community she feels they deserve.

“They work as hard as some of those other athletes do, and it just would be nice sometimes that they get paid attention to,” she said.

“There's probably other kids doing similar things in non-traditional sports that maybe deserve a page or two or a nod in the right direction for what they do.”

And even if it isn’t seen as “traditional,” Farwell said that if any boy is interested in gymnastics they should just go for it.

“Go with your gut because it really is so much fun,” he said. “It may be scary at first, and you may get really sore, but once you push through all that, you're going to have a great time.”

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