Northeast Florida February 2017 Edition by ITG Next Magazine

Freshman Competitive Cheerleader Shines On and Off the Mat Faith Parliment Bishop Kenny High School

COURT Rennia Davis Ribault High School

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GAME NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Miss A Stroke Taylor Radcliffe Bishop Kenny High School

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Awards Banquet April 2017

You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss the Third Annual Winter Athletic Awards Banquet coming up in April, featuring all of the top talent in Northeast Florida.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Championship Issue June 2017

In this issue, check out a recap of all the state champions in the North Florida region. We highlight the best moments from the 2016-17 season!

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Preseason Issue August 2017

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IN THIS ISSUE

11 13 48 64 68

Staying Longer Providence to Keep the Point Guard to Legacy Alive Bring Passion Coach Shelia Seymore-Pennick and Energy to Ribault High School the University of Alabama Birmingham

Freshman Competitive Cheerleader Shines On and Off the Mat Faith Parliment Bishop Kenny High School

Zackery Bryant Providence School

Female Kicker Proves that Girls Have a Place on the Football Field Too Amber Lagatta First Coast High School

Heading Straight for the Goal: Bolles Senior Prepares for College Soccer Career at Vanderbilt University Leila Azari The Bolles School

Cole Friend Academic Athlete

Didn’t Miss A Stroke

Creekside Shortstop Who Won’t Stop Working Toward the Dream

Queen of the Court

The Road to a Cross Country State Championship

Cole Friend Sandalwood High School

Cade Westbrook Creekside High School

Player Profiles

Super Mom

Inside The Game

Trinity Baptist College Women’s Soccer: Building a Winning Tradition

9 Athletes From the Northeast Florida Area

Nicole Mitchell

Keath Sawdo Clay High School

Trinity Baptist College

Taylor Radcliffe Bishop Kenny High School

Rennia Davis Ribault High School

Cross Country Creekside High School

3 FSCJ Scholarships, 1 FIU for Trinity Christian Softball Trinity Baptist College

16 What I Wish I Had Done Differently on My Signing Day 18 Super Bowl Facts & Trivia 71 Making a Postseason Statement

Fast Breaks In The Game | 7

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Contributors:

It’s February, and love is in the air! Love for sports, love for athletes, love for our families, and love for being #InTheGame. In the words of Game of Thrones, “Winter is Coming.” (Well actually it’s here!) The winter sports are in the peak of their seasons, and spring sports are right around the corner. Regional tournaments are approaching for basketball, and state championships are coming up for soccer. Wrestling regionals take place at the end of the month, and the state championship rolls over to the beginning of March. The torch is about to be passed from winter sports to spring sports, but for now we are here to showcase all the talent in Northeast Florida. These winter-sport athletes are driven, successful, and making history for their schools. On the cover is local basketball talent Rennia Davis of Ribault High School. This young lady excels in the classroom and on the court and is fully committed to the University of Tennessee. She’s on the road to the WNBA someday and is making her presence known. With every top athlete, there is a coach behind the success. Coach Shelia Seymore-Pennick is upholding the standard of winning for the Lady Trojans of Ribault High School, one of the most decorated programs in the state of Florida. Rumors circulated about her retiring after this season. Seymore-Pennick said that initially her choice to retire was impulsive and selfish. She wanted to go out on top – which will be after Rennia Davis graduates and heads to Tennessee to start her collegiate career.

Seymore-Pennick said that after a lot of prayer and talks with her husband and family, she is currently considering staying to develop her younger players. Seymore-Pennick and Davis are the ultimate basketball duo. On the boys’ side of basketball, we had the pleasure of meeting Zackery Bryant of Providence High School. Providence has a great history in basketball, and Zackery is looking to lead his team to a state title. He grew up in the small town of Hastings, Florida, and is the first in his family to go to college. Not only is he going to college, but he is also receiving a scholarship from the University of Alabama Birmingham to keep playing basketball. With football season having concluded, we got in touch with First Coast High School’s kicker who now transitions over to soccer season. Did we mention it’s a talented young lady named Amber Lagatta? Amber is the only girl on an all-boys varsity football team. She goes from kicking field goals in the fall to scoring goals in the winter. Speaking of soccer, there is so much talent in this community. Take it from Leila Azari, senior at The Bolles School, who is committed to play collegiate soccer at Vanderbilt University. She goes into this with two high school state championships already under her belt and is battling for a third right now. With a 4.5 GPA, she exudes the perfect balance of academics and athletics. Creekside High School obtained their second 3A state championship in cross country. With just a mile to go at the state meet, they were losing, but two of their runners really turned the tides. Jackson Storey

finished in nearly under 16 minutes, and then Alex Bolt sealed the deal when he finished 12 places in front of Chile’s No. 5 runner. They became state champions – again. Don’t worry parents – we haven’t forgotten about you! Every athlete we meet raves about how important a role their parents played in their success. Working full-time while raising a family and maintaining a household is by no means easy. Take it from Super-Mom Nicole Mitchell, who has four sons active in sports. These stories and more pack the pages of the February-March edition of our In the Game Northeast Florida Magazine. Our mission is to inform, inspire, and connect you with our content and your community. We relentlessly strive to discover, document, and display captivating, sports-inspired stories in a way that accurately represents and honors those involved while actively engaging those not involved. How do we do that? We at In the Game Sports Network seek to embed ourselves into strong communities that recognize the value of sports tradition by providing extensive coverage and recognition of local student-athletes, coaches, and families. So if you know of a standout player or coach, head to our website to nominate their story! As this February bliss turns into March Madness, may the odds be ever in your favor on your brackets.

In the Game is published bi-monthly (excluding July). 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 2016 M&S. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458

Publisher Mark Dykes Editors Courtney Wagner Cole Parker Graphics Mandy Douthit Cover Photography Aaron Musgrove Feature Photography Aaron Musgrove Marque Milla Resse Milla Creationsz Photography Courtney Wagner Octavious Carr Raymond Bureau Feature Writers SarahTurner Brent Beaird Ryan Hutchins Joey Lopes Courtney Wagner Raymond Bureau Copy Editor Anna Limoges Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes mark@itgsportsnetwork.com

Website Manager Cole Parker

Tell us what you thought about the December issue of In the Game! info@itgsportsnetwork.com

In The Game | 9

At Farah & Farah, the name of the game is never stop fighting for our clients. We are proud to provide you and your family with the expertise and dedication that your case deserves. Based right here in Jacksonville, we are perfectly positioned to faithfully serve Northeast Florida with care and determination.

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Staying Longer to Keep the Legacy Alive Written by: Joey Lopes | Photography by: Aaron Musgrove

Coach Shelia Seymore-Pennick upholds the standard of winning for the Lady Trojans of Ribault High School, one of the most decorated programs in Florida. Some say it's easy to walk into a dynasty and keep the success going because the foundation has been built and the pains outgrown. But according to Seymore-Pennick, there’s even more pressure to win championships when taking over a program that has won eight state titles and two national titles before your arrival. Seymore-Pennick understood what she was getting into, so it wasn't a surprise. The young lady from Moncrief grew up a dual-sport athlete, graduating from then Forest High School (now Westside High School), where she played volleyball and basketball. She went on to play volleyball at Jacksonville University, then transferred to FCCJ to play basketball her final years.

Seymore-Pennick replaced the legendary coach Alfred Austin for the 2005-06 season, during which she went 18-8, losing more games in one year than Ribault had ever lost in 25 years. During the 2006-07 season, she went 17-10, and in the 2007-08 season, she had her first 20-win season and her first year making it to the Final Four. Seymore-Pennick has now won three state titles and one national title. Seymore-Pennick admitted that in order to have this type of success you’ve got to have good athletes followed by solid coaching – in that order. Most of her athletes play basketball year-round through AAU, various skill camps, and extra training outside of the program. Most of her athletes also come to Ribault for the early learning program that allows students to graduate high school with an associate degree. The Lady Trojans suffered their first loss of the season to Miami Country Day in the Florida Prospects Tournament this year. The Lady Trojans’ ultimate goal is to return

to state to defend their title. Rumors circulated about Seymore-Pennick retiring after this season. She said that initially her choice to retire was impulsive and selfish. She wanted to go out on top – which will be after Rennia Davis graduates and heads to Tennessee to start her collegiate career. Seymore-Pennick said that after a lot of prayer and talks with her husband and family, she is currently considering staying to develop her younger players.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 1988 1993 1994 1999

2000 2001 2002 2003

2013 2014 2016

In The Game | 11

Happy Valentine’s Day! About 3 percent of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets. With about 1 billion cards exchanged each year, Valentine’s Day is the second largest seasonal card sending time of the year. In 1537, England's King Henry VIII declared Saint Valentine’s Day a national holiday.

Physicians of the 1800s commonly advised patients to eat chocolate to calm their broken hearts.

More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine's Day. About 15 percent of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.

Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day in the U.S. The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red roses are considered the flower of love because the color red represents strong romantic feelings.

12 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Cole Friend Academic Athlete Written by: Ryan Hutchins

The life of a wrestler sure isn’t pretty. In the circle, you’d never like to be friends with your opponent. But for Cole Friend of Sandalwood High School, it’s his sporting passion.

Cole has been wrestling since the ninth grade. Before that, he had heard of the sport, but never actually tried it. After his first introduction to the sport, he couldn’t stay away. He’s been wrestling all four of his years as a Saint, but Cole only spent two of those years as a student at Sandalwood. As a student in the early college program, Cole was able to graduate high school in the 10th grade and is now taking classes at Florida State College at Jacksonville. He will graduate with his accociate degree in the spring. Away from the mat and in the classroom, Cole is a gifted student. He is the owner of a 4.4 GPA at Sandalwood and FSCJ. With a brain like his, it’s unsurprising that his favorite subject is math. When Cole finishes the spring semester at FSCJ, he plans to apply to Florida State University and Valdosta State University, where his passion for math will take center stage in pursuing a software engineering degree. “I’m just proud of the young man he’s becoming,” his mother said. Friend still has goals for his Senior wrestling season, however. As one of the better wrestlers on the team, he would like to advance past districts and ultimately make it to the state meet, the cherry on top of a great high school career at Sandalwood.

Just as any other high school student, Friend partakes in many activities away from school and wrestling. A decent amount of his free time is dedicated to hunting and fishing, a worry free activity he uses to relax. He is also an active member and volunteer at his church, Living Water Christian Church. Outside of wrestling, Friend loves football. Although he didn’t play in high school, he does take the time to volunteer for the local Pee Wee football team and coach a little bit.

College is approaching fast for this local, standout student-athlete, but he hopes to accomplish all of his goals in these last few months as a Sandalwood Saint.

Providence Point Guard to Bring Passion and Energy to the University of Alabama Birmingham Written by: Sarah Turner Photography by: Aaron Musgrove

In good company of family, teammates, coaches, and other friends, Zackery Bryant signed to play collegiate basketball at the University of Alabama Birmingham on Nov. 9. For Bryant, his signing day wasn’t just committing to play a sport at the next level or the process thereof; it was a decade’s worth of work, challenges overcome, even a school relocation, all leading to one dream-come-true moment. Bryant is a senior point guard at Providence School with excellent control and the ability to shoot the ball. However, his vigor on the court truly makes him shine. “I’m all about bringing energy to the game, and I know the team feeds off my energy,” Bryant said. “I’m looked at as a team captain, so I try to come out and play with a lot of energy. I love to have a lot of emotion when I play because I have love for the game.”

“I’m all about bringing energy to the game, and I know the team feeds off my energy.” In The Game | 13

Basketball Shooting Tip:

BEEF

balance: Keep feet shoulderwidth apart while slightly having one foot in front of the other with the lead foot matching the hand the player shoots from.

Eyes: Eyes should always be looking directly at where the shooter intends the ball to go – the basket.

Elbows:

Keep your lower arm vertical, forming a 90-degree angle. The elbow of the arm holding the ball should be straight, directly beneath the hand and the basketball when the shot is released.

Followthrough: The follow through is essential. It helps reinforce the entire shooting motion and stabilizes the direction of the shot. (Anyone remember “hand in the cookie jar”?) 14 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Although he exudes confidence on the court, his road to becoming a collegiate athlete wasn’t easy. Growing up in Hastings, Florida, Bryant played basketball as a child. As he entered middle school, Lindsey Hancock, the AAU coach of the Jacksonville Mavericks, noticed him. With the help of Hancock and all the extra time on the court, Bryant tapped into his potential as an athlete by the time he reached high school.

“It’s a great atmosphere. Everyone tries to make each other better, and that’s what we need this year to win the state championship ring.” However, even with his noticeable ability as a freshman, Bryant, his coaches, and his family felt that he wasn’t getting the exposure he needed at his then current school, Pedro Menendez High School. “We looked for a program that had a good basketball team and was a good academic school nearby, and Providence was like that; so I made the choice,” Bryant said. “The transition was pretty hard especially in an academic aspect. Now that I’m used to the system, I like it.” Providence won the state championship the year before Bryant made the move to the school. The 2015-16 season would be Bryant’s first at his new school. Last year’s team was left hungry for another win, but very

young. Although the Stallions had the mindset of winning during the playoffs last season, nerves dulled their efforts. Bryant believes the team is ready this season. “I hope we all come out ready to play our game,” Bryant said. “We always play with emotion to win and to compete. It’s a great atmosphere. Everyone tries to make each other better, and that’s what we need this year to win the state championship ring.” Regardless of the season’s results, Bryant still has a lot of basketball ahead of him. During the recruiting process, he was considering several universities including Clemson, Georgia, and Iowa State. However, he felt a sense of loyalty to the University of Alabama Huntsville. His future UAB coaches were interested in Bryant for some time, and Bryant had faith that they would take his game to the next level. “Signing day was basically like a dream come true,” Bryant said. “I’ve always wanted to play at the collegiate level, and my mom wanted me to go to college because none of my other family members went. I really want to bring the energy to UAB, but I really want to get into the NCAA tournament and make it quite far, if not win, because every year they make it there, but they get knocked out in the first or second round. My goal is to make it there and go further than it ever has been.” From recreation and AAU to high school play, Bryant’s basketball career has been a ride he will never forget. He’s the type of athlete that has plenty of skill, but we believe it’s his undeniable passion for the game that will take him far in the sport and in life.

Body Injuries in Basketball 8.8% 11.2%

GIRLS

16.6% 13.0% 36.0% 12.2%

BOYS

11.5% 14.7% 10.3% 38.3%

This information is courtesy of momsteam.com

“Signing day was basically like a dream come true." Prospective Area of Study in College: Sports Management Favorite High School Subject: English NBA Role Model: Kevin Durant Favorite Movie: "Coach Carter" Good Luck Charm: “I have people that I think of before my games that have passed away. It helps me to stay motivated and to always stay on a good path.” Shout Outs: “I want to recognize my AAU coach, Lindsey Hancock, because he has truly done a lot for me, and I am so blessed to have him in my life. I want to thank my parents for all of their support and my brothers for helping me stay on track and focus on my game. Also, Will Cummings, a former Providence player, that I knew before I came to Providence. He now plays for an NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs. We still stay in touch. He always gives me advice.”

In The Game | 15

What I Wish I Had Done Differently on My Signing Day Written by: Sarah Turner

I had been interested in running cross country at Valdosta State University for quite some time, and I was absolutely thrilled when I finally received an official scholarship offer in 2010. Not many student-athletes at my high school received an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level, so for me, my teammates, parents, and coaches, it was a huge deal. However, when my signing day rolled around, I can’t say the day felt so special. My parents and I went into school early. We gathered around a conference room table with my principal and high school coaches. (My future college coach was unable to attend due to distance.) I signed a document, took a picture, and then went to class as usual. The feelings I had and other details are no longer even a memory for me, and they should have been. Nonetheless, I had a great, memorable college running career; however, my advice to current high school athletes nearing their signing day is to find ways to make it as special as it truly is.

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Here are a few ideas: - Even if you are signing in the morning, be sure to arrange a celebration dinner with your parents, coaches, and anyone else who is an important factor in your success as an athlete. - Take it to social media! Once you take your official signing picture, post it to your favorite social media account. I’m personally a modest person, but signing to a college is a huge deal. There’s no shame in bragging here and there. - Put together hand written thank you notes to anyone who helped you along the way. Your gratitude will make their day, and their reactions will remind you of how thankful you are for them. - Understand the importance of what you’re doing. You may simply sign your name on a line, but it’s a reflection of four years’ worth of long days, hard workouts, and other challenges overcome that got you to this point in your athletic career.

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FAST BREAK

SUPER BOWL FACTS & TRIVIA Photography courtesy of: atlantafalcons.blog.ajc.com

WHICH TEAM WON THE FIRST SUPER BOWL? Green Bay Packers.

OF THE TOP 10 MOST WATCHED AMERICAN TELEVISION PROGRAMS OF ALL TIME, NINE OF THEM ARE SUPER BOWLS. 2015 – SUPER BOWL XLIX (49) IS THE MOST WATCHED U.S. TELECAST OF ALL TIME, WITH AN AVERAGE VIEWERSHIP OF 114.4 MILLION. SUPER BOWL XLVIII (48) HAD THE SECOND LARGEST VIEWERSHIP WITH AN AVERAGE AUDIENCE OF 112.2 MILLION.

ONE 30-SECOND COMMERCIAL AIRED DURING THE SUPER BOWL COSTS AT LEAST $2.8 MILLION.

8 MILLION POUNDS OF GUACAMOLE ARE CONSUMED ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY. 14,500 TONS OF CHIPS ARE EATEN ALONG WITH THAT GUACAMOLE.

WHAT CURRENT NFL TEAMS HAVE NEVER PLAYED IN A SUPER BOWL? Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns. WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE TROPHY FOR THE WINNER OF THE SUPER BOWL? The Vince Lombardi Trophy.

LOWEST WINNING SCORE? Jan. 14, 1973 – Lowest scoring winner – Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Redskins 7 - Super Bowl VII at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. HIGHEST WINNING SCORE? Jan. 28, 1990 – Highest scoring winner – San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10 – Super Bowl XXIV at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. This was also the largest margin of victory to date.

WHICH PLAYER HAS WON THE SUPER BOWL MVP THREE TIMES? Joe Montana.

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Creekside Shortstop Who Won’t Stop Working Toward the DREAM Written by: Sarah Turner | Photography by: Courtney Wagner

After his father took him to a Miami Marlins baseball game when he was four years old, Cade Westbrook knew he wanted to one day play Major League Baseball. Westbrook’s inspired path to become one of the top high school players in the area wasn’t one that he took for granted. From when he was a small boy admiring professional players from the stands to now, a future collegiate athlete himself, his dreams, plans, and goals haven’t faltered.

MLB CAREER BATTING AVERAGE LEADERS

Name 1. Ty Cobb 2. Rogers Hornsby 3. Joe Jackson 4. Lefty O’Doul 5. Ed Delahanty 6. Tris Speaker 7. Billy Hampton Ted Williams 9. Dan Brouthers Babe Ruth

20 | itgsportsnetwork.com

AVG .3664 .3585 .3558 .3493 .3458 .3447 .3444 .3444 .3421 .3421

At shortstop, Westbrook can cover a lot of range and has a strong arm. Although he is still aiming to earn a state championship ring during his senior season, his past seasons have been notable. The Knights made it to the semi-finals during his freshman and junior years. Last season, which was his junior season, Westbrook hit .452, had 28 RBIs, and scored 31 runs, including two home runs. He has officially signed to play college baseball at Santa Fe College. “What has really kept me motivated through the years is just how it makes me feel when I step on the field or take a few swings,” Westbrook said. “I’ve wanted to play on an MLB team since I was a little kid, so that’s what keeps me working every day to get better.” Many high school athletes dream of playing at the next level, but unfortunately if the work ethic, desire, and grit aren’t there consistently, their odds of

moving on are slim to none. However, for Westbrook, that attitude comes naturally. Utilizing each and every day to become a better athlete has simply become a way of life. Once school is over, he goes to baseball practice for a few hours, goes home to eat dinner, hits the gym in the evening, gets his rest, and then starts the process over again the next day.

All of his hard work recently paid off as he officially committed to play baseball at Santa Fe College. Westbrook chose Santa Fe because the coaches seemed enthusiastic about helping him become a better player. Westbrook hopes to either move on to a Division I school or, if the opportunity arises sooner, to be drafted.

“Even though the recruiting process took a very long time, it felt really good when I finally signed,” Westbrook said.

“I had been working for this my entire life and have been wondering where I was going to end up. So making it to the next level, I really felt happy with myself that I worked that hard for something.” Although collegiate baseball is an exciting new thing on Westbrook’s radar, there’s still high school play left, and he wants to graduate with a championship ring. During Westbrook’s baseball career at Creekside High School, the Knights competed at the state level his freshman and junior years but were knocked out in the semi-final rounds. But according to Westbrook, his team will be making another hard run for the championship title this upcoming season.

“Last year I hurt my hamstring in a game, and the trainer told me I’d be out for a few weeks and that I shouldn’t run. But our coach gave me an opportunity in the next game when I was still hurt. We had the bases loaded in the last inning, and he believed in me and said as long as I can put one deep, we can score some runs, and I hit a grand slam. It felt really good because I was bummed that I couldn’t play for a few weeks. I was able to stay focused even though I didn’t think I was going to play.” In The Game | 21

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

“During the offseason we’ve been working together a lot, including conditioning and weights,” Westbrook said. “We just need to execute everything right, and we can’t just have that one bad game. We’ve got to play every game like it’s the last.” No matter what his senior season holds, or the path his college baseball career takes, Westbrook has the determination to make it to where he wants to be. He has exceptional work ethic and has no problem keeping his eye on the ball, literally and figuratively. It’s safe to say he’s certainly a player to watch.

Kevin M. Kaplan, MD - Head Team Physician

Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute and Baptist Health are pleased to offer area athletes and weekend warriors unmatched sports medicine expertise and complete orthopaedic care. 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

Westbrook’s hard work has taken him to levels many young men only dream of, but he is quick to list that he has had an excellent support system along the way, including his parents, coaches, friends, and his girlfriend. Westbrook’s older brother, who also played shortstop at Creekside, now plays collegiate baseball at Thomas University and has been a huge inspiration for him.

“I’ve always looked up to him, and I try to learn from him," Westbrook said. "I go to his games, watch him hit, watch him field. My dad was a really good baseball player too; he played in college. I also look up to Angel Camacho, who plays at Jacksonville University right now. He is my brother’s best friend. When my brother left for college, he took me under his wing, and he is really good at baseball, and he’s worked with me a lot too.”

www.MillaCreationszPhotography.com Contact us at: 229-339-9439 or 229-392-9664 MillaCreationszPhotos@yahoo.com

In The Game | 23

Female Athlete of the Year PRESENTED BY:

Male Athlete of the Year

VOTE 24 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Submit nominations to northflorida@itgsportsnetwork.com

Clay High School Sport: Wrestling Grade: 10

What makes you different from everyone else on and off the field? My height. After your sports career, what do you see yourself doing? Either being a model or a NASCAR driver. Favorite food? Mac and cheese. Who is your biggest inspiration? God. Any shout-outs? My mom and Christian Downs. Favorite Movie? “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”

Ava Mooring

AVA MOORING

In The Game | 25

Gannon Nolan GANNON NOLAN

Stanton College Preparatory School Sport: Crew Grade: 10 What has been your favorite memory from your high school career? Qualifying for Youth Nation Championships in the Men’s 4+. Who is your biggest inspiration in the world? My mom. She beat out cancer years ago, and when she had it, she told herself that she was never going to give up. Through this I learned that giving up is not an option. Favorite food? My dad’s ribs.

Any college plans? I plan to row for a big Division I program, possibly Cal Berkley, Georgetown, or Wisconsin. After your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing? I see myself becoming a sportscaster for ESPN or an anchor on SportsCenter. Favorite movie? “The Blind Side.”

LAUREN DONALSON Bartram Trail High School Sport: Swimming Grade: 9

Who is your biggest inspiration in the world? God, first off – then, my dad. He was a swimmer and has always encouraged me. I’m inspired by his success in life and determination in his work. Any college plans? I’d love to go to UCF, which should be easy if I can keep my 4.5 GPA up and keep up with athletics and my design academy. Favorite food? Sushi, hands down. I was raised to love seafood!

What makes you different from everyone else? In the pool I’m really social and try to include everyone. I also sew and love making clothes. Sport you wish you could play, but can’t? Football. It’s such a fun sport! Unfortunately, it’s a dead end for college careers as a girl. What’s been your favorite memory from your high school career? Becoming friends with upperclassmen on my team who were really supportive and helped me through the start of school.

Anna Donalson

Lauren Donalson ANNA DONALSON

Switzerland Point Middle School Sport: Soccer Grade: 6 What athlete do you try to model your game after? Hope Solo, the U.S. Women’s (former) goal keeper.

Any college plans? I plan on going to the University of Southern California.

What makes you different from everyone else? The fact I also love the arts. Music and acting are also a huge part of my life.

Favorite food? I love strawberries.

When your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing? Being an author. It’s something I very much enjoy doing!

Anything you would like to add? I just recovered from a concussion, so it’s harder not to get hurt.

In The Game | 27

Magazine

NEWSLETTER

SOCIAL MEDIA

28 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Visit our website to Stay In the Game! www.inthegamesportsnetwork.com

Jonathan Bryant II

JONATHAN BRYANT II

Oakleaf High School Sport: Basketball Grade: 12

What athlete do you try to model your game after? Paul George. What makes you different from everyone else? I have God in my life and my athleticism. Any college plans? Go to college and have a great basketball career while studying sports management. Any shout outs? My Resurrection Christian Life Center family, God, and the Oakleaf community. Favorite movie? “Space Jam.” Anything you’d like to add? I’m making my dream a reality one step at a time.

Bryant Brodeur 30 | itgsportsnetwork.com

What has been your favorite memory from your high school career? Leading Paxon to its first ever district championship in soccer in school history. Who is your biggest inspiration in the world? My father because he always pushes me to be my best and leads as a great example of how to live my life. What makes you different from everyone else? My sense of humor. I always try to make the game as fun as possible while remaining competitive. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Thailand, to get out of my comfort zone. College plans? I would like to attend Florida State University and major in international business. Dream car? Audi R8.

ELI RAWLINSON

Creekside High School Sport: Baseball Grade: 12

Who is your biggest inspiration in the world? Will Smith. Any shout outs? Shout out to my mom for being the best mom a son could ask for and shout out to my boys at Creekside.

Any college plans? I am going to Bradley University on a scholarship to continue my baseball career. Dream car? Lamborghini Aventador. What makes you different from everyone else? I will out-work everyone on and off the field.

Eli Rawlinson

What has been your favorite memory from your high school career? Going to the Final Four my junior year.

In The Game | 31

REEDY DAVENPORT Bartram Trail High School Sport: Basketball Grade: 11

What has been your favorite memory from your high school career? Getting to meet all of the girls and developing new friendships.

After your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing? I hope to be working in the medical field as a physical therapist.

Who is your biggest inspiration in the world? My mom and dad because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve showed me how to succeed and be a good person.

Any shout-outs? My sister, Abby, for being awesome and Jesus too.

College plans? Attend FGCU for softball.

Sport you wish you could play but canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t? Field hockey.

Jenae Wash

Reedy Davenport JENAE WASH

Bartram Trail High School Sport: Basketball Grade: 10 What has been your favorite memory from your high school career? Being on varsity as a freshman for both basketball and softball and earning a letter in both. Any college plans? Michigan State for softball. After your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing? Being a special education teacher.

Who is your biggest inspiration in the world? My mom and my sister, Alyssa. Favorite food? Ice cream. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Africa because I want to ride an elephant.

IN THE GAME WINTER ATHLETIC AWARDS BANQUET APRIL 2017 In The Game | 33

Makayla Grace MAKAYLA GRACE Fleming Island High School Sport: Cheer Grade: 10

What has been your favorite memory from your high school career? Winning a national title as a freshman on varsity. Any college plans? To attend UCF and cheer for the Knights. After your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing? Being a doctor.

34 | itgsportsnetwork.com

What makes you different form everyone else? Win or lose, I always have a positive attitude, and every day I go the extra mile to make my body stronger. What athlete do you try to model your game after? My fellow teammates: Brooke, Kayla, and Jessi. Who is your biggest inspiration in the world? My mom.

MATTHEW CORDEK

What has been your favorite memory from your high school career? Beating rival school, Stanton, in 13 innings my sophomore year. Any college plans? FSU or a junior college to play baseball. After your sports career is over, what do you see yourself doing? Studying statistics. Any shout outs? Jack Rains, the legend. Favorite movie? "Good Will Hunting." If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Australia for the kangaroos.

Matthew Cordek

Paxon School for Advanced Studies Sport: Baseball Grade: 12

In The Game | 35

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SUPER MOM Written by: Courtney Wagner Photography by: Octavious Carr

“So life is hectic,

scheduled, crazy at times, and imperfect,

BUT MOSTLY

EXCITING, SPIRITED,

& ADVENTUROUS."

One’s company, two’s a crowd, and three’s a party, but what about four? Well, we solved the mystery, and four is the life of a Super Mom. Take it from Nicole Mitchell, the mother of four young men: Justin, 18; Kristopher, 16; Nicolas, 13; and Jonathon, 11. On top of working a full-time job, Nicole and her cherished husband of 20 years, Kevin, manage to keep the household together while also taking care of their four sons. Take a walk in Nicole’s shoes for just one day.

5:30 AM – Wake up and pray to God for her family 5:45 AM – Wake up 16-year-old Kristopher, drop off at school by 6:40 a.m. (Mandarin High School)

6:20 AM - Wake up 18-year-old Justin, leave by 7:15 so he gets to Bolles by 8:00 am (The Bolles School)

7:00 AM - Wake up 11-year-old Jonathon and drop

off to bus stop by 7:50 a.m. (Greenland Pines Elementary School)

7:30 AM - Wake up 13-year-old Nicolas and get to

bus stop by 8:50 a.m. (Twin Lakes Academy Middle School)

9: 30 AM – 6:00 PM – Work 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Take boys to extracurricu-

lar activities including: football, track, basketball, wrestling, 7-on-7 flag football, Birch sports, Pop Warner sports, track clubs, AAU teams, and High School practices. While also….Preparing dinner, working on homework with the kids, and tidying up the house.

10:00 PM – Time for bed and to do it all over again tomorrow!

That was exhausting just to read, never mind doing it 24/7 while keeping a positive attitude and loving household. But Nicole Mitchell is a Super Mom who does just that, every day, with a smile. “So life is hectic, scheduled, crazy at times, and imperfect, but mostly exciting, spirited, and adventurous,” Mitchell said. “I'm blessed and honored to be their mom, and I wouldn't change one moment. My fellas are extremely close knit, competitive, hardworking, silly, bright, athletic, loving, and family oriented. God and my faith is what keeps and sustains me and my family because I'm extremely spiritual and I know all things are possible through Christ.” Nicole came from an extremely athletic and competitive household herself growing up. She was the eldest of three children and the only girl. Her brothers played 38 | itgsportsnetwork.com

football, soccer, and basketball while she danced, cheered, and ran track. Her mother was amazing with how she raised the three children and is still Mitchell’s role model to this day. She would always tell Nicole “Not to worry, but to pray about it and release all fear in all things” and that “God has got you.” Nicole’s father had a huge impact on her childhood, and she misses him dearly. He left her with these wise words: “You have everything you need to be great. Remember God made you uniquely and wonderfully you, so be great!” With such inspiration from her father, she leaves her sons with her own advice as well: “Be your best, No one can ever be a better you than YOU. Be great at being you. We all have our own path, so walk in it.” The Mitchells exemplify everything that family and In the Game is about: working hard, enjoying sports, loving your family, and having faith. Being a Super Mom isn’t always easy, but there is no greater reward than seeing your child’s smiling face and knowing you helped create it.

So cheers to all the SUPER MOMS out there. This one’s for you.

In The Game | 39

GIRLS SOCCER

GIRLS BASKETBALL

BOYS SOCCER

BOYS BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING

MOnday

Sunday

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

1A REGION FINALS

5A-9A REGION SEMIFINALS

1A-4A REGION FINALS

5A-9A REGION SEMIFINALS

16 1A-4A REGION SEMIFINALS

5A-9A REGION QUARTERFINALS

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

1A-4A REGION SEMIFINALS

REGIONAL FINALS

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS

2A-9A REGION FINALS

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

5A-9A REGION FINALS

STATE SEMIFINALS

LAST SEASON GAME

REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

Saturday

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

REGIONAL FINALS DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

Friday

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Thursday

5A-9A REGION QUATERFINALS

REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

Wednesday

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

Tuesday

february 2017

MOnday

EAST REGIONAL

SOUTH REGIONAL

FIRST/SECOND ROUND

NCAA MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DIVISION I BASKETBALL

BOYS BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

Sunday

Wednesday

Tuesday

EAST REGIONAL

WEST REGIONAL

SOUTH REGIONAL

MIDWEST REGIONAL

FIRST AND SECOND ROUND

1 FINAL FOUR BEGINS

WEST REGIONAL

MIDWEST REGIONAL

Saturday

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Friday

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Thursday

MARCH 2017

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INSIDE THE GAME Written by: Brent Beaird | Photography by: Courtney Wagner

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Keath Sawdo, a senior at Clay High School, is a wrestler to watch in the Jacksonville area this season. After two straight trips to the state tournament with Middleburgh High School and another with Clay High School last year, during which he placed fifth, Sawdo is looking to make a run for a state title.

Sawdo, who is wrestling at 145 pounds, said he is working hard on the mental aspect of his game, specifically not allowing an opponent get into his head regardless of their rank or record.

“I just need to be wrestling my opponent instead of getting caught up with their numbers,” Sawdo said. “That kind of confidence just takes time. It took me till my senior year to harness that kind of skill. This season I want to force guys to make mistakes so I can take advantage of them.” Clay High School coach Jim Reape said he wants Sawdo to be more assertive.

“BEFORE WRESTLING I DIDN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT A HARD WORK ETHIC WAS.”

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“He doesn’t have to take a million offensive shots, but we want him to set the tempo,” Reape said. “We want him to force the opponent to move more and deal with his level of fitness, and the longer he can force that guy to go, the better chance he has.” Conditioning is one of the advantages Sawdo has over many of his opponents. He said he does not touch any food with bad fats. He has not eaten a candy bar or drank a soda in 18 months. Instead, he prefers to eat bananas and almonds. There are no cheat days for Sawdo. He also trains hard. When he is not conditioning on the mat, he is often alternating sprinting and jogging at the school or between light poles in his neighborhood, building up endurance. Micheal Sawdo, his father, said his son’s preseason workout routine was consistent and admirable. “One morning when he woke up early, I said to him, ‘Much respect,’” Michael Sawdo said. “Not all kids go to morning practices. He hasn’t missed one any day.” Reape said that Keath Sawdo is in incredibly good shape and competes hard. “He wrestles a very disciplined style,” Reape said. “We’ve only had him two years. It’s amazing how much he has evolved. He’s a really good athlete. He’s the fittest guy we have in all phases.”

Sawdo has had an interesting path to wrestling. He transitioned from soccer to football to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before finally settling on wrestling in the seventh grade. “My parents took me out of soccer after I was shoulder checking the other kids down,” Sawdo said, laughing. “My parents knew it was time for contact sports, which got me into football. Then I was tired of playing 44 | itgsportsnetwork.com

“WRESTLING TAUGHT ME HOW TO EMBRACE ACADEMICS INSTEAD OF WORRY ABOUT IT.”

on a team, and I went to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Next, I started doing one-onone sports, and I liked the grappling scene. When I went to junior high, I heard about coach Reape and his program and decided to give it a try.” His initial practice at Lake Asbury Jr. High gave Sawdo a glimpse of his future. “Before wrestling I didn’t really know what a hard work ethic was,” Sawdo said. “After my first day of conditioning in seventh grade, I crawled back to my dad’s car and got in the back seat completely out of breath. I thought to myself how am I going to do this, but I was back the very next day.” Besides his parents, Reape is probably the

biggest influence in Sawdo’s life.

“Coach Reape made me a better person as far as my grades, attitude, and even on the mat itself,” Sawdo said. “He’s a real great guy to say the least.” Micheal Sawdo said the coaching staff at Clay High School is amazing and elite. “My son and I are very close,” Michael Sawdo said. “We have a tight family. Coach Reape and coach Hunter Hill are literally his second fathers. The respect he has for coach Reape is shown on the mat and (in) how hard he trains. One compliment from coaches

motivates him the rest of the practice.” The discipline learned from sports has also helped Keath Sawdo academically. “Sometimes I have a lack of time, but wrestling teaches me to put my nose down and get to work,” Keath Sawdo said. “It (wrestling) taught me how to embrace it (academics) instead of worry about it.” Reape said Sawdo shows up to class and does what his teachers ask with no excuses. “He takes pride in his work,” Reape said. “He’s a great example of his parenting. His parents did a great job. In junior high he took losses hard. It’s amazing how far he has come. Sports have been great for Keath.” Sawdo credits his fam-

"WE WANT TO BE THE BEST AROUND, AND WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW IT.” In The Game | 45

“IN SO MANY TOURNAMENTS NOT MANY PARENTS ARE THERE, BUT MY MOM, DAD, AND SISTERS ARE ALWAYS IN THE STANDS. THEY GIVE ME CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, AND I KNOW THEY LOVE ME AND WANT TO SEE ME DO MY BEST.” ily for his achievements. “They are the base for all of it,” Sawdo said. “In so many tournaments, not many parents are there, but my mom, dad, and sisters are always in the stands. They give me constructive criticism, and I know they love me and want to see me do my best.” There are two heralded wrestlers – two-time state champ Anthony Artalona of Tampa Prep and three-time state champ Jake Brindley of Lake Highland Prep – in the 145-pound weight class whom Sawdo might have to beat in his desire to win the state tournament. Reape also said the heralded pair might end up in the 152-pound weight class instead of 145. Sawdo will likely face one or both of them in the upcoming Green Cove Rotary tournament the first weekend of February. “I’m more prepared now and really psyched

to face them,” Sawdo said. “If I overcome them, my goals are a lot closer than I originally thought it would be. It’ll be good to test out to see where I am.” On the local level, Fleming Island has emerged as the Blue Devils’ biggest rivals, so Sawdo said winning locally is as important as winning state.

“Overall coach Reape is pushing us to be the top dog locally,” Sawdo said. “Our main competition is Fleming Island. We want to be the best around, and we want everyone to know it.” Sawdo said being a member of the Blue Devil wrestling team usually draws interest when he is out in the community. He said Clay High School’s reputation as a wrestling power-house was a bit

46 | itgsportsnetwork.com

intimidating until he embraced the expectations instead of shying away from them. The natural question for Sawdo to deal with in a few months is whether or not his wrestling career continues in college.

“It’s a thought I’ve been battling for the past couple of months, but I think if I didn’t wrestle I would miss it so much,” Sawdo said. “I have some more time to think about it. We’ve got a couple of letters from schools. My dad keeps track of it more than I do. There are more coming in now than last year.” Michael Sawdo said his son did very well on his ACT and is eligible for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program that would benefit him if he stays in Florida. “He has three schools who are recruiting him,”

Michael Sawdo said. “If he does want to wrestle, then he wants to be at a D-I school. We understand it’s another four years of a grind, so we will see.” Reape said Keath Sawdo will make a very functional wrestler in college. Sawdo, who enjoys playing video games or hanging out with his friends at the movies, said he hears from numerous people that he should join the track team. Sawdo said he would entertain the idea of taking up boxing one day to get a fresh feel for a new sport since he has been wrestling since seventh grade. Unlike some wrestlers, Sawdo has been injury free for most of his career, the exception being when he broke his left hand early in last year’s season. Keep an eye on Sawdo and the Blue Devils this season as they challenge again for a state title.

SCOPE OF WRESTLING PARTICIPATION Scholastic wrestling ranks no. 6th of all boys sports in terms of participation at the high school level with over 272,000 nation-wide.

"MY GOALS ARE A LOT CLOSER THAN I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE."

Wrestling currently has its highest participation rates since 1980. Since 2002-03, the number of high school wrestlers has grown by over 30,000. Over 10,400 schools sponsor wrestling, which is the largest number ever.

GROWTH OF FEMALE WRESTLER PARTICIPATION Since 1994, the number of women who wrestle in high school nationwide has grown from 804 to over 8000. Twenty-two colleges now sponsor a varsity women’s wrestling program. Women’s wrestling is now a recognized Olympic sport. Texas, Hawaii, and Washington sponsor a state high school girls wrestling championship Females account for 2.9 Percent of high school wrestlers nationwide. Information courtesy of ericlinne.com

In The Game | 47

Freshman Competitive Cheerleader Shines on and off the Mat AN INFECTIOUS SMILE Smiles are contagious. Lucky for Bishop Kenny High School, the halls are now graced with an energetic, positive young lady who not only makes a point to try to spread joy to her peers, but will also be a vital part of the school’s sideline and competitive cheer programs in the future. Faith Parliment, freshman at BKHS, has the epitome of what a great cheerleader’s personality should be. “People always laugh at me because they say I always have a smile on my face; you’ll never see me frowning even if I am having a bad day,” Parliment said. “Whenever I’m walking around with my big smile on my face, I feel like I’m helping other people who might be having a bad day. I love to smile, and I just love to be a happy person.”

Written by: Sarah Turner Photography by: Courtney Wagner

A 10-YEAR-OLD NATIONAL CHAMPION Parliment started her cheer career as a little girl in a gymnastics class. When she and her mother realized she needed some extra help with tumbling, she was enrolled at a cheer gym to take classes on the skill. Once Parliment was given the opportunity to do stunts, especially in front of an audience, she fell in love with cheerleading.

“When I get on the blue mat, I feel a rush of excitement,” Parliment said. “Being on stage with bright lights and a big crowd, it always pumps me up. I’ve always had that love of being in front of the crowd, and it’s just a huge passion for me.” Parliment’s passion for cheerleading is paired with a skill level that is beyond her years. In fact, at 10 years old, she had already earned a national championship title and has the ring to prove it. The Summit National Championship is a cheer competition that hosts teams from all over America for a two-day competition in Orlando, Florida. Parliment’s team hit a perfect routine both days of the tournament and won the title. “It’s an honor,” Parliament said. “I won it when I was only in the fifth grade, so it was a really big accomplishment. I was so proud of myself and so proud of my team and thankful for everyone who pushed me to get to where I was at that point.” As Parliment now walks the halls of her new high school, she has the opportunity to do new things with her cheer career. At BKHS, students must be at least a sophomore to cheer at the Varsity level. So for Parliment, making Varsity next year is her first goal. After that, she looks to gain exposure and continue her cheer career post high school. “I hope to get noticed by college scouts, and hopefully they want me to be on their college cheer team,” Parliment said.

AN INSPIRATION TO REMEMBER THAT FAMILY IS EVERYTHING, NO MATTER THE SITUATION Parliment is quick to note that she has an incredible support system. Her older brother plays football at Old Miss. “He taught me to always do my best, and there’s always a better person that I can be,” Parliment said. “He teaches me to always strive to be better. You can always push to be better, bigger, and bolder.” Parliment credits her family for always pushing her and helping her get to the places she aims to be academically and on the mat. Although her parents are divorced, Faith is committed to loving her family no matter what. Her advice to other kids like herself with divorced parents? Love each parent alike, no matter what. “Never give up on your family, and don’t give up on your parents because they both love you,” Parliment said. “Love all of your parents and family equally no matter what the situation is.”

AN ADVOCATE FOR A CURE Parliment’s heart is one that can only be admired. Her ability to take a bad thing and find a way to use it to help others is a characteristic that will bring light to not only her life, but the people around her as well. Her grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when she was about nine years old. As he passed away last year, Parliment uses his memory as inspiration in her own life. “Even though he went through a lot of hard times, he never gave up on family; he never gave up on what he loved,” Parliment said. “He taught me that you’re always going to have your ups and downs in life, but you can’t give up on what you love because it’s never going to get better if you do.” Parliment took the advice she learned from her grandfather to heart and also chose to advocate a cure for his disease. She spreads the word about Alzheimer’s and reminds others that a cure is out there.

“I’m really hoping to make people more aware of Alzheimer’s, and I hope to make people more aware that there is a potential for a cure for Alzheimer’s,” Parliment said. “It is a really big problem, and it is affecting a lot of people right now.” In The Game | 49

Nutrition for Performance… As most of us know, we cannot perform to our best ability if we do not give our bodies the appropriate energy needed for the task. Energy for our bodies comes from the nutrition in our food. Our bodies requires different amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for different exercises. When consuming food before exercise, you want your meal or snack to be high in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and relatively low in fats and fibers. If you’re going to be participating in prolonged activity, you will need to replenish during activity with fluids and carbs to replace the nutrients lost in sweat and to provide sufficient carbs for the body to use for energy. After exercise it is best to consume something high

in carbohydrates to replenish glycogen stores in your muscles (energy used for muscle), fluids to restore hydration, and some form of protein to repair and build skeletal muscle.

Consuming carbohydrates increases the glycogen stores in muscles. Carbohydrates are a main source of fuel for energy during moderate to high intensity exercises. The amount of carbohydrates required varies depending on the type of training. For instance, a runner, weight lifter, or cyclist requires fewer carbs to replenish stores for consecutive days of training than an endurance athlete training for weeks or months. Remember: the amount of carbohydrates one needs is all about the intensity and duration of exercise. When it comes to protein intake for performance, both the correct amount and the timing are important. During a workout the

50 | itgsportsnetwork.com

body is put into a catabolic (breakdown) state, which means certain tissues are being broken down for fuel. Immediately following exercises the body goes into an anabolic (building) state that will give the body the opportunity to recover and grow. This is known as the anabolic window, and it lasts one to two hours after exercises. This is when it is the most important to consume protein because it will help aide in skeletal muscle repair and growth. After a workout, 10 to 20 grams of protein is an appropriate amount to consume. Anything in excess of 20 grams of protein will not be broken down and used for fuel because 20 grams is the maximum amount of protein associated with protein synthesis. Like carbohydrate consumption there are recommendations for different types of exercises for the amount needed to perform at one’s highest level. Both endurance and strength athletes need about the same amount per day. However, if

strength athletes are looking to gain muscle mass, then some studies recommend they should consume more protein each day. For most, the idea of consuming fats comes with a bad stigma, but in reality, fats are also required for our body to perform at an optimum level. Fats are the most energy dense nutrients we consume. Fat is the primary energy source at rest and during low intensity activity. Remember when we talk fats for performance, fried food is not the kind of fat we are talking about. We are talking about good fats, i.e. meats, nuts, fish oils, etc. Since it takes a long time to metabolize fats into the mass amounts of energy they create, fats are not effective in providing energy for higher intensity activities. Not consuming enough fat over an extended period of time can have a detrimental effect on health and performance. Typically, low fat and low energy consumption go hand in hand. This will cause depleted fat stores in intramuscular tissue as well as decrease amount of fat soluble vitamins absorbed.

When eating to enhance performance, everyone’s needs are different. Nutritional requirements for optimal performance are determined by the sport or exercise and your body mass. It may be helpful to consult with a certified nutritionist to determine a specific plan to meet your specific needs. While individual requirements vary, always remember that eating the right nutrients at the right time helps you optimize your performance and get the desired results when competing.

Trinity Baptist College Women’s Soccer:

Building a Winning Tradition Written by: Raymond Bureau | Photography by: Raymond Bureau

Trinity Baptist College women’s soccer completed its second season in existence in 2016, and head coach Prince Borde called it a banner year for his young but talented team that featured 10 freshmen, three sophomores, and two seniors. The Lady Eagles finished with an official regular season record of 8-6-1, which included an impressive 7-4-1 mark against fellow National Christian College Athletic Association teams. The other three games were with NAIA teams and encompassed a 2-1 victory over Dalton State College (Dalton, Georgia). With this record, the Eagles found themselves in the Top 5 of the NCCAA Division 2 rankings each week throughout the season, peaking as high as No. 2. In the postseason, the Eagles earned a firstround bye in the South Region tournament and won their semifinal game 3-2 over Toccoa Falls College (Toccoa, Georgia) on Oct. 27. That first postseason win in team history propelled the Eagles into their first-ever South Region final two days later. The Eagles lost 2-0 to the eventual national champion, Bob Jones University (Greenville, South Carolina). Counting the playoff

win and a rained-out always well-organized 4-0 lead over Johnson and well-coached.” University of Florida, the Losing freshman forEagles finished the sea- ward Morgan Woods to son at 10-6-1, vastly im- an ACL injury midway proving on 2015’s mark through the season was of 4-12 in the team’s in- also tough as Woods was augural season. among the team leaders Borde described the in goals at the time of her best and toughest mo- injury. She did not return ments of his second to the field. season. He said the best Regarding strength moment “has to be the of schedule, Southeastfinal whistle against Toc- ern University (Lakeland, coa Falls in the regional Florida), the NAIA’s No. semifinals and seeing 21 team, was the toughthe young ladies cele- est opponent the Eagles brate.” In addition, Borde played. Southeastern claimed seeing the girls won that game 5-0 on bond personally and Sept. 16. The toughest share their testimonies opponent the Eagles with each o t h e r "From a coach’s throughperspective, this was an out the season as outstanding season. The two more fantastic ladies represented Trinity memories. very well. That’s all you The can ask for. They fought toughest moment, hard, trained hard, and according bought into the coaching to Borde, was the staff’s philosophy, and loss to To c c o a that’s very encouraging.” Falls in North Georgia (Oct. 7) beat was Dalton State, then having to play Bob also of the NAIA. DalJones the next day. ton State defeated a “We were physi- number of NAIA Top 25 cally and emotionally teams and finished as the drained,” Borde said. Southern States Athletic “We outplayed Toccoa Conference runner-up. and lost the game 3-2. Granted, the Eagles Toccoa is always a tough have finished only their game for us as they are second season, but they

53 12 40 11 10 7 2

MOST TEAM GOALS IN A SEASON MOST TEAM GOALS IN A GAME MOST TEAM ASSISTS IN A SEASON MOST TEAM ASSISTS IN A GAME MOST TEAM ASSISTS IN A GAME MOST WINS VERSUS NCCAA TEAMS HIGHEST NCCAA RANKING

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saw a large number of team and personal records that future teams will have a hard time breaking. Among team records, the Eagles set the following: • Most team goals in a season: 53 • Most team goals in a game: 12 • Most team assists in a season: 40 • Most team assists in a game: 11 • Most wins in a season: 10 • Most wins versus NCCAA teams: 7 • Highest NCCAA ranking: No. 2. Individual records include these accomplishments: • Most goals in a season: Alexandria Viera, 16 • Most assists in a season: Arisa Robles, 16 • Lowest goals-against average (goalkeeper): Tesia Keith, 1.71 • Most goals in a game: Alexandria Viera, 4 • Most assists in a game: Arisa Robles, 4. In addition, the Lady Eagles also accomplished the following first-time feats: • First win against an NAIA school • First playoff win

• First South Region finals appearance • First All-American players. On that All-American list, freshman Kareema Mitchell made the NCCAA All-American first team, and sophomore Arisa Robles was named to the second team. Both also made the All-South Region first team. Borde said that his team far exceeded his expectations.

“At the beginning of the season, our goal was to win 10 games, and we did that,” Borde said. “Our ultimate goal – like all teams – is to win a national championship. We lost in the playoffs to the eventual national champs 2-0, the identical score in which Bob Jones beat Grace Bible College (Wyoming, Michigan) to win the championship. Bob Jones also beat Randall University (Moore, Oklahoma) 3-0 in the national semifinals. So, yes, we did meet expectations. Now from the outside looking in, going from four wins to 10, we can easily

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say we exceeded expectations and made further progress in the postseason.”

The Eagles had five more players earn postseason honors by being named onto the All-South Region roster: • Alexandria Viera (freshman): First team All-Region • Tesia Keith (senior): Second team All-Region • Kristin Pabon (freshman): Second team All-Region • Domanique Baldwin (freshman): Second team All-Region • Alexa Goodwin (sophomore): Second team All-Region. The Eagles are a young but talented team of mainly freshmen and sophomores who look to continue their success.

They will lose only two seniors, goalkeeper Tesia Keith and midfielder/ goalkeeper Bekah Wilson. Borde, though, will not rest on this season’s success. He has a full slate of tasks to complete in the offseason – most importantly, getting his players stronger and fitter, seeing them bond even more as a team, and bringing in new players who will impact the team and help them all continue to grow both spiritually and athletically. Borde identified the No. 1 goal for 2017. “Get past Bob Jones and make it to Nationals,” Borde said. “That will be a tough task as they will have 11 seniors next season.” He also added his final

thoughts on the season as a whole. “From a coach’s perspective, this was an outstanding season,” Borde said. “The ladies represented Trinity very well. That’s all you can ask for. They fought hard, trained hard, and bought into the coaching staff’s philosophy, and that’s very encouraging.” Congratulations to the 2016 Trinity Baptist College Lady Eagles on a terrific season in their second year. Here’s to more success in the coming years as the program continues to build and the team works toward a potential NCCAA Division 2 national championship. As the Eagles proclaim, #WatchUsRise.

#WatchUsRise

DIDN’T MISS A STROKE Written by: Ryan Hutchins | Photography by: Courtney Wagner

Swimming is one of the most physically demanding sports, and here on the First Coast, the swimming scene is exceptionally competitive at the high school level. The area has produced a number of collegiate and even Olympic athletes. One of the next big swimmers in the upcoming wave? Taylor Radcliffe. Radcliffe began swimming just for fun. She wanted to join her local YMCA team since many of her friends joined the team. Eventually, that hobby became one of her biggest passions. The road leading to where she currently sits wasn’t always an easy one. Before entering high school, Radcliffe underwent surgery on her shoulder, an injury that sidelined her for the entire 2014 season. She returned to the pool in 2015 for the first time since her surgery with the AmberJax. Taylor knew that getting back to where she was before the injury would be tough, but it was a journey she was excited to take on.

“It made me feel nervous because I was scared I wasn’t going to be at the level I was before the injury, but I was glad to be back where I belonged,” Radcliffe said. Now in her Sophomore year at Bishop Kenny High School, Radcliffe just finished up an impressive sophomore campaign in which she was the highest placing Jacksonville girl at the 2A Florida High School Swimming and Diving State Championships in Stuart, Florida. During her run to state, she placed first in the 50-meter freestyle at districts. Radcliffe followed that performance with a first-place finish in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle at the regional meet. Although she placed eighth in the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle relay at the state meet, she placed second in the 50 freestyle at state, earning herself a silver medal. In The Game | 53

“Being the highest placing girl in the city at the state championships was amazing considering that I was concerned that I would not be ready for the upcoming high school season since I had set some high goals for myself,” Radcliffe said. “I wanted to medal at state, and that’s exactly what I did.”

After being concerned she wouldn’t be ready for the season, it’s safe to say that Radcliffe went above and beyond the expectations she set for herself. It drives her to be even better going into next year. Her goal next season? To win an event at the state championship. Radcliffe would like to continue swimming at a high level after high school while pursuing a degree in physical therapy or forensic science. For a girl who’s already overcome a lot to reach her goals, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her accomplish even more goals she’s set for herself. But she still has two years at Bishop Kenny, where she wishes to represent her school academically and at the state level athletically. Jacksonville has another potential star swimmer on its hands, and her name is Taylor Radcliffe.

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Queen of the Court Written by: Courtney Wagner | Photography by: Aaron Musgrove

With two State Championships under her belt, Rennia Davis is going for a third title as she finishes out her career at Ribault High School this season. As a 6’2” senior, she received offers to play at 90 percent of the top collegiate basketball programs in the nation, including schools such as Georgia Tech, Maryland, Kansas, and Oklahoma. She followed her instincts though and signed with Tennessee – one of the best women’s programs of all-time.

“I loved the overall culture of the school and the history there,” Davis said. “Women’s basketball is huge at Tennessee. It actually reminded me of how big basketball is here at Ribault.” Davis’s end goal is to play in the WNBA after she completes her four years at Tennessee. Since middle school she’s been playing basketball with the boys, but now she’s dominating the game and setting a standard for girls everywhere. She was the first in her family to play an organized sport, which became an obstacle at times due to how much time she spent practicing. Her mother is her biggest inspiration and always wanted Rennia and her sister to have a better life than she did. “Being the only athlete in my family to take a sport this seriously can be difficult at times when not everyone understands why I can’t just rest,” Davis said. “I don’t have time to rest. I use my time to be fully dedicated to basketball.” High school basketball season ends in February, and Davis would

go directly into tournament ball in March. Every weekend she traveled to practice for her tournament team all over the state since her teammates were located throughout all of Florida. One day they would meet in Daytona and the next weekend in West Palm. With a 3.8 GPA, Davis made sure to be the best student-athlete possible. The results from the time and effort Davis put into basketball are no coincidence. Winning the national championship in New York City at Madison Square Garden and being named the MVP pretty much speak for themselves. Averaging 26 points and 10 rebounds a game, Davis is setting the tone for basketball. She is only the fifth player from Florida to ever sign with Tennessee, while being a three-time All-

State choice and now making the 2017 McDonald’s All-American selection.

When the next four years at Tennessee are over and her WNBA career subsides, Davis plans to pursue business management and run her own soul food restaurant while coaching girls basketball. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Rennia makes this city proud to have such an elite athlete, and her community looks forward to watching her journey at Tennessee, where she remains queen of the court.

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THE ROAD TO A CROSS COUNTRY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Written by: Baker Herrin – Senior at Creekside High School Photography by: Ben Storey

This cross country season has been an incredible journey riddled with glorious highs and sobering lows on the rouged trail to our second consecutive 3A state championship. It all began this past summer, when our team began base training for the season to come. Training at a local nature preserve several times a week and on the track the other days, our newbies began to learn the sport and bond with our veteran runners. Our team looked quite solid, and with the majority of our previous state championship team

returning, our team had high hopes for a chance to repeat. After several weeks into our summer training, the time for the toughest and most rewarding part of our training had arrived: the week of Brevard Distance Runners Camp. Summer training simply is not complete without the week of bonding as a team and overcoming challenges in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in Brevard, North Carolina. Every day we literally had another mountain to climb. One of the first “defining

moments” (as our coach Eric Frank said) was a workout we had at running camp. The previous day one of the best trails, Lake Imaging, was rained out, so Coach decided to have the varsity do a tempo run on the track there. To say the least, no one was happy, especially with the aching of the previous mountain run still lingering in our legs. No one expected it to be a good workout, but everyone was wrong except Coach. We all had amazing workouts, negative splitting almost every mile. After that workout, we felt we could do anything.

EVERY DAY WE LITERALLY HAD ANOTHER MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB.

But the road ahead was long and winding, with many unexpected turns to come. Before the final (and one of the most difficult) run up a trail to a place called John’s Rock, our full team met to decide on our goals, a Creekside Cross Country tradition. The goals we set were lofty and challenging. We also had a senior meeting during which we laid out our thoughts on what we

wanted this team to be. After about two hours of heartfelt goal setting and planning for the future of our team and the program, it was time for our final run. It was an awesome climb, ending with an amazing view from the top. But something was not right. All of our varsity had made

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it to the top except for one, Reece Duff. When he finally made it, we found out he had twisted his ankle badly on the way up, but he was feeling better and was able to make it down. One week after running camp, it was confirmed that Reece was not fine. After excruciating pain on a bridge workout, he was diagnosed with tibia fractures and was unable to run for potentially the entire season. That was an enormous blow to our team. Reece, our No. 4, was potentially out for the entire season. When he got his cast put on, he remembers crying in the car with his mom as they drove away from the hospital. He thought his season was over. But Coach called him, and after that phone call, he had a new goal: to race his senior year. If that wasn’t bad enough, just two weeks later our No. 3, Jackson Storey, was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and was out for an undetermined amount of time. They both were stuck on the

THAT WE HAD IT INSIDE OF US. THAT WE NEEDED TO TURN IT ON WHEN IT WAS TIME TO TURN IT ON AND TURN EVERYTHING ELSE OFF. TO BATTLE. TO LEAVE EVERYTHING ON THE LINE FOR OUR TEAMMATES.

stationary bike every day at practice. The team was truly in dire straits with the beginning of the season just around the corner. Things were not looking good. Our first race at Spikes and Spurs was disappointing. Then the next week, after getting crushed at Bartram’s Bail and Trail – we came in fourth overall – Coach decided enough was enough. He sat the varsity down and told us how it was: That we had depth. That we did not need Jackson and Reece to win. That we had it inside of us. That we needed

to turn it on when it was time to turn it on and turn everything else off. To battle. To leave everything on the line for our teammates. It was time for things to change. And change they did. With the turnaround of our team came personal bests, but also the knowledge that no matter what happened, we could overcome. About a month before districts, we finally got Jackson back. He had been impatient with his injury and badly wanted to fill the hole in the team, which probably made his first race back all

the more disappointing. He planned on coming back at least in the 16s, but ended up running high 17s. He was worried he would not be back to full strength in time for districts. Miraculously, we got Reece back in time to run him at districts. Every day the motivation of the team kept him peddling away on that stationary bike. He had a purpose beyond himself. The district meet was the first time all season we showed what our team could truly do. We set personal records, and we won districts by a wide margin. Matt Clark and Nick Deal took first and second; Jackson Storey set a new personal record; Alex Bolt and Matt Ortiz ran in the mid 16s; and Reece, Ian Smith, Riley Strauch, and I all running in the low to mid 17s. No one even thought of Ian as a contender until the week before districts, and now he was our

No. 6! Creekside was back, and we were ready to win. While regionals did not go as planned, losing to our rival Chiles by just nine points, we would not make the same mistake at states. At our team meeting before the state meet, everyone knew what they had to do. We were racing for our brothers. No one would forget Matt’s statement: “I have 100 percent faith in all of you that we will win another state title.” With just a mile to go in the state meet, we were losing. But two of our runners really turned the tides. Jackson Storey finished in nearly under 16 minutes. Then Alex Bolt sealed the deal when he finished 12 places in front of Chile’s No. 5. We were state champs. Again. We won by just 10 points against Chiles two years in a row. It was a surreal experience. Some of our guys had been working toward that moment since sixth grade, and it was finally here. We had done it. Against numerous odds, we had done it.

In The Game | 59

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3 FSCJ Scholarships, 1 FIU for Trinity Christian Softball

Written by: Raymond Bureau | Photography by: Raymond Bureau

Madison Macik

Shortstop/Second Base

While the bulk of attention goes to its highly successful football program, Trinity Christian Academy has a number of outstanding athletic teams that tend to receive less recognition. In recent years, Trinity’s softball program, headed by Coach Ashley Houston and her assistants Kaley King, Dyron Johnson, and Shannon Kusk, has become a Jacksonville powerhouse and made a own name for itself. In the 2016 spring season, the Conquerors experienced their first regional championship and state semifinal appearance in school history. They will look to complete their trek for the team’s first state championship in 2017. Three Conqueror seniors – Madison Macik, Missoura Smith, and Madison Williams — have all received full scholarships to play softball for Florida State College at Jacksonville beginning in the fall of 2017. • Madison Macik, 17, SS/2B, Parents Jamie and Lisa Macik • Missoura “Mo” Smith, 18, P, Parents John and Sandy Smith • Madison Williams, 17, CF, Parents Jerry and Christy Williams

Missoura “Mo” Smith Pitcher

In the Game asked each young lady about her experience of playing softball for Trinity and the excitement and commitment of playing for one of North Florida’s most recognized colleges.

1. When did you receive and accept the scholarship? What other offers did you have, and why did you chose FSCJ? Macik received her offer as the current school year started, and she accepted it on Sept. 20. She considered a similar offer from NCAA Division III Piedmont College but chose FSCJ for its reputation for excellent education, close proximity to her home and family, and the full scholarship.

Madison Williams Center Field

Smith received her offer on Nov. 22 and committed four days later. She had offers from Wesleyan University and South Georgia State College but chose FSCJ as the best for herself and her family. FSCJ Blue Wave coach Jamie Lind kept in constant contact over the past two years, which showed Smith the coach’s extensive interest in her as a player, student, and person. Williams received her offer on Sept. 18 and officially accepted on Oct. 15. It was her only offer, but she gladly accepted it for the opportunity to play college softball and pave her way academically. In The Game | 61

2. What do you like about FSCJ outside of 5. Whom would you like to thank for helping softball? you along? Macik loves the cozy environment of a four-year community college. Macik called FSCJ “a place with a good education where I can move one step closer to my future.” Madison plans to become an ultrasound technician.

All three girls understand that hard work got them to this point, but they also believe that their gifts come from God. The girls would like to give special thanks to the following for their help along the way.

Smith enjoys FSCJ’s proximity to her home. “A home-cooked meal is never far away,” she said. Smith also enjoys the school’s comfortable environment and its academic reputation. Smith plans to study business and hospitality.

Madison Macik – “I would like to thank God, my family, my teammates, and my coaches, all of whom have pushed me and pulled for me and spent endless time and money so I can play. You have had an impact on me more than you could ever know.”

Williams appreciates FSCJ’s solid academic rigor and considers it the most important aspect of her college future. “Softball won’t last forever, so it’s important to get a quality education,” she said.

Mo Smith – “I want to thank Jesus Christ for my gift; my parents, family, and friends for their endless love and support; (and) Doug Thornton and coaches Ashley (Forsyth) and Mallory (Borden) for showing me that this game is about more than winning and losing and for always believing in me.”

3. Briefly describe Trinity Christian Academy and its softball program. Macik and Williams came to Trinity in their ninth-grade year (201314), and Smith transferred as an eighth-grader (2012-13). All three came to play softball, but they also enjoy the school and the friendships they made. Macik called the school top-notch and the softball program the best in Jacksonville. “Get over to Trinity if you want to be a better player,” she said as advice for up-and-coming players. “Coach Ashley [Houston] will get you right!” Smith played on the middle school team in eighth grade and made the varsity team as a freshman. She called Houston a wonderful coach and credited the coaches with the fast transition and improvement that allowed her to skip junior varsity. Williams is happy with the students and faculty at Trinity, but softball is her passion. “I love the school and the friends I have made, but I really love the softball program,” Williams said.

4. Describe your Trinity team and personal success on the field. As do most Trinity coaches, Houston has her team on the field all year long. The official season occurs in the spring, but the Conquerors have an extensive schedule of rigorous practice and games throughout the summer and fall as well. The players push each other as hard as the coaches do. Macik called her team’s success “crazy” in a good way. “We push each other in the weight room so we can have success on the field,” Macik said. “From Day 1, our eyes have been on a state championship, but we take it pitch by pitch and game by game.” According to Macik, “nothing hurt more than being so close” to a championship but missing out. Macik feels she gets better with every practice and game. Williams called the state semifinal the greatest team success thus far. “(It was) one of the best experiences of my life, and I can’t wait to go back,” she said. She claimed making the varsity team as a freshman as her biggest personal success. “(It’s) truly an accomplishment I am proud of,” Williams said. 62 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Madison Williams – “I would like to thank God first for the ability to play the game I love; without Him, I would be nothing. Words cannot describe how much I thank my parents, coach J.R., and coach Dryden for the faith and confidence in me; all my travel ball coaches for their assistance; and coach Ashley for the impact she has made on my life in just a short time.”

In addition, senior Desiray Connell has received a full softball scholarship for Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. She received her offer as a sophomore at First Coast High School in October of 2014 and accepted it one month later. • Desiray Connell, 18, 1B/OF, Parents Donny and Amy Connell Connell received a similar offer from Florida Gulf Coast University, but she chose FIU because it is also in Florida and her brothers already play football for the Panthers. She also likes FIU’s atmosphere, student-athlete academic center, and the different majors the school offers. Connell transferred to Trinity as a senior this year, and she foresees much success in the coming season. “We just finished fall, and I'm excited for the season,” Connell said. “My whole game has changed. The extra work and knowledge I received is crucial to my success as a player.” As her teammates did, Connell wished to thank those who have helped her along the way. “I would like to thank all my coaches for the fundamentals and the knowledge they have instilled in me,” Connell said. “I would like to thank my parents for always helping me practice off schedule and for their endless support.” Congratulations to these four young athletes for their successes both on the field and in the classroom.

Coach of the Year

Female Kicker Proves That Girls Have a Place on the Football Field Too Written by: Sarah Turner | Photography by: Courtney Wagner

Amber Lagatta has been playing with the boys since her elementary days. She grew up playing co-ed soccer, so when she had the opportunity to kick for the First Coast High School Football team, the thought of her being the only girl on the field didn’t bother her in the least.

“Normally they don’t even realize I am a girl until they see my pony tail after the fact,” Lagatta said. “I’ve actually got hit a few times this season, but I didn’t really see them coming at me, so it was kind of out of the blue.”

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Lagatta’s opportunity to kick for the football team came fairly easy to her. Her primary sport is soccer. The kicking coach for the football team this season was the girls soccer coach last year. Being acquainted with the now kicking coach, Amber asked him if they were

still looking for a kicker as he had mentioned they were in need prior to her reaching out. Although it took Lagatta some time to really hone in on her football kicking skills, she turned out to be a great fit for the Buccaneers football team. Lagatta is required to do all the necessary training that any other player on the football team is required to do. She attends conditioning and weight training with the boys, and from talking to her, it seems that she has no problem getting the same intense training. As tough as she is, Lagatta has no doubt that other

girls can do the same if they so choose, and her choice to play football hasn’t gone unnoticed by other girls at her school. “A lot of the girls have gotten a hold of me after the fact that I played, and they want to try out for the football team too,” Lagatta said. “So it feels good that they want to come out of their comfort zone because of me.” Lagatta is certainly an asset to the football team, and she plans to continue to improve throughout her high school career for the team. However, her first love is soccer, and nothing can get in the way of her passion to get to the goal in soccer. Lagatta hopes to become a team captain for the soccer team once her junior season rolls around and to potentially earn a scholarship to play in college.

In the Game Moment:

One of my biggest accomplishments was actually in a tournament two years ago. It was in a playoff game that would get us into the championship game, and we won 3-2. I scored the winning goal in the last four seconds.

Olympics – Men’s Soccer Gold Medal Winners 2016 (Rio) 2012 (London)

Brazil

Mexico 2008 (Beijing) Argentina 2004 (Athens) Argentina 2000 (Sydney) Cameroon 1996 (Atlanta) Nigeria 1992 (Barcelona) Spain 1988 (Seoul) Soviet Union 1984 (Los Angeles) France 1980 (Moscow) Czechoslovakia

In The Game | 65

“My favorite part about soccer is working with my teammates, getting to the goal, and putting the ball into the back of the net,” Lagatta said. “My mom has asked me what I would do if I did end up getting a scholarship for football instead, and I don’t really know what I would do!” Lagatta is without a doubt a motivated student-athlete, and she has a great support system to back her up. “My mom and dad have been very supportive of me, as well as my aunt, who played college softball,” Lagatta said. “Also, my uncle just signed to play with the Colorado Rockies. Knowing that one of my family members made it to the pros gives me the confidence that it’s possible for me to do it too.” No matter where high school and college take Lagatta, her ability to step out of her comfort zone and break the norm is certainly a characteristic that will set her up for an exciting and inspiring future.

FUN FACT: Lagatta also sings. She has participated in chorus for five years now. However, group functions are definitely the setting she prefers to sing in. When asked if she would like to sing the national anthem at one of her games one day, Lagatta laughed and said, “I actually have stage fright!” 66 | itgsportsnetwork.com

"Knowing that one of my family members made it to the pros gives me the confidence that it’s possible for me to do it too.”

HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THE GOAL: Bolles Senior Prepares for College Soccer Career at Vanderbilt University Written by: Sarah Turner | Photography by: Courtney Wagner

Leila Azari, senior at The Bolles School, has officially committed to play collegiate soccer at Vanderbilt University. With two high school state championships under her belt and two US Youth Soccer National Championship wins, her skill and control as a forward on the field is undeniable. As she rounds out her senior season, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one goal: to win a third consecutive state championship. In the Game Sports Network spoke with Azari, and quite frankly, we were blown away. This young woman is polite, eloquent, and mature beyond her years. With a 4.5 GPA, she has found a perfect balance between academics and athletics. In the Game: You clearly have a passion for soccer. What is it about the game that you find the most enjoyable? Leila Azari: I think its very fun to play, and not only that, but I also like the teamwork aspect of it. I like that there are 10 other people that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m playing alongside.

FAST BREAK

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ITG: What would you say your strong point as a forward is?

LA: One of my strong points is working hard, which

I try to do every single game I play in. I always try to win the ball or win the tackle even when I’m tired. I also think one of my strengths is dribbling with the ball. It’s always been my favorite thing to do. I enjoy dribbling through defenders, trying to get to the goal any way I can.

ITG: You have had a ton of success with both high school soccer and club soccer. What is it like playing for teams that have such a high winning percentage?

"I think soccer is fun to play, and not only that, but I also like the teamwork aspect of it. I like that there are 10 other people that I’m playing alongside."

LA: After time, you get used to winning, so it’s im-

portant that you never drop that level of intensity that you have. I think that it’s important to keep playing at that level against every single team, whether it’s just a regular league game or a national championship game.

ITG: What was it like committing to such a pres-

tigious university, and what specifically made you choose Vanderbilt?

LA: Once I officially committed, it was a great relief. It’s a very good school academically, and it also has a very promising soccer team with great coaches. I want to contribute to the team in any way I can. I’m just going to start by working as hard as I can and hopefully advancing further in the SEC.

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