SPORTS .........................................PGS

PICTURES COURTESY OF TOMMY BRANNEN

TGH ICE PLEX WINS ITS FIRST FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIP

Tampa’s hard work they put in, as well as TGH Ice Plex the coaching staf that put their performed in heart and soul into coaching its first figure their students.” skating com- The classic win was extra petition in 14 special, considering that TGH months. Its Ice Plex hadn’t performed in a team did not competition in 14 months bedisappoint, cause of the pandemic. It typiwinning the 2021 Spring Classic at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den in Orlando for the first Ice Sports Industry (ISI) National Championship in the rink’s history. “I was excited and relieved,” said Anna Barile of TGH Ice Plex, who was tied for most events competed in with 10. “Our team was a close second at the last competition over a year ago, so everyone was working extra hard to get first this time. It was our rink’s first championship at an ISI national competition.” The Spring Classic was held from April 30 to May 2 with rinks from 10 diferent states competing, including Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota and Texas. TGH Ice Plex (formerly the TGH Ice Plex won the f Ice Sports Forum) had the most total skaters with 66 competing in the classic. TGH Ice Plex’s ice skaters ranged in age from the youngest, at 5, to the oldest, Helyn Rodgers, at 68. ISI created a point system, adding up the total points accumulated from each individual skater based on how well they placed in events. “I love skating because I feel so free on the ice,” said Caleigh Yick, 11. “Skating alone is great, but I have even more fun with my pairs partner, ensemble group and sync team.” TGH Ice Plex Skating Director Tommy Brannen, who has held that position since 2005, said that most of the skaters that rst ISI national championship in its history. competed came from the arena’s Learn to Skate program for beginning skaters. Brannen was very proud of how his skaters competed and performed. “I was very happy and excited for all the kids, the parents and the arena,” said Brannen. “It was an awesome moment that came together from all the hard work that the kids have done. What makes me most proud is the character of the kids and the cally participates in about four local competitions each year. TGH Ice Plex received a banner, which proudly hangs in the arena, as well as a trophy to display in the trophy case at the rink. “Times are changing and hopefully skating is coming around and everybody is excited to get back to competing again,” said Brannen. According to Brannen, the team will participate in a local competition in Oldsmar next month from Friday to Sunday, June 4-6. He welcomes anybody that is interested to join and participate in the Learn to Skate program, which is open year-round. “We’d like to continue to support each other as a team and to perform well at our next competition in early June,” said Barile.

TGH Ice Plex performed in its frst fgure skating competition in 14 months.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SUMNER SOFTBALL PROGRAM

SUMNER SOFTBALL TEAM WINS DISTRICT TITLE IN INAUGURAL SEASON; MAKES SCHOOL HISTORY

In its first season of existence, the Sumner High School Stingrays softball team became the first program in their school’s history to win a district title.

“The win was huge for us. It was unexpected for sure and we’re all so proud of the way we came together,” said junior third baseman Rachel Brown. “We’re the first to do it—we made history that night.”

Stingrays Head Coach Autum Hernandez came to Sumner after being the head coach at Freedom High School for the 12 seasons prior. It was the right time for the transition for her because she lives near the school in the Riverview area. The former Robinson High School softball player was able to get her new players to buy into the program quickly. She always believed in them and constantly told them that she thought they could win a district title and make history.

“The girls believed in each other and they fought hard,” said Hernandez. “It took a little time for us to gel together and for them to trust me and for me to trust them, but they did a great job of working hard every single day to get to that end-of-the-season victory.”

The team had just three juniors, with the rest being freshmen and sophomores. The school didn’t have seniors for the first year and had only eight players show up at tryouts. Sophomore shortstop Megan DeVilliers took on a big leadership role. Hernandez said that DeVilliers was a great asset to the team and that she not only understands the game, but also she is very patient and does a very good job of helping the younger players become comfortable.

“I’ll remember all of the tireless practices and hard work that led to us winning games,” said DeVilliers. “I’m excited to make new team traditions.”

Hernandez usually doesn’t name a team MVP because she believes in the team aspect. The program was made up of team players who didn’t care about who got the credit, they just wanted to win.

“I try to instill in them that every game someone different has to be the hero and that’s how a team is successful,” she said. “The overall MVP of the season is the team as a whole, being fresh out of the gate and not knowing their coach and not necessarily knowing their teammates, a brand-new school, new facilities and, on top of that, a global pandemic. I would have to say that the whole team deserves MVP honors.”

Hernandez said that the turning point in the season came after a 9-5 loss to Jefferson midway through. The Lady Stingrays lost to Jefferson twice in the regular season, but got their revenge later on.

Brown stepped up her game in the district tournament with clutch hitting and was instrumental to the team’s run as 5A District 10 champions, beating Jefferson 10-8 in a slugfest. “I attended East Bay High School my freshman and sophomore year and I came to Sumner because I wanted to be a part of something new,” said Brown. “I’m excited to set the precedent for the following years, and I was very excited that we won our first distract championship.”

Te Sumner Lady Stingrays won the frst district title in their school’s history.