PINT-SIZED POWERHOUSE

Andrea Mujica Staff Writer

At only 12 years old, Windermere Prep sixth-grader Kylie Konstand is the youngest member of the Lady Lakers varsity softball team — and its starting third baseman.

Everything started two years ago, when her parents —Bill and Stacy Konstand — asked the team if she could practice with the girls and be the bat girl. The team said yes.

“If you are in elementary school, you can’t join the team,” Kylie said.

“So in sixth grade, we had a new coach, because all of our players left — they were all seniors — and they accepted me on the team.”

The Foundation Academy boys weightlifting team were crowned district champions. “The team has worked extremely hard, and their dedication has paid off,” weightlifting coach Andre Walker said. “I would like to congratulate the entire team on their remarkable achievement.”

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Three members of the team earned individual first-place finishes during the meet: Edward Byrd, Elijah David and Cody Cramer. The Lions competed at the regional meet at 3 p.m. Friday, April 7, at The Villages High School.

After tryouts and a couple of trial runs at second base, Athletic Director Patrick Hollern — currently the head softball coach — moved her to third base, aka “the hot corner.”

“They realized how quick my reaction was and (in) third base, (the ball) gets hit much harder to you,” Kylie said. “(Because) I had such a quick reaction, they put me to play in third base.”

And being the one in the hot corner is a dream come true to Kylie. She loves to get involved in all the action that is taking place during every play and also use her arm strength to throw the ball — when needed — all the way to first base.

SOFTBALL ROAD

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Windermere Preparatory School senior soccer player Joao Vitor Baldin recently was named to the United Soccer Coaches Florida All-State Team. Baldin finished his last season as a Laker with 14 points, five goals and four assists.

Kylie has played softball since she was 5 years old. In that time, her parents combined have missed fewer than three games; they love to see her perform on the field.

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The Horizon High School girls varsity lacrosse team ended its regular season with a 19-3 win over Lyman High School Wednesday, April 5. Hayley Makin and Kara Garcia each scored four goals and contributed an assist, while Amarah Mills reached the net three times and had a couple of assists. Alyssa Miller, Anatasia Cisco, Ashley Renk, Camila Marcial, Courtney O’Rourke, Kelsey McCaffery, Kiera Will and Rebekah Tabosa all scored during the game. The Lady Hawks ended their regular season with a 13-4 overall record and are currently the No. 2 seed in Class 1A, District 6. The girls hosted All-Saints Academy in the district semifinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, after press time.

“We are extremely proud,” Bill Konstand said. “We want her to get everything that she can out of the sport (and this experience). The day she decides she doesn’t like it anymore, she will not have to do it anymore, but she says she loves it, so we love it for her.”

Kylie practices five days a week at school, a couple of days a week at her travel team — The CF Phoenix— and also works on her swing every so often

SEE PASSION PAGE 2B

Kylie Konstand loves playing softball, and her parents, Bill and

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The Windermere High School varsity baseball team currently has a 14-3 overall season record and a six-game winning streak as they are the No. 1 seed in Class 7A, District 5. The Wolverines defeated Cypress Creek 10-0 Friday, April 7, during a non-district game and were set to travel to Dr. Phillips at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, for a district game, after press time.