Plant city observer
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013
BRAGGING RIGHTS
by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
athlete of the week
11
by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
Durant bests Plant City ALI GRIMMEL in diamond rivalry The Durant High School softball and baseball teams picked up big wins over rival Plant City High April 11, at home. Durant’s Paige Davis gave up just one hit in a 6-0 win against the Lady Raiders, in the non-district season finale for both softball teams. Chaz Fowler also threw a one-hitter for Durant’s baseball team, leading them to a 1-0 win over the Raiders.
Carter said the win over Plant City is a good sign going into districts. “They’re 10-0 in their district and are the No. 1 seed, so we wanted to come out here and prove a point, and we did,” he said. Durant head baseball coach Butch Valdes liked what he saw out of Fowler April 11. “This was the Chaz Fowler of old,” he said. “He’s had some rough spots this season, but what he did tonight is the Chaz Fowler of old. That’s the guy who throws and mixes up the pitches and doesn’t always try to throw it by you. He kind of deals a little bit.” Fowler said it came down to focus. “It’s just about going out there and throwing first-pitch strikes,” he Matt Mauney said. “Once you get them Durant’s Chaz Fowler was back to his old self on the mound in a hole, there’s basically nothing else they April 11. can do.” Davis, a senior who has been stellar on With Fowler pitching well, along with the mound for the Lady Cougars this sea- Durant’s ace Tyler Danish, the Cougars will son, didn’t walk any Plant City batters in be a favorite as they enter the Class 8A Disthe complete-game shutout. trict 7 tournament. “She did a solid job again tonight,” said Plant City’s Keven Long also pitched a head coach Matt Carter. “She’s been on a solid game Thursday. The lone run of the roll here lately. She’s consistent, and she game came in the fourth when Durant does the same thing that she’s done for us scored on an infield error. the last two years.” “To make a district title game, or regionDurant moved to 17-8 overall on the als or state, we have to make those plays,” year with the win, while Plant City fell to said PCHS head coach Mike Fryrear. “De15-7. Both teams went into their respec- fensively, we were sound tonight other tive district tournaments this week as No. than that one play. Unfortunately, that 1 seeds. was the difference in the game.”
Wide receiver and captain Ali Grimmel has been a leader for the Plant City High flag football team in more ways than one. The four-year starter has 33 catches on the year for 312 yards, but it is her vocal leadership that stands out. Grimmel, also a competitive cheerleader at PCHS, uses her outgoing personality to motivate and lead her team. PCHS is 8-0 this season going into Wednesday’s game against Newsome.
What do you like about playing flag football? Touchdowns. They give you an adrenaline rush. How did you get involved? The seniors on my cheerleading team freshman year said I should try it. I did and I love it, so I’ve done it ever since. How long have you cheered? Since my freshman year in high school, but I’ve been cheering since I was 13. What are some goals you have, flag football-wise, this year as a senior? I want to have an undefeated season and go to state. We’ve gotten close every year. I think we have the potential to do it this year. What has the season been like so far compared to past years? It’s been totally different, because we have a fresh group of girls. We have a new quarterback, new receivers and new defense. It’s a clean start,
and I feel that we are more assertive this year. Did you find yourself taking on more of a leadership role? Yes, because when all the seniors left, I felt a lot of the girls looked up to me since I’ve been here four years. Any college plans? I got accepted into Florida Gulf Coast, but I think I’m going to go to Valencia, in Orlando. I’m looking to transfer to UCF to be a sports trainer. What are you going to miss about flag football and cheerleading? My coaches. They have become my family. Outside of sports, what keeps you busy? I work at Applebee’s in Plant City, and I’m always with my friends and family. What would your teammates say about the kind of person and teammate you are? Probably weird. I’m always pumping them up. They always say, “I know you’re the cheerleader, because your voice is so loud,” because I’m always cheering them on when I’m not on the field.
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