Northeast Florida December 2016 Edition

FLETCHER Dominates Gateway Fall Standings The Perfect Trail No Place Like Home for the Pickett Family Spartans Build Dynasty One Brick at a Time

DOING IT ALL — ON & OFF THE FIELD GAME NORTHEAST FLORIDA

In The Game | 1

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IN THE

ORANGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL

December 2016

KATIE BERLIN

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In The Game | 3

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

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Atlantic Coast High School

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Bishop Kenny High School

Bishop John J. Snyder High School

joi.net

The Bolles School

Paxon School for Advanced Studies

Fernandina Beach High School

ISSUE 12 Inside The Coach’s Day

Ishaka Table Tennis Club

The Story Behind The Sweetness

DOING IT ALL — ON & OFF THE FIELD

Coach Jason Cooley Mandarin High School

14 Fletcher Dominates

Katie Berlin Orange Park High School

Gateway Fall Standings

18

Bartram Trail Swim Team Makes History 2016-17 Cross Country All-Sports Sports to Look Out For

Fast Breaks

IN THIS

9 17 54 67 68

No Place Like Home for the Pickett Family Carson Pickett St. Johns Country Day

20 Spartans Build Dynasty One Brick at a Time St. Johns Country Day

23

Player Profiles

38

Meniscus Tears:

39

Turning Bad Decisions Into A Better Tomorrow

11 Athletes From the Northeast Florida Area

42

48

The Perfect Trail

50

Homecoming of Sorts as Corky Returns to the Backyard

56

A Small Change for a Big Impact

58

Jumbo Change in Jacksonville’s Sports Landscape

64

Pedro Menendez: St. Augustine Strong

More Common Than You Think

Athletic Director Ben Windle Bartram Trail High School

OJ Small Robert E. Lee

Pedro Menendez High School

Kalan Norris

10

Fleming Island Swim Team

20 In The Game | 5

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

23

Contributors:

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

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Website Manager Cole Parker

Tell us what you thought about the October issue of In The Game! info@itgsportsnetwork.com St. Johns Country Day Trinity Christian’s A.J. Labas Running From No One Pitches at Major League Camp

Track Star Qualifies for Junior Olympics

Player Profiles

Local Olympic Star Recounts His Rio Experience

BOLLES SWIMMING: Jon Sakovich Leads Team Towards Continued Greatness IN THE

GAME NORTHEAST FLORIDA

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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 for local student-athletes, coaches, and fans.

So if you know of a player, coach, or fan who is deserving of recognition, head to our website and officially nominate that story!

We are looking for people who understand what it means to passionately persevere, inspire, and strive for greatness in all areas of life. In short, we are looking for people who understand what it means to BE In the Game.

So the question is: Are you in?

October 2016

Christmas trees and championship rings: Does it get any better?

December signals the end of the semester, much to the elation of the student body, but it also means the end of fall sports, much to the disappointment of countless fans. The likes of high school football, softball, volleyball, competition cheerleading, and cross country won’t take center stage again in Northeast Florida for eight long months, leaving the athletes to train and the fans to despair.

But as we wrap up 2016 and usher in 2017, it’s officially time for the torch to be passed to winter sports. Basketball, swimming, and wrestling now step into the spotlight, beginning their seasons as winter finally breaks through the seemingly endless summer and brief fall.

With that in mind, this magazine was built to be the best of both worlds. The passing of the torch from fall sports to winter sports is apparent in these pages, showcasing both fall and winter student-athletes and community members that embody what it means to BE In the Game. They are all inspirational, passionate, and driven individu-

als who strive for excellence in every season, every game, every day, and every moment.

Katie Berlin, the do-it-all athlete from Orange Park High School and our cover athlete for this edition, perfectly embodies these ideals. But she isn’t the only one; our Player Profiles include the likes of Charles Hicks, Sara McKevitt, Grace Davis, Chase Rivera, Justin Mitchell, Nicole Sowell, Christian Glover, Marcus Brooks, Lexi Smith, Kyle Marion, and Sophie Membrino.

On top of that, we visit Bartram Trail as their swim team makes history and see how their athletic program as a whole continues to excel. We spoke with Jason Cooley, head coach for Mandarin’s soccer program, about how he successfully leads his program each year. Fletcher continues to dominate the golf scene. Jean Marie Kanani sets the standard for the development of ping pong in the area.

And the Jacksonville Suns are undergoing a Jumbo change.

You also won’t want to miss the compelling stories of #St.AugustineStrong, the Pickett family affair at St. Johns Country Day, Kalan Norris as he makes the most of his past mistakes, and Corky Rogers’ journey from Lee to Bolles and back again.

These stories and more pack the pages of this December-January edition of our In the Game

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 Kathy Neeley Kim Hoy Corey Davis Nicole Cantin Courtney Wagner Feature Writers Jon Nelson Brent Beaird Corey Davis Ryan Hutchins Joey Lopes Courtney Wagner Coach Jordan Bright Copy Editor Anna Limoges Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes

In The Game | 7

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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BARTRAM TRAIL SWIM TEAM MAKES HISTORY

FAST BREAK

Written by: Courtney Wagner | Photography by: Arron Musgrove

Just two short years ago the Bartram Trail girls swim team placed 32nd overall at State. This year they made history and were the first public school in Northeast Florida to take home a 3A State Championship in 75 years. Out of 52 high school teams competing, they clinched the title by just half a point, the closest margin in history. The last public school to take home a title was Fletcher in 1941. The future looks bright for this team as it consists of all sophomores and just one senior.

FAST BREAK

FLEMING ISLAND SWIM TEAM

Written by: Coach Jordan Bright Photography by: Kathy Neeley

With about 120 teams in 4A swimming in Florida, the Fleming Island boys swim team finished second overall! The best part is being able to do it with just four guys. We are the state runner-up to Riverview High School in Sarasota, a perennial state powerhouse.

HERE’S WHERE OUR POINTS CAME FROM. STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 200 Freestyle

• Nick Hackett • Time: 1:39.04 • AA-Consideration time and new school record

100 Butterfly

• Nick Hackett • Time: 48.88 • Automatic All-American time and new school record

200 Freestyle Relay

• John Hutton (21.00), Jack Neeley (21.20), Drew Heinton (21.55), Nick Hackett (20.78) • Time: 1:24.53 • Automatic All-American time and new school record

RUNNER-UP TO STATE CHAMPION: 50 Freestyle

• Jack Neeley • Time: 21.20 • Second place

400 Freestyle Relay

• Nick Hackett, Jack Neeley, Drew Heinton, John Hutton • Second place • Riverview beat us by .70 as we swam an AA time of 3:06.19 and a new school record.

OTHER POINTS: John Hutton

• Third place in 200 IM with an AA time of 1:49.55 • Fourth place in 100 breaststroke with a time of 57.44

Drew Heinton

• Fourth place in 50 freestyle with a time of 21.64 • Seventh place in 100 freestyle with a time of 47.87 We're excited for our boys. John Hutton is our lone senior and has FSU and a few other schools looking at him. He leaves with school records in the 200 IM, 100 breaststroke, and 50 freestyle and as part of all three school relay records. Jack and Nick will come back for one more season of dominating performances, and Drew is only a sophomore, which is pretty amazing. We're hoping for a quick reload and another great season next year!

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FirstCoastYMCA.org

2016-17 Bowling All-sports points School

Fletcher Sandalwood Mandarin First Cost Baldwin Ed White Robert E. Lee Englewood Atlantic Coast Terry Parker Ribault Stanton Paxon Andrew Jackson Wolfson Raines Westside

Points 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 0 0

Girls All Conference Bowling Team SAVANNAH GOOD First Coast

ALYSSA SOMEILLAN Terry Parker

378 348

SYDNEY PIERT

Fletcher 342 DAKOTA METLIKA

Sandalwood 340 ANNE LEVASSEUR

Sandalwood 335 BRIANNA PISANI

Fletcher 310 ELIZABETH SPEIGHT

Sandalwood 306 RACHEL HERVEY

Fletcher 305 Coach of Championship Team: Christine Sport Supervisor: R. Bloxom/Johnson 12 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Inside The COACH’S DAY Written by: Ryan Hutchins | Photography by: Nicole Canton

Jason Cooley is the boys varsity soccer coach at Mandarin High School. During his tenure at the school, Cooley has guided the Mustangs to multiple playoff appearances while also coaching the girls team.

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN COACHING BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER, BOTH IN GENERAL AND HERE AT MANDARIN?

Pat Moore. We attended US Soccer coaching licensing classes together. She was a coach at what was known as JYS, which is now FESA. I was coaching U12 select boys and was the Director of the Advanced Division, and Pat was coaching older boys at the club. We had similar philosophies about soccer and development.

She was stepping down as the coach at Mandarin and recommended me to the Athletic Director (Tammie Talley).

WHAT IS A NORMAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?

Well, since I am an “off-campus” coach, I work my primary job at Citibank from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. as a software developer. This allows me to leave work in order to get to practice by 2:30 p.m. I will leave practice by 5 p.m. or later depending on (mowing, lining) fields, etc. Then I catch up on any work at Citi that may have been left over. It’s a long day.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO YOUR SUCCESS AS A COACH?

Following a process. The players change, but my process has remained essentially the same. It’s evolved through the years, but my core principles have remained constant throughout the seasons.

WHAT IMPACT HAVE THE STUDENT-ATHLETES HAD ON YOU PERSONALLY?

Keeps me young for one and you have to like rap music. I think the biggest impact that they have had is in helping me appreciate their unique situations and hardships. Back in the day, I was a lot more black and white – no gray. But through the years, I have been involved with kids from across the globe, and I had to change some things to gray. I really like that. We have such a diverse student body now, and navigating it requires patience – something I am not – and understanding. So I am still learning. For me, learning about them, their backgrounds, and families is an amazing gift.

DO YOU HAVE A FONDEST MEMORY OF COACHING? ONE THAT STANDS OUT MORE THAN ANOTHER?

Eric Han scoring a goal with 1.8 seconds left to send us to the state finals. The playoffs were set up differently that year, so we got the unique opportunity to host the State Semi-final, and Mustang Nation was there in full force.

Never seen that many kids, administrators, parents, friends – you get the picture – at a high school soccer game.

The home side stands were full and the place went ballistic with that goal.

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W W W. 1 S T P L A C E S P O R T S . C O M In The Game | 13

Gateway Conference Standings Boys Fletcher 49 Mandarin 48 Stanton 45 Paxon 40 Atlantic Coast 37 Sandalwood 33 First Coast 31.5 Lee 30 Parker 30 Baldwin 24 Wolson 20 Ed White 11 Raines 7.5 Englewood 5 Jackson 3 Ribault 1.5 Westside 1.5

Girls Fletcher 84 Mandarin 78 Paxon 69.5 Stanton 66.5 Atlantic Coast 60 Lee 56.5 Sandalwood 56 First Coast 49 Ed White 41 Baldwin 39.5 Parker 39 Englewood 30.5 Wolfson 30 Westside 20.5 Raines 17.5 Jackson 15.5 Ribault 10

Fletcher Dominates Gateway Fall Standings Written by: Corey Davis | Photography by: Corey Davis

We are not even a third of the way into the 2016-17 high school sports season, and one local school has likely already clinched the Gateway Conference Best Athletic Program award.

Through the completion of the fall standings, Fletcher dominated the Gateway Conference AllSports standings, winning six of the nine sports titles.

One person not completely surprised by this is longtime Fletcher Athletic Director Joe Reynolds, who is in his 26th year.

“Traditionally we have always done really well in the Gateway Conference All-Sports Standings,” Reynolds said. “Over the years it’s always come down to Mandarin, Fletcher, Sandalwood, and sometimes Stanton for the title. Although since Mandarin opened (in 1990), we haven’t won the overall title.”

A big reason why the Senators have done so well in the overall award is the success of the fall sports programs.

“We have really done well in the fall too,” Reynolds said. “It helps us to have strong swimming, golf, cross country, and volleyball programs as well.”

Reynolds was quite humble of Reynolds mentioned several the Senators’ success and was former Senators, himself includquick to point out why they’re ed, coming back to the school to so successful. coach as another advantage.

“This is really all about the student-athletes,” Reynolds said.

“There really is THROUGH THE COMPLETION no secret forOF THE FALL STANDINGS, mula. It’s just about the kids FLETCHER DOMINATED THE working really GATEWAY CONFERENCE ALLhard and our coaches work- SPORTS STANDINGS, WINNING ing hard as 6 OF THE 9 SPORTS TITLES. well.”

Being so close to the beach is a huge advantage for “Our boys swim coach, Bob the majority of Fletcher’s sports Anderson, swam at Fletcher; our programs. Many teams even use girls cross country coach, Dan the beach to run and condition Holloway, ran track and cross their athletes year round. country here; and Kevin Brown, “Absolutely it’s an advantage our football coach, was a threefor us,” Reynolds said. “Several sport all-conference athlete here of our teams use the beach to in football, track, and soccer,” train.”

Reynolds said.

Overall Fletcher 133 Mandarin 126 Stanton 111 Paxon 109.5 Atlantic Coast 97 Sandalwood 89 Lee 86.5 First Coast 80.5 Parker 69 Baldwin 63.5 Ed White 52 Wolfson 50 Englewood 35.5 Raines 25 Westside 21.5 Jackson 18.5 Ribault 11.5 14 | itgsportsnetwork.com

CROSS COUNTRY

2016-17 Volleyball All-Sports Points

VOLLEYBALL

Rank

The conference is comprised of 17 public schools within the city limits of Jacksonville, including Atlantic Coast, Baldwin, Ed White, Englewood, First Coast, Fletcher, Jackson, Lee, Mandarin, Paxon, Raines, Ribault, Sandalwood, Stanton, Terry Parker, Westside, and Wolfson.

Schools compete in 22 sports in the conference including boys golf, girls golf, boys swimming, girls swimming, boys cross country, girls cross country, girls volleyball, boys football, and girls bowling in the fall.

It has been a banner year so far for Senators sports programs, winning conference titles in girls swimming, boys swimming, girls cross country, girls bowling, girls volleyball, and boys golf.

Boys and girls golf conference tournaments officially kicked off the season on Oct. 3-4 at Blue Sky golf course.

Fletcher won the boys title and finished second in the girls,

scoring even behind Stanton.

Swimming championships were held on Oct. 8 at Cecil Field Aquatics Center. Fletcher dominated both meets, beating Mandarin and Atlantic Coast, which finished second and third, respectively, in both meets.

The Gateway Conference volleyball tournament was held Oct. 10-14 at various locations across the city before concluding at Fletcher. With home court advantage, the Senators knocked off nemesis Mandarin to win the title, while Stanton and Atlantic Coast tied for third.

The cross-country championships were held Oct. 12 at Patton Park with Fletcher taking the girls title over Mandarin and Mandarin taking the boys title over Stanton and Fletcher.

The fall season wrapped up Oct.

“WE HAVE REALLY DONE WELL IN THE FALL TOO. IT HELPS US TO HAVE STRONG SWIMMING, GOLF, CROSS COUNTRY AND VOLLEYBALL PROGRAMS AS WELL.”

20 at Bowl America Southside, where the Senators claimed their sixth conference title, holding off Sandalwood and Mandarin.

While football doesn’t compete in a season-ending tournament, the regular season ended with three teams having a chance to win the outright title by winning their last game; however, Raines, Mandarin, and Baldwin all lost their final games.

The result was an eight-way tie for first between Lee (6-1), Fletcher (5-1), Westside (4-1), Raines (3-1, Mandarin (3-1), Sandalwood (3-1), Ribault (3-1) and Baldwin (2-1). As of press time, a conference champion had yet to be declared.

Both Fletcher and Mandarin will benefit from strong football seasons as well to boost their title hopes going into the winter.

Heading into the winter, conference championships will be held Dec. 8 at Mandarin for girls weightlifting, Jan. 9-13 at various sites for boys and girls soccer, Jan. 10-13 at various sites for girls basketball, Jan. 20-21 at Sandalwood for wrestling, and Jan. 17-11 for boys basketball.

1 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 9 9 9 9 13 13 13 13 13

School

Fletcher Mandarin Stanton Atlantic Coast Baldwin Ed White Englewood Paxon First Coast Sandalwood Westside Wolfson Jackson Lee Terry Parker Raines Ribault

Points 17 16 14.5 14.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 3 3 3 3 3

All Conference Team Amanda Beane

POINTS

Fletcher 1 Mariela Berrios

Sandalwood 2 Briana Cato

Ed White 1 Emily Cononie

Englewood 2 Katherine Felice

Fletcher 1 Shalyn Goodloe

Mandarin 1 Mary McDonnell

Stanton 1 Vivian McGowan

Mandarin 1 Mia McKay

Fletcher 1 Lindsay McPhearson

Stanton 1 Brooke Ruud

Fletcher 3 Heaven Walker

First Coast 1 In The Game | 15

COACH OF CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM: D. Bennett SPORT SUPERVISOR:

K. Blount

ALL CONFERENCE BOYS GOLF TEAM

School

Fletcher Stanton Mandarin First Coast Paxon Atlantic Coast Baldwin Terry Paker Sandalwood Lee Wolfson Englewood Jackson Raines Ribault Westside Ed White

Usually the overall award comes down to just a few points separating Fletcher from Mandarin or Sandalwood.

Score Points 317 317 339 348 359 360 368 390 401 504 NTS DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP

17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 0 0 0 0 0 0

ALL CONFERENCE BOYS GOLF TEAM Name/School Points

Brandon Mancheno Mandarin 66 Alex Austin Atlantic Coast

"We're fortunate to do really well in wrestling and boys and girls soccer in the winter, but it really comes down to how we do in baseball or softball," Reynolds said. "Both of those are up and down, and if we can win either of those titles, we can win the overall title as well. It will probably come down to Mandarin and Fletcher again."

IT HAS BEEN A BANNER YEAR SO FAR FOR THE SENATORS SPORTS PROGRAM, WINNING CONFERENCE TITLES IN GIRLS SWIMMING, BOYS SWIMMING, GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY, GIRLS BOWLING, GIRLS VOLLEYBALL, AND BOYS GOLF.

GOLF

GOLF

76

Austin Evans Stanton 76 Jason Chang Stanton 77 Kyle Horton Fletcher 78 Dalton Paris Baldwin 79 Andrew Porter Fletcher 80 16 | itgsportsnetwork.com

BOWLING

2016-17 Cross Country All-Sports Boys Cross Country All-Sports Points

Rank School 1 Mandarin 2 Stanton 3 Fletcher 4 Lee 5 Paxon 6 Sandalwood 7 Ed White 8 Atlantic Coast 9 Terry Parker 10 Raines 11 First Coast 12 Baldwin 13 Englewood 14 Wolfson 15 Jackson 16 Ribault 17 Westside

Score 39 67 77 139 151 160 205 272 290 298 298 319 322 342 415 DNS DNS

Points 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 7.5 7.5 6 5 4 3 1.5 1.5

FAST BREAK

Boys All Conference Team Sam Skiles Stanton 2

John Hutton Lee 1

Terrance Sessoms Sandalwood 3

Anthony Rukab Mandarin 1

Sebastian Kenne Stanton 1

Tim Ziemathis Mandarin 1

Fuad Batteh Mandarin 1

Charles McPhail Terry Parker

1

Girls Cross Country All-Sports Points

Rank School 1 Fletcher 2 Mandarin 3 Stanton 4 Paxon 5 Atlantic Coast 6 Sandalwood 7 First Coast 8 Lee 9 Ed White 10 Baldwin 11 Westside 12 Raines 13 Terry Parker 14 Englewood 15 Wolfson 16 Jackson 17 Ribault

Score 25 52 76 91 192 198 208 227 244 274 319 326 344 368 DNS DNS DNS

Points 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 2 2 2

Girls All Conference Team Kayley Delay Fletcher 4

Madison Cowart Mandarin 2

Liberty Pigg Fletcher 1

Kate Overby Fletcher 2

Alivia Davis Stanton 1

Kali Miller Fletcher 1

Lindsey Vansant Lee 2

Sarah Brunner Mandarin 1

In The Game | 17

No Place Like Home for the Pickett Family Written by: Corey Davis | Photography courtesy of www.seminoles.com

“I’m not here to be their friend, but they look up to me, and I respect them, and they respect me. I want to be a great role model as well.”

From the time she was little, Carson Pickett spent a lot of time at St. Johns Country Day soccer field watching her father coach the perennial state power program. Following the completion of her rookie season with the Seattle Reign, Carson wasn’t sure what her next move would be. It turns out it wasn’t that hard of a decision at all: come back to St. Johns.

Her other option was to continue playing professional soccer in Australia or Greece, but that would mean having only one week off the entire year.

After talking to her family and her Reign coach, there was only one move for her: move back home to Orange Park.

“That was my first time being away from home really, and that was tough on me,” Carson said. “My dad said I could come home and teach and coach.”

That was an offer she couldn’t refuse. Her fa-

ther, Mike Pickett, is the head coach of St. Johns Country Day girls soccer program, home of the current five-time consecutive state champions.

Carson, 23, was hired as the middle school and junior varsity head coach this winter under her father’s watch. When her games end, Carson switches over to being an assistant coach for the varsity team.

After her Reign team missed the playoffs by one point, the family decided her next move.

“We talked to her, and we all agreed it was in her best interest to move back home in October,” Mike said. “She still trains and works out here, but now she subs about four days a week as a teacher and coaches both the middle school and junior varsity teams.”

The relationship, to no surprise, is working well given the fact the two are extremely close. Carson played for her father un-

18 | itgsportsnetwork.com

til 2011, winning state titles in 2007 and 2009 as an underclassman. According to her dad’s extensive research, Carson still holds two school records with 152 career assists and 153 games played while also being second all-time in goals scored with 154 goals.

After graduating from St. Johns, Carson went on to play at FSU, where she was a four-year starting defender for the Seminoles and guided them to their first ever national championship two years ago.

With her professional career temporarily on hold until the spring, Carson looks to continue the legacy of domination her dad built at St. Johns through guiding the middle school, junior varsity, and varsity programs.

While coaching was one of the last things on her mind, so far it’s been working well.

“Through the Reign, I was able to get a coaching license,” Carson said. “It made me excited about coming back home and working again with the program.”

Unlike most new coaches who take over a program and have to learn things immediately, Carson is quite familiar with the program and her father’s ways, giving her an immediate advantage.

“It’s tough to play under him,” Carson said

with a laugh. “But he is always teaching them and me, and coming back and not having to relearn the system or a new system is definitely an advantage.”

Having been a part of the Spartans program and having had success at FSU and now in Seattle, Carson and her dad hope that her experience carries over at St. Johns and steers them in the right direction.

“She played with some of these girls when she was a senior as they were six graders then,” Mike said. “They are not in awe yet. Most of them are not really aware there is professional soccer, but they love being around her.”

“She is hard on them when she needs to be,” Mike said. “It’s good for everybody that she is here.”

Carson agrees and hopes to be a good mentor to and role model for the ladies.

“It’s a relief to be coaching the middle school and junior varsity program,” Carson said.

“It’s really relaxed here.

I’m trying to teach them to have fun and (that) it’s not life or death when it comes to wins and losses.”

Having the pleasure of teaching and coaching girls in the program from the time they enter sixth grade until the time they are seniors is a huge advantage that has helped them polish their skills on the field and establish great relationships off the field.

“Coming in as a sixth grader and seeing seniors, it can be an intimidating factor,” Carson said. “However, they

“Coming in as a sixth grader and seeing seniors, it can be an intimidating factor.

However, they know from day one our goal is to win the state championship every year and anything else is not accepted.”

know from day one our goal is to win the state championship every year and anything else is not accepted.”

That might seem a bit rough, but that’s the high expectation of a program that has won eight state titles.

Second place is last place mentality.

While winning titles is the ultimate goal, both coaches are trying to teach their players more than just soccer.

“I’m not here to be their friend, but they look up to me, and I respect them, and they respect me,” Carson said. “I want to be a great role model as well.”

Her father echoed those statements.

“She is a great resource for us,” Mike said. “The girls can ask her about recruiting at any time.”

While her relationship with her father is extremely close, her mother, Treasure Pickett, has been a lifelong supporter as well. Despite being the principal at Oakleaf High, Treasure makes a point to attend nearly every game.

It truly is a family affair for the Pickett family with Carson and father reaping the benefits of a long and storied career. Together the two look to lead the Spartans to their sixth straight title in March, which, if they are able to do, would put them second alltime in consecutive state titles, passing Parkland Douglas with five and placing them one behind St. Thomas Aquinas with seven straight titles.

MAKING HISTORY

Florida High School Football Records

Most Rushing Yards in a Season:

DERRICK HENRY Yulee

4,261 TRAVIS HENRY Frostproof

4,087 DESHAWN SMITH Nature Coast

3,715 MAURICE WELLS Sandalwood

3,076

STEWARD BUTLER Lakeland

3,043

WILLY MCCLENDON University Christian

2,969 FRANK GORE Coral Gables

2,953 EMMITT SMITH Escambia

2,918 BILAL ALLY Clay

2,909 KELVIN TAYLOR Glades Day

2,884

In The Game | 19

MAKING HISTORY CONTINUED Florida High School Football Records

Most Passing Yards in a Career:

SPARTANS BUILD DYNASTY ONE BRICK AT A TIME “That’s a big Written by: Corey Davis Photography courtesy of jacksonville.com

TUCKER ISRAEL

Lake Nona

14,082 DE’ANDRE JOHNSON

First Coast

11,697 JOHN WOOLFORD

Bishop Kenny

10,621 QUENTIN WILLIAMS

Jefferson

It might be hard to believe, but winning didn’t always come so easy for the St. Johns Country Day girls soccer program. In the early days, it was quite common for the Spartans to bow out in the second round of the playoffs. Prior to head coach Mike Pickett taking over the program in 1999, the Spartans had never been past the second round, which continued with Pickett as they fell in the same round five consecutive appearances (1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003) thanks to nemesis rivals Gainesville Oak Hall and Tallahassee Maclay.

“To be honest it was about changing the culture here,” Pickett said.

“Before I got here, there were not any high expectations at all. They were satisfied with just getting to the playoffs and the second round.

They didn’t even practice on Fridays.”

10,384 JAVAN SHASHATY

Calvary Christian

10,140 TIM TEBOW

Nease

9,810 WILL INDIANOS

OAK HALL

9,543 RAKEEM CATO

Miami Central/Springs

9,412 CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER

Lakeland Victory

9,186 XAVIER LEE

Seabreeze

9,083 20 | itgsportsnetwork.com

In his fifth year, a 6-0 win over Maclay in the first round was the spark the Spartans needed to end the streak, and they haven’t looked back since. Wins over Trinity Catholic and PK Yonge put the Spartans in their first Final Four, where they held off Lakeland Christian 4-2 and lost a 1-0 nail bitter to American Heritage in the title game. In 2005 the Spartans were back in the Final Four and avenged the previous year’s state title loss to American Heritage with a 2-1 win to claim their first of many future state titles.

St. Johns (22-0-1) added to its trophy case again, winning the school’s eighth overall title last February with a 5-0 win over Naples Community School. Even more impressive is that the Spartans held

motivation for the girls. Seeing one of their own make it to the professional ranks is huge.

That helps more girls come out and has more girls playing.” all of their opponents scoreless, outscoring them 25-0 during their playoff run.

Pickett, 363-58-27 in 18 seasons, along with longtime assistant coach Brad Schmidt and assistant coach Cody Slaughter, have figured out the recipe of not only how to build a dynasty, but also how to keep it going.

Schmidt, who has been with Pickett 15 of the 18 years, along with Slaughter, who is in his fifth year, are both St. Johns grads and former boys soccer players.

Slaughter was also a member of the last boys state soccer title team back in 2005.

“Having both Brad and Cody here has been a blessing, but that’s what we do here,” Pickett said.

“A lot of our coaches are former students and athletes that come back.”

2016 CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPION 8TH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 5 CONSECUTIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TH

12TH REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP You would think that by building a dynasty perhaps players from nearby Orange Park and Ridgeview, both with struggling programs, would be knocking on the door to transfer to St. Johns, but that’s not the case.

“We have the advantag e of having a middle school program, and 15 of the 22 on my current roster have been playing for me since sixth grade,” Pickett said.

“All but one of the remaining seven kids have been playing here since ninth grade.”

Over the last five years, not one single kid has transferred in. In fact nearly all of his players come from Orange Park, Fleming Island, or Middleburg.

“Our success has drawn some of those kids to come visit and look at us, but nearly all of them can’t afford it,” Pickett said. “We don’t offer any scholarships and very little financial aid at all only if you qualify. It’s extremely difficult to get in here with such high academic standards.”

Pickett mentioned a pilot program he started with the elementary-aged kids that will also benefit his program.

“I started an after school soccer program for third through fifth graders, and we play against other small private schools in the spring,” Pickett said. “So now I will have girls who will have nine years of coaching underneath me.”

Winning five in a row might make some players complacent and have them thinking going to the Final Four every year comes automatically and is not earned. Pickett, however, has a plan for that every year.

“Over the last two weeks, I meet with every player and make them sign a oneyear annual contract,” Pickett said. “We go over their weaknesses and strengths so they can work on their own or with their club team. They keep a signed copy, and I always bring that up to them that nothing comes easy.”

As proud as he is of the on-the-field accomplishments, he is even more overwhelmed by the off-field accomplishments. Several of this year’s seniors – including Payton Crews (TCU), Alisa Detlefsen (Troy), Abbey Newton (LSU), and Kirsten Pavlisko (FSU) – have already committed to major Division I-A schools, and when those four sign, that will increase the total to 27 former players who have signed college scholarships. A lot of his former players come back and help him with camps and clinics, including his own daughter Carson Pickett, a recent FSU grad and fourth-overall pick by the Seattle Reign.

“That’s a big motivation for the girls,” Pickett said.

“Seeing one of their own make it to the professional ranks is huge. That helps more girls come out and (has) more (girls) playing.”

More girls coming out in sixth grade, and now third-grade, spells doom for opposing coaches, as Pickett will have up to nine years to coach them.

And as long as Pickett is there, St. Johns Country Day is going nowhere.

“I’ve thought about retiring a couple of times, but I guess I keep waiting for that special class,” Pickett said. “But, then, I say that nearly every year, and then I keep coming back.”

And that’s bad news for everyone in the area, specifically for American Heritage, Lakeland Christian, and everybody else in 1A, as the road to title number six has already begun.

MAKING HISTORY CONTINUED Florida High School Football Records

Most TD Passes in a Career: TUCKER ISRAEL

Lake Nona

162 DE’ANDRE JOHNSON

First Coast

131 JOHN WOOLFORD

Bishop Kenny

126 JAVAN SHASHATY

Calvary Christian

112 CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER

Lakeland Victory

110 QUENTIN WILLIAMS

Jefferson

109 RAKEEM CATO

Miami Central/Springs

103 WILL INDIANOS

OAK HALL

100 JOHN BRANTLEY

Ocala Trinity

99 XAVIER LEE

Seabreeze

98 In The Game | 21

Merry Christmas from our

FAMILY to YOURS

Photography by: Arron Musgrove

Charles hicks Sara McKevitt Grace Davis Chase Rivera Justin Mitchell Nicole Sowell Christian Marcus Brooks Lexi Smith Charles hicks Sara McKevitt Grace Davis Chase Rivera Justin Mitchell Sowell Christian Glover Marcus Brooks Lexi Smith Kyle Marion Sophie Membrino Charles hicks In The Game | 23Bro McKevitt Grace Davis Chase Rivera Justin Mitchell Nicole Sowell Christian Glover Marcus Lexi Smith Kyle Marion Sophie Membrino Charles hicks Sara McKevitt Grace Davis Chase Rivera Ju

Charles Hicks The Bolles School Cross Country

Favorite memory from high school career?

Coming in second at state as a team and having the opportunity to watch the team progress.

What makes you different from everyone else?

My “unique” style of humor.

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

Engineering

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

The moon, to experience lower gravity.

Favorite holiday?

Christmas. Nothing beats the sounds and smells of Christmas.

Favorite food?

Pasta with cheese Dream car?

Tesla models

Biggest inspiration?

Andrew Hunter, Leonidas I

SHOUT OUTS

COACH RIVERA – the mastermind behind the operation.

COACH MATT – humiliating me up Pleasant Hill and every work out, my #1 training partner.

COACH STAM – his aggressive inspiration.

THE BOLLES TEAM – giving me something to fight for.

Favorite memory from high school career?

On my last hole at State, I made a birdie putt as the last hole of my senior year.

What makes you different from everyone else?

Even though I’m extremely competitive, always looking out for others and eager to help them.

College plans?

Engineering major

What athlete do you try to model your game after?

Jordan Spieth

Favorite holiday?

Christmas, I love ice skating and being part of such a cheery atmosphere.

Sport you wish you could play, but can’t?

Figure skating. I just could not imagine having to fly through the air and land on ice!

Favorite food?

Calamari

Favorite movie?

"Finding Nemo"

SHOUT OUTS

COACH JIM RAGLAND for helping me grow and improve my game and my parents for always supporting me no matter what.

Sara McKevitt Ponte Vedra High School

Golf

Senior Captain

Favorite memory from high school career?

Coach Shawn Delifus came and watched me dive a few months before he passed away and told me how proud he was.

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

Becoming an orthodontist, making America’s smiles great again!

What makes you different from everyone else?

I’m an academic scholar and will be graduating high school with my associates degree while being a dual athlete in diving and golf.

College plans?

To attend either Yale or Alabama, followed by attending the University of Kentucky’s Dental School.

Favorite food?

Fettuccine alfredo

Favorite movie?

"Remember the Titans"

Who is your biggest inspiration in the world?

Coach Shawn Delifus Sport you wish you could play, but can’t?

Baseball Dream car?

Audi R8 Spider

Grace Davis Bartram Trail High School

Diving

Chase Rivera The Bolles School

SHOUT OUTS

THE BOLLES XC TEAM & STAFF. Thanks for supporting everyone this season and a special notice for my coach and friend, Matthew Morris.

Cross Country

Favorite memory from high school career?

This year placing runner up at the state meet. It was our school’s best finish in 30 years.

What makes you different from everyone else?

I care for everybody. I am the one who welcomes the newcomers, and the school chose me to give tours to people because of how nice and outgoing I am.

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

I see myself becoming an engineer.

I’ve always been interested in math and science.

College plans?

I would say my top three choices are Notre Dame, Navy, and Michigan, respectively.

Favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving. I love getting to see all my relatives in Indiana.

Favorite food?

Avocado

Favorite movie?

"Star Wars" – all of them

Biggest inspiration?

My dad

Anything else you would like to add?

BBTE (Bring Back the '80s)

In The Game | 27

Favorite memory from high school career?

Being offered to play football at Harvard.

What makes you different from everyone else?

I am always challenging myself and use my time to get better at every aspect of my craft on the field and in the classroom.

College plans?

Harvard football

What athlete do you try to model your game after?

Von Miller and Vic Beasley Sport you wish you could play, but can’t?

I wish I knew how to do gymnastics.

Dream car?

Bugatti

Favorite food?

Mac & cheese

Who is your biggest inspiration in the world?

My parents

SHOUT OUTS

All glory is given to God first. Then to my mother, Nicole; my father, Kevin; and my brothers Kris, Nic, and Jon Jon.

28 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Justin Mitchell The Bolles School Football

Nicole Sowell

Bartram Trail High School Swimming

Favorite memory from high school career?

All the girls coming together and having one big prayer circle in the hotel room before state.

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

I would like to go into the business world.

What athlete do you try to model your game after?

Missy Franklin, who is an all-around swimmer.

College plans?

I would love to swim for a college in the future.

Favorite holiday?

Christmas. I love the weather, lights, and decorations.

Favorite food?

Orange chicken

Favorite movie?

"The Pursuit of Happyness"

Sport you wish you could play, but can’t?

Basketball In The Game | 29

Favorite memory from high school career?

We got second at state this year. It was the best finish for a Bolles XC team in 27 years.

What makes you different from everyone else?

My unselfishness. It is my defining trait.

I always make sure to lead and support my teammates.

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

I might go into medicine; I’ve always found the most pleasure in helping others.

College plans?

Looking to continue running in college.

Emory is my top choice.

Favorite movie?

"The Revenant"

Favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving, I eat a lot, and fall is my favorite season.

Favorite food?

Apple pie

Sport you wish you could play, but can’t?

Basketball. I’ve always been passionate about it since elementary school.

Dream car?

Tesla

Biggest inspiration?

Michael Jordan. He has the heart of a champion.

Christian Glover The Bolles School Cross Country

30 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Senior Captain

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912.260.4206 | 800.342.6364 | hawknation@sgsc.edu 100 West College Park Drive | Douglas, GA | 31533 www.sgsc.edu In The Game | 31

Favorite memory from high school career?

The night before my first big varsity game, the team gathered around me and told me to be calm.

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

Continuing my desire to change lives by helping others and giving guidance to those who may need it.

What makes you different from everyone else?

My demeanor. I pride myself on having a profound impact on others' lives.

College plans?

Find my major and make sure my degree is my number one priority.

What athlete do you try to model your game after?

John Wall, but I try to be my own player more than anything.

Sport you wish you could play, but can’t?

Football Dream car?

Mercedes ALG

Favorite food?

Shrimp alfredo pasta

Who is your biggest inspiration in the world?

My parents

Marcus Brooks

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Basketball

Favorite memory from high school career?

Winning State

What athlete do you model your game after?

Katie Ledecky, since we are both distance swimmers.

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

A career in molecular biology or genetics.

Favorite movie?

"Titanic"

Favorite holiday?

Christmas! I love all the festivity and cheer associated with the holiday.

Favorite food?

Pumpkin pie – with lots of ice cream!

Sport you wish you could play, but can’t?

Football Dream car?

2016 Mustang GT

Biggest inspiration?

My parents, who work really hard so I am able to do what I love.

Lexi Smith

Bartram Trail High School

Swimming In The Game | 33

What has been your favorite memory from your high school career?

Has to be between winning State Championship in 10th grade or knocking down the buzzer beater 3-pointer against Dr. Phillips to save our home court streak of three years without a home loss.

What athlete do you try to model your game after?

Damian Lillard, who is a clutch knockdown shooter that can also penetrate any defense and stop any other guard from scoring.

What makes you different from everyone else? On and off the field?

I work and grind for everything that I have earned. I like to separate myself through hard work in the gym as well as in the classroom. My education always prevails over basketball because my young body may only last temporarily, but my mind will last forever.

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

I plan on studying in the medical field to become an orthopedic surgen.

Favorite Holiday?

Christmas, because it’s a time when my family comes together and cherishes each moment with each other.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

Duabi, simply because I want to see the tallest man-made building in the world: Burj Khalifa.

Sport you wish you could play but can’t?

Baseball

Dream car?

All black red Ferrari 458 spider with red leather interior

Kyle Marion

Providence Basketball

SHOUT OUTS

I first want to thank God for all that he has done for me, from giving me wonderful parents to putting me in the perfect positions to become successful. He is my rock and my best friend, and there’s nothing I can't do in his name. Also, want to thank the Carrol family for everything you do for me.

Favorite memory from high school career?

Placing third at state.

What athlete do you try to model your game after?

Jessica Korda Favorite movie?

"Soul Surfer"

Sport you wish you could play but can’t?

Football Dream Car? Mercedes G550

Favorite Holiday?

Christmas because I can celebrate faith, family, and friends through giving.

Any college plans?

Uncommitted - but would like to play college golf!

After your sports career what do you see yourself doing?

A career in the real estate industry.

Who is your biggest inspiration in the world?

My mom

Sophie Membrino Ponte Vedra High School Golf

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More Resources

MENISCUS TEARS:

• http://www.joionline.net/library/show/meniscal_cartilage • http://www.joionline.net/library/show/meniscal_tear/ • http://www.joionline.net/library/show/knee_scope_meniscectomy/ • http://www.joionline.net/library/show/meniscus_tear_injuries_nikki_clayton_pt/

More Common Than You Think Written by: Luke Bratton, ATC, LAT

A study published in 2014 observed knee injuries among U.S. high school athletes, particularly which knee injuries were the most common and if the type or frequency of injury changed across sports and across genders. Football caused the most knee injuries, followed by girls soccer and then gymnastics. Female sports had the highest risk for knee injuries as compared to males due to various predisposing factors. Injury to the meniscus made up 23 percent of all knee injuries, just behind ACL tears at 25.4 percent. Meniscal tears are one of the most common knee injuries found within athletics.

So what is the meniscus? The meniscus is made up of two parts: the medial and lateral aspects. The meniscus is a

38 | itgsportsnetwork.com

C-shaped cartilage that acts as a cushion between the femur and tibial plateau. The meniscus is designed to withstand many forces such as compression, shear, and tension. The meniscus also plays a prominent role in distributing contact forces during weight bearing.

Methods to treat a damaged or torn medial or lateral meniscus include conservative treatment, meniscectomy, or meniscal repair.

One surgical method is the removal of the damaged portion of the meniscus, known as a partial-meniscectomy. The complete removal of the meniscus is known as a total-meniscectomy. The recovery is fairly quick, and the patient should be able to return to normal activities two to four weeks after surgery.

Another surgical method is to repair the meniscus. As the name indicates, a repair is performed to reattach the meniscus to the bony structure. A meniscal repair is typically suggested over a meniscectomy, especially for young athletes, because a return to full function is more likely. A repair to the meniscus provides for a more stable knee joint than performing a meniscectomy and also prevents progressive joint degeneration of the knee.

Patients need to be well informed regarding any course of treatment that needs to be taken, and physicians provide different courses of treatment for different injuries and patients. Speak with your physician about what the best plan of action for you would be.

Turning Bad Decisions Into a Better Tomorrow Written by: Courtney Wagner | Photography courtesy of kalannorris.com

Kalan Norris was born and raised in Jacksonville just like a lot of us here. He loved the game of football since he was a tiny player at Sabal Palm Elementary and then Twin Lakes Middle School. After his parents’ divorce, Norris moved to Tallahassee to continue playing football at the next level: high school. Attending North Florida Christian his Junior year, he was drawing attention as a linebacker with over 100 tackles in a season. Upon entering his senior year of high school, Norris received an official letter from ESPN ranking him as the No. 27 linebacker in the entire country.

He was only allowed three showers a week as there were problems with the water pumps at the facilities. He was surrounded by constant fighting and gangs and shared a room with eight other men. A week before being released, Norris walked into his room to find all of his valuables had been stolen. He had the choice to be an “alpha” and mark his terriDuring his senior year, the head football coach left, tory by fighting, but he which put his collegiate recruiting at a standstill. Desaw the light of being termined to get picked up, Norris made sure to get as released in a week and much exposure as possible by going to Nike camps walked away from the and football camps throughout the state. After worksituation. ing hard to put himself out there, Norris was offered a Once released from full ride to Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, prison, Norris re-evaluTexas. ated what he wanted to The summer before starting at Trinity Valley was do with his life. He felt leading up to Norris’s 18th birthday. That July Norris like he owed it to his was caught celebrating early under the influence and parents to finish school made poor decisions that led him to be sentenced and make them proud to juvenile detention for the next 30 days. He was reonce again. Upon this leased just two days before football camp started and and while still on probawent directly to Texas to try and make up for the time tion, he received his AA he had lost. from Valencia Community College in Orlando, which “It was the lowest I have ever felt had a direct in my life,” Norris said. “I felt out of connect proto UCF. place and had just lost my dream of gram Norris had to playing collegiate football.” meet with the student council multiple times, Norris red shirted at Trinity Valley his first year. and after being denied It was a testing period of his life, as he was still three times, he was acon probation, but the next season when Norris cepted on his fourth played he did exceptionally well and had one meeting once he had his probation terminated. He of the highest GPAs on the team.

As soon as things were starting to look better, they went to Walmart that day took a spiraling turn downhill. Norris went on a spring to buy a whiteboard to break trip in March and violated his probation, which write all his goals down.

Just when things were inevitably led to the end of his football career and dreams. The next 20 months of his life were spent in once again looking better, his health took a turn the department of corrections.

“It was the lowest I have ever felt in my life,” Norris for the worse when Norsaid. “I felt out of place and had just lost my dream of ris was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with playing collegiate football.”

pneumonia and jaundice. His kidney and liver were not functioning properly. After five blood transfusions and being in the hospital for 11 days, Norris powered through and was discharged.

He fulfilled his promise to his parents and graduated from UCF with a 3.28 GPA. Norris contemplated going on to get his masters in psychology, but instead realized he had a story to share with the world. He discovered that public speaking was the way he could be courageous and help others who struggled just like him.

Norris started his own business and now speaks to high schools throughout the country. He shares his struggles in hopes of preventing adolescents from making the same mistakes he once did. He emphasizes the importance of decision making for student-athletes and how crucial academic achievement is since sports only last so long. He focuses on striving for more than just success on the field and learning how crucial one’s decisions are off the field.

Not only does Norris share his story, but he also serves as a mentor to the young student-athletes. After he speaks at a school, he allows time for at-risk guys who don’t feel comfortable talking to their own parents or coaches to approach him one-on-one. Norris wants kids to learn from the mistakes he made so they don’t lose out on their dreams the way he once did.

He took all of the negatives life threw at him and now uses his experiences to empower those going through the same struggles.

In The Game | 39

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In The Game | 41

DOING IT ALL On & Off the Field Written by: Brent Beaird | Photography by: Aaron Musgrove

Katie Berlin, a senior at Orange Park High School, is attempting to be the first in her school to earn varsity letters in four sports – volleyball, soccer, track, and flag football – for four straight years. She has lettered in those four sports since her freshman year. Along with her athletic progress, she is ranked in the top five in her class and involved in a number of school activities.

Berlin said earning 16 letters in four sports is special to her.

“IT’S AN HONOR FIRST BECAUSE ORANGE PARK HIGH HAS GIVEN ME A LOT,” BERLIN SAID. “IT’S SOMETHING MEMORABLE.”

“SINCE I’VE BEEN IN THE TOP FIVE OF MY GRADUATING CLASS STARTING MY FRESHMAN YEAR, SPORTS KEEP MY DRIVE ALIVE.”

42 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Berlin said soccer, the sports she’s played the longest, is her favorite. She is also on a travel soccer team at Eagle Harbor.

OPHS girls soccer coach Brandon Fanning said Berlin is a strong, confident leader who sets a high standard for what a student-athlete represents in the high school arena.

“Katie’s experience is essential to the team’s success,” Fanning said. “She has grown in her ability to play the game, encourage her teammates, and apply her leadership attributes.”

Berlin was involved in cheerleading, gymnastics, and softball before committing to her current sports.

Spring sports require extra time management, since she plays flag football and participates on the track team at the same time.

She plays both sports at once and practices with her club soccer team almost daily.

“Both my parents (Her mother is a general surgeon in Clay County, and her father is the CEO of North Florida Surgeons.) are successful, so I learned at a very young age how to be organized,” Berlin said. “I have a calendar in our kitchen of what I’m doing every day. It’s usually always filled and in different colors. My planner keeps me organized.

My parents help keep me organized.

It’s a constant time management challenge.”

16 LETTERS 4 SPORTS

Athletics allow Berlin to shift her focus from the other activities she is involved in such as being the editor of the school yearbook; a scholarship winner in the Miss OPHS pageant; co-president of Beta Club, which involves over 400 volunteer hours; president of the Student Government Association; and an officer in the National Honor Society and the Math Honor Society.

Berlin’s involvement in sports, academics, and school activities requires a lot of organization during her typical day.

Berlin said her schedule will get tighter over the next few weeks due to final exams, the end of school clubs and her club soccer team playing in the Disney Showcase in Orlando.

After graduating from OPHS, Berlin wants to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Her choice of colleges is either MIT, where she can also play soccer, or the University of Florida.

In The Game | 43

Berlin said she has enjoyed OPHS because of the various friendships that have enriched her life. She also expressed appreciation to the Raider faculty for helping her develop the tools necessary to do college work.

She said sports have also helped her balance her workload.

“Since I’ve been in the top five of my graduating class starting my freshman year, sports keep my drive alive,” Berlin said. “It encourages me to keep my grades in order, and it’s a way for me to work at being responsible and manage my time.”

Berlin, who is fourth in her class with a weighted GPA of 4.52, said her favorite subject is math.

“I like math because it has rules and you can’t shortcut it,” Berlin said. “Math teaches you about life in general.”

Orange Park High principal Clayton Anderson said Berlin is the epitome of what student-athletes should strive to be.

“She understands that academics are the key to her future while allowing sports to be a resource,” Anderson said. “Keeping this thinking in the forefront is what has allowed her to maintain a 4.5 GPA taking AP and Dual Enrollment classes while also excelling in four varsity sports for four years.”

Wale Leyimu, the coach of the Clay County Sol soccer travel team, has coached Berlin for two years and trained her for more than six years. Leyimu said Berlin is intuitive on the field.

“One of my favorite things to say for soccer is you have to be very cerebral,” Leyimu said. “She knows when to shoot or dribble. She makes very wise de-

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In The Game | 45

cisions on the field.

She plays basically year round.”

He also said Berlin knows when to have fun and when to be focused.

“She brings the team back to focus,” Leyimus said. “She knows the seriousness of the game.

She gave me a calendar two months in advance of what she’s involved in.

She’s really good at being organized.”

Former Orange Park High Athletic Director Martin Aftuck said Berlin is one of the most driven student-athletes he has ever been around.

“When Katie puts her mind to accomplishing something, she’ll do everything to the best of her ability to get it done,” Aftuck said. “When you think about what she has accomplished in just four years, it’s amazing. She's been Miss OPHS, class president, and a foursport varsity athlete for four years while maintaining a 4.5 GPA. Most kids talk about being dedicated or working hard; she personifies it.”

Raider volleyball coach Katie Ruelas said Berlin is such an emotional leader that she was voted a captain by her teammates.

Ruelas said Berlin has been very reliable and consistent on the court.

Berlin has also successfully transitioned to different positions after some of her teammates were out for a period of time due to injuries.

Ruelas said Berlin adapts well to different situations on the court.

“She’s very intuitive, so she makes adjustments without having to ask or look at something else,” Ruelas said. “She knows where the ball’s going to go based on the situation.”

Berlin’s maturity and character have also been noticed by her coaches.

“She has schedule conflicts, but she’s always so professional and adult in addressing both her team and her coach about any practice conflict,” Ruelas said.

“She’s able to be a leader in terms of a go-between if teammates having issues.”

Rob Garcia, who has coached Berlin in soccer and track, said Berlin is a true student-athlete.

“Her freshman year she’d be studying while we were on trips,” Garcia said. “She’s the poster child for

46 | itgsportsnetwork.com

the true student-athlete. She’s not on the field just to bide her time. She gives it her all. She’ll practice flag football then come to track practice. She has always worked for everything she has done on the field.

Whatever she sets her mind to, she’ll achieve it. Her résumé’s amazing.”

Berlin has been a trailblazer on and off the field of play. It will be fun to follow her progress this year and beyond.

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The Perfect

Trail

Written by: Ryan Hutchins | Photography by: Courtney Wagner

“The people, the atmosphere, the culture. You almost just can’t describe it. I think that’s why coaches stay; I think that’s why people love being here.”

48 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Ever since the school’s first year back when this millennium began, Bartram Trail High School in Northwestern St. Johns County has been one of the most competitive schools in a number of athletic events. Football draws the crowds, and while that program has had its successes, multiple sports at Bartram in its first 16 years of existence have competed for and won state titles.

The hard part though is maintaining that success by keeping your staff at full force and keeping the facilities in pristine shape. Barry Craig was the Athletic Director for the school’s first 14 years.

He was in charge of not only starting a program from the ground up, but also trying to incorporate the community into a fullfledged support system.

The on-field product certainly helped, but the es-

tablishment of the booster club made this athletic program stick out from the crowd in St. Johns County.

Many people don’t know this, but the booster club isn’t funded by the school system; it’s funded by the community. This certainly makes it easier for current Athletic Director and former girls basketball head coach, Ben Windle.

“Without the booster club and without Barry Craig’s model for success, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are today,” Windle said.

Windle referred to the model Craig put in place, a model that starts with the hiring of coaches, the head football coach being one of utmost importance.

“The hiring of the head football coach is the most important hire at the whole school,” Windle

said. “The attitude they bring makes your school feel that positive vibe.”

But it’s not just football.

It’s every single sport.

You have to have the right culture to succeed, according to Windle, and he found his “Bartram People,” coaches in particular, who are committed to keeping Bartram Trail at the standard they’ve already set for themselves.

Next on that model is the aforementioned booster club. Without the booster club, the recent rebranding effort

“When you walk in here, you always see the same people,” Vespi said.

Rebranding was an exciting process for Windle and the booster club. It was an opportunity to create a new look for a school that hadn’t changed logos since its start. They designed new uniforms, new logos, and even a new basketball court, pinpointing it down to the exact shade of blue the school would use. Now, Bartram Trail is a Nike-preferred school.

All of their uniforms are Nike, and their spirit wear is made through Nike.

"The hiring of the head Known as one football coach is the of the highest most important hire quality sporting brands in at the whole school. the world, it The attitude they bring was a fit for makes your school feel one of the more sucthat positive vibe.” cessful and wouldn’t have been as forward-thinking athletic extensive as it was. The programs in the area. booster club also sells Forward thinking goes memberships to parents down to the equipment and fans as fundraising that the athletic profor the athletic programs. grams have, including Keeping the community the digital down markers and parents involved is for the football game day something the schools staff, the new basketball find incredibly import- court and scoreboard, ant. Angelo Vespi, head and even updates to of the booster club at the already state-of-theBartram Trail, thinks it’s art football field. If you the people that make it didn’t know, Bartram special at Bartram Trail.

Trail’s football field is the

only NFL-approved high school field in the state.

The reason? Back in 2005, the New England Patriots practiced at Bartram Trail High School when the Super Bowl was held in Jacksonville. The NFL redid the field, and the rest is history.

But what makes this the perfect trail is just how special of a place Bartram Trail is. Any one of the coaches, parents, ex-players, or student-athletes could tell you. Windle knew it from day one.

“When I walked in here for the first time, I knew this place was special,” Windle said. “The people, the atmosphere, the culture. You almost just can’t describe it. I think that’s why coaches stay; I think that’s why people love being here.”

It just goes to show that everyone buying into a system and playing their part to make something successful doesn’t only happen at the professional level. That model follows suit down to the high school level. It’s clear that Bartram Trail has a successful model in place to be competitive for years to come.

In The Game | 49

Homecoming of Sorts as Corky Returns to the Backyard Written by: Corey Davis | Photography by: Corey Davis

For nearly 20 years, the names Corky Rogers and Wayne Belger were synonymous on the sidelines at Lee. On a warm Friday night in August, the two made their first trip back to the Backyard since Oct. 17, 2003, when Bolles traveled to Lee in the annual Kickoff Classic.

“I love the people there,” Rogers said. “A lot has changed since I’ve been there, but I’m sure some of the sons of players I coached back then might be playing Friday.”

ately felt at Lee as Rogers went 5-5 in his inaugural season before going 8-21 in 1974, concluding with a 10-6 win over Bishop Kenny in the Meninak Bowl, and 9-1 in 1975, followed by another trip to the Meninak Bowl.

In 1977, Rogers led Lee to its first trip to the playoffs since a state runner-up finish in 1964.

Rogers guided the Generals to the aforementioned 10 consecutive playoff appearances, a school record, yet couldn’t get past the third round of the playoffs, something to this day that still bothers him.

“I do still sometimes think about that,” Rogers said. “In my heart, I know we had the talent to do it.

It still bothers me.”

Rogers graduated from Lee in 1961 after leading the Generals to the mythical 1960 state football title and the 1961 state baseball title. Rogers returned to Lee to take over the head coaching position in 1972, and his quarterback that year was none other than Wayne Belger. Five years later Belger joined Roger’s staff, and the two have been together ever since.

From 1972 to 1988, Rogers accumulated a 141-39-1 record, guiding the Generals to 10 straight playoff seasons.

The results were immedi50 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Rogers admitted that big win I guess Saturday night (against Trinity Chrispart of the reason his tian). I always check on them when I’m reading the teams were not able to paper. I always look to see how they are doing and make it to state is that they were rele“I’m happy for them,” Rogers said. gated to playing so “They got a big win I guess Saturday many conference games instead of night (against Trinity Christian). I traveling out of the area to play better always check on them when I’m reading teams. the paper. I always look to see how “We were in the Gateway Conferthey are doing and check the scores.” ence back then, and that prevented us check the scores.” from playing outside the If not for an ill-fated event, he might still be on the Jacksonville area,” Rog- Lee sideline today. In March 1988, Rogers was hit by ers said. “While we were a drunk driver; he was hospitalized and underwent 18 able to accomplish a lot different surgeries. During that time, Bolles Athletic of things, you have to Director Frank Callihan paid him a visit at the hospital travel outside the area.” and offered him the Bolles head coaching job. After Rogers admitted he thinking about it, Rogers accepted the job and took still keeps an eye on his over the program in the fall of 1989, and the rest, as old team and follows they say, is history. them when he can.

Twenty-five years later, Rogers has accumulated a “I’m happy for them,” 313-45 record at Bolles including a state record of 10 Rogers said. “They got a state titles and five state runner-up finishes. Despite

All Time Winningest College Football Coaches: At Lee (141-39-1) 1972 (5-5) First season under Corky Rogers 1973 (N/A) No playoffs 1974 (8-2-1) Won Meninak Bowl over BK 10-6 1975 (9-1) Won Meninak Bowl 1976 (N/A) No playoffs 1977 (N/A) Lost 2nd round to Choctaw 27-12 1978 (9-2) Lost 1st round to Wolfson 28-20 1979 (N/A) Lost 2nd round to Milton 41-7 1980 (N/A) Lost 3rd round to Gainesville 21-15 1981 (N/A) Lost 1st round to Palatka 14-7 1982 (6-5) Lost 2nd round to Palatka 14-10 1983 (10-1) Lost 1st round to Palatka 27-7 1984 (11-1) Lost 2nd round to Escambia 28-25 1985 (10-1) Lost 1st round to Ocala Forest 22-21 1986 (9-2) Lost 1st round to Gainesville 17-14 1987 (6-4) No playoffs 1988 (8-2) No playoffs

JOHN GAGLIARDI

489 WINS

Teams: Carroll (MT) & St. John’s (MN) JOE PATERNO

409 WINS Team: Penn State

EDDIE ROBINSON

408 WINS

Team: Grambling BOBBY BOWDEN

377 WINS

Teams: Samford, West Virgina, & Florida State

At Bolles the close proximity, this was just the second time he had ever gone back to Lee. The last time was a good memory for him as Bolles handled Lee 24-8 on their way to a state runner-up finish.

“My dad played there; I played there; and Coach Belger played there and played for me,” Rogers said. “We are Westside people. Our roots are there.”

At 72 years old, this could very well have been the last time Rogers roamed the sidelines at the Backyard; he has been battling health problems throughout his career and was recently hospitalized in June for an undisclosed condition. However, Lee coach OJ Small made sure it happened at least one more time by reaching out to Rogers one day.

“We’ve had a hard time finding games as we had three teams drop us off the schedule, and we appreciate OJ (Small) calling us and asking us to play,” Rogers said. “This will help out both teams immensely.”

Turns out Lee wasn’t a gracious host after all as Lee knocked off Bolles 28-14 in the Backyard. Following the game, the entire Lee coaching staff and every Lee player came over to shake Corky Rogers’ hand, and they all took a team picture with him.

The school honored Rogers, presenting him with a t-shirt that reads on the back "Once A General, Always A General."

1989 (5-5) First season under Coach Rogers 1990 (12-1) State champs beat Bishop Verot 17-14 1991 (9-3) Lost 2nd round to Taylor County 6-3 1992 (7-4) Lost Bonos Bowl to Ed White XX-XX 1993 (15-0) State champs beat Lake Wales 42-21 1994 (10-2) lost 2nd round to South Sumter 33-6 1995 (14-1) State champs beat Hardee 28-21 1996 (14-1) State runner-up lost to Bartow 14-13 1997 (9-4) Lost 3rd round to Taylor County 41-14 1998 (15-0) State champs beat Pahokee 41-0 1999 (11-2) Lost 3rd round to Trinity 17-7 2000 (9-3) Lost 2nd round to Marianna 7-0 2001 (11-2) Lost 3rd round to Madison 28-10 2002 (14-1) State champs beat Chaminade 6-0 2003 (12-2) State runner-ups lost to Miami Pace 21-17 2004 (14-0) State champs beat Jefferson 42-21 2005 (10-2) Lost 2nd round to South Sumter 38-35 2006 (14-0) State champs beat Clewiston 27-24 in 3 OTs 2007 (11-1) Lost 1st round to South Sumter 19-10 2008 (14-0) State champs beat Gulliver 49-20 2009 (12-1) State champs beat Tampa Catholic 21-7 2010 (11-1) Lost 2nd round to Trinity Catholic 35-21 2011 (13-1) State champs beat

Booker T Washington 33-25 2012 (12-2) State runner-up lost to

Booker T Washington 35-7 2013 (10-4) State runner-up lost to

Booker T Washington 40-21 2014 (11-3) State runner-up lost to

Booker T Washington 54-35 2015 (9-3) Lost 2nd round to Raines 34-8

KEN SPARKS

338 WINS

Team: Carson-Newman POP WARNER

336 WINS

Teams: Georgia, Iowa State, Cornell, Carlisle, Pittsburgh, Stanford, & Temple LARRY KEHRES

332 WINS

Team: Mount Union BEAR BRYANT

323 WINS

Teams: Maryland, Kentucky, Texas A&M, & Alabama ROY KIDD

314 WINS

Team: Eastern Kentucky

AMOS ALONZO STAGG

314 WINS

Teams: Springfield, Chicago, Pacific (CA)

In The Game | 51

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In The Game | 53

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REGION 3: @ PLANT CITY

WRESTLING BOYS’ SOCCER GIRLS’ SOCCER

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february 2017

We all know the story of OJ Small, a local athlete who excelled at the University of Florida, made it to the NFL, and came back to his hometown to give back to the community to coach high school football. But did you know he was one of three Small brothers to play at Forrest and in the SEC?

EDDIE SMALL

The lesser known of the three Small brothers, Eddie played at Forrest from 1987 to 1989 before continuing his college career at Ole Miss from 1990 to 1993. According to Ole Miss records, Eddie is 12th all-time in career receiving yards with 1,493 yards and eight touchdowns on 91 catches. Eddie led Ole Miss in receiving yards, touchdowns, and all-purpose yards his senior season with 624 yards, six touchdowns, and 749 total yards respectively. Following Ole Miss, Eddie played one year with the Ottawa franchise of the Canadian Football League in 1995 before ending his career.

CHECK THIS OUT

A Small Change for a BIG IMPACT Writer: Joey Lopes | Photography by: Courtney Wagner

After 20 years, the Robert E. Lee Generals are finally back on top of district 7A-2 football in Florida. Not bad for a program that produced talents such as the great Corky Rogers, Leroy Butler, Atrews Bell, and Stephen Nicholas. The program has been mostly down until recently. Led by young head coach OJ Small, the last four years have been dedicated to cleaning house and revamping the program.

Small's journey to head general of Lee's football program is an example of being in the right place at the right time and being ready to roll. Small stepped into coaching by helping out previous head coach and friend, Myrick Anderson. Anderson parted ways with the program in 2011 after starting 0-2, and Small stepped up to the plate as interim coach. After posting a 5-3 record as interim coach, Small was given the head coach position, and the rest is today's history.

56 | itgsportsnetwork.com

TONY SMALL

By the time he left Forrest, Tony Small was a Super 24, Super 75, and Blue Chip Illustrated All-American after leading Northeast Florida with 861 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Rebels. Tony continued his playing career at UGA, where he played from 1995 to 1998. After barely seeing playing time his first two years, Small finished his college career with 1,084 yards and four touchdowns, including 48 catches for 675 yards and three touchdowns his senior season.

OJ SMALL

OJ was the Times Union first team quarterback in 1999 after throwing for 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns, finishing his high school career with 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. After leaving Forrest, OJ played at Florida from 2001 to 2004, where he finished his college career with 719 yards and four touchdowns in his senior year, including the third-longest streak in school history with a catch in 30 straight games. Following his time at UF, he became the first Small brother to play in the NFL by playing in two games with the Tennessee Titans in 2005, catching one pass for six yards.

“Coach what you have (and) you'll have a more positive team culture with kids that want to be in your program”

But Small didn't build off that 5-3 record. He actually started rebuilding the following year (2012), posting a 3-7 record after losing players to due to transfers and losing upperclassmen who didn't want to buy into what the new coach was selling, which is typical with change. 2013 ended with the same 3-7 record after dealing with the same issues.

At that point, Small looked himself in the mirror and knew he had to do something different. Small took the off-season to scout local area football power programs to see how they ran their practices. In 2014 and 2015, Small ended 7-3 and 7-4, respectively, making the program's first playoff debut in eight years but ultimately falling short to Tallahassee Lincoln in the first round. Small contributes that success to his players finally buying into his system.

“Coach what you have (and) you'll have a more positive team culture with kids that want to be in your program” Small said. He doesn't believe in going out and recruiting kids to come to the Backyard and play football.

With that philosophy, in 2016, Lee defeated Bolles and Trinity, two teams that have more state titles than all the area's public schools combined. Not bad for a team with only one Division I commit. Small admits to not having the biggest, strongest, or fastest team in the area, but having 23 seniors who have fun playing together is just as productive. Finishing this season at 7-1, Lee is looking to make some noise opening up the first round of the 7A playoffs with Tallahassee Leon at the Backyard. Small said the mindset going into the playoffs this year is not being content on making the playoffs, making one play at a time, and not leaving the game up to the refs.

In The Game | 57

CHECK THIS OUT:

WHAT’S IN A NAME? It’s no secret that minor league sports are notorious for bizarre nicknames and mascots. With the Jacksonville Suns changing their name to the Jumbo Shrimp, it made us think about some other ridiculous team names.

MINOR LEAGUE

Oh the jokes that will be coming out when the Montgomery Biscuits travel June 4-8 to take on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Who doesn’t want to catch some Shrimp and Biscuits action that week? Those aren’t even the worst nicknames we could come up with in minor league baseball. How about the Savannah Bananas, Travers City Beach Bums, Hartford Yard Goats, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Topeka Train Robbers, Albuquerque Isotopes, or the El Paso Chihuahuas?

COLLEGE

Something about the West Coast brings out strange and bizarre mascots, like the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, UC Irvine Anteaters, UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs, and the Long Beach State Dirtbags. Other odd names include the Indiana State Sycamores, Wichita State Shockers, Southern Illinois Salukis, UM Kansas City Kangaroos, and the TCU Horned Frogs.

HIGH SCHOOL

One of my all-time favorite high school mascots is the Cairo, Georgia Syrupmakers, but what about in the state of Florida?

Among the odd ones are the Seabreeze Sandcrabs, Key West Conchs, Okeechobee Brahmans, Fort Lauderdale Flying L’s, Miami Beach Hi-Tides, and – the best of all-time, hands down – the Laurel Hill Hoboes.

58 | itgsportsnetwork.com

JUMBO Change in Jacksonville’s Sports Landscape Written by: Ryan Hutchins | Photography courtesy of visitjacksonville.com

“Baseball’s never been hotter than the Jacksonville Suns.” That catchy tune you’d hear on the radio would make you want to stroll down to the baseball grounds.

Well Jacksonville, those days are behind us now. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are ready to take the field in April 2017.

Minor League baseball has been going through somewhat of a marketing renaissance the last few years. Name and logo changes have shaped the industry as of lately. In just the last two years, Minor League Baseball has welcomed teams such as the Akron Rubberducks, Hartford Yard Goats, Florida Fire Frogs, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and the Down East Wood Ducks.

Now, these names didn’t come out of nowhere.

They all have a local tie-in to the community. For instance, the Rubberducks are located in Akron, home of one of the largest rubber plants in the country. The Rumble Ponies highlight Binghamton as the carousel

capitol of the world. The Jumbo Shrimp though? How does that tie-in with First Coast? Marco LaNave, media and public relations coordinator for the Jumbo Shrimp, was able to help us out with the meaning.

“We have asked fans, partners, community leaders and residents about Jacksonville’s identity and heritage and what is important to people who live here,” LaNave said. “We wanted to embrace the heart of Jacksonville’s identity and heritage. The Jumbo Shrimp emerged from input by the Jacksonville community itself.”

It should be noted that Mayport is home to one of the largest shrimping industries in the Southeast. You could say it’s a “Jumbo” industry.

Around Jacksonville though, some fans were confused and even upset at the name change. They had been around the Suns their whole lives. Jacksonville is a town that prides itself on tradition, and changing a storied name wasn’t going to be easy.

Owner Ken Babby bought the team in 2015, eventually taking full control of the team in 2016. After one year of the Suns moniker under his belt, he decided to make a drastic change, just like he did in 2013 with his Akron team.

It wasn’t Babby’s first go-around with a name change. He’s the owner who changed the name from the Akron Aeros to the Akron Rubberducks. After seeing the effects of the name change in Akron, including monumental increases in attendance and merchandise sales, he decided to take the dip with his second team. Now, he’s brought his magic to Jacksonville to grace the city with a Jumbo presence in the Minor League Baseball landscape.

Here we are nearly one month after the team released its name change, and the team might be more popular than it’s ever been. LaNave has seen the change firsthand.

“Within just a week, the name ‘Jumbo Shrimp’ became widely discussed throughout the region,” LaNave said. “It is remarkable how quickly the name and logo became recognizable, even during the climax of a historic World Series and the local visits of the President and now President-elect in the final week before the election.”

“We wanted to embrace the heart of Jacksonville’s identity and heritage. The Jumbo Shrimp emerged from input by the Jacksonville community itself.”

With the name change comes new uniforms and merchandise. And that merchandise? It’s a hot product not just around Jacksonville, but all over the country.

“Attention surged among media outlets and social media,” LaNave said. “The merchandise department has handled orders almost nonstop since the announcement.”

Come April the city might see the baseball grounds filled like never seen before. A new chapter of baseball is unfolding in Jacksonville. So grab your new Jumbo Shrimp gear and help make #CrustaceanNation one of the best atmospheres in all of Minor League Baseball.

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Rehabilitation

Pedro Menendez: ST. AUGUSTINE STRONG Written by: Ryan Hutchins | Photography by: Courtney Wagner

Being residents of the First Coast and residents of Florida in general, it’s not unusual for a hurricane or tropical storm to pop up on the local radar. It’s a different story when a hurricane is a Category 3 storm that’s barreling near your home. For Pedro Menendez High School and their football team, it was an eye-opening and unifying experience.

64 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Pedro Menendez is the southern-most high school in St. Johns County. Located within 10 miles of Crescent Beach and just a 15-minute drive to the Historic District of downtown St. Augustine, everyone at or near the school knew to hunker down and prepare for the worst.

“We escaped with a sigh of relief, but we weren’t done. The message then became ‘Keep fighting!’”

The night before landfall near the First Coast, Hurricane Matthew was a Category 4 with winds upward of 115 mph.

The school itself is a hurricane shelter, so many at the school were preparing to make the school inhabitable for over 250 people. During the lead-up to the storm, Pedro Menendez had actually reached capacity, and another nearby school had to be opened up as a storm shelter as well. The storm hit on a Friday, game day for many. The games wound up being canceled and rescheduled.

Head coach Patrick Turner knew this was a serious storm. He wished his players and staff to stay safe and to come back Monday for practice.

“We left Wednesday, October 5 and didn’t return until the 11,” Turner said.

“Rather than having a few practices to hone in on some things, we were able to have one that Tuesday.”

The Falcons at that point were 1-5 and in the midst of a five-game losing streak.

But that wasn’t the only thing they were trying to recover from. Up until the Tuesday they returned to school, people were still living in the shelter. For some, they had no homes to go back to. The damage sustained by the beaches and homes near the coast was monumental. Some roads even washed completely away.

The Falcons had some damage at the school as well. They lost their scoreboard due to the high winds. The practice fields were damp and soggy, not ideal to practice on. The road leading up to the school had trees down. Then of course came the issue everyone in the area was having to deal with: no electricity. The players were tired from the cleanup efforts at the school and at teammates’ houses. Four players lost their homes. Even the Principal was out of his home. But no one quit.

That’s St. Augustine Strong.

“This hurricane was a representation of any team: You battle through,” Turner said.

Pedro Menendez had to have a quick turnaround. They had three practices to prepare for Palatka, a bitter rival. But against all odds, the Falcons snapped their losing streak and defeated Palatka 31-29 in their first game at home since Hurricane Matthew. Turner made sure his team could build off their tremendous effort.

“We escaped with a sigh of relief, but we weren’t done,” Turner said. “The message then became ‘Keep fighting!’”

In The Game | 65

Since then, the Falcons have done just that. They finished the season winning three of their next four games, including a three-game winning streak. After all the adversity the team faced, some positive came out of the scenario. Players were taken from their homes; the oldest city took its blows. But this team became a representation of the city. They never quit.

They never turned their heads back.

“There is no quit in this team,” Turner said.

“For some of these kids, football is all they have, literally.”

The school may have few obstacles to overcome when it comes to fixing the scoreboard and other necessities for the football program. But when the city needed it most, the team lifted their spirits and fought just like the town had. Everyone came together for one cause. Everyone was St. Augustine Strong.

“For some of these kids, football is all they have, literally.”

#ST.AUGUSTINE 66 | itgsportsnetwork.com

STRONG

ISHAKA

FAST BREAK

TABLE TENNIS

CLUB

Written by: Joey Lopes Photography by: Nicole Cantin

Table tennis, also known as pingpong, became an Olympic medal sport in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. It is the most popular racket sport in the world and ranks second in terms of participation with over 10 million players competing in sanctioned tournaments each year. With speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, the sport was once banned in the Soviet Union from 1930 to 1950 because it was believed to be harmful to the eyes.

Jean Marie Kanani, one of the ambassadors of the sport, came to the US from Central Africa in 2007 to compete in the US open tournament in Las Vegas with his international team. An unfortunate event occurred in his country, giving him a pardon to remain in the US. He lived with his sister for eight months before gaining employment while still trying to practice for the national team.

Starting at age nine, Kanani traveled all over the world in a 12-year span, competing in table tennis on a national level. At age 11, he became a professional. By age 16, he was ranked No. 1 in his whole country.

In 1995 he trained in China, one of the top countries for the sport.

By that time Kanani was standing at 6’6”.

He then aspired to one day become a coach and obtained his coaching certification in 2002.

By 2012 he saw a demand for the sport of table tennis in Jacksonville, Florida. Locals had been traveling to Daytona and Lakeland to train and play, but Kanani wanted a place to train and

practice locally, though he had heard rumors of previous unsuccessful attempts at starting a table tennis club.

He ignored doubters and started Ishaka Table Tennis club. Ishaka means “You can do it”.

vision is to give people a place to come play table tennis. After visiting the facilities, it reminded me of my gym membership at LA fitness, where you pay a monthly fee and show up during gym hours to play whoever is there.

With Kanani's hard work and the effort he's put into the club, he has earned the opportunity from the International Table Tennis Federation to host a sanctioned tournament in Jacksonville on January 28, 2017. Kanani has taken advantage of the American dream by turning his dream into a reality.

At age 11 he became a professional. By age 16 he was number one in his whole country.

The club moved a bit around Jacksonville before finding its home at Pine Castle on Spring Park Road.

The club has now grown to over 200 members, and they meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Kanani's

In The Game | 67

FAST BREAK

Tips for Safe Stretching

Do it regularly Stretch for a minimum of 10 minutes every day.

Stretch safely Stretch only to the point of mild discomfort.

Breathe Breathe normally while stretching.

Engage Hold each static stretch for at least 10 seconds, working up to 20 or 30 seconds.

Be Still Don’t bounce when you stretch.

68 | itgsportsnetwork.com

The Story Behind The Sweetness Witten by: Joey Lopes | Photography courtesy of www.sweetwateraa.org

When Sweetwater Athletic Association began, it only had three divisions. Established in 1999 by Donnie Moore and Linda Adams, the park's first president, the association evolved into a local youth powerhouse with immediate success. One year after opening, the program won its first city championship at the Midget division, eclipsing that the following year by winning the Pop Warner Super Bowl at the Junior Midget level. How does a startup program achieve such immediate success?

Where did the talent come from?

Before Sweetwater, Westside Jacksonville only had three notable associations: Westside, Normandy, and Lakeshore, which has had its share of success winning a Pop Warner Super Bowl. The founders of Sweetwater were a part of Lakeshore’s success

before parting ways to go in a different direction with an alternative for the kids. Adams and Moore started SWAA with three winning principals – God, family, and sports – that they believe all go hand in hand.

So what makes the program so successful? Talent, coaching, or leadership? It’s tough to tell because they don't seem to be lacking in any of these categories. No matter how you feel about the program, the accolades speak for themselves.

The program, now headed by Moore, does more than just coach kids in youth sports; it mentors players even after they've played their last down of Pop Warner. Moore surrounds the program with mentors and quality coaches of various backgrounds and the understanding that they have to communicate with each kid differently. During offseason, the SWAA staff keeps in contact with players through school visits and Facebook groups.

The staff members also play a small role in preparing players for success after leaving the program. As players progress through the program from Tiny Mite to Jr. Midget, they're evaluated at each level and prepared

for the next level by the SWAA staff.

SWAA coaches prepare players to go in to compete at the varsity level once they finish at the Jr. Midget level. Another key element that's important to athletic development is where players go on to play next.

SWAA coaches and staff understand that every player’s potential peeks at different times, so everyone isn't built for powerhouse programs going into high school.

This program continues to function at a high level even after so many great coaches have come and gone, and it all starts with the leadership. Moore handpicks all of his coaches for each level and requires the “Sweetwater 6” be implemented in every coach’s playbook. Those six proven plays have won championships every year. Each kid that comes through the program can line up and run those plays like the Wing-T at Bolles. SWAA also offers other sports such as baseball, basketball, and 8-on-8 spring football to keep kids engaged in year-round after school activities.

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2

TRIVIA QUESTIONS FOR CHICAGO CUBS FANS

Photography courtesy of www.nytimes.com and Matt Slocum

1

WHO SINGS THE “GO, CUBS, GO” SONG?

Steve Goodman, a late Chicago folk singer and songwriter.

WHY DO THE FOUL POLES AT WRIGLEY HAVE “HEY HEY” ON THEM?

“Hey Hey” was the homerun call of Jack Brickhouse, who was a Hall of Fame Cubs broadcaster.

Christmas Facts:

1. Each year more than 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. alone.

2. It can take as many as 15 years to grow a Christmas tree, but the average growing time is seven years.

3

WHO WAS THE ONLY CUB TO WIN MVP AWARDS BACK-TO-BACK?

Ernie Banks, who is also know as “Mr. Cub.” He won in 1958 and 1959.

4 5

10 Festive

HOW MANY RETIRED CUBS UNIFORM NUMBERS ARE THERE?

Just five: No. 14 for Ernie Banks, No. 10 for Ron Santo, No. 26 for Billy Williams, No. 23 for Ryne Sandberg, and No. 31 for Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux.

WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL NICKNAME OF CHICAGO'S NATIONAL LEAGUE TEAM?

From 1876 to 1894, they were known as the White Stockings. They went through several other nicknames before deciding on “Cubs” in the early 1900s.

3. Approximately 30

million to 35 million real Christmas trees are sold each year in the U.S.

4. Christmas purchases account for 1/6 of all retail sales in the U.S. 5. During the Christmas season, nearly 28 LEGO sets are sold every second.

6. The Germans made the first artificial Christmas tree out of dyed goose feathers.

7. Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.

8. The first state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday was Alabama in 1836.

9. On average most

Americans send 28 cards and receive 28 cards.

10. In the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song, the number of gifts adds up to 364 – thus gifts exchanged for every day of the year.

70 | itgsportsnetwork.com

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Offering In-State Tuition to Florida Residents In The Game | 71