Indian Rocks Christian bowlers on to state tournament
By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Sunday, November 8, 2009
IRC boys team, front from left: Jeff Burch, Brandon Hott, Tyler Barbee. Back: Don Mayes (coach), John McKnight, Grant Horvath, Ranger Loebel, Perry Banse (coach).
There were more than 100 bowlers packed into Liberty Lanes in Largo on Tuesday for the boys and girls District 4 championships. Because high school bowling is not played in all parts of Florida, it is considered a recognized sport by the Florida High School Activities Association and not a full varsity sport.
But it hosts a state championship, which is what all the bowlers were shooting for at Tuesday's district tournament.
Indian Rocks Christian's boys team won the district team championship over Leesburg High and will make its fourth appearance in the state tournament. The tournament is Tuesday and Wednesday at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando. Brandon Hott of IRC was the top bowler, rolling a 721 series in the morning session. Other members of the IRC team who contributed to the team title are Ranger Loebel, Tyler Barbee, Grant Horvath and John McKnight.
IRC finished 13th as a team at last year's state tournament, its best finish.
"It's hard to say how we'll do (at the state tournament),'' IRC coach Perry Banse said. "They are all seniors and have been bowling together since they were in eighth grade. They showed a lot of poise in the district tournament. Hopefully that will continue next week.''
IRC's girls team was runnerup at districts and will also play in the state tournament. Nature Coast High won the girls team championship. The IRC girls team was paced by Nicole Guzman (502), Ryan Ashburn (475), Rachel Blithe (436), Jennifer Lyons (420) and Samantha Stearns (381).
Also, two local bowlers qualified for the boys state tournament as individuals. Marc Sinton and Brian Perconti of Calvary Christian will make the trip to Orlando.
Golf
The County Golf Association's weekly tournament was on Oct. 29 at Bardmoor Golf Club. Mike Stodart was the regular division gross champion with 72. The regular division net champion was John Andrick, who shot 69. The senior division gross winner was Connie Wren, who shot 76. The senior net winner was Paul Champigny, who shot 67. The ladies net winner was Susan Tarkowski, who shot 62.
• The Belleair Women's Golf Association held its Ryder Cup tournament at Belleair's East Course on Tuesday. The winning team was Sharlene Snyder and Nancy Richardson, who combined for 55. The second place team was Sue Henderson and Emily Garvin, who shot 61.
Tennis
The senior men's 3.5 national championship was held in Indian Wells, Calif., last week. Florida was represented by a group of players from Shipwatch Tennis Club in Largo. The team did not win a match at the tournament and failed to advance past the first round. Players on the team were Leslie Spang, Charles Harris, John Gelestor, Joseph Bulone, Thomas Rinehart, Henry Van Drunen, Thomas Lincicome, Pete Mosher, Richard Armstrong, Fred Glenn and Joe Campbell.
• Shipwatch Tennis Club will be hosting a one-day tournament stop on the Florida Cup circuit Dec. 12. Matches start at 10 a.m. and the format will be 8 game Pro-Set. There will be women, men and mixed doubles adult divisions with combined ages. Players with a valid USTA membership receive a $5 discount. Register online or download an entry form at www.FloridaTennisCup.com.
Gymnastics
Bayside Gymnastics of Clearwater recently competed in the Fit Club gymnastics meet at Orange City. In Level 2, Destiny Turner finished second in the all around. In Level 4, Ashlynn Pincince was first in floor and all-around, second in beam and third in bars. Kayla Plantz was third in all-around. Camryn Stopa was first in floor, second in all-around and third in vault, bars and beam. Elle Moore was third in vault. In Level 5, Kaeleigh Morehouse was second in beam, Maggie Jacobson was second in vault, Katelyn Calhoun was third in vault, Paige Delagrange was second in vault and floor, Lindsay Bosworth was second in vault an third in beam, floor and all-around, Taylor Richardson was first in bars, beam and all-around and second in vault and floor, Grace Paxson was third in vault, bars, beam and all-around.
Basketball
Tampa Bay Club Sports held two recreation league basketball finals in the past two weeks. In the men's league final at Safety Harbor Rec Center, the Wet Blankets defeated the Ice Truck Killers 63-43. The Wet Blankets team is Kenny Larson, Marvin Buitrago, Chad Lareretz, Scott Blaylock, Matt Blaylock, Kevin Curry, Paul Blaylock, Kevin Curry and Matt Lanza.The champions of the Police Athletic League in St. Petersburg were Entourage, which defeated The Hostiles 63-43. The Entourage team is John Capolino, Adam Robinson, Ryan Capolino, Kris Moerschel, Michael Augustyn, Travis Petermann, David Diebel and Tom Diebel.
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