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Former high school wrestling champ to compete for mixed martial arts title

 
Ladarious Jackson holds the first belt he ever won, a Global MMA title in 2012.
Ladarious Jackson holds the first belt he ever won, a Global MMA title in 2012.
Published June 29, 2016

Ladarious Jackson, who trains with Ramos Universal Martial Arts in Hudson, is scheduled to compete in the main event for the Real Fighting Championship state championship on July 22.

Jackson (4-2-1), who won multiple state wrestling championships while competing at Gulf High School in New Port Richey, has gone on to success in professional mixed martial arts. The 24-year-old will be fighting 28-year-old Vince McGuinness (5-3) at 155 pounds.

It will be Jackson's first opportunity to capture a professional championship. Ultimate Fighting Championship representatives are scheduled to be on hand at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel in Tampa scouting the athletes.

"I am dedicating this fight to my dad (Anthony Jackson) who passed away from cancer at 50 years old (in 2014)," Jackson said. "This fight is very important to me."

PHSC BASEBALL AWARDS: Pasco-Hernando State College pitcher Tanner Thompson was recently named a 2016 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II second team All-American.

The sophomore is the third pitcher in the 25-year history of the PHSC program to earn this honor. Frankie Sanders (1994) and Danny Rodriguez (2015) were the other selections. Thompson finished the season 9-1 with a 1.52 ERA in 82.2 innings pitched.

PHSC also placed eight players on the NJCAA DII Region 8 All-Region Team. The team was led by PHSC Player of the Year sophomore third baseman Jordan Ding. Ding recently signed with Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C., after setting a single-season program record with his .467 batting average, breaking the mark of .432 set by Mike Aranda in 1998.

Sophomore first baseman Michael Faul (.368); freshman outfielders Alex Reynolds (.346), Vance Gutierrez (.333) and Tyree Austin (.324); freshman catcher Bailey Partlow (.330), and pitchers Tanner Thompson (9-1, 1.52) and Sean Fluke (8-1, 3.32) rounded out the all-region team.

PHSC was eliminated from the NJCAA DII Southeast District Tournament in Burlington, N.C., last month. The team went 1-2 in the tournament. It was the sixth straight district tournament appearance for the program. The Conquistadors finished the season 32-12-1.

PHSC CHEER TRYOUTS: Pasco-Hernando State College is holding tryouts for its 2016-17 cheerleading team at 9 a.m. Aug. 20 and Aug. 21 in the Fitness Center in Building K on the West Campus in New Port Richey.

A tryout preparation session will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15. Stunting and jumping skills are required, and tumbling skills are recommended. The preparation session will include practicing with peers and receiving tips from the coaching staff, in addition to receiving a cheer tryout application packet.

PHSC cheerleaders compete at the state and national levels and promote school spirit on campus and at all home basketball games. Team members also support other PHSC athletic programs, host fundraisers and participate in community service projects throughout the year.

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Male and female PHSC students, including incoming freshmen, returning sophomores and transfer students in good academic standing, may try out. Students are encouraged to follow the PHSC cheer team on social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter, to learn about upcoming team workout dates for anyone interested in participating.

Cheerleading tryout requirements and additional information can be found at phsc.edu/athletics/cheerleading.

SPRING HILL OPEN & PRO-AM: Professional bowlers will return to Spring Hill Lanes from July 8 to 10 for the 28th annual Spring Hill Open, sponsored by Crystal Automotive Group.

A stop on the Professional Bowlers Association Southern Region Tour, the tournament is the only regular professional sporting event in Hernando County. In years past, it has featured some of the best bowlers in the sport, including Walter Ray Williams and Patrick Allen.

To start the weekend on July 8, local bowlers will have an opportunity compete alongside the pros in the 9-pin No-Tap Pro-Am.

For an entry fee of $20 for junior bowlers (youth league competitors), $30 for senior bowlers (ages 55 and older) and $35 for all others, amateurs can bowl on the same lanes with three professionals. Winners will receive trophies, scholarships or cash prizes.

Starting July 9, more than 100 of the tour's best bowlers will begin battling for the tournament championship. The finals should start about 2 p.m. July 10.

For information, call Pam Hoppe at Spring Hill Lanes at (352) 683-7272.

YES BOWLING FUNDRAISER: Hernando County Sheriff's Charities is hosting the 16th annual Youth Education Services Bowling Extravaganza on July 16 at Spring Hill Lanes, 3447 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.

Registration will begin at noon, and the bowling starts at 1 p.m. Participants may bowl with a team or as individuals. Lane sponsorships and prize donations are being sought.

A printable registration form is available at hernandosheriff.org. Proceeds from the tournament will support Sheriff's Summer ROAR Day Camps, the Richard Buckingham Community Service Scholarship and the Richard B. Nugent Community Service Scholarship.

For information, call Annie-Laurie Austin at (352) 797-3660.

FOX CHAPEL VOLLEYBALL CAMP: The Fox Chapel Tigers Volleyball Camp, for girls entering sixth through eighth grades, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25 to 27 in the gymnasium at Fox Chapel Middle School.

Campers will learn the fundamentals and skills of the game in a fun environment. All participants must have a valid physical exam and proof of insurance. Those participating are expected to bring knee pads and something to drink. All campers must wear shorts, sneakers and socks.

The fee is $25, which includes a T-shirt. The registration deadline is July 1. Forms may be obtained in the front office at Fox Chapel or by contacting Fox Chapel coach Nikki LaRiviere.

For information, call the school at (352) 797-7025 or send email to lariviere_n@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

POWELL FOOTBALL CONDITIONING CAMP: The Powell Panthers Football Agility & Conditioning Camp, for players entering sixth through eighth grades, will be from 10 a.m. to noon July 18 to 20 on football field at Powell Middle School in Spring Hill.

Coaches will teach campers what is expected of them prior to middle school tryouts. All participants must have completed FHSAA paperwork, a valid physical exam and proof of insurance.

The fee is $50 and $25 for each sibling. The cost includes a T-shirt. Forms may be obtained in the front office at Powell or by contacting Powell coach Ron Blackwell.

For information, call the school at (352) 797-7095 or send email to blackwell_r@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

HERNANDO PARKS & REC SUMMER CAMPS: Registration is under way for Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department summer camps.

A variety of camps are being offered for children from ages 8 to 14. Some camps have limited space. Among the camps being offered are basketball, volleyball, sports, outdoor adventure, "Horsin' Around" and Kayak Wednesdays.

A complete listing of the programs and registration forms may be found online at hernandocounty.us/parks_rec/. Registration forms may be faxed to (352) 754-4415, emailed to recreation@hernandocounty.us or delivered to the office at 16161 Flight Path Drive, south of Brooksville.

For information, call (352) 754-4031 or visit the Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department on Facebook.

LOCAL SOCCER CLUB HEADED TO COLOMBIA: The West Pasco Football Club, which includes Spring Hill residents Brandon Rogers and Seth Tarbox, is planning a trip to Colombia in July.

The organization took a similar trip last summer, with successful results. The U12 and U14 teams will both make the trip, taking the field against some of the best teams in Colombia, a top soccer-playing country.

Over the course of 11 days, West Pasco will play four professional academies. All games will be in a professional stadium, and players will get to train with the academies' staffs.

The club has a total of 68 people hoping to travel to Colombia. Fundraising is under way, and all assistance is appreciated. For information, contact West Pasco FC director of coaching Novi Maric at (727) 534-3371 or novi.maric@yahoo.com.

HERNANDO SPORTSMAN'S CLUB: The Hernando Sportsman's Club offers firearms safety classes. The next class dates are July 6, July 16, Aug. 3 and Aug. 20. There will also be a special "ladies only" classes on Saturday and Sept. 17.

All classes will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hernando Sportsman's Club at 16121 Commercial Way, north of Weeki Wachee.

This is an introductory class for new shooters. It will include instruction, live-fire training on the range and a lunch break. All materials and equipment will be provided, including the use of a .22-caliber firearm, ammunition, earplugs and eye protection.

The fee is $60, and completion of the class provides the required documentation to apply for a Florida concealed-carry permit. Advance registration is required.

Registration for the classes can be completed by calling (352) 597-9931.

The club also will sponsor its annual Independence Day Machine Gun Shoot on July 4.

The shoot will be on the club's 200-yard machine gun range. Shooters may bring their own machine guns, pistols and rifles. Besides old cars and trucks, there are usually old fire extinguishers, washing machines, water heaters and various other targets to shoot for fun at various distances.

Admission fee is $20 per shooter. No tracers or incendiary ammo allowed. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Spectator admission is $2, with kids younger than 15 free with an adult. Bring eye and ear protection, including for spectators, especially for children.

Food and soft drinks will be available for purchase in the clubhouse. For information about the Machine Gun Shoots, call Randie Rickert at (352) 799-3605.

Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.