Durant pitcher gets good experience at U.S. tryout

Pitcher Carmine Giardina of Durant, a Times all-county pick last season, just missed making the 20-man USA junior national team. He was named one of six alternates last week.

By KEITH NIEBHUR
Published September 6, 2005

At first, there were 144 players.

Then 34.

Then 26.

Durant senior pitcher Carmine Giardina survived the first two cuts in his quest to play for the USA junior national team, but fell just short of making the 20-man roster at the final tryout last week in Atlanta. Instead, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound lefty is one of six alternates for the prestigious squad - not bad consolation.

"It was tough (not making it)," Giardina said. "It would have been a great experience playing for my country. But it was a lot of fun. I got to play with some of the top players in the country. I saw where they are and where I needed to be."

Giardina's focus has shifted to the future.

The 2005 Times all-Hillsborough County pick, who went 5-1 with a 1.10 ERA and .417 batting average last spring, has narrowed his college choices to Arizona State, Central Florida, Miami, North Carolina and Texas. He has visited UCF, Miami and UNC, and hopes to see the others before he makes his decision in the next few weeks.

"Everything is still open," he said. "I'm waiting to make all of my visits before I rank them."

One highly regarded Jefferson football recruit was in Tallahassee for Monday night's Miami-Florida State game while another stayed back in Tampa. Both have FSU high on their lists.

Tight end Trent Pupello , who calls FSU his leader, drove from Tampa and spent the holiday with friends. When reached early Monday evening, he said he was anxious to witness his first Hurricanes-Seminoles game in person.

"It's going to be high intensity," Pupello said.

Offensive tackle Daron Rose hoped to attend but stayed in Tampa so he wouldn't miss school today. Rose, who's considering Duke, Florida, FSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Southern California and USF, planned to keep an eye on FSU's offensive line.

"I know they have some depth issues," he said. "They're recruiting me to come in and play."

Pupello had no prediction.

But four hours before game time, Rose went with the Seminoles. "I'm hoping Florida State wins," he said.

Motivation isn't a problem for Freedom's Javier Beuzeville , who runs cross country and swims for the Patriots, and competes in numerous triathlons.

"He's a machine," Freedom cross country coach Brooke Tobias said. "It's 24/7 training with him. If anything, I'm concerned about him hitting a wall too soon because he's so diligent with his workouts."

Beuzeville was a Times honorable mention all-county runner last fall after placing 57th at state. Freedom's first meet is Friday.

"He has looked extremely good in practice," Tobias said.

--Times staff writer Keith Niebuhr can be reached at 226-3350 or online at niebuhr@sptimes.com

[Last modified September 6, 2005, 03:15:21]