Sports

Inspired Gallauer sparks title

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published April 19, 2006

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CLEARWATER - Note to whoever plays Nick Gallauer next:

Shhhhhhhhh.

Prodded by a little pre-match banter, Gallauer put an exclamation point on St. Petersburg's district championship Tuesday with a thorough 6-0, 6-0 victory at the McMullen Tennis Center in Clearwater.

Gallauer said his victory over Palm Harbor University's Andy Fisch was fueled by some comments suggesting his 8-4 win in last week's regular-season finale wasn't quite as dominant as people may have thought.

"I heard he was saying he played me tough and the score was 8-6 - it wasn't - so I wanted to leave no doubt this time," Gallauer said. "I made sure I didn't mess around and kept it serious out there."

"I think the other kid tugged at Superman's cape a little bit," St. Petersburg coach Alan Turnquist said.

St. Petersburg and PHU were tied coming in and met in four of five singles finals. The Green Devils cruised to straight set wins in each, dropping only 10 games to finish with 19 points. PHU was second with 12, and Pinellas Park was third with eight.

At No. 1 singles, 2004 Times Player of the Year Shay Wali beat Alonso's Tyler Snook 6-3, 6-2, then teamed with Gallauer - the 2005 Player of the Year - to win at No. 1 doubles.

The Green Devils meet Sarasota Friday in a rematch of last year's regional won by the Sailors.

TAMPA - Sarasota-Riverview came into the district final as the top seed in six of the seven brackets. It came as no surprise then when the Rams dominated Tuesday at USF, winning all seven finals to capture the district championship by seven points over Sarasota.

Robert Pietrucha, a junior for the Rams, cruised in the No. 1 singles match, defeating Chris Le from Sarasota, 6-3, 6-1. He teamed later with Brendon Wong in No. 1 doubles to beat Sarasota's Le/Adam Shapiro 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) and earn his first district titles in both events.

Pietrucha did not participate last season because of shoulder and ankle injuries.

The championship round was a dual match, in essence, between both of the Sarasota schools. The two teams placed finalists in all seven brackets.

"We knew it was going to be between us and Sarasota coming in," Pietrucha said. "We lost to them earlier in the year but had some key injuries in that match."

Lakeland and Plant City tied for third.

- BRYAN BURNS, Times correspondent

TAMPA - After more than 20 hours of tennis Monday and Tuesday at the Hillsborough Community College courts, things still haven't been decided in the tournament.

This morning at 8 a.m. Wharton, which has racked up 15 points, can win the tournament with a victory in a No. 2 doubles match against Hillsborough, which has 14. But, if the Terriers win this morning's match, then Wharton and Hillsborough will follow immediately with a regular-season dual-match format to determine the district champion.

"It could go either way," Wharton coach Marcie Scholl said. "We beat (Hillsborough) 4-3 in a dual match earlier in the year, but it was very, very close, just like (this morning's) doubles match should be."

The 8 a.m. match features Wharton sophomores Mitch Wong and Alex Bartholomew against Hillsborough senior Kimble McKay and junior Dilip Kamath. In the regular season match, these pairs didn't face each other because Terrier coach Charles Roberts went with a different lineup.

"All I know is that it should be a great tennis match," Roberts said. "The kids couldn't be any more excited."

- SCOTT PURKS, Times staff writer

3A-10

WINTER HAVEN - King claimed the title at the Winter Haven City Courts, edging Winter Haven in a seven-team event.

King finished with 21 points while the Blue Devils placed second with 17 points and Auburndale took third with 16 points and the top singles player and top doubles team.

Bloodhound D.J. Pate won the No. 1 singles title (his second) with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over senior Laxman Pichappan of King.

- THE LEDGER

2A-10

VALRICO - When Jesuit and Newsome faced off for the district championship both came in with 10 points and head-to-head meetings loomed in all five singles matches.

The Tigers won four of the singles. Jesuit also took both doubles finals for 19 points, followed by Newsome with 15.

"During the regular season of 15 matches, we played some of the best teams I could schedule," Jesuit coach Joe Curtis said. "We placed fourth last year at state, but I hope we can improve on that this season."

James Vuckocic defeated Mark Wilkie 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) to capture the only individual title for Newsome at the No. 1 position.

At No. 2, Jesuits Bryan Beasley started slowly then rallied to beat Andy Hersh 4-6, 6-1, 6-0. In doubles Beasley joined with Wilkie to defeat Vuckocic and Alex Lukin 6-2, 6-2.

"Jesuit is always strong and I had two very tough matches in the finals today," said Vuckocic, who qualified for state as an individual. "As a team we had our chances, but the only thing you can do in a tough match is play your best. I believe our team played to their peak today. I am proud of our guys and congratulate Jesuit."

Macale Smith and Eddy Shahnasrian defeated Newsome's Hersh and Aaron Barrett 6-2, 6-2 to win No. 2 doubles. Smith, Eddy Shahnasrian and Matt Jordan also won singles titles for Jesuit.

- TERRY JONES, Times correspondent

LAKELAND - Tampa Prep extended its season for at least three more days Tuesday by winning a district team championship.

Saddlebrook Academy was stopped before it started by the Florida High School Athletic Association for a rules infraction.

Tampa Prep won the title at Woodlake City Courts. Tampa Prep's George Navas remained on course for an individual state championship, taking the No. 1 single title 6-3, 6-3, over Lakeland Christian's Justin Cecil.

Tampa Prep finished with 26 points in the 11-school event. Berkeley Prep (19) was runnerup. Lakeland Christian had 14 points. The winners advance to Friday's regional.

Saddlebrook had players seeded No. 1 in all five singles and both doubles divisions, but defaulted for not filling out an entry form. The deadline was extended for four days last week and Saddlebrook missed that one too.

- THE LEDGER

[Last modified April 19, 2006, 01:59:13]

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