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Area hockey team reaches nationals

By EMERY SKOLFIELD
Published April 15, 2007

The Tampa Maple Leafs fell behind by three goals after one period and couldn't recover in a semifinal at the Tier II 18-and-under USA Hockey National Championships on March 31 in Fraser, Mich.

The Oldsmar-based Maple Leafs scored three goals - including two from forward Scott Short - in the final period of their semifinal against the Phoenix Force, but it wasn't enough in a 7-4 loss to the eventual tournament runnerup.

The Maple Leafs, one of 12 teams competing in the tournament, advanced to the semifinals with a 5-3 victory over the York Pa. Devils.

Short finished the tournament with four goals and an assist in five games to lead the Maple Leafs, whose home facility is the Tampa Bay Skating Academy. Defenseman Chad Bryan scored twice, including a power-play goal in the semifinal game, and had two assists during the tournament.

Other Maple Leafs players were: Nathan Altman, John Cannone, Eric Cosma, Michael Fowler, Cory Fuller, Chad Goodwin, Lucas Kelsey, Nick Kraese, Bary Preusch, Andrew Albertson, Nick Buchholz, Michael Frank, Matthew Rand, Eric Thompson, Nick Johnson and Charlie O'Conner. The team was coached by Mike Frank and assisted by Tom Buchholz.

CHEERLEADING: The Countryside Junior Cougars concluded an award-winning season last month at the Fun Jam on March 10 in Kissimmee, bringing home a first-place trophy in the Elementary School Youth League Cheer division and placing second in Junior High Youth League.

Both teams are coached and instructed by volunteers, including coaches Mary Simmons, Ashley Simmons and Kyle Thompson, and instructors Alissa Worley, Paige Nevez, Brandi Allen and Chelsea Fletcher.

GYMNASTICS: Amanda Ismaili won on the bars and was second in the all-around, and Apollo School of Gymnastics teammate Christina Cielinski won the vault in Prep-Optional competition at the USA Gymnastics State Championships on April 1 at the University of Tampa.

Erin Morrison (vault), Rachel Waag (bars) and Kaylen Stine (bars) each notched second-place event finishes in their respective age groups.

At the same event, the LaFleur's Gymnastic Club of Largo had its Level 7 and Prep-Optional teams finish second.

Natalie Humbert, Jennifer Moser and Caitlin Tarr won age-group all-around titles in Level 7, while Rebecca Wunderlich, Laura Meunier, Carly Tidwell, Selma Lemezan and Rachel Whisennant each won individual events.

In Prep-Optional action, Rebecca Lizotte won the bars, beam and floor on her way to an all-around title. Teammates Amanda Mills and Kaylyn Nelson also won their respective age-group all-arounds. Event winners were Ariel Douds, Casondra Bickler, Jessica Maggio, Scout McDaniel and Christine Miles-Scott.

If you have youth sports news for this column, please contact Times correspondent Emery Skolfield at (727) 481-2027 or via e-mail at sptimesyouth@yahoo.com.

[Last modified April 14, 2007, 18:46:23]