Sports

Jaguars' Socias, Gryphons' Wehunt start strong

By Times staff
Published September 12, 2007

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TAMPA - Academy of the Holy Names senior Stephanie Socias and Sickles junior Derek Wehunt led essentially from wire to wire to post convincing season-opening wins in Tuesday evening's West Hillsborough Invitational.

Plant, with five top-10 finishers, captured the girls team title with 31 points, 38 more than runnerup Sickles. The Gryphons boys (51 points) had three top-10 placers to coast past second-place Tampa Prep (94).

The victory on the grassy 3-mile course at Al Lopez Park was the first in a prep race for Socias, whose time (21:12) tied the personal-best effort she recorded at last season's Class 2A, Region 3 meet. Tampa Catholic junior Meghan Sullivan was second (21:19).

Wehunt (16:03), 21st at last season's 4A meet, outclassed a field that included local powers Berkeley Prep and Jesuit, though both teams held out their top runners. Berkeley senior Richard Blake, fifth at last season's 1A meet, competed in a race in Gainesville on Friday; Jesuit is racing Saturday at the Gator Invitational in Pasco County.

The absence of those runners didn't seem to faze Wehunt, who held nothing back even as his teammates ran at a predetermined tempo. Gaither senior Brooks Wells finished second, a full 80 seconds behind Wehunt, whose brother Dan was third (17:27).

 

Newsome sweeps East Hillsborough Invitational

Keegan Bixler finished second in the boys race to lead a strong contingent of Newsome runners. Brooke McEver paced the girls squad by also placing second.

The boys finished with 35 points, 29 better than second-place Bloomingdale.

The girls were 25 points ahead of runnerup Brandon.

Brandon's Drew Woodley won in 17:30. Bixler checked in at 17:34.

McEver (22:20) was bested only by Grace Vandergrift of Durant (21:46).

"We had a strong showing from both our teams," Newsome coach Orlando Greene said. "Both teams had seven runners in the top 15."

Chamberlain boys, Kings girls win Central Hillsborough Invitational

The Chamberlain boys took the top five places and were led by overall champion Mark Parrish, who finished in 16:54. The Chiefs finished with 15 points - 48 points ahead of second-place Armwood. King, which finished third, was led by Wesam Ali (19:46).

The King girls also were dominant.

The Lions totaled 24 points, well ahead of runnerup Freedom.

King was paced by senior Lauren Moxley. She checked in at 24:06 to place second. Freedom's Alyssa Franks won in 21:10.

 

BOYS GOLF

King 159, Chamberlain 171

At Temple Terrace Country Club, King senior Chris Biuso fired a career-best 5-under-par 31. His round included three birdies and eagle.

King is 3-1.

Biuso now has a nine-hole average of 36.

"It was a thing of beauty," King coach Barrett Zebos said. "It was a great round. He hit the ball in the middle of the fairway, hit the ball in the middle of the green and made some putts."

King's Matt Cook added 40.

 

Berean Academy 209, Bayshore Christian 234

At MacDill, sixth-grader Harris Armstrong fired 7-over 43 to lead the Lions past Bayshore Christian. Armstrong carded four pars.

"He played very well," Berean coach Paul Rydell said. "He can even play better than that. He's usually around 40 or 41."

 

VOLLEYBALL

Holy Names d. Lennard

25-5, 25-6, 25-8

At Holy Names, the Jaguars improved to 3-0. Outside hitter Maureen Colligan led Holy Names with six kills. Hitter Hilary Hunt added five kills.

"To be honest, we're looking to next Tuesday at Indian Rocks Christian," Jaguars coach Doug Chinchar said. "This was kind of a tuneup. Indian Rocks Christian is supposed to be pretty good so we're looking forward to it."

 

Durant d. Riverview

25-18, 25-21, 25-18

At Durant, the Cougars moved to 4-0 behind the play of Stephanie Eukovich and Alexa Donini. Eukovich, an outside hitter, had 11 kills, seven digs and four aces. Donini, a setter, produced 23 assists and five aces.

[Last modified September 12, 2007, 01:06:00]