Preps

Hernando: News and notes

By IZZY GOULD and DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writers
Published October 16, 2007

When: Today, 9 a.m.

Where: The Villages (Laurel Manor Recreation Center).

Local teams: Academy at the Lakes (boys), Bishop McLaughlin (girls), Hernando, Nature Coast, Pasco, Wiregrass Ranch.

The skinny: The Wiregrass Ranch girls are hot off their first Sunshine Athletic Conference win, led by Kaylin Sylvester, Rebecca Pindral and Nicholette Clark. Look for Hurricanes junior Caitlen Smaga, who has a shot to win the 100 butterfly.

Set your DVR

Nature Coast at Hudson, volleyball, 7 p.m.

The Sharks and Cobras square off in a Class 4A, District 8 showdown that is intriguing on many levels. Earlier this season, Nature Coast beat Hudson for the first time. Despite this game's outcome, the teams should face each other next week in district semifinals, where Nature Coast is the No.2 seed and Hudson is No.3.

Do or die for Central

Central football coach Cliff Lohrey and several of his players were in attendance as Land O'Lakes finished off its 39-20 win over Tarpon Springs on Oct.8. By the time it was over, they were well aware of the challenge awaiting them Thursday night.

"Every time Tarpon mounted a drive or every time they came up with a big play, Land O'Lakes answered every time," Lohrey said.

Land O'Lakes (5-1) is tied for the district lead with Ridgewood (6-0), which has beaten Central (4-2) - meaning the Bears' game against the Gators is as close to a must-win as you can get.

Cross country

Hernando senior Tyler Maier took first place at Saturday's Hernando-Citrus Cross Country Classic, finishing in 16 minutes, 31 seconds.

Central's boys continued a solid season with a second-place finish at McKethan Lake Park. The Bears had three top-10 finishers including Robert Davis (16:49), Brad Henderson (17:07) and Alex Yettaw (17:10). Crystal River took top honors (38 points).

For the girls, Crystal River (43) won, followed by Springstead (60) and Nature Coast (84). Three Eagles finished in the top 10, including Jaclyn White (21:19), Caroline Monzo (21:52) and Mirelys Pizarro (22:04).

[Last modified October 16, 2007, 00:52:43]