Community

Standouts to power West Coast Bears' opener

By KELLIE DIXON, Times Staff Writer
Published January 15, 2008

Former local standouts will help lead the West Coast Bears as the semipro football team kicks off its season Saturday.

The squad will face off against the Bradenton Gladiators at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday at Central High School.

The semipro team, coached by former NFL receiver Ernest Givins, will use Central as its home field this season.

Admission is $7 per person and children ages 5 and under will be admitted free.

Local standouts include former Central stars RB Brian Nutter and LB Brandon Valenca among other players.

The Bears will play in the Western conference and those teams include the Bradenton Gladiators, Polk County War Eagles and Fort Myers Spartans.

Keep up with the squad from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturdays by tuning into ESPN Radio www.espnflorida.com. Visit www.westcoastbearsfootball.com for more information.

Tennis results: Despite a brief rain delay, the USTA Grand Slam Futures Tennis tournament concluded Sunday at Saint Leo's campus.

Anastasia Pivovarova of Russia defeated Audra Cohen 6-4, 6-0 to win the women's singles tournament and the $25,000 prize. Pivovarova was seeded sixth entering the tournament.

Soledad Esperon and Frederica Piedade defeated Corinna Dentoni and Pivovarova 6-2, 6-7 (2) [10-7].

Somdev Dev Varman of India won the singles men's circuit and the $10,000 prize by defeating Dusan Vemic 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Dev Varman combined with Treat Huey to win the men's doubles tournament. The duo defeated Ladislav Chramosta and Daniel Lustig 6-2, 6-2.

Stacia Fonseca of Lutz and doubles partner Kimberly Couts were eliminated in Thursday's doubles quarterfinals. Fonseca reached the second round of qualifying before being eliminated by eventual qualifier Gabriela Paz.

Wesley Chapel's Stephanie Herz, coming back from shoulder surgery, qualified for the tournament but had to bow out because the injury flared up.

FOOTBALL: The Krush Football team will have its official first practice at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Those who are serious about playing football and being part of a mentor organization should attend. For more information, e-mail football@krushsports.com or call 1-888-krush68.

Soccer camp: The Saint Leo women's soccer team will host day and overnight camps in June and July for girls ages 5 to 18 this summer at University Field.

The day camp will be held June 16-19. There will be morning and full-day sessions. Cost for the half day is $120, while the full day is $175.

The overnight camps will be held June 28 through July 1. Cost is $390, including meals, housing and coaching.

Extended day camps run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the athlete can attend all sessions during the residential camp for $300.

For more information about the SLU Soccer Camps or to register for a camp session, please contact camp director Ged O'Connor by phone at (352) 588-8663 or at ged.oconnor@saintleo.edu

AUTOCROSS: FAST will hold an autocross event Feb. 17 at the Hernando County Airport.

Entry fee is $30, which includes lunch. New airport policy restricts the group to 50 drivers and 25 guests. Online registration and prepayment are mandatory. Visit www.wedrivefast.com/rules.cfm to determine the correct class for your car when entering. Visit www.myautoevents.com to register. Registration closes at 10 p.m. on Feb. 7.

Submit information and story ideas to kdixon@sptimes.com or call (352) 544-9480.

[Last modified January 14, 2008, 21:47:09]