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By Compiled by Jamal Thalji
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 9, 2001
QUOTABLE
"Oh yeah, that'll be easy."
-- VINCENT LOWE, Ridgewood wrestling coach, using a bit of sarcasm to describe his Rams' upcoming dual meet tournament at Bradenton Southeast this weekend against tough foes like Miami Southridge, Fort Myers, Lecanto, Countryside, Charlotte, Bradenton Bayshore and Lake Region.
Ridgewood's Leigh is Wendy's finalist
Pasco County had eight student-athletes nominated for the prestigious seventh annual Wendy's High School Heisman award, and one state finalist for the contest that honors students for academics, athletics and citizenship.
Ridgewood's Lizzy Leigh was the area's only state finalist for the award. She is one of the area's top distance runners, a standout in cross country, basketball and track.
Basketball and track standout Joe Anders was the Rams' other nominee for the award.
Marcus Ressler, a senior defender on the boys soccer team and a district runner-up on the tennis team, was nominated from Hudson.
Pasco was represented by swimming standout Janae Corrado and football and wrestling standout Tye Reedy, who was the runner-up in the 189-pound weight class in last season's Class A state finals.
Football standout Jeff Janus represented River Ridge, along with basketball and volleyball standout Brandi Young.
Tennis standout Courtney Dwyer represented Zephyrhills.
Wendy's, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City founded and sponsor the award, which is intended to honor community service, athletic achievement and academic merit.
About 12,000 were nominated nationwide for the award. Students were first picked to win their respective state in October, and then 12 national finalists were selected in November. At the college Heisman Trophy telecast on ESPN on Dec. 9, the two national high school winners were honored: Kate O'Toole of Crescent Springs, Ky., and David Donaldson of Jasper, Ala. The pair received trophies and $1,500 prizes while their respective schools got $2,500.
Gulf alumni ready to battle again
Preparations for the second annual Gulf alumni football game are underway.
An organizational meeting will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at the school cafeteria. All those interested in participating in the pads-and-helmets tackle alumni game Apr. 6 at Des Little Stadium need to pay their $80 registration fee and sign the paperwork at the meeting.
For more information, contact Jim Ward at (904) 998-0297 and by e-mail at jwatson@kcc.com.
WHAT: Boys basketbal
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
THE SKINNY: Okay, so Land O'Lakes is again the class of Class 5A, District 9. But that doesn't mean the Gators are so good that they can take both post-season berths. The battle for second place is still an interesting race between East Lake, Gulf, Palm Harbor U. and River Ridge. Tonight, two possible contenders will see how they stack up. Ridgewood is the obvious favorite, with a 9-5 record and a hard-working group led by shooter/slasher Joe Anders and the inside play of 6-foot-10 Donnie Lotz. Hard-luck East Lake is nowhere near the dominant team it was last year. The team is 3-8 because of injuries: Brian House broke his ankle, Mike Deatrick broke his shoulder, and junior Dalen Cuff fractured his wrist but is expected back this month. The Eagles miss Chris Thomas most of all after he averaged 18.6 points per game in his first three contests, but a recurring football injury left him hobbled with a sprained ankle. Remember, Thomas is the sharpshooter who handed Land O'Lakes its only district loss last season, sinking a desperation three-pointer as time expired to give the Eagles a 60-59 win.