Sideline

By KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 9, 2001

HIGH SCHOOLS

Seven Rivers earns prestigious award

Seven Rivers Christian athletic director Greg Hamilton might be the happiest AD on the North Suncoast.

During the 2000-2001 school year, every Seven Rivers athletic program advanced to the state playoffs -- a first for the Warriors. The topper, however, came recently when the Florida High School Activities Association named Seven Rivers as the winner of the Section 2 Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award in Class A.

The overall winner in each classification will be announced June 14 at a banquet in Tampa.

"This is THE award," Hamilton said. "If we were to win any single award, this is the one I would like to win."

Seven Rivers was nominated for the award by a group of local volleyball officials. The school then was selected as the Section 2 winner by a panel that included, among others, Rozelle, a past FHSAA commissioner. Seven Rivers will receive $500 and a plaque. Class winners get an additional $2,000.

Seven Rivers had just one athlete ejected from a sporting event during the school year, and that ejection was overturned on appeal.

BASKETBALL

Area boys coaches were shocked to hear the news that North Marion coach Tim Brinkley was killed in a single-car accident early Sunday morning

"It's devastating," Citrus coach Jimmy Thomas said. "He contributed to their program at North Marion, not only as a basketball coach but as a football coach and as a teacher. Everybody has a real high opinion of him. I really don't know what to say."

Brinkley, 53, won 363 games in 21 years of coaching high school basketball. He became North Marion's coach in 1992 and didn't take long to establish a program that consistently was one of the region's best.

He won 19 games this season as North Marion earned the No. 2 seed in Class 4A, District 7, whose members included Citrus, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Lake Weir and Lecanto.

"I always loved to play (North Marion)," Thomas said. "He did such a great job with his kids. They were always very competitive. They were in your face and trapping you. They gave him everything."

Brinkley died instantly when a tire on his 2000 Ford Mustang convertible blew out 1.9 miles south of Citra on U.S. 301.

The car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol report, swerved onto the east shoulder and overturned several times, ejecting passengers Enoch Ostanik and Christopher Russell. Both were taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, where Russell later died.

"I was stunned, absolutely stunned," Lecanto coach Chris Nichols said. "I feel for his family. Anybody that's lost a relative in a car collision ... it's just very tough. I lost a sister in one three years ago and it really kind of leaves you without words."

Brinkley is survived by his former wife, Sue Brinkley, two daughters, Krista Brinkley and Jessica Brinkley, and a son, Michael.RECREATION

Pop Warner football, cheerleading sign-ups

The Inverness Razorbacks of the East Citrus Youth Football Conference are holding player/cheerleading registration May 19 from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Whispering Pines Recreation Building.

The league is for boys and girls 7-13. Those interested should sign up early to ensure a place on the team.

To register, a child must bring a state certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a final report card, a recent photo and a copy of a correct physical. The registration cost is $75 for football and $135 for cheerleading.

For information, call Scott Bender, (352) 344-4731, or Dawn Downing, (352) 637-9596.

Swimming classes

The City of Inverness Department of Parks and Recreation is offering an aquatic program beginning May 21.

The program is geared for those interested in training for triathlons and/or those wanting to improve their stamina and endurance.

Classes will be set up in two-week sessions. The sessions will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

For information, call Whispering Pines Park Pool, (352) 726-1995.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Crystal River Middle School is having its annual athletes award banquet Thursday night at 7 in the school cafeteria. Refreshments will be served. For information, call CRMS athletic director Bill Murray, (352) 795-2116

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