Northpinellas: Many teams get kick out of being in Cup

Following various rounds of elimination play in seven age groups for boys and girls, the Florida Youth Soccer Association has determined the final four teams in each for the State Cup next month.

In girls competition are the Countryside Lightning under-13, St. Pete Raiders under-14, Largo Wolves under-16 and Clearwater Chargers under-18 squads.

"This team has basically been together since they were in the under-9 division," said Greg Brinkman, Countryside's coach. "We've gotten a couple of new players each year and continually improved."

Last year, the Lightning captured the under-12 state championship after winning the Region C title. The team was a region champion in under-10.

"I think what makes us stand out the most is our speed and quickness," Brinkman said. "They're usually first to the ball, and that creates a lot of opportunities. They understand the game and are assertive young ladies."

In the State Cup, Countryside will face the Manatee Magic. The survivor will meet the winner between FC America Kumba of Orlando and the Weston Lightning in the championship.

Largo will battle Team Boca Blaze in a semifinal. Tampa Bay Heather and Temple Terrace Spirit play in the other semi.

Clearwater tackles nemesis Blackwatch Stirling in the first game, and Cape Coral meets the Soccer Academy.

Among the boys are Strictly Soccer under-13, Dunedin Stirling under-14, Largo under-16 and Clearwater under-18 and under-19.

Largo will make its first State Cup appearance when it takes on the Tampa Bay Kickers in a semifinal.

"This is something we've worked towards over the years," said Larry Ferrol, Largo's director of coaches. "We've grown from the rec division to competitive.

"We've won Region C, the President's Cup and reached the round of sweet 16 at state last year. Each year, we've worked harder to improve and get past the last point. It's a great accomplishment."

Dunedin is in a field with South Brevard, Blackwatch and Galaxy. Clearwater's under-18 squad is with Team Boca, Blackwatch and Flagler, and the Chargers' under-19 club is with Lakeland, Sunrise and Blackwatch.

The State Cup is scheduled for June 1-3 at Weston Regional Park in Weston.

GYMNASTICS: LaFleur's of Largo member Lesley Valenty turned in a ninth-place performance on the vault in the Level 10 National Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Valenty competed on the Region C team that finished second overall.

The Tampa Bay Turners' Summer Hubbard, Lauren Bernloehr, Margaret Dann and Lauren Companioni competed on winning teams in the national. Hubbard scored a 36.9 overall to help the Junior A squad win its competition. Bernloehr posted a 36.675 in Junior D action and Dann a 37.125 and Companioni a 36.925 in Senior D. Bernloehr placed seventh on balance beam, and Dann was ninth. Companioni took fourth on beam and sixth on uneven bars.

Tampa Bay's Jessica Beckman earned sixth on beam, and Terin Martinjak was fourth on bars.

This weekend, LaFleur's Level 9 athletes Whitney Eberhardt, Elizabeth Herrmann and Erin Godin and the Turners' Chelsea Lau and Kaylene Sattanno are in Baltimore for the Level National Championships.

SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING: Suncoast WaterWorks members competed among 200 swimmers in the Regional Synchronized Swimming Championship in Savannah, Ga., earlier this month.

Suncoast captured four first-place awards and five seconds.

Nichole Lee won the solo competition in the division for 12-13-year-olds and teamed with Abbie Zohn to capture the 12-13 duet title.

The 12-13 squad of Kendall Carey, Stacey Davidson, Bethan Gillett, Keeley Lawner, Samara Rutenburg and Zohn finished first. So did the 14-15 team of Darcee Kingsley, Andrea Patterson, Rachel Rooth, Caitlin Carey and Lee.

Seconds were earned by trio teams Kingsley, Patterson and Rooth in 14-15 and Jennifer Amsinger, Nondi Garrett and Crystal Amsinger in 18-19. Lawner was second in 11-and-under solo. Other runner-up performances were recorded by the 11-and-under squad of Lilly Althauser, Jessica Bennett, Taylor Koon, Jenna Lee and Logan Worley and the 18-19 unit of Jennifer and Crystal Amsinger, Dana Rosenfeld, Garrett, Jamie Freshour, Meredith Cooke and Rachael Farkash.

Suncoast earned two third-place awards, as well as a fourth, fifth and sixth.

The annual Suncoast WaterWorks show is June 1-2 at Southwest Pool in Largo.

SWIMMING: The Bardmoor Aquatic Team recently won its first Carlouel Invitational.

Bardmoor's Josh Gordon was the high-point performer in the 11-12 age division, and Trevor Caldwell and Nick Vilaret tied in the 13-14 class of the 33rd invitational. St. Petersburg Country Club's Tracy Rorer was the top swimmer in the 10-and-older division.

SPCC finished sixth overall, and Carlouel was eighth.

The Bardmoor squad will have its Spring Invitational on June 2.

LIFEGUARDING: The Junior Guard program's review session for individuals 11-16 is this weekend at Clearwater's Morningside Pool.

Participants will be pre-tested, practice designated skills and learn the fundamentals of teaching swimming. At the completion of the course, certification in American Red Cross community water safety, first aid, CPR and instructor aide may be earned.

For information, call 507-4064.

ICE HOCKEY: Tryouts for the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning are this weekend at the SunBlades Ice Arena.

TBJL president Skip Krazja may be contacted at 397-4714 for information, or call director of coaches Jacob Brozyna, 546-9060.

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