Windermere High School introduces its cheerleading squad … and other Southwest Sports!

compiled by Lauren Salinero


The Amateur Athletic Union West Orange Bobcats football and cheerleading program released its schedule for the season.

  • July 11 — Football conditioning begins (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m.).
  • July 31 — First day of football practice.
  • Aug. 1 — First day of cheerleading practice.
  • Aug. 17 and Aug. 19 — Jamboree (preseason games).
  • Aug. 26-Oct. 14 — Regular season with Saturday games.
  • Oct. 21-Nov. 11 — Playoff games.
  • Oct. 29 — Florida Youth Football and Cheer League Cheer Competition.
  • Dec. 2 or Dec. 9 — AAU National Cheer Competition.
  • Dec. 14-17 — AAU National Football Tournament.

For more information, visit www.westorangebobcats.com.


United States Tennis Association Florida’s board of directors unanimously approved the creation of a new Tennis Management Division, aimed at helping improve public tennis facilities across the state. The division will be led by a new director of tennis management and will focus on working with municipalities that are struggling to maintain quality public tennis facilities and programs.

The new division will operate out of USTA Florida’s new headquarters, slated to open later this summer adjacent to the USTA National Campus in Orlando. The board also approved funding for the director position and negotiations to manage one public facility by the end of 2017, with the expectation that several more facilities will come under the USTA Florida umbrella in 2018.
“We want to work with communities [that] are as committed to the success of the tennis center as we are,” said Doug Booth, executive director of USTA Florida. “Each partnership will be unique. We are not in this to make money; we’re in this to deliver high-quality tennis programs and to ensure tennis grows in local communities for future generations.”

For more information, visit www.ustaflorida.com. To apply for the director of tennis management position, visit www.ustaflorida.com/jobs.


Windermere High School’s varsity cheerleading squad volunteers at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Southwest Orlando’s newest high school, Windermere High School, which will conduct its first school year 2017-18, is already making an impact in the community. Its varsity cheerleaders gathered to volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. The Wolverines hired Joel Burch as their cheer coach and look forward to their first season.


Orlando Watersports Complex hosted its first King of the Groms competition. The first contest in cable wakeboarding to focus on youth in the sport, King of the Groms gave young, upcoming wakeboarders a platform to battle it out in the ultimate grom showdown. The format consisted of three rounds with 7-minute heats per division.

Thirty riders ages 8-16 from six states, and even a couple of riders from England, competed in the inaugural event. Ten-year-old Gavin Stuckey of Orlando won finals in the Grom Pro (16-under) division, as well as the win in the kicker contest.

“Our OWC team is thrilled to host this event, which provides an opportunity for up-and-coming wakeboarders,” said Bill Yeargin, CEO of Correct Craft, a subsidy of Aktion Parks, which owns and operates OWC. “The young talent in wakeboarding is amazing — the future of the sport is bright.”


Walk A Mile in Her Shoes raises awareness and money for Harbor House of Central Florida to help survivors of domestic violence.

More than 300 walkers strutted down Orange Avenue in high heels to support survivors of domestic violence during the fifth annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes. The event raised $20,500 — 100 percent of which will benefit the survivors served by Harbor House of Central Florida.

Contest winners included Brent Abbatantuono, First to Finish; Steven Alch, Most Creative Shoe; Bank of America, Largest Team at the Event; and Tim from State Farm, Last Man Standing.

Event organizers extend sincere thank-yous to co-sponsors Bank of America, Clear Channel Outdoor, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Massey Services, Mix 105.1 and Target. They also appreciate all of the participants, community leaders, volunteers and staff members who made this year’s walk such a great success.

For more information about Harbor House, visit www.harborhousefl.com.


Dr. Phillips High School’s 2016-17 flag football team ran its record to a perfect 12-0 for the regular season after taking the Metro West Conference title for the first time since 2014. Standout players from the 25-0 game against Apopka High were Nisa Costa, Aaliyah Govan, Megan Lapeyrouse, Kaylee Messina and Tiffany Tolbert.

In addition, DPHS’s 2016-17 men’s volleyball team claimed its first district championship in six years. The Panthers scored the first four points, built the lead to 11-2, and then closed out the championship with a dominating 15-6 victory. The game’s key players were Sam Barnett, Blake Inlow, Jordan Poventud and Damian Rivera.

Although we try to ensure that all information presented above is the most current, correct and dependable available, we do rely on others for the source of our news. Therefore, the Southwest Orlando Bulletin and Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC cannot be held responsible for the validity of the information presented here, nor does mentioning it constitute an endorsement. Sports information is welcome and may be mailed to P.O. Box 851, Windermere, FL 34786; or emailed to Lauren@kearneypublishing.com. ♥