Nikki Redelijk competes in US Open … and more Southwest Sports!

compiled by Lauren Salinero


Florida League is accepting applications from schools to participate in the 2018 Florida League High School Invitational. For the first time, there will be four weeks of baseball tournament play. More than 100 schools from 10 states have participated in the FLHSI during the past 11 years.Florida League is accepting applications from schools to participate in the 2018 Florida League High School Invitational. For the first time, there will be four weeks of baseball tournament play. More than 100 schools from 10 states have participated in the FLHSI during the past 11 years.

Players who have come through Sanford Memorial Stadium include MLB stars Javier Baez, Greg Bird and Francisco Lindor, and more than two dozen other All-Americans. Games will be held from March 12-16, March 19-23, March 26-30 and April 3-6; and the tournament fee is $500.

For more information or to register, call 321-206-9174 or email info@floridaleague.com. For details, visit www.floridaleaguetournaments.com.


Former American artistic gymnast Shannon Miller inspired young gymnasts at United Flip Force in Clermont. She talked about her present-day activities and answered questions from the young gymnasts before posing for photographs and autographing items, such as leotards, T-shirts, cellphone cases and posters. Among those who met the champion was Windermere resident Cady Aruanno.

Windermere resident Cady Aruanno (right) meets gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller.

Miller was the 1993 and 1994 world all-around champion, 1996 Olympic balance beam champion, 1995 Pan American Games all-around champion, and a member of the gold medal-winning Magnificent Seven team at the 1996 Olympics. With a total of seven medals, she also is the most decorated U.S. gymnast, male or female, at the Olympic Games. With a combined total of 16 world championships and Olympic medals between 1991-96, she is the second-most decorated gymnast in U.S. history and the 10th-most decorated gymnast from any country by her individual medal count. Miller was also the most successful American athlete at the 1992 Olympics, winning five medals.


United States Tennis Association is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Spanish-language communications and profiles of players and events throughout Central and South Florida. As part of its Hispanic Outreach initiative launched in 2013, USTA Florida is hosting Tenis para Todos family festivals to bring families together on the tennis courts. The free events include family-friendly activities and program information for children and adults in each of the areas.

In addition, the USTA National Campus, located at 10000 USTA Blvd. in Orlando, will host Development Camp for Diverse Backgrounds on Sept. 23 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

To register, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=203691.


Nikki Redelijk of Reserve at Belmere competes in the US Open against the best junior tennis players in the world.

Reserve at Belmere resident Nikki Redelijk recently competed at the United States Tennis Association Girls 16s & 18s National Championships in San Diego. The 15-year-old, who trains at IMG Academy in Bradenton, placed second out of the 256 draw of the best 16-year-olds in the nation.

During a three-hour televised match, Redelijk lost the singles finals in three sets. She won the doubles final, after which she was offered a wild card for the junior qualifying draw at the US Open. At the US Open, Redelijk won two three-set matches against a couple of the top-60 juniors-under-18 in the world and qualified for the main draw, where she beat the No. 28 junior-under-18 in the world. In her last match, she lost to an Italian player 3-6, 4-6. In doubles, she tied 6-2, 4-6; but lost to a third-set tiebreaker.

Redejilk has a bright future ahead of her. Her brother, Jori, also competed at the USTA Boys 16s & 18s National Championships in Michigan. He is also competing in international championships.


The 2017 Florida League Celebrity Golf Tournament will be held Nov. 13 at Interlachen Country Club. It is the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser of the year, as 30 foursomes from around the country descend on Central Florida to take part in the event.

The Pairings Party on Nov. 12 will include a meet-and-greet with tournament celebrities, an open bar, heavy hours d’oeuvres, guest speakers and a live auction. The tournament begins with a shotgun start at noon. Competing foursomes will be paired with one baseball celebrity. Florida League is proud to have the support of former World Series champions, MVPs, CY Young Award winners, No. 1 overall draft picks, and Rookie of the Year recipients.

For more information, visit www.floridaleague.pointstreaksites.com/view/fcsl/celebrity-golf-tournament-information.


Season openers at Dr. Phillips High School brought many victories. In the women’s golf opener, senior Jennifer Jung shot a one-under par 35 to take the opening match over Olympia High School. Junior Kate Goodin and senior Emma Hallson each closed with 51, while sophomore Mary Sosebee’s 55 finished out the top four scores for the Panthers.

During the women’s volleyball season opener, junior Laura Misko finished with a team-high of 13 kills and freshman Alicia Virthe had 11 more, as the Panthers dispatched Apopka High School. Senior Milexa Cardona was the top donor on the board with 44 assists.

Cross country teams opened the season at the Spikes and Spurs Classic. Senior Isabela Bartczak pushed herself into the school’s all-time top-10 list for the second time in her career. She finished third in a field of more than 400 runners with a time of 18:53 to lead the women’s cross country to a ninth-place finish among 23 competing teams. Men’s cross country put in a strong effort as well, placing 11th out of 23 teams.

In DPHS’s season-opening meet, women’s swimming dominated Osceola High School, placing first and second in every event in a 221-53 victory. Seniors Caroline Grzeszczak (200 free, 100 free) and Roseleen Olivares (100 fly, 500 fly), and junior Kayla Smith (200 IM, 100 back) took double victories while sophomore Samantha Horency won the 50 free and senior Paola Hernandez took the 100 breast. The Panthers also swept all three relays. Men’s swimming and diving opened its 2017 campaign with a thorough 222-77 victory over Osceola High School. Junior Max Meisenheimer had victories in both the 50 free and 500 free, as the Panthers took first and second in every event.

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. ♥