OARS boys team takes gold … and more sports news!

compiled by Lauren Salinero


Orlando Magic officials announced the dismissal of Rob Hennigan as general manager. Matt Lloyd was named interim general manager and will be a candidate for the position permanently.
“We appreciate Rob’s efforts to rebuild the team but feel we have not made a discernible improvement over the last few years specifically,” CEO Alex Martins said. “It’s time for different leadership in basketball operations. We certainly wish Rob and his family well.

“Matt brings solid experience, and his appointment as general manager on an interim basis will allow us to seamlessly continue our preparation for the upcoming draft.”


Spring Junior Team Tennis players kick off their season at Lake Cane Tennis Center.

Tennis players ages 5 to 8 years old enjoyed the first day of Spring Junior Team Tennis, which was organized and hosted by the United States Tennis Association Florida. Michele Byrne introduced the program and teams to participants and parents. All tournaments take place at Lake Cane Tennis Center.


(L. to r.) Tim Miller, Sean McKinney, Jack Kiely and Valentine Lindsay of Orlando Area Rowing Society win gold at the 2017 Southern Erg Sprints Championship.

Orlando Area Rowing Society’s boys heavy team earned gold at the 2017 Southern Erg Sprints Championship in Melbourne. Team members included Jack Kiely, Valentine Lindsay, Sean McKinney and Tim Miller. OARS is a nonprofit corporation created to promote rowing as a sport at all levels of interest. Crews are composed of middle and high school boys and girls. Student-athletes represent Dr. Phillips, Ocoee, Olympia  and West Orange high schools, as well as a variety of private high schools and feeder middle schools in the area.


Soccer coach Joe Gitto is aiming to fill a gap in the city of Winter Garden’s Parks and Recreation Department’s soccer program. The department stops offering its soccer program to children once they turn 13, leaving eighth- and ninth-graders with no recreational soccer program. Coach Joe is forming a nonprofit U-15 league for the boys in Windermere, Winter Garden, Independence, Horizon West and surrounding areas.

In order to form the league, coach Joe needs at least 60 players by June 1 to secure the field. Practices and games will be held at Braddock Park, located at 13460 Lake Butler Blvd. in Winter Garden. Coaches are also needed.

For more information or to sign up for the league, call 407-488-3214  or email coach Joe at jagitto63@gmail.com.


Kids zoned for Olympia High School wishing to play football or participate in cheerleading register with the Olympia Titans Pop Warner Athletic Association.  

Olympia Titans Pop Warner Athletic Association representatives announced the 2016 Academic All Americans. Student-athletes in the top 2 percent in academic achievement across the nation include fifth-graders Matthew Sheldon and Liam Sweeney; sixth-graders Colin Anthony, David Dupuis, Asiana Govan, Phil Lamendola, Gabriel PhilippeFisher and AJ Teter; seventh-graders Xander Clifton, Ethan Fairhurst and Ryan Mekhai; and eighth-graders Stephen Zachary, Arianna Chunoo, Christina Conenna and Ashley Springer.

The youngsters, who play football or participate in cheerleading, are zoned for Olympia High School and attend feeder schools such as Gotha Middle School, Holy Family Catholic School, Thornebrooke Elementary School and Windy Ridge School.

To register for the 2017 season, instant message the team’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/olympiatitanspw.


The Orlando Magic and DeVos family announced they will purchase the Orlando Solar Bears of the East Coast Hockey League. The team will continue to play in the Amway Center for the 2017-18 season.

“We are thrilled to purchase the Solar Bears, giving the team the opportunity to continue to play in Orlando,“ said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “The Solar Bears’ fan base has been outstanding, and we look forward to an exciting future.”


Dr. Phillips High School held its 2017 Athletic Awards Ceremony, during which 35 student-athletes and two coaches were honored for their accomplishments.

Men’s basketball head coach Anthony Long, who stepped down this year after 15 seasons, was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. Head football coach Rodney Wells earned the 2017 coach of the year award after leading the Panthers to its ninth consecutive district championship and state runner-up finish. Most outstanding athletes of the year were seniors Maddie Magrino, swimming and water polo, and Dylan Meeks, wrestling and football. Bill Spoone Scholar-Athletes of the Year were awarded to Elyse Decker, lacrosse, and Jake Meisenheimer, swimming and water polo. Bob Noyes Sportsmanship Award winners were Piper Johnson, lacrosse, and Sydney Capers, football and track. The Meritorious Academic Awards, new this year, were presented to student-athletes who will sit onstage as valedictorians at graduation. They were earned by Elyse Decker; Sarah Demsky, swimming and water polo; and Phillip Khoury, tennis. The Athletic Department also presented principal’s awards to select members of each sport.


Windermere resident Hailey Clark is the 2017 Florida USA Gymnastics Level 8 Bars champion.

Hailey Clark, a seventh-grader and Windermere resident, earned the title of 2017 Florida USA Gymnastics Level 8 State Bars champion. She concluded her 2017 season at the Region 8 Championships in Mobile, Alabama, where she won the all-around championship title with a score of 38.600 out of a possible 40.

Clark also earned gold medals on vault, uneven bars and balance beam, scoring a 9.675, 9.875 and 9.675, respectively. She won a bronze on floor exercise with a 9.375.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Clark has been on the straight-A honor roll all year and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

 

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