compiled by Lauren Salinero –
Professional coaches at Lake Cane Tennis Center in Dr. Phillips are helping young players learn how to play in a tournament through the L9 series. United States Tennis Association has established a new Pathway for children, and the L9s give players participation points needed to qualify on the pathway. The L9 series is a way for youngsters to play in a less-intimidating event once they are ready to start serving and know the basics of scoring on their court format. The Red Ball event is for children age 8 and younger, who play on a 36-foot court and use low-compression balls and smaller rackets.
Renowned actors, musicians, athletes and more, including Southwest residents and former Orlando Magic players Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, participated in the He Got Up Celebrity Golf Tournament hosted by The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club last month. The tournament was preceded by a dinner and celebrity auction, during which each golfer bidded on the celebrity he wanted to be paired with for the tournament, as well as silent and live auctions.
Proceeds from the golf festivities benefited the Orlando Serve Foundation. The nonprofit has organized He Got Up Orlando, a day of celebration and service for families, veterans and individuals in need or homeless in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. The event, which takes place at the Citrus Bowl on March 27, includes an inspirational Easter celebration and daylong Community Resources Fair.
For more information, visit www.orlandoservefoundation.org on the Web.
Dr. Phillips High School celebrated its second National Signing Day of the year to honor student-athletes who signed scholarships to play their respective sports in college.
The ceremony featured Nigel Alexander, football at Dartmouth College; Jaquarius Bargnare, football at the University of Central Florida; Jean D’Haiti, men’s cross country at Florida A&M University; and Eli Smith, soccer at Webster University. Families were welcome to attend the event, which was held in front of the grand staircase on the south campus.
(Front, l. to r.) Harrison Michas, Isaac Teran, Gavin Collins, David Lightman, Eli Schweitzer, Daniel Magrino, Alec Johnson, coach Randy Walter, (back, l. to r.) Sean Dawson, Anthony Battestella, Gabe Madej, Max Meisenheimer and Liam Creus of the YMCA of Central Florida water polo team win silver at the third annual Pompano Beach International Water Polo Tournament.
The YMCA of Central Florida water polo team traveled to Pompano Beach, starting their journey at a crisp 4:30 a.m., for the third annual Pompano Beach International Water Polo Tournament. The 14-under Gladiators were excited to bring home the silver.
“Winning silver makes those early-morning starts all worth it,” coach Randy Walters said.
The YCF water polo team practices at the YMCA Aquatic Center. Swimmers include Anthony Battestella, Liam Creus, Gavin Collins, Sean Dawson, Alec Johnson, David Lightman, Gabe Madej, Daniel Magrino, Max Meisenheimer, Harrison Michas, Eli Schweitzer and Isaac Teran.
The United States Tennis Association Florida Section was named 2015 USTA Section of the Year by Tennis Industry magazine. It is the third time Florida has won; it also won the title in 2005 and 2007.
“The list of accomplishments and innovations in USTA Florida, led by longtime Executive Director Doug Booth, are too numerous to mention,” wrote Cynthia Sherman, contributing editor of Tennis Industry. “But it’s safe to say the section continues to lead in the growth of this sport.”
Established in 1949, USTA Florida is a nonprofit volunteer organization with approximately 50,000 members and 1,000 organizational members. For more information, visit www.ustaflorida.com on the Web.
Lake Whitney Elementary School’s Dolphin Dash 5K and annual fundraiser begins.
More than 350 supporters participated in Lake Whitney Elementary School’s Dolphin Dash, a family-friendly 5K race and fun run. The course began and ended at the school and looped through the Belmere community and bordering streets. The event is the LWES’s annual fundraiser in support of its Parent-Teacher Organization programs.
Internship opportunities with the Florida Collegiate Summer League are available for the 2016 summer baseball season. Positions are open with team operations, team journalism, team broadcast, futures league operations, and social media. Interns are typically in college or recently graduated. They have experience or have studied a variety of fields, including sports management, communications, event planning, hospitality, journalism, English, marketing and business. Related fields are also considered. The league gives preference to candidates using the program for college credit, although it is not required.
Résumés with references should be emailed to Phil Chinnery at pchinnery@floridaleague.com. For more information and position details, visit floridaleague.com/about/internshipopportunities.aspx on the Web.
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 Kearney Publishing Corp. 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. ?