compiled by Lauren Salinero
Orlando Magic representatives announced the unveiling of the Orlando Magic Youth Basketball Academy and celebrated with two events, the Magic FIT Draft Combine and Magic Coaches’ Clinic.
The academy will focus on teaching life skills to youth through the game of basketball. Participants will not only learn the game, but the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership, and health and wellness to accomplish their goals.
To start, the academy will have three main areas of focus: Junior Magic basketball leagues, Magic youth camps and clinics, and Magic FIT. As it grows, the Magic will continue to enhance the youth programs under its umbrella and reach within the community.
Dr. Phillips High School’s women’s and men’s cross country teams competed at the Astronaut Invitational. Junior Isabela Bartczak crossed the finish line in 20:13, fourth out of a field of 286 runners, to earn the women’s team a ninth-place finish. Junior Sarah Zamot was eighth individually at 20:37, and junior Hannah Waddell was 36th at 22:08. Freshman Roxanne Deisseroth came in at 24:30, and senior Valeria Reyes crossed the line at 25:00.
The men’s team placed 17th out of 43 teams. Junior Bo Ivey was the Panthers’ top finisher with a time of 18:34, placing 58th in a field of 314 runners. Senior Jacob Matzner was 78th at 18:57, followed by sophomore Josh Matzner at 19:22, sophomore Anthony Venturini at 20:05, and junior Seamus Magerl at 20:33. Seniors Adam Fulmore and Matt Merriman came in at 21:50 and 22:10, respectively.
As part of its ongoing commitment to make tennis available and accessible to everyone, United States Tennis Association Florida is partnering with XGLOsive LLC and the Orange Blossom Tennis Association to co-host the first-ever black-light tennis event for LGBT players in Orlando.
The free Glow Your Pride event is scheduled for Oct. 15 at Fort Gatlin Tennis Center, just one week after Pride Weekend in Orlando. It will feature three full courts of XLGLOsive Tennis under black lights, with music, food and a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels and ages. The event also serves as a kickoff for a new lesbian tennis league that will be run in partnership with OBTA. Participants must register in advance, and the event is limited to 100 players.
For more information, visit www.glowyourpride.eventbrite.com on the web.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce opened registration for its 2016 Golf Classic. As one of WOCC’s most popular events, the classic is an ideal setting for business leaders to bring their best clients, top prospects or office staff for a fun afternoon of golf and relationship building.
This year’s tournament takes place Nov. 3 at MetroWest Golf Club. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information, visit wochamber.com/chamber_events/golf on the web.
The Walk90 Challenge has begun, and Central Floridians are encouraged to join the 90-day walking initiative co-sponsored by Healthy Central Florida, Florida Hospital and the Winter Park Health Foundation. The goal is to take at least 7,000 steps a day, but each person can set his or her target based on personal health and fitness goals. All ages and fitness levels are welcome.
The challenge is free and offers participants a simple online tool to help track their steps. The system syncs with most fitness-tracking devices and provides a pedometer (up to 400) for those who don’t have a tracker. There are also cash and other prizes awarded to individuals and groups representing schools, businesses and faith groups.
For more information, visit healthycentralflorida.org on the web.
Central Florida’s new Minor League Baseball team released its 2017 Florida State League schedule. Opening day is April 6 against the Daytona Tortugas. The schedule features 70 home games, including 10 on Thursday and Friday, and 11 on Saturday; and an Independence Day fireworks spectacular July 4.
“We’re thrilled to announce our 2017 season schedule,” said Joe Harrington, team president. “The excitement continues to build as fans can expect more announcements in the coming weeks and months with details on our new name, logo, special promotional nights and individual ticket pricing. We’re excited about what lies ahead and have some spectacular plans in store for next year.”
The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard will proceed next year without a longtime member of its team. Scott Wellington stepped down as executive director of the golf tournament last month. He accepted an opportunity with PGA of America and will be relocating to Palm Beach Gardens. Wellington worked with the tournament team and Arnold Palmer at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge for 12 years.
“Thank you for your friendship and your support of myself and Mr. Palmer’s tournament,” Wellington said. “I am proud to have played a small part of Arnold Palmer’s legacy that will certainly last for generations to come.”
The 8-under Red Ball team, composed of Southwest residents, plays at a Team Up event hosted by Lake Cane Tennis Center.
Lake Cane Tennis Center hosted a Team Up event for the United States Tennis Association Junior Team Tennis, a program for boys and girls ages 6-18 that allows youth to play on compatible teams of similar ages and skill levels. The organizers coordinate seasons of play with flexible league, team and scoring formats.
For more information, visit ustaflorida.com/jtt on the web.
Windermere resident and West Orange High School graduate Pedro Lloret is one of 95 first-year student-athletes to continue his football career at Baldwin Wallace University.
Head coach John Snell returned 35 lettermen and 11 starters from last year’s team, which finished 7-3 overall and tied for second in the Ohio Athletic Conference with a mark of 7-2.
Lloret earned a spot on the varsity team and will also have a chance to compete on the junior-varsity team.
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.💓