Ulcena, Johns place at tourney
Durant wrestlers Jashley Ulcena and Cody Johns both recorded top-eight finishes at Saturday’s George Jenkins invitational tournament.
Ulcena (25-8), wrestling at 182 pounds, placed fifth in his division. Ulcena won his first two matches by fall, beating Wesley Chapel’s Jack Ward at 3:16 and Ridge Community’s David Damelus at 5:34. He was bested by Freedom’s Darrell Wallace in the quarterfinal, by a 3-1 decision. After winning two rounds in the consolation bracket, he lost by fall to Forest Hill’s Eric Jones in the semifinal. Bloomingdale forfeited the fifth-place game, locking it up for Ulcena.
Johns (23-11), wrestling at 195, got a first-round bye and then beat Southeast’s Darrien Grant by 4-0 decision. He was beaten by Dr. Phillips’ Rakiem Eddy in the quarterfinal, in a 6-4 decision, and picked up one more win by fall over Haines City’s Stephen Bedwell at 2:07 in the first consolation round. Johns lost in the next two consolation rounds, though the second round went to double overtime.
Crest repeats as state champ
It appears that the Strawberry Crest cheerleading program has reached one of its loftiest goals: becoming a state powerhouse.
The Chargers won their second consecutive FHSAA state championship last weekend, setting a new record in the Small Co-Ed division with a score of 91.4. The championship is the third in school history at the state level.
To recap this team’s season: the Chargers once again swept districts, regionals and states. It won Western Conference districts by 26.25 points, FHSAA regionals by 10.95 points and states by 15.55 points. It was the first undefeated season for both the Co-Ed team and the junior varsity squad.
The program now has two state titles, two state runner-up awards, four FHSAA regional titles and four Western Conference titles.
Tri-Star skill comp. winners
Thirty-five boys and 13 girls competed in the 43rd annual Tri-Star Basketball Skills Contest, held Saturday, Jan. 23 at Tomlin Middle School.
The competition, sponsored by the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department and the Optimist Club, tested the 48 kids’ shooting, dribbling and passing abilities, scoring up to 212 points. Wyatt Rogers had the highest boys score, with 148, and Natalie Zarycki’s 108 points were the highest among the girls.
WINNERS:
8-year-old girls: Marley Mueller (first, 24 points); Karla Vicente (second, 21 points)
9-year-old girls: Savannah Young, (83 points)
10-year-old girls: Gracie Edgemon (First place, 40 points); Carlee Weaver (Second place, 39 points); Alexis Dixon (third, 26 points)
11-year-old girls: Madison Lefler (first, 105 points); Kacey Drapp (second, 85 points); Shelby Jacobsen (third, 79 points)
12-year-old girls: Natalie Zarycki (first, 108 points); Lucy Rayburn (second, 35 points)
8-year-old boys: Brendan Smith (first, 132 points); Waylon Rogers (second, 109 points); Lane Baxter (third, 105 points)
9-year-old boys: Leroy Lucas (first, 128 points); Connor Smith (second, 126 points); Abe Craig (third, 94 points)
10-year-old boys: Ray Cowen (first, 138 points); Tanner Rollyson (second, 131 points); Anthony Palestrini (third place, 111 points)
11-year-old boys: Andrew Smith (first, 143 points); Steel Craig (second, 96 points); Brock Craig (third, 57 points)
12-year-old boys: Jake Craig (first, 117 points); Alex Gonzalez (second, 113 points); T.J. Molina (third, 111 points)
13-year-old boys: Wyatt Rogers (first, 148 points); Dylan Couture (second, 130 points); Gavin Hessler (third, 125 points)
Highest team attendance: Junior Girls Wildcats/Cadet Bears