Lakeland
Sports
Auburndale 'trying to build a competitive culture' in first scrimmage under new coach
It’s been a myriad of thoughts for first-year Auburndale football coach Antonio Thomas. But none bigger than the elation of seeing his players go out and perform in the annual Blue vs. Gold game under his tutelage for a first time. In a game that featured starters on both...
George Jenkins' Williams adds to her gold medal haul with 2 more state titles at state track
LAKELAND — George Jenkins junior Chelsi Williams was about 100 meters from winning three events at one state track for the first time in her stellar career when she did something for the first time in her career. She clipped a hurdle coming out of the final turn in the 400-meter hurdles. So instead of three gold medals, Williams had to settle for two. ...
How Mulberry baseball went from also-ran to seeking 1st state title in 64 years
MULBERRY — Thomas Wolfe wrote, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” but he certainly wasn’t talking about the Mulberry baseball team. Several players returned home when David Gotauco was hired as head coach – Gotauco himself lived in Mulberry – and the result was a historic season for the Panthers.
Winter Haven's Henry, Celiscar and Jenkins' McBride mine silver plus all of Polk's medalists
JACKSONVILLE — Winter Haven junior Dashanique Henry didn’t know if she would be able to compete in the state meet after sustaining a knee injury in practice. While she was a little disappointed in her finish in the 400 later in the meet, the injury wasn’t enough to prevent her from having her best finish of her high school career at the state meet. Henry was one of three Polk athletes who came up one spot short...
Melbourne and Eau Gallie end seasons in softball regional finals
Melbourne and Eau Gallie were both defeated on the road in FHSAA softball regional final games Friday night. The Region 3-6A final between No. 1 Bartow and No. 2 Melbourne went to extra innings after seven scoreless innings. Bartow scored the winning run in the eighth inning to win 1-0. ...
'It's the little things we want to accomplish': George Jenkins football hangs with foe
George Jenkins head football coach Paul Freeman knew his team was 33% stronger heading into a Class 7A scrimmage Friday night at George Jenkins High School. And that strength was on full display despite falling just a bit short by a final score of 7-0 against Lakewood Ranch High School — a playoff team just a year ago. ...
Bartow's Driskell provides clutch hit as Oxley outduels Francik in regional final
BARTOW — Call it “Red Oxley vs. Jasmine Francik Part III: The End Game.” It was that rare third sequel that matched or perhaps even surpassed the original and rematch, the final matchup of their high school careers that more than lived up to the hype. Both Bartow’s ace and Melbourne’s ace were at their dominating best as expected, so the biggest drama of the game was which of their teammates would provide the game-winning heroics? ...
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