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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Gulliver's Schnur and Westminster's Vanegas are the Dade Lacrosse Players of the Year
One was already the leading scorer in program history before putting together another big season this year. The other helped her school make history with its first district championship. As the top players for the top teams in Miami-Dade County, Gulliver Prep's Sebastian Schnur and Westminster Christian's Kiera Vanegas are the Miami Herald's Miami-Dade County Lacrosse Players of the Year. Schnur followed up a record-setting junior season in Pinecrest with another 100-point season to help Gulliver advance in the region playoffs for the first time since 2019. The attack led the county with 57 assists and also scored 48 goals to finish with 105 points—no one else in Miami-Dade had more than 82. The senior also had 49 ground balls—the third most on the team—and had four takeaways. This is Schnur's second straight season as the Herald's Miami-Dade County Boys' Lacrosse Player of the Year after he piled up 130 points as a junior last year. 'Last year, we had 15 seniors graduate so there were a lot of holes to fill,' Schnur said. 'Collectively, our senior group did a great job leading and getting a lot of freshmen and sophomores to play and get to that level we needed.' Schnur will attend Wake Forest University starting this fall and play lacrosse, which is played there as a club sport. 'I just decided Wake because it's a great location and looks like it'll be a great college experience and a great fit for me,' Schnur said. Vanegas, a junior, helped the Warriors make history this year by winning a district title for the first time. The midfielder was a do-everything star in the middle of the field for Westminster Christian, which is why she's the girls' Player of the Year. She piled up 62 goals and 23 assists, and also had 99 ground balls, 52 caused turnovers and 63 draw controls. 'It was a record-breaking season and so amazing,' Vanegas said. 'We were really focused on playing together as a family and it worked great in the end.' The Warriors began their girls' lacrosse program just five years ago and already have become one of the premiere programs in Miami. This year, Westminster Christian was the only team from Dade County to reach the region playoffs. In the Warriors' district championship, Vanegas was at her best, scoring six goals and handing one assist to help Westminster Christian topple Palmer Trinity. Although the Warriors bowed out in the first round of the region playoffs, Vanegas will be back next year and Westminster Christian will get a chance to build on a breakthrough season. 'I improved my leadership skills. I struggled with that last year,' Vanegas said. 'I knew I was a strong player on the field, but didn't take that part seriously. I definitely matured this year and definitely loved the team in a much better way this year.'
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Region champion softball teams ready for state. Plus state hoops honors, state track nominees, boys' volleyball
Region 4-2A softball had plenty of excitement for South Florida teams, leading to an FHSAA state final four opportunity at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood. When the dust was cleared, Westminster Christian emerged as region champions, qualifying for the state semifinals. It wasn't easy. Miami Westminster Christian came from behind for the second consecutive postseason game, winning a close, extra inning battle, 9-8, over Miami Florida Christian for the Region 4-2A championship. Trailing 7-1, Westminster Christian scored four runs in the top of the sixth and two more in the top of the seventh to force extra innings. Each team scored in the eighth inning, and then the Warriors plated one run (the winner) in the top of the ninth and held on for the victory. In a region semifinal, they beat West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 9-8 in another dramatic comeback. Behind 8-1, Westminster Christian rallied with three runs in the bottom of the sixth and five more in the bottom of the seventh to win in a walk-off. Florida Christian also had a tough game in a region semifinal, edging Fort Pierce John Carroll 4-3 in 10 innings, winning in walk-off style, too. Leading 2-0, John Carroll evened things with two runs in the top of the fifth. In the eighth inning, each team scored once with the Patriots scoring in the bottom of the frame to continue the contest. Westminster Christian (20-7-1) will play Panama City North Bay Haven Academy (24-3) in a state semifinal on Tuesday. The Warriors seek their sixth state title. Region 4-2A Championship: Westminster Christian 9, Florida Christian 8 (9 inn.): WC: Winning Pitcher Kaley Dyer 9 IP, CG, 7 ER, 13 H, 6 BB, 3 K; Erin Perez 4-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Gigi Khoury 2-3, 2 2B, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI; Jasmine Armenteros 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI; Mya Rodgers 1-4, Sac, R, 2 RBI; Casey Lesman 1-4, BB, 2 R; Abi Barboza 1-1, 3 BB, 2 R; Kaley Dyer 0-5, R. FC: Samantha Otano 3-4, Sac, R, RBI; Danbee Kim 2-5, 2 SB, 3 R; Emily Ruiz 2-3, BB, Sac, RBI; Emma Medina 2-4, 2B, HBP, 2 RBI; Charlee Arana 0-2, 2 BB, HBP, R. WC 20-7-1, FC 19-9. Region 4-2A Semifinal: Westminster Christian 9, West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 8: Winning Pitcher Kaley Dyer 5.1 IP, 6 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K; P Mya Rodgers 1.2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K; Gigi Khoury 3-4, HR, 2 2B, HBP, 2 R, 6 RBI; Erin Perez 3-4, 2B, 2 R; Jasmine Armenteros 2-4, BB, RBI; Kaley Dyer 2-4, Mya Rodgers 1-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Abi Barboza 1-3, BB, R; Kelsie Kenny 1-2, BB, 2 R; Gaby Perez 0-3, BB, R. WC 19-7-1, OA 17-8. Region 4-2A Semifinal: Florida Christian 4, Fort Pierce John Carroll 3 (10 inn.): Winning Pitcher Serena Gillen 10 IP, CG, 3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K; Shaun Fernandez 2-4, 2 R; Samantha Otano 0-3, Sac Fly, RBI; Kayla Diaz 1-3, RBI; Kianny Gil 1-3, Sac Fly, 2 RBI; Danbee Kim 1-3, Emma Medina 1-4, 2B; Kaylie Gil 0-3, R; Emily Ruiz 0-3, BB, R. FC 19-8, JC 23-5. ▪ More area softball teams won region titles, advancing to state in Longwood. The Plantation American Heritage softball team won the Region 4-4A title by shutting out Key West 9-0. The Patriots scored one in the first, three in the second, one in the third, three in the fourth and one more in the sixth to cruise to victory. In the region semifinals, American Heritage staved off a late rally to edge Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 6-5, and Key West came from behind to win a close one against Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 2-1. American Heritage (22-2) will play Seminole Osceola (23-7) in a state semifinal on Thursday. The Patriots seek their 10th state title. Region 4-4A Championship: Plantation American Heritage 9, Key West 0: AH: Winning Pitcher Lyric Rodriguez 7 IP, CG, 0 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K; Emma Griffith 3-3, HR, 2 R, RBI; Bria Villano 2-3, 2B, HR, BB, R, 2 RBI; Isabella Benton 2-4, R, 2 RBI; Adrianna Layne 2--4, 2 R; Lyric Rodriguez 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Kylie Diaz 1-3, HR, R, RBI; Samantha Santana 1-3, R; Arianna Reynolds 1-4, RBI. KW: Shylo Sanchez 2-3, 2B. AH 22-2, KW 16-8. Region 4-4A Semifinal: Plantation American Heritage 6, Somerset Academy 5: AH: Winning Pitcher Lyric Rodriguez 7 IP, CG, 5 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 11 K; Emma Griffith 2-3, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI; Lyric Rodriguez 2-2, HR, BB, R, 2 RBI; Bria Villano 0-3, Sac Fly, RBI; Isabella Benton 1-1, 2B, 2 BB, R, RBI; Arianna Reynolds 0-2, BB, R; Adrianna Layne 1-4, R; Mia West 0-2, BB, R. Som: P Caitlyn Diaz 6 IP, CG, 6 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 5 K; Catalina Holguin 1-3, HR, R, 3 RBI; Kelsey Gonzalez 1-3, 2B, BB, 2 RBI; Ava DeLaCruz 0-1, BB, HBP, R; Kiera Carbone 0-4, R; Emily Munoz 0-3, HBP, R; Katie Bailey 1-4, R. AH 21-2, Som 11-13-1. Region 4-4A Semifinal: Key West 2, Archbishop McCarthy 1: KW: Winning Pitcher Brianna Brenner 7 IP, CG, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 11 K; Maciee Gage 2-3, Winning HR, R, 2 RBI; Kaleaya Dickerson 0-1, 2 BB, R; Vera Rodger 2-4. AM: P Sienna Garcia 7 IP, CG, 2 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 14 K; Lydia Springer 1-3, 2B, RBI; Elizabeth Varona 1-3, 2B, R; Izabel Baron 2-2, BB. KW 16-7, AM 15-8. ▪ Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas won the Region 4-5A title with a 10-1 win over Stuart South Fork. South Fork scored its lone run in the top of the first and led 1-0 until the Raiders evened things in the bottom of the third. St. Thomas Aquinas took the lead the next inning and then put the game way with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth. In an exciting region semifinal, St. Thomas Aquinas held on for a 8-7 win over Prembroke Pines Charter. St. Thomas Aquinas (16-12) will play Niceville (21-6) in a state semifinal on Thursday. The Raiders vie for their seventh state title. Region 4-5A Championship: St. Thomas Aquinas 10, Stuart South Fork 1: Winning Pitcher Lavinia Miller 7 IP, CG, 1 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 6 K; Christina D'Agostino 3-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI; Melanie Sweet 2-3, 2B, BB, 2 R; Summer Givens 1-3, 3B, BB, R, 3 RBI; Sara Wrzosek 1-2, HR, 2 BB, 2 R, RBI; Jessica Sacca 1-3, Sac, R; Reese Randall 1-2, BB, Sac, R; Victoria Brunette 1-3, 2B, BB, R, RBI; Brianna Sims 1-3, BB, R; Ashlyn Ward 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI. STA 16-12, SF 17-7. Region 4-5A Semifinal: St. Thomas Aquinas 8, Pembroke Pines Charter 7: STA: Winning Pitcher Lavinia Miller 7 IP, CG, 7 R, 5 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 7 K; Victoria Brunette 3-4, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI; Sara Wrzosek 3-3, HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI; Brianna Sims 3-4, R, 3 RBI; Reese Randall 1-4, 2R; Jessica Sacca 0-4, R. PPC: P Destiney Ortega 6 IP, CG, 8 R, 5 ER, 11 H, 2 BB, 6 K; Yenisett Yescas 2-4, HR, 2B, R, 5 RBI; Destiney Ortega 3-4, 2 SB, 2 R; Sofia Rodriguez 1-3, 2B, Sac, 2 R; Ariana Bonilla 1-3, BB, 2 R; Isabella Pascual 0-4, RBI. STA 15-12, PPC 12-15. ▪ The Doral Academy softball team won the Region 4-6A title by defeating South Plantation 15-0. The state-bound Firebirds (29-1) scored 14 runs in the second inning. In the region semifinals, Doral beat Coconut Creek Monarch 10-0, and South Plantation upended West Boca 14-4. Doral will play Bloomingdale (19-7) in a state semifinal on Friday. The Firebirds, who won their first state title in 2021, are riding a 12-game win streak with its only loss this season to Alabama Orange Beach 7-2 on April 5. Region 4-6A Championship: Doral Academy 15, South Plantation 0: Winning Pitcher Meagan Villazon 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K; Sarah Breaux 3-3, HR, 2 R, 7 RBI; Lauren Ali 2-2, BB, RBI; Alondra Aldebol-Borrero 2-2, 2 R; Anabela Abdullah 0-2, HBP, 2 R, RBI; Ashley Tremont 0-1, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI; Zoey Abdullah 1-1, 2 BB, 3 R. Dor 29-1, SP 14-12. Region 4-6A Semifinal: Doral Academy 10, Monarch 0: Winning Pitcher Meagan Villazon 5 IP, CG, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 10 K; Alondra Aldebol-Borrero 3-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI; Anabela Abdullah 2-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; Leyani Viruet 2-2, 2 2B, BB, 2 RBI; Sarah Beaux 2-2, HR, 3B, BB, 2 R, RBI; Meagan Villazon 1-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Zoey Abdullah 1-3, BB, 2 R, RBI; Sara Utera 0-3, R. Dor 28-1, Mon 12-11. Region 4-6A Semifinal: South Plantation 14, West Boca 4: Winning Pitcher Reese Chesney 5 IP, CG, 4 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K; Victoria Vazquez 4-4, 2 2B, 3 R, 5 RBI; Kylee Reaves 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI; Amelia Rodriguez 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI; Gianna DiLella 3-3, Samantha O'Steen 1-2, 2B, 2 BB, R, RBI; Tessa Bertsch 1-3, BB, R, RBI; Reese Chesney 1-4; Cyan Long 2 R; Isabel Arango R; McKenna Henschel Sac, R. SP 14-11, WB 6-15. ▪ Miami Christian defeated Miami Schoolhouse Prep 6-2 for the Region 4-1A title. Tied at one, Miami Christian rallied with five runs in the bottom of the fourth to control the game. In the region semifinals, the Victors beat Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 7-0, and Schoolhouse Prep defeated AIE 12-2. Miami Christian (16-8) will play Casselberry Geneva (21-3) in a state semifinal on Tuesday. The Victors are competing for their fifth state title. Region 4-1A Championship: Miami Christian 6, Schoolhouse Prep 2: SP: P Samantha Torres 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 0 K; Sofia Villa 2-3, 2B; Valeria Vazquez 1-3, R; Danna Viera 1-2, BB, R. MC 16-8, SP 15-10. Region 4-1A Semifinal: Schoolhouse Prep 12, AIE 2: Winning Pitcher Samantha Torres 3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K; P Analys Uriarte 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K; Valeria Vazquez 3-3, 2 2B, BB, 3 R, RBI; Francela Verdura 3-3, 2B, HBP, 2 R, 2 RBI; Ivanna Bulbarela 2-3, R, 2 RBI; Danna Viera 2-3, 2B, R, RBI; Angelly Benitez 2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R; Michelle Dominguez 1-3, 2B, 3 RBI; Danyela Mandujano 1-1, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Sofia Villa 1-3, 2B, HBP, 2 R. SP 15-9, AIE 10-8. ▪ In 7A, defending state champ Davie Western won the Region 4-7A title in come-from-behind fashion. The Wildcats (20-5-1) play Oviedo Hagerty (23-6) in a state semifinal on Friday in Sarasota. Click this link for the story. ▪ Two of the state's top teams in any classification battled for the right to play at state, and Miami Somerset Academy Silver Palms edged Coral Springs Charter again for another 3A region title. The Stallions (22-6) play Dunedin (21-5) in a state semifinal on Wednesday. Click this link for the story. Basketball state honors Source Hoops presents the 2024-25 Boys' Basketball Class 5A and Class 6A All-State Teams. Fifteen players represent the best of the best for those high schools that participate in Class 5A of FHSAA boys' hoops, and 15 more who compete in Class 6A. Players were selected based on in-person evaluations, a review of all-area teams selected by media from around the state and without regard to a player's travel team or high school affiliation or his ranking by other outlets. In 5A, state champion Pompano Beach Blanche Ely was well represented. Players from Miami Belen Jesuit, Miami Norland and Pembroke Pines Charter were also chosen to the elite group. In 6A, state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas had a few players make the list. Players from Coral Springs and Miramar were also selected for the prestigious honor. 5A FIRST TEAM Dylon Hannah, 6-2 Sr, Blanche Ely Nijaun Harris, 6-4 Fr, St. Petersburg David Barrea, 6-2 Sr, Ponte Vedra Max Ortega, 6-2 Sr, Pembroke Pines Charter Angelo Moton, 6-5 Jr, Leesburg 5A SECOND TEAM Aaron Pensel, 6-7 Sr, Tallahassee Leon Jeyelen Jonas, 6-3 Sr, Blanche Ely Carson Crawford, 6-6 Soph, Fleming Island Dallas Lambert, 6-4 Jr, Port Charlotte Lorenzo Major, 5-11 Sr, Norland 5A THIRD TEAM Cornelius White, 6-7 Sr, Gainesville J.T. Tipton, 5-11 Jr, Lecanto Ethan Hicks, 5-11 Sr, Wesley Chapel Orlando Roche, 6-2 Soph, Belen Jesuit Sam Powell, 6-4 Jr, Naples Golden Gate 6A FIRST TEAM Dwayne Wimbley, Jr., 6-6 Sr, St. Thomas Aquinas Arosco Dubois, 6-2 Sr, Orlando Evans Alex Pierre-Louis, 6-4 Sr, Coral Springs Treymar Jones, 6-2 Sr, Milton K.J. Smith, 6-3 Sr, Wiregrass Ranch 6A SECOND TEAM Clarence Westbrook, 6-1 Soph, St. Thomas Aquinas Tyson Gilbert, 6-6 Sr, St. Augustine Tocoi Creek Darius Washington III, 6-4 Sr, Orlando Edgewater Tre Chisholm, 6-4 Jr, Ocala Forest Aaron McGee, 6-2 Jr, Viera 6A THIRD TEAM D.J. Sandi, 6-0 Jr, St. Thomas Aquinas Brandon Brazell, 6-5 Jr, Stuart Martin County Josh Skinner, 6-4 Sr, Miramar Isaac Buckley, 6-5 Jr, Winter Park Lake Howell Myles Mayfield, 6-7 Sr, Orlando Edgewater State track nominees The Florida Dairy Farmers announced the list of nominees for FHSAA top state track & field honors, and the stellar group includes some local athletes. Those area athletes eligible for Miss Track, Mr. Track, Girls' Coach of the Year and Boys' Coach of the Year awards are: GIRLS 3A: Ariyanna Griggs (Dillard) Jr 100M Champion (11.74); Tyra Cox (Miami Northwestern) Sr 200M (22.99) & 400M (51.44) Champion; Alexia Reid (Dillard) Sr 100M Hurdles & 400M Hurdles Champion; Nyla Christian (Miami Northwestern) Jr Long Jump Champion (19-8); Lauren Kirby (Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy) Sr Shot Put (45-3 3/4) & Discus (161-8) Champion; Coach Davidson Gill (Dillard) Champion; Coach Carmen Jackson (Miami Northwestern) 2nd Place. 2A: Grace Aldrich (Carrollton) Sr 1600M Champion (4:52.98); Arianna Garcia (Carrollton) Jr 100M Hurdles & 400M Hurdles Champion; Alexa Schwartz (Coconut Creek North Broward Prep) Sr Javelin Champion (154-4); Coach Dylan Hermelee (Carrollton) Champion. 4A: Coach Alex Armenteros (St. Thomas Aquinas) 2nd Place. BOYS 3A: Braylen Bennett (Plantation American Heritage) Jr 100M (10.59) & 200M (20.66) Champion; Tywan Cox (Miami Northwestern) Sr 400M Champion (46.06); Joseph Socarras (Miami Belen Jesuit Prep) Sr 800M (1:52.27) & 1600M (4:10.11) Champion; Marcelo Mantecon (Miami Belen Jesuit Prep) Soph 3200M Champion (8:56.89); Jayden Cadet (Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson) Sr High Jump Champion (6-7 1/2); Coach Victor Arrieta (Miami Belen Jesuit) Champion. 2A: Gabriel Carr (Miami Sunset) Sr 1600M Champion (4:17.71); Ian Newton (Key West) Sr Pole Vault Champion (15-3). 1A: Jimmy Bernatek (South Florida HEAT) Sr Pole Vault Champion (14-9). 4A: Remington Goins (Columbus) Sr Javelin Champion (198-7); Coach Danny Areces (Columbus) Champion. Boys' volleyball all stars The annual Miami-Dade Boys Volleyball All-Star Game is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the game, featuring the top high school senior boys' volleyball players in the county. Barry University in Miami Shores is housing the event, organized by Daniel Benitez. There will be several coaches and players who were previous all-stars and all-star coaches in attendance. Admission $5. All-County Ballots High school coaches of spring varsity sports should have received their ballots to send Miami Herald All-Dade and Miami Herald All-Broward nominees. If you have not received a ballot, email hssports@ Send high school sports results For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@ They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online. --- Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone jvarsallone@
Miami Herald
18-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Westminster Christian softball draws inspiration from a child's fight for life
Pray For Maya – it's the sentiment that has inspired Westminster Christian's softball team to Tuesday's Class 2A state semifinals. The girls on the team have been writing 'P4M' – in shorthand that means Pray For Maya – on their pink wrist bands, and they believe that helped lead them last week to a pair of miraculous, walk-off playoff wins. The Warriors trailed by six runs in the sixth inning of the regional semifinals and by seven runs in the sixth inning of the regional final. Tragically, Maya Kirk, who was just 10 years old, died on Friday of a rare form of brain cancer. She left behind many loved ones, including her parents, Westminster boys' soccer coach Josh Kirk, and his wife, Yafy, and their eight-year-old son, Jacob. 'Maya loved and protected him,' Josh Kirk said of Jacob. Senior Gigi Khoury, Westminster's star third baseman, said she and her teammates have been praying for Maya for weeks. 'I'm devastated,' Khoury said. 'It may sound naïve, but we were hoping for a miracle.' Maya, who had taken up gymnastics before getting sick, was diagnosed with cancer on Feb. 12, 2024. She spent the last 58 days of her life in the Intensive Care Unit, and her parents slept in her hospital room all that time. The irony is that the girls on the softball team never met Maya. Still, when they found out what a Westminster family was going through, they kept Maya in their prayers before and after every practice or game. Nic Varsi, Westminster's softball coach, said he had quite a few talks with his team regarding Maya. 'Softball is important to our team – we put a lot of time and effort into it,' Varsi said. 'But life is more important. 'When you think about Maya and what her family is going through, it puts everything into perspective. The girls are now playing for something bigger than themselves.' On Tuesday night at 8, Westminster (20-7-1) will play Panama City North Bay Haven Academy (24-3) in Longwood. The winner will play either Ocala Trinity Catholic (22-8) or Clearwater Calvary Christian (28-1) for the championship on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Last Tuesday, however, it appeared that Westminster's season was over … until Khoury slugged a three-run homer, cutting Oxbridge's lead to 8-4. 'That gave us a jolt of energy,' Varsi said. 'It gave us hope.' In the seventh, Khoury hit a two-run double. Mya Rodgers' two-bagger tied the score, and Jasmine Armenteros had the game-winning single. Two days later, the Warriors started a rally in the sixth inning once again, scoring four runs to close their deficit to 7-5. In the seventh, the Warriors were down to the last out of their season, and the bottom of the lineup was due up. But eight-hole hitter Abby Barbosa singled, and ninth batter Kelsie Kenny was hit by a pitch, setting up Khoury for a two-run single that sent the game to extra innings. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Erin Perez hit a walk-off single, sending the Warriors to state. 'This is not the most-talented team we've had here, but it's one of the scrappiest,' Varsi said. 'After our last two wins, the girls believe they're never out of a game.' Khoury, who has a 5.41 weighted grade-point average and will study biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech next fall, said she feels fortunate to be able to still play the game she loves. 'Maya was the symbol to not take things for granted and to never give up,' Khoury said. 'Her story grounded us and made us approach life with humility, heart and purpose.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watch: NBH reacts to program's first region title
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – For the first time in program history, the North Bay Haven softball team has punched its ticket to the Final Four, now two wins away from a State Championship. The Buccaneers should be the No. 2 seed at the State Semifinals where they will face No. 3 seed Westminster Christian on Tuesday, May 20. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Well-connected Westminster Christian advances to state beach volleyball final
At every opportunity, Westminster Christian's beach volleyball players yelled 'together' or 'connected.' Those have been the buzzwords that have helped carry the Warriors (18-0) within one win of their first official state championship as well as an undefeated record. On Friday morning in Tallahassee, the Warriors defeated Episcopal School of Jacksonville, 5-0, in a Class 1A state semifinal. Westminster Christian, the No. 1 team in the state, will play third-ranked Tampa Berkeley Prep (21-0) for the title on Saturday at 8 a.m. Warriors coach Sylvia Guso – a former volleyball standout at the University of Miami – said it was hard to find fault with any of her players regarding their performance on Friday. 'We played great,' Guso said. 'We've been working on a lot of things in practice such as defense and attacking, and our girls really executed.' Westminster Christian's first four pairings all won in straight sets. In order, one through four, that's: Zoey Matias and Gigi Artiles; Alex Washington and Lia Gonzalez; Alyana Cadavid and Cassie Thomas; and Coco Garcia and Dani Arroyo). At No. 5, Westminster's Frenchie Pazmino and Lauren Palczynski won in three sets: 21-7, 17-21, 15-8. 'The whole idea is that we're playing for something bigger than just ourselves,' Guso said, 'and that's where the words 'together' and 'connected' come from.' THIS AND THAT ▪ The Palmetto Panthers, who won a state title in flag football last year, lost on Friday night, 7-0, to Alonso in a Class 4A state semifinal in Tampa. Palmetto (16-4) allowed a touchdown on the opening drive by Alonso (19-2). After that, however, Palmetto's defense came up with four interceptions – two by Bianca Pacheco-Perez and one each by Francesca Lara and Canai Moore. 'Our defense played lights out,' Palmetto coach Kevin Mujica said. 'But we struggled to make plays on offense, and we took a lot of sacks.' ▪ St. Thomas Aquinas lost to Jupiter 3-0 in the Class 3A beach volleyball state semifinals on Friday night in Tallahassee. Jupiter (15-1) is ranked fourth in the state. Aquinas, ranked 13th, ended its season with a 19-5 record. ▪ In boys' basketball, Miami High's five starters and two top reserves have earned college scholarships. The list includes: Romari Robinson (Sacramento State); Aaron Richard (Chipola); Joseph Jean (Eastern Wyoming); Absalon Cortes (Holy Trinity); Joseph Murillo, Miguel Charles and Eddy Bonilla (Florida Memorial).
