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SPORTS
PAGE FOURTEEN THE LIGHTNING STRIKE SUMMER 2005
BASEBALL
IN MY OPINION
RYAN BASS
SPORTS EDITOR
With New Coach
Comes Winning
Attitude
With the list of ineffective
coaches piled up on the
baseball team’s resume, the
“Curse of the Coaches” seems
to hang around the neck of
anyone who dares to take on
the job. Yet this season it seems
the high school baseball gods
have blessed us with a little bit
of luck.
The latest edition to Krop’s
baseball team, Coach Brian
Larson, has proven himself
promising. A seven-year
assistant coach at American
High School and a standout
baseball player at BCC and
LMU, brings experience and
a winning attitude, which is
desperately needed to get back
as one of the elite teams in the
6A conference.
“Nothing against previous
coaches, but we will take a total
180 degree turn. We will work
harder, practice harder, and
these players will be challenged
to do their best daily,” Larson
said.
Larson has already made
changes. He requires his players
to tuck in their shirts and have
a positive attitude. “If they are
committed to playing on this
team they should be able to
commit to doing something
as small as tucking a shirt in,”
Larson said.
Larson also hopes to
cultivate a strict and winning
image. “I want people to start
saying good things. I don’t want
our team to be referred to as the
‘Bad News Bears,’” he said.
Players are also looking
for change. “I expect Larson
to come in and bring a sense of
unity to help us win districts,”
junior infielder Geovanni Denis
said.
Junior Jeremy Leech also
has high expectations of Larson.
“He will unite us together
because he is a great coach and
is always thinking of ways to
improve the team,” Leech said,
who is returning after leaving for
Chaminade High last season.
Larson has his own set
of expectations. “Have high
academic standards, work as
hard as they can, be mentally
tough, committed, and have no
excuses. I am very strict and
demanding of my players,”
Larson said.
So with the dawning of the
Larson era at Krop will the
“curse of the coaches” finally
be ended or is the baseball team
in for another long season?
Only time will tell, but I have
a feeling this coach is the real
thing.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Q & A with new Athletic
Director Lori Nelson
NELSON
Q: Why did you choose to
change your occupation from
CSI Instructor to Athletic
Director?
A: Professionally, this was the
next step in fulfilling my career
goals. It was either Athletic
Director or teacher. I have
already been a CSI Instructor,
business manager, assistant
athletic director, and a teacher.
It was time to move on to the
next level, which was Athletic
Director.
Q: What are the main
differences between the two
occupations?
A: You go from being an advisor
in a disciplinary role, like CSI, to
a role where you try to provide
the best athletic experience for the
student body and community, and
in doing so, have fun and enjoy
your job. At the end of the day,
they are both very different.
Q: Is one of the jobs more
enjoyable than the other?
A: No, because they are completely
different I enjoyed working
as the CSI Instructor and I
will miss it just as much as I will
enjoy this position.
Q: Are you happy with your
decision of changing your
position in the school?
A: Absolutely, I am having
a ball. It is a lot of work, but
I can’t wait to get to school
By ERYCA SCHIFFMAN
News Editor
Two months ago, when the homework ended and summer began, the softball
and baseball fields looked as if they were being swallowed up by a jungle of
weeds. Now, the weeds have disappeared and have been replaced by freshly cut
grass and bright new orange clay. With these changes, it is evident that the new
athletic director, Lori Nelson means business. She has already begun to improve
the athletic program and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
in the morning. It is very enjoyable
working with all the
coaches, staff and students.
Q: Do you think Jacquelyn
Torano, the new CSI Instructor,
will be able to fill your shoes in
your former position?
A: Definitely, Torano and I
have very similar opinions and
outlooks on things. She has the
type of personality to do a great
job in CSI. In my opinion, she is
very committed to the school and
student body.
Q: What are your goals as
Athletic Director?
A: My objective is to facilitate
the athletic program which seeks
the highest development of all
participants and which represents
the individual dignity of every
student-athlete and coach. I plan
to organize, direct and promote an
athletic program that is integral to
the total educational program. I
will also work hard to provide the
best athletic experience for our
student-athletes.
Q: How do your goals and
objectives differ from those
of Ron Rodriguez, the former
Athletic Director?
A: We have completely different
personalities, which will affect
our goals and objectives. As with
any change in leadership, various
changes will occur throughout the
program and I believe there is always
room for improvement.
Q: Why have you chosen to
crack down on uninsured
practicing over the summer?
A: I have chosen to do this
because it is a school board rule
as well as a Florida High School
Athletic Association rule to
practice with insurance. More
so than a rule, it is to protect the
student-athletes that participate
in our program.
Q: Do you feel pressured to
achieve the recognition from
the Miami Herald as the best
overall athletic program?
A: No, reason being we are
now in a different district so
our competition has changed.
Providing the best athletic
experiences is our primary goal.
Winning is just a bonus. We have
been very fortunate to be able
to accomplish the award in the
past and we will definitely try
to do it again. As long as we are
competitive with our opponents,
we have reached our goal.
Q: How do you think the
athletic teams will do this
year under your leadership?
A: Hopefully, we will be able
to reach the ultimate goal of
success. Success however, is
not always measured in wins
and loses. Our athletic program
has been extremely successful
for the past seven years and I
can only see it continuing to be
as, if not more successful in the
future.
Athletes of the Month
Swimming
Name: Shawn Amuial
Age: 17
Class: Senior
Weight: 162 lbs
Height: 5’11
Career Highlights:
Helped team go to states in 03-04
season
His 200 and 400 relays are school
records
Part of relay team that won
districts in 04-05 season
Football
Career Highlights:
Name: Steven O’ Hayon
Age: 15
Class: Sophomore
Weight: 180 lbs
Height: 5’9 1/2
Position: Quarterback
Led team to silver medal in the junior
olympics
Won NFL Flag Football
Championship
Played for Cooper City
Optimist League
VOLLEYBALL
Girls
volleyball
prepared
for season
PHOTO BY DALIA SABBAGH
Junior Maria Roman spikes
the ball during practice.
By CAROL KERPEL
and ALANA SULTAN
Staff Writers
Following an intense summer
of training and preparing, the girl’s
varsity volleyball team is set for a
new season.
“We practiced Monday through
Friday for three to four hours each
day this summer,” said sophomore
Moiserrat Lamarche, “This is my
second year on the team playing
libero [defensive specialist] and I
think we are prepared to take on all
of the other teams.”
Senior captain Annika Barnwell
is “psyched” for this year, although
she feels the team could be a little
more prepared. “We could have had
a better turn out at summer trainings,
but overall we are a strong team,”
said Barnwell.
Although two seniors left last
year, there are still players to keep
the team alive. Senior, Lennijo
Yarchin, one of the stronger players
on the team was injured last year
with a broken ankle, but she has
recovered and will play defense.
Stephanie Toledo, a freshman from
Brazil, commented on joining the
team: “I have played for four years
in Brazil and I’m very excited to be
part of the team as a hitter,” Toledo
said.
Another newcomer to the team
is junior Carolina Remos. “Although
this is my first year on the team I’ve
been practicing with them since
I was a freshman. Knowing how
the team plays and works together,
I’m expecting a long season,” said
Remos.
The team already has a strong
history for victories. The girls were
district champions for the past three
years. They have reached as far as
the second round of regional games.
The team is animated for the
start of the season, yet wants more
fan support from the student body.
“I want more people to come out to
the games to support us and give the
team inspiration,” said Barnwell,
“As captain I want to end this year
with a bang, leaving an impression
for years to come.”