SPORTS BRIEFS 07.08.10

+ Cougars goalie represents Florida
Cardinal Mooney High School freshman Victoria Krupa was selected to represent North/Central Florida Team 1 at the U.S. Lacrosse 2010 Women’s Division National Tournament May 29-30 in Bel Air, Md.

The Cougars goalie was the first player to represent the school and also was the first player from the Manatee/Sarasota area to be selected to represent Florida at the tournament.

The Florida team, one of 55 participating in the event, played teams from around the country, including Maryland, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, among others.

The tournament began in 1933 as a way to showcase the best post-collegiate and club women’s lacrosse players. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest women’s lacrosse events in the nation.

Krupa recently competed in the Champions Challenge and the Capitol Cup with the Lax Maniax club team.

+ SVA hosts summer camps
Sarasota Volleyball Academy Director and Braden River High volleyball coach Steven Haugh will be offering a high school skills summer camp and a youth skills summer camp this month.

The camps are open to all girls that are interested in participating. Each participant will receive a written evaluation and a camp T-shirt. During the camps, players will receive instruction on both individualized skills and team concepts based on their skill level.

Camp dates are as follows:

Session II: July 9-11
Session III : July 30-31 and Aug. 1 and 3

For location, times, costs and how to register visit www.svavolleyball.com or contact Karen at 993-9496.

+ FC Sarasota wins Summer Showcase
The FC Sarasota U17 boys team was recently crowned the champion of the Disney Summer Showcase Tournament June 18-20 in Orlando.

After committing to play in the tournament, three of the team’s starters became unavailable forcing FC Sarasota to play with just 13 players compared to the other teams, which had at least 17 players.

“Our team was focused from the first game to dictate the speed of play and not just boot up field in 90-degree heat,” coach Roy Hill said. “We had players step up in both performance and attitude. Our defensive play was solid conceding only one goal all weekend. The team played great two touch soccer through our midfield while movement and runs from the strikers were excellent.”

The team will return to action in the San Diego Surf Cup Tournament in late July.

+ MMS All-Stars win championship
The Miss Manatee Softball 12U and 14U All-Star teams both captured All-Star tournament titles May 15.

The 12U All-Stars went 4-1 throughout the tournament, defeating Venice 7-5 in the championship game. Gina Panik led the team in hitting and Kylie Ernest won three games for the 12U All-Stars, including the championship.

The 14U All-Stars finished 3-1-1, defeating Venice 5-1 in the championship game. Megan Neu led the team in hitting, and pitchers Megan Stevens and Crystal Brown held Venice to one run in the championship.

The Miss Manatee Softball 8U and 10U All-Star teams also competed in the tournament, finishing second and third respectively.