Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Six years ago, I sat in Maddie Biggs’ family room and watched the 11-year-old’s eyes light up at the mere mention of softball. 

Biggs was only 4-feet, 6-inches tall at the time, but that didn’t stop her from going toe-to-toe with her older brother, Tyler. 

It was during that interview I knew the younger Biggs was something special. Not only did she already possess a remarkable skill set, but she had a persistent drive and determination to get better every day, an attribute you don’t typically find in someone so young. 

Over the years, I’ve watched the Lakewood Ranch catcher develop into a national champion, a natural born leader and an all-around team player. On Nov. 12, I saw her fulfill another longterm goal when she signed a national letter-of-intent to play softball for Palm Beach Atlantic University. 

“This is something I’ve been dreaming about my whole life,” Biggs said. “To be able to continue playing softball somewhere that you love is really special.” 

Biggs was one of 10 East County athletes, across five sports, who will continue their athletic careers at the next level. 

Lakewood outfielder Kyra Klarkowski will continue her softball career at the University of Central Florida. 

“It means a lot knowing all of the hard work and dedication paid off,” Klarkowski said. “To be able to continue playing at a high level is a privilege because not many people get to experience this.” 

Lakewood swimmers Danny Erlenmeyer and Madison Jean, who both competed in the Class 4A Swimming and Diving State Championships Nov. 14 in Stuart, signed scholarships. Erlenmeyer is headed to North Carolina State while Jean will attend Florida Gulf Coast University. 

Lakewood jumper and sprinter Reide Ryans will be heading to Florida International University next fall to run track for the Panthers. 

At Braden River, four seniors fulfilled their dreams of playing at the next level. Pirates shortstop Tyler Dyson will continue his baseball career at the University of Florida, the school he grew up rooting for as a Little Leaguer. 

“It just hit me that this is real,” Dyson said of signing with his dream school. “This is one of the best moments of my life.” 

Softball players Bethaney Keen, Kylie Toler and Linda Ross also signed scholarships. Keen finally got to sign with USF after verbally committing to the Bulls as a sophomore. Toler will play for East Tennessee State while Ross will be heading to Stetson. 

“USF has been with me since Day One,” Keen said. “They liked me for who I was as an athlete and accepted me. It’s been a long time coming. Wow. I finally did it.” 

ODA tennis standout M’Balia Bangoura, who won both individual and overall Class 1A singles state titles last season, signed a scholarship with the University of Nebraska.

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One East County swimmer will be sporting some golden hardware this week after capturing an individual swimming state title. 

Braden River senior Ryan Walker won the school’s first swimming state championship at the Class 3A Swimming and Diving State Championships Nov. 13, in Stuart. Walker, who was the lone Pirate to advance to the state meet, won the 100-yard breaststroke in 56.41 seconds, eclipsing his season-best time of 58.45 seconds, which he set at the Class 3A-Region 3 meet the week before. 

Walker also made the podium in the 100 freestyle, finishing sixth in 46.88 seconds. 

Walker is only the second Braden River student-athlete to win a state championship, following in the footsteps of Tevin Bryant, who won a weightlifting state title back in 2009.