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Prep sports seasons starting to heat up

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BY ERIC HORCHY

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: October 24, 2009

Updated: 10/27/2009 10:11 am

There is little denial that football is high school's glamour game attracting the brightest spotlights and receiving the most extensive coverage. But next week, the guys of the gridiron will have to play more of a supporting role on the crowded autumn prep sports' stage as a number of other sports enter postseason competition.

Area golfers, swimmers, divers and volleyball players will all be vying to keep their respective seasons and championship hopes alive in either district or regional competition from Monday through Saturday.

GOLF

Focusing on West Pasco, nearly the entirety of area boys golfers were effectively eliminated this past week in districts and will not be participating during the Class 2A, Region 4 tournament Monday at Riverview's Summerfield Crossings Golf Club.

Ridgewood sophomore Austin Padova's 8-over 79 was good enough to qualify individually.

That largely dreary state cannot be dittoed by their female counterparts, though.

Led by the VanEtten sisters, Megan and Rebecca, Mitchell High breezed to a 33-stroke district tournament victory earlier this week. The Mustangs will now undoubtedly be one of the favorites heading into Tuesday's Region 2A-4 event at Trinity's Heritage Springs Country Club.

The younger VanEtten, sophomore Rebecca, shot a season-low 1-under 69 at districts that was good for the second best overall posting behind Dunedin's Justine Knox's 66. Megan VanEtten, a senior, shot a 72.

Emma Fivecoat, Victoria Kinney and Kristen Pitts round out the Mustangs roster.

VOLLEYBALL

Later in the day Tuesday, the action will move inside for the start of district volleyball tournaments.

As a whole, West Pasco is not quite as deep as it has been the past few years. But that does not mean the area is devoid of programs to keep an eye on, notably Hudson High.

Guided by new coach Shayna Munson, taking over Linda McQuade, the Lady Cobras have remained as one of the top teams across the North Suncoast volleyball landscape. Hudson is 18-3 overall and its only losses have come against out-of-town opponents.

A load of seniors, including Jessica Christianson, Shannon Zasloff, Katy McGee, Jessica Imbimbo and Cara Carley, have the Cobras entering the District 4A-7 tournament as a No. 1 seed. Hudson also hosts the Tuesday to Thursday competition.

The surprise team of Pasco County has been No. 3 seed Ridgewood. At 17-6, Sarangelys Cruz and the Rams are fully capable of making it to the championship game and advancing to postseason play. No. 4 Mitchell, after starting the season 0-5, has been playing its best volleyball of the year and may harbor plans of shaking the field up.

Zephyhills High is hosting the other area tournament of interest - District 4A-8 - from Monday to Thursday. River Ridge, another team with a first-year coach, is going through some growing pains after losing multiple stars from 2008. The Royal Knights enter as the No. 7 seed.

SWIMMING

Amid the whirlwind week of tournament and playoff contests is also swimming and diving on Monday and Tuesday.

Class 2A, District 5 meets will be hosted by Zephyrhills High and the boys and girls of Mitchell and Hudson look to have high aspirations.

Diving starts Monday morning at the Land O' Lakes Recreation Center and swimming events take place throughout the day on Tuesday at the New Tampa YMCA, in northwestern Hillsborough County.

Ridgewood's Joe Geschke, battling back from a life-threatening infection contracted this past spring, qualified for the state meet last year and is looking sharp once again. The 200 and 500 yard freestyle events are his forte.

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