Faculty might have began for college students Aug. 13. However county athletic administrators have put in numerous hours all through the summer time to fill employees openings, compile paperwork and construct schedules. A fast check-in with every college has confirmed that athletics are on course Keys-wide.
CORAL SHORES
Coral Shores begins the yr with a brand new athletic providing for college students. Aggressive cheerleading, coached by Samantha Rodriguez, might be out there as a winter selection for athletes.
One other change this winter for the Hurricanes would be the head basketball coach. This season, Jim Greatest will lead this system. The ’Canes’ cross nation groups, led by Lyndie Meyers and Gabe Rodriguez, have been operating all through the summer time after constructing their rosters final yr. Each groups are prone to have a improbable exhibiting this season. Swimming and diving return to the pool this week with plenty of expertise, and volleyball and soccer are already in full motion.
Head soccer coach and athletic director Ed Holly is pleased with Coral Shores’ student-athletes and, as all the time, is stressing their roles as future leaders.
“We’re exhibiting them how getting good grades and growing their GPA units them up for school,” he mentioned. “We’re exhibiting them how good grades equal alternatives on the subsequent stage.”
MARATHON
New on the helm this fall at Marathon are cross nation coaches Helena Bursa and Shannon Wiley. Bursa’s operating expertise might be essential for the rebuilding Dolphin groups, and if anybody has what it takes to form starting runners into champions, she does. Bursa is the mom to state medalist and seven Mile Bridge Run champ Vance, and she or he has completed first in her age group a number of occasions.
Marathon can also be including a brand new program this yr within the winter: girls and boys wrestling. Dolphins athletic director Lance Martin says the mat is on campus, a coach has been secured, and the scholars are excited for the brand new alternative.
One other space of pleasure for the Center Keys this winter is the women weightlifting program. All eyes might be on senior Justice Lee, who hopes to defend her back-to-back state titles and add one other gold to her huge assortment of medals.
BASILICA SCHOOL
Basilica Faculty will return with extra athletic choices within the second yr of operations on the high-school stage. Athletic director Clark Cascio will oversee 5 varsity-level applications this yr. For the autumn, the Mariners will area groups in volleyball, cross nation and golf. This winter, girls and boys basketball will return to the courts to hitch the remainder of the Keys faculties to compete for county bragging rights.
KEY WEST
It’s enterprise as standard at Key West Excessive Faculty this yr. Conch groups are staffed and able to go for all three seasons of competitors. With no new program choices this yr, Key West will concentrate on persevering with the custom of Conch Pleasure.
“We’re going to be skilled in lots of our sports activities this yr, the place youngsters have been beginning since their freshman yr, and that have ought to assist us make deep runs in lots of our applications,” mentioned athletic director Andrew Freeman. “Most of our groups are going to be junior- and senior-led.”
Freeman will seemingly have his fingers full engaged on transportation, and keen followers can be well-advised to be ready to journey, as quite a few groups have the capability to make it deep into playoff territory.
