New Wharton High head football coach Mike Williams (back) met with some of the Wildcats before Covid-19 forced the cancellation of his first spring practices with his new team. Mike Williams didn’t leave a job coaching football at Van Nuys High School in California just to win a few games in Tampa, his hometown. He left to make a difference. This fall, he will try to … [Read more...]
Summer Fun Will Include New Safety Measures
Gio Carillo shoots hoops at the Wesley Chapel District Park on Boyette Rd., which re-opened its courts recently and will be back to hosting its youth basketball leagues soon. (Photo: Charmaine George) On June 1, roughly 20 kids showed up at a camp at Heritage Isles in New Tampa. Two weeks later, a similarly-sized group was scheduled to begin camp at the Seven Oaks … [Read more...]
Wharton Sharpshooter Just Misses Olympics!
Matt Sanchez stands inside his Heritage Isles home, 10.9 yards from his practice target (blue arrow). (Photo: John C. Cotey) Wharton High senior Matt Sanchez has more than just Olympic dreams. Earlier this month, those dreams nearly came true. Competing at the Air Rifle U.S. Olympic Trials Feb. 7-9 in Colorado Springs, CO, Sanchez battled against 16 of the sharpest … [Read more...]
SILVA AND GOLD
Camille Albrecht, who teaches synchronized swimming at the New Tampa YMCA, embraces her former student Juliana Silva. When Juliana Silva’s family first moved to New Tampa, she didn’t speak a word of English; all she understood was her love of the water. “I’ve been in a pool since I was four,” says Juliana, now 17 and a former student at Benito Middle School and … [Read more...]
Wildcats Eyeing Postseason Success
(l.-r.) Mia Nicholson, Ariana Rivera-Heppenstall, Kayla Grant and Emari Lewis have led the Wildcats to a 15-2 record this season. (Photo: John C. Cotey) Stopping the Wesley Chapel High (WCH) girls basketball team is no small feat. Oh sure, maybe you can slow down senior forward Kayla Grant, the reigning Sunshine Athletic Conference Player of the Year. But, what about … [Read more...]
