Pinellas Park High School - Occurrences Yearbook (Largo, FL)

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d baseman, Glenn Moore, a senior. Senior Walt Schumacher, pitcher and s the ball. Moore was a team fourth year player, forcefully meets the «n. ball. BASEBALL 225

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BASEBALL — ROW 1: Reid Colliding, Mike Burgess, |ohn Laberge, Eric Sagro, Brad Byers, Gleni Moore, Scolt Hills: ROW 2: Shawn Hotz, Kent Howard, Jeff Gervato, Mike Mugavero, Dave Youn Chris Wisman, Fred Schumacher, Doug Banks; ROW 3: Bill Milne, Todd Haught, |ohn Wallers, Browilj ing Nagle, Eric Cullens, Wah Schumacher, Randy Cody, Mike Monti; NOT PICTURED: Coach Lf|j Buyers, Ed Noble, Kyle Kimbal 3 1 3 2 3 5 ■- 3 8 3 9 3 13 3 15 3 16 3 20 3 22 3 23 3 25 3 26 3 27 3 29-4 5 . r ' ' j ik? ' -- ■ Underdog image pays off The Patriot baseball team looked to do better this season than last year. With such a high goal set, the team had to work intensely on performance. Last year ' s resounding success was definitely going to challenge them to do better. Last year ' s team finished eighth in the state earning the district and regional championships, an achievement unmatched by any other team in the history of the school. They had the talent, natural ability, and confident attitude that established their formidable reputation on the field. The team, therefore, felt the weighty loss of what senior Reid Goulding called the nucleus of the team. Many new players made the team and they had to be trained and taught techniques. Coach Lee Byers stated that it would be a rebuilding year. Senior Walt Schumacher added, Last year the team rode on abili- ty. This year we had to ride on guts. When the newspaper and other teams rated Pinellas Park as an underdog, the Patriots did not make pains to shed the image. Senior Glenn Moore remarked, Why not let everyone stay under the illusion that we were young and inexperienced, and therefore unable to have a successful season? It could only work to our benefit. Byers explained further, Everyone was capable of play- ing well, he explained. My main concern was how well the players worked together as a team. The team looked to peak at districts, stated Goulding. Meanwhile, the rookies had to get their feet wet. Anticipated rivals included Seminole, Dunedin, and Coun- tryside. Senior Eric Cullens com- mented that the Patriots con- sistently expected a good show- ing from these teams. Practicing hard to go farther this year, the young, inex- perienced team gained a strong spirit that determinedly drove tnem throughout the season. The returning players and newcomers alike bonded together to build an impressive image out of a so- called underdog team that woul resound throughout followir seasons. ' 1 Fourth year player, Eric Cullens, seni ' shortstop, makes a direct hit. Cullei was a team captain. 224 BASEBALL

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Growing in size, strength Although not widely recog- nized at Pinellas Park, the weightlifting team worked as hard as any other high perfor- mance team this year. Boasting a large roster, the team practiced every day or every other day for two to three hours in order to in- crease their strength. With this added power, the Patriot team could outlift opponents in their respected weignt classes and move closer to state competition. Competitions consisted of a combination of bench pressing and clean and jerk, said Ron Harris, senior. We had some strong guys. Senior Eddie Steele added that the stamina needed to lift came from personal satisfac- tion. We were the founding fathers of competitive weight- lifting at Pinellas Park and I hope others continue after we ' re gone. Coach Craig Harting was a newcomer to Pinellas Park this year. As head coach for the weighllifters, he offered support as well as ad- vice. He real- ly knew what he was doing, junior Rob Kay reported. With en- durance, power, and a respected coaching staff, the Pinellas Park weightift- ing team com- peted vigorous- ly toward at- taining recog- nition in and outside of school. Anticipating up- coming matches, senior Chris Virgil does squat repetitions during an afterschool practice. 226 WEIGHTLIFTING