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Ramblin' On
(Note - teams from this current school year were not eligible for the list).
But before I do that, a look back at teams 10 through 6 that ran in last week's issue: The Lady Dolphins, led by junior Kristen Dorsey and freshman Ashleigh Ryals, would go unbeaten through the regular season, winning districts and regionals. They would finish 13th at state, and with four returners, and freshman to be Sarah Hicks heading 'up Highway 98' next season, their goals were set even higher. 4) Boys swimming, 2003 The Dolphin swim team set a school record with a fourth place finish at the state meet, the highest finish for a public school since at least 1997. Kyle Cormier won the state title in the 200 yard freestyle, the first of only three your humble sports correspondent had seen during his time here (Lynn Dettenwanger and Katie Dollinger - both track - are the other two). Cormier was also one of four Division I swimming signees off this team. Cormier and Andy Atzhorn would eventually sign with South Carolina, while Matt Skinner and Jimmy Holway went on to sign with Florida State. The quartet took second in the 400 yard freestyle relay and third in the 200 medley relay. Then-freshman Jay Schmitz, who competed in the 100 yard butterfly at state, would sign with Division II Rollins College. 3) Boys soccer, 2002-03 Bruce Savage got to do something in 2003 a very select few get to do - coach his son and coach his son to a state tournament berth. The younger Savage would go on to become one of UWF's all-time greats, but not before scoring three goals, including the game-winner, in a penalty kick shootout win over Jacksonville Bishop Kenny in the regional final - one of the most exciting games (football 'American style' or the international version) to ever be played at Dolphin Stadium. BK looked as if they were going to pull it off in overtime before Rhett Gross headed in a throw in in the final 30 seconds to keep the match going. The Dolphins would lose in the state semifinals to St. Augustine Nease to finish the season at 25-7. 2) Girls soccer, 2002-03 While the boys team was pulling out its thrilling win over Bishop Kenny, many of the Lady Dolphins soccer team were huddled around cellphones, getting updates from back home. The Lady Dolphins couldn't watch the game in person because they had business of their own to attend to - a regional final matchup in Jacksonville against Bishop Kenny. Led by first year coach Eric Miles and a senior class that included University of Florida signee Annie Adams, University of Central Florida signee Shannon Wing and University of West Florida signee Brandi Adams, GBHS shut out Bishop Kenny 2-0 to advance to their fifth consecutive state tournament appearance, the second longest streak in the state. But the Lady Dolphins wouldn't get to play in their fourth consecutive state tournament game due in large part to ineptitude of the officials. In overtime in the semifinals against Land O'Lakes, Brandi Adams sent a corner kick into the box. The ball was initially cleared, but Jessica Van Slyke headed it back in for what would've been a sure goal. But a Land O'Lakes defender punched the ball out with her hands - and none of the three officials saw it. Land O'Lakes would eventually win that game in double overtime. Gulf Breeze finished the season 27-5-1. 1) Girls soccer, 2006-07 What had the promise of an incredible season nearly got derailed right out of the chutes. Then-coach Miles had a tough decision to make - cutting seniors (including starters) or bring in incoming freshman to bolster the future of the program. He chose the latter - and paid a price for it. It started with a blog in a local media outlet that has about as much business talking about sports as I do about origami or calculus. Many posters ripped into Miles and then assistant Rob Simon, then 'forgot' to sign their names to it. Christmas cards that his sons opened arrived at the arrived in their mailbox devoid of any Christmas cheer. Miles vowed not to let it affect his players - if it did, you wouldn't have known it. The offense, led by senior Kim Begley and the defense, led by senior Kristi Lee, clinched its first state tournament in four years. Gulf Breeze would lose to Orlando's Bishop Moore in the title game. Miles would take a six-figure job in Naples, leaving new coach Sharon Kerby with a team that returns more than 85 percent of its players. Who knows - I could have a new number one team for my 10-year anniversary column. |
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