Longhorns claim 3rd OBC title in a row by comfy margin

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

The Orange Belt Conference All-Sports Championship race was a nail-biter the past two years as Harmony edged Osceola for the title in 2007-08 and 2008-09, winning by just 1.5 points last year.

There was no such intrigue this time.

The Longhorns (127.5) led runner-up St. Cloud (102) by 10 points after the fall sports season, 45-35, and pulled away from there to win easily.

Harmony athletes won 11 of the 22 OBC championships and placed second or third eight times.

Osceola (99.5), the 2006-07 champion, won four conference titles but slumped in several sports this year. Celebration (80.5), Liberty (76.5), Gateway (74) and Poinciana (40) rounded out the scoring.

Celebration won four OBC titles for its best finish ever, while Liberty gained 19 points over last year’s effort and won a championship in boys track.

St. Cloud did not win a conference championship for the first time in 20 years, but it placed second in eight sports and third in five more.

Harmony, St. Cloud and Osceola are the only county schools that compete in all 22 OBC varsity sports. Water polo, played only by OHS and Gateway, and football do not count in the standings.

Teams receive seven points in each sport for winning a conference championship down to one point for finishing last. No points are awarded if a school doesn’t field a team.

Conference coaches selected the all-OBC teams for the fall, winter and spring seasons:

Fall:

Football, first team: Osceola: Anthony Gandy, Big Will Bostic, Jarell Emanuel, Marc Deas, Shaquille Bell, O’Neil Blake, Akeem Daniels, Rashad Brown, Matt Hedrick, B.J. Butler. Gateway: Michael Fullmore, Richard Simpson. Harmony: Austin Gunther, Hunter White, Jared Beekman, Alex Perez. St. Cloud: Ray Scavone, Keith Mason, Jose Devito, Phillip Steinmetz, James Boone, Irving Huggins,. Liberty: Gelvin Harmon, Patrice Pierre, J.J. Elisis, Mark Castillo, Willie Johnson. Poinciana: Charlie Webb, Danny Gaskins. Celebration: Dom Saragusa.

Second team: St. Cloud: Eric Meggett, Tyler Vaughan, Melvin Manning, Dylan Meyers, Josh Chattin, Kevin Ulysess. Poinciana: Joey Decomo, Ronnie Hill, Tavarus Alcime, Duke Ellis. Liberty: Ricky Battle, Angel Perez, Travis Michael, Even Durand, Louie Cruz, Sammy Diaz, K.J. Saleem. Harmony: Nolan Beatty, Dejoun Fisher, Julian Rivera. Osceola: Jordan Paige, Little Will Bostic, Oscar McGee, Max Mellon, Paul Kyger, Terrance Tatume. Celebration: Justin Temple, Tyler Osorio, Geoff Banley, Zach Dyer. Gateway: Berlan Henry, Angel Benevides,  Devante Dobson.

Honorable mention: Liberty: Kia Farraya, Maurcio Chacon, Joey Graham,  Stephan Morales, Victor Martinez. Osceola: Dylan Wilson, James Hawks-worth, David Bracy. St. Cloud: Warner Mooney, Chris Lorfils, Demario Campbell, Kevin Greenwalt, Cole Harvey, Aaron Hoffman. Celebration: Jake Rehrig, Brandon Valencia, Zack Dyer, Curtis Temple, Zack Brown. Poinciana: Steve Goodson, Ron Hill, Akeem Thompson, Mike Cirino, Terrance Barnes, Travis Escobar. Harmony: C.J. Clayton, Chris Bollinger, Christian Acevedo, Milton Bronson, Alex Githens. Gateway: Randy Deseme, Roger Allen, Phillipe Oliveria, Sean Poteau, Brian Rosa, Steven Santos.

Volleyball: Harmony: Tori Keelean, Robin Janney, Genesis Viera, Sammie Feliu. Celebration: Laney Henningsen, Mallory Gebers, Christianne Barry. Liberty: Alisa Mitchell. Gateway: Charnelle Michel, Amber Wilson. Osceola: Jennifer McDaniel, Colleen Arago, Gladys Chaparro.

Honorable mention: Harmony: Victoria Hoover, Rachel Williams, Alicia Palm, Rachel Williams. Celebration: Julianna Milan, Monique Milan, Alysha Rehrig. Liberty: Stephanie Puello, Saundriana Smith. Gateway: Mikal Lopez, Michico Aboyme, Michelle Lopez, Elloni Ellick. Osceola: Sarah DeLeonardo, Madison McGehee, Tiffany Markley, Amber Stickel, Alexa Ballard.

Coach of the Year: Eric Trowbridge (HHS).

Girls golf: Osceola: Ana Ballantine, Danielle Burch. Harmony: Jordan Ashcraft. St. Cloud: Shelby Kessler, Allison Spry. Celebration: Sara Kennen, Ashley Nelson.

Coach of the Year: Ray Lackey (OHS).

Boys golf: Harmony: Stuart Hills, Brian Berzanskis, Tyler Howes. Gateway: Andrew Harrison. Celebration: Alex Mullis.  Poinciana: Clarke Feeney.

Coach of the Year: Jerry Gallman (HHS).

Girls swimming: Harmony: Lindsay Christovich, Lindsey Saute, Bethany Walker, Darcy Tsikrdanos, Briana Felitti, Rachel Walker,  Camille Missigman. Gateway: Alex Martinez. Osceola: Sarah Lambert.

Coach of the Year: Lori O’Rourke (HHS).

Boys Swimming: Harmony: Mitchell Mun-gall, Tyler Cunningham, Brandon Graber, Levi Smith, Jesse Tetreault. Osceola: Cameron Wehr, Zach Yawn. Gateway: Kyle Keaten. St. Cloud: Randy Dunton, Ryan Bender, Ryan Neal, Diullon Bradley, Joe Long, Davison Kirchmyer.

Coach of the Year: Terry Brown (HHS).

Girls cross country: Harmony: Sam Travis, Kylie Korol, Chelsea Connor, Brittany Connor. Osceola: Ileis Figueroa. St. Cloud: Anaya Reid. Celebration: Christina Ricci.

Coach of the Year: Debra Schweiger (HHS).

Boys cross country: Liberty: Robbie Johnroe. St. Cloud: Bailey Morgan, Carlos Perez. Gateway: John Powers, Matt Swanson, Jairo Salazar. Poinciana: Widmaier Jean.

Coach of the Year: Tane Crossley (GHS).

Winter Sports:

Girls soccer: Harmony: Anna Blanchard, Emily Johnson, Payton Leffew, Caitlin Beam, Kaylee Horn. Celebration: Hilary Ralston, Natalie Melo. St. Cloud: Kelly Coughenour, Allison Spry, Veronica Stookey, Megan Lubick. Osceola: Claire Tudor, Leah Mullins.

Honorable mention: Harmony: Kayley Ward, Shadya Maldonado. St. Cloud: Rebecca Cregan, Melanie Simancas, Kayla Martinez. Liberty: Marisa Giannott, Christina McDonald, Alicia Font. Celebration: Danese Joseph, Marianna Villareol, Shelby West. Osceola: Crystal Marshall, Kiersten Martinez. Poinciana: Andrea Betancur, Danielle Akkerman, Martie Wagner.

Coach of the Year: Stephanie Jones (HHS).

Girls basketball: Osceola: Sarah DiLeonardo, Jessica Nelson, Constance Uzzle. Poinciana: Kadesia Johnson, Brandii Walker. Harmony: Leah Smith, Marie Gilbert. Gateway: Carla Garcia, Helen Collazo, Julianna Milan.

Honorable mention: St. Cloud: Alyssa Mediavilla. Poinciana: Gerri Navarro. Celebration: Gabby Ortiz. Harmony: Sam Vantassel. Gateway: Jovann Smith. Osceola: Chanel Chillers. Liberty: Yartiza Tejada.

Coach of the Year: Barner Cooks (OHS).

Wrestling: Osceola: Joe Locksmith, Levi Clemons, Gabriel Bird, Pete Baldwin, Tim Locksmith, E.J. Jiminez, Jeremy Strickland. St. Cloud: Frank Cousins, Josh Chattin. Liberty: Felix Betancourt, Aric Fernandez, J.J. Elisis. Harmony: Ariel Dominguez, Chris Valdez, Chris Grillo, Matt Vaughan. Poinciana: Benson Bazilme. Gateway: Alex Velez.

Coach of the Year: Jim Bird (OHS).

Boys basketball: Harmony: Erik Sjostrom. St. Cloud: James Boone, Jens Soto. Osceola: Brenton Williams, J.J. Jackson, B.J. Butler. Liberty: Hudson Cadet. Gateway: Erick Marino, Chris Connolly. Poinciana: Sherwood Vinson, Lex Curry. Celebration: Rob Machecek.

Honorable mention: Celebration: Marcus George. Harmony: Daniel East.

Gateway: David Jermone, Antonio Rucker. Liberty: Luis Alvarado. Osceola: Michael Sanchez. St. Cloud: David Ortiz.

Coach of the Year: Bob Baker (GHS).

Spring sports:

Baseball: St.Cloud: Nick Arscott. Harmony: Austin Paroz, Jeorge Chavarria, Matt Storm. Celebration: Matt Kann. Liberty: Landin Diaz, Jared Murphy, Johnny Maslanka. Osceola: Dylan Dillard, Peter Calilao, Ramon Cedeno. Gateway: Jose Cruz, Manny Rivera, Johnny Rivera, Elbert Devarie.

Coach of the Year: Nick James (OHS).

Flag football: Harmony: Alyssa Miceli, Marie Gilbert, Leah Smith. Celebration: Lauren Davis. Liberty: Maya Foster, Jocelyn Carino. St. Cloud: Veronica Stookey, Annie Barberi. Osceola: Maria Lopez, Paige Manguiat. Gateway: Kaley White, Zachary Richards.

Honorable mention: Liberty: Shanice Smith. Celebration: Katie McCorkle. Gateway: Rodjmar Joseph. St. Cloud: Cierra Adams, Gabby Morris. Osceola: Sarah Lambert, Hazel Beatto, Catherine Phillips. Harmony: Jordan Ashcraft, Sam VanTassel, Payton Leffew.

Coach of the Year: Paul Strauch (HHS).

Softball: Liberty: Nelly Otero. Celebration: Jessica Kraus, Shelby West. St.Cloud: Samantha Gale, Chelsea Womack. Osceola: Nicole Osterman, Alexa Ballard, Carmen Nadal, Kaley Crapo. Harmony: Emily Lanier, Breann Vanderzyl, Lauren Harris, Brittany Bruns. Gateway: Jacqueline Gomez.

Honorable mention: Liberty: Natalie Galeno. Gateway: Aida Piedra, Alejandro Abreu. Celebration: Kylie Jansing, Ileamar Figueroa. Osceola: Kenya Pereira, Haley Wright, Morgan Crapo, Jessica Callahan, Kaley Brosious. St.Cloud: Nikki Benge, Breanna Benge, Amanda Ligon, Ashley Gonzalez. Harmony: Christina Brown, Tiffany Endreson, Madison Nichols.

Coach of the Year: Ralph King (HHS).

Weightlifting: Poinciana: Keith Stevenson, Tavarus Alcime. Harmony: Justin Kennedy, Dominic DeMunno, Hunter White, Cameron Dulgar, Julian Rivera. Liberty: Louis Cruz. Celebration: Matt Benacquisto. St. Cloud: Nate Green.

Coach of the Year: John Wallauer (HHS).

Boys tennis: Osceola: Paul Gursky. Harmony: Evan Diaz de Arce, Alex Hart. Celebration: Juan Cruz, Tyler Young. St. Cloud: Andrew McKay, Oliver Evans. Liberty: Nick Leach.

Coach of the Year: Robert Tripp (CHS).

Girls tennis: St. Cloud: Amanda Pence. Celebration: Gaby Walton, Lexi Stephan. Liberty: Gemma Perez, Asha King. Harmony: Anna Blanchard.

Coach of the Year: Robert Tripp (CHS).

Girls track: St.Cloud: Diana Martinez. Harmony: Chelsea Connor, Kylie Koral, Brittany Connor, Samantha Travis, Brianna Hachey, Karey Dewey. Celebration: Jessica Harter. Osceola: Tynia Gaither, Jameshia Gant, Ileis Figueroa, Chelsea Thomas, Jevic McGee, Jerusha Cavazos. Gateway: Unike Fermin, Shayna Rios, Jayleen Quinones, Audreen Robinson. Liberty: Kelila Naules.

Coach of the Year: Jerrad Butler (HHS).

Boys track: Osceola: Marc Deas, Defario Phillips, Oscar McGee, O’Neil Blake. Liberty: Hudson Cadet, Thomas Biejansky, Germine Amadis, Guelmi Salgado, Decarlo Bailey, Jean Leon. Celebration: Tyler Osorio. St.Cloud: Bailey Morgan, Chris Lorfils, Sean Wood, Matthew Cole.

Coach of the Year: Robert Pauley (LHS).­