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News 6 hosts special to salute high school senior athletes
Read full article: News 6 hosts special to salute high school senior athletesIt was difficult for everyone, especially upperclassmen, and the senior athletes who were looking forward to making their final season their best. Instead, those seasons were abruptly ended: no more games to play, no Senior Night ceremonies, no championships to go for. News 6 decided to spotlight those senior athletes who had their final seasons cut short but who had represented their school well for years. We called the springtime project Senior Salute, with a different athlete or group of seniors athletes featured throughout the months of April and May, seniors who were recommended to us by coaches, school administrators, family, or friends. This show is a look back at the project and all the special athletes we had the chance to get to know.
Longtime Seminole High School coach, teacher, mentor retires
Read full article: Longtime Seminole High School coach, teacher, mentor retiresSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Theres no question about it. Carlos Merlino bleeds Seminole High Schools black and orange. "I have gone 1,994 consecutive days without missing a day," Carlos says. Carlos has been a coach, phys-ed teacher, assistant athletic director at the school for decades. I sat down with Carlos in his office one what was his last day on the job.
Senior Salute: Olympia water polo
Read full article: Senior Salute: Olympia water poloOur final Senior Salute goes out to a fantastic group of five from the Olympia Girls Water Polo team. They are Shelby Sorrells, Sofia Dahlmann, Amanda Clinco, Ali Wagner, and Lexi Hutton. Individually, they all bring something different to the pool in terms of skill. State Champions as freshmen, Shelby, Sofia, Amanda, Ali, and Lexi maintained Olympias winning tradition through their careers. Their head coach, Stephanie Possell, said all five are her most valuable players.
Senior Salute: Riley Winslow
Read full article: Senior Salute: Riley WinslowORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Perseverance in the face of adversity is a tie that binds every successful athlete. This edition of Senior Salute goes out to Riley Winslow of the West Orange tennis team. Riley is tough on opponents and can be tough on herself. In May of 2018, Riley lost her mom to cancer. As she approaches graduation, Riley is looking ahead to what is next.
Senior Salute: Danny Castaneda
Read full article: Senior Salute: Danny CastanedaThis edition of Senior Salute goes to Danny Castaneda of the Dr. Phillips baseball team. The second baseman was a team leader and made it a point to show his younger teammates how it’s done. Danny gave the Panther pop at the plate and solid glover work in the infield. Castaneda is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and will be off to Sante Fe College in Gainesville. Danny’s seen a lot during his time at DP and will always cherish the work everyone put in to make the Panthers a perennial contender.
Senior Salute: Christian Arroyo
Read full article: Senior Salute: Christian ArroyoORLANDO, Fla. – This edition of Senior Salute goes out to Christian Arroyo of the Faith Christian Academy baseball team. He’s been a versatile player since making varsity as an 8th-grader. Christian was batting over .500 when the season was stopped. Christian will play for Webber International University next. A charismatic young man and lifelong Yankees fan, Christian’s goal is to go to the pros.
Senior Salute: Ana Luisa Cotta
Read full article: Senior Salute: Ana Luisa CottaORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – This edition of Senior Salute goes to Ana Luisa Cotta, a star on the Dr. Phillips Water Polo team. She moved to Florida from Brazil three years ago and made an immediate impact at her new school. Cotta plans to study pre-med in college as she loves to help others. Another water polo player who starred for Dr. Phillips: Ian Supra, a young man who lost his battle with cancer in 2015. Ana never got to meet Ian but she told News 6 that she and her teammates honor him every chance they get.
Senior Salute: Jackson Tyndall
Read full article: Senior Salute: Jackson TyndallORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 continues to recognize a special group of Central Florida athletes, the high school seniors who’ve had their spring seasons cut short. This edition of Senior Salute goes to Jackson Tyndall of the Boone lacrosse team. 22 jersey is a Braves lacrosse tradition and Jackson has worn it well. Jackson’s 48 career goals and 25 career assists helped the Braves compete for Metro and District championships. Tyndall has loved every moment since he picked up a lacrosse stick in elementary school.
Senior Salute: Jake Johnson and Andrew Spolyar
Read full article: Senior Salute: Jake Johnson and Andrew SpolyarORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – This edition of senior salute goes to outfielder Jake Johnson and pitcher Andrew Spolyar of the Timber Creek baseball team. The Wolves have had an incredible run of late and were looking for a fourth straight trip to the state semifinals. Head Coach Tim Beaman calls Spolyar his ace pitcher, Spolyar who had an ERA of under 1 this year. Jake, meanwhile, came to Timber Creek from Indiana two years ago. Coach Beaman says his two seniors taught the underclassmen how to be professional, how to work hard, and how to become leaders themselves, leaving the Timber Creek program in a great position.
Senior Salute: Christian Hofer
Read full article: Senior Salute: Christian HoferSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – This edition of Senior Salute goes out to Hagerty Lacrosse’s Christian Hofer. The team captain sets goals in the classroom and gets goals on the field. Academically, Christian is an All-American, with 42 college credits under his belt. Hofer is headed to Embry-Riddle to play lacrosse and study computational mathematics and mechanical engineering. He’s worked so hard that he has a full academic and athletic scholarship waiting for him when he gets to campus.
Senior Salute: Titusville’s Elijah Viera and Keegan Brooks
Read full article: Senior Salute: Titusville’s Elijah Viera and Keegan BrooksWe give a “Senior Salute” to Titusville Tennis’ Elijah Viera and Keegan Brooks. Elijah had won 10 of his 11 matches this season. Keegan won seven matches out of nine. The two senior captains have been like the "pied pipers" for Titusville Tennis. When they graduate from Titusville High School, Keegan will go on to firefighter and paramedic school.
Senior Salute: Hagerty’s Grace Germer
Read full article: Senior Salute: Hagerty’s Grace GermerOVIEDO, Fla. – No one can take away the accomplishments of area high school senior athletes. The latest “Senior Salute” goes out to Hagerty Softball’s Grace Germer. As Hagerty's leadoff hitter, Grace is all about getting on base any way she can whether it's a slap-single, a walk, or being hit by a pitch. Her teammates are friends she loves dearly who also helped Hagerty win a state title two years ago. Grace will continue to play softball at Seminole State when she graduates from Hagerty.
News 6 salutes Central Florida senior athletes
Read full article: News 6 salutes Central Florida senior athletesORLANDO, Fla. – Many athletes represented their schools and communities on the softball diamond or the baseball field or the track for years. They didn’t expect their final seasons to be put on hold. However, this is what every high school senior springtime athlete in Central Florida is dealing with right now. Despite all their accomplishments and dedication, they might not get to experience a Senior Night, so News 6 wanted to pay a small tribute to these senior athletes. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout the month of April, News 6 Sports will feature a high school senior with a new segment called “Senior Salute.” Check it out at News 6 at 6 & 11 and on ClickOrlando.com and celebrate our Central Florida seniors with us!