MARTIAL ARTS + Chris Welbon team sees success Last weekend, at the AAU Karate Nationals tournament, Chris Welbon Karate’s team enjoyed its most successful competition to date. The team brought home 21 medals — eight gold, seven silver and six bronze. For the first time, the team won more gold medals than silver or bronze. […]
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Chargers bring in new offensive, defensive coordinators
It’s going to be an interesting year for the Strawberry Crest Chargers. After losing much of their core to graduation, the Chargers are looking at a relatively inexperienced roster, including many players who have never played on the varsity level. In addition, the team will add some personnel changes on both sides of the ball. […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Gerold Dickens on the 1987 NFL players’ strike
I missed the 1987 NFL players’ strike, but I had a good excuse: I wasn’t yet born. So, reading up on it is, in a way, similar to studying history. Except that football is way more interesting than the English Parliament. The strike had huge implications across the board: for the league, the NFL Players […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Robbie Spitler
Seven Chris Welbon Karate team members won gold medals at last weekend’s AAU Karate Nationals tournament. For Robbie Spitler, though, winning gold in Sanbon Kumite was huge. “He is our youngest team member and has struggled all year in tournament competition,” Welbon says. “For him to come through with a first place (win) at a […]
Continue ReadingPlant City Patriots twirl way to national stage
What do people think of when they hear about baton twirling in the sporting world? Maybe it’s a parade, which makes sense: There always seems to be a group of baton twirlers marching in any given Plant City-area parade. Or, maybe it’s football, where the twirlers provide the halftime entertainment. But, do people know that […]
Continue ReadingRec center teams ready for annual kickball throwdown
Though it may not be obvious at first, there’s a friendly rivalry between two of Plant City’s recreation centers — Planteen and Martin Luther King Jr. And every year, boys and girls from the two rec centers come together to see which one is the best — at kickball. It’s a fairly young series, having […]
Continue ReadingSIDELINES 07.03.14
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com. RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT + Volleyball camp rescheduled The Plant City High School Summer Volleyball Camp was recently moved to a later date. According to the Recreation & Parks Department, the camp is now slated to be held from July 28-31 at […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Eduardo Lucas
Normally a first baseman on the Plant City Little League Junior All-Stars, Eduardo Lucas was called up to pitch against Auburndale on Monday night. After getting out of a jam near the middle of the game, Lucas remained composed and helped the Juniors win, 16-6. He did it on just 74 pitches in six innings, […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND: Sticking to your guns can be a good thing
Even if a person I’m interviewing doesn’t say anything about it, I can always tell when someone is 100% committed to playing his or her dream sport. That counts for sports as popular as football, and as niche as baton twirling. I had an experience with the latter last week, when I interviewed several people […]
Continue ReadingPlant City gymnasts to compete in YMCA nationals
The stage is set for young gymnasts from all over the United States, who are going to take over Tampa during the 2014 YMCA National Gymnastics Championships, which will take place July 1 to 5, at the Tampa Convention Center and Raymond James Stadium. Although there will be hundreds of competitors coming from cities far […]
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