Arts Council to host grant workshop
The Arts Council of Hillsborough County has launched a brand new Community Arts Impact Grant (CAIG) initiative, and those interested in applying for the grant are encouraged to attend the council’s upcoming workshop.
The Community Arts Impact Grant Workshop, which will take place June 19 at the 1914 High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St., is free to attend and is open to any 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Project-specific CAIG grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to organizations based on community engagement and impact, cultural/artistic merit of project and financial and administrative oversight, according to the Arts Council’s website.
Contact Martine Meredith Collier at MCollier@tampaarts.org or visit tampaarts.org for more information.
Crest hires new wrestling coach
The biggest question hovering over Strawberry Crest's wrestling program was answered last week, as the school announced Eddie "Woody" Woodburn as the new head coach of the Chargers.
Woodburn, who will also teach history at SCHS, brings a wealth of experience at the high school, collegiate and international levels from Oklahoma to Dover. He was a two-time All-American for Oklahoma State University's wrestling program, won two World Cup bronze medals and was an Olympic alternate twice. He also coached at his alma mater in addition to spending more than two decades coaching at the high school level, and has been heavily involved with the nationally-known J Robinson Intensive Wrestling Camps for 18 years.
Woodburn replaces C.J. Gittens, who led the Chargers for five years and coached Cullen Telfer to win the school's first-ever wrestling state championship as a freshman in 2015. Assistant coach Will Terry, who has been leading the Charger Wrestling Club over the summer, will remain on Crest's coaching staff.
Local players sign with MLB teams
Two men who attended Plant City-area high schools were selected in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft and later put pen to paper.
Former Strawberry Crest ace Mark Moclair, a 12th-round pick of the Houston Astros, signed with the team on June 12. Moclair, a University of Tampa junior, led the Spartans in 2018 with 18 appearances and seven saves. He posted a 1.78 ERA and struck out 92 batters in just over 55 innings pitched.
Former Durant third baseman Luke Heyer, an eighth-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers, signed with the team on June 15. Heyer, a University of Kentucky senior, was one of the Wildcats’ most prolific hitters in 2018. He finished with a .348 average, 72 hits, 18 home runs, 17 doubles and a team-leading 57 RBI.