Sports

More than 30 years after working with him, the author had a chance to visit with Coach Bowden during the World Premiere of the Bowden Dynasty documentary at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg in 2017. SUBMITTED PHOTO

More than 30 years after working with him, the author had a chance to visit with Coach Bowden during the World Premiere of the Bowden Dynasty documentary at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg in 2017. SUBMITTED PHOTO

A tribute to Coach Bowden

J. Daniel Pearson - For the News-Gazette
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Florida State football legend Bobby Bowden recently announced he has a terminal illness. One of America’s most-famous, most-quoted and possibly the most-beloved football coaches is nearing the end of his time on Earth and the news hit me like a gut punch. How could he be leaving us?
Harmony High’s Gage Foster and Grady Johnson recently represented Osceola Anglers at the Bassmaster High School National Finals. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Harmony High’s Gage Foster and Grady Johnson recently represented Osceola Anglers at the Bassmaster High School National Finals. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Harmony High fishermen earn spot at Bassmaster High School Nationals

Cindy Joint
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Two local Harmony High School fishermen from the Osceola Anglers High School Fishing Club just returned from the Bassmaster High School National Finals held on Lake Chickamauga, Tenn. Gage Foster, a 2021 graduate, and Grady Johnson, Class of 2022, placed 123rd out of a 309-boat field.
St. Cloud Defensive Coordinator Brandon Pennington (left), and Offensive Coordinator Mike Short (right) are former high school head coaches on Bryan Smart’s Bulldog staff. PHOTO / ST. CLOUD HIGH SCHOOL

St. Cloud Defensive Coordinator Brandon Pennington (left), and Offensive Coordinator Mike Short (right) are former high school head coaches on Bryan Smart’s Bulldog staff. PHOTO / ST. CLOUD HIGH SCHOOL

Bulldogs will lean on house full of head coaching experience in ‘21

J. Daniel Pearson
Sunday, August 1, 2021
As any head football coach will tell you, having an experienced staff of assistants will most likely make their job easier. St. Cloud Head Coach Bryan Smart will take that idea to an entirely new level this year. The Bulldogs staff features three members with high school head coaching experience.
Before athletes in fall sports like football can set a cleated foot in practice, they must file their paperwork and have a valid physical and ECG on file. FILE PHOTO

Before athletes in fall sports like football can set a cleated foot in practice, they must file their paperwork and have a valid physical and ECG on file. FILE PHOTO

Fall sports practice starts Aug. 2, but get paperwork, physicals first

Ken Jackson
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
The start of school not only means that it’s time to go to class. It’s also time to go to practice. Practice for high school varsity fall sports — football, volleyball, swimming, cross country, bowling and golf — begin Aug. 2.
Brett Munroe, who spent the last two years on Bryan Smart’s staff at St. Cloud, will take over as the Liberty Chargers 6th head coach.

Brett Munroe, who spent the last two years on Bryan Smart’s staff at St. Cloud, will take over as the Liberty Chargers 6th head coach.

Former Bulldogs assistant Brett Munroe is Liberty’s new gridiron boss

J. Daniel Pearson - For the News-Gazette
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
It took a little longer than expected, but Liberty High School has a new football boss. Brett Munroe, who spent the last two years on Bryan Smart’s staff at St. Cloud, will take over as the Chargers new head coach. Munroe served as defensive passing game coordinator for St. Cloud in 2019-20.
New UCF Coach Gus Malzahn stands poised to led the Knights’ program into a new era. PHOTO/UCFKNIGHTS.COM

New UCF Coach Gus Malzahn stands poised to led the Knights’ program into a new era. PHOTO/UCFKNIGHTS.COM

New year, new coach means new era for UCF football

J. Daniel Pearson
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
When the UCF opens camp in the coming weeks, it will signify more than a new year in Knights football, it will mark the beginning of a new era. The most notable change comes at the top, where former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn has taken over, and his influence has quickly been felt.
Kissimmee’s Nicky Nieves (16) will help lead the Team USA volleyball team at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo next month. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Kissimmee’s Nicky Nieves (16) will help lead the Team USA volleyball team at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo next month. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Kissimmee’s Nicky Nieves goes for back-to-back Team USA Paralympic volleyball gold

Ken Jackson
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Kissimmee’s Nicky Nieves has the rare chance to become a double Olympic gold medalist next month in Tokyo. Nieves, born without a left hand — but also born without limitations — is part of the Team USA sitting volleyball program, and will compete in the Summer Paralympics which start Aug.
Cate Palmi (left) takes a few minutes to visit with older sister Allison at the Junior Olympics National Volleyball Championship in Las Vegas PHOTO/PALMI FAMILY

Cate Palmi (left) takes a few minutes to visit with older sister Allison at the Junior Olympics National Volleyball Championship in Las Vegas PHOTO/PALMI FAMILY

For the good of the game, Palmi family eight endures crazy family sports summer schedule

J. Daniel Pearson - For the News-Gazette
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
If you think juggling work and getting your grass cut in the same week is tough, try walking a few miles in the shoes of Carrie and Brett Palmi for a few weeks. Chances are you will never complain about time management again.
Despite a year of stops, starts and COVID-19 concerns, Osceola High’s football team got past all of that and won four playoff games en route to the Class 8A state championship game against Sanford Seminole. . NEWS-Gazette photo/JANA STULTZ

Despite a year of stops, starts and COVID-19 concerns, Osceola High’s football team got past all of that and won four playoff games en route to the Class 8A state championship game against Sanford Seminole. . NEWS-Gazette photo/JANA STULTZ

2020-21: The sports season to remember, during a year to forget

J. Daniel Pearson - For the News-Gazette
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Without question, the 2020-21 school year will be one to remember with great performances by teams and individuals. But it will also be a year to forget. With that in mind, let’s get the negative out of the way quickly and hopefully, for good.
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