Volleyball community helps stricken player
Former St. ThomasAquinas and Archbishop McCarthy High School volleyball starKyle Porterwas enjoying his junior year at the University of Central Florida when he came home for the holidays to visit family.
It would be a life- changing visit as, following a medical checkup, the former Sun Sentinel AllCounty standout was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The 6- 8 middle blocker was awell- conditioned athlete, capable of changing a game with his dominant presence at the net. Now, he sits homebound, undergoing six months of chemo treatment every twoweeks.
After hearing the distressing news, the volleyball community both locally and atUCF sprang into action to help the stricken player.
Porter’s local club volleyball teammates joined forces with his family and friends to set up the Fort Lauderdale Beach Volleyball Fundraiser tournament for Kyle set for March 1. Meanwhile, atUCF, Porter’s supporters have created the KylePorter Cancer Foundation. The UCF Volleyball Club dedicated its fall tournament to Porter, with half the proceeds going to the foundation. The other half went to the winning University of Florida Gators Club, which also donated their winnings to the foundation.
Porter’s parents, Bill and Leanne, have been moved by the support.
“It’s amazing what’s happening, and the outpouring of support has been unbelievable,” Bill Porter said. “The kids created this foundationontheirowntobenefitKyle. His emotions areup and down, but we want to get the message out there for kids his age to get checkups. We feel strongly about helping others. The reaction toKyle’s battle hasbeen awesome.”
The Fort Lauderdale fundraiser will be a four- onfour grab bag tournament. Those interested in participating are encouraged to be at the Yankee Clipper hotel by 8 a. m. March 1. Olympians Misty May and Karch Kiraly have donated signed volleyballs for the tournament raffle and auction.
“We’re hoping to raise some money for Kyle and also bring awareness to cancer. We want to bring the volleyball community together for a very worthy cause,” said Pompano Beach’s Drew VanZwieten, a club volleyball teammate of Porter’s who helped organize the event. “Kyle is one of the nicest and the most upbeat people I have ever met. He is so positive about everything; he doesn’t want people to feel bad for him.”
For more information, visit Facebook. com/ events/ 730048117019345 or www. readysetkyle. net.
Broward Elite All- Stars dominate state gymnastics meet
When Nova Southeastern University in Davie recently hosted the United States Cheerleading Association Sunshine State Championships, the Broward Elite All- Stars took full advantage of the home field advantage.
All six squads representing the Elite organization, also in Davie, captured first place in their respective Level 1- 3 divisions.
The Level 2 Fierce Katz team went up against 14 other squads and came away with the Grand Champion title, while the Level 1 Krazy Kats topped nine other clubs for the Runner- up Grand Champion award. The specialneeds team, the Frenzy Katz, brought down the house with a spirited performance. Competitive cheerleading encompasses tumbling routines, acrobatic maneuvers, gymnastics and dance choreography. The Elite’s Davie gymnasium has been in existence since 2006 and currently features 110 athletes in training.
Winning team awards is nothing new for the Elite organization’s owner, Betty Seuss. “Our biggest achievement is seeing a young shy girl make the transformation into a confident cheerleader who is comfortable in the spotlight,” Seuss said. “Our sport is extremely demanding and requires physically fit athletes who are smart, dedicated and willing to make the necessary sacrifices.”
Wheelchair hoops teams excel on the court
Six teams from the National Wheelchair Basketball Association recently took to the hardwood for the 2014 Sunrise Suns Invitational Tournament.
The three- day tournament at the Sunrise Civic Center gymnasium had each team playing four games. At the conclusion of the competition, the Fort Lauderdale Sharks, Miami Heat Wheels and Tampa Bay Strong Dogs tied for the top spot with 3- 1 records. The Jacksonville Brooks Ballers, Orlando Magic Wheels and Sunrise Suns rounded
The Suns, led by the husband and wife team of CoachDanaWadeandteam manager FranWade, joined theNWBA in 2011 andwere basically fielding a new team this season. The squad has been practicing for about six months and started playing games in October.
New to the team and to wheelchair basketball is Tamarac resident Eric Rogers. The 44- year- old native New Yorker was a point guard at Arizona State University before a car accident ended his career.
Rogers gave up the game when hewas 21.
“After the accident, I had no intention of ever playing again, but Fran ( Wade) was so persistent that I thought she was stalking me,” Rogers laughed. “I’m still competitive, but I’m also having fun.”
Another new member of
out
the
competition. the Suns is Javonnia Jackson, who competed for North Miami High School in 1998. The Sunrise resident has Guillain- Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder. Although she can walk, Jackson could no longer compete in any sports.
“I’m so happy to be able to play. ( Wheelchair basketball) gave me another chance,” Jackson said. “I can get out on the court and be competitive again and have no problem competing against the boys. This is all about learning, and I understand a new team has to grow and learn the game. It’s a good day whenever I can get out on the court.”
The Sunrise Suns are always looking for community support through donations.
For more information, visitwww. sunrisesuns. com.