National title thrills walk-on
As a biochemistry and molecular biology major at Florida Southern in Lakeland, Alex McClanahan (Orangewood Christian) knows and understands a bunch of big words.
But when describing his feelings about the Mocs winning the NCAA Division II national basketball championship, he settled for one little word. “Wow!” McClanahan, a 6-foot-2 junior walk-on guard, did not score in Florida Southern’s 77-62 victory against Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the title game March 28 in Evansville, Ind. He rejoined the Mocs (36-1) at midseason after taking off the first semester to focus on academics and appeared in 12 games, scoring one point.
“He’s a big part of our success,’’ coach Linc Darn
er said. “Even though he might not get the minutes in the game, he gave us a body in practice for our guys to go against.
“The guys just love having him around.’’
McClanahan, who averaged 12 points per game at Orangewood, comes from an athletic family. His cousins played football and basketball at Winter Park. McClanahan was looking for a college opportunity close to home, and with help from the athletic department at Orangewood, primarily former athletic director Kenne Brown and basketball coach Andy
Sarasty, he found it at Florida Southern.
He has scored 16 points in three seasons with the Mocs.
“I was a practice guy,” McClanahan said. “[Walkons] simulated guys on the other team to prepare our starters. That’s why winning was so emotional. Just to be a part of it was something special.”
This summer, McClanahan will intern with orthopedic doctors in Ohio. He is interested in surgery but also research, with a focus on oncology.
Wherever he goes, he will be a national champ.
“It’s like a dream come true,’’ McClanahan said.
Another champ
For the second year in a row, Dexter Graham (Oviedo) is a champion.
He is a freshman guard for Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, which won the National Junior College Athletic Association national men’s basketball title March 21 by beating South Plains (Texas) 83-80 in overtime. Graham appeared in 22 games, starting three, and averaged 3.2 points per game for the Raiders (33-2). He did not play in the final.
Last year, Graham helped Oviedo win the Class 7A state title.
Pool pleasers
North Carolina State’s
Riki Bonnema (Olympia) and Florida State’s Chelsea
Britt (Boone) earned AllAmerica honors last month at the NCAA women’s swimming championships in Greensboro, N.C.
Bonnema gained recognition in the 50-yard freestyle, along with the 200 and 400 free relays. Britt captured honors in the 100 and 200 butterfly. AllAmerica honors go to the top eight finishers.
At the NCAA men’s meet in Iowa City, Iowa, FSU’s
Jason Coombs (Hagerty) became the first Seminoles swimmer in 16 years to earn points in the 100 breaststroke at nationals.
Coombs bettered his career best for the event twice, 52.19 in the preliminaries and 52.11 in the final. He placed 11th, making him an honorable mention All-American.
Talkin’ baseball
Adam Haseley (First Academy) went 3-for-5 and scored four runs Wednesday as Virginia set a season high for runs and cruised past James Madison 14-1 in baseball. Haseley, who walked once and drove in a run, has started every game for the Cavaliers (20-12) and is hitting .273 with one home run, 13 RBI and 25 runs scored. ... Duke sophomore 1B
(Dr. Phillips) is tied for third on the Blue Devils with 17 RBI. He is hitting .239 with two homers and seven doubles. ... Former Oviedo RHP A.
the Washington Nationals’ third-ranked prospect, was assigned to Class AAA Syracuse.
Tar on a tear
Kris Coppolino ( Winter Springs) collected her second six-point game in a row as Rollins topped Florida Tech 18-6 in a women’s lacrosse game Wednesday in Melbourne. Coppolino had three goals and three assists. Last Friday, the Tars defeated Saint Leo 14-5 on senior day. Alley Rhinehart ( Winter Springs) and
Chelsea Pinneke (Lake Brantley) were among the seniors honored.