Weston FC to represent USA at Danone Nations Cup
Weston FC Soccer Academy’s Under-12 Division team has taken a huge step in its bid to win the international Danone Nations Cup.
In the championship of the national qualifier at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Weston FC defeated the Chicago Magic, 6-1. It marked the second time in four years that a Weston FC team moved on to the world stage.
In taking the national title, Weston FC had to best 22 other teams. The victory advances the squad to Morocco to play among 32 of the top teams in the world this October.
“This is very special for these young players, who have been together for three years and get stronger every year,” said Weston FC coach Victor Pastora. “To prepare, many of our members play up in age in our academy. Our last Danone Cup champions went to Poland in 2012.”
Team captain Sebastian Rosing, 12 and of Weston, has been with the club for six years.
“It’s an honor winning this tournament with my teammates, and it’s a great opportunity to represent the United States,” Rosing said. “It’s our biggest accomplishment thus far. We’re very excited.”
Broward netters among USTA junior state champs
Broward County youths were among the winners at the recent United States Tennis Association Florida “Bobby Curtis” Junior State Championships in Daytona Beach.
In the Girls 18s division, Shene Disbergen (Southwest Ranches) defeated top-seeded Mia Horvit (Palm City) 6-2, 6-4, while Michael Heller (Weston) took the Boys 16s crown with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over James Ignatowich (Wellington). Alexander Di Staulo (Weston) battled past Francisco Montana (Cutler Bay) 4-0, 5-3 in the Boys 10s division.
Disbergen has two clay tennis courts in her backyard to help maintain her competitive edge. The 16-year-old senior at Cypress Bay High School was thrilled with the victory.
“Last year I made it to the quarterfinals, so to win this time around is great,” Disbergen said.
Heller, who trains at the Bill Clark Tennis Academy, has been competing in tournaments since age 7.
“Winning this tournament really means a lot to me,” said Heller, who is 15 and also attends Cypress Bay High.
Heller won all six of his matches over a five-day stretch.
Di Staulo, 8, was the youngest champion from Broward. The student at Manatee Bay Elementary School has only been playing com- petitively for two years and is trained at Saviano Tennis.
“This was a lot of fun and was challenging,” Di Staulo said. “I was happy to win, and I wasn’t nervous at all.”
Sweden’s UTO Swim/Run event attracts local athletes
Ultimate endurance athletes are always looking to raise the bar.
The UTO Swim/Run in Sweden did just that for Deerfield Beach’s Kenny Brighton and John Hillman. The duo has competed in their share of triathlons, marathons and ultra-marathons, but the Swedish attraction topped them all.
The race takes place in the Stockholm Archipelago islands of Uto, Rano and Alo and consists of a
series of 15 transitions from running to swimming. The teams of competitors had to run a total of 24 miles and swim 4 miles. Of the 250 participating teams, only 161 completed the challenge. A Navy Seal team from San Diego was the only other American entrant.
Brighton and Hillman encountered swimming in 44-degree water and rocky and slippery terrain.
“It was very difficult to train for the type of conditions we encountered, but we couldn’t be happier,” Brighton said. “This race is unknown to most Americans but very popular overseas. The water temperatures were record lows, and the officials considered canceling the race. A lot of racers couldn’t complete the course, and we were thrilled to have done it.” Brighton swam competitively at Deerfield Beach High School, while Hillman was on the swim team at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale. The goal of the University of Florida graduates was to finish this endurance test in the middle of the pack.
“This event is considered one of the toughest races in the world and is so different than what we’re used to,” Hillman said. “We are so proud of our accomplishment, and we are absolutely looking forward to going back.”