[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E246-E247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE PALM HARBOR UNIVERSITY BOYS AND GIRLS VARSITY TEAMS 
           FOR WINNING THE FLORIDA STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2006

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me 
in recognizing the accomplishments of Palm Harbor University High 
School boys and girls varsity soccer teams. Both teams were recently 
crowned 2006 Florida State Soccer Champions (Class 5A).
  The Palm Harbor University Hurricanes boys' team (26-4) shut out 
defending champion, Auburndale, 3-0 to claim the state title. The 
girls' team (20-1) also left their competition scoreless, as they 
triumphed over Bloomingdale High School 2-0 to win the Class 5A finals.
  This was the second state championship for the Palm Harbor University 
boys (2002, 2006) and the third title for the girls team (1999, 2000, 
and 2006). Palm Harbor University made history with the 2006 
championships, marking only the second time in Florida where a public 
school won boys and girls soccer titles in the same year.
  For the benefit of my colleagues, following my remarks I will include 
reports from the St. Petersburg Times about the championship efforts of 
these two teams.
  Congratulations to Coach Mike Mannino and Coach John Planamente for 
their leadership, dedication and the positive examples they set. In 
addition, Principal Harry Brown and his administration, Athletic 
Director Bob Heintz, the faculty and staff, the parents, the students, 
the alumni and the fans should all be applauded for their community 
spirit and faithful support. Most importantly, I would like to commend 
those outstanding student athletes who exemplified the meaning of 
sportsmanship, hard work and competitive spirit. All around, a job well 
done! You have made us all proud and we look forward to supporting Palm 
Harbor University boys and girls soccer teams next year.

             [From the St. Petersburg Times, Feb. 10, 2006]

                  Palm Harbor Claims Third State Crown

                           (By Keith Nebuhr)

       Fort Lauderdale.--One day after stunning the Nation's top-
     ranked team, Palm Harbor U. claimed an even bigger victory.
       And this one comes with a ring.
       Behind solid play on both ends, the Hurricanes defeated 
     Bloomingdale 2-0 in the Class 5A final at Lockhart Stadium on 
     Thursday night to complete 2 days in South Florida the 
     players aren't soon to forget. Annie Stalzer's goal in the 
     48th minute gave PHU the lead. Kelly Brinkman added a score 
     in the 78th minute that iced it.
       When the game ended, PHU players raced toward the sideline 
     to celebrate with fans. After accepting the gold medals and 
     the championship trophy, they took a team picture. Many then 
     called friends and relatives on their cell phones to give 
     them the news.
       ``We've been play so well'' Stalzer said. ``This is the 
     perfect season! We couldn't ask for anything better.''
       The title is the third for PHU (20-1), which also earned 
     championships in 1999 and 2000.
       The Hurricanes lost to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 
     3-0 in last season's final, but this time, the Hurricanes 
     weren't to be denied. Since the start of its district 
     tournament (a span of seven games), PHU outscored opponents 
     24-2. And it beat Aquinas 2-1 in the semifinals.
       ``The experience of being here helped,'' Hurricanes coach 
     John Planamenta said. ``Every year, we've taken another 
     step.''
       Bloomingdale (24-2-1), going for its second title, had 
     allowed 10 goals all season before Thursday. Only once had an 
     opponent scored more than one. In the playoffs, just one of 
     the Bulls' previous opponents found the net.
       ``They played a great game,'' Bloomingdale coach Sue Peet 
     said of PHU.
       PHU outshot Bloomingdale 16-4 (the Bulls had two shots in 
     the first 75 minutes) and made sure it had two or three 
     defenders around star midfielder Marissa Kazbour at all 
     times.
       PHU was equally solid on offense. But though the Hurricanes 
     constantly pressured Bloomingdale's defense, they couldn't 
     break a scoreless tie until Stalzer's goal, which bounced off 
     one defender and over the head of goalkeeper Cristina Coca.
                                  ____


             [From the St. Petersburg Times, Feb. 17, 2006]

                      PHU Makes History in Victory

                          (By Brandon Wright)

       Fort Lauderdale--Nate Wysk dropped flat on his back, 
     extending his arms to the sky, Nick Eby ran full speed by 
     midfield and slid across the moist grass. Eugene Starikov was 
     scooped up by booster club vice president Doug Eby, who 
     carried the diminutive striker like a baby, And of course, 
     coach Mike Mannino got the customary Gatorade bath.
       Palm Harbor University (26-4) scored a pair of goals in a 
     three-minute span of the first half to complete a torrid run 
     through the final four with a 3-0 win against defending 
     champion Auburndale for the 5A state crown.
       The Hurricanes became the sixth school ever, and second 
     public school, to win both boys and girls soccer titles in 
     the same year.
       The PHU girls beat Bloomingdale 2-0 last week. It was the 
     second boys championship in school history, the first coming 
     in 2002.
       ``We put our whole hearts into winning state and we 
     fulfilled our goal,'' Starikov said. ``We won a state 
     championship, baby!''
       ``I was very nervous coming in,'' said Eby, who scored 
     PHU's first goal. ``But we deserve this, we worked so hard 
     every day at practice.''
       PHU rolled through the final four games, outscoring 
     opponents 8-0. The Hurricanes also put an end to Auburndale's 
     22-game win streak.
       ``To come in and give up no goals at this level of play and 
     score eight goals grand total is awesome;'' Mannino said.
       Much like the semifinal where PHU scored four goals in an 
     11-minute stretch, the Hurricanes struck quickly against 
     Auburndale (24-2). Eby and Thomas Harrington scored three 
     minutes apart right at the end of the first half, seizing 
     momentum just before the break.
       ``Every team in the playoffs has been strong, but we took 
     over with those two goals right before half,'' Eby said.
       Both teams had quality chances in the first half before PHU 
     broke through. Ishmail Kamara's shot from point-blank range 
     was smothered by Auburndale goalkeeper Derek Miller and Brent 
     Hileman just got fingers to Kyle Sample's attempt, 
     ricocheting the ball against the crossbar before it was 
     cleared.
       But it was Eby, who came into the game with just two goals, 
     who got the only strike

[[Page E247]]

     PHU would need in the 35th minute. Josh Roberts played a 
     cross in from the right flank that Starikov and Miller both 
     went up for. Starikov just got a piece of the ball and it 
     deflected right to a waiting Eby.
       ``l'd barely scored all year and to get the first goal of 
     the state championship is just crazy,'' Eby said. ``This 
     feels amazing.''
       Harrington put PHU up 2-0 in the 38th minute with his sixth 
     strike of the season. Kamara got his head on a strong throw 
     In from Max Venker, sending it toward the middle of the box. 
     The ball fell into a scramble of legs and squirted free right 
     to Harrington, who was running full speed from midfield and 
     the senior defender squarely drilled it into upper left 
     corner.
       ``The ball kind of fumbled out while I was running up,'' 
     Harrington said. ``And it was just right there.''
       Hileman was brilliant in goal, making eight saves. The 
     senior got tremendous help from fullbacks Nate Wysk, Levi 
     Curnutte, Jamison Sweat and Harrington, shutting out an 
     offense that featured 49-goal scorer Pascal Milien.
       ``Can't end a season any better than two goose eggs,'' 
     Hileman said.
       And what PHU win would be complete without a strike from 
     Starikov? The junior transfer from California banged home his 
     43rd goal of the season in the 70th minute.
       ``Eugene wouldn't let the game end without getting one,'' 
     Mannino said. ``He wanted to be the last straw that broke 
     their back and he did it.''

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