School may have started for students Aug. 13. But county athletic directors have put in countless hours throughout the summer to fill staff openings, compile paperwork and build schedules. A quick check-in with each school has confirmed that athletics are heading in the right direction Keys-wide.
CORAL SHORES
Coral Shores begins the year with a new athletic offering for students. Competitive cheerleading, coached by Samantha Rodriguez, will be available as a winter choice for athletes.
Another change this winter for the Hurricanes will be the head basketball coach. This season, Jim Best will lead the program. The ’Canes’ cross country teams, led by Lyndie Meyers and Gabe Rodriguez, have been running throughout the summer after building their rosters last year. Both teams are likely to have a fantastic showing this season. Swimming and diving return to the pool this week with lots of talent, and volleyball and football are already in full action.
Head football coach and athletic director Ed Holly is proud of Coral Shores’ student-athletes and, as always, is stressing their roles as future leaders.
“We are showing them how getting good grades and increasing their GPA sets them up for college,” he said. “We are showing them how good grades equal opportunities at the next level.”
MARATHON
New at the helm this fall at Marathon are cross country coaches Helena Bursa and Shannon Wiley. Bursa’s running experience will be crucial for the rebuilding Dolphin teams, and if anyone has what it takes to shape beginning runners into champions, she does. Bursa is the mother to state medalist and 7 Mile Bridge Run champ Vance, and she has finished first in her age group multiple times.
Marathon is also adding a new program this year in the winter: boys and girls wrestling. Dolphins athletic director Lance Martin says the mat is on campus, a coach has been secured, and the students are excited for the new opportunity.
Another area of excitement for the Middle Keys this winter is the girls weightlifting program. All eyes will be on senior Justice Lee, who hopes to defend her back-to-back state titles and add another gold to her vast collection of medals.
BASILICA SCHOOL
Basilica School will return with more athletic offerings in the second year of operations at the high-school level. Athletic director Clark Cascio will oversee five varsity-level programs this year. For the fall, the Mariners will field teams in volleyball, cross country and golf. This winter, boys and girls basketball will return to the courts to join the rest of the Keys schools to compete for county bragging rights.
KEY WEST
It’s business as usual at Key West High School this year. Conch teams are staffed and ready to go for all three seasons of competition. With no new program offerings this year, Key West will focus on continuing the tradition of Conch Pride.
“We are going to be experienced in a lot of our sports this year, where kids have been starting since their freshman year, and that experience should help us make deep runs in many of our programs,” said athletic director Andrew Freeman. “Most of our teams are going to be junior- and senior-led.”
Freeman will likely have his hands full working on transportation, and eager fans would be well-advised to be prepared to travel, as numerous teams have the capacity to make it deep into playoff territory.
