Athletes of the Week
After a lingering foot injury affected her junior year, Ida Baker High senior Darlene Hanlon is back to full strength and running cross country in the lead pack in major competitions.
Hanlon finished fourth in last week’s LCAC Meet at Estero Community Park and is gearing up for Friday’s District 3A-6 Meet at Veterans Park in Lehigh.
Island Coast sophomore quarterback Mike Dumas has taken over the reigns of the Gators’ offense this season, and that unit busted out in a 66-6 win over Gateway Charter. Dumas accounted for four touchdowns.
For their performances, Hanlon and Dumas are the Daily Breeze Female and Male Athlete of the Week.
As a sophomore, Hanlon emerged as one of the area’s strongest runners. Her postseason in cross country included a trip to the state meet, where she finished 13th.
After that season ended, she developed a foot injury common to runners, known as plantar fasciitis. It affected Hanlon the following track season, and after training over the summer for cross country, it flared up again midseason.
Hanlon described the experience in one word, “Miserable.”
“It was an extreme disappointment,” she said.
She since has recovered and has put together another strong season to lead the Bulldogs.
Despite going up against outstanding competition, Hanlon consistently has competed for first place in events, earning victories at the Gator Invite and Pre-State events.
The top 15 individuals at Friday’s district meet advance to regionals, but Hanlon said she’s expecting the Bulldogs to make a strong team showing. They placed third at the LCAC meet.
Along with cross country and track, Hanlon is a Jr. ROTC Cadet at Ida Baker. Her team competed in a Raiders Competition last Thursday. The boys’ and girls’ teams qualified for state.
Hanlon received a “Cadet of the Year Award” for her overall performance in the PT (Physical Training) portion, which includes push-ups, sit-ups and a mile run. She managed 62 push-ups, despite having what she considered an off day.
Hanlon said she likes the team aspect of being in the Jr. ROTC.
“Raiders is pure teamwork, everyone working together,” she said. “In the running events the time doesn’t stop until your eighth person cross the line, so you’re only as strong as your weakest.”
Honorable mention:
Katie Mosher, senior, Bishop Verot Vikings volleyball – Mosher, a libero, reeled off a stretch of 18 straight service points, including nine aces, in the Vikings’ sweep of Labelle in the District 3A-12 Championship.
As the Island Coast Gators head into their regular-season finale against LaBelle Friday night, they’re excited about the opportunity to clinch the first playoff berth in school history.
This is only the Gators’ second varsity season, but a win over LaBelle secures at least a runner-up spot, perhaps even a District 2B-6 title if they get some help.
“It’s a good feeling right now,” said Dumas, the 6-foot-2 sophomore quarterback. “Being our first full varsity season, to have a chance to go to the playoffs, it’s a good feeling.”
The Gators may feel even better if they can carry some of the offensive production they had against Gateway Charter into Friday’s game.
Dumas got the offense rolling with a 26-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and the Gators never stopped. They amassed more than 500 yards. Dumas rushed and passed for two scores.
The passing was a surprise. The running was not. The Gators have pounded the ball on the ground for 250 yards per game. They’ve had several players involved, with Dumas leading the attack with nine touchdowns.
Gators coach Joe Bowen said his young quarterback is making strides.
“He has done a good job,” Bowen said. “We put in a new offense for him and obviously he’s grasped it and taken leadership of it.”
Dumas first started playing quarterback in his final season in Pop Warner at the North Fort Myers Knights, when he was in eighth grade.
He played quarterback off and on as a freshman with the Gators, before taking over the key position this season.
Dumas said he saw a lot of potential in the team when he first joined as a freshman.
“I felt we could come together as a team, instead of breaking up,” he said.
They’ve done exactly that. The Gators (5-4, 3-1) have rallied after a 1-3 start, winning four of their last five games, including three in the district.
Honorable mentions:
Chase Marinell, senior, Bishop Verot Vikings golf – Marinell took medalist honors with a 69 last Monday in the Region A-6 Meet at Hideout Golf Club, leading the Vikings to the team title.
Sean O’Connor, freshman, Ida Baker Bulldogs diving – O’Connor claimed the District 2A-10 title in one-meter diving with a score of 401.40.
Gabby Rojas, senior, Mariner Tritons football – Rojas had an interception, sack and six tackles, leading the defense in a 7-0 win over Fort Myers last Friday.