SIDELINES: Matanzas girls lacrosse team ends six-year losing streak

Palm Coast Observer
Sports

PIRATES END SIX-YEAR SKID

When Matanzas’ girls lacrosse team defeated Flagler Palm Coast 8-6 on Feb. 20, the Pirates not only ended a five-game losing streak against the Bulldogs, they recorded their first victory in six seasons.

But the Pirates weren’t done. They followed that win with another the next night at Jacksonville Sandalwood. Zoe Alred (five goals) and Mia Apfelbach (four goals) combined for nine goals in the 13-4 victory.

Apfelbach scored four goals and Alred three against FPC. Alana Throne led the Bulldogs with four goals.

Brandie Alred is in her first season coaching Matanzas. The Pirates (2-2) bounced back from two lopsided losses to begin the season to Tocoi Creek and Menendez, who have a combined 8-1 record.

LOPEZ'S BALITON WINS STATE TITLE

Father Lopez’s Bergyn Baliton won a state championship at the Class 1A girls weightlifting meet. Baliton won the 110-pound traditonal title with a 270-pound total. She also placed second in the Olympic competition with a 255-pound title.

Baliton also won a state championship in 2023, winning the 101-pound Olympic title.

MICAYLA CRONK WINS FIVE MEDALS

University of Florida swimmer Micayla Cronk won three golf medals and two silver medals at the Southeastern Conference championships, which ended Sunday, Feb. 25, at Auburn University.

Cronk, an FPC graduate, swam on three first-place relay teams — the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle relays — and placed second individually in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. The Gators’ 800 relay broke the SEC record with a time of 6:49.65.

The Gators swept the men’s and women’s titles at the SEC championships for the second year in a row.

FPC TOUCHDOWN CLUB GOLF TOURNEY

The Flagler Palm Coast High School Football Charity Golf Tournament will be held May 24 at Halfifax Plantation Golf Club. The format will be four-person scramble with a 1 p.m. shotgun start.

Sponsorships include All-Star ($2,500, which includes four golf greens fees, home football VIP seating and parking, two all-sports passes, golf and stadium banners, business logo on NFHS live stream and program advertisements); Elite ($2,000); Pro ($1,500); and Golf ($750 including banner displays at tournament). Tournament entry is $150 per player,

The tournament is hosted by the Flagler Touchdown Club. All proceeds benefit FPC student athletes.

Email Brent Woronoff at [email protected]