SIDELINES 07.09.15

+ Meyer excels in Tae Kwon Do

Christopher Meyer, a student and head instructor for the Tae Kwon Do program at the Dr. Phillips YMCA, has graduated to the rank of fourth-degree black belt. Meyer was awarded during the U.S. Chung Do Kwan Association’s National Conference in Polk City.

Meyer trained for more than four years and attended a boot camp for several weeks in preparation for his testing. He trains under Master Nickie Wisdom and Master Annika Thomas and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kent Meyer, of Orlando.

+ DP minors team wins top team

Congratulations to the Dr. Phillips Little League Minor Mariners, who won the District 14 Top Team Tournament in June. In a championship contest at South Lake Little League, the Mariners edged their opponents from Windermere, 8-7. The team includes Julian Grullon, Christian Poteat, Anthony Ranzola, Javier Centeno, Elliot Tomko, Shak Muhammad, Michael Zaccardo, Mason Henrichsen, Alex Van Wormer, Johnny Jenkins, Quinton Meganck, Zachary Miller and coaches Mike Zaccardo, Phil Miller and Don Duncanson. Gary Wallace is the manager.

+ Area players picked for program

The Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center’s youth water polo team, the YCF Gladiators, was well represented at this year’s USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program selection trials in Riverside, California.

Athletes in both the 16 & 13 and under divisions must qualify to attend the selection trials in their effort to secure a position on a youth national teams, which are forerunners to the Senior National and Olympic teams. 

Out of the five YCF athletes that made the regional selection team, Antony Battestella was selected to advance to the national selection team and will return to California next month for the final round of competition. The Gladiators practice at the YMCA Aquatic Center on International Drive.

+ W.G. native sizzles in debut

Jake Brigham, a Winter Garden native who played his high-school baseball at Central Florida Christian Academy while being home-schooled, was called up to play for the Atlanta Braves on June 28. Two days later, on June 30, the 27-year-old right-hander saw his first big league action and pitched three scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals, allowing just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts. 

Since that appearance, Brigham has come on in relief twice more for the Braves, pitching another inning and two-thirds. Through his three appearances (4.2 innings), he has a 1.93 ERA and has allowed just three hits.

+ DP alum inks contract with Brooklyn Nets

After spending the past season with the New York Knicks, Shane Larkin recently found out he will be staying in New York City — albeit playing for a different NBA franchise. Larkin, a Dr. Phillips alum, agreed on July 2 to a two-year, $3 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets. 

The deal will include a $1.5 million player option for the 2016-17 season.

Larkin, 22, started 22 games for the Knicks last season, averaging 6.2 points and three assists per contest.