Nick Nahas

2 weeks ago | ospreyobserver.com | Nick Nahas

Former Riverview High School kicker and punter Cody Szelc broke his college record for most career point-after attempts. He made a total of 181 PATs in his four-year career at Monmouth College in Illinois and converted 57 of 59 attempts in his senior season. Szelc said that his teammates and friends celebrated with him on the field after he broke the record. It was a moment that he will never forget. “It meant so much to me,” said Szelc.

3 weeks ago | ospreyobserver.com | Nick Nahas

June Rogers and her fight against colon cancer have been an inspiration to so many people, bringing awareness to the disease. Seven of her closest friends created the June Rogers Foundation (JRF) in her honor. The organization has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for colorectal cancer research in the last four-plus years. “June exemplified the qualities of determination, resilience and courage,” said Anne Wooley, head of the Art Committee for the June Rogers Foundation.

3 weeks ago | ospreyobserver.com | Nick Nahas

The Bloomingdale High School Bulls came into the 44th Saladino Tournament as favorites, rated as the number one overall seed. They did not disappoint, beating Strawberry Crest 3-0 to claim the program’s fourth Saladino Tournament victory. This was the first Saladino Tournament Championship for the Bulls since winning it in 2013. The spring break tournament now has three different divisions, Gold, Bronze and Silver. Bloomingdale was the Gold Division winner.

3 weeks ago | ospreyobserver.com | Nick Nahas

Bloomingdale High School softball star pitcher Natalie Cable’s goal has always been to reach 1,000 career strikeouts since she started as a freshman. She reached her goal on March 11 against Plant High School. Reaching that marker is a rare accomplishment for a high school pitcher. Cable went into the game against Plant knowing that she had to get six strikeouts to reach 1,000. She was locked into the game and didn’t know until afterward that she hit her mark in a 7-0 victory.

3 weeks ago | ospreyobserver.com | Nick Nahas

The Bloomingdale High School girls’ basketball program has become a juggernaut in Hillsborough County. The Lady Bulls have reached the state final four in three of the last four seasons. In March, the team won the program’s first basketball state championship in school history, defeating Southridge 43-41 in Lakeland. “I was just in disbelief,” said head coach Joel Bower. “I turned to my assistant coaches and asked, ‘Did that really happen? Is this really happening?’ It just didn’t seem real.