Olympian Sam Vazquez, of FPC, named college coach

Palm Coast Observer
Sports

Vazquez named Roosevelt University running coach
Flagler Palm Coast graduate and Olympic Sam Vazquez has been named as Roosevelt University’s head cross country and track-and-field coach, Assistant Vice President for Health and Human Wellness/Athletic Director Mike Cassidy announced Monday.

Vazquez’s appointment as Roosevelt head coach is effective immediately.

The Lakers, based in Chicago, compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and is a member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletics Conference.

Vazquez, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant cross country and track-and-field coach for the Illinois Institute of Technology, represented Puerto Rico at the 2012 London Olympics as a competitor in the 1,500-meter event. Vazquez, 28, set Puerto Rico’s national record in the 1,500 meters, has participated in the Central American and Caribbean Championship and the 2011 Pan American Games, among other international competitions.

“I am excited to welcome Sam to the Lakers family and to watch him continue the process of building our cross country and track-and-field programs,” Cassidy said. “His experience commands attention, and his passion for passing along those life lessons learned during his running career will make him an ideal coach and mentor for our student-athletes. The future is very bright for our program under Sam’s leadership”

Vazquez said the opportunity has come at a good time.

“I am extremely happy and looking forward to joining the Roosevelt family,” he said. “Roosevelt has taken me in with open arms, and I will work my hardest to ensure that we all work toward a common goal."

Vazquez began his collegiate career as an All-American runner for NCAA Division I Arkansas, helping the Razorbacks win the 2004 NCAA National Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship before becoming a decorated runner at NAIA national contender Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Vazquez was a seven-time NAIA All-American, winning the 2011 NAIA 1,000-meter indoor national championship, and was named the Sun Conference Runner of the Year in 2009.

In high school at FPC, Vazquez won the 2003 Adidas Outdoor National High School Mile Championship.

Vazquez cut his coaching teeth at fellow Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference member IIT, where he guided six Scarlet Hawk athletes to the NAIA National Championships in his first season. He also worked as an assistant video coordinator for the National Collegiate Scouting Association in Chicago.

Fish on! Flagler Sportfishing Club hosts Spring Classic
The Flagler Sportfishing Club held its 17th-annual Spring Classic on Saturday, April 27. Payouts to winners in each category were $450 for first place, $360 for second, $180 for third and $90 for fourth. Winners of the Flagler Bucket were awarded $400. Ninety anglers participated in the tournament.

Second Chance Rescue was the beneficiary and will receive approximately $4,500.

Winners of the tournament are as follows:

REDFISH
Tyler Ditton, first (6.9 pounds)
Scott Cornelius, second (6.9)
Richard Williamson, third (6.3)
Dallas Moore, fourth (6.25)

TROUT
Dallas Moore, first (5.0 pounds)
Dawson Hansen, second (4.75)
Clayton Simmons, third (4.35)
Shane Moore, fourth (4.05)

FLOUNDER
Tom Martins, first (5.35 pounds)
Jason Crown, second (3.6)
Duke Daniels, third (3.3)
Richard Williamson, fourth (2.4)

FLAGLER BUCKET (Includes one of each: redfish, trout, flounder and black drum)
Wyatt Seay and Jesse Sink

DeAugustino, Seybold to present at FIAAA conference
Flagler Palm Coast Athletics Director Steve DeAugustino and Matanzas Athletics Director Kenny Seybold will present a leadership training course to state athletics directors Saturday, May 4, at the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, in Orlando.

Both DeAugustino and Seybold are recognized nationally as Certified Athletic Administrators by the NIAAA. Combined, they have more than 50 years of experience in education in Flagler County.

Seybold has been Matanzas’ athletics director since the school’s opening in 2005. DeAugustino became FPC’s athletics director in 2007.

The two will speak on leadership, management/supervision and decision-making concepts, and methods and applications in both education and athletics.

“It’s always an honor to be recognized by your fellow athletic directors, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss best practices with regards to athletic administration,” Seybold said.

Golf tournament to benefit Matanzas boys lacrosse
Coming off one of its best seasons in recent history, the Matanzas boys lacrosse team is already looking forward to next season. And that starts with a golf outing to raise money for the program.

The four-person scramble will be Sunday, May 19, at Cimarrone Golf and Country Club, in Jacksonville.

Cost is $60, and includes lunch, range balls and prizes. Check-in is 11:30 a.m., with a barbecue lunch at noon, and the shotgun start at 1:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Rob Wilson at [email protected] or 793-8725 or Kerry O’Connor at [email protected] or 503-7988.