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Sickles High School Athletes Awarded ‘Athlete of the Week’ Honors by Florida Orthopaedic Institute

By March 7, 2019June 4th, 2019Athlete of the Week
Florida Orthopaedic Institute

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March 7, 2019
BY: Florida Orthopaedic Institute

Sickles High School Athletes Awarded ‘Athlete of the Week’ Honors by Florida Orthopaedic Institute

Tampa, FL – Mar. 7, 2019 – Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI) is pleased to announce Luke Hill and Adria Darr from Sickles High School as the ‘Athletes of the Week’ for the week ending March 1st, 2019.

Hill was nominated by Head Wrestling Coach, Terry Brockland, for going above and beyond for his team in the off-season.

“Luke did a great job over the off-season, leading a young team by example,” Brockland said. “He made all of our club practices and went to many off-season tournaments. He offered rides to teammates who could not attend otherwise. Luke did a great job leading kids at summer camp. He is a straight A student taking five AP classes. He went 5-0 to start the season at the Freedom Six-Way wrestling tournament. ”

Hill acknowledges that commitment and preparation conquers all when it comes to training for a match.

“Almost every single day of the week,” Hill said. “I am either wrestling, practicing or reviewing my previous matches in order to better myself as a wrestler and an all-around athlete. By doing this, I am able to be better prepared for my matches and achieve what many other wrestlers don’t realize is possible. This comes from putting in the extra work.”

Darr was nominated for the Athlete of the Week award for being an outstanding leader. A senior at Sickles High School, she has won four consecutive state titles in the FHSAA Cheer Competition. She is also the Student Body president and the recipient of the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award.

Overcoming setbacks and maintaining inner strength are two aspects that Darr believes are vital to finding success.

“Adapting to stressful conditions is an integral part of being a teenager,” Darr said. “As an athlete, physical limitations can often seem life changing, but not for me. When I broke my foot during the summer between my sophomore and junior year, my position on the team could have been easily threatened. However, my healthy outlook, positive perspective and self-discovery allowed me to accept that this change was only temporary. I continued to cheer from the sideline. Even in a cast!”

Hill and Darr both believe in hard work, especially in the classroom, and persevering through constant motivation.

“If I was to recommend one thing to any athlete, it would be to pay attention to their grades,” Hill said. “Put the work in to ensure you don’t fall behind. The last thing you want is to miss a practice or game due to poor academic performance.”

Darr continued, “If you fall seven times, stand up eight. It takes determination and hard work to be successful, but it is that drive that is most important. The hunger needs to be present in all of us. Being a good role model creates the synergy necessary to develop that hunger to work hard, stay dedicated and push the limits to win!”

Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s Athlete of the Week campaign is designed to focus on student-athletes, recognizing them for their hard work and dedication both on and off the field. The Athlete of the Week award can be earned by displaying one of the following characteristics:

Team Player: Athletes who are nominated for excellence in team play are chosen by a coach who feels the athlete does his or her best to put direction into action, makes a significant contribution to the team and continuously works to improve his or her skills, attitude and training.

Leadership: Athletes who earn the award in recognition of excellent leadership must exemplify strong relationship building skills, show excellent initiative and serve as role models for his or her peers.

To view last week’s award winners, please follow this link.

Florida Orthopaedic Institute

Founded in 1989, Florida Orthopaedic Institute is Florida’s largest orthopedic group and provides expertise and treatment of orthopedic-related injuries and conditions, including adult reconstruction and arthritis, chiropractic services, foot and ankle, general orthopedics, hand and wrist, interventional spine, musculoskeletal oncology, orthopedic trauma, physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, sports medicine, shoulder and elbow, spine and chiropractic services, among others. The organization treats patients throughout its surgery centers in North Tampa and Citrus Park, two orthopaedic urgent care centers in South Tampa and Brandon, and 9 office locations in Bloomingdale, Brandon, Citrus Park, North Tampa, Northdale, Palm Harbor, South Tampa, Sun City Center and Wesley Chapel. For more information, please visit: FloridaOrtho.com and ‘like’ us on Facebook: facebook.com/Florida.Orthopaedic.Institute.

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