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Senior Alonso Raven Takes Team Under Wing, Helps them Flourish

By October 7, 2019October 28th, 2019Athlete of the Week

Tampa, Fl. – October 07, 2019 – Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI) is proud to announce Robbie Sulzer from Braulio Alonso High School as the ‘Athlete of the Week’ for the week beginning October 07, 2019.

A senior golf captain at Alonso, Sulzer was nominated by Boys Golf Coach Patrick Kennedy for his leadership qualities and his dedication to his team, constantly putting himself in the position of a role model and mentoring his teammates.

“He has a cool, calm and collective demeanor, which are all excellent traits for a golfer,” Kennedy said. “His leadership starts before he gets to the course. He coordinates and ensures that his teammates all have rides to the practices and local matches. He even offers to store their clubs in his car. Once at the golf course, Robbie mentors his teammates and provides tips to help them improve their game.”

Sulzer’s leadership skills were soon tested when he saw a teammate struggling during a match. He took the initiative and made a difference.

“Robbie took the opportunity to mentor and guide his teammate,” Kennedy said. “The outcome was amazing! The young man he helped was able to shed nine strokes off his average score. The selfless acts that Robbie displays week after week, coupled with his high GPA and plans to attend college, make him an outstanding leader.”

Seeking to qualify for regionals and then states, Sulzer finds himself balancing his athletics with his academics. A challenge, he says, that he is more than willing to take on.

“I am going to make regionals and states by practicing every day on my consistency and short game,” Sulzer said. “I also have to work on the most vital component of good golf: a good mental game. My SAT scores are still a work in progress, but that is exactly it: it is progress. Little by little, I have made some great strides to my ultimate SAT/ACT goals.”

Sulzer has no intention of slowing his progress. According to him, there is always something that you can work on to develop your skills.

“I like the progression I am in right now with both my golf game and my SAT/ACT scores,” he said. “I see a progression in both. I feel like I’m in a race and I’m in first. Everything is going the way I want it to and all I have to do is maintain my speed and not let up. My mindset is that I can always improve and do better.”

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 previous 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 and spine 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