By Robert Fenbers
Sports Editor
Going from 19 wins to 36 wins in just one season is a great accomplishment, but for Coach Evan Agona and the Challengers, it is not enough, they look to become even greater!
With Baseball tryouts over, the Challengers have begun fall practices and will continue until late October. The team will compete in scrimmages and intra-squad games, in addition to the regular training routine. A total of 29 freshman have joined the team, in addition to 14 returning players. All of the assistant coaches have also returned to help lead Tri-C to a deeper run this season.
“Our incoming guys are a very talented group. We have a lot of depth in that class,” said Agona.
He looks to help craft his players into athletes during this off-season, and sees a bright future for this class. “Were excited! We have a lot of talent there, just getting these guys to hone their skills and just become better athletes.”
Tri-C’s improvement was not just on the field but off of it as well. Players and coaches bonded and come game time, their chemistry shined on the field. Last season, Tri-C went head to head with conference power Sinclair and though they were the underdog, fought hard to win 3 out of 8 games against the eventual champion.
With a full year of recruiting under his belt, Agona and his staff are expecting big opportunities for success in 2016. “Our overall talent set is better and our depth is better, so that is going to create a lot of competition and raise our expectations,” said Agona.
Expectations have not been this high since Tri-C won a share of the conference title with Lakeland Community College back in 2013.
These upstart Challengers caught the attention of the conferences elite last season. Come Spring 2016, they will look to become elite.