Welch signs with JU Dolphins

Santa Fe High School Principal Bill Herschleb, Athletic Director Michele Faulk, Julianna Welch, mother Annette Welch, sister Sammantha Welch, father Jay Welch and brother Mackenzie Welch celebrated as Julianna signed her official letter of intent to join Jacksonville University’s rowing team.

The decision to attend JU came after Welch received rowing offers from numerous schools.  For recruiting schools, she is an ideal student athlete with a 4.6 weighted grade point average.  Welch settled on JU because it offers a marine science program, an area she wants to pursue as a career.

JU women’s rowing coach Kris Muhl said, “Jules is an outstanding student and athlete and has accomplished a great deal in the time she has been rowing.”

On Jan. 11, Welch finalized her commitment to attend JU with a signing ceremony at Santa Fe High School where she was joined by coaches, family, friends, teammates and faculty. 

Welch, 17 years old, is a varsity member of Gainesville Area Rowing (GAR), a team made up of students from several Alachua County high schools. 

Before joining GAR in the last year, Welch was also a starting player on Santa Fe’s varsity volleyball team.  After three years in volleyball, she opted to sit out her senior year to return to her passion for rowing competition.

A proud Santa Fe Volleyball Coach and Athletic Director Michele Faulk congratulated Welch on her achievements, noting that she was missed on the volleyball team.

About Welch, Faulk said, “I knew this young lady was going to be tremendously successful because when she takes something on, she does it wholeheartedly.

“I know you’re going to go out there and make us extremely proud,” Faulk said to Welch.

Santa Fe Principal Bill Herschleb was elated with Welch’s scholarship.

“Never in my 15 years as a principal has a student been given a full rowing scholarship…she is a pioneer,” said Herschleb.

Welch is following in her older sister’s footsteps.  Sammantha Welch also rowed competitively, including at the University of Central Florida.

“She’s been able to outdo me in everything,” Sammantha Welch said.

According to statistics obtained by JU, Welch is the women’s varsity captain in her senior season and posted a 6k split time of 2:06.4.  She also was a gold and silver medal winner in the U.S. Southeast Regionals, and was a U.S. Rowing national qualifier along with being a U.S. Junior Women’s National Team Developmental invitee.

Glowing with excitement, Julianna Welch told the large gathering, “This is just such a big experience for me.  I feel like I’ve done my best, and I guess it’s paid off.”

Santa Fe College basketball vs. TAGG Acadeny and The Rock

GAINESVILLE - The Santa Fe Saints open the new year with games on back to back days in what will be their last tune-ups before Mid-Florida Conference play opens on Jan. 7.

The men host TAAG Academy on Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. and the women host The Rock School on Jan. 3 at 6 p.m.

Coach Chris Mowry and the men carry a 13-2 record and a #4 ranking in the FCSAA Coaches Poll into 2012.   The women, led by Coach Chanda Stebbins played one of the most challenging schedules in the state and enter the new year with a 5-12 record.

Admission is $3 for the general public, $2 for military and seniors and free for children under 12 and Santa Fe student, faculty and staff with valid ID.

Columbia High School wins Hitchcock’s Challenge Basketball Tournament

Santa Fe downs Clearwater Central Catholic 67 – 44

Photo 1: Columbia High School defeated Eastside HIgh School 50-45 to take home t he championship. Photo 2: West Gadsden’s Brandon Shingles was the tournament’s 3-Point Contest Champion. Photo 3: Tournament MVP was awarded to Columbia High School’s Tae Foster. Photo 4: Sidarius Berrium of West Gadsden High School was declared the Dunk Contest Champion. Photo 5: Santa Fe High School’s Swandrick Miller takes a shot during the contest against Suwannee High School. Photo 6: Hawthorne’s Jayquan Hamilton takes a shot from 3-point land against Suwannee High School. Photo 7: Michael Mulberry sets up for 2 points in Santa Fe’s win over Clearwater Central Catholic.

Santa Fe’s last-ditch efforts fail in final minutes

  In Santa Fe High School Hitchcock’s Challenge competition Tuesday night, Santa Fe senior forward Marcus Gaddy scored with a reverse layup.  In a late fourth period rally, the Santa Fe Raiders pulled to within 4 points of the Eastside Rams, but were unable to overcome the deficit, falling to Eastside High School 49-39.

This marks the 18^th year Santa Fe High School has hosted the Hitchcock’s Challenge, which is made possible by corporate sponsors Hitchcock’s Markets and the Alachua Lions Club.  The three-day tournament features eight teams from around Florida, including Santa Fe High School, Hawthorne High School, Eastside High School, St. Francis High School, Clearwater Central Catholic, Columbia High School, Suwannee High School and West Gadsden High School.