Latest news with #SomersetAcademy
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
5 things to know about Kaj Baker, UCF RB commit and speedy South Florida sprinter
ORLANDO — Kaj Baker checked out of The Celeste Hotel on UCF's campus to a round of applause. Moments after exiting a June 8 face-to-face meeting with Knights head coach Scott Frost, the 5-foot-7, 165-pound South Florida speedster informed the team's staff of his verbal commitment in the lobby. Advertisement "It was an amazing experience," Baker said at the conclusion of his UCF official visit. "Getting to know all the coaches and the staff, feeling the love and the energy. Genuine love. And awesome food." Baker is the lone running back prospect in the Knights' 2026 recruiting class; Jayvian Tanelus, from the Community School of Naples, chose Duke a weekend after visiting UCF. He is the third-highest ranked prospect in the group, per 247Sports, and the No. 38 multi-purpose athlete among rising seniors in the nation. Here are five things to know about the potential game-breaker from Somerset Academy in Pembroke Pines. 1. Kaj Baker twice finished top-4 in Florida's Class 3A 100-meter dash Kaj Baker finished fourth in the Class 3A 100-meter dash at the Florida High School Athletic Association's track and field championships in May, posting a time of 10.76 seconds. Baker twice finished among Florida's fastest sprinters in Class 3A, placing runner-up in the 100-meter dash (wind-aided 10.38 seconds) and the 200 (personal-best 20.89) as a freshman at Somerset Academy. He returned to Jacksonville in May and took fourth with a time of 10.76, crossing the line ahead of Miami Northwestern four-star cornerback J'Vari Flowers (Florida signee) and American Heritage four-star wide receiver Brandon Bennett (Florida State commit). Advertisement According to Milesplit, Baker consistently ran within the 10.7-second range in the 100 throughout the 2025 track and field season. The lone outlier occurred at the Region 4-3A meet in Satellite Beach, where he posted a wind-aided 10.53. Speed tops the list of traits that first-year UCF running backs coach Jimmy Beal is seeking at the position, making Baker a potentially exciting complementary piece for the team's future backfield alongside Stacy Gage and Taevion Swint. "I'm already the fastest on the track, so when I get on the (football) field, nobody can catch me," Baker said. "I'm just running away from everybody." 2. Kaj Baker has played Florida high school football since 7th grade Kaj Baker had 520 rushing yards, 756 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns during his junior year at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy. This fall marks Baker's sixth high school season, debuting for Somerset Acacemy as a seventh-grader in 2020. According to MaxPreps, he has totaled 3,924 all-purpose yards and 43 touchdowns, including a one-year spell at Miami Central (2023). Advertisement Baker set a career high with 19 touchdowns during his junior campaign, topping the 100-yard receiving mark on four separate occasions. The Panthers posted a 7-4 record and advanced to the Florida High School Athletic Association's Class 3A playoffs, losing to Cypress Lake in the regional quarterfinals. 3. Kaj Baker inherited 'Nitro' nickname from his father Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy running back/receiver Kaj Baker committed to UCF on June 8, following his official visit. With all that speed to burn, it was only fitting that Baker inherited the same nickname his father had on the track at Florida State — "Nitro," not to be confused with the moniker of UCF's athletics mascot, Knightro. Miami native Derrick Baker helped the Seminoles win back-to-back ACC indoor championships in the 4x400-meter relay in 2003-04. He later transferred to Norfolk State and produced a pair of productive campaigns at wide receiver, catching 37 balls for 666 yards and five touchdowns during the 2005-06 seasons. Advertisement Asked if his dad can keep pace with him out of the blocks, Baker replied, "He has no chance." 4. Kaj Baker said his college recruitment is 'shut down' Kaj Baker shut down his recruitment following his official visit to UCF in June, canceling scheduled trips to Pittsburgh and Virginia. Baker's official visit to UCF will be his only one, saying afterward, "I shut (any future visits) down. I'm committed." He loves the fit in Frost's scheme, and the relationship forged with the head coach, Beal and offensive coordinator Steve Cooper. "They were just showing me love, and I feel it's genuine," Baker said. "I'm ready to lock in, and I don't want to waste no time." UCF reoffered Baker on Jan. 18, following the upheaval of the coaching staff. He holds 18 Division I offers according to 247Sports, a list that includes Duke, Florida State, Louisville, Miami, Pittsburgh, Virginia and Wake Forest. Advertisement Baker told The News-Journal he canceled planned June trips for Pittsburgh and Virginia. UCF will face Pitt in a home-and-home series in 2026 and '29. 5. Former UCF RB Adrian Killins approves of Kaj Baker's commitment Baker's commitment caught the eye, and has the approval, of a similarly undersized speedster who thrived under Frost at UCF — Daytona Beach native Adrian Killins Jr. Killins chose the Knights in 2016 shortly after Frost accepted the job, and he went on to enjoy a highly productive four-year career with 4,361 all-purpose yards and 34 touchdowns. Like Baker, Killins garnered a reputation as one of Florida's fastest prepsters after winning consecutive Class 3A 200-meter titles. "I love this commitment here," Killins posted onto an Instagram story in all caps, accompanied by a pair of fire emojis. Advertisement Killins can easily be seen as a comparable player to Baker's skill set and measurables. Same with former Oregon standout De'Anthony Thomas. Baker said he watched side-by-side clips of his film and the highlights Thomas produced for the Ducks and felt confident he could replicate them at the college level. "The type of offense they've had in the past — super fast guys, super quick guys that can score in one play like De'Anthony Thomas. They were showing me plays, and I feel like I can do a lot of the same stuff they were doing," Baker said. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football recruiting: Meet Somerset Academy RB Kaj Baker
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Somerset's Gabler, Douglas' Bagirathan, Pine Crest's Chalich are Tennis Players of the Year
Stoneman Douglas' Savita Bagirathan and Pine Crest's Bridget Chalich had very different outlooks entering this tennis season. Bagirathan had already won an overall singles state championship last season and returned as a favorite. Chalich had quit the sport at one point last season having lost her confidence. Both found their way to the top this season as overall state singles champions in their respective classes. Meanwhile, Somerset Academy senior Quentin Gabler capped a memorable career with another trip to state after an undefeated season to that point. The three accomplished Broward County players are all recipients of this year's Miami Herald Broward Tennis Player of the Year awards. Gabler is the winner of the Boys' Player of the Year award. On the girls' side, Bagirathan and Chalich share the honors after each secured state titles. In two seasons, Bagirathan has quickly become one of the most dominant singles players in the state overall and the nation. This season, Bagirathan rolled through the competition on her way to repeating as the Class 4A state overall singles champion. She also had a dominant season in doubles playing alongside her younger sister, Dhea Bagirathan, as they qualified for the state meet together. In Class 2A, Chalich was nowhere near being considered a favorite entering 2025. But she persevered and regained the faith she needed to put together the best season of her career as she navigated her way to her first overall singles title. Chalich, who in August will enroll at Florida State University, said she doesn't plan to play tennis in college. She plans to major in Accounting while on a pre-law track. 'I've been playing tennis since I was four years old,' said Chalich, who had only advanced to state once prior in her career as a freshman. After her match at this year's state meet, she let her emotions out after what had been a tough journey back. 'This,' Chalich said, 'was the most meaningful match of my life.' For Gabler, a state championship was not in the cards this season. But he still showed why he is considered one of the best players in the state overall, as Gabler advanced to the Class 2A singles final after going unbeaten in the regular season. Gabler, who was an individual state qualifier each of the past two seasons, followed in his family's footsteps when it came to playing the sport. 'My sister and brother and my father all played tennis and I followed their lead,' Gabler said. 'I loved going to the state tournament because of the competition.'
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Driver who killed child in DUI crash says his suffering is worse than victim's family's
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A judge sentenced a man to 5-12 years in prison for driving under the influence and killing a child. Guillermo Chochi-Senobla, 47, drove drunk and ran over 5-year-old Kamari Jordan Wolfe as the child's mother dropped him off at a North Las Vegas school on Oct. 6, 2023. 'It's like losing my breath, but never catching it again,' Jasmyn Wolfe, Kamari's mother, said in court on Wednesday. 'That day flashes before my eyes every time I close them… My heart is broken.' Chochi-Senobla was driving his work van by the school drop-off area outside the Losee campus of Somerset Academy and drove into the oncoming traffic lane to pass two stopped vehicles dropping children off. Kamari Wolfe had just exited his mother's vehicle and walked across the driveway where Chochi-Senobla hit him. His blood alcohol content was .098, according to court documents obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators, while Nevada's legal limit is .08. On Wednesday, Chochi-Senobla gave a lengthy statement through a Spanish interpreter before Clark County District Court Judge Jessica Peterson sentenced him. At times, his statement was rambling, showing self-pity and a lack of remorse. He eventually apologized after Peterson interjected several times and showed frustration with him. 'Please, I'm asking everybody, the judge, the family, please, I'm sorry. Please help me,' Chocha-Senobla said. 'Please forgive me.' Chochi-Senobla asked to show Peterson a drawing of what he said occurred in the incident. Defense attorney Corbett Benjamin Scroggins then explained to him that he could not produce diagrams during the hearing. Chochi-Senobla then blamed Scroggins, claimed he was intimidated and threatened in his jail cell, and prevented from reading court documents. He insisted he is not a bad person, grew up in a Christian family with good parents, and has several children of his own, including three in Africa. He insisted he had never committed a crime and had never been in jail until the fatal incident. He told Peterson he came to the United States through asylum. 'Every time I think about my child, that is the child that first appears in front of my eyes,' he said referring to Wolfe before he asked for mercy. 'I didn't see the child. Had I seen him, that would have not happened.' 'Had you not jumped out of line in the line of cars and been impatient, it wouldn't have happened,' Peterson said. 'I've seen the video. I don't need a picture.' 'I have already lost everything,' Chochi-Senobla told Peterson. 'I want them to know that my suffering is worse than theirs.' 'I can't even believe what you just said,' Peterson said. 'I am appalled.' Peterson told Scroggins, 'He needs to understand this is not the time and place to try to tell the court why he's suffering.' Scroggins told Peterson that Chochi-Senobla did not follow his advice. 'From the bottom of my heart, I asking you with all my respect, forgive me please, I'm really sorry for that baby,' Chochi-Senobla said. 'It was a baby, a baby, a baby. I'm innocent.' Robert Wolfe, the child's uncle, said the family does not forgive Chochi-Senobla. 'He has zero remorse for what he did,' the uncle said. 'We do not accept that apology, because it was not heartfelt.' 'This man made the decision to drive intoxicated,' Kari Schultz, the child's grandmother, said as she wept. Schultz noted Kamari's seven-year-old brother witnessed his death and ran to the school for help. Peterson noted she was trying not get upset on the bench and had a duty to make decisions on a legal basis. 'I can't even imagine the pain you are feeling,' Peterson told Schultz. 'Forgiveness is not for him. It's for you.' Scroggins had filed a motion in the case to suppress the blood alcohol level, citing a language barrier as he is Spanish-speaking. Peterson denied the motion on Jan. 21, pointing out Chochi-Senobla voluntarily allowed his blood to be drawn within two hours of the incident, he never expressed any problems regarding his English proficiency as he talked with officers, and some of his jail calls were in English. She also noted during a citation with a Henderson police officer on Feb. 3, 2024, he interacted in English. Peterson also noted in her order that officers failed to inform Chochi-Senobla of the particular rights he was waiving by consenting to the blood draw. Suppression is not warranted because a blood draw would have been inevitable based on the video of the crash and Chochi-Senobla's admission to pain medication, according to Peterson. Scroggins said Chochi-Senobla was driving at a speed of nine miles per hour and had about a second to react. He also noted the area where the incident occurred was not a designated school zone. Chochi-Senobla is involved with multiple jail programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous, according to Scroggins. Guillermo Chochi-Senobla pleaded guilty to driving and/or being in the actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence resulting in death, a felony, on March 2. The charge carries mandatory prison time ranging from two to 20 years in the Nevada Department of Corrections. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told the 8 News Now Investigators the plea agreement was a great result in the case because Chochi-Senobla faced the maximum penalty under the law and waived his right to appeal. Peterson required the installation of a breath ignition interlock device at Choci-Senobla's expense in any vehicle he owns or operates for 36 months after his release from prison if his driver license is reinstated. The Department of Motor Vehicles will revoke or suspend Chochi-Senobla's license for at least three years, according to the plea deal. Prosecutors agreed to make no recommendation at the time of sentencing and an additional charge of reckless driving resulting in death and/or substantial bodily harm was posted bail on Nov. 3, 2023, and was released from jail, according to court records. He was cited for charges of operating a vehicle with expired registration or plates and failure to pay attention while driving on Feb. 3, 2024, and was remanded into custody, records show. In court documents, the judge noted she admonished Chochi-Senobla and added a condition of no driving without a valid license while out of custody on bail. Chochi-Senobla was taken into custody for an additional house arrest violation on July 20, 2024, records show. Chichi-Senobla had a previous DUI on his record in Texas, which appeared to be dismissed. Chochi-Senobla told Peterson his own child had previously been hit by a vehicle, which the 8 News Now Investigators are unable to confirm. 'Las Vegas DUI crimes have gotten out of control,' Jasmyn Wolfe said. 'It has to stop. Make a choice. Don't drink and drive.' Wolfe said she partnered with Stop DUI and created a foundation in her son's name. She also described having compassion for Chochi-Senobla's daughter, who attended her son's school, and would have to live with knowing her father took a life. Peterson gave Chochi-Senobla credit for 344 days already served in jail. He also must pay a $2,000 fine. This is a developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Somerset's Blasucci and South Broward's Threlkeld are Broward Wrestling Coaches of the Year
Joe Blasucci oversaw another major milestone for his boys' wrestling program at Somerset Academy. And Major Threlkeld, directed the South Broward girls' program to a top 30 finish at state and helped one of Broward County's top wrestlers to a successful season. For these accomplishments, Blasucci and Threlkeld are the Miami Herald's Broward Wrestling Coaches of the Year. Blasucci has directed the Panthers to plenty of success in recent years. This season, after moving up from Class 1A to 2A, Somerset Academy didn't miss a beat. The Panthers picked up their second-ever individually-bracketed tournament state championship by finishing ahead of Tampa Jesuit by seven points. Somerset Academy emerged with four individual state champions - Tristan Sainz (150 pounds), Eric Hodge (157), Michael Sainz (175) and Mateo Martinez (190). Additionally, Carlos Sainz (126) finished as state runner-up. 'The kids in (wrestlebacks) were pivotal for us. Tristan's match was a barn-burner. It was tight all the way to the wire. We needed that one,' Blasucci said after the state meet. 'Hodge was really the cherry on top because that was Somerset vs. Jesuit head to head. Pretty much the winner of that match was going to be in control of the rest of the tournament.' Somerset Academy also won a state championship in December at the state Duals tournament. But the close victory in March was even sweeter for the Panthers since it took multiple clutch performances. 'We had an 80 percent shot to win this and Jesuit had a 25 percent shot, and their lead wasn't big enough,' Blasucci said. 'We kind of knew going in we could win and we felt confident with our kids.' Threlkeld finished his fifth season at South Broward, helping the Bulldogs' girls become one of the county's best teams. Latoya Sylvestre, a junior, was South Broward's top finisher at state as she placed fourth in the 190-pound weight class. Sylvestre went 32-4 for the season and secured BCAA, district and regional titles.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of DUI crash that killed Las Vegas boy, 5, near school accepts plea deal
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The man accused of a DUI crash that left a 5-year-old boy dead in 2023 has accepted a plea deal to plead guilty, according to court documents. Guillermo Chochi-Senobla, 47, was arrested in October 2023 after being accused of driving drunk and running over a child during student drop-off at the Losee campus of Somerset Academy. At the time, he also had an active DUI warrant out of Texas. According to police documents, Chochi-Senobla was driving his work van by the school drop-off area after dropping his child at school and went into the oncoming traffic lane to pass two stopped vehicles dropping off children. At the same time, 5-year-old Kamari Jordan Wolfe got out of his mother's vehicle, went across the driveway, and was struck by the van. Las Vegas-area man accused of DUI crash that killed boy, 5, just dropped his child off at school: report Chochi-Senobla was scheduled to go to trial on March 17. According to the plea agreement, Chochi-Senobla agreed he would plead guilty to the DUI resulting in a death charge. In exchange, the state will make no recommendation at the time of sentencing and a reckless driving charge against him will be dismissed once he is adjudged guilty and sentenced. Tests showed Chochi-Senobla had a blood alcohol level of .098. The legal limit in Nevada is .08. According to the agreement, Chochi-Senobla faces a minimum sentence of two years with a maximum of 20 years. He also faces a fine of $2,000 to $5,000. In addition, when he is released he must use a breath ignition interlock device on his vehicle for anywhere from 1 year to 3 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
