By Katherine Smith
Tampa Tribune
January 15, 2010

TAMPA - The professional sports teams in Tampa haven't given Mayor Pam Iorio anything to celebrate in a while, but Plant High School certainly has kept her busy cheering.

"If we could not win the Super Bowl, at least I have all the Plant championships," Iorio said.

Iorio hosted Plant's state champion football, girls tennis and volleyball teams at a "Victory Rally" Friday afternoon in the City Hall plaza. Iorio congratulated all of the athletes not only for their sports achievements, but also for their academic success, and presented each athlete with a certificate.

And she offered some empathy for the Panthers opponents.

"I feel sorry for the rest of the state," Iorio said. "They can't even compete."

This is the second-consecutive year the city of Tampa honored Plant for its multiple state championships.

"This thing has become like Gasparilla," Master of Ceremonies Jack Harris said. "It's become a regular event."

Last spring, Plant's girls tennis team became the first girls team in Hillsborough County to win a state championship. They have also won the annual GPA award two years in a row.

"Unlike the volleyball and football teams, we have not repeated yet," Vu said. "But we will be fighting very, very hard for our repeat status this season."

The football team, which was just honored for having the highest GPA in Florida for Class 5A, won its third state title in four years last December when they defeated Manatee for the championship. The team was also presented a national award from MaxPreps and the Army National Guard, which recognized them as the 23rd team in the nation.

"It's the players who always make things happen," Coach Robert Weiner said. "We have tremendous kids with great dedication. They have a passion to do something great."

Plant's volleyball team wrapped up its fourth-consecutive state title last fall, and like the football team, was honored as having the highest GPA in Florida in Class 6A.

"They're a special team," Coach Leanna Taylor said. "The whole team leads. Our seniors left their mark on this program. They had 115 wins and seven losses and they never lost a postseason game."

One of those seniors, Ali McCurdy, who is heading to Duke University, was a little overwhelmed by the city's efforts in recognizing Plant's accomplishments.

"It means a lot for everyone to stop their busy day and just to be able to celebrate it, shows how appreciative they are of all of our successes," McCurdy said. "It means a lot to be recognized by the city and to be able to leave our mark here."