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Soccer Player Gets Scholarship

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By DAREK SHARP

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 18, 2008

PLANT CITY - Johnathon Dupree, who helped lead Plant City High to a pair of district soccer championships in the past three seasons, has signed a scholarship to attend Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Dupree will be surrounded by a number of familiar faces on his new team. Two former Raider teammates, brothers Caleb and Cheyne Roberts, are starters for Palm Beach Atlantic. Also on the team are ex-Durant Cougars Andrew Kanarr, Juan Villanagra and Chance Sumner.

It's no wonder Palm Beach Atlantic coach Jose Gomez would want to add another strong player from the Plant City area. Last year the Sailfish, who were 5-11 in Gomez's first season as coach in 2005, made it all the way to their national title game. Palm Beach Atlantic was defeated 1-0 by the Masters College in the National Christian College Athletic Association finals, played in November in Kissimmee.

Dupree used his speed to become a force as a forward at Plant City.

"I think he will fit in perfectly at the college level," said K.C. Van der Luit, the Plant City High coach. "With his speed and skill, he can maybe make a run to star this freshman year."
Dupree led the Raiders in assists as a senior.

He was also an outstanding kicker on the football team but did not receive any scholarship offers there.

"I never got any calls about football, which kind of upset me really, because I thought I was going pretty well," he said. "But I heard about the tryouts at Palm Beach Atlantic and went down there. I was nervous as could be, and wasn't sure how I did but then the coach called me an offered a scholarship."

Last year, Palm Beach Atlantic compiled a 14-4-2 record. Cheyne Roberts - second on the team in goals (10) and first in assists (six) - was one of three Sailfish to make the National Christian College Athletic Association All-American team.

Next season, the Sailfish have a tougher schedule, and will open up in Colorado against Division I programs Colorado State and the University of Colorado.

Recently, Palm Beach Atlantic defeated Division I programs Marquette University and University of Wisconsin during an exhibition tournament.

The Sailfish will come to the Bay area twice: against the University of Tampa on Oct. 7 and at Florida Southern College in Lakeland on Oct. 18.

Though Palm Beach Atlantic will only play four home games, Dupree will enjoy plenty about his college surroundings.

"It's right in the middle of West Palm Beach, a mile from the beach," he said.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampatrib.com.

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