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Sports

New Gators Softball Coach Cracks Down on Conditioning

Longtime Land O' Lakes High assistant John Clapp promises to get his team into shape as he takes over head coaching duties.

Members of the Land O' Lakes softball team won't have to worry about learning a new system as Jamie Martin departs the head coaching duties.

That's as far as the on-the-field stuff goes.

But the girls had better be ready for a few changes elsewhere.

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"I'm really going to concentrate on improving their conditioning," said John Clapp, who was recently elevated to Gators head softball coach. "Getting ready for the season starts real soon from that standpoint."

Martin served as the Gators head coach for five seasons, leading them to four playoff trips, including a region final journey in 2007. Last year was the lone non-postseason campaign; in fact, the Gators had a losing record.

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Clapp served as the junior varsity coach the past nine years and "has built a great relationship with the girls while teaching them the game," said LOL Athletic Director Karen Coss.

Currently Clapp is heading the girls golf team, which he also began coaching for the 2011-12 season. Martin is still at the school and will continue to coach girls weightlifting.

Though he plans to make it a little more strenuous for his players in terms of the off-field workouts, Clapp thinks they're ready.

"They know about it, and they want to do it," Clapp said.

The Gators are set to be in Class 6A-District 10 for softball this season. It should prove to be an interesting group as it contains rival (and possible title favorite) Sunlake, along with last year's winner, River Ridge, Mitchell and Tarpon Springs.

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