All in the family: Young athletes stars of gridiron

A straight-A student at Kendall's Arvida Middle School, Denny, 14, has been named a first-team All-American Scholar -- one of only 35 eighth-graders in the country to be recognized by Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

Patrick, 11, a student at Martin Elementary, is one of 35 fifth-graders in the country to receive the same first-team honors.

``I tried to nominate my third son, Kevin, but they don't have a program for 8-year-olds,'' said proud mother Carol DuLaney. ``This is real exciting.''

Denny, Patrick and Kevin all play Pop Warner football through the Kendall Boys and Girls Club, and all made straight A's last year.

Denny starts both ways for the 120-pound Kolts as a wide receiver and cornerback. Patrick is a starting linebacker for the 80-pound Kolts. Kevin, a running back, plays for the 65-pound Kolts.

``If they can only get scholarships for college,'' said Carol DuLaney, ``we've got it made.''
A hot bat

Shortstop Jesse Cooper is swinging a hot bat for the Orioles, the second hottest team in the Bantam Division of the Kendall Hammocks Khoury League. Cooper hit a pair of two-run homers in the Orioles' 9-1 playoff victory over the Athletes last week.

The Orioles were to play the Dodgers Tuesday in a second round playoff game.

Led by Cooper, who hit .560 with 10 home runs, and pitchers Ruben Torres and Chris Carvajal, who were a combined 14-0, the Orioles swept through the regular season with an 18-1 record.

``Our only loss was to the Reds,'' said Coach Ruben Torres, father of the team's star pitcher. ``They finished 19-0. It's going to be tough to go all the way, but we're going to try.''
New face

Palmetto Middle School, winner of eight consecutive Dade County golf championships, is going after another county title with a striking new face -- Melanie Schlesinger, only the second girl to make the team in nearly three decades.

``She's ranked No. 4 on our team out of six,'' said Coach Bob Murphy, who has been at Palmetto Middle for the past 27 years. ``She's not big or strong but hits the ball well. She has consistency in her swing.''
A great season

The finest tee-ball team in the Westchester Optimist League just added another notch to a great season.

The Marlins, who finished the season 12-0, recently defeated an All-Star team from the Kendall Boys and Girls Club, 34-8.

The Marlins were led by third baseman Alex Sasieta, infielder William Varas and first baseman Joshua Rodriguez.
Top pitchers

The Miami Mini-Canes, defending state softball champions, enter the Lake Lytal Tournament in West Palm Beach May 18 with two of the top 10-year-old pitchers in Dade -- Michelle Diaz and Ashley Ore.

Ore, 15-5 this season, is following in the steps of older sister Tiffany, a pitching star for the Mini-Canes' 14-and-under team.

Diaz, 18-10 this season, also is following an older sibling, Jennifer, a star pitcher for the Mini-Canes' 12-and-under team.

You can reach Ken Rodriguez at 671-4337, or fax him at 376-2295, or write to him at the Sports Department, The Miami Herald, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, Fla. 33132-1693.