The Florida Sports Writers have made their baseball selections for the all-state teams, and the talent that represented the 2005 district championship team from Mayo had their share of respect.

Naturally, a first team selection of pitcher Michael Kelly was of no surprise. Kelly finished the season with an undefeated mark which included a win over PK Young in the first round of regional play.

The other half of the battery also received recgonition. Hornets catcher Aaron Gresham received third team selection honors.

Also being selected to the third team of all-state selections was first baseman Ty Fillyaw.

On the softball field, Natalie Land received first team selection as a utility player. Mostly, Land plays an effective shortstop, but has also proved to be a force on the mound. Land has led the area in batting over the past couple of years. She will be traveling during the summer in softball competition. Last year, the team she competes with took it all the way to nationals, and did very well after they got there.

The basketball teams, both the boys and girls are packing their bags for a little camp action in Fort Walton Beach.

The Hornets basketball team has looked sharp in the summer. Recently, the Hornets handled Branford pretty convincingly. Thomas Parker, Chris Givens and Michael Wimberley have been particurily impressive underneath, while Eric McIntyre, Jamaal Reid and Jonathan Sellers have also been outstanding. This has to make standout senior Cody Page happy. Last year, Page pretty much had to carry the load early. He should be able to post bigger numbers in 2005-06 with his teammates taking some of the pressure off him.



50 years ago………



After experiencing an exciting year that produced two district titles and a district runnerup finish, Hornets athletics certainly plan on extending that success next year.

Hornet tradition has continued for many years as a result of the accomplishments of an individuals’ efforts in 1952.

When Hornet fans attend sporting events, it is almost certain that Tommy Tomlinson and his wife Margaret will be in attendence.

In 1952, Coach Tomlinson came to Mayo and interviewed with then principal Beecher Payne in July, 1952. He was hired on the spot and started working at Lafayette High School the following month.

Coach Tomlinson not only established a basketball program, but also founded the baseball and football programs.

Naturally, being an outstanding basketball coach, it did not take long for the Hornets to excel. After just a couple of years, Coach Tomlinson led his team to quite a bit of success, and in the 1954-55 season won the conference and district titles, and advanced all the way to the state championship game. Mayo was able to turn back the challenge of the state’s top team in the semi-final round in Chattahoocee before falling to Baker in the finals.

In 1955, Coach Tomlinson moved to Gainesville to sell insurance. For three days, he was an insurance salesman before accepting a classroom position teaching and coaching basketball.

Tomlinson served as a classroom teacher and a basketball coach in a junior high school for four years. He then worked as the assistant principal in the same school for four years. In 1963, he was appointed principal at the same school for three years. The following year, he transferred to another junior high school for one year. In 1966 he moved to the district office which he served for the next 25 years before retiring in 1961. He served as assistant superintendent, associate superintendent, interim superintendent and retired as the deputy superintendent. The big issues during this time included teacher strikes, teacher unions, student pregnancy, long hair movement, rapid student growth, overcrowding of schools, double sessions, pupil assignment, total integration, student cross-bussing and school zoning.

Coach Tomlinson acknowledges that he enjoyed his 37 years in Alachua County, but his three years in Mayo was the best of his career.

Tomlinson, and his wife Margaret have two sons and one daughter. They have produced seven grandchildren, six boys and one girl. There is one son that has followed in his footsteps as an elementary school principal in Gainesville and one grandson who teaches fourth grade in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Currently, Tomlinson lives in Turkey Creek, a golf course community on US 441 between Gainesville and Alachua. He spends his time playing golf, visiting family, traveling and spends lots of time loafing. Coach Tomlinson can be seen at most of the Hornets sporting events.