🏹 October 16th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Game-Ready: FSU's Rising Stars and Strategic Moves

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The Chief
October 16, 2024

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Today’s Poll

Should FSU take sod from the Duke game if they win on Friday?

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy hump day, Seminole!

All fall sports are kicking into great and it’s a short week for the football team.

We’ve got you covered:

🎾 FSU Tennis Teams in Regional Championships
Both men’s and women’s tennis are taking on top competitors at the ITA Southeast Regional Championships. With stakes high and strong players ready, FSU is set for an intense competition.

🏅 Cross Country Excellence
Lucas Bouquot and Nicole Dinan earned ACC Performer of the Week honors after impressive finishes at the FSU XC Invitational. Their performances underline the team’s strength as they head into Pre-Nationals.

🏀 Basketball Stars Named Preseason All-ACC
Jamir Watkins and women’s players Ta’Niya Latson and Makayla Timpson received preseason All-ACC honors, and the buzz is building as season openers approach.

🌟 New Recruits and Honors in Football
FSU secured a commitment from OL Daniel Pierre Louis, offered ATH Jeremiah Jones, and celebrated Alex Mastromanno’s selection to the CBS Sports Midseason All-America Team.

🏈 Focused Practice for Duke Game
With game day ahead, FSU’s Tuesday practice highlighted standout plays and situational drills, with players ready to bring intensity to Friday’s matchup.

🎾 Seminoles Set to Compete at ITA Southeast Regional Championships 🎾

The Florida State men’s tennis team is heading to Athens, Georgia, for the 2024 ITA Men’s Southeast Regional Championships, which kicks off on Wednesday. The stakes are high, as the top singles finalists and doubles champions will earn spots in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.

Tournament Breakdown:

  • Singles: Seven Seminoles will compete, with Justin Lyons and Elias Sumann advancing from the qualifying rounds. Jamie Connel, Youcef Rihane, and Erik Schiessl enter as seeded players.

  • Doubles: All ten FSU players will compete in doubles, with four seeded pairs advancing directly to the Round of 32. Corey Craig and Elias Sumann make their debut in the Round of 64.

Player Spotlight: Corey Craig Craig has already secured his place in the NCAA Singles Championship after an impressive run to the ITA All-Americans quarterfinals, where he defeated multiple top-100 players before falling to the eventual champion. This event adds another opportunity for Craig to showcase his talent.

The tournament begins tomorrow with the singles and doubles qualifying rounds

🎾 FSU Women’s Tennis Set for ITA Southeast Regional Championships 🎾

The Florida State women’s tennis team heads to Atlanta on Thursday for the rescheduled ITA Southeast Regional Championships. Originally set for earlier this month, the tournament was postponed due to weather and will now run from October 17th through October 22nd.

Players to Watch:

  • Millie Bissett & Maria Juliana Parra Romero: Ranked 34th, the duo is fresh off three big wins at the ITA All-American Championships, including victories over Arkansas’ No. 51 team and Tennessee’s No. 23-ranked pair.

  • Singles Rankings: Parra Romero (No. 113) secured her first singles win of the season at the ITA All-Americans. Joining her are Kristyna Lavickova (No. 98) and Bissett (No. 120).

Debuts and Returns:

  • First Matches of the Season: Sophomores Laura Putz, Maelie Monfils, and Cade Cricchio will take the court for the first time this season, while freshman Mary Boyce Deatherage will make her Seminole debut.

🏅 FSU Cross Country Shines with ACC Weekly Honors 🏅

Florida State cross country runners Lucas Bouquot and Nicole Dinan earned ACC Performers of the Week honors for their standout performances at the FSU XC Invitational held at Apalachee Regional Park.

Men’s Performer of the Week – Lucas Bouquot
Bouquot led the No. 27 Seminoles to their second team victory of the season, finishing sixth in the men’s 8k with a career-best time of 24:43.0.
"This is a huge honor for Lucas," FSU assistant coach Ian Frazier said. "His confidence and dedication this season are paying off in big ways."

Women’s Freshman of the Week – Nicole Dinan
In the women’s 5k, Dinan turned in the fastest time for FSU, finishing fourth at 17:19.7.
"Nicole’s hard work under coach Halsey’s guidance has been impressive," FSU Director of Cross Country Matt Kane commented. "We’re excited to see what she can do as we head into Pre-Nationals."

🏀 FSU’s Jamir Watkins Earns Preseason All-ACC Second-Team Honors 🏀

Senior guard Jamir Watkins, Florida State’s leading returning scorer and rebounder, has been named to the preseason All-ACC Second-Team by media at the ACC Tip-Off event. Watkins averaged a career-high 15.6 points and 6.0 rebounds in the 2023-24 season and currently holds a 19-game double-figure scoring streak.

Key Highlights:

  • Career Milestone: Watkins scored 514 points last season, making him the 46th Seminole in school history to break the 500-point mark in a single season.

  • Versatile Play: Known for his versatility, Watkins played all five positions in 2023-24 and was the only FSU player to start all 33 games.

  • Elite Company: Watkins was one of six ACC players to rank in the top 20 in both scoring and rebounding last season—and is the only one returning in 2024-25.

Fans can catch Watkins and the Seminoles in action in two exhibition games—against St. Leo on Oct. 24 and West Florida on Oct. 31—before their season opener versus Northern Kentucky on Nov. 4 at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Season tickets start at $150.

🏀 FSU’s Latson and Timpson Make Preseason All-ACC Team 🏀

Florida State women’s basketball stars Ta'Niya Latson and Makayla Timpson have been named to the ACC’s 2024-25 Preseason All-ACC Team. Both players return to the prestigious 10-player list, with Latson receiving the second-highest number of first-place votes among all nominees.

🏆 Additional Highlights:

  • Program Success: FSU, along with Notre Dame and NC State, stands out with multiple players represented on the All-ACC list.

  • Season Outlook: The Seminoles are projected to finish fifth in the ACC, amassing 1,335 points in preseason predictions.

🌟 FSU Extends Offer to Three-Star ATH Jeremiah Jones 🌟

Florida State made a recruiting move Tuesday evening by offering Jeremiah Jones, a three-star athlete from Murray, Kentucky. Currently committed to Nebraska, Jones initially pledged to the Huskers in early July, choosing them over Louisville after an eventful recruiting period.

🏈 Jones at a Glance:

  • Versatile Talent: Listed as a safety, Jones (6’4.5”, 215 lbs) showcased his skills as a pass catcher at FSU’s Elite Camp in June.

  • FSU Ties: Jones visited FSU twice earlier this year, once in April and again in June.

  • Kentucky Standout: Ranked as the No. 5 prospect in Kentucky by 247Sports.com.

🏆 FSU Secures Commitment from OL Daniel Pierre Louis 🏆

Three-star offensive lineman Daniel Pierre Louis from Loxahatchee, Florida, publicly committed to Florida State on Tuesday, announcing, “I’m home. Love what they got going on.”

Pierre Louis, who is ranked as the No. 63 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 class by 247Sports Composite, has had a strong connection with FSU:

  • Visit Highlights: He officially visited FSU for their game against Clemson and also participated in a June camp before returning for another visit later that month.

  • Recruitment Journey: Pierre Louis chose FSU over NC State and had a scheduled visit to Florida in mid-November.

FSU’s Offensive Line Class: He’s the 12th commit in the 2025 class and joins an impressive group, including five-star Solomon Thomas, and four-stars Peyton Joseph and Mario Nash Jr., strengthening FSU’s line for the future.

🌟 FSU’s Alex Mastromanno Earns Spot on CBS Sports Midseason All-America Team 🌟

Florida State’s redshirt senior punter, Alex Mastromanno, has been named to the 2024 CBS Sports Midseason All-America Team, representing the Seminoles as the first-team punter.

Mastromanno’s Impressive Season:

  • Punt Stats: With 31 punts in six games, Mastromanno boasts an average distance of 49.3 yards and a season-long of 65 yards.

  • Accuracy: Only one touchback (3.23%), with 10 punts landing inside the 20-yard line.

🏈 FSU’s Final Preparations in Full Swing for Duke Matchup 🏈

As Florida State gears up for Friday night’s game at Duke, they adapted their regular Wednesday practice to Tuesday, diving into critical situational drills. Here are highlights and observations from the field:

Defensive Standouts

  • LB Justin Cryer: His field awareness continues to shine, impressing coaches with his ability to read plays and execute quickly, especially on misdirection concepts.

  • Sacks Galore: Defensive ends Marvin Jones Jr. and Darrell Jackson brought pressure during situational drills, each recording a sack.

  • Competitive Plays: CB Ja'Bril Rawls and WR Ja'Khi Douglas engaged in a high-effort battle, with Rawls intercepting a pass, only for Douglas to wrestle the ball back. The intense exchange showcased their resilience and competitive drive.

Offensive Notes

  • QB Performance: Brock Glenn showed sharp anticipation during Pass Skelly drills, excelling in his vertical throws. Luke Kromenhoek displayed accuracy but was occasionally slow on timing, though he delivered an impressive throw to TE Brian Courtney for a tough, contested catch.

  • Wide Receivers & Tight Ends: WR BJ Gibson made several standout plays with precise routes and smooth speed. TEs Amaree Williams and Landen Thomas showcased their downfield capabilities, adding depth to the offensive scheme.

Defensive Secondary

  • CB Kevin Knowles II: With a strong showing, Knowles locked down a deep route by Douglas and made a leaping interception.

  • CB Azareye'h Thomas: Known for his ball-hawking skills, Thomas gave WR Hykeem Williams consistent coverage, contesting catches and staying on his game.

Final Observations

  • Scout Team Excellence: Freshman DE DD Holmes flashed his growth, beating starters with a mix of power and quickness.

  • Kicking Game: FSU’s kickers looked sharp and consistent, a promising sign as the game approaches.

Florida State is pushing its limits in preparation, with players showing resilience and intensity as they fine-tune their approach for Friday’s matchup.

And that’s a wrap!

Thanks for keeping up with The Chief Brief! From FSU’s rising tennis and basketball stars to the fine-tuning of football tactics, this season promises plenty of excitement.

Check back tomorrow for more updates, insights, and all the latest in Seminole sports.

Stay fierce, stay focused, and go Noles! 🏹

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