Pensacola to play Knoxville in best-of-three playoff semis beginning Thursday.

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The University of West Florida on Tuesday announced that Argonauts cross country head coach John Bergin will resign at the end of the season, his fifth with UWF.

“I am thankful for the support and resources provided by (the University of West Florida) administration to allow myself and our student-athletes a great chance to be successful,” Bergen said. “This program will continue to flourish in the future, and I am proud to have been a part of it.”

In his time as head coach, Bergen was named Gulf South Conference Women’s Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012. Bergen led the UWF women’s cross country team to the program’s first NCAA national championship appearance in 2011 and again in 2012. The two-time conference coach of the year also led the Argonaut women’s cross country team to back-to-back Gulf South Conference championships.

During Bergen’s tenure, 24 student-athletes have earned All-GSC honors while five received All-GSC Academic Honors. Bergen coached two GSC freshmen of the year award winners (Seth Rosanina, Kelley Bahn) in his tenure as head coach and saw the UWF women’s cross country honored by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association with all-academic team honors in 2010.

When named cross country coach in 2008, Bergen was no stranger to the UWF Field House, as he spent six years as an assistant professor of exercise science in the Health, Leisure and Exercise Science Department, which was housed for four of his years in the UWF Field House. Bergen took over as the interim sports information director, a position that he held until taking over the cross country coaching position.

For more information on all UWF athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.

The City of Gulf Breeze will sponsor the Quentin Cooper Liver Life 5K Run/Walk beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday at Dolphin Stadium. The race, organized by the Gulf Breeze High School Student Government Association, will honor GBHS senior and liver cancer patient Quentin Cooper. Cooper has been battling liver cancer for two years and is undergoing chemotherapy treatments. He recently was removed from the liver transplant list because cancer had spread beyond his liver. Besides helping with Cooper’s medical costs and benefitting an organization of his choice, proceeds from the race will help create a fund to benefit Gulf Breeze students with medical needs in the future.

Cost to participate is $20. Participants can register before the race Saturday.

While other Santa Rosa County students were enjoying the first day of spring break, weightlifters from eight schools competed in the District 1-2A championship held March 18 in Navarre. Teams from Navarre, Pace and Pine Forest tied for first with 20 points each. Milton placed fourth with 15 points.

Raiders T. J. Woodberry, Kody Kelley, Nick Benton, Jay Warren and Marvin Darby advanced to a sectional meet April 3 at Fort Walton Beach; Dre Taylor and Colton Mapoles will attend as alternates.

For the complete story, see the March 28 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.