2023 PNJ Spring All-Area: Which athletes from the Pensacola-area stood above the rest

The Pensacola News Journal All-Area award season has reached its conclusion, officially putting an end to a magical 2022-23 high school athletic calendar.

Here's a look at the Pensacola News Journal's 2023 spring sports award winners, as well as All-Area teams in track, tennis, lacrosse, boys weightlifting, baseball, softball and flag football.

Selections were made based on coach nominations, total stats, average stats, accolades and overall team success.

2023 PNJ Winter All-Area: Pensacola's finest from basketball, soccer, wrestling and more

2022 PNJ Fall All-Area: Pensacola's best from football, volleyball, golf and more

Baseball

Player of the Year

Bray Touchstone, Tate

The power has always been there in Touchstone's bat, by if you add hitting for average, handling one of the area's best pitching staff while displaying a big arm from behind the plate, you have a recipe for this season's Player of the Year.

From the heart of the Aggies order, the junior batted .485 with seven home runs, eight doubles, 30 RBIs. If he didn't get on base with his swing, Touchstone reached thanks to a good eye as he collected 25 walks. Additionally, on 10 stolen-base attempts, Touchstone successfully threw out 80 percent of runners.

Hitter of the Year

Tate Sanders, Escambia

A hitting machine from game one, Sanders got hot early and seemingly never cooled off. The Gators senior infielder was the area's batting champion with a .576 average, which was more than 60 points higher than the next-closest hitter and 200 points higher than the second-best hitter on his team.

Sanders recorded a hit in 23 of 25 games while only striking out six times this season. After going 3-for-4 through his first two games of the season, the senior's average remained above .600 for the next 21 contests. Eleven of his 38 hits went for extra-bases as he finished with two home runs, nine doubles, 23 RBIs and 23 runs scored. Mix in 17 walks and Sanders' on-base percentage sat at .692 at the end of year.

Pitcher of the Year

Nate Caston, Pace

Pace relinquished an area-low 63 runs this season. On a staff filled with arms that put up great numbers, Caston was universally considered the best of the bunch by area coaches. The junior right-hander piled up 55 1/3 innings on the mound this past season, posting a 1.52 ERA with 68 strikeouts to only 19 walks and a WHIP of .976.

He finished with a 7-2 record, but Caston was also an option out of the bullpen, collecting two saves.

Newcomer of the Year

Grant Walters, Pace

It isn't easy to play at the varsity level for the first time while contributing to a nationally-ranked team, but the sophomore made a seamless transition into a spotlight.

Walters led the Patriots with a .411 batting average. He also had one home run, seven doubles, one triple, nine walks and 24 RBIs. Getting on base 50 percent of the time, he was a threat to swipe a bag once he reached, finishing with 11 steals.

The sophomore scored the game-winning run in Pace's walk-off comeback victory over Tate in the District 1-6A title game.

Coach of the Year

Jason McBride, Pace

One year after coaching his team to the state title game, McBride kept the Pace train rolling as the team finished with an area-best 24-3 record. The team ripped off a 15-game winning streak during the middle of the season en route to the No. 1 ranking in Class 6A.

The Patriots' season was highlighted by dramatically winning the District 1-6A title for the third year in a row. Trailing Tate 6-3 with three outs to go, Pace managed four runs in the bottom of the seventh to claim the district crown and complete a season sweep of its fierce rival.

All-Area First Team

P: Nate Caston, Pace

P: Jackson Kohr, Pensacola Catholic

P: Rilee Lowery, Tate

P: Gabe Patterson, Tate

P: Tucker Ricks, Pace

C: Will Barter, Pensacola Catholic

C: Bray Touchstone, Tate

INF: Jackson McKenzie, Pace

INF: Drew Reaves, Tate

INF: Chris Rembert, Pensacola Catholic

INF: Tate Sanders, Escambia

INF: Grant Walters, Pace

OF: Glenn Brooks, Pace

OF: Jay Davis, Tate

OF: Zack DeJesus, Pensacola Catholic

OF: Adam Geiger, West Florida

UT: Ethan McAnally, Tate

UT: Alex McCranie, Pace

DH: Ace DeMotts, Navarre

DH: Josh Landis, Northview

All-Area Second Team

P: Cason Burkett, Northview

P: Cole Crocker, Navarre

P: Jordan Hosman, West Florida

P: Eli Lowery, Jay

P: Tanner Sauls, Pace

P: Londen Taylor, Gulf Breeze

C: Tait Anderson, Escambia

C: Tomas Ravendo, Jay

INF: Allan Beasley, Pine Forest

INF: Jaxson Cramer, West Florida

INF: Bricen Kelly, Pine Forest

INF: Clif Quiggins, Tate

INF: Frankie Randall, Tate

OF: Gavin Quenneville, Gulf Breeze

OF: Bryson Rouillier, Gulf Breeze

OF: Michael Smith, Pensacola Catholic

OF: Bryson Whelan, Pine Forest

UT: Julio Guzman, Pensacola

UT: Justin Smarr, Jay

DH: Avanti Anderson Jr., Booker T. Washington

DH: Colton Guillot, Pensacola Catholic

Softball

Player of the Year

Jayden Heavener, Pace

Whether its her flame thrower for an arm or powerful swing from the left side of the plate, Heavener emphatically backed up her standing as the top-ranked 2024 player in the country with a stellar junior campaign.

The LSU commit was virtually unhittable in the circle, going 18-2 with 10 shutouts, six no-hitters and three perfect games. For the second-straight second, the southpaw finished with 300 strikeouts while walking just 24 hitters, 48 fewer than a year ago. Allowing four earned runs all season, Heavener had a 0.22 ERA as opponents hit just .070 off of her through 127 innings.

Pitching wasn't the only item the junior brought to the table, as she was the Patriots' second-best hitter, setting career-highs marks in hitting (.459) and RBIs (33) to go with seven home runs. The only player in the Pace lineup with better numbers is directly below.

Hitter of the Year

Shelby McKenzie, Pace

Regardless of how carefully opposing coaches game plan and how hard opposing pitchers try to execute, there's no formula that works against the Florida State commit. McKenzie repeats as the PNJ's Hitter of the Year after nearly capturing the area's triple crown as a junior. The slugger topped the area with a .577 batting average and 13 home runs while her 42 RBIs were good for second.

McKenzie's numbers were amazing across the board (13 2B, 3 3B, 22 BB, 45 R, .673 OBP, 1.320 SLG, 1.994 OPS) throughout the season, but she was better in the postseason, batting .722. The junior's biggest hit came in the state semifinals as her three-run home propelled Pace to a win over Land O'Lakes.

Pitcher of the Year

Leila Ammon, Gulf Breeze

While Gulf Breeze's incredible 2023 campaign was spurred by its offense (an area-best 264 runs scored), the junior right-hander was every bit as influential with her work in the circle. The Middle Tennessee State commit posted an 0.68 ERA, nearly a run-and-a-half improvement from a year ago. She also recorded a .125 opponents batting average while fanning 206 batters and walking 46 through 102 1/3 innings of work.

Ammon displayed tremendous control, tossing only wild pitch and hitting three batters through 1,736 pitches.

Newcomer of the Year

Sally Alberson, Gulf Breeze

Scoring 264 runs this season, Gulf Breeze and its unit of mashers rode the area's best offense to wins in its first 25 games and the District 1-5A crown. The freshman infielder was in the middle of the fun, finishing tied for second on the team with seven home runs and 28 RBIs. She also added six doubles and two triples while batting .367.

During the Dolphins's 8-6 win against Fort Walton Beach in the district title game, Alberson went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and four RBIs.

Coach of the Year

Lexi Alexander, Pace

A member of the coaching staff last season, Alexander had a heck of a debut leading the Patriots, as the program earned a third-straight berth to the Final Four and played in the state championship game for the first time since 2007. The first-year head coach won her first 21 games before finishing with a 28-2 record and state runner-up trophy. Pace was most dangerous at home, going unbeaten at 12-0.

Overall, the Patriots enjoyed a plus-200 run differential.

All-Area First Team

P: Leila Ammon, Gulf Breeze

P: Mallory Baker, Pace

P: Jayden Heavener, Pace

P: Sydney Scapin, West Florida

P: Jenna Toups, Jay

INF: Caitlyn Gavin, Jay

INF: Morgan Kronlage, Gulf Breeze

INF: Shelby McKenzie, Pace

INF: Ella Nelson, Jay

INF: Hallie Ueberroth, Milton

INF: Kara Wine, Tate

OF: Jessie Farrer, Navarre

OF: Kenna King, Gulf Breeze

OF: Ellie Rudd, Pine Forest

OF: Lily Weaver, Navarre

UT: Morgan Smith, Pensacola Catholic

UT: Leianna Wagner, West Florida

DH: Brea Holley, West Florida

DH: Jacey Reed, Gulf Breeze

All-Area Second Team

P: Emma Gilmore, Northview

P: Sydney Hersom, Navarre

P: Rachael Ludwig, Pensacola Catholic

P: Kayden Riddle, Navarre

P: Sarah Rudd, Pine Forest

INF: Sally Alberson, Gulf Breeze

INF: Halina Bell, Escambia

INF: Bethany Dean, Pace

INF: Titera Dukes, Pensacola Catholic

INF: Audrey Luedtke, Milton

INF: Abbie McNair, Escambia

OF: Ava Chapman, Gulf Breeze

OF: Riley Forbes, Pace

OF: Chloe Lowery, Central

OF: Brett Watson, Jay

UT: Maryanne Gunter, Central

UT: Isabelle Little-Anoai, Pensacola Catholic

DH: Cailyn Cooke, Navarre

DH: Aubrey Stuckey, Northview

Track and Field

Girls Co-Athletes of the Year

Kayden Engel and Aariyana Williams, Booker T. Washington

The blue and white colors were draped in gold toward the end of the spring as the two seniors become the program's first individual state championship since Tytavia Hardy captured the high jump in 2018.

Five years after Hardy's feat, Engel claimed the same event despite entering as a No. 10 seed. She won the event with a mark of 5 feet, 5 3/4 inches. The South Alabama commit added a 10th place finish in the 400-meter hurdles. Williams had a different path to her state title.

After winning district and region crowns, the North Texas commit entered the 400-meter dash as the No. 1 seed. Despite trailing midway through the race, Williams darted ahead to claim victory with a personal-best time of 54.41 seconds. The speedster returned to the podium a second time thanks to a fourth-place finish in the 200 (24.83).

Boys Athlete of the Year

Therron Percival, Pensacola Christian Academy

On the opening day of the track and field state championships, Percival etched his named into the PCA history books by becoming the seventh-different Warrior to win an individual boys state title. Recovering from an injury at the start of the season, the junior earned his title in the pole vault with a mark of 13-9 1/4.

Pensacola Christian has continued its success in the pole vault over the last four years, with Blake Rimmer taking the event in 2019 and Caroline Rimmer doing the same just two years ago.

With one more season left in his prep career, Percival will attempt to be second double state champion in PCA history. Gary Smith won back-to-back state titles in 1982 and 1983.

Coaches of the Year

Jason Crutchfield and Rodney McGhee, Booker T. Washington

The Wildcats girls program thrived this past season behind the guidance of Crutchfield and McGhee. The team finished higher than any other program in the area, taking seventh in the Class 3A state championships.

Beyond Williams and Engel's state-championship performances, Elyse Carmichael qualified for a pair of events at state for Booker T. Washington. Following an injury that ended her soccer season in the winter, the sophomore bounced back in the winter with an eight-place finish in the 1,600 (5:09.39) and 16th-place result in the 3,200 (11:50.25).

Girls All-Area Team

100-meter: Dezire Gee, Pine Forest (fourth place at 3A state meet, 11.92)

200-meter: Aariyana Williams, Booker T. Washington (fourth place at 3A state meet, 24.83)

400-meter: Aariyana Williams, Booker T. Washington (first place at 3A state meet, 54.41)

800-meter: Jaimee Tutton, Pensacola Chrisitan (10th place at 1A state meet, 2:24.04)

1600-meter: Elyse Carmichael, Booker T. Washington (eighth place at 3A state meet, 5:09.39)

3200-meter: Elyse Carmichael, Booker T. Washington (16th place at 3A state meet, 11:50.25)

100-meter hurdles: Jennifer Mims, West Florida (15th place at 2A state meet, 15.5)

400-meter hurdles: Jennifer Mims, West Florida (second place at 2A state meet, 1:02.5)

4x100-meter relay: Pine Forest - Mauricia Howard, Chrisshona Bargaineer, Ta’nae Henderson, Dezire Gee (second place at 3A state meet, 47.2)

4x400-meter relay: West Florida - Jennifer Mims, Lila Turbiville, Skyy Beeks, Mikayla Stutts (11th at 2A state meet, 4:04.06)

4x800-meter relay: Pensacola Christian - Karissa Keyser, Reagan Smith, Jaimee Tutton, RaeAnne Tutton (fifth at 1A state meet, 9:36.83)

High jump: Kayden Engel, Booker T. Washington (first place at 3A state meet, 5-5 3/4)

Long jump: Ta’nae Henderson, Pine Forest (17th place at 3A state meet, 16-2 1/2)

Triple jump: Ta’nae Henderson, Pine Forest (seventh place at 3A state meet, 37-3 3/4)

Pole vault: Skyy Beeks, West Florida (tied for eighth place at 2A state meet, 9-10)

Discus: Rylee Henderson, Pace (fourth place at 4A state meet, 131-7)

Shot put: Cassandra Jones, Pine Forest (seventh place at 3A state meet, 38-3 1/4)

Javelin: Ava Grace Wheaton, Pace (second place at 4A state meet, 133-0)

Boys All-Area Team

100-meter: D’Antonio Warren, Pine Forest (sixth place at 3A state meet, 10.49)

200-meter: D’Antonio Warren, Pine Forest (seventh place at 3A state meet, 21.53)

400-meter: Micah Hodge, Pensacola Christian (13th place at 1A state meet, 51.6)

800-meter: Ashton Wyse, Gulf Breeze (sixth place at 3A state meet, 1:56.74)

1600-meter: Caleb Locklin, Central (12th place at 1A state meet, 4:39.31)

3200-meter: Caleb Locklin, Central (17th place at 1A state meet, 10:39.53)

110-meter hurdles: Teddy Robinson, Booker T. Washington (fifth place at 3A state meet, 14.69)

400-meter hurdles: Teddy Robinson, Booker T. Washington (11th place at 3A state meet, 57.3)

4x100-meter relay: Pace - Jaquavian Moore, Carson Wright, Giovanny Matias, Xakery Wiedner (12th place at 4A state meet, 42.64)

4x400-meter relay: Pace - Markiece Kramer, Carson Wright, Junior Mills, Gavin Schulte (sixth at 4A state meet, 3:22.67)

4x800-meter relay: Pensacola Christian - Drew Birx, Dominic Litchfield, Micah Hodge, Andrew Sheppard (fourth at 1A state meet, 8:04.75)

High jump: Dav’eyon Stallworth, Booker T. Washington (10th place at 3A state meet, 6-3 1/2)

Long jump: Ladarian Clardy, Escambia (second place at 3A state meet, 24 1/4)

Triple jump: Ottah Bonner, Pensacola (11th place at 2A state meet, 41-9 1/4)

Pole vault: Therron Percival, Pensacola Christian (first place at 1A state meet, 13-9 1/4)

Discus: Brayden Gates, Pace (ninth place at 4A state meet, 149-4)

Shot put: Steven Ulloa, Pensacola Christian (14th place at 1A state meet, 44-9 3/4)

Javelin: Sean Drummond, Navarre (fifth place at 4A state meet, 170-11)

Boys Lacrosse

Player of the Year

Andrew Frosch, Pensacola Catholic

It's a clean sweep for the Crusaders, who were powered by this senior attacker. Frosch led the team in 59 goals and 92 points. His 33 assists were second to fellow senior Tucker Mixon. Additionally, he scooped up 46 ground balls and had nine takeaways.

Frosch had four separate occasion where he posted nine points in a game, including an eight-point, one-assist effort during Catholic's victory over West Florida in the District 1-1A title game. For his performance this year, the senior was a recipient of the U.S. Lacrosse Bob Scott Award, which recognizes senior players who exhibit exceptional qualities both on and off the field, truly honoring the game of lacrosse and making significant contributions to their team, school, and community.

Boys Newcomer of the Year

Pierce Hopson, Pensacola Catholic

Replacing an All-Area long-stick middle in Charlie Jasso, the freshman filled in those big shoes by starting every game at the position. Hopson finished fourth on the team with 52 ground balls while his 24 takeaways were good enough for second. He also added five goals and three assists.

"I believe he was the most impactful freshman in the area given how far our team went with him starting at a critical spot," Crusaders head coach Garrett Purcell said of Hopson.

Boys Coach of the Year

Garrett Purcell, Pensacola Catholic

Speaking of Purcell, the second-year head coach ushered Pensacola Catholic to its greatest season in program history while making area history along the way. The Crusaders became the first area program to win a regional playoff game following their 12-8 quarterfinal victory against Trinity Catholic.

Scoring more than 15 goals per game while allowing a tick over six, Pensacola Catholic compiled a 15-3 record and captured its first district title since 2017.

Girls Lacrosse

Player of the Year

Julia Frosch, Pensacola Catholic

Like the boys, the Lady Crusaders cleaned up this award season. And another's Frosch taking the top prize.

Julia Frosch was named the 2022 Newcomer of the Year as a freshman after scoring the game-winning in the District 1-1A title game. She followed that by leading all of Class 1A with 104 points, scoring 60 goals and dishing out 44 assists, which was good for 11th in the state. Additionally, she collected 45 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers and 77 draw controls.

With a high lacrosse IQ to couple with speed and strength, Frosch will continue to excel as Catholic's quarterback.

Newcomer of the Year

Ella Adams, Pensacola Catholic

When PNJ First-Team attacker Natalie Biggs went down with an injury, the Lady Crusaders needed a third option to step up next to Frosch and 2022 Player of the Year Brinley Christiansen. Adams completed that task with flying colors.

The freshman's name is spread across the top of Catholic leaderboard, placing third on the team in goals (48), second in assists (15) and ground balls (36) and first in draw controls (85).

Coach of the Year

Chloe Weinmann, Pensacola Catholic

Weinmann was named Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year after leading the Lady Crusaders to a district title and a regional quarterfinal win in back-to-back seasons.

Pensacola Catholic got into gear down the stretch, winning six straight matches by a combined margin of 100-19. That hot streak included a 19-3 victory over South Walton in the District 1-1A title game and a 13-8 triumph over Bolles in a Region 1-1A quarterfinal.

The Lady Crusaders are 30-10 over the past two years under Weinmann, including a 14-5 mark under a tougher strength of schedule this past season.

Boys All-Area Team

A: Andrew Frosch, Pensacola Catholic

A: Colin Goodman, Milton

A: Pierce Martin, Gulf Breeze

A: Bennett Rauscher, Pensacola Catholic

A: Blake Richards, West Florida

M: Will Creedon, Pensacola

M: Nico Gibson, Milton

M: Cole Hepworth, Gulf Breeze

M: Benton Lane, Pensacola Catholic

D: Max Brantley, Gulf Breeze

D: Jackson Hager, Pensacola Catholic

D: Logan Hinze, Gulf Breeze

LS M: Pierce Hobson, Pensacola Catholic

Faceoff specialist: Chase Lastowski, Pensacola Catholic

G: Cody Lee, Gulf Breeze

Girls All-Area Team

A: Brinley Christensen, Pensacola Catholic

A: Lauryn Hatler, Milton

A: Sarah Kemp, Gulf Breeze

A: Erin Kokora, Gulf Breeze

A: Hanna Uc, West Florida

M: Ella Adams, Pensacola Catholic

M: Julia Frosch, Pensacola Catholic

M: Virginia Hart, Pensacola

M: Hannah Pukish, Gulf Breeze

D: Collier Brown, Pensacola Catholic

D: Emily Johnson, Gulf Breeze

D: McKenzie Mann, Pensacola Catholic

D: Autumn Sawyer, Pensacola

G: Hayden Brown, Gulf Breeze

Tennis

Boys Player of the Year

Justin Lyons, Pensacola Catholic

It's a three-peat for the area's best boys tennis player. Lyons again was dominant at the top of the Crusaders lineup. The senior enjoyed a 13-0 record during the regular season, dropping just two sets along the way. He continued his form into the postseason, cruising to a district and region titles before helping Catholic earn a state runner-up finish in team competition.

Lyons will take his talents to Florida State University next year.

Girls Player of the Year

Gabby Goyins, Pensacola Catholic

Like Lyons, Goyins was named the area's best player for the third year in a row. The junior season ripped a perfect 14-0 regular season before claiming district and region titles in singles and doubles competition, teaming up with Maria Bush for the latter.

In individual state competition, Goyins recorded the best finish of a Catholic girls player by taking runner-up honors.

Doubles Team of the Year

Justin Lyons and Evan Fisher, Pensacola Catholic

Combining for just two losses at the top of the singles card, it's no surprised that the two seniors shared that same success as the Crusaders' No. 1 doubles team. Fisher and Lyons teamed to a 11-1 mark during the regular season before earning district and regional titles.

Coach of the Year

Geoff Watts, Pensacola Catholic

Another year with Watts at the helm ended with both of his teams winning district and region title en route to marching to state. Excluding the 2020 COVID-cancelled season, the Lady Crusaders have punched their ticket to state every season since 2017 while the Catholic boys have been state-bound in 10 of the last 12 years. Yet, what made 2023 so special was that each team took home state runner-up honors.

Boys All-Area Team

J.D. Daughtery, Pace

Evan Fisher, Pensacola Catholic

Justin Lyons, Pensacola Catholic

William Meyering, Gulf Breeze

Jack Morris, Booker T. Washington

Girls All-Area Team

K.J. Crow, Tate

Emily Doan, Pace

Ella Goodwin, Gulf Breeze

Gabriela Goyins, Pensacola Catholic

Sarah McElrath, Gulf Breeze

Flag Football

Player of the Year

Berkleigh Jernigan, Pace

Hauling in passes from Amaya Pablo, the 2022 PNJ Player of the Year, Jernigan was the best offensive weapon on a team with a plethora of options. The junior athlete recorded 79 catches for team-highs of 929 yards and 18 touchdowns. She was also a valuable member of the Patriots defense, totaling 55 flag pulls, two sacks, two interceptions and 17 passes defended.

She had possibly her best performance during the team's 20-19 regional quarterfinal victory over Winter Park by posting a season-best eight catches for 99 yards and two scores.

Defensive Player of the Year

Destiny Reyes-Downes, Pace

Last season for the Patriots was the first spring without Aryana Hughes, the 2022 PNJ Defensive of the Year who served as the heart and soul of the defense. Enter in the equation Reyes-Downes, who did an admirable job leading on that side of the field.

Recovering from an injury suffered the previous season, the senior linebacker had an area-best 129 flag pulls. She also totaled 18 sacks and seven interceptions. With Reyes-Downes guiding the way, the Patriots only relinquished 10.8 points per game.

Newcomer of the Year

Lila Jacobs, Gulf Breeze

The Dolphins enjoyed a 7-7 season with a roster largely comprised of young players with no experience. However, with Jacobs, Gulf Breeze has a blossoming star for the future.

After an All-Area basketball campaign during the winter, the freshman made an impact by being a key contributor at multiple positions both offensively and defensively.

Coach of the Year

Christopher Raggard, Pace

Raggard guided the area's best team to a 15-5 record behind an offense that scored more 500 points this season. Recording a plus-304 differential, the Patriots had 11 victories of 10 points or more.

Winning a regional playoff game for the second consecutive year, Pace became the area's first program to win a regional postseason on the road when it traveled more than six hours to pick up a 20-19 win at Winter Park.

All-Area Offense

QB: Amaya Pablo, Pace

RB: Hannah Pittman, Tate

C: Lucy Gongwer, Pace

WR: Katie Crounse, Pace

WR: Courtney Danforth, Navarre

WR: Cora Helmig, Tate

WR: Lila Jacobs, Gulf Breeze

WR: Berkleigh Jernigan, Pace

All-Area Defense

Rusher: Meredith Pugh, Gulf Breeze

LB: Jayah Jones, Navarre

LB: Destiny Reyes-Downes, Pace

LB: Addi Strikeleather, Gulf Breeze

DB: Kaylie Johnson, Pace

DB: Ava Grace Wheaton, Pace

DB: Niylia Wilkins, Pine Forest

ATH: Ashten Dickerson, Pace

Boys Weightlifting

Weightlifter of the Year

Jayson Alford, Pace

After the Patriots girls weightlifting team captured a state title during the winter, Alford continued the school's success in the sport by returning from Lakeland with a pair of gold medals. The senior won the Class 3A state crown in both traditional and Olympic competition at the 199-pound weight class.

In Olympic action, Alford finished with a combined winning mark of 580 pounds, five pounds ahead of runner-up Dylan Hayes of St. Cloud. In traditional competition, the senior produced combined lifts of 665 pounds. That result was 10 pounds ahead of Milton's Kaden French, who finished second.

Alford became 21st different individual boys weightlifting champion that Pace has produced. It is also the third-straight year the Patriots have had a state champion.

All-Area Team

Jayson Alford, Pace

Kendall Ballou, Pace

Evan Beckham, Pace

Bryson Brown, Milton

Landyn Cooley, Jay

Bryce Eberhardt, Navarre

Kaden French, Milton

Connor Mathews, Navarre

Alex Minisall, Navarre

Shawn Morgan, Pace

Ethan Newman, Navarre

Desjon Robertson, Pensacola Catholic

Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (772) 985-9692, on Twitter @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: 2023 PNJ Spring All-Area: Which Pensacola-area athletes made an All-Area team?