Meet the Herald-Tribune All-Area Girls Cross-Country team from Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties
The Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte High School Sports Awards will be back with an exciting live event again in 2023. The program is produced with the support of Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota Ford.
The nine-month student-athlete recognition program will culminate in an in-person show, featuring the top student-athletes from the Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte area. The event’s time, date and venue are still to be determined and will be announced soon.
Nominees for player of the year for 24 state-sanctioned sports will be announced throughout the year in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, on its website www.heraldtribune.com, and on its many social platforms.
During the live show, these nominees will be honored, along with the player of the year for each sport. The awards showcase will also feature other premier awards for both on and off-the-field accomplishments of student-athletes, coaches and teams, including a courage award and coach of the year, team of the year, and the boys and girls athlete of the year awards.
All official nominees who RSVP can attend this event at no charge thanks to sponsors. Check the website listed above regularly for updated information on how to attend.
The Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte High School Sports Awards is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, which is the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. Last year’s show can still be viewed online at this link. This year, one school from the area will win a $1,000 donation to its school’s athletic department. More details on that are coming soon.
ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS-COUNTRY
Flavia Almeida, Sarasota, senior
Took 10th at the 4A-4 district meet in a personal best 19:56. Finished 44th at state (20:26).
Darcy Cernansky, Venice, senior
Finished 12th at the district meet in 20:07. Ran a personal best 19:50 at North Port Invitational.
Addison Dempsey, Cardinal Mooney, junior
Posted the fastest girls time in the area in winning the 2A-6 district meet (17:29). Took first in the 2A-3 region meet (18:08). Placed second at the state meet (17:54).
Indy Grajalez, Sarasota, sophomore
Ran a school record of 18:35 at the 4A-4 district meet. Placed fifth at the 4A-2 region meet (18:52). Didn't run state due to a calf strain.
Malia Hambrick, North Port, freshman
Won the SMA Invite, the Sarasota County championship and the 4A-4 district title in 18:33. Finished seventh in the state meet (19:08).
Katrina Machado, Port Charlotte, junior
Took eighth at districts in a personal record of 19:54. Took 15th at the regional meet (20:57).
Meet the other All-Area nominees Meet the Herald-Tribune All-Area Girls golf team for Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties
Meet the Herald-Tribune All-Area Girls Swimming team for Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties
Meet the Herald-Tribune All-Area Boys Golf team from Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties
Meet the Herald-Tribune All-Area Boys Swimming team for Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties
Ella Menke, Sarasota, senior
Placed 12th overall at the 4A state meet in 19:15. Ran a season-best 18:55 at 4A-2 region meet, finishing sixth.
Kate Ruona, Cardinal Mooney, senior
Finished fourth in district (18:44), fifth in region (19:26), and 11th at the state meet (18:37).
Addison Shea, Lakewood Ranch, sophomore
Ran a personal best of 19:55, finishing ninth at districts, 21st at regionals and 67th at the state meet.
Olivia Spiegel, Lakewood Ranch, sophomore
Posted a 19:16 to finish fourth at the 4A-4 district meet. Finished eighth at regionals (19:19) and 30th at the state meet (19:58).
Jennifer Swenson, Parrish Community, junior
Set a personal record of 19:55 at the 3A-6 district meet, good for ninth place, and a 20:31 at the state meet.
Ava Taylor, Charlotte, sophomore
Posted a season-best 18:57 to win the 3A-6 district meet. Took 12th at the region meet (20:40) and 55th at state. (20:13).
HONORABLE MENTION
Aubri Antczak, Sarasota, freshman
Lyndsey Hamsher, Port Charlotte, junior
Mackenzie Martin, Lemon Bay, freshman
Skyler Quigley, Lakewood Ranch, freshman
Maria Shaw, Out-of-Door Academy, senior
COACH OF THE YEAR
John Stephenson, Sarasota
Led the Sailors to a ninth-place finish at the FHSAA State Meet. Sarasota finished third in 4A-Region 2 and second in 4A-District 4.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
At the conclusion of each high school season, the Herald-Tribune sends the area athletic directors a nomination form for coaches to select and rank players for our All-Area teams. A combination of Herald-Tribune research and the coaches’ player rankings lead to the teams being selected. An athlete of the year for each sport will be announced at the Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Area High School Sports Awards show.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Meet the Herald-Tribune All-Area Girls Cross Country team from Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte counties
