Top high school athletes, coaches honored at Miami Herald’s All-County Awards ceremony
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ It was a virtual ceremony for a second consecutive year — far different from the usual hustle and bustle and in-person breakfasts usually held for this occasion — but the tradition lives on.
The Miami Herald’s All-County Athletic Awards — sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida’s Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute and presented by the Orange Bowl — honored the top athletes and coaches for their achievements during the 2020-2021 school year.
And what a successful year it was.
Schools from Miami-Dade and Broward counties amassed 38 team state titles and a host more individual state titles in spots like cross country, track and field, swimming and diving, wrestling and tennis.
Here is a look at some of the top award winners:
Overall athletes of the year
▪ Miami-Dade 7A-5A Male Athlete of the Year — Belen Jesuit’s Javier Vento: Vento, a senior, won his second individual state champion in cross-country as well as a pair of individual state titles in track and field. During his career, he led his school to four state cross-country titles and helped the Wolverines finish as Class 3A runners-up finish in track this spring.
▪ Miami-Dade 7A-5A Female Athlete of the Year — Krop’s Lindsey Weingard: Weingard, a senior, earned first-team All-Dade in three sports this year: Basketball (for the third time), bowling and flag football. She was a three-time district champion in all three. She’s headed to Duke in the fall.
▪ Miami-Dade 4A-1A Male Athlete of the Year — Westminster Christian’s Sal Stewart: Stewart, a junior, added to the great baseball tradition at Westminster Christian with a monster season at the plate. He belted out 17 home runs with a .564 batting average, 40 RBI and 45 runs scored as the Warriors reached the Class 3A title game. Stewart also shot 40 percent from the field and averaged 11 points per game as a starter on the school’s basketball team. He has one more high school season to go before he either heads off to play baseball at national powerhouse Vanderbilt or turns pro.
▪ Miami-Dade 4A-1A Female Athlete of the Year — Westminster Christian’s Saskia Hernandez: Hernandez, a senior, wins the award for a second consecutive season. She ends her preps career as a four-time first team All-Dade honoree in volleyball as well as a first team All-State selection and All-American by PrepVolleyball. She also competed as a thrower in track and field and has been a force on the school’s beach volleyball team. She will play volleyball collegiately on scholarship at North Carolina State.
▪ Broward 7A-5A Male Athlete of the Year — Dillard’s Devaughn Mortimer: He was the fastest sprinter in Broward in the 100 and 200 meters at state this season while helping his team win its first-ever state title. On the football field, the junior was one of the best rreceivers/kick returners in the state. He finished with 318 yards and five touchdowns while returning 2 kickoffs and three punts for scores to lead Dillard to a Tri-County championship.
▪ Broward 7A-5A Female Athlete of the year — St. Thomas Aquinas’ Eddiyah Frye: Frye, a senior, became an integral part of the Raiders’ three state track and field titles in the past four seasons. Her contributions this year included state titles in the long jump, 100-meter hurdles and as part of the winning 400-meter relay. Frye will compete for the University of North Carolina next season.
▪ Broward 4A-1A Male Athlete of the Year — University School’s Emile Aime: Aime, a senior, earned All-County first team honors while at TRU Prep Academy in the fall since his home school could not have a team due to COVID-19 concerns. He posted 75 tackles, four sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He then competed for his University School in track and won the state shot put title in with a school-record mark of 16.62 meters. Aime is heading to Florida State University as a preferred walk-on for the football team.
▪ Broward 4A-1A Female Athlete of the Year — Pine Crest’s Julia Podkoscielny: Podkoscielny, a sophomore, won four state championships this season in swimming, taking home titles in the 200 IM, 100 backstroke as well as the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays all while leading Pine Crest to another team state championship.
Don Shula Coaches of the Year
▪ Miami-Dade Male Sports — Doral Academy soccer’s Pamela McDonald: McDonald made history not only for leading her squad to its first-ever state championship but also by becoming the first woman to coach a boys team to a title in state history in soccer.
▪ Miami-Dade Female Sports — Mater Academy volleyball’s Elsa Lopez: Her team had no home gym and had to deal with a shortened schedule due to COVID-19. But neither stopped Lopez or her players from securing their first-ever state championship.
▪ Broward Male Sports — Dillard track and field’s Davidson Gill: After a decade building toward this moment, Gill finally saw his team secure its first state title with a dominant victory in Class 3A which included three relay titles.
▪ Broward Female Sports — Cardinal Gibbons soccer’s Margo Flack: Flack spent nearly two decades guiding one of the premier girls soccer programs, but had yet to lead them to a state championship. That changed this past February in dominant fashion.
Other special awards
▪ Miami-Dade Boys Scholar Athlete: Belen Jesuit’s Javier Vento
▪ Miami-Dade Girls Scholar Athlete: Ransom Everglades’ Lindsay Gould
▪ Broward Boys Scholar Athlete: American Heritage’s Benjamin Gomez Del Campo
▪ Broward Girls Scholar Athlete: American Heritage’s Daniella Aronsky
▪ Lifetime Achievement Awards: Mater Academy’s Shakey Rodriguez and Columbus’ Fred Foyo
▪ Leo Suarez/Walter Krietsch Courage Awards: Mater Academy boys’ basketball team and Columbus track and field team
Major Awards
▪ Dade Class 4A-1A girls’ major awards winner is Westminster Christian.
▪ Dade Class 7A-5A winner is Lourdes.
▪ Dade Class 4A-1A boys’ winner is Westminster Christian.
▪ Dade Class 7A-5A winner is Columbus.
▪ Dade overall All-Sports award winner for Class 4A-1A is Gulliver Prep.
▪ Dade overall All-Sports award winner for Class 7A-5A is Doral Academy.
▪ Broward Class 4A-1A girls major sports award winner is American Heritage.
▪ Broward Class 7A-5A winner is St. Thomas Aquinas.
▪ Broward Class 4A-1A boys’ winner in Calvary Christian.
▪ Broward Class 7A-5A winner is St. Thomas Aquinas.
▪ Broward overall All-Sports awards winner for Class 4A-1A is American Heritage.
▪ Broward overall All-Sports awards winner for Class 7A-5A is St. Thomas Aquinas.
FALL SPORTS
MIAMI-DADE FOOTBALL
8A-6A Offensive Player of the Year: Brashard Smith, Palmetto
8A-6A Defensive Player of the Year: Leonard Taylor, Palmetto
8A-6A Co-Coaches of the Year: Dave Dunn, Columbus AND Roland Smith, Central
5A-2A Offensive Player of the Year: Tyous Taylor, Champagnat
5A-2A Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Payton, Northwestern
5A-2A Coach of the Year: Hector Clavijo, Champagnat
BROWARD FOOTBALL
8A-6A Offensive Player of the Year: Anthony Hankerson, St. Thomas Aquinas
8A-6A Defensive Player of the Year: Dallas Turner, St. Thomas Aquinas
8A-6A Co-Coaches of the Year: Roger Harriott, St. Thomas Aquinas AND Tyler Tate, Dillard
5A-2A Offensive Player of the Year: Brody Palhegyi, Cardinal Gibbons
5A-2A Defensive Player of the Year: James Williams, American Heritage
5A-2A Co-Coaches of the Year: Patrick Surtain, American Heritage AND Matt DuBuc, Cardinal Gibbons
MIAMI-DADE GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
7A-5A Player of the Year: Angeles Alderete, Mater Academy
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Elsa Lopez, Mater Academy
4A-2A Player of the Year: Saskia Hernandez, Westminster Christian
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Julia Doan Kurenuma, Westminster Christian
BROWARD GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
7A-5A Player of the Year: Natalie Hernandez, Pembroke Pines Charter
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Andres Ibon, Pembroke Pines Charter
4A-2A Player of the Year: Dylan Andrews, Cardinal Gibbons
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Kathryn Reeber, Cardinal Gibbons
MIAMI-DADE CROSS-COUNTRY
Boys’ Runner of the Year: Javier Vento, Belen Jesuit
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Frankie Ruiz, Belen Jesuit
Girls’ Runner of the Year: Penelope Sosa, Coral Park
Girls’ Coach of the Year: David Suarez, Gulliver Prep
BROWARD CROSS-COUNTRY
Boys’ Runner of the Year: Michael Fiore, Fort Lauderdale
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Josh Fulton, Fort Lauderdale
Girls’ Runner of the Year: Christiana Coleman, Dillard
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Bob Bemis, South Florida HEAT
MIAMI-DADE GOLF
Boys’ Golfer of the Year: Tomas Borquez, Doral Academy
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Michael Marinelli, Columbus
Girls’ Golfer of the Year: Giuliana Gomez, Doral Academy
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Armando Echeverria, Doral Academy
BROWARD GOLF
Boys’ Golfer of the Year: Luke Clanton, American Heritage
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Brandt Moser, American Heritage
Girls’ Golfer of the Year: Kelly Shanahan, American Heritage
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Mike Carlin, American Heritage
MIAMI-DADE SWIMMING AND DIVING
Boys’ Swimmer of the Year: Miguel Sierra, Cutler Bay
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Caesar Asadi, Mater Lakes
Girls’ Swimmer of the Year: Olivia Dinehart, Cutler Bay
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Chris George, Gulliver Prep
BROWARD SWIMMING AND DIVING
Boys’ Swimmer of the Year: Kevin Mendez, Pine Crest
Girls’ Swimmer of the Year: Julia Podkoscielny, Pine Crest
Coach of the Year: Mariusz Podkoscielny, Pine Crest
MIAMI-DADE BOWLING
Boys’ Bowler of the Year: Ryan Tofolli, TERRA
Girls’ Bowler of the Year: Alexa Hernandez, Braddock
Coach of the Year: Steve Suarez, TERRA
BROWARD BOWLING
Boys’ Bowler of the Year: Andysson Alleyne, Coral Springs
Girls’ Bowler of the Year: Katarina Hagler, Coral Springs Charter
Coach of the Year: Rickey Samuels, Coral Springs
WINTER SPORTS
MIAMI-DADE BOYS’ BASKETBALL
7A-5A Player of the Year: Desmond Romer, Coral Gables
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Eric Rodriguez, Mater Academy
4A-IND Player of the Year: Arturo Dean, Calusa Prep
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Ralph Mata, Miami Country DAy
BROWARD BOYS’ BASKETBALL
7A-5A Player of the Year: Kolby King, Pembroke Pines Charter
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Alen Hardy, Western
4A-2A Co-Players of the Year: Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson, Pine Crest
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Cilk McSweeny, Calvary Christian AND Ike Smith, Pine Crest
MIAMI-DADE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
7A-5A Player of the Year: Jaiyah Harris-Smith, Norland
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Sam Baumgarten, Miami High
4A-2A Player of the Year: Andrea Daley, Miami Country Day
4A-2A Co-Coaches of the Year: Ochiel Swaby, Miami Country Day AND Chanel Davila, Miami Christian
BROWARD GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
7A-5A Co-Players of the Year: Samara Spencer, St. Thomas Aquinas
7A-5A Co-Coaches of the Year: Oliver Berens, St. Thomas Aquinas AND Greg Farias, American Heritage
4A-2A Player of the Year: Emma Wallhoff, Westminster Academy
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Shannon Wallhoff, Westminster Academy
MIAMI-DADE WRESTLING
Wrestlers of the Year: Sawyer Bartelt, South Dade
Coach of the Year: Vic Balmeceda, South Dade
BROWARD WRESTLING
Co-Wrestlers of the Year: Darian Estevez, Somerset Academy AND Nicholas Yancey, Cardinal Gibbons
Coach of the Year: Joseph Blasucci, Somerset Academy
MIAMI-DADE BOYS’ SOCCER
7A-5A Co-Players of the Year: Aaron Tamariz, Doral Academy AND Emiliano Sosa, Belen Jesuit
7A-5A Co-Coaches of the Year: Pamela McDonald, Doral Academy AND Tanger Mendonca, Belen Jesuit
4A-2A Player of the Year: Danny Mendoza, Ransom Everglades
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Josh Kirk, Westminster Christian
BROWARD BOYS’ SOCCER
7A-5A Player of the Year: Mario Simoes, Fort Lauderdale
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Mourinho Snipe, Fort Lauderdale
4A-2A Player of the Year: Ethan Strati, North Broward Prep
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Chris Lamarre, Westminster Academy
MIAMI-DADE GIRLS’ SOCCER
7A-5A Player of the Year: Alexa Sanchez, Lourdes
7A-5A Coaches of the Year: Ramiro Vegoechea, Lourdes
4A-2A Player of the Year: Lindsey Gould, Ransom Everglades
4A-2A Coaches of the Year: Antonio Boada, Westminster Christian
BROWARD GIRLS’ SOCCER
7A-5A Co-Players of the Year: Kimmy Cover, Archbishop McCarthy AND Barbara Garcia, Cypress Bay
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Kate Dwyer, Cypress Bay
4A-2A Player of the Year: Madison Young, Cardinal Gibbons
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Margo Flack, Cardinal Gibbons
MIAMI-DADE CHEERLEADING
Coach of the Year: Coral Buxeda, LaSalle
BROWARD CHEERLEADING
Coach of the Year: Rachal Garris, Coral Springs Charter
SPRING SPORTS
MIAMI-DADE BASEBALL
7A-5A Co-Pitchers of the Year: Chris Orduna, Braddock AND Evan Demurias, Doral Academy
7A-5A Player of the Year: Renzo Gonzalez, Doral Academy
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Wesley Morejon, Braddock
4A-2A Pitcher of the Year: Jurrangelo Cijntje, Champagnat
4A-2A Player of the Year: Sal Stewart, Westminster Christian
4A-2A Co-Coaches of the Year: Lazaro Fundora, Hialeah Educational AND Albert Osorio, Mater Lakes
BROWARD BASEBALL
7A-5A Pitcher of the Year: Darius Robinson, St. Thomas Aquinas
7A-5A Player of the Year: Roman Anthony, Stoneman Douglas
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Joe Giummule, Taravella
4A-2A Pitcher of the Year: Andrew Painter, Calvary Christian
4A-2A Player of the Year: Yoel Tejada, North Broward Prep
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Brian Campbell, North Broward Prep
MIAMI-DADE SOFTBALL
7A-5A Pitcher of the Year: Alyssa Zabala, Doral Academy
7A-5A Player of the Year: Kassandra Machado, Doral Academy
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Willie Viruet, Doral Academy
4A-2A Pitcher of the Year: Hailey Donovan, Westminster Christian
4A-2A Player of the Year: Ajah Mallary, Gulliver Prep
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Scott Doan, Westminter Christian
BROWARD SOFTBALL
7A-5A Pitcher of the Year: Jordyn Hustey, Cooper City
7A-5A Player of the Year: Avery Olsen, Western
7A-5A Coach of the Year: Delvin Pascual, Pembroke Pines Charter
4A-2A Pitcher of the Year: Brianna Godfrey, Coral Springs Charter
4A-2A Player of the Year: Emily Legette, American Heritage
4A-2A Coach of the Year: Casey Jarvis, Westminster Academy
MIAMI-DADE TRACK AND FIELD
Boys’ Athlete of the Year: Javier Vento, Belen Jesuit
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Victor Arrieta, Belen Jesuit
Girls’ Athlete of the Year: Alyssa Jones, Southridge
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Carmen Jackson, Northwestern
BROWARD TRACK AND FIELD
Boys’ Athlete of the Year: Jerry Philippe, Dillard
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Davidson Gill, Dillard
Girls’ Athlete of the Year: Eddiyah Frye, St. Thomas Aquinas
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Alex Armenteros, St. Thomas Aquinas
MIAMI-DADE TENNIS
Boys’ Player of the Year: Sebastian Rondon, Krop
Boys’ Co-Coaches of the Year:Carlos Maehama, Krop AND Justin Puppo, Doral Academy
Girls’ Player of the Year: Valeria Ray, Doral Academy
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Justin Puppo, Doral Academy
BROWARD TENNIS
Boys’ Player of the Year: Jameson Corsillo, Pine Crest
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Corey Marsh, Pine Crest
Girls’ Player of the Year: Cadence Brace, Stoneman Douglas
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Tobias Croke, American Heritage
MIAMI-DADE BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
Player of the Year: Jack Hershman, Southwest
Coach of the Year: Rafael Cabanzon, Miami High
BROWARD BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
Player of the Year: Thiago Zamprogno, Cardinal Gibbons
Coach of the Year: Leo Jimenez, South Broward
MIAMI-DADE WATER POLO
Boys’ Player of the Year: Bruno Rebessi, Gulliver Prep
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Carroll Vaughan, Gulliver Prep
Girls’ Player of the Year: Alissa Pascual, Gulliver Prep
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Carroll Vaughan, Gulliver Prep
BROWARD WATER POLO
Boys’ Player of the Year: Luksa Vlasic, St. Thomas Aquinas
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Michael Goldenberg, St. Thomas Aquinas
Girls’ Player of the Year: Sydney deVroedt, South Broward
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Daniel Cercols, Westminster Academy
MIAMI-DADE LACROSSE
Boys’ Player of the Year: Victor Rosado, Belen Jesuit
Boys’ Coach of the Year: Alan Bellando, Belen Jesuit
Girls’ Player of the Year: Ellie Dyke, Ransom Everglades
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Jackie Kirsthardt, Ransom Everglades
BROWARD LACROSSE
Boys’ Player of the Year: Jared Chenoy, St. Thomas Aquinas
Boys’ Coach of the Year:Terry Crowley, St. Thomas Aquinas
Girls’ Player of the Year: Ava Yovino, St. Thomas Aquinas
Girls’ Coach of the Year: Kevin Gilligan, St. Thomas Aquinas
MIAMI-DADE FLAG FOOTBALL
Player of the Year: Alexandris Harris, Edison
Coach of the Year: Vince Hall, Edison
BROWARD FLAG FOOTBALL
Player of the Year: Sydney Ford, Western
Coach of the Year: James O’Brien, Western
MIAMI-DADE BADMINTON
Girls’ Player of the Year: Febe Dominguez, Ferguson
Boys’ Player of the Year: Oliver Peralta, Hialeah Gardens
Coach of the Year: Richard Lopez, Ferguson
This story was originally published May 26, 2021 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Top high school athletes, coaches honored at Miami Herald’s All-County Awards ceremony."
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