Doral’s Pamela McDonald wins state boys’ soccer coach award; Belen baseball wins big game
Doral Academy boys’ soccer coach Pamela McDonald won the Florida Dairy Farmers Boys’ Soccer Coach of the Year award, following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school boys’ soccer coaches and media representatives.
In her 13th season, McDonald led the Explorers to an 11-1-3 record and the Class 6A state title, Doral’s first state championship.
That state title was the first for a woman coaching a boys’ team in the 44-year history of the FHSAA state playoffs.
A former Barry University women’s soccer player, McDonald coached the 2017 Doral boys’ squad to a state runner-up finish.
She is the fifth Miami Dade coach to win the prestigious honor in the award’s 29-year history.
“This is incredible, and I’m super proud to win this award,” McDonald said. “Winning a state championship was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life but the most rewarding. It was a long time coming. Our program has always been a very good program, but you’re always looking for that state title to benefit the program.
“It’s been a little overwhelming since we’ve won state. I’ve been interviewed by the BBC, interviewed [for media] in Scotland, Telemundo, NBC [and more]; it’s been amazing, and I’m super happy for the guys and the program.”
McDonald totaled 126 points (10 first place votes) in winning this year’s main award, with Florida Dairy Farmers Class 4A Coach of the Year Jonathan Hammond (three first place votes) of Arnold finishing second with 66 points.
Class 3A COY Kevin McCarron (one first place vote) of Tampa Catholic was third with 52 points, followed by Class 7A COY Bryan Billingsley of Gulf Coast (38), Class 2A COY Kevin Schoensee (one first place vote) of Canterbury (36) and Class 5A COY Tanger Mendonca (one first place vote) of Belen Jesuit (22).
McDonald was eligible for the overall honor by becoming the Class 6A Florida Dairy Farmers Boys’ Soccer Coach of the Year.
The Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers’ commitment to the state’s youth. This is the 29th year of these unique awards as we honor the state’s top athletes and coaches in all 30 FHSAA sanctioned and recognized sports.
The program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy products a primary part of their diet in their overall nutrition plan.
PAST BOYS’ SOCCER COACH WINNERS:
1993 – Dave Zimmerman, Tampa Berkeley Prep
1994 – Jerry McCabe, Melbourne
1995 – Santiago Molina, Tallahassee Lincoln
1996 – Santiago Molina, Tallahassee Lincoln
1997 – Bob Bauman, Tampa Jesuit
1998 – Kevin Brown, Neptune Beach Fletcher
1999 – Jim Willenborg, American
2000 – Adrian Bush, Tampa Gaither
2001 – Bob Bauman, Tampa Jesuit
2002 – Darrin Karuzas, Boca Raton Olympic Heights
2003 – Allen Ware, Brandon
2004 – Dave Zimmerman, Tampa Berkeley Prep
2005 – Jay Flipse, Sunset
2006 – David Sica, Clearwater Countryside
2007 – Matias Asorey, Varela
2008 – Jose DaCosta, Tampa Prep
2009 – Jerry McCabe, Melbourne
2010 – Jerry McCabe, Melbourne
2011 – Jobie Hughes, St. Thomas Aquinas
2012 – Juan (John) Ramos, Cypress Bay
2013 – Daniel Villarreal, Ponte Vedra
2014 – Michael Stewart, Christopher Columbus
2015 – Chris McDaniel, Choctawhatchee
2016 – Daniel Villarreal, Ponte Vedra
2017 – Nate Murphy, Seabreeze
2018 – Caleb Roberts, Plant City
2019 – Guy Jennings, Auburndale
2020 – Marcelo Castillo, Boca Raton
Belen beats Braddock
Belen Jesuit handed Braddock its first loss of the season by edging the Bulldogs 1-0 in a classic pitching dual.
Ryan Cainzos’s RBI groundout scored Amherst College commit Jack Sampedro, who tripled to open the bottom of the third inning. That proved to be the winning run, which helped the Wolverines snap their five-game skid.
Pitching was the big story.
Richmond University commit Esteban Rodriguez allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five on 107 pitches in 5.1 shutout innings to record the victory.
Braddock starter Carlos Colugna was masterful as well, allowing one run on five hits and a walk while striking out eight in six innings.
Andy Bello relieved Rodriguez with one out in the fifth inning. He tossed 1.2 innings of shutout ball, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out two for the save. Gio Cueto was 2 for 3 for Belen. Manny Souffrain went 2 for 3 with a double for Braddock.
Braddock (16-1) faces Somerset Academy when it returns from Spring Break next week. Belen Jesuit (9-6) hosts the South Florida Catholic School Classic against LaSalle at 7 p.m. Monday.
More Baseball
IMG National Classic Semifinal: IMG National 13, Doral Academy 3: DOR: Gaby Gutierrez HR, 3 RBI; Anthony Bordone 1-2, Run; Adrian Santana 1-3, Run; Renzo Gonzalez 4 IP, 3 ER, 9K.
McArthur 1, Pines Charter 0: WP Andre Guzman 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K; LP Riley Bambino 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB. McA: Miguel Martinez 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 K; Alex Valentin 2-4, 1 R, 1 BB. PC: Brandon Barcenas 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 6 K. McA (4-9), PC (8-7).
Boys’ volleyball
Flanagan d. Coral Springs 25-9, 25-11, 25-16: Player of the Match: Kory Grant.
Submit varsity game results
For high schools in Broward and Miami Dade counties, if you have varsity game results for this column, email hssports@miamiherald.com. Varsity only.
---
Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
