Poll: Who should be the Miami Herald’s High School Athlete of the Week? (May 12)
South Florida’s top athletes were recognized recently in the sports of baseball, tennis, boys’ volleyball, and water polo in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
This week, we continue a feature where we ask you to vote for the best performer of the week from flag football, lacrosse, tennis, and track & field.
Take our poll below to cast your vote. The poll will be open until Thursday, May 15, around 10 p.m. You may vote as often as you like until then.
Here are the candidates:
NOTE: You should see a Miami Herald box underneath this note for you to type Yes and click Submit. That will ignite the actual poll to vote.
▪ Grace Aldrich, Carrollton track & field: after illness derailed her chances at state last season, the senior rebounded this season by winning an FHSAA state title in Class 2A in the 1,600 meter race in 4:52.98. She was also key in the Cyclones winning the 3,200-meter relay state title in 9:15.87, and both victories helped Carrollton win the program’s first state team title in track & field (by half-a-point over Montverde Academy).
▪ Savita Bagirathan, Stoneman Douglas tennis: the senior won the state title at No.1 singles in Class 4A for the second consecutive season. She also teamed with her sophomore sister Dhea, and they were state semifinalists at No.1 doubles.
▪ Gabriel Carr, Sunset track & field: the senior was the only boys’ individual FHSAA state champion in 2A from Miami-Dade County, winning the 1,600 meters run (4:17.71). He is the first Sunset athlete to win an individual track state title since Edel Fonseca in 1987.
▪ Tyra Cox, Northwestern track & field: the senior won gold in the 200-meter (22.99) and dash and 400-meter (51.44) runs during the 3A state championships as the Bulls were state runners-up.
▪ Arianna Garcia, Carrollton track & field: the junior swept the 100-meter hurdles (14.09 seconds) and 400-meter hurdles (58.97) championships at state in Class 2A. She also was on the state runner-up 1,600-mile relay team which clinched the program’s first team state title (by just half-a-point over Montverde Academy).
▪ Remy Goins, Columbus track & field: the senior won a state title in the javelin with a throw of 60.54 to help the Explorers win a 4A state championship.
▪ Lauren Kettlewell, Divine Savior tennis: the senior returned to high school tennis after a three-year hiatus (focusing on the state and national circuit) and became the first tennis player in school history to win state. She beat the defending state champ in the finals for the 1A state title at girls’ No.1 singles. She also teamed with Anabella Parente to place second at state at No.1 doubles.
▪ Lauren Kirby, Somerset Academy track & field: the senior won two state titles, finishing first in the shot put (13.81 meters) and discus (49.28 meters) in Class 3A.
▪ Rakyia Louis, Edison flag football: the senior quarterback threw four touchdown passes, including the winner on the game’s final play, covering 50 yards to freshman Poetry Auguste as the Red Raiders (19-1) won their first flag football state title with a 26-20 win over Wildwood in the finals.
▪ Alexia Reid, Dillard track & field: the senior won gold in the 100-meter hurdles (13.70) and 400-meter hurdles (59.59) to help the Panthers win their second consecutive 3A state team championship.
▪ Diego Salazar, St. Thomas Aquinas lacrosse: the junior scored seven goals to lead the Raiders to the state championship with a 13-4 victory over Ponte Vedra.
▪ Alexa Schwartz, North Broward Prep track & field: the senior won an FHSAA state title in Class 2A in the javelin, setting a meet record at 47.04 meters.
▪ Tiago Socarras, Belen Jesuit track & field: the senior won gold medals in the 800-meter run (1:52.27) and 1,600-meter run (4:10.11) as the Wolverines won their first state title since 2007.
This story was originally published May 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM.
