Poll: Vote for the Miami Herald High School Athlete of the Week (28)
This week, we continue a feature where we ask you to vote for the best high school varsity performer of the week (in Broward and Miami-Dade counties).
This week includes nominees from high school baseball, lacrosse, tennis, track & field and water polo.
Take our poll below to cast your vote. The poll will be open until Thursday, April 9 til around 10 p.m. You may vote as often as you like until then.
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.
Braylen Bennett, American Heritage-Plantation track & field: the senior was runner-up in the 100 at 10.14 seconds and third in the 200 in 20.82 at the FSU Relays in Tallahassee
Beau Gibson, Palmetto tennis: the junior led the boys’ team to its second consecutive GMAC title at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne. At 11-1 overall, he defeated No.1 singles players from Columbus and ATM as the Panthers’ team remain undefeated. He also plays No.1 doubles where the duo is 12-0.
Juan Sebastian Ibarra, Gulliver Prep water polo: the senior captain made 14 saves to lead the Raiders over Boca Raton St. Andrew’s.
Jack Michalak, Belen Jesuit track & field: the sophomore won the 800-meter race (1:51.19) and also was part of the winning 4x800m relay (7:50.75) as he helped the Wolverines win their second consecutive FSU Relays team title in Tallahassee.
Alejandro Porta, Southwest baseball: the senior drove in the winner in walk-off fashion in extra innings against Miami Christian in the finals as the Eagles won the HSBN Spring Break Tournament in South Florida. He also was 1-3 with a double, a walk, a run and an RBI in a semifinal win over Killian.
Eliecer Rodriguez, McArthur baseball: the senior pitcher went the distance for a complete game victory over Everglades 7-2. He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and struck out 10 in 7 innings. He also helped his cause, going 2-4 with a double and an RBI.
Ava Valdivieso, Archbishop McCarthy lacrosse: the sophomore had 7 goals, 9 groundballs, 6 caused turnovers, and 9 draw controls in a 9-6 win over Key West and 4 goals, 2 assists, 10 groundballs, and 4 caused turnovers in a 6-4 win over Wellington
Christopher Vasallo, Doral Academy baseball: the junior pitcher tossed 6 innings, allowing 0 runs and 1 hit while striking out 10 in a 3-0 win over Hialeah High. He also pitched a win over Archbishop McCarthy as the Firebirds won the Prospect Select Spring Break Classic in Viera.
This story was originally published April 4, 2026 at 4:29 AM.
