Poll: Vote for the Miami Herald High School Athlete of the Week (8)
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 bowling, cross-country, football, golf, and swimming.
Take our poll below to cast your vote. The poll will be open until Thursday, Oct. 23 at 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.
Marcos Aguilar, St. Brendan football: the senior linebacker/strong safety recorded 11 tackles, 2 interceptions and 1 pass breakup in defeat against visiting NSU University School.
Francesca Black, MAST golf: the 8th grader won the GMAC girls’ individual championship at Redland Golf and Country Club in Homestead. She shot a winning 82 to help the Makos win the team title.
Sebastian Eterovic, Columbus golf: the freshman tied for third at 2-over par to lead the champion Explorers at the Archbishop McCarthy Maverick Boys’ Golf Invitational at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs.
Laila Harran, West Broward swimming: the sophomore won the 50 free in 23.16 seconds and 200 free in 1:49.16 -- both are meet record times -- at the BCAA Championships.
Nicolas Kokidko, Braddock swimming: the junior won the 200 free in 1 minute 43.09 seconds to help the Bulldogs win the GMAC boys’ title at Miami-Dade College’s North Campus pool.
David Lazo, South Plantation cross-country: the junior won the BCAA boys’ individual title in 16 minutes 52.2 seconds at Markham Park in Sunrise.
Penelope Lopez-Casula, Miami Beach swimming: the freshman won two individual titles (50 free in 24.34 seconds and 100 free in 52.37) and was a member of the winning 200 medley relay, while helping the Hi-Tides win the GMAC girls’ title at Miami-Dade College’s North Campus pool.
Jesus Prieto, Ferguson bowling: the senior had the high series (651) for the tournament as the unbeaten Falcons boys’ team won the Miami-Dade Youth Fair Tournament at Bird Bowl in Miami.
Abigail Richards, Dillard cross-country: after finishing fifth last year, the senior shaved 13 seconds off her 2024 time to win the 2025 BCAA girls’ individual title in 19:34.1 at Markham Park in Sunrise, while leading the Panthers to the team title for the second consecutive season.
Rafael Salvatierra, Palmer Trinity football: the junior receiver/defensive back was outstanding in a 38-6 win over visiting Bridgeprep Village Green. He caught 3 passes for 93 yards and 2 TDs. He also ran the ball 3 times for 26 yards, totaling 119 all-purpose yards. Defensively, he recorded 3 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle for 4 tackles overall and broke-up a pass.
Colton Smith, Ransom Everglades football: the sophomore receiver caught 4 passes for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 43-0 win over host NSU University School.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 7:22 PM.
