William Freshwater is a talented freshman tennis player at Barron Collier High School. He had a great first year, compiling an impressive 6-2 record at #1 singles and a 4-0 record at #1 doubles – helping the Cougars make it to the final four of the Class 3A State Team Tournament. Individually, William finished State Runner-Up in both his singles and doubles Class 3A State Championship matches. It should be no surprise that he is an ace in the classroom as well with a weighted 4.22 GPA!

Everglades City’s Landon Lenz experienced his first year of organized baseball as a pitcher and first baseman on the varsity baseball team. His attitude is second-to-none and his humility is as good as any skill set used in baseball. Landon is the ultimate team player, encouraging his teammates to do their best at all times. This freshman athlete is often referred to as a "sponge" for his enthusiasm for learning the game and coaches are looking forward to his growth over the next few years!

Aaliyah Carter is a sprinter and long jumper on the Golden Gate High School girls track & field team. In her senior season, she took home the district title in the 400m event with a time of 1:01.48, advancing Aaliyah to her fourth straight Regional Meet. She has set personal best times in three different events: the 200m (26.84), the 100m (13.12), and the long jump (4.48m jump). Coaches say she is the ultimate versatile athlete with a flawless work ethic. Aaliyah graduated with an impressive 4.5 GPA!

Senior Reece Hudec is a team captain on the Gulf Coast High School (GCH) girls lacrosse team. In 18 games played, Reece scored 34 goals and had 17 assists as the midfielder for the Sharks. During her four years at GCH, she was President of the National Honor Society and simultaneously led charity campaigns for other programs and events. This high-achieving student-athlete graduated with a 4.6 GPA that is nothing short of stellar!

Omarion Carter is a two-sport student-athlete at Immokalee High School (IHS). Just a sophomore, he has a bright future within IHS sports. Omarion is a triple threat on the Indians football team – playing wide receiver, defensive back, and kick returner. He gave fans a glimpse of things to come when he gained over 100 total yards in the spring game win versus Clewiston (16-14). In the winter, Omarion plays point guard on the varsity basketball team. Watch for bigger things from this athlete next year!

Lely High School’s Nedgine Morancy is a talented senior and member of the Trojans girls track & field team and holds the school record in the triple jump with a leap of 11.88m. Last year, as a junior, she made it to the FHSAA 3A State Track & Field Meet and placed 12th. Nedgine also played soccer and is a member of the National Honor Society. This top performer on and off the track (and field) recently graduated with a 4.8 GPA!

Johnny King is a junior baseball player at Naples High School. He is a dual threat for the Eagles from the mound and batter’s box. As a pitcher, he recorded 73 strikeouts in just 28 innings and led the team with a microscopic 1.11 earned run average (ERA). In the batter's box, Johnny hit .443 and was the team leader in hits with 39. His consistently strong play all year helped propel the Eagles to conference, district, and regional titles. Coaches anxiously await his continued success next year!

Freshman Brayden Brown from Palmetto Ridge High School plays goalie on the boys lacrosse team and had an outstanding first year, to say the least. Brayden earned three wins and stopped 362 total shots on goal for an impressive 74% save percentage. He also broke a 38-year-old national record in a game against Taravella High School by saving 57 of 60 shots in the 7 overtime, 4-3 victory for the Bears. The seven-overtime game is also believed to be a state record. An impressive start to what will certainly be a huge high school career!

Barron Collier High School’s Rebecca Van't Hoff is a junior on the Cougars track & field team and currently ranked #3 in the state (3A) in the Javelin, having recently captured the 3A District 12 Championship. In fact, she holds the school, Collier County Athletic Conference (CCAC), District, and Regional records! Rebecca is a three-year varsity letter recipient in three sports: swimming, basketball, and track & field. Equally as impressive, she carries a 5.1 GPA in the classroom.

Sophomore Gena Collins at Everglades City School is having a great start on the varsity softball team. She leads the team with a .600 batting average along with 2 triples, 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 21 RBI's, and has scored 12 runs so far this season for the Lady Gators. Coaches say Gena brings defensive toughness at her third base position and is an all-around leader on and off the field.

Golden Gate High School’s Jeffery Simpson is a talented senior baseball player. This Titan plays multiple positions – third base and pitcher – making him very valuable. Jeffery is currently third on the team in hits (18), leading to an impressive .340 batting average with 1 home run, 13 RBI's, 9 stolen bases, and 19 runs scored! He brings the heat on the mound as well, posting an impressive 2.00 Earned Run Average (ERA). Not surprising, Jeffery has earned 3 MaxPreps Player of the Game Awards so far this year.

Senior Michael Farina is a dual threat on Gulf Coast High School's baseball team. Playing pitcher and infielder, he has been nothing short of impressive. Michael has a 1.17 Earned Run Average (ERA), including a great win against Canterbury where he gave up just four hits, struck out six, and gave up no runs. At the plate, he is second on the team with a .328 batting average. Michael carries a strong 4.5 GPA and will attend the University of Tampa next fall.

Chandron Pierre is a junior at Immokalee High School and shares his athleticism between two sports. As a starting wide receiver on the Indians’ football team, he had 13 catches for 187 yards this past season. On the track, Chandron won the Collier County Athletic Conference (CCAC) Championship in the 400m hurdles with a time of 59.80. He finished first in Class 3A District 12 with an even faster time of 58.10, qualifying him for the regional meet.

Senior Omar Vilsaint is a member of the track & field team at Lely High School. He cinched the Class 3A District 12 Championship in the triple jump event when he recorded an impressive leap of 44 feet 2.75 inches. He finished 5th in the Class 3A Region 3 Meet with a jump of 43 feet 6.5 inches. This talented athlete will compete in the triple jump event for the Trojans at the State Meet on May 19th. Best of luck, Omar!

Naples High School’s (NHS) Ella Perry is a top tennis player in the District, playing #2 singles and #1 doubles on the girls tennis team. She is a four-year varsity player and the recipient of the prestigious Naples High School Student-Athlete Award last year. Ella is also an active member of the Junior Statesman of America, NHS Pickleball, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes clubs. This stellar student-athlete earns a weighted 5.4 GPA in the classroom.

Senior Haley Springs from Palmetto Ridge High School is a captain on the softball team where she has been dominant as a pitcher and utility player. She has given up only 35 hits from 146 batters and has 19 strikeouts. In the batter’s box, she is hitting .359 with 2 home runs (including a grand slam), 4 triples, and 19 RBIs. Playing multiple positions in the field, Haley has a .902 fielding percentage. Coaches say she is a motivational leader for her teammates and always maintains a positive attitude.

Barron Collier High School’s Chase Howes is a senior captain on the boys cross country/track & field team. He broke the school record in the 1600 meter race at the recent North Port Invitational (4:29.78), earning him the distinct honor of being the first runner in 11 years to break 4:30 in the mile run for the Cougars. Not surprising, Chase is going the distance in the classroom as well where he carries an impressive 5.4 weighted GPA. He will attend University of Florida in the fall.

Freshman Josey Ryder is a talented softball player at Everglades City School. This versatile athlete has played three positions this season: pitcher, catcher, and shortstop. Josey has been very impressive at the plate, batting .650 with 1 home run, 4 doubles, 1 triple, and 11 runs batted in (RBI). She also has 5 stolen bases and 10 runs scored. According to her coaches, when injuries plagued the team, Josey stepped up and played whatever position necessary – a reflection of her team-first attitude.

Golden Gate High School’s Nicole Reyes is a senior captain on the Titans’ girls lacrosse team. She has scored 24 goals this season, with several games left to play. Her best game by far was an incredible performance against local rival Palmetto Ridge where she scored seven – yes, seven – goals. Coaches credit Nicole with always having a positive presence on the field and being extremely supportive of all her teammates.

Senior Peyton Davidson is a key member of Gulf Coast High School’s girls lacrosse team. The midfielder standout has scored more than 60 goals, dished out over 25 assists, and completed 100 draws in her varsity career. Coaches say Peyton is the definition of an all-around talent; she is a member of the weightlifting team, a JROTC cadet, and competes with the Raiders. She is equally impressive in the classroom, carrying a 4.45 GPA.

Naomie Sylvestre is a junior at Immokalee High School and one of the top wrestlers on the Indians’ girls wrestling team. She placed 3rd at Districts and won the Class 1A Region 3 Championship, which earned her a spot to compete at the FHSAA Girls State Wrestling Championship for the second straight year. Naomie finished the season with a strong 23-10 record. The future is certainly bright for this fierce competitor.

Senior Kylie Bledsoe is perhaps one of the best softball players in the District. The Lely High School pitcher had an unbelievable month of March on the mound and at the plate for the Trojans. Over the course of seven games Kylie collected 18 hits, batting .643 with 15 runs batted in (RBI). She also struck out 70 batters and posted a micro .97 earned run average (ERA). Kylie is a dual-enrollment student with an impressive 4.66 GPA.

Naples High School’s (NHS) Jonathan Havig is an excellent defenseman on the boys lacrosse team. So far this season, the senior Eagle has caused 17 turnovers, scored 2 goals, and has 25 ground balls. He is a recipient of the prestigious NHS Student-Athlete Award, reflecting his ability to find a healthy balance between athletics and academics. In the classroom, Jonathan has earned a convincing 5.1 weighted GPA.

Senior Leandro Ordonez from Palmetto Ridge High School is a captain on the varsity baseball team. Versatility is a true asset and playing shortstop, third base, and pitcher means he is a valuable player for the Bears. Leandro is batting .265 with two doubles and three runs batted in (RBI), and has an on-base percentage above .300. On the mound, he has 22 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched. Looking ahead, Leandro has committed to play baseball next year at St. Thomas University.

Barron Collier High School’s Nicolas "Nico" Fallon is a junior on the boys tennis team, playing #2 or #3 singles and #1 doubles. He has a 4-1 singles record, the best on the team so far this season. Coaches say Nico brings great positive energy to the court and is a leader for his teammates. He also carries an impressive 5.09 weighted GPA in the classroom, exhibiting a strong balance between athletics and academics.

Junior Katie Collins plays first base on the Everglades City School softball team. She is the leadoff hitter for the Gators and leads the team in stolen bases (10) and on-base percentage (.851). Katie is strong defensively on the field, posting the most put-outs on the team. She is ranked #1 in her class and has served on the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) advisory board for the last two years.

Judlin Alliance is a senior at Golden Gate High School. This four-year varsity wrestler has amassed an impressive total of 82 career wins for the Titans, including a successful finish to the current season with a 30-9 record. Judlin’s coaches praise his selfless nature, which translates to being a true leader for his teammates. In fact, Judlin was named the Team MVP for the 2022-23 season.

Gulf Coast High School’s Kaia Callis is a distance runner on the girls Cross Country and Track & Field teams. Through her many solid performances this year, the junior Shark has posted some of her best times in a variety of events: 5K (20:01), 4 X 800 (2:35), 1600 (5:44), and the 3200 (12:17). Kaia participates in the GCH Student Government Club and carries a strong 4.37 GPA in the classroom.

Senior Mike Tironne is a top wrestler for Immokalee High School. Competing at the 183-pound weight class, he finished the year with a 36-10 record. Season highlights include winning the Collier County Athletic Conference (CCAC) and District championships. Those hard-earned wins secured Mike a spot to compete in the FHSAA State Championships earlier this month.

Jennifer Martinez-Jimenez is a senior lacrosse player at Lely High School. She is a three-year varsity starter and goalie, helping the Lady Trojans to a 7-2 record so far. Jennifer is key to the team’s success and her extraordinary skills are second to none. She’s compiled 56 saves over the last 9 games, including a staggering 20 saves in one game alone. Jennifer is absolutely a force to be reckoned with!

Naples High School’s Luther Mogelvang is a junior pole vaulter for the Eagles. In fact, he is ranked #1 for Class 3A and #2 overall in Florida. Luther recorded his best vault of the season at the Loretta Purish Invitational in February, clearing 4.50 meters (14’ 9”). This accomplished musician participates in both the NHS Marching and Jazz bands, while carrying a weighted 4.0 GPA in the classroom.

Senior Tyler Washburn from Palmetto Ridge High School is undeniably one of the best wrestlers in the state. He has an amazing career record of 197-20 with an incredible 146 pins. Tyler is a four-time Collier County Athletic Conference (CCAC) Champion, four-time District Champion, and four-time Regional Champion. He also has three individual State Titles under his belt (2021-2023). Tyler is indeed a champion!

Barron Collier High School’s Cloelle Altaratz is one of the best female weightlifters in the district. This sophomore is a Collier County Athletic Conference (CCAC) and District weightlifting champion in her weight class in both Olympic and Traditional styles. Cloelle’s winning lifts were 295 (Olympic) and 305 (Traditional). She helped lead the lady Cougars to this year’s team District Championship and a spot in Regionals. As a complement to her strong athleticism, she carries a weighted 4.38 GPA in the classroom.

Senior Billy Smallwood is captain of the Everglades City School basketball team. As starting point guard, he is very good at controlling the pace and leading the team. Billy is having a solid start this season, averaging 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals per game. He’s also strong on defense, averaging two blocks per game. As a four-year varsity player, Billy has been a consistent contributor to the Gators’ success on the court. After graduation, he will pursue a career as a firefighter.

Kathrina Jean is a team captain on the Golden Gate High School girls basketball team. Showing her versatility by playing both the guard and forward positions, this senior is averaging 9 points per game as the Lady Titans’ primary ball handler. Kathrina has also been recognized by MaxPreps as a Player of the Game. This three-year varsity player is hardworking and dedicated to improvement, evidenced by the consistent increase in her stats year after year.

Gulf Coast High School’s Madelyn Leslie is one of the best shooting guards in the district. This senior captain of the girls basketball team had a fantastic season averaging 20.6 points and 6 rebounds per game, hitting an impressive 54% from the field. Madelyn's work ethic on and off the court has earned her a basketball scholarship to the University of Tampa. She is a founding member of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team and carries an astounding 5.16 GPA in the classroom.

Senior Kevins Meralus is a captain on Immokalee High School's varsity boys basketball team. Playing guard, he had an extremely successful showing during January. He averaged 10.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2 steals per game. In fact, Kevins is having a great season all around, averaging 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game. His quick feet and consistent shooting have been key factors to helping the Indians rise to #2 in 6A District 12.

McKenley Charelus is a four-year varsity wrestler at Lely High School. He has wrestled in five events this season with his highest finish (4th place) coming at the annual Jerry Mita Memorial Invitational, one of the largest high school IBT tournaments. McKenley also had a top-ten finish (6th place) at the Colby Singletary Memorial Invitational IBT in January. In fact, this experienced Titan wrestler posted an impressive 17-5 record for the month of January!

Naples High School’s Marques Leon is a senior point guard on boys basketball team. Averaging 15.7 points and 9 rebounds a game, this top performer has been a huge asset for the Eagles, helping lead the team to 12 wins so far this season. Coaches say that Marques is a standout as a true team leader on and off the court. While his stats on the court are impressive, the same is true in the classroom. Marques has posted straight A's the last three semesters, earning himself a weighted 4.0 GPA.

Senior Alana Cumberbatch is a captain on the Palmetto Ridge High School girls basketball team. She is the leading scorer for the Lady Bears, averaging 12.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal in 6 games so far this season. Alana has been named the MaxPreps Basketball Player of the Game an impressive five times in her high school career, including once already this season. According to Alana’s coaches, she is a true leader on and off the court.

Paige Knoth is a sophomore goalkeeper on the Barron Collier High School girls soccer team. She has been amazing in the net for the Cougars, giving up only four goals in four games on 32 shots. Paige has two shutouts so far this season in wins against North Fort Myers and Bishop Verot. Coaches say that she has played a crucial role in the team's success. 

Senior Riley Aldana is a four-year varsity mid-fielder on the Golden Gate High School boys soccer team. This team captain has had a solid start through the first nine games, scoring 17 goals with another 7 assists. Riley’s hard work doesn’t just pay off on the soccer field, it continues in the classroom as well where he carries an impressive 4.0 GPA. 

Everglades City School’s Jayde Freeman is co-captain and a returning starting forward on the Gators basketball team. She is averaging 7 points per game, including a game and season high of 15 points earlier in the season. According to Jayde’s coaches, the sophomore has become a team leader and a great role model for her young teammates. 

Phillip Hajjar is a senior forward on the Gulf Coast High School boys soccer team. This captain is off to a solid start with 8 goals and 3 assists in the first 6 games giving him a total of 20 goals in his career for the Sharks. According to coaches, Phillip is the heart and soul of the team, using his strong leadership and energy as a driving force. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club and carries a 4.28 GPA in the classroom. 

Immokalee High School’s Julian Saldana has been the starting goalkeeper for the boys soccer team for the past two seasons. The junior has allowed only 7 goals in 11 games – including 6 shutouts. This dynamo also has 20 saves on the books just this season. Versatility should be Julian’s middle name as he is also the starting kicker for the Indians’ football team. 

Mark Belizaire, a senior point guard on Lely High School's boys basketball team, brings a ton of experience to the court. He’s a four-year varsity player, including three years as a starter. Mark averages 14.5 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals per game – contributing to the Trojans’ 8 wins so far this season. 

Senior Matthieu Vickaryous is a versatile player on the Naples High School boys soccer team. This captain has helped the Eagles win 9 of the last 14 games. From his mid-fielder position, Matthieu has seven shots on goal in nine games. Coaches say Matthieu is capable of playing any position on the field. He takes care of business in the classroom as well, posting a weighted 4.5 GPA.

Palmetto Ridge High School senior Iago Stanback has helped lead the Bears to an impressive 11-1 start to the season. The shooting guard is averaging 18.8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks per game. Iago has earned the MaxPreps Player of the Game award 13 times in his career and is currently the 74th ranked player in the state. He is stellar in the classroom as well with a 4.1 GPA.

Brayden Touchette is a force to be reckoned with on the Barron Collier High School basketball team. During the Cougars' 4-0 start this season, Brayden is averaging 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists – including a huge recent game with 15 pts, 11 rebounds, and 5 steals. Coaches say Brayden "continues to grow on and off the court and is consistent in all aspects of the game!

Freshman Randall Billie from Everglades City School is already making a huge impact on the basketball team this season. He leads the team in scoring with an impressive 24 points per game average. Randall excels on the defensive end of the court as well, leading the team with eight steals. Coaches say he "plays with passion and sportsmanship and they look forward to seeing him continue to improve.

Golden Gate High school senior Angealina Aldana is a four-year varsity soccer player and is a team captain for this year’s team. Angealina has scored five goals and has three assists so far this season. Coaches credit Angealina for making everyone around her better and for being an awesome role model for her peers. She excels in the classroom as well carrying a strong 4.4 GPA.

Wiley Thornton is a multi-talented athlete at Gulf Coast High School. Now in his senior year, Wiley has made his mark as a swimmer and member of the Sharks basketball team. In the pool this past season, he made 1st team Collier County Athletic Conference (CCAC) in the 200yd free relay and the 100yd backstroke events. Wiley carries an impressive 5.32 GPA and is ranked fourth in his class.

Senior Alijah Pierre is co-captain of the Immokalee High School boys basketball team. The explosive guard and team floor general has led the Indians to an impressive 3-0 start this season. Alijah averaged 22 points, 2.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2 steals per game during the 3 games. He also shot an incredible 63% from the field and 46% from 3-point range. Great job, Alijah!

Lely High School’s Lashawnda Dareus is a junior shooting guard and team captain on the lady Trojans basketball team. She is having a solid year so far this season. In her first 6 games, she averaged 10 points, 3 rebounds, and an impressive 3 steals per game! Be on the lookout for more great performances from this student-athlete!

Bridgette Graney is a senior at Naples High School. She is a mid-fielder on the girls soccer team and helped lead the Eagles to a State Runner-up finish last season. She is the recipient of the prestigious Naples High School Student-Athlete Award and currently carries an equally impressive 4.6 weighted GPA in the classroom. 

Senior Fernanda Soto from Palmetto Ridge High School is a center mid-fielder and team captain on the girls soccer team. She has helped lead the Bears to a 3-3 record this season, and has netted three goals so far. Fernanda has bounced back strong from an ACL injury she suffered last year and according to her coaches, has become a positive example for young players. 

Barron Collier High School senior Catie Laur is captain of the girls swimming team. She dominated at Districts this year, winning three out of the four events she competed in. Her outstanding performance was key to helping the Cougars capture a team District Championship. Coaches say that Catie consistently supports and encourages her teammates.

Freshman Dionisio Ramos Valle runs cross country at Everglades City School. He has made great strides this year, improving his personal 5K race time from 31:43.3 to 26:46.9. This improvement allowed him to qualify for the Class 1A District race. According to Dionisio’s coaches, he is a great source of encouragement to his teammates, urging everyone to push themselves and improve.

Trayvon Jean, a sophomore at Golden Gate High School, is one of the best football players in the state. He is the leading rusher in Southwest Florida, compiling an incredible 1,447 rushing yards (school record) on 198 carries and 9 touchdowns in just 9 games! Trayvon will look to add to that rushing total in the Titans’ upcoming final game.

Junior Will Montanye is a 1st team All-Region, All-District, and All-County cross country runner at Gulf Coast High School. He qualified for the Class 4A FHSAA State Championship (where he finished 44th) after setting a new 5K school record of 15:34 at the District meet! He is a member of the National Honor Society, the GCHS Student-Athlete Leadership Team, and carries a 4.12 GPA in the classroom.

Immokalee High School senior Kayla Ocanas is captain of the volleyball team. In her position as setter, she helped lead the Indians to a six-win season after going winless the previous two seasons. But Kayla’s contribution to the team’s success doesn’t stop there. She is also as a key server, leading the team with an impressive 95% service percentage and 56 aces!

Caelan Burt, a junior swimmer at Lely High School, is District Champion in both the 50m and 100m freestyle events. At the Regional Championship, she set two new school records for the same events – 24.15 in the 50m and 52.32 in the 100m. Caelan puts forth 110% in the classroom as well, currently ranked fourth in her class with a 4.64 GPA.

Senior Jack Tucker is an exceptional diver on the boys swimming/diving team at Naples High School. He brought home the 2022 District Championship in the 1m dive event with a score of 309, earning him a trip to the Class 3A FHSAA State Championship where he finished eighth. Jack carries a 5.3 weighted GPA in the classroom and won the prestigious NHS Student-Athlete Award in 2021.

Palmetto Ridge High School sophomore Isabel Rasmussen is a dynamic swimmer. In the Regional Championship meet, she competed in two individual events – the 100m backstroke and the 500m freestyle – where she finished 14th and 13th, respectively. For the second year in a row, Isabel qualified for the Class 4A FHSAA State Championship in the 500m freestyle event.

Barron Collier High School senior Nikki Okenka played tennis at the #1 position for both singles and doubles. The team captain was a two-time Singles District Champion and finished the season 7-1 in doubles. Nikki led the Cougars to the State Team Championships this season, helping propel the team into the Final Four. She will attend Hawaii Pacific University this fall.

Freshman Jayde Freeman played second base and pitcher on the Everglades City School softball team. She had a stellar .647 slugging percentage with 18 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. Equally impressive on defense, she had a .667 fielding percentage. According to her coaches, Jayde’s hard work and versatility made her an invaluable contributor to the Gators softball program.

Kiara Vazquez was a senior captain on the Golden Gate High School softball team and the only member of the team to play all four years. As the primary leadoff hitter, she finished her career with an impressive .300 batting average. Although Kiara was the Titans’ catcher, coaches say she was versatile enough to play multiple positions as needed; making sure the team was always ready to play on game day.

Gulf Coast High School junior Konner Barrett is a three-star quarterback recruit. Coaches say he has shown tremendous leadership and growth during offseason. He had an outstanding spring game performance, throwing 11/12 for 216 yards and 2 TD’s. He added another 89 yards on 5 carries with 2 rushing TDs. Konner has had multiple DI scholarship offers and is looking forward to playing next year and at the next level.

Ramiro Martinez was a junior captain on the Immokalee High School lacrosse team. He was a strong defender for the Indians this year, leading the team with causing 43 turnovers, 24 ground balls, and scoring a goal. Ramiro was named to the All-CCAC (Collier County Athletic Conference) 2nd Team and was a Naples Daily News All-Area Honorable Mention. Coaches say he will be a key member next year.

Lely High School junior Jakeem Tanelus was a valuable, multi-position football player for the Trojans. During the spring game against Lehigh, he lined up as a wide receiver on offense, took a few snaps as quarterback, and played defensive back on defense. He caught 4 passes for 42 yards, as quarterback threw 3/6 for 24 yards, and had three tackles and a pass breakup. That’s quite the range!

Michael Graziano was a junior baseball player at Naples High School. He helped guide the Eagles to a Regional Championship and state qualifying berth. Michael was awarded the 2022 Best Offensive Player Award after batting .385 with 16 RBI's, 30 runs scored, and a .454 on-base percentage. He has already verbally committed to Georgia Tech University to continue his baseball career.

Jordan Velasquez was a senior at Palmetto Ridge High School on both the track and cross country teams. He finished his career strong as anchor for this year’s state qualifying boys 4x800m relay team, placing 8th (8:00.32) at the Class 4A State Finals meet. He was also instrumental in helping the cross country team qualify for the State meet two years in a row. Jordan will enter the US Marine Corps. Good luck!

Hudson Casto is a freshman distance runner at Barron Collier High School that is already making a huge impact on the Cougars’ track & field team. Most recently, he broke a nine-year freshman record in the 5K race at the Babe Zaharias Invitational meet in Tampa and was the top freshman finisher. In fact, Hudson currently has the fourth fastest 5K time of any freshman in the state. Look for more great things coming from this athlete!

Everglades City School junior Shelby Ryder is a middle volleyball player for the Gators. Already this season, her second year on Varsity, she has quickly become a team leader. Shelby’s coaches say she is instrumental in providing solid leadership at practices and is helping the team develop great work habits. Shelby is always encouraging her teammates which makes her an invaluable asset to the team.

Sophomore Rebekah Foster is a swimmer at Golden Gate High School poised to have another solid season after being an essential part of the Titans' swim team last year. She recorded a time of 27.31 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle at last year’s District meet and an impressive time of 1:00.38 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle. Coaches say Rebekah inspires her teammates, keeps a positive attitude, and they look forward to her progressing even more this year!

Gulf Coast High School junior Ryan Miller is off to a great start on the golf course. Over the summer, this golfer finished with a two-day, six-under-par performance to win the Brendan Cunningham Junior Open! In the Sharks’ first team tournament event this season, he posted a one-over-par score of 73 to help his team win the John Ryan Invitational by 11 strokes. Ryan is also top-notch in the classroom with a strong 3.9 GPA.

Darian Robinson is an Immokalee High School junior football player. As one of the team’s starting running backs, he has been very impressive so far this season. Darian ran for a spectacular 195 yards with 4 touchdowns in the Kickoff Classic game and followed up in game two with another 95 yards on 13 carries. Coaches say that Darian is a smart player and they are expecting even more big things from him this season!

Guerschom Guerrier is a senior at Lely High School. He is a key part of the Trojans football team, utilizing his talents on both sides of the ball. Guerschom is a starting running back on offense AND starting linebacker on defense. In just two games this season, he has rushed for 305 yards with 3 touchdowns on 38 carries, including an incredible game against Riverdale where he ran for 199 yards and scored 2 touchdowns!

Senior Kendrick Raphael from Naples High School is a dynamic running back for the Eagles. He has racked up a total of 238 yards on 17 carries and has scored 4 touchdowns in just 2 games! Kendrick has earned two varsity letters for both football and track & field. This hardworking student-athlete shines in the classroom as well carrying a 3.8 GPA and has committed to play football next fall at the University of Iowa.

Palmetto Ridge High School junior Demetri Zertopoulis is the starting quarterback for the Bears and has established himself as a true leader of the team. In an early-season victory over Key West High School, Demetri had a great performance, completing 6 of 13 passes for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is also an accomplished wrestler, finishing as the State Individual Runner Up last year to help the Bears win their first-ever team State Championship.