As we dive into the exciting world of high school sports in Florida, it’s clear that the spring season has kicked off with a bang! The first spring sport to hold district tournaments was boys weightlifting, showcasing some incredible talent from local athletes. This week’s Tremendous 10 poll, sponsored by Central Florida Behavior Health Network, features standout competitors from Fort Meade, Lake Gibson, Auburndale, Lake Wales, and Haines City.
In last week’s poll results, AJ Cunningham from Victory Christian took the top spot, winning with an impressive 41.7% of the vote. Chloe Lanier from McKeel followed as the runner-up with 34%, while Deveen McPerson from Winter Haven secured third place with 16.5%. For those interested in participating, poll nominations can be sent to roy.fuoco@theledger.com by 9 a.m. every Monday, and the poll remains open until noon every Thursday.
Spotlight on Local Athletes
Fort Meade’s Angel Quintero made waves at the Class 1A, District 12 meet, winning the 169-pound weight class in both Traditional (495 pounds) and Olympic (395 pounds) categories. Not to be outdone, Lake Gibson’s Brayden Doster clinched the 238-pound weight class in Traditional (565 pounds) and Olympic (435 pounds) at the 2A-11 district meet. Auburndale’s Trey Sullivan also had a remarkable performance, winning the unlimited weight class in Traditional (680 pounds) and Olympic (560 pounds).
Lake Wales senior Jackson Crane excelled in the 139-pound weight class, taking first place in Olympic (405 pounds) and finishing second in Traditional (395 pounds) at the same district meet. Haines City’s John Garcia rounded out the list of outstanding weightlifters, winning the 129-pound weight class in Traditional (300 pounds) and Olympic (290 pounds) at the 3A-10 district meet.
Baseball and Track Highlights
Switching gears to baseball, Lakeland Christian freshman Kole Walker showcased his pitching prowess with a no-hitter into the sixth inning, ultimately finishing with a one-hitter over 5 2/3 scoreless innings against George Jenkins. With a season record of 4-0, he boasts a 1.89 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 37 innings. Meanwhile, Santa Fe Catholic senior Jameson McGuire shined on the mound as well, pitching seven innings, striking out 10 batters, and excelling offensively with a 3-for-4 performance that included a double, triple, and two RBIs against Bartow. He currently holds a season record of 7-1 with a remarkable 0.83 ERA.
In track and field, McKeel freshman Zion Smith made headlines by winning the javelin with a throw of 48.19m at the George Jenkins Senior Night Meet, ranking No. 1 in the county. His performance adds to the excitement of the ongoing spring sports season.
Flag Football and Softball Standouts
Turning our attention to flag football, Haines City senior Zebrielle Canaday ran for an impressive 141 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries, leading his team to a 19-0 victory over Auburndale. On the softball field, Auburndale senior Ailenid Lozada contributed significantly to her team’s victory over Lakeland Christian, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs while finishing the week batting .600 (3-for-5) with three RBIs.
As we continue to follow these talented athletes, we celebrate their achievements and look forward to more thrilling competitions in the weeks to come. For more detailed information about last week’s poll and the athletes involved, check out the full article on Yahoo Sports.