Today is February 28, 2026, and we’re buzzing with excitement about the Southwest Florida Girls Athlete of the Week survey, sponsored by MY Shower Door. This engaging event showcases ten outstanding female athletes nominated for their remarkable performances between December 15 and January 3. The nominations arise from reports by coaches and submissions from schools, highlighting the immense talent in our local sports community.

Readers can show their support by voting at news-press.com and naplesnews.com. Voting ends every Thursday at 10 AM, so don’t miss your chance to support these incredible athletes! The winner will receive a T-shirt from BSN Sports along with a tote bag from The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Last week’s winner, Nalah Smith from Evangelical Christian, secured 39.9% of the votes!

Meet the Nominees

This week, we have an impressive lineup of nominees from various sports, showcasing the versatility and skill of our young athletes.

  • Soccer:
    • Jaelyn Hoefer, North Fort Myers: 3 goals against Cardinal Gibbons and Parrish Community.
    • Kaitlyn Mancini, Estero: 2 goals in a 5-0 victory over Lely.
    • Caroline Orth, Mariner: 12 goals and 2 assists in six games.
    • Mia Pardo, First Baptist: Hat trick in a 5-0 win over CSN.
    • Brooke Shefsky, St. John Neumann: 13 goals and 1 assist in victories over Marco Island and Village School.
  • Basketball:
    • Veronica Helisky, Donahue Catholic: 15 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals against Everglades City; 18 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 blocks against Gulf Coast.
    • Ella Johnson, Aubrey Rogers: 6 consecutive 20-point games, including 22 points against Immokalee and 28 against Piper.
    • Abigail Krecji, Bishop Verot: 11 points, 16 rebounds in a 35-33 victory; 14 points, 15 rebounds in a 52-40 win.
    • Kayden Smutney, Fort Myers: Averaging 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3.6 steals in multiple victories.
    • Mylee Van de Wouw, St. John Neumann: Averaging 17.8 points over four games.

How to Participate

Nominations for the next round must be submitted by Sunday at 5 PM, so if you know an athlete who deserves recognition, make sure to get those nominations in! This is a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to gain well-deserved recognition and for the community to rally behind them. Remember, each vote counts, and your support truly matters.

As we continue to celebrate athletic achievements in our community, let’s not forget the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork. These young women are not only showcasing their skills on the field and court, but they are also inspiring the next generation of athletes in Everglades City and beyond. For more information and to keep up with the latest updates, check out the full article at Naples News.