Vote Now: Who Will Be Southwest Florida’s Female Athlete of the Year?

Fort Myers, Florida, USA - On May 29, the Southwest Florida High School Sports Award ceremony brought together over 1,000 athletes, coaches, and families at the Suncoast Arena, Southwest Florida State College. This lively event celebrated the cream of the crop in local high school sports, culminating in the crowning of Zara Stewart from First Baptist Academy as the 2024-25 Female Athlete of the Year. This recognition is not just a title; it reflects the hard work and achievements of students dedicated to their sports. Stewart is set to take her talents to San Diego State, showcasing her impressive skills in volleyball and basketball.

With her incredible statistics—1,231 kills and 1,927 digs in volleyball, along with 1,288 points and 445 rebounds in basketball—there’s no doubt why she earned this prestigious award. However, she wasn’t the only standout; the awards ceremony honored several nominees from various sports who exemplified exceptional talent and determination, including Madison Bates (Naples, Swimming and Diving), Masha Dorofeev (Fort Myers, Cross Country), and Imani Greaves (LaBelle, Weightlifting) among others. The competitive nature of these athletes speaks volumes about the sports culture in our region.

The Nominees

The nominees for the Female Athlete of the Year demonstrate the remarkable talent found in Southwest Florida High schools. Ranging from volleyball and swimming to track and cross country, the nominees are:

• Zara Stewart (First Baptist, Volleyball, Senior)
• Madison Bates (Naples, Swimming and Diving, Senior)
• Eva Lye (First Baptist, Golf, Senior)
• Masha Dorofeev (Fort Myers, Cross Country, Senior)
• Brooke Pabst (Cape Coral, Bowling, Senior)
• Nalah Smith (ECS, Basketball, Junior)
• Hannah Busenbark (North Fort Myers, Soccer, Junior)
• Imani Greaves (LaBelle, Weightlifting, Senior)
• Kiera Partello (Barron Collier, Wrestling, Junior)
• Gabby Dwyer and Ashlee Tenkley (Fort Myers, Beach Volleyball, Seniors)
• Lila Dinkel (Bishop Verot, Flag Football, Junior)
• Stella Lynch (CSN, Lacrosse, Senior)
• Abby Hynes (North Fort Myers, Softball, Senior)
• Chelsea Casapu (Barron Collier, Tennis, Sophomore)
• Ava Heskett (Gulf Coast, Track & Field, Senior)
• Ciara McCloskey (Gulf Coast, Scholar-Athlete, Senior)

The voting for the Southwest Florida Female Athlete of the Year is still open until June 13 at 10 a.m., allowing fans to support their favorites one last time before the winners are officially determined on news-press.com and naplesnews.com.

Highlights from the Ceremony

The Sports Awards ceremony, hosted as part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards program, featured former Miami Marlins World Series champion Mike Lowell as the guest speaker. Awards were given not only for the top athletes but also for outstanding teams and coaches, including the Boys Team of the Year awarded to Barron Collier’s soccer team, which secured the school’s first state title in boys soccer.

Also honored was Ciara McCloskey (Gulf Coast), the Southwest Florida Scholar-Athlete of the Year, recognized for her impressive 5.2 GPA and her extensive involvement in extracurricular activities. The truth is, these achievements paint a vibrant picture of the athletic and academic capabilities presented in our local high schools. The accomplishments of these athletes should inspire young competitors throughout the community.

As the dust settles on this year’s awards, it’s clear that Southwest Florida is home to an abundance of talent. The dedication and grit shown by students like Zara Stewart and her fellow nominees not only elevate local sports but also foster a sense of pride in our community. Let’s keep that spirit alive as we look ahead to the next season of sports!