Athletes recognized

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

It’s been a memorable sports season for both Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas high schools.

While there were several great team performances for both schools, there were exceptional individual performances, too.

Here are this year’s athletes of the year, nominated and voted on by the coaches of each school.

FLAGLER PALM COAST
Female Athlete(s) of the Year
Haley Lademann and Lee Ann Spivey, both seniors, share this year’s award.

Lademann, standout goalkeeper on the soccer team, had 57 shutouts in her four-year varsity career. In 28 games as a senior, Lademann allowed just eight goals.

Lee Ann Spivey, catcher for the softball team, belted eight home runs and drove in 26 runs this season. She had a .452 batting average.

Male Athlete of the Year
Willie Gardner, a tri-sport athlete, had six touchdowns and more than 400 receiving yards in just five games as a wide receiver as a junior. At the District 4-1A track meet, Gardner finished in first place in the long jump and 400 meters.

MATANZAS HIGH SCHOOL
Female Athlete of the Year
Mary Rodgers, the No. 1 golfer for Matanzas, was a two-time defending district champion. She was the first female athlete from Matanzas to receive a full NCAA Division I athletic scholarship. She will play golf at the University of North Florida in the fall.

Male Athlete of the Year
Shawn White, a four-sport athlete, was a star running back on the football team. He will play college football at the U.S. Naval Academy. During his senior season, White ran the ball 127 times for 867 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 13 catches for 161 yards.

SCHOLAR ATHLETES
FPC
Carolyne Vasconcellos (swimming), Miranda Campbell (soccer), Brendan McFarlane (basketball) and Kacie Johnston (golf) were honored as FPC’s scholar athletes.

Matanzas
Morgan Pearson (volleyball, track and basketball) and Norman Bower (wrestling) were honored as Matanzas’ scholar athletes.

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