Each week, our HomeTeam staffers will nominate male and female Hot Shot athletes from each of the counties we cover, then we turn the voting over to our readers. These nominations span Saturday, Oct. 20 through Friday, Oct. 26. The winners get a free T-shirt and bragging rights over every other school in the area. Read up on what made our nominees stand out, then vote until noon Monday.
Female nominees
Ashley Cozart, Plant volleyball: The 5-foot-9 senior, who has committed to Emory University in Atlanta, totaled a team-high 30 kills in the Panthers’ two-game run to the Class 8A, District 7 championship.
Mallory Etcheberry, Academy at the Lakes golf: The senior carded 3-over 75 to win the Class A-3 region championship and earn her first trip to the state tournament.
Mary Kujak, Ridgewood volleyball: The senior middle hitter recorded 10 kills and 11 blocks to spark her team’s rally from an 0-2 deficit in a five-set win over rival Fivay in the Class 5A, District 8 final that secured the Rams’ first district title in 22 years.
Kaylan Markese, St. Petersburg volleyball: In a Class 7A, District 10 semifinal against Seminole with a playoff berth on the line, the freshman outside hitter had a season-high 17 kills to lead the Green Devils. In the fifth and deciding game, Markese got the winning kill.
Lexi Thompson, Durant volleyball: The 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter tallied 35 kills in the Cougars’ five-set loss in the to top-seeded Wharton in the 8A-7 semis. She finished the season with 295 kills and finished the year as the area’s leader in kills per game with 5.9.
Michelle Turek, East Lake swimming: A transfer from Palm Harbor University, the sophomore took first in her two individual events, the 100 free (53.12) and 200 free (1:51.95) and was on the winning 400 free relay at the Class 3A, District 5 meet.
Male nominees
Devin McCaffrey, Mitchell swimming: The senior LSU commit won four titles at the Class 2A, District 5 meet, earning golds in the 100 fly and 100 breast individually and joining the Mustangs’ 200 free and 200 medley relay champions.
Lee Myers, Sickles football: The senior running back/quarterback tore his ACL before the 2011 season opener but made a surprise start Friday, totaling 193 yards in the 38-17 win over Strawberry Crest.
Ryan Orr, Clearwater Central Catholic golf: The senior earned medalist honors at the Class A-5 region golf tournament Monday at The Eagles by shooting 1-under 71. The Florida commit earned his second straight trip to this week’s state tournament.
Tristan Sanders, Palm Harbor University swimming: Junior won the 50 free (21.99) and 100 back (51.94) and swam the opening leg on the winning 400 free relay (3:15.84) to help the Hurricanes to their sixth straight Class 3A-5 district team title. In the 100 back, Sanders beat defending state champion Georgi Krastev of Northeast for the second time this season.
Mike Smith, Zephyrhills football: The sophomore quarterback completed his first nine throws and finished with three TD passes and a long reception to help the Bulldogs earn a 35-28 win over Fivay and keep his team’s playoff hopes alive.
Jimmy Stanger, Gaither golf: The home-schooled senior shot 1-under 71 at Temple Terrace to win the Class 2A-3 region tournament Monday by one stroke.
Give us a shout next week at hometeam@tampabay.com if you have a Hot Shot we should consider.