Girls Athlete of the Year: Jorian Ordway, Sr., Hillsborough
Why we picked her: The daughter of two former Armwood athletes, Ordway cemented her status as the greatest 400-meter runner in local history, establishing a Hillsborough County record (54.98 seconds) at the Class 3A region championship. She topped that performance (54.19) en route to a victory at the prestigious Golden South Classic in Orlando two weeks ago . Ordway qualified for the state meet in three events (200, 400 and 4x400 relay) on the most glorious, gut-churning day of her career. An International Baccalaureate student, she was required to take an English essay test at noon the day of the meet, staged at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The logistical nightmare was partially vanquished when coaches and teachers found an alternate test site 20 miles from UNF (Paxon School for Advanced Studies), enabling her to take the 90-minute exam and arrive at the meet roughly 15 minutes before she had to check in for her first event. Encountering steady rain and strong gusts upon her arrival, she proceeded to place second in the 400 and seventh in the 200, and run the second leg on the Terriers’ eighth-place 4x400 relay team. “It was just madness, it was hectic,” said Ordway, who earned three career state medals in the 400. “In the morning, I was kind of freaking out, borderline tears. But after that, I was like, 'Okay, just focus on one at a time.’ So I sat down and focused on my test, and then when I was done I was like, 'Okay, now it’s time to get in meet mode.' "
Proudest accomplishment: Ordway says it’s her victories in the 200 and 400 at the Vernon F. Korhn Hillsborough County championships, where her 4x400 team also placed second. In the shorter race, she topped a loaded field including Western Kentucky signees Carrol Hardy (King) and Sandra Akachukwu (Freedom).
Future plans: Ordway, who graduated Thursday with honors (6.3 weighted GPA), has signed with Kent State University. For now, she plans to study exercise and physiology .
Did you know? Ordway’s dad, Jonathan, is a former Armwood running back who later played defensive back at Boston College before professional stints in Canada and in arena football. Her mom, Tara “Cookie” Crawford, played basketball and ran track at Armwood.
First team
High jump, Faith Woodard, Sr., Freedom: Georgetown hoops signee won second straight Class 4A state title
Long jump, Sandra Akachukwu, Sr., Freedom: Western Kentucky signee earned 4A silver medal (18-5.25) in wretched weather
Triple jump, Quatasia Fantroy, Sr., Alonso: Had personal-best jump (38-9.75) at 4A meet to become Ravens’ first state champ
Pole vault, Nicole Carroll, So., Tampa Catholic: Rebounded from tough region meet to win Class 2A state title (11 feet)
Shot put, Andrea Aaron, Sr., Chamberlain: County, district, region champ earned bronze at 3A state meet
Discus, Addi Harden, Jr., Berkeley Prep: Made personal-best throw (124-2) at 2A state meet to win silver medal
100 hurdles, Ryann McEnany, Sr., Holy Names: Florida signee placed sixth at 2A state meet with partially torn quad
300 hurdles, Tyler Watson, Sr., Wharton: One of her three 4A state medals came in this event
100, Carrol Hardy, Sr., King: Western Kentucky signee won county title and silver medal at 3A state meet
200, Carrol Hardy, Sr., King: Ran 24.51 in the rain at 3A state meet to place fourth
400, Janae Caldwell, Fr., Spoto: 2A state runnerup placed second to Ordway at county meet
800, Rachel Cazares, Jr., Gaither: County, district champ earned fifth-place finish at 3A state meet
1,600, Scarlett Fox, Sr., Plant: County, district, region champ finished fourth at 4A state meet
3,200, Julia Rodriguez, Sr., Plant: Capped sparkling prep career with runnerup finish at 4A state meet
4x100 relay, Strawberry Crest (Yasmine Gardiner, Ambria Keys, Sequoya Williams, Brittany Barber): Veteran foursome won 3A region title in sub-49-second time
4x400 relay, Wharton (Stevondria Hardy, Mikayla Barber, Tyler Watson, Kiana Outen): County, district, region champs were sixth at 4A state meet
4x800 relay, Plant (Caroline Gibson, Caroline Bado, Emory Pitisci, Scarlett Fox): Same foursome twice earned 4A state medals
Second team
High jump: Sandra Akachukwu, Sr., Freedom; long jump: Quatasia Fantroy, Sr., Alonso; triple jump: Carly Reiner, Sr., Tampa Prep; pole vault: Britainey Smith, Sr., Wharton; shot put: Addi Harden, Jr., Berkeley Prep; discus: Andrea Aaron, Sr., Chamberlain; 100 hurdles: Mikayla Barber, Sr., Wharton; 300 hurdles: Mikayla Barber, Sr., Wharton; 100: Sandra Akachukwu, Sr., Freedom; 200: Sandra Akachukwu, Sr., Freedom; 400: Faith Woodard, Sr., Freedom; 800: Georgette Price, Sr., Berkeley Prep; 1,600: Caroline Gibson, Sr., Plant; 3,200: Claire Snyder, Jr., Holy Names; 4x100: King (Melonie McNealy, Shakirah Shabazz, Carrol Hardy, Michayla Williams); 4x400: Hillsborough (Jada Roberson, Jorian Ordway, Faith Brown, Marilyn Hawkins); 4x800: Bloomingdale (Kali Clemmer, Abigail Wingfield, Julie Roggeman, Annie Barrett)
Honorable mention
Academy of the Holy Names: Gillian Anthony, Colleen Doherty, Natalie Hahn, Siobhan Lynch, Melissa Mainzer, Becca Patterson; Alonso: Claire Benninghoff, Tare Floyd, Tia Stewart, Savannah Torres; Armwood: KiKi Newsome; Blake: Olivia Massy; Cambridge Christian: Madison Cox, Morgan Renaldo; Carrollwood Day: Kailiece Harris; Chamberlain: Maggie Parrish; Freedom: Lauren Arfaras, Sacha Cruz, Magdalena Ford, Alexandra Mitchell, Anel Smith, Tamara Veal; Gaither: Kiana Bryant, Jennifer Kingsley; Hillsborough: Tijah Ray; King: Rachel Favors; Newsome: Delsie Borgen, Stephanie Cajas, Brianna Jackson, Ananda Miller; Plant: Marin Arsenault, Nastashia Asgedom, Rachel Goding, Jayne Hagan, Anna Peyton Malizia, Anna Montgomery, Ruth Simpson, Bailey Sullivan; Plant City: Ty’china Bush; Riverview: Maia Carter, Morgan Speicher; Robinson :Julia DeYoung, Aaliyah Gordon, Maddy Hull, Madison Scanlan, Emily Vaughan; Seffner Christian: Samantha Plager, Sabrina Whiting; Steinbrenner: Taylor Hotchkiss, Loren Scherschel; Strawberry Crest: Terra Brooks; Tampa Bay Christian: T’Erra Johnson; Tampa Bay Tech: Megan Bennett, Whidney Desormo, Sydeera Martin, Raylen Snyder; Tampa Catholic: Betia Washington; Tampa Prep: Emma Golterman, Gabrielle Johnson; Wharton: Mariah Henderson
Coach of the Year
Roy Harrison, Plant: Though his program has long been defined by its distance runners, Harrison also gleaned points elsewhere, from hurdlers (Ruthy Simpson) to high jumpers (Anna Peyton Malizia) to pole vaulters (Rachel Goding, Marin Arsenault). As a result, Plant won county and region titles, and earned a top-10 finish at the Class 4A meet.
Boys Athlete of the Year: Jeremiah Green, Sr., Hillsborough
Why we picked him: Because there was no better triple jumper in the nation this past season. In a one-month span, Green propelled his lithe frame more than 51 feet at three meets. Six days after winning the New Balance Indoor Nationals (51-6.5) in New York City on March 10, Green eclipsed 52 feet for the first time at the USF/Steinbrenner Invitational (52-1). Three weeks after that, he set another personal record (52-1.75) at the Florida Relays. By contrast, no other triple jumper in the country reached 51 feet this spring, according to milesplit.us. Despite a nasty flu, he won four events (triple jump, long jump, 100 and 200 meters) at the Class 3A, District 8 meet, and qualified for the state meet in all four. His prep career formally ended on a gusty, waterlogged day at the University of North Florida, where he won his second straight state triple jump title (48-2) and placed second in the long jump (23-2.75). Less than a month later, he received the Bill Shields Award, which recognizes the county’s top track athlete, for the second year in a row.
Proudest accomplishment: For all his triple jump conquests, Green points to his collective effort at the Vernon F. Korhn Hillsborough County Championships, where he won four events and set personal records in three (10.64 seconds in 100, 21.45 in 200, 23-9.25 in long jump).
Future plans: Green has signed a track scholarship with the University of Alabama, choosing the Crimson Tide over USF, Clemson and LSU. Upon Green’s announcement, Terriers track coach Joe Sipp said the scholarship is a full ride: a rarity in track.
Did you know? In two weeks, Green travels to Greensboro, N.C., where he’ll try to defend his New Balance Outdoor Nationals triple jump title. …Could Green, who averaged nearly 20 yards a kick return and more than 13 yards per punt return, ever log similar duty for the Crimson Tide? Someday, perhaps. According to Sipp, the track scholarship Green signed forbids him from playing another sport for two years.
First team
High jump, William Taylor-Haynes, Sr., Alonso: Jumped 6-4 at Class 4A region meet before placing eighth at state
Long jump, Brandon Robinson, Jr., Alonso: 23-foot jumper won Florida Relays and 4A region title
Triple jump, Chauncey Thomas, Jr., Strawberry Crest: District champ, region runnerup and medalist at 3A meet
Pole vault, Nick Catchur, Jr., Jesuit: Won 2A state title by 6 inches (14-6)
Shot put, Jack Taylor, Jr., Jesuit: Made personal-best throw (52-5) at 2A state meet to place fourth
Discus, Seth Lewis, Sr., Seffner Christian: Threw 149-11 at Class A meet to become school’s first state track champ
110 hurdles, William Taylor-Haynes, Sr., Alonso: Bronze medalist at 4A meet eclipsed 14 seconds during season
300 hurdles, Caleb Chambliss, Sr., Tampa Bay Tech: 4A state qualifier won county, district and region titles
100, Deontae Williams, Sr., Tampa Bay Tech: 4A state medalist was district champ, county runnerup
200, Samson Moore, So., Gaither: 2012 state hurdles medalist placed 6th at 3A state meet
400, Todd Jackson, Jr., Newsome: 4A state medalist won county, district, region titles
800, Jonathan Moore, Sr., Jefferson: Ran season-best time (1:55.21) on wet track to win 3A state title
1,600, Matt Magee, Sr., Steinbrenner: 4A state medalist won county, district, region titles
3,200, Lars Benner, Sr., Newsome: 4A state bronze medalist came photo finish from winning silver
4x100 relay, Jefferson (Michael Tiller, Javaris Jackson, Deiondre Porter, Aaron Jenkins): County champions placed third at region, medaled at 3A state meet
4x400 relay, Blake (Keith Bythewood, Raymond Price-Murrary, Jermal Wiley, DeAndre James): County, district, region champs placed fourth at 3A state meet
4x800 relay, Bloomingdale (John Bryant, Ryan Chadderton, Kevin Heron, Andrew LeBlanc): Staged stunning rally in the rain at state to win Class 4A title
Second team
High jump: Connor Moore, Sr., Plant; long jump: Deiondre Porter, Jr., Jefferson; triple jump: Michael Tiller, Jr., Jefferson; pole vault: Silas Dobbins, Sr., Brandon; shot put: Juwuan Brown, Jr., Jefferson; discus: Jamari Johnson, So., Tampa Bay Christian; 110 hurdles: Caleb Chambliss, Sr., Tampa Bay Tech; 300 hurdles: Darrien Kelly, Sr., Durant; 100: Chase McCoy, Sr., Riverview; 200: Deontae Williams, Sr., Tampa Bay Tech; 400: Robert Wilson, Sr., Hillsborough; 800: Jack Rogers, So., Robinson; 1,600: Lars Benner, Sr., Newsome; 3,200: Josh Keenan, Sr., Seffner Christian; 4x100: King (Javontee Brice, Emerson Tyler, Darian Wright, Dionte Poole); 4x400: East Bay (Noah Williams, Ryan Rannie, Dequan Charles, David Wykes); 4x800: Steinbrenner (Tyler Lima, Zach Lima, Tanner Biles, Matt Magee)
Honorable mention
Alonso: Roosevelt Lawrence; Armwood: Aaron Covington, Austin Gallon, Jordan Greene; Berkeley Prep: Max Borland, John McDonald; Bloomingdale: Gerard Trott; Cambridge Christian: Luke Steinle, Josh Wolcott; Carrollwood Day: Robert Davis; Durant: Tracy Watson; Freedom: Elga Davis, Tytis Glover, Derik Harvey, Anthony Hendry, Rashod Monts, C.J. Smith, Klaus Vollmer; Gaither: Brad Smith, Otis Wallace, Matt Williams, Malik Wright; Jefferson: Daniel Erickson, Tarik Palacio, Tanelious Walton; Jesuit: Jack Hughes, Vincent Jackson; Lennard: William Hood, Avery Shaw; Middleton: Brown Cassell, Daniel Dean, Gioberti Derogene, James Hambrick, Kevin White; Newsome: Bruce Anderson, Maurice Bolduc, Chris Bryant, Justin Martinez, Kyle Smith, Carson Steinberg; Plant: Kyle Groh, Jack Guyton, Bryce Weaver, Tyler Webb; Plant City: Howard Stitzel; Riverview: Kendall Carolina, Kisuan Harris, Maraice Poole, Kristofferson Williams; Robinson: Terrance Baldwin, Jahrvis Davenport, Carlos Duclos, Trevon Hosley, Dylan Jurski, Brandon Peters, Robert Priester, Martin Ruiz, Fredrick Stanford; Seffner Christian: Robbie Shell; Sickles: Abdin Fator, James Zentmeyer; Spoto: Eric Moate; Steinbrenner: Logan McKnight; Strawberry Crest: Karel Hamilton, David Kornitzer; Tampa Bay Tech: Jeff Allen, Javon Lue, Jamaruz Thompkins, David Thompson; Tampa Prep: Qaseem Wajd; Wharton: Aerion Caldwell
Coach of the Year
Mike Bosco, Steinbrenner: A little addendum here. The Warriors won Class 4A district and region titles almost exclusively on the strength of their distance runners coached by Bobby Ennis and Bobby McConnell. But Bosco, a first-year coach, forged enough balance in the rest of his lineup to win a team title at the Nash Higgins Relays and earn third place at the county meet.