Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Connor Gilboy, Sunlake
Weighted/unweighted GPA: 4.41/3.91
Standardized test score: 27 ACT
Sports: Soccer, football, tennis, cross country
College: Florida
Proudest academic accomplishment: Gilboy earned all-academic honors from the Sunshine Athletic Conference after completing his first three years of high school with only one B. His senior class and teachers gave him the “best all around” award at Sunlake. He was one of the school’s top volunteers, the historian for the National Hispanic Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society. Gilboy is interested in geology and plans to study petroleum engineering.
Proudest athletic accomplishment: Gilboy compiled one of the most dominant seasons in Pasco County history. He set a county record with 60 goals as a senior — a total that ranked among the nation’s leaders — and earned Tampa Bay Times’ North Suncoast player of the year honors by taking his Seahawks to the state semifinals for the first time. Gilboy also earned all-conference and all-North Suncoast honors as a kicker in football with seven field goals and 26 touchbacks as a senior.
Did you know? Gilboy turned down college soccer opportunities to walk on as a football kicker for the Gators because he always wanted to attend UF. …He was a first-team all-conference soccer player three times. …He also likes to travel and surf. …He works at Moe’s Southwest Grill and has helped his friends with a non-profit car detailing service.
First team
Spencer Baxter, Gulf
Unweighted GPA: 3.67
Standardized test score: 1340 SAT
Sport: Wrestling
College: USF
Notable: Finished second in the Class A state wrestling meet (160 pounds) as a senior. …Took third at state as a junior. …Member of the Bucs’ 2010 state championship team. …Earned all-conference honors in wrestling and academics all four years. …IB student President’s Award for Educational Excellence.
Nick Buliga, Gulf
Unweighted GPA: 3.97
Standardized test score: 26 ACT
Sports: Cross country, track
College: USF
Notable: Won district championships in cross country and the 1600 and 3200 meters. …Four-time all-conference selection in cross country and track. …Placed eighth at state in the 1600 as a senior. …Three-year captain. …Also a member of Mu Alpha Theta and the chess club.
Tylar Hochstetler, Zephyrhills
Weighted/unweighted GPA: 4.17/3.68
Standardized test scores: N/A
Sports: Football, soccer
College: Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Notable: Second-team all-conference linebacker. …Racked up 57 tackles and seven sacks for the Bulldogs as a senior. …Leader on the soccer team. …Signed to play football at Massachusetts Maritime and plans to study marine transportation.
Patrick Lawson, Land O’Lakes
Weighted/unweighted GPA: 4.30/3.63
Standardized test score: 2050 SAT
Sports: Swimming, soccer
College: Florida
Notable: Captained swimming and soccer teams. …Earned all-conference honors in both sports twice. …Helped lead Gators’ soccer team to the 3A state championship game as a junior and their swim teams to four conference titles. …Spent more than 150 hours volunteering.
Richard Toth, Springstead
Weighted/unweighted GPA: 4.12/3.66
Standardized test score: 28 ACT
Sports: Football, track, soccer
College: UCF
Notable: Finished second at state in the 800 meters this spring. … Earned all-North Suncoast honors and district titles in the 800, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay. …Set school track records in four events. …Tallied three interceptions for the 9-2 Eagles in football and scored twice on fumble recoveries. …Plans to study mechanical engineering.
Honorable mention
Anclote: Barry Moss; Fivay: Kevin Faulkner; Hernando: Christian Arroyo; Hudson: Tyler Wilton; Zephyrhills: John Cottrell
Note: Each school in Hernando and Pasco counties was asked to nominate two boys and two girls. Some schools did not send in nominations.