Each week, our HomeTeam staffers nominate male and female Hot Shot athletes from each of the counties we cover. Then we turn the voting over to readers. These nominations span Saturday, Sept. 5-12. The winners get a T-shirt and bragging rights over every other school in the area. Read up on all of our nominees then vote until noon Monday.
Female nominees
Madison Besterfield, volleyball, Wiregrass Ranch: The sophomore outside hitter had 14 kills and 13 digs in Wiregrass Ranch's 3-1 win against River Ridge on Monday. The Royal Knights came into the match undefeated, and Wiregrass Ranch, led by Besterfield's 59 kills, is now on a four-match win streak.
Mackenzie Bennett, golf, Mitchell: In a dual match against Sunlake on Tuesday, the junior shot 3-under 33 to win medalist honors. She had four birdies in her round. A day later she shot 38 to lead the Mustangs to wins over Pasco and River Ridge.
Kaitlyn Grice, volleyball, Bloomingdale: The senior middle blocker had nine kills and seven blocks — including a big block late in the second set to end a Newsome rally — in the Bulls' 3-0 win against the Wolves on Thursday. Grice, who missed most of last season with an ankle injury, now has 65 kills and a team-high 35 blocks on the season.
Katie Moore, volleyball, Clearwater Central Catholic: The outside hitter and Wake Forest commit was on top of her game Tuesday night in a five-set win over district rival Calvary Christian. The senior had 22 kills and seven blocks to help keep the Marauders undefeated.
Krista Reinhardt, golf, Durant: She shot a career-best 1-under 35 at River Hills on Tuesday to lead the Cougars to a two-stroke victory over Plant. Reinhardt, who had the low score of the day, has scholarship offers from Bryan College and Anderson University.
Olivia Rovin, cross country, Shorecrest: The sophomore won the Indian Rocks Christian Invitational in 20 minutes, 12 seconds and helped the Chargers win the team title with 33 points.
Male nominees
Patrick Brooks, football, Plant: Brooks had three touchdowns in Plant’s 37-10 win against Gaither on Friday. Brooks, who led the Panthers going into that game with 136 yards on 22 carries, scored on a screen pass in the first half before scoring two more in the fourth quarter, one on a 33-yard run and one through the air.
Blake Dyer, golf, St. Petersburg: The senior shot 7-under 29 at the Vinoy Golf Club in a dual match Wednesday against Jesuit. It is Dyer's lowest nine-hole score as a member of the St. Petersburg golf team.
Lucas McWhorter, football, Clearwater: The linebacker came up big in the final two minutes against Palm Harbor University, returning an interception for a touchdown and recording another pick that sealed a 30-23 victory that snapped the Tornadoes’ 13-game losing streak.
Jaylen Pickett, football, Zephyrhills: The senior had two interceptions, including one for a score, and caught an 86-yard touchdown in Zephyrhills’ 45-14 victory over previously unbeaten Mitchell.
Matthew Ruel, golf, Jesuit: The junior shot 5-under 31 at the Vinoy Golf Club against St. Petersburg. There were eight birdies and an eagle between Ruel and Dyer; The latter got the individual win, but Ruel helped his team to victory.
Chris Schwarz, football, River Ridge: Schwarz ran wild in a 42-21 win over Wiregrass Ranch. He gained 299 yards on 27 rushes and scored five touchdowns, In two previous games, Schwarz had 293 yards rushing.