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. 13 through Friday, Oct. 19. 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
Alison Armstrong, Northside Christian golf: The freshman not only shot 1-under, 71 at the Class A, District 15 tournament at East Lake Woodlands, but she had the lowest round of any girl or boy at the tournament. Armstrong was nine shots better than any other girl.
Athena Cimino, Wiregrass Ranch swimming: The sophomore set individual Sunshine Athletic Conference records in the 100 freestyle (54:07) and 200 free (1:58.01) in last weekend’s conference meet. She also helped the Bulls set conference relay records in the 200 free (1:44.64) and 400 free (3:51.51).
Emmy Martin, Holy Names golf: The junior won her second straight district title by shooting a par-72 at the Class A, District 14 tournament at Emerald Greens. She is hoping to add her second straight region title this week.
Lee Nielsen, Palm Harbor University volleyball: The senior outside hitter was out for a week with an ankle injury, but came back to lead the Hurricanes to a PCAC championship win over East Lake. She had 16 kills, 29 digs and seven aces against the Eagles.
Stephanie Rodney, Central golf: After back-to-back third-place finishes at districts, the senior broke through in the Class 2A, District 5 tournament. She tied for medalist honors with 73 to advance to regionals.
Claire Snyder, Holy Names cross country: Despite chest congestion and minimal sleep (migraine the night before), the junior won her second straight title. She led most of Friday’s Hillsborough County Championships race, gave up lead to Plant’s Julia Rodriguez in final backstretch and re-took lead with about 400 meters to go to win in 19:21.80.
Male nominees
Jake Arnett, Nature Coast golf: The sophomore shot 1-under 71 in the Class A, District 8 tournament to become the individual champion and lead the Sharks to regionals. He was the only golfer under par.
Sam Chandler, St. Petersburg cross country: At the St. Petersburg City Meet, the senior won in 16 minutes, 14 seconds, shaving 12 seconds off his personal best. He also helped the Green Devils win the team title over Shorecrest.
Abdin Fator, Sickles cross country: The senior overcame Steinbrenner senior Matt Magee with about 10,000 meters remaining to win the boys race in 16:15.70 at the Hillsborough County Championships. It was Fator's fifth win of the season.
Janarion Grant, Pasco football: The senior athlete dominated in his first game back from a broken hand. He scored five touchdowns four ways (passing, receiving, interception return and two rushing) while racking up more than 303 all-purpose yards in a 54-20 win over Fivay. Coach Tom McHugh called Grant’s 38-yard rush the best he’s ever seen.
Artavis Scott, East Lake football: Fully recovered from a sprained ankle in the season opener, the junior had four touchdown receptions in a 41-20 win over Sarasota Riverview in a Class 8A, District 7 game that clinched a playoff berth for the Eagles. In the past two games, Scott has six touchdown receptions.
Joseph Trim, Jesuit golf: The junior won the Class A, District 14 tourney with a 73 at Emerald Greens. His round included a hole-in-one on the par-3 No. 3 hole, and also helped the Tigers to the overall team crown.
Give us a shout next week at hometeam@tampabay.com if you have a Hot Shot we should consider.