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McCray's Skills Make Him Top Hat

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By KATHERINE SMITH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 20, 2008

TAMPA - Moses McCray wore many hats this year.

And that doesn't include the Florida/Florida State hat trick he pulled on National Signing Day.
McCray signed his letter-of-intent to play football at Florida State, but actually, he could have committed in any number of sports.

Sure, he's mostly known for his skills and attributes as a defensive lineman, but wrestling and track and field come just as naturally to McCray. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and bowling.

McCray, The Tampa Tribune's 2008 Hillsborough County Male Athlete of the Year, is one of the last of a rare breed in high school athletics - a triple-sport athlete. In this day and age of specialization, McCray demonstrated it's possible to produce at a high level in numerous sports.

"He is very athletic," Hillsborough football coach Earl Garcia said. "He can do a lot of things. He could probably play all of the sports. There's not a whole lot this kid can't do."

When you break down what McCray did for Hillsborough High School, it might be easier to list the sports he didn't excel in during his senior year.
McCray earned second-team honors on The Tampa Tribune's All-Hillsborough County football team after leading one of the top defenses last season. He tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks and was third with 66 tackles.

A member of the Tribune's first-team All-Hillsborough County wrestling team, McCray's only two losses of the season were to state champion Testre Avery of Naples Barron Collier. He finished 24-2, which included a Class 2A-Region 2 title in the heavyweight class and also took home third at the 2A state tournament.

McCray's MySpace page declares him a "Nole 4 Life." The Hillsborough triple-sport threat isn't just bonded to the school by football. It was a common passion he shared with his late father.

It was his father's FSU hat McCray wore on National Signing Day. FSU coaches wanted McCray to graduate from high school early so he could participate in the Seminoles' spring drills.
McCray politely declined the offer because he wanted to wrestle.

"High school is one of the last places kids get to just be kids, so they should participate in as many sports as they want to," Garcia said. "Moses could have left early, but it was important for him to stay. He's as fine an athlete as he is a person."

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