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Plant named county's top athletic program

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By BILL WARD

wward@tampatrib.com

Published: May 23, 2009

Updated: 05/23/2009 12:28 am

Buoyed by team grade point averages that topped the county's public schools in more than half of the sports contested, three team state titles and good sportsmanship shown during the school year, Plant High captured this year's Vernon Korhn Award for the best all-around athletic program in Hillsborough.

The award, now in its third year, was presented Friday by its namesake, former county athletic director Vernon Korhn, at the school district's offices in downtown Tampa. The Panthers won state team crowns in football, volleyball and girls tennis. They could take home a fourth title if their baseball team emerges victorious in the Class 5A final.

In the classroom, Plant athletes had the county's top GPAs in 12 of 21 boys and girls sports played during the school year. The third component the Korhn trophy is based on is sportsmanship, where things such as the number of player and coach ejections are considered.

Also Friday, the county presented awards in tennis, flag football, softball, and track and field.

In softball, Chamberlain's Marissa Menendez, a four-year starter with a career batting average above .400, was the winner of the Jack and Barbara Thompson Player of the Year Award. In flag football, Freedom's Monique LaMotte, who produced nearly 1,000 yards of offense, took home the Larmon Furniture Player of the Year Award.

The Andres Garcia Memorial Tennis Award went to Chamberlain's Jennifer Miller and Alonso's Tyler Snook.

Winning the Bill Shields Award for the county's top track athlete, male or female, was Chamberlain senior Dentarius Locke. He also won this title, now in its 48th year, last season. Locke recently captured Class 4A state titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and set state records in both events.

Dr. Doug Price, who was a nationally-ranked shot put and discus athlete, handed out awards to the county's top throwers, senior Demonte McAllister of Alonso and Tampa Bay Tech junior LeRia Jenrette.

McELVEEN SEEKS FAMU RELEASE: Blake senior Marissa McElveen, the 3A state champion in the triple jump, is seeking a release from her national letter of intent signed with Florida A&M University after the Rattlers fired women's head coach Maicel Malone, Yellow Jackets coach Shirley Parker said Friday.

Reporter Bill Ward can be reached at (813) 259-7456.

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