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Quarterback Stearns Garners MVP Award

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By DAREK SHARP

dsharp@tampatrib.com

Published: December 17, 2008

PLANT CITY - Although the defense got most of the glory, senior quarterback Clint Stearns proved to be a valuable leader for the Plant City High football team.

When it came time to name the team's most valuable player, Stearns was the one who got the nod. Stearns was one of the Raiders named MVP for their respective teams at the Plant City High Athletics Boosters Winter Sports Banquet, held at the school Dec. 8.

Also named MVP were Michael Singletary and Erika Kolakowski for cross-country, Kyle Martin and Jordan Joyner for golf, Ali Boggs for volleyball, and Anthony Rodriguez and Caitlyn Chandler for swimming.

At the end of each sports season, the Raider Boosters reward all the athletes with a banquet dinner. Coaches award trophies to some of the top performers in each sport.

Stearns was the signal caller the past two seasons for the Raiders, who went 3-7 in head coach Jason Strunk's first season. Not only did Stearns throw for 710 yards this year, he ended up being the team's rushing leader. Also, running back Cortez Hargrett was named the Offensive MVP.

Strunk got clever with the naming of some of the awards. Several defensive players were honored: Travis Vollick as "Hit Man," with Duran Lowe getting the "Dig In" award and defensive back Raheem Billington earning the "Ball Hawk" trophy. Noah Studstill got "Special Forces" recognition, and Eddie Rosenbaum received the Captain's Award.

For volleyball, which had a nice turnaround under first-year coach Kerri-Ann Grosso, Shea Kirk was the Offensive Player of the Year and Alix Hooker won for defense. Allie Goodrich was named Most Improved.

Golf standout Martin was the easy choice for MVP, and his brother Jared was tabbed Most Improved. Nick Jones was Most Dedicated, Brad Hall took the Coach's Award, Richard Elwell won for Long Hitter, and Conner Hurst was Rookie of the Year.

Although the girls' roster was dotted with outstanding freshmen, it was the senior, Joyner, who was MVP. The other awards went to freshmen with one exception, as sophomore Carli Copeland shared Most Improved with Savannah Joyner (Jordan Joyner's sister). Kelsey Jensen won Top Freshman, and Belinda George was Most Dedicated. The Raiders advanced to the regional tournament for the first time in more than 20 years.

Cross country awards for the boys team were garnered by Gage Munoz (Most Improved), Javier Minaya (Outstanding Sophomore), Samuel Gamez (Outstanding Junior), Luis Cardenas (Most Dedicated) and Kyle Castagno (Dynamic Leadership). For the girls, Elizabeth Schmidt got the Spirit award, Stacey Heckerman was noted for Sportsmanship and the Coach's Award went to Kathlyn Vu.

Swimming trophies went to: Anthony Lockhart (Most Improved), Gabe Haas (Most Dedicated), Aaron Sykes (Team Player), Brandon Kell (Heart) and Blair Butler ("A" Game Award). Amanda Knight from the girls' squad was recognized as Most Improved.

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