Ransom Everglades rowers tops in the nation. Edison student athletes sign scholarships and more

Florine Lijesen and Kathryn Serra emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) National Championship Regatta in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Competing in the girls’ varsity 2x category, the dynamic duo from Ransom Everglades demonstrated their prowess and secured a well-deserved first-place finish.

Entering the event as the top-seeded contenders, Serra and Lijesen lived up to the expectations set by the seeding committee. Their impressive performance commenced with a come-from-behind win in their heat on the first day, posting the fastest overall time in the event. Building upon this triumph, the double carried their momentum into the final race.

The final race proved to be a thrilling spectacle as the Raiders, initially sitting in a close fourth place, showcased their unrivaled rowing ability and grit. With just over 500 meters remaining, Serra and Lijesen charged through the field with unyielding determination. Despite the relentless efforts of competing crews to counter, the Raiders crossed the finish line with a remarkable two-second lead, solidifying their championship title.

This victory at the SRAA National Championship Regatta adds to Serra and Lijesen’s impressive list of accomplishments throughout the season. Prior to their national triumph, the pair clinched the top position at the FSRA Sculling States and emerged victorious at the USRowing Southeast Regionals, cementing their status as one of the top girl’s youth 2x in the country.

Serra and Lijesen’s impressive journey continues as they prepare for their final regatta, the highly esteemed USRowing Youth National Championships. This ultimate showdown will pit them against the best-of-the-best from clubs across the nation, as they seek to etch their names into rowing history.

The graduating seniors will continue rowing in college. Lijesen at Duke and Serra at Harvard.

NOTE: Serra was a Miami Herald All-Dade third team selection in girls’ basketball. Her brother, David, a junior, is the Miami Herald All-Dade Boys’ Cross-Country Runner of the Year and All-Dade Boys’ Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

Sailing

The Ransom Everglades sailing team finished fifth at the 2023 Baker Team Racing National Championships in Deephaven, Minnesota.

They are: skippers Griggs Diemar (sophomore), Ian Fox (junior) & Jackson McAliley (senior); crew Violet Martin (junior), Christine Keedy-Brown (junior), Evelyn Yu (junior) & Manuel Campos (sophomore); and Joe Logan and Omari Scott.

Edison college signings

Miami Edison celebrated Signing Day with five student athletes inking scholarships to continue competing in college.

They are: Kesiha Volatire, Atlantis University; Makaula Brown, Florida Gateway; Alexandra Harris, Florida Gateway; Felicia Wright, St. Thomas University; and Dayna Cuillver, Atlantis University.

Baseball honors

The seven individual class finalists for the 2023 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Baseball and Baseball Coach of the Year have been announced following balloting by a statewide panel of high school baseball coaches and prep media representatives.

Every finalist was the leading vote-getter in his classification, making each one the Player of the Year or Coach of the Year in his class. The two overall winners will be announced following a final round of balloting by coaches and media.

They include: Christian Rodriguez, Senior, Pitcher, Stoneman Douglas, Class 7A Player of the Year: Helped his squad to the Class 7A state title with a 12-0 record and an 0.69 ERA. He had 117 strikeouts in 71 innings with 13 walks. Committed to the University of Florida. Coach Todd Fitz-Gerald, Stoneman Douglas, Class 7A Coach of the Year: Led his squad to a 29-0 record and a third straight Class 7A state title. First Florida team to finish unbeaten since Calvary Christian in 2017. Currently on a 51-game winning streak, the second longest in state history (Calvary Christian, 60). Coach Mike Macey, American Heritage-Plantation, Class 5A Coach of the Year: Led his team to a 21-6 record and the Class 5A state title, the school’s first championship since 2012.

Other area vote getters: Class 6A: 2. Adrian Santana, Doral Academy. Class 4A: 2. Angel Santiago-Velaz, Sunset; 3. Coach Julio Mendoza, Sunset. Class 3A: 2. George Lombard, Gulliver Prep; 2. Coach Brian Campbell, North Broward Prep.

Track honors

The 2023 Florida Dairy Farmers Ms. Track and Girls’ Coach of the Year finalists include:

Aleesa Samuel, Sophomore, Somerset Academy-Pembroke Pines, Class 3A Track Athlete of the Year: Swept the 100-meter (11.44), 200-meter (23.84) and 100-meter hurdles (13.67) state titles. Coach Erin McCray, Southridge, Class 4A Coach of the Year: Led her squad to its first state title in six years, and eighth alltime, with a dominating victory (77.5 points) over second-place finisher George Jenkins (48). Coach Carmen Jackson, Miami Northwestern, Class 3A Coach of the Year: Jackson led her team to its 14th consecutive state title and 19th title overall with a tight win over runner-up Dillard (80-75.5). The championship extended the state record for most consecutive titles.

The 2023 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Track and Boys’ Coach of the Year finalists include:

Chris Johnson, Senior, Dillard, Class 3A Track Athlete of the Year: Swept the 100-meter (10.25) and 200-meter (20.40) state titles. His winning times in both events were the fastest in all classes at the state meet. Has signed to play football at the University of Miami.

Softball nominees

Nominees for the 2023 Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Softball and Coach of the Year state honors include some from the area.

They are: Class 7A: Ali Solo, Western, Soph P, 17-4, 2.03 ERA, 123 IP, 159 K; Brooklyn Lorenzo, Goleman, Sr SS/C, .651 BA, 22 R, 32 RBI, 6 2B; 2 3B, 3 HR; Rachel Hawkins, Coral Reef, Jr INF, .455 BA, 34 R, 33 RBI, 4 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR; Coach Zach Segal, Coral Reef, 22-7, Regional Finalist. Class 6A: Yessenia Lopez, Doral Academy, Sr P, 19-6, 1.20 ERA, 164 IP, 246 K; Coach Ron Willover, Fort Lauderdale, 13-7, Regional Finalist; Coach Willie Viruet, Doral Academy, 24-5, State Final Four. Class 5A: Coach Maxwell Romero, Pembroke Pines Charter, 19-9, Regional Finalist. Class 4A: Miesha Hernandez, Key West, Sr INF, .384 BA, 28 R, 27 RBI, 7 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR; Emily LeGette, American Heritage-Plantation, Sr INF, .567 BA, 29 R, 23 RBI, 14 2B, 7 HR; Coach Jason Garcia, Key West, 19-4, State Final Four; Coach Samantha Banister, American Heritage-Plantation, 16-7, Regional Finalist. Class 3A: Sophia Bertorelli, Coral Springs Charter, Soph P, 20-1, 0.44 ERA, 128 IP, 254 K; Ava Stevens, Somerset Academy Silver Palms, 8th INF, .660 BA, 57 R, 32 RBI, 6 2B, 5 3B; Coach Mark Montimurro, Coral Springs Charter, 25-1, Regional Finalist; Coach Gator Rebhan, Somerset Academy Silver Palms, 29-3, State Runner-up; Class 2A: Maria Zalenka, Florida Christian, Sr INF, .427 BA, 32 R, 36 RBI, 9 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR; Coach Liz Sheldon, Florida Christian, 19-8, Regional Finalist.

Submit sports awards, all-star games, spring football

For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade, if you have varsity results along with top performers and their sta ts for this column, email hssports@miamiherald.com.

Also sports awards and all-star games info and stats. Plus spring football results and stats.

They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online.

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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone

jvarsallone@miamiherald.com