2021 SUN Preps All-Area Athletes & Teams
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1466350
www.yoursun.com Page 7 By VINNIE PORTELL SPORTS WRITER It couldn't have been possible for Lauren Ragazzone to participate in more athletic endeavors at Lemon Bay High School even if she wanted to do so. A four-sport competitor and school record holder, Ragazzone was was named as the Sun Preps Female Athlete of the Year. She beat out Bella Desjardins — a volleyball and basketball star at Charlotte — and Kiki Slattery — a soccer and track standout at Venice. Lemon Bay's senior standout was busy with the girls golf team — district champions again — in the fall. In the winter, she was busy breaking the school scoring record for the girls soccer team as she led it to two straight regional titles and competing with the weightlifting team. When spring rolled around, Ragazzone could be found near the track where she competed in the high jump all through regional competition. "I really only played soccer growing up," Ragazzone said. "I got into the other sports when I got into high school. I love to stay busy, so that's how I kept myself occupied. "Making new friends was the best part of it all. Even though I maybe didn't know what I was doing at first, everyone was so welcoming to me and would help me with whatever I needed even though I was new. I hope I did that for other players in soccer, too." The senior was the driving force behind Lemon Bay's first two region championships in soccer. The third-year captain scored 130 career goals, including 35 this past season. After completing a historic soccer career that will likely be remembered by many in Englewood for years to come, Ragazzone will next head off to play for the University of West Florida. "All these things are just her numbers; what people don't get to see is how hard she has worked to get where she is and the personality behind the talent," Lemon Bay girls soccer coach Katie Cooke said earlier this year. "She is not just a good player; she is a good person. It truly has been an honor and pleasure to watch her develop into the player and young woman she is today. Lauren's hard work, determi- nation, and commitment to excellence are second to none." SUN PREPS ALL-AREA FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Ragazzone sets the example in Athlete of the Year season SUN FILE PHOTO Lauren Ragazzone set the school record for most goals scored in a season and led her team to back-to-back regional titles -- the first two in program history. SUN PHOTO BY TOM O'NEILL Lemon Bay's Lauren Ragazzone receives her trophy during the Sun Preps All-Area Sports Awards Tuesday at Cool Today Park.