All-Area Athletes & Teams
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1503113
www.yoursun.com Page 13 Knop's fourth trip to the state finals in as many years saw him compete in four events, earning first-place medals in two individual events. He won the 200 IM with a personal-best time of 1:48.81 before earning a personal best of 49.06 in the 100 back. The senior also helped earn podium spots for both relays at state. The Indians finished second in the 400 freestyle relay (3:06.74) and fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:34.38). With an eye-opening academ- ic resume — 5.1 weighted GPA — and hope to one day be an Olympian, Knop will be taking his talents to the University of Florida this fall to learn under current U.S. National Team head coach Anthony Nesty. GIRLS GOLF SOPHIA STIWICH LEMON BAY The Lemon Bay High School girls golf team had one of its best seasons ever, making it to the Class 2A state champion- ship after a 10-1, storm-short- ened season. And it was a freshman who led the way as Sophia Stiwich became not only the top golfer on the team, but also the Sun's Girls Golfer of the Year, despite not being able to practice or compete for three weeks after Hurricane Ian. Unfortunately, it may be the only time she wins it, as she and her family moved to Colorado shortly after the season ended. Lemon Bay golf coach Darrell Roach said he knew her from the Lemon Bay junior golf program, and knew immediate- ly she would be the team's No. 1 once she started playing there. "She was amazing for a freshman, the best I ever had. She was a once-in-a-decade player and I've had girls who have gone to play in college," Roach said. "She was very accomplished as a freshman and we were glad to have her." Stiwich lived up to expec- tations and was a medalist in just about every match she played, including at the County Championship, where she shot a 77 at Deep Creek Country Club to win the individual title. Illness kept Stiwich out of the District 2A-12 tournament. However, in the Class 2A-3 re- gional tournament in Seminole, Stiwich shot a 75 to finish second individually. Stiwich topped it off with a sixth-place finish at states at the Mission Inn Resort at Howey- in-the-Hills, shooting a 71 on the first day and a 77 on the second. Stiwich was also ninth in class 2A with a nine-hole average of 38. BOYS GOLF MARQUEZ ANGELES DESOTO COUNTY For the second time in as many years, DeSoto County's top golfer earned an All-Area nod. During this year's soph- omore campaign, however, Angeles took it up a notch after what had been one of the best freshmen seasons in school history. He led the Bulldogs – and Region 2A-3 – in scoring for the season, averaging 34.8 strokes per nine holes. Angeles also led his region in birdies (16) and average strokes per par-4 (3.83). In postseason competition, Angeles won his district with a 74 before going on to place seventh at regionals with a 77. His strong play helped lead the Bulldogs to advance to the regional tournament as a team for the first time. This, after a debut year in 2021 in which he led his district in scoring average (35.7), birdies (14) and par-5 scoring average (4.25). VOLLEYBALL SUMMER KOHLER VENICE Venice rising junior Summer Kohler made an instant impact after transferring in last summer. As a sophomore, the 6-foot outside hitter regularly led the way in kills for her team. Her effort helped head coach Brian Wheatley and the Indians bring home the program's sixth state championship in its history last November. The Indians were dominant despite grinding through one of the toughest schedules in the state, and Kohler was among one of the biggest reasons why. A versatile player, Kohler shined at the Imagine School at North Port as a freshman. She posted lofty numbers that season with 162 kills, 48 aces and 284 assists across 81 sets. As a sophomore during her first season at Venice, the numbers ballooned. Kohler spent most of her time as an outside hitter for the Indians, going from 162 kills as a freshman to 332 kills last season. Kohler added a season-high 203 digs and pinned 26 aces during Venice's run to the state title. During both the regional and state final rounds, Kohler aver- aged nearly 18 kills per contest, which included a team-high 20 in the team's state champion- ship victory over Hagerty. FALL FROM PAGE 12A PHOTO PROVIDED Lemon Bay High Girls Golf Team: (L-R) Alaina Maday, Sophia Stiwich, Madison Hanson, Rachel Gillis, Haley Hall, Coach Darrell Roach after their strong showing at the Class 2A state champi- onships.