All-Area Athletes & Teams
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1503113
Page 8 www.yoursun.com By PATRICK OBLEY SPORTS EDITOR They are headed to opposite ends of the country. One will play football but happens to be just as good at wrestling and throwing the javelin. The other will play volleyball, but if she so chose, there could have been a future in weightlifting or track and field. Charlotte's Cael Newton and Lemon Bay's Presley Engelauf are the Sun Preps Boys and Girls Athletes of the Year for their well-rounded skill sets as much as the excellence they've displayed in the sports that carry them into college. As they move on to the next phase of their lives, Brian Wheatley remains steadfast on his chosen path. The Venice volleyball coach heads into summer knowing the Indians squad that returns in the fall has every chance to add an- other state title to his personal coaching resume. After Venice's historic run to its sixth state championship this past fall, Wheatley is the Sun Preps Coach of the Year. In addition to these three honors – the highest in the land of Sun Preps – we also honor the players of the year at each school. These awards don't necessarily go to the athlete with the best stats, nor the one with the best Power-5 scholar- ship in hand. Some might not have even earned Sun Preps All-Area accolades in a given sport. That said, in choosing the Sun Preps' Athletes of the Year, an emphasis is placed on all- around excellence in multiple sports. In this era of sport spe- cialization, it's the multi-sport standouts that catch our eye. The individual school players of the year are: Charlotte: Brayan Augustin (boys), Adrianna Iorfida (girls) DeSoto County: Lil'Dreco Tompkins (boys), Brooke Zolkos (girls) Imagine: Angelo Blas (boys), Madison Atwood (girls) Lemon Bay: Jace Huber (boys), Taylor Orris (girls) North Port: Evan Crane (boys), Malia Hambrick (girls) Port Charlotte: Caleb Campos (boys), Morgan Willis (girls) Venice: Ben Tary (boys), Kyla Freddolino (girls) Congratulations to all. Now, let's turn our attention be to the Big Three. BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Newton was an easy choice for the Third Annual Boys Athlete of the Year. Like the 2022 winner – Venice's Jayshon Platt – the Charlotte graduate excelled at something in all three sports seasons. During the fall, Newton an- chored the Tarpons' defensive line, leading the team with 112 tackles, 13 for loss, nine sacks, 27 quarterback hurries, an interception, two pass break- ups, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Perhaps it's no surprise, that sort of production earned him a spot on the Army football team. Though he'll be on the gridiron at the West Port, N.Y., service academy, Newton might also be found knocking around the wrestling room during the winter. In March, he became the area's lone wrestling state champion, taking the title in the 220-pound weight class. The Sun Preps Athletes, Coach of the Year Newton, Engelauf, Wheatley stand out at the highest level Charlotte football standout Cael Newton signed a national letter of intent on Wednesday to continue his career at Army. He was joined by his family (from left to right), brother Zak, mother Shana, brother Jaxson, father Buddy and brother, Cade. SUN FILE PHOTOS BY PATRICK OBLEY Lemon Bay senior Presley Engelauf, flanked by father, Shane, and mother, Jennifer, signs her letter of intent to play volleyball next fall at Alaska- Fairbanks. SUN FILE PHOTO BY TOM O'NEILL Venice Head Coach Brian Wheatley celebrates with his team after Venice defeated Hagerty for the state championship last season. BEST OF THE BEST SEE BEST, 9A