Locals named to All-First Coast teams

Locals named to All-First Coast teams

By MELISSA BURNSED

Accolades for outstanding athletic performances are usually few and far between for students who attend schools outside the metro Jacksonville area. The mass market media tends to have urban tunnel vision when it comes to selecting players for honors and awards. So it came as a welcome surprise when more than dozen rural high school athletes were recognized for their prowess on the softball and baseball fields this past season, by being included in the ranks of the Florida Times Union’s All-First Coast teams which were announced over the weekend.

The criteria for selection starts with a nomination by area varsity coaches. Then Times Union sports staff reviews the players performances, statistics and team quality to determine which athletes are worthy of being named to the elite recognition teams. Players are ranked and placed onto either first, second, third or honorable mention teams.

Only the cream of the crop earn the top honor of First Team selection and this year that special distinction went to Baker County’s Ashley Holton. The talented sophomore utility player was a vital part of the Lady Wildcats Class 4A State Final Four team. Holton impressive softball stats included a .490 batting average, eight homeruns and 38 RBI.

Her teammate, junior catcher Ashley Curry was named to the Second Team.

Making the grade for selection to the Third Team were pitcher Jamie Brooker from West Nassau and Jessica McClellan who was the catcher for Bradford County. Both are seniors.

Honorable Mention went to Ashley Burke a junior infielder from Baldwin, Kirstie Flink a sophomore catcher from Hilliard, Tiffany Smith a junior pitcher from Baker County and Shelby Webb a junior pitcher from Hilliard.

Recognized for his contributions on the baseball diamond with selection to the Second Team was the Fernandina Beach Pirates sophomore outfielder Trent Luman. Third Team honors went to Baker County Wildcats senior pitcher Jarrell Rodgers.

Included on the roster of Honorable Mention players were David Campbell junior outfielder from Suwannee County, junior catcher Jeff Day and his brother senior pitcher Justin Day both from Fernandina Beach, West Nassau senior catcher Michael Henderson and Yulee sophomore pitcher Buck Marell.