Sensational sophomore

Sebring's Taylor Tubbs has already accomplished quite a bit in her high school track and field career. And the scary thing is she is just at the midway point.

For her sophomore season, Tubbs won district titles in the 1,600 and 3,200, placed second in regionals in the 1,600 and fifth in the 3,200 and capped it off with a ninth-place finish at the state meet.

"Things went really well," Tubbs said. "It was my best season so far."

Tubbs said competing in the state meet was a definite eye-opener.

"State was really competitive and it was kind of scary at first, but it was a good experience for next year," she said. "It was just surprising for me. They started off really fast and I had to learn to deal with that pace."

She also competed on Sebring's 4x800 relay team, which placed second at districts.

For her accomplishments, Tubbs has been selected as the 2011 All-Heartland Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

The Team

Angelique Ligon, senior, Avon Park Ligon had a banner season for the Red Devils while competing against some of the best competition in the state regardless of classification, setting several school records in the process.

Ligon was fourth in both the 100 and 200 at the district meet, fifth in the 100 and seventh in the 200 at regionals. She also ran on the Red Devils' 4x100 relay team that placed second at the district meet and sixth at regionals.

Salina Walker, junior, Lake Placid Walker came into her own this season as a distance runner. She placed fourth in both the 1,600 and 3,200 at districts and was on the Green Dragons' third-place-finishing 4x800 relay team.

"This year Salina really tasted what victory is like," said Lake Placid coach Scott Morgan. "Advancing in all her events in districts to regionals, she really felt that pride you get when you know you did it just right. Salina really listens closely to her coaches and uses all the advice to strengthen her skills. Watch out for her with her senior year next year."

Destiny McCartney, sophomore, Sebring McCartney has blossomed as the Blue Streaks' hurdle specialist and she advanced to regionals in both the 100 and 300 hurdles. Sebring coach Renee Crenshaw believes McCartney, known for her strong work ethic, has good things in store.

"She's been working hard over the summer," Crenshaw said. "With another year under her belt, she has an excellent shot at making it to state."

Zakia Hart, senior, Avon Park Hart is one of the most gifted all-around athletes. She can compete in throws, jumps, pole vault or sprints and do each one well.

Hart placed third in the district meet in the discus, earning her a trip to regionals, and also placed in the 100 and on the Red Devils' relay team.

Rhonwen Gavagni, junior, Lake Placid Gavagni settled into jumps this year for the Green Dragons and placed in both the long jump and the triple jump at the district meet.

"Wow! is one way to describe Rhonwen," Morgan said. "This is an athlete that will do anything and make sure it is her best. When she performs triple jump you would think she can defy gravity."

Hannah Schroeder, sophomore, Sebring Schroeder is a key part of the Blue Streaks' distance running core and came up big for the team at districts. Schroeder placed fourth in the 1,600, which earned her a berth in the regional meet, and stepped in for an injured Emily Smith in the 4x800 relay team, which also went to regionals.

Takesha Williams, junior, Avon Park Another gifted all-around athlete, Williams was capable of scoring in sprints and in field events for the Red Devils. Williams placed sixth in the district meet in the discus.

Lisa Cherniauski, senior, Lake Placid Cherniauski placed third in the district meet in the pole vault, an event that she didn't compete in until midway in the season.

"During practice around the middle of the season we told Lisa to try pole vault," Morgan said.

"Boy did we read this one right. She actually thanked us for pushing her to try out for this event. We wish we had at least one more year to work with her. She will be missed."

Tara O' Berry, senior, Sebring O' Berry has been a steady performer for the Blue Streaks in the high jump the past few years and placed fifth at the district meet.

O' Berry was tied with a group of five jumpers who cleared 4-foot-8, who placed third through sixth, but just missed out on a trip to regionals.

Mariam Olupitan, junior, Avon Park Olupitan found her stride in the 400 meters, competing on the Red Devils 4x400 relay and earning a sixth-place finish in the district meet in the 400.

Emily Helterhoff, sophomore, Sebring Helterhoff has a bright future in jumps for the Blue Streaks. She was another jumper tied at 4-foot-8 in the district meet and is only going to get better.

Angelina Ligon, sophomore, Avon Park Ligon placed second at the district meet in the 100 hurdles, which earned a spot in the regional meet.

Four of the top five finishers in the regional meet were upperclassmen, so Ligon could advance to state next year.

Shalontay Rose, sophomore, Sebring Another talented all-around athlete, Rose placed in both the high jump and the triple jump for the Blue Streaks at the district meet. Rose will be counted on for big things in the upcoming season.

Jasmine Wilson, freshman, Avon Park Wilson held her own against some of the toughest sprinters in the state and is likely to be a force for the Red Devils in years to come.

Coach of the Year

Avon Park's Jason Hunter had a definite impact on the Red Devils in his first season as head coach. A former standout at Sebring High, Hunter was a student of one of the best and is the 2011 All-Heartland Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year.

"It was first and foremost Chet Brojek who gave me the knowledge as an athlete back in 2001 when I met him as a sophomore at Sebring High as the district champ in the 200," Hunter said.

"I ran a 22.86 back then, but I talked to coach Brojek throughout that season every chance I got, and here and there I learned and listened to everything he said, even though he wasn't aware I heard him.

"He is truly the greatest coach in the history of Highlands County in the track and field venue."