Breakfast of Champions
Standout student-athletes from 2021-2022 school year recognized
Local student-athletes flocked to the Cape Coral Yacht Club last Saturday morning, as the Cape Coral Breeze hosted its inaugural Breakfast of Champions ceremony to honor those that stood out in the athletic realm this year.
During the 2021-2022 scholastic athletics season, The Breeze brought back its Athlete of the Week recognition program, shedding light on the performances of two student-athletes each week. On Saturday, that program was culminated by bringing together each of the student-athletes, as well as their families and supporters, to celebrate their accomplishments.
The Breeze presented each of the student-athletes with a certificate, as well as some specialty honors for top male and female Athlete of the Year, male and female Team of the Year, as well as Coach of the Year.
“From the weather cooperating to the outstanding turnout, we were thrilled with the first year of this event, and heard from many parents, athletes and sponsors who felt the same,” said Breeze Newspapers Publisher Ray Eckenrode. “We’re looking forward to growing the Athlete of the Week program in 2023 and beyond.”
The morning’s guest speakers included Dr. Scott Gray of Back in Motion Fitness & Performance, as well as former NFL fullback and North Fort Myers High School graduate Tommy Bohanon.
After the nearly 200 in attendance listened to the wise words of Gray and Bohanon, Associate Sports Editor CJ Haddad read off each of the student-athlete’s accomplishments that earned them the weekly honor as they came to the stage to receive their certificates.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to venture from school to school this year, getting to know each of the student-athletes and coaches, and sharing their stories,” Haddad said. “We were thrilled to see the turnout at our event, and hope each of our honorees felt special. They deserved it.”
After each school’s athletes were announced, it was time to present the individual awards.
First, the Reader’s Choice Athlete of the Year went to Oasis High School’s Katarina Hagler. As the top vote getter among 10 nominees, the sophomore had a tremendous season on the lanes for the Sharks. She was runner-up in the FHSAA bowling state championships and set a Lee County record when she rolled a 278 versus South Fort Myers in a performance that included nine strikes and one spare. Hagler also rolled a 214 with eight strikes and one spare last week versus Cypress Lake. She was named Athlete of the Month for November and earned two Athlete of the Week nominations.
Next was the male Team of the Year award, bestowed to the Island Coast High School baseball team for its history-making run, becoming the first baseball team in Lee County to hoist a state championship.
“Winning Team of the Year is just such an awesome honor, because I think it truly signifies what this team is about,” said Island Coast baseball head coach Clint Montgomery. “Although we had several players that had great years individually, what really made us special is our team bond and ability to pick each other up when someone wasn’t having a great day. It’s a cool bunch of young men that made baseball very fun for the coaches, the fans and for themselves.”
The award for female Team of the Year was given to the Mariner High School girls soccer team for its own history-making state championship victory, being the first Tritons team to win a state championship in the school’s 35-year history.
“Being named Team of the Year means more than any other award to us,” said Mariner head coach Jami Hagy. “This team is truly something special. There are no shortcuts to building a team each season. You build the foundation brick by brick. Each player and coach on this team has a purpose. Without any one of them, we may have not had the season we had. They are not just a team, but a family. We are so thankful for the award and are looking forward to being back next year.”
Hagy was also named The Breeze’s Coach of the Year.
“I’m truly humbled by the award,” Hagy said. “CJ (Haddad) and the Cape Coral Breeze have done an excellent job covering all of the teams and student-athletes. It takes a village to help the kids in this community. They don’t always care how much you know unless they know how much you care. I think next year we need a Coaching Staff of the Year. My coaches and team make me look good. I am so proud of us.”.
The final two awards of the program were given to the male and female Athlete of the Year.
The Breeze female Athlete of the Year went to Cape Coral High School’s Melissa Blaine. The sophomore set school records and walked out of her state championship meet with lots of hardware around her neck. Blaine swam to not just a first-place finish, but also a school record in the 200 IM at the FHSAA state championships in Stewart. At states, she also finished third in the 500 free, third in the 200 medley relay and second in the 400 free relay — where she was part of another school record with three other swimmers. She also helped secure a LCAC Swimming and Diving victory for her school as she finished first in the 500 freestyle and 200 IM, and was part of 200 medley relay and 400 free relay victories.
The Breeze male Athlete of the Year went to Mariner High School’s Christopher “Tophy” Minto. The junior continued to dominate in his athletic realm this year, securing his second state championship, and doing so in back-to-back years. Minto went undefeated throughout this year’s campaign, and reached the top of the mountain once again. At the FHSAA Wrestling State Championship, he capped his 55-0 season with a 2A state title in the 138-pound weight class. He said he’s not done though, as he plans to make it a repeat next season.
The Breeze would like to thank each and every individual that attended the Breakfast of Champions. The Breeze is already looking forward to the next school year and being able to share with its readers the accomplishments of the young student-athletes. Stay up to date on The Breeze’s coverage both in print, online and social media platforms Facebook and Twitter.
For more information on the Tommy Bohanon Foundation, visit tommybohanonfoundation.org.
For more on Back in Motion Fitness & Performance, with locations in Cape Coral and Fort Myers, click (for physical therapy) here or (for personal training and sports training) here.
The Breeze would also like to thank the sponsors for the Athlete of the Week, Zak’s Jewelry (www.zaksjewelry.com) and Experience Real Estate Group (www.eresuccess.com).