Female Athlete of the Week
An error made by the official scoring at last week’s Region 4A-2 track and field meet, credited Mariner senior Courtney Anderson with a high jump of 5-feet-2 on the results sheet. Anderson won the event, but actually cleared 5-6.
The 5-2 seemed unlikely given the way Anderson has been performing in the event.
“She’s one of the most consistent athletes I’ve ever coached,” Mariner coach Chris Lewis said. “With her, you always know what you’re going to get.”
Anderson is set to make another trip to the FHSAA Finals, which has become an annual occasion.
The Daily Breeze Female Athlete of the Week captured her third straight regional title and has won four straight district titles, resulting in four consecutive appearances in the state finals.
The only thing left for Anderson to accomplish at the high school level would be bringing home a state title after finishing fourth, third and second in previous years.
It figures to be a difficult task, though, as returning champion Maya Pressley of Coconut Creek also returns and cleared 5-10 at regionals. Anderson’s personal-best jump of 5-8 1/2 came in the LCAC meet, but believes she can go higher.
“I’ve jumped (5-10) a couple times in practice,” she said, “but I know I have to get it in this meet.”
The 5-foot-6 Anderson first started trying the high jump in seventh grade in Ohio and picked it up again her freshman year at Mariner. She also evolved into one of the top frontcourt players over her four years on the Tritons’ volleyball team.
In the high jump, Anderson believes she still has plenty of room for improvement. She’s been helped by several coaches along the way as well as friend and former Mariner teammate Magen Carey, but should get even more specialized training in college at the University of South Florida.
Honorable mentions:
Alyssa Dougherty, senior, North Fort Myers softball: Dougherty delivered a clutch RBI single in the Red Knights’ 4-2 win over Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in a regional semifinal game and made a diving catch at second base for the final out.
Stephanie Nevadunsky, junior, North Fort Myers track: Nevadunsky qualified for the Class 4A state meet with a fourth-place finish in the 300 hurdles in the regional meet.