Lakewood Ranch’s Gia Cohen tops the area
Gia Cohen
Freshman, Lakewood Ranch
To her credit: Cohen entered the high school season already with an impressive winter under her belt. She reached the semifinals of the girls 14-and-younger age division at the Eddie Herr International Junior Championships. In her first high school tennis season, Cohen went 10-1, losing for the only time in the Class 4A state semifinals. During the year, she racked up some impressive victories, including a straight-sets (7-5, 7-5) triumph over Out-of-Door Academy senior M’Balia Bangoura, who is going to the University of Nebraska next season.
Fast fact: Cohen is a home-schooled student, who enjoys going to the beach and hanging with friends.
Up next: Plans to train and travel during the offseason, before returning for her sophomore season at Lakewood Ranch.
Honorable Mention
Bayshore: Theo Schultz, sophomore; Ava Schultz, senior
Lakewood Ranch: Natalia Vuckovic, sophomore; Grace Hagopian, freshman; Sara Benson, junior; Jessie Kroupa, senior
Out-of-Door Academy: M’Balia Bangoura, senior; Sydney Sforzo, eighth-grade
Saint Stephen’s: Annie Brey, senior; Sabina Budova, frreshman; Mpho Cho, junior.
Jason Dill
sports reporter
All-area schedule
June 16: Boys tennis
June 17: Girls tennis
June 18: Softball
June 19: Baseball
June 21: Boys track
June 22: Girls track
June 23: boys weightlifting
This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 9:56 PM with the headline "Lakewood Ranch’s Gia Cohen tops the area."