High School Sports
Lakewood Ranch High senior named Gatorade Florida softball player of the year
Avery Goelz made history for Lakewood Ranch High School on Thursday.
The senior softball player became the first Mustang to be named the Gatorade Florida Softball Player of the Year.
Before the COVID-19 crisis cut the high school sports spring season short, Goelz was hitting .591 with a 1.273 slugging percentage, 13 runs batted in, 10 runs scored and seven extra-base hits.
The first baseman was a key contributor to the Mustangs’ fast start. Lakewood Ranch was ranked No. 3 in the nation, according to MaxPreps, following an 8-0 start when the Florida High School Athletic Association suspended, and, later, canceled the season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Goelz, who signed in November to play college softball for the Florida Gators, ended her three-plus seasons of high school softball with 157 hits, 142 runs scored, 130 RBIs, 29 home runs and a 1.094 slugging percentage.
In addition to her on-field accolades, Goelz has a 4.25 weighted grade point average and is an aspiring lawyer, who participated in shadow sessions with local attorneys, according to a press release.
Each year, Gatorade issues Player of the Year awards in each sport for each state and the District of Columbia. Those winners then compete for the National Player of the Year award for their respective sports. There are 12 national winners, with those vying as one male and one female athlete named as the Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year.
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