1. Ashley Blessin, Plant City softball
Plant City’s softball team cut through its schedule like a buzzsaw in 2016, finishing with a 24-3 overall record. Although the team was full of talented, seasoned players, it got a nice surprise on the mound.
Opponents were simply not ready for freshman Ashley Blessin, who was credited with 18 of the team’s 24 wins. Through 136 innings, Blessin pitched her way to a 1.13 ERA, seven shutouts and a whopping 204 strikeouts. She also started all of the Lady Raiders’ playoff games, helping the team make it as far as the regional semifinals.
Although the Lady Raiders lost some key players to graduation, consistency from Blessin could help the 2017 Raiders get back in the playoffs and, possibly, go even further.
2. Taylor Dedmen, Plant City golf
Plant City’s top golfer in 2016 was also a total newcomer to the team.
Junior Taylor Dedmen, who transferred from Seminole High School in the offseason, only needed this past season to make school history: in the final regular-season match of 2016, she entered the record books with a 33 — the lowest round in program history, breaking a record that had stood for decades and been matched several times.
After that, her hot streak continued. Dedmen won the FHSAA regional championship tournament in October with a 72, and became the only member of her team to advance to states. In that tournament, she tied for 10th place overall.
3. Cullen Telfer, Strawberry Crest wrestling
Strawberry Crest’s first-ever state wrestling champion kept up the good work in 2016.
Cullen Telfer once again grappled his way into the state tournament in the grueling 126-pound bracket, arguably the toughest in the county at any class. On the heels of his fourth consecutive regional championship (dating back to his middle school days), Telfer made it as far as the semifinals before losing to Jordan Marshall, who went on to win the state championship.
Telfer placed third in the state competition, and has since bulked up to 138 pounds. He’s started the 2016-17 season on a good note, taking home a “Most Outstanding Wrestler” award at the Weeki Wachee Duals after going undefeated through that bracket.
4. Jonah Scolaro, Durant baseball
Durant baseball’s ace pitcher once again proved he’s a force to be reckoned with on the mound.
Jonah Scolaro’s junior campaign saw the pitcher lead the staff with eight wins in 13 appearances, posting a 1.23 ERA and striking out 127 batters.
Scolaro was a valuable asset to a Cougars squad that had lost many key seniors to graduation in the offseason, and stepped up when needed most. He threw a no-hitter in a 1-0 win over Riverview to send the Cougars to the district championship game against Plant City, then struck out 12 in a two-hit, 2-1 win over Plant in regionals. In his last appearance, a 1-0 loss to Steinbrenner in regionals, Scolaro struck out 13.
He has signed with Florida State University and will join the baseball team after his senior year of high school.
5. Treshaun Ward, Plant City football
Replacing a guy like Markese Hargrove is no easy task, but sophomore Treshaun Ward showed that he can get the job done.
Ward, in his first full year with the varsity team, proved to be the deadliest weapon on the Raider offense. He ran for 1,082 yards — 135.3 per game — and 13 touchdowns in a weather-shortened season, perhaps most impressively torching the Armwood Hawks for 169 yards and two scores in the season opener at 1 Raider Place.
The Plant City offense will lose many key players to graduation in this offseason, but Raider fans can rest easier knowing the team won’t have to worry about replacing its workhorse running back.