Sports Awards – Dallas – Syndication Server

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards: Dallas football finalists — defense

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards reveals its nominees for Dallas Football Defensive Player of the Year. The event is May 15, 2020.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards are coming to Dallas.

On May 15, 2020, the top athletes from around the Metroplex will be honored at Music Hall at Fair Park.

Here are the 10 finalists for Dallas Football Defensive Player of the Year.

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Billy Bowman

School: Ryan (Denton)
Position: Defensive back
Class: 2021
College: Texas
Noteworthy: Bowman (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) is a ball hawk with the instincts to take sure first steps toward the ball, and he can cover plenty of ground with an aggressive gait.

J.D. Coffey

School: Kennedale
Position: Safety
Class: 2021
College: Uncommitted
Noteworthy: Coffey practiced patience when reading quarterbacks, often entered the picture with one of his shoulders lowered and punished wide receivers willing to cross his path in the secondary.

Prince Dorbah

School: Highland Park (Dallas)
Position: Linebacker
Class: 2020
College: Texas
Noteworthy: Dorbah demonstrated what he will bring to Texas next season with dominant streaks that included forced intentional groundings, collecting tackles for loss and sacking quarterbacks in short order.

Lorando Johnson

School: Lancaster (Texas)
Position: Cornerback
Class: 2020
College: LSU
Noteworthy: Quarterbacks had limited options when they saw Johnson at one corner and his perfect complement, Theron Stroops, who is Baylor bound, on the other side.

Jalen Kimber

School: Timberview (Mansfield)
Position: Cornerback
Class: 2020
College: Georgia
Noteworthy: Long and fast, Kimber, who stands 6-foot and weighs 167 pounds, is still filling out his frame, but he leaves little room for opposing quarterbacks to throw the ball past his reach.

R.J. Mickens

School: Southlake Carroll
Position: Safety
Class: 2020
College: Clemson
Noteworthy: Mickens balanced his responsibilities with aplomb, making plays as a wide receiver for the Dragons and blasting counterparts as a defensive back. His counterintelligence will come in handy when he patrols the secondary for Clemson.

Jahari Rogers

School: Arlington (Texas)
Position: Cornerback
Class: 2020
College: Florida
Noteworthy: Rogers led Arlington to a 10-0 regular season as a junior quarterback before transitioning to corner over the summer, where he plans to play for the Gators next season.

Drew Sanders

School: Ryan (Denton)
Position: Linebacker
Class: 2020
College: Alabama
Noteworthy: If he wasn’t plowing through defenders, he was picking off quarterbacks or returning fumbles for touchdowns as an all-around whirl for Ryan.

Ja’Tavion Sanders

School: Ryan (Denton)
Position: Defensive end
Class: 2021
College: Texas
Noteworthy: Having played both receiver and defensive end for Ryan, the 6-foot-4 Sanders possesses the speed to raid the backfield and the closer’s mentality to wreak havoc on quarterbacks.

Chris Thompson, Duncanville (Photo: C.I.R. Design)

Chris Thompson Jr.

School: Duncanville
Position: Safety
Class: 2020
College: Auburn
Noteworthy: Few defensive backs sprint upfield from a pre-snap position to wrap up counterparts better than Thompson, who was a stalwart for a stingy defense.

For more information on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards in Dallas, visit sportsawardsdallas.com. Answers to frequently asked questions about the event can be found here.

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards: Dallas football finalists — offense

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards reveals its nominees for Dallas Football Offensive Player of the Year. The event is May 15, 2020.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards are coming to Dallas.

On May 15, 2020, the top athletes from around the Metroplex will be honored at Music Hall at Fair Park.

Here are the 12 finalists for Dallas Football Offensive Player of the Year.

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Nate Anderson

School: Rick Reedy (Frisco)
Position: Offensive lineman
Class: 2020
College: Oklahoma
Noteworthy: Anderson bills himself as the “#1 OG in the Nation,” and he backs it up on the field with the skillful tactics that he will be employing for the Sooners against Big 12 pass-rushers.

Savion Byrd

School: Duncanville
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: 2021
College: Uncommitted
Noteworthy: At 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, Byrd’s refined footwork turned talent evaluators’ heads, and he displayed versatility in the playoffs with his ability to suit up on the defensive line as well.

Kaedric Cobbs

School: Guyer (Denton)
Position: Running back
Class: 2020
College: Uncommitted
Noteworthy: Cobb (5-foot-10, 219 pounds) proved difficult to keep out of the end zone, scoring six two-point conversions in a 60-57 shootout victory over Aledo and tallying five touchdowns in another win as he rushed for more than 2,000 yards.

Quaydarius Davis

School: Skyline (Dallas)
Position: Wide receiver
Class: 2021
College: Uncommitted
Noteworthy: Blessed with top-end speed and a reach that rivals Odell Beckham Jr.’s, Davis reversed field recently when he re-opened his recruitment after previously committing to Texas.

Ja’Quinden Jackson

School: Duncanville
Position: Quarterback
Class: 2020
College: Texas
Noteworthy: Big enough to take a hit – 6-foot-2, 219 pounds – Jackson demonstrated how he plans to disrupt defenses with accurate passing and aggressive running en route to joining the Longhorns.

Jase McLellan, Aledo (Photo: James Ward/Aledo Student Media)

Jase McClellan

School: Aledo
Position: Running back
Class: 2020
College: Alabama
Noteworthy: McClellan opened the scoring in Aledo’s regional semifinal with a 62-yard rushing touchdown that showcased his elusiveness and power. He will keep his legs moving at Alabama next fall.

Garrett Nussmeier

School: Marcus (Flowers Mound)
Position: Quarterback
Class: 2021
College: Uncommitted
Noteworthy: With 2,976 passing yards, Nussmeier, a pro-style quarterback whose father, Doug, is the tight ends coach for the Cowboys, led Class 6A with a prolific attack this season.

E.J. Smith

School: Jesuit (Dallas)
Position: Running back
Class: 2020
College: Stanford
Noteworthy: Back-to-back four-touchdown games from Smith in the playoffs were punctuated with a 95-yard scoring reception that spurred Jesuit on to the regional final for the first time since the school joined the UIL in 2004.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

School: Rockwall (Texas)
Position: Wide Receiver
Class: 2020
College: Ohio State
Noteworthy: As only the third player in Texas high school football history to record more than 5,000 receiving yards in a career, Smith-Njigba showed why he is bound for Ohio State with one-handed touchdown grabs and back-shoulder catches.

Preston Stone

School: Parish Episcopal School (Dallas)
Position: Quarterback
Class: 2021
College: Uncommitted
Noteworthy: Billed as “King of Friday Night” on his Overtime show this season, Stone drew rave reviews as a dual threat while leading the Panthers to the TAPPS Division I championship game.

Eli Stowers

School: Guyer (Denton)
Position: Quarterback
Class: 2021
College: Texas A&M
Noteworthy: Whether throwing three touchdowns in a wild comeback or carrying the ball 14 times for 132 yards in the playoffs, Stowers steadied Guyer all season.

Camar Wheaton

School: Lakeview Centennial (Garland)
Position: Running back
Class: 2021
College: Uncommitted
Noteworthy: Wheaton rushed for over 1,000 yards, and he showed just how efficient he can be by gaining 200 yards on just eight carries in one win.

For more information on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards in Dallas, visit sportsawardsdallas.com. Answers to frequently asked questions about the event can be found here.

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards: Dallas girls cross country finalists

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards reveals its nominees for Dallas Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. The event is May 15, 2020.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards are coming to Dallas.

On May 15, 2020, the top athletes from around the Metroplex will be honored at Music Hall at Fair Park.

Here are the nine finalists for Dallas Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.

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Sadie Carey

School: Weatherford
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: After claiming three first-place finishes – Paschal Invitational, The Reunion Run and Class 6A District 3 championship – Carey saved her personal record over 5,000 meters for the Class 6A state championship meet, where she ran 17:50.8 to finish sixth.

Natalie Cook

School: Flower Mound
Year: Sophomore
Noteworthy: Few runners were as consistent as the sophomore who won the UIL 6A District 06 race at North Lakes Park.

Cameron Fawcett

School: Highland Park
Year: Junior
Noteworthy: The junior is a winner. From the Coppell Invitational to the UIL 5A District 11 Cross Country Championships, Fawcett won three times this season.

Jenna Holland

School: Southlake Carroll
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: Holland posted a new PR for three miles at the Marcus I Invitational in August and closed the season with a 17:54.7 in the Class 6A state championship race that her Dragons won as a team.

Katherine McElaney

School: Southlake Carroll
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: McElaney brought veteran savvy to the Dragons as she placed fourth in the District 5 (17:56.9) for a new PR and then took ninth (18:00.8) at the Class 6A state meet.

Amy Morefield

School: Lovejoy
Year: Freshman
Noteworthy: Morefield is off to a fast start. After upsetting three-time state champion London Culbreath from McKinney North at the Class 5A-District 10 meet with a time of 18:15.87 in mid-October, she finished third in the state meet with a time of 17:34.8.

Gracie Morris

School: Aledo
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: Morris, who is headed to Austin to compete for the Longhorns next fall, picked up a second-place finish (17:25.16) in the Class 5A race in Round Rock this month. She recorded a state runner-up finish in the 1600 her freshman year along with a fifth-place finish last year. She was second at state in the recently concluded cross country season, third as a sophomore, and fifth as a freshman.

Aubrey O’Connell

School: Prosper
Year: Sophomore
Noteworthy: O’Connell took home the Class 6A girls state cross country title at Old Settlers Park and outdistanced runner-up Eva Jess by more than six seconds as the Prosper runner finished with a time of 17:05.95 to Jess’ 17:12.18.

Colleen Stegmann

School: Frisco Reedy
Year: Junior
Noteworthy: Stegmann set a new school record when she ran 17:14 in October, won the District 9-5A title and clocked in at 17:17.03 to claim the UIL Class 5A individual title in November.

For more information on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards Dallas, visit sportsawardsdallas.com. Answers to frequently asked questions about the event can be found here.

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards: Dallas boys cross country finalists

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards reveals its nominees for Dallas Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. The event is May 15, 2020.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards are coming to Dallas.

On May 15, 2020, the top high school athletes from around the Metroplex will be honored at Music Hall at Fair Park.

Here are the eight finalists for Dallas Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

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Evan Caswell

School: Coppell
Year: Junior
Noteworthy: Caswell won Class 6A District 6 with a time of 15:12.6 and followed that with a 14:48.4 at state to finish fourth.

Jonathan Chung

School: Allen
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: Chung began the season with a win (15:45.5) at the Plano ISD XC Invitational and won again at the Lake Highlands Invitational (15.40). His PR (15:15.7) came in the Class 6A Region 2 race.

Solomon Chavez

School: Southlake Carroll
Year: Junior
Noteworthy: His second-place finish at the Marcus I Invitational drew some attention as an individual, but his PR performance – 15:07.2 – assisted the Dragons in fending off any challenger for the team title.

Antonio Florcruz

School: Southlake Carroll
Year: Junior
Noteworthy: The Woodbridge HS Cross Country Classic provided the stage for Florcruz to post a PR of 14:53.8 on the fast course. He also placed third in the District 5 championship.

Jarrett Kirk

School: Flower Mound
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: Kirk has worn the bull’s-eye well since winning the 2017 Class 6A championship as a sophomore. Kirk added a personal record of 14:38.2 on a three-mile course to win the Region I-6A meet this fall.

Nate Lannen

School: Southlake Carroll
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: He was the Dragons’ No. 1 runner at every meet the past two seasons before battling dehydration issues in the Class 6A state meet. His PR at 5,000 meters came at district, when he finished in 14:46.3.

Graydon Morris

School: Aledo
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: The senior is heading to the University of Texas next season after claiming the Class 5A state championship with a time of 14:33.43.

Thomas Romanow

School: Flower Mound
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: He ran his best at the Guyer MileSplit TX XC Invitational when he posted a PR of 14:53, and he served as the runner-up at both the Flower Mound Invitational and Class 6A District 6 championship.

For more information on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards Dallas, visit sportsawardsdallas.com. Answers to frequently asked questions about the event can be found here.

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards: Dallas girls volleyball finalists

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards reveals its nominees for Dallas Volleyball Player of the Year. The event will be held on May 15, 2020.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards are coming to Dallas.

On May 15, 2020, the high school top athletes from around the Metroplex will be honored at Music Hall at Fair Park.

Here are the nine finalists for Dallas Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.

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Payton Chamberlain

School: Byron Nelson
Year: Junior
Noteworthy: The 6-foot setter committed to the University of Wyoming early and played a pivotal role for the national powerhouse Bobcats as she averaged 13.1 assists per set.

Paige Flickinger

School: Byron Nelson
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: The best player on the best team led all Dallas-area schools with 797 kills in her senior campaign en route to the state playoffs to cap a celebrated career. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter will take her talents to LSU next year.

Samantha Hastings

School: Centennial
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: A libero able to provide timely kills and countless defensive plays, the USC signee helped spearhead the Lady Titans with 292 kills and 392 digs this fall.

Savannah Kjolhede

School: Grapevine
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: The Indiana University commit closed out her prep career with 559 kills, 169 blocks and the MVP of Class 5A’s District 7. She finished her prep career with 1,231 kills while hitting .406 and 429 blocks (302 solo).

Iman Ndiaye

School: Plano West
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: Ndiaye started the season strong with MVP honors at the Nike ASC/LISD Classic in August, and recorded 58 blocks and 350 kills as she led the Lady Wolves to UIL State Tournament. She has pledged to attend UCLA.

Annabelle Smith

School: Southlake Carroll
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: The 6-foot-3 middle blocker provided stout defense for the Lady Dragons as she collected 183 blocks. She also struck 476 kills and delivered 48 aces. She will play next year at Stanford University.

Leilah Smith

School: The Hockaday School
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: At 6-foot-5, the star stood out all season as a fierce middle blocker for the Daisies. Smith is headed to Stanford after leading Hockaday to a 24-13-1 record.

Jenna Wenaas

School: Liberty
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: Known for putting the ball down with thunderous kills, the 6-foot-1 outside hitter is leaving the Lone Star State for the Big Ten, where she will play for the University of Minnesota. She recorded 642 kills as a senior and led the Redhawks to an unbeaten run in district 9-5A.

Madison Williams

School: Mansfield Lake Ridge
Year: Senior
Noteworthy: The 6-foot-2 outside hitter led her team in kills (390) and digs (380) before she suffered a torn ACL in October. She is headed to the University of Texas next year.

For more information on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards Dallas, visit sportsawardsdallas.com. Answers to frequently asked questions about the event can be found here.

Nominate a Dallas-Fort Worth high school athlete for USA TODAY’s ‘I AM SPORT’ Award

Know a high school athlete in the Dallas area who dedicated time and effort to volunteer work in the community? Nominate him or her for USA TODAY’s “I AM SPORT” Award.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, which celebrates the top high school athletes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, will include a category for community service.

The I AM SPORT Award honors high school student-athletes who are dedicated to volunteering their time to benefit others in their community.

The award process includes an online nomination period and voting period.

High school student-athletes from schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and surrounding communities can be nominated at this website until Jan. 21. (Please see rules on contest page to make sure your school is eligible to participate.)

Voting begins Jan. 22 and runs through March 2.

All nominees will be invited to the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards at Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas on May 15, 2020, and the three finalists will be announced live. The winner will be honored and receive a trophy at the event.

For more information on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards event in Dallas, visit sportsawardsdallas.com. Answers to frequently asked questions about the event can be found here.

Save the date for inaugural USA TODAY High School Sports Awards in Dallas

USA TODAY has announced the date and location for the inaugural USA TODAY High School Sports Awards in Dallas.

USA TODAY Sports has announced the date and location of the inaugural USA TODAY High School Sports Awards event. The event will take place next May in Dallas.

Dallas is one of three cities around the country that will play host to such an event. The others are Atlanta and Los Angeles.

On May 15, 2020, the top athletes from around the Metroplex will be honored at Music Hall at Fair Park. Featured sports include soccer, golf, volleyball, football, basketball, softball, baseball, cross country, track and field, lacrosse and wrestling.

The first round of fall sports nominees will be announced later this month.

For more information on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards Dallas, visit sportsawardsdallas.com. Answers to frequently asked questions about the event can be found here.