Category: Sports Awards

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards unveils Boys Track Athlete of the Year watchlist

Track stars to know…

The top boys track performers from across the country have been unveiled, with these 50 athletes receiving a nod on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards watchlist.

There’s still plenty of time to send in suggestions ahead of the big event in August, when the Players of the Year will be announced — names can be submitted to both roleary@usatventures.com and BFontana@usatventures.com.

Ahead of the anticipated event and selections, here are the athletes to keep an eye on for HSSA Boys Track Athlete of the Year.

Grand Haven’s Seth Norder wins the state Division 1 cross country meet Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 at Michigan International Speedway.

Fischer Adams — SR, Distance | Palmer High School | Palmer, Alaska

Gatlin Bair — SR, Sprints | Burley High School | Burley, Idaho

Joseph Bariola — SR, Distance | Lakeside High School | Hot Springs, Arkansas

Cameron Bates — SR, Hurdles | Mansfield Timberview High School | Arlington, Texas

Adam Burlison — SR, Distance | Amarillo High School | Amarillo, Texas

Ernest Campbell — SR, Sprints | Rufugio High School | Rufugio, Texas

Colin Cernansky — SR, Distance | Marlington High School | Marlington, Ohio

Will Conway — SR, Middle Distance | Floyd Central High School | Floyds Knobs, Indiana

Micahi Danzy — SR, Sprints | Florida High School | Tallahassee, Florida

Ryan Denhof — SR, Distance | Liberty High School | Peoria, Arizona

Mason Dossett — SR, Hurdles | Ridge Point High School | Missouri City, Texas

Ethan Edgeworth — SR, Distance | Cold Springs High School | Breman, Alabama

Dane Eike — SR, Sprints | Valor Christian High School | Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Maurice Gleaton — JR, Sprints | Langston Hughes High School | Fairburn, Georgia

Trevor Gough — SR, Hurdles | Snow Canyon High School | Andover, Kansas

Landon Heemeyer — SR, Distance | Rocky Mountain High School | Meridian, Idaho

Steven Hergenrother — SR, Distance | Ridgefield High School | Ridgefield, Connecticut

Juriad Hughes — SR, Sprints | Irondale High School | New Brighton, Minnesota

JoJo Jourdon — SR, Distance | Olympus High School | Salt Lake City, Utah

Jayden Keys — SR, Hurdles | Katy Tomkins High School | Katy, Texas

Patrick Koon — SR, Distance | Leon High School | Tallahassee, Florida

Tommy Latham — JR, Distance | Marist High School | Brookhaven, Georgia

Tyler Mathews — SR, Middle Distance | Red Mountain High School | Mesa, Arizona

Jamari McIvory — SR, Sprints | Savannah Christian Preparatory School | Savannah, Georgia

Derek Meadows — JR, Sprints | Bishop Gorman High School | Las Vegas, Nevada

Christian Miller — SR, Sprints | Creekside HIgh School | St. John’s, Florida

Berkley Nance — SR, Distance | Mills Godwin High School | Henrico, Virginia

Nathan Neil — SR, Distance | Bozeman High School | Bozeman, Montana

Sidi Njie — JR, Sprints | Westlake High School | Atlanta, Georgia

Seth Norder — SR, Distance | Grand Haven High School | Grand Haven, Michigan

Jason Parra — SR, Distance | Millikan High School | Long Beach, California

Dwight Phillips — SR, Sprints | Pebblebrook High School | Douglasville, Georgia

Vincent Recupero — JR, Distance | Bishop Blanchet High School | Seattle, Washington

Xai Ricks — SR, Sprints | Long Beach Poly High School | Long Beach, California

Clay Shively — SR, Distance | Wichita Trinity Academy | Wichita, Kansas

Daniel Simmons — SR, Distance | American Fork High School | American Fork, Utah

Jonathan Simms — JR, Sprints | Allen High School | Allen, Texas

Jackson Smith — SR, Sprints | Walton-Verona High School | Walton, Kentucky

Peyton Sommers — JR, Sprints | Cherokee Trail High School | Aurora, Colorado

Nate Stadtlander — JR, Distance | Meridian High School | Meridian, Idaho

Ty Steorts — JR, Distance | Hurricane High School | Hurricane, West Virginia

Heston Thompson — SR, Sprints | Stillwater High School | Stillwater, Oklahoma

Cameron Todd — SR, Distance | Brebeuf Jesuit Prep School | Indianapolis, Indiana

Noah Valyo — SR, Distance | Athens Drive Magnet School | Raleigh, North Carolina

Jordan Washington — SR, Sprints | Jordan High School | Long Beach, California

Anthony Waterman — SR, Hurdles | DeMatha Catholic High School | Hyattsville, Maryland

Jelani Watkins — SR, Sprints | Klein Forest High School | Klein Forest, Texas

Dyson Wicker — SR, Sprints | Rockwall-Heath High School | Heath, Texas

Dai’Vontay Young — SR, Hurdles | Dunbar High School | Dayton, Ohio

Drew Zundell — SR, Distance | University High School | Morgantown, West Virginia

From the HSSA

Nominees for both the regional and national programs are posted as they are selected. Regional nominees represent the best in their respective areas, while national nominees are  recognized as the top high school athletes nationwide.

Sign up for email updates for your region or nationally to keep up with nominee selections, the awards programs and special announcements.

Follow our main Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads pages for more.

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards unveils latest Girls Track Athlete of the Year watchlist

Track stars to know…

The top girls track performers from across the country have been unveiled, with these 50 athletes receiving a nod on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards watchlist.

There’s still plenty of time to send in suggestions ahead of the big event in August, when the Players of the Year will be announced — names can be submitted to both roleary@usatventures.com and BFontana@usatventures.com.

Ahead of the anticipated event and selections, here are the athletes to keep an eye on for HSSA Girls Track Athlete of the Year.

Joslyn Hamilton won the girls 60 meter hurdles at the Nike Indoor Nationals track and field meet at The Armory in Manhattan March 10, 2024.

Andie Aagard — SR, Distance | Lone Peak High School | Highland, Utah

Ella Anschutz — SO, Middle Distance | Muskego High School | Muskego, Wisconsin

Oluwatosin Awoleye — JR, Middle Distance | South Cobb High School | Austell, Georgia

Juliana Balon — SR, Sprints | Padua Academy | Wilmington, Delaware

Kelsie Belquist — SR, Sprints | New Rockford-Sheyenne High School | New Rockford, North Dakota

Rylee Blade — JR, Distance | Santiago High School | Corona, California

Ashlyn Boothby — SR, Middle Distance | Scotts Valley High School | Scotts Valley, California

Anisa Bowen-Fontenot — JR, Hurdles | San Diego High School | San Diego, California

A’laji Bradley — SR, Sprints | Pattonville High School | Maryland Heights, Missouri

Mia Brahe-Pedersen — SR, Sprints | Lake Oswego High School | Lake Oswego, Oregon

Anna Callahan — SR, Distance | Skyline High School | Sammamish, Washington

Abby Faith Cheeseman — JR, Distance | The Webb School | Bell Buckle, Tennessee

Olivia Cieslak — JR, Middle Distance | Haverford Township | Havertown, Pennsylvania

Iyonna Codd — SR, Sprints | Centennial High School | Las Vegas, Nevada

Ryan Davis — SR, Sprints | Hillgrove High School | Powder Springs, Georgia

Kaylin Edwards — JR, Hurdles | Wilson High School | Long Beach, California

Sadie Engelhardt — JR, Distance | Ventura High School | Ventura, California

Sanaa Frederick — SR, Sprints | Druid Hills High School | Atlanta, Georgia

Nora Gremban — SR, Distance | Northland Pines High School | Eagle River, Wisconsin

Malia Hambrick — SO, Middle Distance | North Port High School | North Port, Florida

Joslyn Hamilton — SR, Hurdles | Rolesville High School | Rolesville, North Carolina

Rylee Hampton — SR, Hurdles | Cypress Ridge High School | Houston, Texas

Makeriah Harris — SR, Sprints | Scotlandville High School | Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Jane Hedengren — JR, Distance | Timpview High School | Provo, Utah

Allison Ince — SR, Middle Distance | Normal Community High School | Normal, Illinois

Brittney Jennings — SR, Hurdles | Sandalwood High School | Jacksonville, Florida

Elizabeth Leachman — SO, Distance | Boerne Champion High School | Boerne, Texas

Skyye Lee — SR, Hurdles | Parkway Central High School | St. Louis, Missouri

Kailey Littlefield — SR, Middle Distance | Lucas Lovejoy High School | Allen, Texas

Haley Loewe — SR, Distance | Bentonville High School | Bentonville, Arkansas

Zariel Macchia — JR, Distance | William Floyd High School | Mastic Beach, New York

Katie Marchand — SR, Distance | Trumbull High School | Trumbull, Connecticut

Bethany Michalak — SR, Distance | Air Academy High School | Colorado Springs, Colorado

Laila Payne — JR, Hurdles | Carnegie Vanguard High School | Houston, Texas

Addie Pendergast — SR, Sprints | Sheridan High School | Sheridan, Wyoming

Lisa Raye — SO, Sprints | West Warwick High School | West Warwick, Rhode Island

Nelah Roberts — SR, Distance | Skyline High School | Idaho Falls, Idaho

Celeste Robinson — JR, Sprints | Cypress Ranch High School | Cypress, Texas

Katelyn Rupe — JR, Distance | Salina Central High School | Salina, Kansas

Aleesa Samuel — JR, Hurdles | Somerset Academy | Pembrook Pines, Florida

Hannah Shaha — SO, Distance | Chugiak High School | Eagle River, Alaska

Tess Sherry — JR, Distance | Conard High School | West Hartford, Connecticut

Nicki Southerland — SR, Distance | Delta High School | Muncie, Indiana

Sarah Tole — FR, Distance | Auburn High School | Auburn, Alabama

Joelle Trepagnier — JR, Sprints | Culver City High School | Culver City, California

Aida Wheat — SR, Sprints | Kennett High School | North Conway, New Hampshire

Ruth White — SR, Distance | Orono High School | Orono, Maine

Emily Wisniewski — JR, Distance | Crescent Valley High School | Corvallis, Oregon

Marianna Wright — JR, Hurdles | Monroe Comprehensive High School | Albany, Georgia

Cymia Yourish — JR, Sprints | St. John’s College High School | Washington, D.C.

From the HSSA

Nominees for both the regional and national programs are posted as they are selected. Regional nominees represent the best in their respective areas, while national nominees are  recognized as the top high school athletes nationwide.

Sign up for email updates for your region or nationally to keep up with nominee selections, the awards programs and special announcements.

Follow our main Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads pages for more.

2023-24 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards All-USA TODAY Offensive Football Team

Meet the HSSA’s 2023-24 ALL-USA Offensive Football Team.

The nominees for National Offensive Football Player of the Year highlight just how great—and competitive— the 2023 high school season was, with the 25 players listed below each creating headlines every Friday night, Saturday afternoon, or any time the team stepped onto the gridiron.

A literal Super 25, the All-USA HSSA Team has big-name talents who have moved on to top college programs, plus a few from the Class of 2025 to keep an eye on this season.

From this list of top performers across the country, the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards will choose one Player of the Year in August — a perfect pregame celebration ahead of the anticipated 2024 season.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the 2023-24 HSSA All-USA Offensive Football Team.

(USA TODAY)

Micah Alejado, QB, Bishop Gorman High School (Nevada) — SR

Brandon Baker, OL, Mater Dei High School (California) — SR

Jason Brown Jr., RB, O’Dea High School (Washington) — SR

Navi Bruzon, QB, Liberty High School (Arizona) — SR

Terry Bussey, ATH, Timpson High School (Texas) — SR

Cam Coleman, WR, Central High School (Alabama) — SR

Kahnen Daniels, RB, West Point High School (Mississippi) — SR

Caden Durham, RB, Duncanville High School (Texas) — SR

Ike Garcia, OL, Corner Canyon High School (Utah) — SR

Jeremy Hecklinski, QB, Walton High School (Georgia) — SR

Alvin Henderson, RB, Elba High School (Alabama) — JR

Ju’Juan Johnson, QB, Lafayette Christian Academy (Louisiana) — SR

DJ Lagway, QB, Willis High School (Texas) — SR

Isaiah Marshall, ATH, Southfield A&T High School (Michigan) — SR

Jaylen Mbakwe, DB, Clay-Chalkville High School (Alabama) — SR

Aaron Philo, QB, Prince Avenue Christian School (Georgia) — SR

Josh Ringer, RB, East Central High School (Indiana) — SR

Ben Roebuck, OL, St. Edward High School (Ohio) — SR

David Sanders Jr., OL, Providence Day School (North Carolina) — JR

Keelan Smith, TE, Liberty North High School (Missouri) — SR

Josiah Thompson, OL, Dillon High School (South Carolina) — SR

Nitro Tuggle, WR, NorthWood High School (Indiana) — SR

Ryan Williams, WR, Saraland High School (Alabama) — SR

Elyiss Williams, TE, Camden County High School (Georgia) — JR

Aneyas Williams, RB, Hannibal High School (Missouri) — SR

From the HSSA

Nominees for both the regional and national programs are posted as they are selected. Regional nominees represent the best in their respective areas, while national nominees are  recognized as the top high school athletes nationwide.

Sign up for email updates for your region or nationally to keep up with nominee selections, the awards programs and special announcements.

Follow our main Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads pages for more.

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards unveils latest Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year watchlist

The opening list of Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year candidates has landed.

The top performers from boys high school lacrosse teams across the country have been unveiled, with these 50 athletes receiving a nod on the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards watch list.

There’s still plenty of time to send in suggestions ahead of the big event in August, when the Players of the Year will be announced — names can be submitted to both roleary@usatventures.com and BFontana@usatventures.com.

So far, here are the athletes to keep an eye on for HSSA Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year.

Hartland’s Drew Lockwood winds up to score one of his two goals during a 15-6 victory over Brighton. USA TODAY

Preston Blue — SR, A | University School | Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Owen Burke — SR, A | Cherry Creek High School | Greenwood Village, Colorado

Ben Burmeister — SR, M | Staples High School | Westport, Connecticut

Sean Butler — SR, A | Conifer Senior High School | Conifer, Colorado

Kyle Colsey — SR, A | Ridgefield High School | Ridgefield, Connecticut

Chris Constantine — SR, LSM | Yorktown High School | Yorktown Heights, New York

Doster Crowell — SR, A | New Canaan High School | New Canaan, Connecticut

Buck Cunningham — SR, G | Valor Christian High School | Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Jack Curran — JR, D | Needham High School | Needham, Massachusetts

Caden Daley — SR, A | Detroit Country Day School | Beverly Hills, Michigan

Alex Dumont — SR, LSM | Bishop Guertin High School | Nashua, New Hampshire

Brady Dumont — SR, A | Bishop Guertin High School | Nashua, New Hampshire

Dylan Faison — SO, A | Pine Crest School | Boca Raton, Florida

James Finch — SO, A | St. Thomas Aquinas High School | Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Brayden Fountain — SR, A | Allatoona High School | Acworth, Georgia

Cole Frank — SR, FOGO | Pinkerton Academy | Derry, New Hampshire

Dylan Furshman — JR, FOGO | Jupiter High School | Jupiter, Florida

Pat Grimley — SR, M | Ocean City High School | Ocean City, New Jersey

Caden Harshbarger — SR, M | Lake Mary High School | Lake Mary, Florida

Luke Harwich — SO, A | Algonquin Regional High School | Northborough, Massachusetts

Jack Herron — SR, A | Wyoming Seminary | Kingston, Pennsylvania

Khalif Hocker — JR, M | St. Xavier High School | Cincinnati, Ohio

Luke Jamin — SR, D | Rumson-Fair Haven High School | Rumson, New Jersey

Matt Jeffery — SR, M | Cheshire High School | Cheshire, Connecticut

Daylin John-Hill — SR, A | The Bolles School | Jacksonville, Florida

Tyler Juhlin — SR, A | Seton Hall Prep | West Orange, New Jersey

Francis Keneally — SR, LSM | Warwick Valley High School | Warwick, New York

James Kenney — SR, D/LSM | Needham High School | Needham, Massachusetts

Connor Kruse — SR, A | Orange High School | Hillsborough, North Carolina

John Paul Lagunowich — SR, M | Chatham High School | Chatham Township, New Jersey

Keegan Lathrop — SR, A | Cape Elizabeth High School | Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Drew Lockwood — SR, M | Hartland High School | Hartland, Michigan

Jared Maznik — SR, M | Western Reserve Academy | Hudson, Ohio

Cam Michaud — SR, A | Grafton High School | Grafton, Massachusetts

Charlie O’Brien — SR, A | Erie High School | Erie, Colorado

Landon Parker — SR, FOGO | Grand Ledge High School | Grand Ledge, Michigan

Daniel Picart — SR, M | Pleasantville High School | Pleasantville, New York

Brady Pokorny — SR, A | Darien High School | Darien, Connecticut

Quinn Power — SR, FOGO | Lakeville North High School | Lakeville, Minnesota

Chris Reinhardt — SR, M | Ridgefield High School | Ridgefield, Connecticut

Michael Savadove — SR, D | Radnor High School | Wayne, Pennsylvania

Jack Schultz — SR, A | Ridgewood High School | Ridgewood, New Jersey

Davis Searle — SR, A | Fremont High School | Ogden, Utah

Cooper Simpson — SR, D | St. Francis DeSales High School | Columbus, Ohio

Oliver Skeean — JR, D/LSM | Walton High School | Marietta, Georgia

Graham Stevens — SR, G | The Pingry School | Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Cam Taylor — JR, G | Salesianum School | Wilmington, Delaware

Matt Wills — SR, D | La Salle College High School | Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania

Riley Wilson — SR, M/A | Benedictine Military School | Savannah, Georgia

Brevin Wilson — SR, A | Cannon School | Concord, North Carolina

From the HSSA

Nominees for both the regional and national programs are posted as they are selected. Regional nominees represent the best in their respective areas, while national nominees are  recognized as the top high school athletes nationwide.

Sign up for email updates for your region or nationally to keep up with nominee selections, the awards programs and special announcements.

Follow our main Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads pages for more.

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards unveils latest Boys Volleyball Player of the Year watchlist

The opening list of Boys Volleyball Player of the Year candidates has landed.

The boys high school volleyball season continues to shine in 2024, headlined by the best of the best in the Super 25 rankings.

Now, it’s time to turn some of the spotlight on the individual athletes who are spiking, digging, blocking and turning heads on the volleyball court.

In August, the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards will showcase top athletes from across the U.S., and part of that storied recognition will focus on the talented boys volleyball athletes, which includes this impressive group who have landed on the 2024 watchlist for the HSSA Boys Volleyball Player of the Year (so far).

(USA TODAY)

Roan Alviar — SR, L | Bishop O’Dowd High School | Oakland, California

Kaumana Carreira — SR, OH | Tesoro High School | Rancho Santa Margarita, California

Matthew Chun — SR, L | Punahou School | Honolulu, Hawaii

Kahale Clini — SR, OH | Punahou High School | Honolulu, Hawaii

John Clinton — SR, OH / MB | Cherokee Trail High School | Aurora, Colorado

Vinny Coello — SR, OH | Catholic Memorial High School | Waukesha, Wisconsin

Christian Connell — SR, OH | Torrey Pines High School | San Diego, California

Brady Dastrup — SR, OH | Discovery Canyon Campus High School | Colorado Springs, Colorado

Mikey Denver — SR, MB | Santa Barbara High School | Santa Barbara, California

Juanmarco Diaz — JR, OH / S | Southwest High School | Miami, Florida

Aiden DuFour — JR, S | Upland High School | Upland, California

Tim Ennis — SR, OH | Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School | Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Jack Fitterer — SR, S | Marquette University High School | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sterling Foley — SR, OH | Corona del Mar High School | Newport Beach, California

Gaige Gabriel — SR, MB | Exeter Township Senior High School | Reading, Pennsylvania

James Ganzorig — SR, S | Glenbrook South High School | Glenview, Illinois

Evan Golling — SR, S | Pacifica Christian High School | Santa Monica, California

Amir Grant — SR, MB | Wiseburn-Da Vinci High School | El Segundo, California

Riggs Guy — SR, OH-RS | Newport Harbor High School | Newport Beach, California

Stuart Hankinson — SR, OH | Saint Charles Preparatory School | Columbus, Ohio

Ford Harman — SR, L | Santa Barbara High School | Santa Barbara, California

Cole Hartke — SR, OH | Barrington High School | Barrington, Illinois

Oliver Hogan — SR, OH | Summit High School | Summit, New Jersey

Kaupo Hoopai-Waikoloa — SR, MB / OH-OPP | Kamehameha Schools | Honolulu, Hawaii

Jack Hubbard — SR, OH | Northwest Christian School | Phoenix, Arizona

Tre Jordan — SR, MB | Desert Ridge High School | Mesa, Arizona

Justin Joyce — SR, S | Timber Creek High School | Orlando, Florida

Raglan Kear — SR, OH | Santa Barbara High School | Santa Barbara, California

Finn Kearney — SR, OH | Sandra Day O’Connor High School | Phoenix, Arizona

Sean Kelly — SR, OH | Loyola High School | Los Angeles, California

Aidan Kolb — SR, L | Hilliard Darby High School | Hilliard, Ohio

Victor Loiola — SR, OH | Mira Costa High School | Manhattan Beach, California

Ian Nolte — SR, OH | Woodrow Wilson High School | Long Beach, California

Jensen Pascua — SR, S / OH-OPP | Douglas County High School | Castle Rock, Colorado

Carson Pliapol — SR, OH | Spruce Creek High School | Port Orange, Florida

Andrew Rakocy — SR, OH | New Albany High School | New Albany, Ohio

Eamon Rigdon — SR, OH-OPP | Servite High School | Anaheim, California

Tyler Robinson — SR, MB | Mater Dei High School | Santa Ana, California

Kaden Saurer — SR, OH | Elgin Academy | Elgin, Illinois

Jake Schreiner — SR, OH | Wheaton North High School | Wheaton, Illinois

Zach Sheer — SR, S | Northwest Christian School | Phoenix, Arizona

Trent Taliaferro — SR, S | Mission Viejo High School | Mission Viejo, California

Parker Tomkinson — SR, MB | Carlsbad High School | Carlsbad, California

Marek Turner — JR, OH-OPP | Woodrow Wilson High School | Long Beach, California

Rafael Urbina — JR, S | Thornton High School | Thornton, Colorado

Kainoa Wade — JR, OH | Kamehameha Schools | Honolulu, Hawaii

Caden Whiteside — SR, OH | Olentangy Liberty High School | Powell, Ohio

Samuel Widmer — SR, L | Mica Mountain High School | Tucson, Arizona

Tyler Windt — JR, OH | Lake Howell High School | Winter Park, Florida

Paxton Wright — SR, OH | Legend High School | Parker, Colorado

From the HSSA

Nominees for both the regional and national programs are posted as they are selected. Regional nominees represent the best in their respective areas, while national nominees are  recognized as the top high school athletes nationwide.

Sign up for email updates for your region or nationally to keep up with nominee selections, the awards programs and special announcements.

Follow our main Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads pages for more.

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards unveils latest 2024 Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year watchlist

The opening list of Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year candidates has landed!

The girls lacrosse action underway this spring has provided the perfect storyboard for the anticipated moments taking center stage in August, when the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards will showcase top athletes from across the U.S.

The HSSA is the country’s largest high school athletic recognition program, with 20 regional programs and a national awards program that honors athletic achievement. Part of that spotlight shines on the talented high school girls lacrosse athletes, which includes this impressive group who have landed on the 2024 watchlist for the HSSA Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year (so far).

(USA TODAY)

Emma Abbazia — SR, A | Greenwich High School | Greenwich, Connecticut

Fiona Allen — SR, M | Saint Ignatius College Prep | Chicago, Illinois

Emma Arico — SR, M | Detroit Country Day School | Beverly Hills, Michigan

Kelly Blake — SR, M | Medfield High School | Medfield, Massachusetts

Emma Burke — SR, M | Loyola Academy | Wilmette, Illinois

Tess Calabria — SR, M | St. Anthony’s High School | Melville, New York

Sienna Cassella — SR, M | Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School | Bradenton, Florida

Maeve Cavanaugh — JR, M | Archbishop Spalding High School | Severn, Maryland

Sienna Chirieleison — JR, M | Trinity High School | Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Alyssa Chung — SR, A | Severna Park High School | Severna Park, Maryland

Kali Cleary — SR, M | Gulf Coast High School | Naples, Florida

Ava-Claire Collins — SR, M | Chapin High School | Chapin, South Carolina

Emma Connerty — JR, M | Notre Dame Academy | Hingham, Massachusetts

Charlotte Corkins — SR, M | Colorado Academy | Denver, Colorado

Reilly Cormier — SR, A | Northfield High School | Denver, Colorado

Mileena Cotter — SR, M | Salem High School | Canton, Michigan

Megan Doyle — SR, M | Weymouth High School | Weymouth, Massachusetts

Shannon Earley — SR, M | Benet Academy | Lisle, Illinois

Ryann Frechette — SR, A | Bartram Trail High School | St Johns, Florida

Kayla Gilmore — SR, M | William Floyd High School | Shirley, New York

Scarlett Gilner — SO, M | Chapel Hill High School | Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Molly Guzik — SR, M | Spencerport High School | Spencerport, New York

Lexi Gwaku — SR, G | Haddonfield Memorial High School | Haddonfield, New Jersey

Clark Hamilton — SR, A | Blessed Trinity Catholic High School | Roswell, Georgia

Morgan Handzel — SR, M | Blessed Trinity Catholic High School | Roswell, Georgia

Summer Harrell — SR, M | Newtown High School | Sandy Hook, Connecticut

Jane Hilsabeck — SR, M | Notre Dame Academy | Hingham, Massachusetts

Zoe Horwitz — JR, M | American Heritage High School | Plantation, Florida

Izzy Hughes — SR, M | Lake Highland Prep | Orlando, Florida

Vanni Intini — JR, A | Fayetteville Academy | Fayetteville, North Carolina

Madeline Jensen — SR, G | Benet Academy | Lisle, Illinois

Hadley Keating — SR, A | Detroit Country Day School | Beverly Hills, Michigan

Brooke Kelly — SR, A | Marietta High School | Marietta, Georgia

Azaria LeJeune-Woloszyn — SR, D | Churchill High School | Livonia, Michigan

Caroline Ling — SR, A | Springboro High School | Springboro, Ohio

Bailey Lower — SR, M | Nantucket High School | Nantucket, Massachusetts

Susan Lowther — SR, M | Riverview High School | Sarasota, Florida

Ella Lucia — SR, M | Bloomfield Hills High School | Bloomfield Twp, Michigan

Taylor Mcgovern — SR, A | Stoneman Douglas High School | Parkland, Florida

Megan O’Brien — SR, A | Morristown High School | Morristown, New Jersey

Eliza Osburn — SR, M | Valor Christian High School | Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Ceci Patterson — JR, G | New Canaan High School | New Canaan, Connecticut

Emma Penczek — JR, M | Manchester Valley High School | Manchester, Maryland

Alexia Reber — SR, D | The Bryn Mawr School | Baltimore, Maryland

Devon Russell — SR, M | New Canaan High School | New Canaan, Connecticut

Hope Schoudel — SR, G | Darien High School | Darien, Connecticut

Sadie Stafford — SR, M | Darien High School | Darien, Connecticut

Korrigan Sweeney — SR, G | Owen J. Roberts High School | Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Lexie Tully — SR, M | New Canaan High School | New Canaan, Connecticut

Alex Whitecliffe — JR, M | Cherokee High School | Canton, Georgia

From the HSSA

Nominees for both the regional and national programs are posted as they are selected. Regional nominees represent the best in their respective areas, while national nominees are  recognized as the top high school athletes nationwide.

Sign up for email updates for your region or nationally to keep up with nominee selections, the awards programs and special announcements.

Follow our main Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads pages for more.

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards unveils latest 2024 Flag Football Player of the Year watchlist

Who’s going to take home the top honor?

Flag football has been a headliner among growing sports over the past several years, a positive trend in offering girls the opportunity to play the game at the high school level. And the trend isn’t slowing, with more states adding it to the list of officially sanctioned high school sports. 

As of 2024, 28 of the 50 states have kicked off girls flag football, whether as a full-fledged competition or pilot program, and more are certainly on the way.

At the forefront of all the progress are the athletes, which brings us to the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards.

The HSSA is the country’s largest high school athletic recognition program, with 20 regional programs and one national awards program that honors athletic achievement. Part of that spotlight includes the talented flag football athletes, the trailblazers who are turning heads on the field.

Here is the 2024 watchlist for the HSSA Flag Football Player of the Year (so far).

(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun)

Maycie Bassett — JR, ATH/LB | Canyon View High School | Waddell, Arizona

Samyah Berry — SR, RB/LB | Tri-Cities High School | East Point, Georiga

Angelina Briano — SR, QB | Roosevelt High School | Eastvale, California

Cameron Brock — JR, QB | South Forsyth High School | Cumming, Georgia

Nichelle Brown — JR, WR/DB | Bradford High School | Starke, Florida

Camille Candidate — JR, ATH/LB | Edison High School | Miami, Florida

Ella Casey — SR, ATH | Pompano Beach High School | Pompano Beach, Florida

Taylor Clark — SR, ATH | Mountain View High School | Lawrenceville , Georgia

Madison Coger — JR, WR/DB | Campo Verde High School | Gilbert, Arizona

Lahela Cornett — SR, WR | Lincoln Park Academy | Fort Pierce, Florida

Emma Corr — JR, ATH | New Smyrna Beach High School | New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Layla Crawford — JR, LB | Lennard High School | Ruskin, Florida

Kelis Durham — JR, WR | Miami Killian Senior High School | Miami, Florida

Abby Elwell — SR, ATH | Lennard High School | Ruskin, Florida

Julia Geis — SR, QB | Blessed Trinity High School | Roswell, Georgia

Liani Gill — JR, ATH | Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches | West Palm Beach, Florida

Morgan Grace — SR, DB | Chocawhatchee High School | Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Arnayshia Griffin — SO, QB | Bradford High School | Starke, Florida

Sanaa Growe — SR, ATH/WR | East Coweta High School | Sharpsburgh, Gerogia

Trinity Hall — JR, WR/DB | Auburndale High School | Auburndale, Florida

Ki’ona Hatley — JR, | Liberty High School | Henderson, Nevada

Samiyah Hopkins — SR, RB | Bellflower High School | Bellflower, California

London Jenkins — SR, WR | Fleming Island High School | Fleming Island, Florida

Katelyn Jewell — JR, QB | Canyon View High School | Waddell, Arizona

Samerria Johnson — JR, DB | Deerfield Beach High School | Deerfield Beach, Florida

Madilyn Lam — SO, QB | Esperanza High School | Anaheim, California

Taimane Laolagi-Aloy — SR, | Chapparral High School | Las Vegas, Nevada

Ava Liaga — FR, WR/DB | Corona High School | Corona, California

Nadja Long — JR, LB/ATH | Osborne High School | Marietta, Georgia

Katie Meneses — SR, QB | Rosary Academy | Fullerton, California

Trystin Mitchell — JR, WR/ATH | Liberty High School | Henderson, Nevada

Kyla Moore — SR, QB/ATH | Shadow Ridge High School | Las Vegas, Nevada

Jaylani Palmer — SO, WR/DB | Shadow Ridge High School | Las Vegas, Nevada

Isabella Pap — SO, QB/DB | Campo Verde High School | Gilbert, Arizona

Sarah Pasquali — SR, QB/WR | Las Vegas High School | Las Vegas, Nevada

Kaylie Phillips — JR, QB | Liberty High School | Henderson, Nevada

Nandi Ramessar — SR, WR | Western High School | Davie, Florida

Halley Redd — SR, QB/LB | Basic High School | Henderson, Nevada

Jaylin Schmitt — JR, QB/WR | East Coweta High School | Sharpsburgh, Georgia

Nevaeh Shedrick — SR, RB/LB | Lithia Springs High School | Lithia Springs, Georgia

Angel Shell-Nabiau — SR, WR | Tarpon Springs High School | Tarpon Springs, Florida

Nami Singer — JR, LB/RB | Marana High School | Tuscon, Arizona

Kyleigh Sizemore — SR, QB | Long County High School | Ludowici, Georgia

Shanty Sloss — JR, RB | Atlantic High School | Port Orange, Florida

Haidyn Spano — JR, QB | Robinson High School | Tampa, Florida

Makenna Sturgis — JR, WR | Alonso High School | Tampa, Florida

Manasvi Vijayaraghavan — SR, WR | Robinson High School | Tampa, Florida

Madeline West — JR, LB | Palo Verde High School | Las Vegas, Nevada

Angelina Williams — JR, RB/ATH | Locust Grove High School | Locust Grove, Georgia

Grace Yager — JR, WR/DB | Bishop Gorman High School | Las Vegas, Nevada

From the HSSA

Nominees for both the regional and national programs are posted as they are selected. Regional nominees represent the best in their respective areas, while national nominees are  recognized as the top high school athletes nationwide.

Sign up for email updates for your region or nationally to keep up with nominee selections, the awards programs and special announcements.

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See all the 2022 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards winners

See all the national winners from the live event hosted hosted by NFL greats Rob Gronkowski and Vernon Davis.

The 2022 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards played out to perfection on Sunday night, with the national spotlight shining brightly on the best in high school sports from across the country.

Hosted by NFL greats Rob Gronkowski and Vernon Davis, the national awards show honored Players of the Year in 29 sports, plus special awards for Boys and Girls Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year and Play of the Year.

Here are the winners from each category.

But first, a huge congratulations to all the nominees. Tip of the cap. Standing ovation. High fives all around! Truly, each athlete and coach is an inspiring story—one that is only just beginning.

Rewatch the show here!

How to watch the 2022 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards

Hosted by Rob Gronkowski and Vernon Davis, the nationwide event will kick off with 24 in-person local shows that lead up to the national show.

It’s almost showtime!

Tune in to see who will be named the nation’s best at 8 p.m. EDT today, July 31, on the USA TODAY Sports Awards website, the USA TODAY News and Sports streaming channels, YouTube and most smart televisions and devices.

Rob Gronkowski will host the 2022 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards alongside fellow Super Bowl-winning tight end, Vernon Davis.

The nationwide event will kick off with 24 in-person local shows that lead up to the national show featuring athletes from all 50 states.

From USA TODAY High School Sports Awards:

Stellar athletes in 29 national sports will be highlighted, resulting in Player of the Year announcements within each sport, while premier awards include Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rising Star, Courage Award, Special Olympics Athlete of the Year, Play of the Year and Boys and Girls Athlete of the Year. Selected athletes are encouraged to register for the event to provide important show information and receive updates. 

Don’t miss the 2022 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards

Tune in to see who will be named the nation’s best at 8 p.m. EDT on July 31 on the Sports Awards website.

Tune in to see who will be named the nation’s best at 8 p.m. EDT on July 31 on the Sports Awards website, the  USA TODAY News and Sports streaming channels,, YouTube and most smart televisions and devices.