Player of the Year

A dedicated ESPNHS team managed this spring's Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2012 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.

For her 27 fellow Gatorade State Spring Girls Soccer Player of the Year winners, click here.
For the 22 Gatorade State Fall Girls Soccer Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Veronica Latsko

THE BASICS

School: Peters Township (McMurray, Pa.)
Grade: Sophomore
Position: Forward
Height: 5-foot-8

THE PILLARS

Athletic achievement: Latsko led the Indians to a 20-3-1 record and a second straight Class AAA state title this past fall season. She scored 45 goals and passed for 15 assists, and she scored the only goal in Peters’ 1-0 win over Pennridge in the state title game. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year and an All-Region II selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Latsko notched nine hat tricks and 15 multi-goal games in her second varsity campaign. Through her sophomore year, she had recorded 80 goals and 27 assists in her prep soccer career.

Academic excellence: Latsko has maintained a 4.5 weighted GPA in the classroom.

Exemplary character: A member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, she has volunteered locally at the Hundred Acres Manor Haunted House and as part of her school’s Interact Club.

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The window on the Gatorade State Girls Soccer Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Emily Armstrong
Senior goalkeeper, Perkiomen Valley (Collegeville, Pa.)

2012 Team record: 6-10-2 (Class AAA)
2012 Team standing: Did not qualify for postseason

2012 Shutouts: 8
2012 Goals allowed: 14
2012 Saves: 136
Career shutouts: 24

Academics: A-minus average
Collegiate destination: Boston College

How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: Saved 90.7 percent of the shots she faced. U.S. Soccer Under-17 Women’s National Team member. Led her club team to national championship. No. 25 ranked recruit in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNHS.

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The Gatorade State Girls Soccer Players of the Year spring selection process is in full swing, and what better way to kick off coverage than with profiles of returning underclassmen winners? Repeating is no guarantee, but here's a snapshot of what this year’s challengers can shoot for.

Name: Kelly Kerrigan
School: Downingtown East (Exton, Pa.)

Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder

2011 Goals: 14
2011 Assists: 25

Notes: Awards. Honors. Rankings. Team performance. Etc.

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A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.

For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Amile Jefferson

THE BASICS

School: Friends’ Central School (Wynnewood, Pa.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-8

THE PILLARS

Athletic achievement: Jefferson led the Phoenix to a 21-5 record and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools championship this past season. The state’s returning Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Jefferson averaged 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. The nation’s No. 18 recruit in the Class of 2012 as ranked by ESPNU, he has been selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American game.

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The window on the Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Steve Vasturia
Junior Guard, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, PA)

2011-12 Team record: 21-6
2011-12 Team standing: Won Class AAAA city title

2011-12 Points per game: 21.8
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 9.2
2011-12 Assists per game: 2.7
2011-12 Blocks per game: 0.9
2011-12 Steals per game: 1.3

Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: Notre Dame (verbal)

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Philadelphia Catholic League MVP; All-City; First Team All-Catholic.

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A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.

For her 50 fellow Gatorade State Girls Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Sierra Moore

THE BASICS

School: Delone Catholic (McSherrystown, Pa.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 5-foot-11

THE PILLARS

Athletic achievement: Moore has led the Squirettes to a 21-5 record and a berth in the Class AA playoffs against South Williamsport (Pa.), scheduled for Friday. She averaged 24.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals through 26 games. A two-time All-State honoree, Moore was also selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game.

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The window on the Gatorade State Girls Basketball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Kahleah Copper
Senior Guard, Prep Charter High (Philadelphia, PA)

2011-12 Team record: 25-3
2011-12 Team standing: Begins Class AAA state tournament, 3/9

2011-12 Points per game: 20.7
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 16.6
2011-12 Assists per game: 2.7
2011-12 Blocks per game: 1.9
2011-12 Steals per game: 3.6

Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: Rutgers

How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: McDonald’s All-American; WBCA All-American; Ranked No. 17 by ESPNHS; First Team All-State; Leading scorer, rebounder in school history.

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A dedicated ESPNHS team managed this past fall's Gatorade Boys Soccer Player of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.

For his 29 fellow Gatorade State Fall Boys Soccer Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Brett Campbell

THE BASICS

School: The Haverford School (Haverford, Conn.)
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 170 pounds

THE PILLARS

Athletic achievement: Campbell led the Fords to an 18-2-1 record and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools state championship this past season. He scored 39 goals and passed for eight assists, including scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Episcopal Academy in the PIS state final. A First Team All-Inter-Ac League selection and a Southeastern Pennsylvania Coaches Association All-Star, Campbell will enter his senior season with 63 goals and 18 assists in his prep career.

Academic excellence: Campbell has maintained an A-minus average in the classroom.

Exemplary character: An avid drummer and pianist, he has volunteered locally at a nursing home and at Lankenau Medical Center, receiving the center’s Superior Service Award in July 2011.

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The fall soccer season may have concluded, but the search for Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Zack Steffen
Junior goalkeeper, Downingtown West (Downingtown, Pa.)

2011 Team record: 12-7-1 (Class AAA)
2011 Team standing: Lost Class AAA, District One quarterfinals

2011 Goals allowed (AVG.): 12 (0.75)
2011 Saves (%): 121 (91.0)
2011 Shutouts: 8

Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: University of Maryland (verbal)

How he’s played herself into the State POY conversation: Recorded 11 saves in Downingtown West's 1-0 loss to North Penn in the District One quarterfinals. 2011 U.S. Soccer Under-18 Men's National Team member. 2009 U14 National Team captain. 2011 First Team All-Ches-Mont League selection. 2010 First Team All-Inter-Ac League selection. No. 11 recruit in Class of 2013 as rated by ESPNHS.

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The 2011-12 Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year selection process is underway, and what better way to kick off coverage than with profiles of returning underclassmen winners? Repeating is no guarantee, but here's a snapshot of what this year’s challengers can shoot for.

Name: Amile Jefferson
School: Friends Central School (Wynnewood, Pa.)

Grade: Senior
Position: Power forward

Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 190 pounds

Notes: 2010-11 Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys Basketball Player of the Year. No. 17 ranked recruit in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNU. 2009-10 and 2010-11 First Team All-Friends League selection. 2009-10 and 2010-11 First Team All-Main Line Times selection. 2010 state tournament Most Valuable Player. Competed at 2010 adidas Nations Global Experience.
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A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.

For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Dustin Wilson

THE BASICS

School: Chestnut Hill Academy (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-6

THE PILLARS

Athletic achievement: Wilson raced to 13th place at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships this past season with a time of 15:29.4. He won the Pennsylvania Independent Schools championship in 16:34.66 and earned victories at the Paul Short Run and the Briarwood Invitational. He finished fifth at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional championships.

Academic excellence: Wilson has maintained 4.0 GPA in the classroom.

Exemplary character: He has volunteered as a peer tutor and has served as co-editor of his school’s literary magazine.

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Major League Soccer and the Women’s Professional Soccer league held their annual drafts this week, and there were six former Gatorade Soccer Players of the Year selected in each draft.

Andrew Wenger, the 2008-09 Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys Soccer Player of the Year, was the first pick in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft by the expansion Montreal Impact. Wenger just completed his junior year at Duke University and was named the 2011 MAC Hermann Trophy winner after tallying 17 goals and eight assists.

Wenger was joined in the first round by four fellow former Gatorade winners.

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A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.

THE WINNER: Angel Piccirillo

THE BASICS

School: Homer-Center (Homer City, Pa.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-9

THE PILLARS

Athletic achievement: Piccirillo raced to her second straight Class AA individual state championship this past season with a time of 18:31. The state’s returning Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, she won the Foot Locker Northeast Regional championship in 18:01.4 and finished 13th nationally at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships. Piccirillo also earned victories at the Crimson Hawk Invitational, the Indiana County Invitational, the Heritage Conference Championships, the District 6 Championships, the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational, the Pittsburgh Central Catholic Invitational and the PTXC 3 Invitational.

Academic excellence: Piccirillo has maintained an A average in the classroom.

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The cross country season may have concluded, but the search for Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runners of the Year is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated. These state meet winners made a case in their respective classifications, but did they do enough on and off the course this past season to capture the prestigious statewide honor?

Brendan Shearn
Junior, North Schuylkill High (Ashland, PA)

2011 Team postseason standing: Did not qualify in Class AA
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1^st—16:15

2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): 20^th—16:27.5

Conner Quinn
Junior, Hatboro Horsham High (Horsham, PA)

2011 Team postseason standing: Did not qualify in Class AAA
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1^st—16:03

2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): 25^th—16:39.8

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The cross country season may have concluded, but the search for Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated. These state meet winners made a case in their respective classifications, but did they do enough on and off the course this past season to capture the prestigious statewide honor?

Angel Piccirillo
Senior, Homer-Center High (Homer City, PA)

2011 Team postseason standing: Did not qualify in Class AA
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1^st—18:31

2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): 1^st—18:01.4
2011 Foot Locker nationals (Place—time): 13^th—17:46.1

Meghan McGovern
Senior, North Penn High (Lansdale, PA)

2011 Team postseason standing: 6th (Class AAA)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1^st—18:28

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