Stephanie Schappert, Pope John Paul II: Post All-Area girls track athlete of the year

Friday, June 04, 2010
by Cristina Ledra

Photo by Ray Graham/The Palm Beach Post

Click here to see other players of the year and All-Area teams.

Stephanie Schappert finally had the season she was working for.

After two years of disappointments and spills at the state meet, the Pope John Paul II junior came away with two gold medals in the 800 and 1600,

"I've not been known to have the greatest performances at state, but I turned that around this year," Schappert said.

She finished ninth in the 1600 and 12th in the 800 her freshman year after falling in both races, then finished second in both events last year.

This year, Schappert finished 10 seconds ahead of the second-place runner in the 1600 (4:51.41) and five seconds ahead of the field in the 800 (2:10.81).

The biggest difference for Schappert was running in the 3200 meter relay, which she had never done before because there weren't enough girls to field a team.

"For me during the day, that took away all the nerves by the time finals came around," Schappert said.

"I had some times set up with my coach before the season and we had some goals that we wanted to go after," Schappert said. "Going after the two state titles was a big one and we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish this season."

After conquering her two main events, Schappert says she wants to "go out with a bang" her senior year, but isn't sure how yet.

"We always thought about tripling at state with the 800, mile and two-mile," Schappert said. "It's a lot to do through districts, regions, and state, so we'll see."

COACH OF THE YEAR

Nate Robinson

Pope John Paul II

Along with distance coach Kevin Brown, Robinson led the Eagles to fifth place at the Class 2A state meet.

FIRST TEAM

Marqueshia Stallworth

Seminole Ridge, Sr.

Signed with South Florida, she won her second straight 4A triple jump state title.

Jessica Ramsey

Boynton Beach, Sr.

Set a county record in the shot put and earned her second consecutive state title.

Nancy Anderson

Benjamin, Sr.

Earned second straight 1A state title in the high jump with a personal- best (5-5).

Mallory Johnson

South Fork, Jr.

Won gold in the state pole vault after earning silver as a sophomore.

Olivia

Fay

Pope John Paul II, Sr.

Followed up strong cross country season with a gold medal in the 2A 3200.

Jillian Collins

Royal Palm Beach, Jr.

Overcame leg injury to place fourth in the 800 (2:17.94) in 4A state.

Clairwin Dameus

Santaluces, So.

Top long jumper in the county with a sixth-place finish at state 4A (18-0.25).

Ruth-Ann Kinglocke

Pahokee, Sr.

Dominated the 100 and 200 throughout the season.

Dazia Tucker

Palm Beach Lakes, Sr.

Qualified for the Class 3A state meet in the 300 hurdles, triple jump.

Patrice Collie

Royal Palm Beach, Sr.

Placed sixth in the state in discus (123-10), ninth in shot put (36-11.50).

SECOND TEAM

Sofi Ingram

Santaluces, Jr.

Amanda Worley

Jensen Beach, Sr.

Laquasha Graham

Pahokee, Sr.

Meredith Anderson Benjamin, So.

Katie Pierre

Lake Worth, Sr.

Tomiah Duhart

Glades Central, Sr.

Martha Jaimes

Glades Central, Sr.

Jen Nestler

Benjamin, So.

Kenyaria Noble

Lincoln Park, Sr.

Mallory Gillespie

Jensen Beach, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Benjamin - Jamie Fisher; Pope John Paul II - Katie Roussin, Monica Falgons; King's Academy - Kimberly Ruch, Emily Stetzer, Gilda Doria; Park Vista - Laurel Brennan; Lincoln Park - Kelly Hensley, Stephanie Ball, Tia-Rose Raymond, Teena Pierre, Kelly O'Hara, Alexis Jean; Jensen Beach - Samantha Haddad, Noel Jadon; Royal Palm Beach - Jaylisha Griffith; Dwyer - Shanice Pettigrew, Kierra Whiteside, Isha Richardson, Ashley Hicks.