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At top of her game(s)
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
Danielle Albury, the 2002 Times Citrus County Female Athlete of the Year, has been a force since the day she arrived at Seven Rivers Christian. But this year, the talented senior took her act to a higher level, enjoying an all-area season in two sports. Albury led the basketball team in scoring with a 15-point average and rebounding (12.8). In one game, she had 11 points, 11 rebounds, 11 steals and 10 blocked shots to produce a rare quadruple-double. She headed the volleyball squad in kills (458), assists (350) and blocks (161), and helped the Warriors win the district, reach the state playoffs and finish 28-2. Earlier this month, the 5-foot-11 middle hitter/setter was named Florida's 2002 Class A Player of the Year. This week, Albury made the Times All-Suncoast volleyball first team. How big is that honor? The area had two state champions and two runners-up. "Danielle's just been unbelievable," Seven Rivers volleyball coach Scott Lyons said. Albury is being recruited by several colleges, but has not decided which one to attend. A decision should come this spring. 2. AMBER PRESNICK, CITRUS: Presnick, who will enroll at the University of Florida next week and play soccer for the Gators, earned Times All-Citrus/Hernando Player of the Year recognition last season for the third time after finishing with 23 goals and 16 assists. Additionally, she was a first-team choice in track and field after reaching state in the 400 meters, 4x400 and 4x800. Presnick is considered the area's best-ever female soccer player. 3. KATE WHEELER, LECANTO: As a senior last spring, Wheeler easily earned area track athlete of the year honors. She was second at state in the high jump, seventh in the long jump and eighth in the 100-meter hurdles. Wheeler advanced to state in four events during her sophomore and junior seasons. Many will remember her as Lecanto's best female track athlete. Wheeler also was honorable mention all-area in basketball. 4. WHITNEY GELIN, CITRUS: The three-sport standout, now a senior, was first-team all-area in soccer and weightlifting and honorable mention in softball. Gelin was a state weightlifting champion in the 169-pound division, a star defender on the soccer field for the area's top defense and among the North Suncoast's top catchers. 5. MELISSA COBURN, CRYSTAL RIVER: Coburn, who plays softball at Jacksonville University, was first-team all-area last spring in softball and weightlifting. The third baseman hit for average (.388) and power (7 home runs), helping lead the Pirates to the third round of the state playoffs. In the gym, she was second at state in the 183-pound class. 6. JILL BANDHAUER, LECANTO: Now playing softball at Jacksonville University, the catcher was first-team all-area after leading the county in batting average (.462) and RBIs (27) last spring. Bandhauer was honorable mention all-area in track and weightlifting. 7. KATIE STEELFOX, CITRUS: The Hurricanes senior was first-team all-area in basketball and track as a junior. On the court, the point guard averaged team-bests in scoring (15.1) and assists (5.1). Steelfox recorded a career-high 28 points in a win over Springstead. In track, she placed seventh at state in the pole vault. 8. MYESHA HOLLIS, CITRUS: A senior, Hollis was a first-team all-area track and field selection in 2002 and an honorable-mention pick at shooting guard in basketball. She placed third at state in the long jump and 14th in the triple jump, and distinguished herself as one of the area's top sprinters. 9. DEIRDRA WITHERSPOON, LECANTO: In the spring, Witherspoon was ninth at state in the 4x800 and fifth at her regional in the 3,200 to miss making state by a spot. In the fall, the senior was second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference cross country meet, first at district and 27th at state. 10. ALYCIA LEPAGE, CITRUS: One of the area's must underrated athletes, the senior received all-area recognition last spring in basketball and softball. As a shortstop, LePage hit .345 and had 2 homers and 2 doubles. Kristen Leigh Porter contributed to this story.
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