No award may stand out in his high school career more than winning a 2003 state championship in Gainesville, but Griffin adds to his lengthy list of accomplishments anyway. The 295-pound team captain has a 4.5 GPA, which was the highest among all players at the FHSAA state finals. He is mulling offers from more than 30 Division I schools. Griffin was part of an offensive line that helped three running backs cross the 1,000-yard mark. As a team, Armwood hit the 4,000-yard mark and averaged more than 50 points per game inthe regular season. Griffin tutors students in math in the offseason, and has performed volunteer work at a children's home as well as the Salvation Army.
CASEY MOST VALUABLE MALE GOLFER AWARD
Matt Galloway, Durant
Galloway was one of the top five in the county, having lost just one match in three seasons. He never exceeded 40, and was selected as team captain. Galloway helped the Cougars to a district championship and into the regional tournament. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Junior Civitans, and Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society). He also volunteered at a junior golf camp.
JESSIE HELFRICK HICKS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MALE SWIMMER
Michael Silva, Freedom
The only one in the county to win state championships in two events (200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breast stroke) in 2003, and the first state title winner from his school, Silva was an easy choice. He was named to the All-Western Conference National Division first team and his coaches described him as being spirited and respectful. They also noted his unique sense of humor.
BEN WALKER OUTSTANDING MALE RUNNER
Andy Biladeau, Jesuit
Winning the award for the second year, Biladeau has been one of the fastest in the county since the sixth grade. He battled back from anemia last spring to win the district, region and Class 2A titles in the fall. He also won the state title in a meet-best 15:21 and had the fastest 5K time of the season in the state with 15:15 at the USF/Jesuit Invitational. He also carries a 4.0 GPA.
TEAM CUMULATIVE GPA AWARDS
FOOTBALL: Durant, 3.048
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: Hillsborough, 3.546
BOYS SWIMMING: Hillsborough, 3.512
BOYS GOLF: Hillsborough, 3.618
ALLEN C. GRIFFIN MEMORIAL VOLLEYBALL AWARD
Sarah Kirkwood, Plant
Following her sister Emily's footsteps in winning the award, Kirkwood juggled Advanced Placement classes and service-club responsibilities while leading the Panthers to their third state championship. The All-American scored a 1470 on the SAT, including a perfect 800 in math. She has never received a "B" on her report card, and was named Gatorade Florida High School Player of the Year. Kirkwood was also chosen as one of 10 finalists for national senior volleyball player of the year by prepvolleyball.com after recording 428 kills, 51 ace blocks and 114 ace serves.
CASEY MOST VALUABLE FEMALE GOLFER AWARD
Ashley Kemp, Gaither
Kemp shot an impressive 77 at districts (which qualified for second-place) and shot the lowest score (78) among county golfers at the Class 2A, Region 4 tournament. She also led the county last year with a 39 nine-hole stroke average. Kemp is a three-year captain, a member of National Honor Society and has served as Key Club Vice President. She has committed to play for Florida State.
JESSIE HELFRICK HICKS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING FEMALE SWIMMER
Marjorie Chamberlin, Wharton
Chamberlin placed third at state in the 100-yard butterfly and fifth in the 200-yard freestyle. She was also on a medley relay team that placed 14th and a 200-yard freestyle relay team that placed 16th. New to Wharton after transferring from Land O'Lakes - where she was named Times Pasco County swimmer of the year in 2002 as a freshman - Chamberlin was praised by her coaches as being encouraging to others and dependable.
BEN WALKER OUTSTANDING FEMALE RUNNER
Laura Bowerman, King
After winning titles in the USF/Jesuit Invitational and the Don Bishop Invitational in her senior season, Bowerman suffered a severe ankle sprain. That didn't, however, stop her from finishing strong. She defended her Class 3A title, running 28 seconds faster than the runner-up. Her time of 18:07 was a state course record. Bowerman was the Times Hillsborough County female runner of the year.
