Pinellas: News and Notes

DiSalvatore player of the week - again

By TIMES STAFF
Published March 4, 2008

DiSalvatore player of the week - again

Another week, another Pac-10 softball player of the week award for GiOnna DiSalvatore, who starred at Countryside. From Feb. 19-25, the UCLA freshman infielder hit .667 with two doubles, a triple and a home run. She is second in the conference in batting average .545

On the Web: Softball rankings

After a 4-2 loss to Gaither on Saturday, Countryside drops from the top spot to No. 3 in Batting Order, our ranking of the top teams in the bay area. Check out the revamped rankings and sound off at highschool.tampabay.com.

Recruiters flock to Marry

Spring football still is two months away, but Largo linebacker Mike Marry is generating buzz among college recruiters.

Marry, the Times' defensive player of the year last season, has eight offers from such schools as Florida, Arkansas, West Virginia and South Carolina.

He got the attention of colleges after registering a team-leading 122 tackles with four sacks and an interception last season. Marry also excels in the classroom with a grade point average above 3.0.

He plans to graduate in December.

More offers are expected in the next two months.

Swimming sensation

Former Indian Rocks Christian standout Amanda Panty, who now swims for North Carolina State, recently set a personal record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 58.39 seconds at the Atlantic Coast Conference finals in Atlanta.

As a senior with the Golden Eagles, Panty finished fourth in the backstroke at the 2006 Class A state meet. She also was a standout in basketball and was the Wendy's High School Heisman winner for the state.

Compiled by Times staff writers Bob Putnam and Bryan Burns.

[Last modified March 4, 2008, 00:42:46]