Scholar-athlete wins rare honor

Only 24 students statewide are chosen for the Academic All-State Team. Citrus' Cory Presnick is one.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 14, 2000

INVERNESS -- The big announcement came over the public address system Thursday while he was in physical education class, but Cory Presnick didn't hear it.

The news he had been waiting to receive for the past month was delivered by his friends as he headed to his car after school.

[Times photo: Kevin White] Cory Presnick has a 3.88 GPA.

"They said, "Are you going to take us to dinner?' " Presnick said. "I said, "What are you talking about?' They said, "You just won $500.' "

Presnick was among 24 student-athletes statewide selected for the Florida High School Activities Association's Academic All-State Team. The 24 winners will each receive $500 and a commemorative medallion.

The 12 male and 12 female athletes were chosen from a field of 224 nominees from the FHSAA's 543 member schools. To be eligible, the student had to be a graduating senior with a 3.5 or better GPA who has earned a varsity letter in at least two different sports during his or her junior and senior seasons.

"To be recognized not just as an athlete, but for my grades, is great," Presnick said. "I take pride in my grades as much as my athletics."

Presnick won the Class 2A state cross country title in November and is also a standout in track and soccer. He carries a 3.88 GPA and is ranked 10th in a senior class of 234 students at Citrus High.

"We have had kids apply for this for many, many years and never got it," Citrus cross country coach Bruce Nelson said. "It's just an incredible honor. The money is nice, but to be one of only 12 in the whole state, that is what's really neat."

Presnick filled out the application papers in the office of Citrus athletic director Vicki Overman, who nominated him. But after he took a look at the nominees on the FHSAA Web site one day, he wasn't optimistic about his chances of winning.

"I didn't think my chances were too good," Presnick said. "There were about 35 people from my district and I was like, wow. But then I thought it would be nice to win. I was really looking forward to it (the announcement)."

This is the second state honor bestowed on Presnick this month.

Two weeks ago was chosen as the Cross Country Runner of the Year by the Dairy Farmers' Association Inc. He will be honored with other state winners from various sports at a banquet later this spring.

Presnick said his parents, Tom and Debra, always encouraged him to balance academics and athletics.

"From day one they told me to get good grades and it will pay off," he said. "They were always helping me along, and even though I've become independent, I still value my grades a lot."

Presnick said he will use the $500 for school. In the fall, he will attend the University of Florida, where he plans to run cross country and major in predentistry.

From among the 24 Academic All-State recipients, one male and one female will be selected as Scholar Athletes of the Year at the annual FHSAA banquet in June. Those winners will receive an additional $2,500 each in scholarship funds.

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