2023 Chronicle STARS Student Athlete Awards

The 2023 Chronicle STARS Student-Athlete Awards was a night filled with celebration and recognition for outstanding student-athletes in Citrus County. The event, held annually, brought together athletes, coaches, families, and sponsors to honor the exceptional achievements of these young individuals.

Travis Anderson, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Citrus County and former NCAA Florida State University baseball player, delivered an inspiring keynote speech emphasizing the importance of rising above excuses. His words resonated with the audience and set the tone for the evening.

Among the many deserving student-athletes, I wanted to single out some from last evening who were highlighted for their exceptional accomplishments. Check out the Chronicle this weekend for the full coverage of all the student-athletes and award winners.

Kasey Strom from Crystal River was named the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Kasey excelled academically with a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA and 4.745 weighted GPA. She also qualified for the state tournament in weightlifting and participated in the discus event at the state track and field meet.

Austin Edwards, also from Crystal River, was named the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Austin showcased his skills on the soccer field and tennis court while maintaining an impressive academic performance. He held the No. 1 singles and doubles spot for the tennis team and had a 3.979 unweighted GPA and 4.813 weighted GPA.

Tim Gray, a junior from Crystal River, received the title of Wrestler of the Year. Tim had an outstanding season, finishing with a remarkable 55-6 record and earning a third-place finish at the Class 1A State Finals in the 220-pound weight class. Gray was also featured this week in the Chronicle as one of two students that challenged Florida Senator Blaise Ingoglia to a weightlifting challenge.

Drew Jenkins from Citrus was recognized as the Boys Swimmer of the Year. Drew had a remarkable career, qualifying for the B finals at the Class 2A State Finals in both the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke events.

Grace Burkholder, a senior from Lecanto, was honored as the Girls Swimmer of the Year. Grace’s exceptional performances at the Class 2A State Finals, where she placed ninth in the 100 freestyle and 16th in the 100 breaststroke, showcased her talent and dedication to the sport.

I want to thank the Citrus County Chronicle for again hosting this special annual event and for making the STARS Student-Athlete Recognition possible. I also want to thank the sponsors who generously supported the event, and their contributions were acknowledged.

Special appreciation was expressed to the coaches and athletic directors who played a crucial role in guiding and nurturing these student-athletes to reach their full potential. The families and the community were also acknowledged for their unwavering support throughout the athletes’ journeys.

Congratulations to all the student-athletes who were recognized and celebrated at the 2023 STARS Student-Athlete Recognition. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to others and a testament to their hard work, dedication, and resilience.

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