NJN 2011 FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Fans, pick the fave!

Published 9:54 am Wednesday, June 22, 2011

With the overwhelming response to our Facebook poll to select the 2011 North Jefferson News Male Athlete of the Year, the only question is: Will the girls do an even better job?

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Let’s find out.

As with our boys poll, we have narrowed the field down to eight nominees. We have two from each  of our largest schools, Gardendale and Mortimer Jordan, with one each from the other four. This is because the Rockets and Blue Devils have a larger pool of athletes from which to choose, and also to keep all the votes from one of those schools to bunch up for their single candidate.

This also means that there are some athletes who may have otherwise merited a nomination, but who didn’t make it. There’s at least one glaring example in the girls nominations. But all other things being equal, extra consideration is given to an athlete who played more than one sport.

To take part in the voting, you should be a fan of The North Jefferson News on Facebook. If not, you can sign up before voting ends at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 27. Look for the poll question on your own wall, or go to The North Jefferson News wall and vote there.

Remember, this is basically a popularity contest, but we still hope that you consider athletes who played for a school other than the one you root for. Wish we could make that a rule, but there’s no way we know of to enforce that.

By the way, we’re aware that there have been scattered instances of voters creating fake accounts to stuff the ballot box, so to speak. We’re on to that, and if it’s rampant on behalf of one nominee, we’ll disqualify her. In that case, our decisions are final.

Voting begins at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

THE NOMINEES (presented in randomly-drawn order)

ELIZABETH OSBORNE, Sophomore

Tabernacle Christian

Turned in regular double-digit

performances for a young Torches basketball team this season. A big future ahead for this girl.

KRISTIN STRICKLIN, Junior

Hayden

The hot-shooting point guard for the Wildcats basketball team, and on the second team for all-state; also a top cross-country runner.

BLAIR JOHNSON, Senior

Mortimer Jordan

The Class 5A Softball Player and Pitcher of the Year, and a member of the ASWA Super All-State Team. Pitched 47 innings as Blue Devils won the state tournament.

SARA BETH WILLIAMSON, Junior

Gardendale

Top hitter on the Rockets’ softball team, with a .490 batting average, .590 on-base percentage, .684 slugging percentage and 32 runs batted in this season.

HAYLIE MCCLENEY, Junior

Mortimer Jordan

The Blue Devils’ fleet-footed lead-off hitter. A .602 batting average in the regular season, known for flying catches in center field, and a top basketball point guard.

KASEY JONES, Senior

Gardendale

The Rockets’ point guard and top scorer for the season. Speedy and deceptive (in a good way), and gives opposing guards fits.

PRESLIE CRUCE, Senior

Corner

The heart and soul of the Yellow jackets’ softball program this year and last. Led the team in most stats categories.

KELSEY HUBBARD, Senior

Fultondale

Like Cruce, Hubbard was the heart of the Wildcats’ softball team as its top pitcher and hitter, and also stood out on their basketball team her whole high school career. Played volleyball, too.