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County's top athletes honored

TBO.com photo by KEVIN BRADY

Hundreds of student athletes, teachers and parents from the Bay area turned out for The Tampa Tribune Parade of Athletes tonight at A La Carte Pavilion.

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By NICHOLAS MURRAY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 18, 2009

Updated: 05/18/2009 11:48 pm

TAMPA - For a moment, Brandon's Eric Grajales was caught unaware.

As someone who went 219-0 over the course of his wrestling career, including four straight state titles, getting caught out isn't usually in his repertoire, but on Monday it happened as he was being introduced as the Tribune's Male Athlete of the Year.

"Some of these other guys are great athletes," Grajales said. "It took a couple of seconds for me to realize. Until the actual sport of wrestling came up I didn't know it was me."

Female Athlete of the Year Lauren Verbosky from East Bay was just as surprised. A four-sport athlete for the Indians, she excelled in cross country, volleyball, soccer, and track and field.

"I feel very honored," Verbosky said. "There's a lot of good people here."

For both athletes, their latest awards were another addition to the trophy cabinet. In joining David Craig as the second Brandon wrestler to go undefeated for his career, Grajales led the Eagles to their ninth straight state title and 20th overall. He had already been named the National Wrestling Coaches Association's National Wrestler of the Year and last year competed at the U.S. Olympic trials.

Verbosky led the Indians to the Class 6A soccer region final, and qualified for the Class 4A state track and field championships in the 800 meters and as a member of the Indians' 4x400 relay team. The senior was also a headline-maker off the field, as East Bay's valedictorian. Sporting a 6.42 GPA, she was awarded the Wendy's Florida High School Heisman Award.

Also honored were Plant High football coach Robert Weiner and volleyball coach Leann Taylor. Weiner, whose Panthers won their second state title in three years, collected the Boys Coach of the Year award for the second time. Taylor earned the Girls Coach of the Year award for the first time after her team went 29-3 on its way to a third consecutive state title.

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