Latest news with #All-Broward
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
St. Thomas Aquinas' Chase Carroll is the Broward Boys' Scholar-Athlete of the Year
As usual, there was no shortage of great athletes this past school year at St. Thomas Aquinas. But few maintained the balance of success in the classroom and on the field like senior Chase Carroll did. Carroll, a standout on the boys' soccer team, helped the Raiders continue to keep their place among Broward's best while excelling academically. He led St. Thomas Aquinas to the regional finals in Class 6A, which was the best finish in that class among Broward schools while maintaining a 5.4 GPA and earning the chance to attend MIT. As such, Carroll is the Miami Herald's Boys' Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Broward County. Carroll, a forward, was a versatile contributor on an Aquinas squad, which came up one win short of returning to state for the second time in three seasons. Carroll scored 11 goals and had 12 assists, helping him earn first team All-Broward honors in soccer. But off the field, Carroll was even more impressive. In addition to his GPA, Carroll scored a 1580 on his SAT and a 34 on the ACT, and took multiple dual enrollment college and advanced placement courses. During his high school years, Carroll became a member of several National Honor Societies, made the Principal's Honor roll and was a National Merit Finalist. Carroll also received the Veritas Scholarship Award, Rensselaer Medal Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, National African American Recognition Award and National Hispanic Recognition Award. When he wasn't studying or playing soccer, Carroll was volunteering in the community. He served as a junior firefighter with City of Miami Fire Rescue and was a board member and website manager at the Fort Lauderdale International Book Fair.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Westminster Academy's Daniel Cercols is the Broward Water Polo Coach of the Year
Westminster Academy coach Daniel Cercols knew his boys' water polo team would have its best shot at a state championship this season. The Lions faced a path that required them to navigate through the toughest region in the state, however. But Cercols' squad never doubted it could be achieved. 'We knew on paper we had one of the strongest teams, but we were pretty even with the top seven teams in the state so anybody could win,' Cercols said. 'We were consistent especially considering we had some new kids… I'm so happy for the school.' It was a banner year for the water polo programs at Westminster as its boys' squad secured its first ever state championship. Meanwhile its girls' team appears to be on a path toward similar success after a regional semifinals finish through a tough bracket featuring some of the best teams from the central Florida area. In recognition of that success, Cercols, the coach for both squads, is this year's Miami Herald Broward County Boys' and Girls' Water Polo Coach of the Year. Cercols led Westminster's boys to a 24-2 record, which culminated with back-to-back one-goal victories at the state final four against former champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Mater Lakes. The Lions already had a formidable roster heading into the 2025 season, which got stronger with the arrival of transfer Matthew Troche - one of the top-rated players in the nation. Troche, the Miami Herald's Boys' Player of the Year, became a catalyst for Westminster's explosive attack in the pool. 'It's amazing. We knew we'd be a high-contesting team from the start. But from the way this team put it together, it's just amazing,' Troche said after a 10-9 win over Mater Lakes in the state championship match. On the girls' side, Westminster went 18-8 with its season ending following a 12-10 loss to Orlando Dr. Phillips. The Lions, however, established themselves as one of the most dominant teams in Broward and statewide with a squad led by All-Broward first team selections, Marley Scott, Lynn-Rose Ruiz and goalie Megan Ruiz. With most of its squad returning, the Lions' girls hope next season to reach the milestone their boys counterparts did this season.
