SPORTS OF THE SSG 49 At the 2015 Games, McGovern won six gold medals and won the Individual High Point Award for the Boys 11-12 year old category in 2014, when he won nine gold medals. In the last three years, McGovern won 22 gold medals. “Trevor is a very dedicated young man and an excellent swimming with a bright athletic future ahead of him,” said Robert Pinter, head coach of the Gator Swim Club. “He is a really good all around swimmer and his best events are freestyle and backstroke. He’s still young and we’re experimenting to find out where his strengths are. I tell all of my swimmers their future in the sport depends on themselves and the sport requires a lot of commitment and dedication. If he does that I envision a Division I college scholarship for him.” Brianna Whitman returned to swim in the 2016 Sunshine State Games in the Open Division in Duet and Team Events after taking a few years off to focus on collegiate studies. Whitman competed in the Sunshine State Games between 2003 and 2012 as a member of the Lakeland YMCA Flamingos. After enrolling at Florida State University, she reorganized the dormant Tarpon Synchronized Swim Team, which was one of FSU’s first women’s competitive teams. She competed in 2016 with members of the Tarpon Swim Team. She earned one of seven Robin Nable Wagman Against All Odds Scholarships in 2012 that honor the achievements of Polk County high school senior student-athletes in recognition of their perseverance in the face of adversity. “Since the age of 8 and continuing into adulthood, Brianna Whitman has displayed a focus and passion for synchronized swimming that shows strength in character,” said Lorraine Bloeth Valerino, Head Coach of the Lakeland YMCA Flamingo Synchronized Swim Team. “Her sheer determination to perform at her personal best over the years while staying true to herself and loyal to her age group team, gracefully leaping over a variety of ‘life’s obstacles,’ draws equal applause. The Lakeland YMCA Flamingo team and coaching staff have always appreciated Brianna’s talent and commitment and are thrilled she is being honored as the 2016 Sunshine State Games Female Athlete of the Year.” Previous Athletes of the Year 2015 Jenn Figueroa, Rowing, Gainesville Jaden Villalobos, Wrestling, Fort Lauderdale 2014 Graciana Wargo, Racquetball, Clearwater Jamari Johnson, Track and Field, Tampa 2013 Jesse Price, Taekwondo, Tampa Justin Herman, Fencing, Plantation 2012 Jessicah O’Rourke, Artistic Roller-skating, St. Petersburg Bill Kelly, Archery, Lakeland 2011 Carolyn Vasconcellos, Synchronized Swimming, Palm Coast Chris Follenius, Weightlifting, Gainesville 2010 Cece Williams, Swimming, Tallahassee Matt Tamayo, Karate, Gainesville 2009 The Germain Family, Judo, Bartow 2008 Evelyn Dowling, West Palm Beach, Synchronized Swimming Luke Kendall, Winter Haven, Track & Field/Swimming 2007 Jessica Randolph, Plantation, Swimming Joe Shanahan, Casselberry, Track & Field 2006 Tim Gehret, Miami, Ultimate Lady Superfriends Basketball Team, Gadsden County 2005 Ryan Milmoe, Weightlifting, Fort Lauderdale Susan Pfahler, Racquetball, Neptune Beach 2004 Shane Simerly, Judo Niceville Tyler Wolfe, Karate, Gainesville 2003 Samuel Valentin, Tampa, Boxing Gertrude Zint, Edgewater, Rowing 2002 Anita Perkins, Track & Field, Belle Glade (Summer Games) Larry Parzynski, Canoe/Kayak, Cape Coral (Summer Games) Felecia Gostisbehere, Figure Skating, Margate (Spring) Andrew Stroud, Fencing, Safety Harbor (Spring Games) 2001 Alina Syukova, Synch. Swimming, Longwood (Summer) Robert Wimberly, Wrestling, Fort Lauderdale (Summer) Melanie Vega-Borja, Judo, Wellington (Spring Games) Chad Schiferl, Mountain Bike, Criterium, St. Pete (Spring) 2000 Amber Davis, Weightlifting, Chiefland (Summer Games) Alex Forbes, Swimming, Casselberry (Summer Games) Dusty Price, Figure Skating, Coral Springs (Spring Games) Catherine Leach, Sport Shooting, Orlando (Spring Games) Jaden Villalobos (pictured with his father, Jared) was honored as one of two 2015 Athletes of the Year.
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