USA Lacrosse honors Palmer Trinity players & more. USA Basketball chose St. Thomas Aquinas alum

Palmer Trinity School lacrosse players Valentina Erigoyen and Sydney Powell received prestigious awards from USA Lacrosse.

Erigoyen received the USA Lacrosse Jackie Pitts Award, and Powell was named an Academic All-American.

Erigoyen, a standout goalie, is the sole recipient from Broward and Miami-Dade counties for that honor. Her journey as a goalie has been marked by unwavering dedication and outstanding performance. Her remarkable goalie IQ and exceptional skills have set her apart as one of the top goalies in Miami-Dade County, and she holds every goalie record at Palmer Trinity.

A 2023 Palmer Trinity graduate, her leadership on and off the field, as well as her commitment to the growth of the sport, have made her a valuable asset to the lacrosse community. Her contributions to recruiting and building the lacrosse team at Palmer Trinity have played a significant role in increasing participation and fostering enthusiasm for the sport. Her remarkable achievements have earned her a spot for the upcoming season on the lacrosse team at Babson College, a private business school in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Powell, also a 2023 Palmer Trinity grad, made history by becoming the first girls’ lacrosse player at Palmer Trinity and only one in Miami-Dade County this term to receive the prestigious Academic All-American award. She was recognized for her outstanding achievements in lacrosse and in the classroom. Her unwavering commitment, leadership and exceptional performance have contributed to her success as an athlete and student.

On the lacrosse field, Powell has been a driving force for her team, serving as a quarterback and leading her teammates to their best season in four years. Her strategic plays, record-breaking performances and exceptional lacrosse IQ have set her apart as one of the top players in Miami-Dade County.

Along with her athletic accomplishments, Powell’s academic achievements have been outstanding. She is recognized as one of the brightest students in Miami-Dade County and has received a Silver Knight award in mathematics. Her commitment to excellence is further evidenced by her active involvement in numerous extracurricular activities, community service initiatives and leadership roles within the school.

NOTE: Powell was named Miami Herald All-Dade first team in girls’ lacrosse. Erigoyen was a second team selection.

USA Lacross honors plus

USA Lacrosse: Girls’ All-Americans: Florida: South Atlantic: Zoe Horwitz, Midfield, American Heritage-Plantation; Taylor McGovern, Attack, Stoneman Douglas; Alexandra Gladding, Midfield, Pine Crest; Mia Layne, Attack, St. Thomas Aquinas.

USA Lacrosse: Girls’ Academic All-Americans: Florida: South Atlantic: Courtney Lesser, Attack, American Heritage-Plantation; Gracyn Haynes, Defense, Stoneman Douglas; Sydney Powell, Attack, Palmer Trinity; Ella Bartlett, Midfield, St. Thomas Aquinas.

USA Lacrosse: Jackie Pitts Award: Florida: South Atlantic: Valentina Erigoyen, Goalie, Palmer Trinity.

USA Lacrosse: Girls’ Coach of the Year: Florida: South Atlantic: Corey Englehard, American Heritage-Plantation.

USA Lacrosse: Boys’ All-Americans: Florida: South Atlantic: Ethan Schlam, Attack, NSU University School; Dylan Faison, Midfield, Pine Crest; Jordan Faison, Midfield, Pine Crest; James Finch, Attack, St. Thomas Aquinas; Chris Testa, Midfield, St. Thomas Aquinas.

USA Lacrosse: Boys’ Academic All-Americans: Florida: South Atlantic: Andrew Klis, Defense, American Heritage-Plantation; David Thomas, Defense, American Heritage-Plantation; Dominic Veloso, Goalie, Gulliver Prep; Matthew Handel, Attack, Westminster Christian; Brandon Micali, Midfield, Westminster Christian.

USA Lacrosse: Bob Scott Award: Florida: South Atlantic: Nigel Vital, Attack, Pine Crest.

A USA Lacrosse All-American is a player who exhibits superior skills and techniques and possesses exceptional game sense and knowledge. A USA Lacrosse All-American is one of the best players in the United States, while also embodying excellent sportsmanship.

A USA Lacrosse Academic All-American honoree is a player who exhibits exemplary lacrosse skills, good sportsmanship on the field and represents high standards of academic achievement in the classroom.

The Jackie Pitts Award recognizes one player from each area who goes ‘above and beyond’ in service to her team, school and community.

The Bob Scott Award recognizes one player from each area who goes ‘above and beyond’ in service to his team, school and community.

USA Lacrosse oversees the selection of the awards, which are administered locally by area chairs. Selections are based on voting by coaches within each geographical area.

Florida: South Atlantic covers the Keys to Broward County.

Basketball

USA Basketball finalized the 12-member 2023 USA Women’s AmeriCup Team following two days of training camp in Colorado Springs. The team then competed at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Leon, Mexico.

Abbey Hsu, a St. Thomas Aquinas alum, was one of the 12 selected to represent Team USA. A Parkland resident, she will be a senior guard next season at Columbia University in the Ivy League.

Some of her collegiate accomplishments: 2023 WBCA All-America Honorable Mention; 2023 WBCA All-America Region Finalist; 2023 Postseason WNIT All-Tournament Team; 2022-23 Unanimous First Team All-Ivy League; 2022-23 First Team All-Met; Ivy League Record for Most 3-pointers in a single season (112, 2022-23); Columbia record for Most 3-pointers in a single season (112, 2022-23); Columbia record for Most 3-pointer in a game (9-11 vs. UMass, Dec. 10, 2022); Columbia record for Most 3-pointers in a career (285 through 2022-23).

Hsu played three seasons at Stoneman Douglas, before transferring to St. Thomas Aquinas her senior year. She helped the Eagles win district her sophomore season and the Raiders win district and region titles as a senior. St. Thomas Aquinas was a also state finalist that season.

The AmeriCup USA team, which includes Hsu, was selected by the USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Committee.

Team USA beat Team Canada 67-63 in the semifinals and Team Colombia 68-49 in the quarterfinals. In group play prior, Team USA defeated Venezuela 80-54, Argentina 65-56 and Cuba 106-44. Also in group play, Team Brazil beat Team USA 67-54. In the finals, Team Brazil won again, beating Team USA 69-58.

Submit summer sports info

For coaches and teams in Broward and Miami-Dade, if you have high school level athletes competing in summer leagues, events and programs, email hssports@miamiherald.com.

They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online.

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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone

jvarsallone@miamiherald.com