Track standouts excel in competition, classroom and community
(Midway, Ky.) – Following the completion of the high school track season, Midway University and the KHSAA presented two Female Student-Athlete of the Year Awards to Ann Elizabeth Taylor, of Murray High School and Cassi Faye Reed of Somerset High School.
Taylor, a sprinter, captured the award at the 1A level following a season in which she won regional championships in the 4x100m and 4x200m. She also captured the 2016 Area 1 Championship in the 4x100m.
Her coach, Mark Boggess, describes her as, “one of the most selfless individuals I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. She has been one of the leaders on my varsity girls’ track team for the past five years, including when she ran varsity as a middle school athlete.“
A dual-sport participant, Taylor is also an award-winning soccer player who started all of her games with Murray’s team. Off the field, she is actively involved in Beta Club, French Club and the youth group at Hardin Baptist Church. In addition, she has completed several mission trips in the United States and abroad and volunteers her time at a local food bank.
Cassi Faye Reed received the Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award at the 3A level after a record-setting season. Competing as a high jumper, she set a school record in the event with a jump of 5’3”. As a sprinter, she also set a personal record in the 400m, registering a 1:01.29 race.
“Cassi Reed is the epitome of what it truly means to be a diehard student-athlete. She puts forth more effort at practice than I have ever observed an athlete put forth,” said her coach, Judah Short. “Cassi runs at least two miles a day at practice, with most days being closer to four miles, runs sprints and timed 400 runs, and then comes and works on high jump, and maintains consistency at practice and meets.”
Away from the track, Reed is a member of Southwestern’s basketball team and a strong student. During the 2015-16 school year, she maintained a 4.0 GPA while taking two AP and two honors courses. She is also actively involved in extracurricular activities, regularly volunteering with her church’s children’s ministry and serving in her school’s Leadership Club.
“It’s evident that these two young ladies are strong athletes, but more importantly, they’re women of character who are devoted to their studies and communities,” said Rusty Kennedy, athletic director at Midway University. “They’re the embodiment of what it means to be a student-athlete and I’m proud to present them with these awards.”
About the Midway University/KHSAA Female Student Athlete of the Year Awards
Nomination Process:
School administrators and/or coaches can nominate any qualified female high school student-athlete. Players can be nominated and win in more than one sport and are eligible to be nominated and win in multiple years of competition.
Judging Criteria
A panel of judges selected by Midway University and the KHSAA will review all nominations and make the selection of each individual sport Female Student-Athlete of the Year. The nominations will be judged on 60 percent weighting of overall athletic achievement, 20 percent academic achievement and 20 percent community service/leadership. In the event of a tie, the judges will have the discretion to select the final winner. Individual winners in each sport will be eligible for the overall Athlete of the Year Award, which will presented in May 2017.
Nominees must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify and be academically eligible to play in the season in which they are/were nominated.