(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) - The Sarasota Herald-Tribune newspaper honored Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Mustangs at Tuesday night’s “HTPreps High School Sports Awards.”
The program celebrates the “very best in high school athletics across Sarasota and Manatee counties—honoring standout athletes, dedicated coaches and exceptional teams.”
The paper’s sports reporters nominate athletes and coaches based on a combination of statistical analysis, game coverage and input from coaches and athletic directors.
Honored Mustangs were -
Louka Coue –Boys Soccer Player of the Year
Avary Shirley – Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Vito Bavaro – Boys Soccer Coach of the Year
Dave Frantz – Boys Golf Coach of the Year
Hannah Legere – Girls Tennis Coach of the Year
Scott Paravicini – Courage Award
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Paravicini is the LRHS head varsity football coach and a colon cancer survivor. At present his scans are all negative and tumor markers are down. Despite having eight more chemotherapy treatments to go, he has continued to coach the Mustangs in both Fall and Spring seasons.
“I really don’t think I’m doing anything all that courageous,” he said. “I just show up at work every day and do what I have to do. There are people in the world going through way more than I do.”
Paravicini said he’s been blessed by support from family and the community, and that his story may help others.
“Maybe through me and my story some people will be encouraged to go to the doctor. They’ll decide not to put off that check-up and they can catch it early and deal with it.”