Local athletes and coaches honored by Florida Dairy Farmers

Rick Patrick, ECB Publishing, Inc.

Each year, since 1992, the Florida Dairy Farmers have recognized outstanding student athletes and coaches through their High School Sports Awards. Top softball players from each classification were honored with nominations and one player and one coach from each classification is selected as a finalist for the prestigious title of “Miss Softball” and “Coach of the Year.”
This year, Abigail Morgan, from Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA), was nominated for the Class 2A Player of the Year. Morgan has signed to play softball at Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton next year. ACA Head Softball Coach Becky Brandies was nominated for Class 2A Coach of the Year. This season marked five years in a row that the Lady Warriors have played for a state title in the championship game.
In Class 1A, Madison County High School's (MCHS) Reese Rutherford was nominated for the Player of the Year. MCHS Head Softball Coach Tommy Garner was nominated for Class 1A Coach of the Year. Rutherford and Garner helped lead the Cowgirls to their first appearance in the final four since 2013.
The selections were made based on input from coaches and prep media representatives statewide.