With 2024 in the rearview, let’s take a look back at some of the top-performing athletes in Bay County sports this past year. The News Herald will now leave it up to our audience to decide the local top male and female athlete of 2024.The athletes were selected based on statistics, achievements and overall impact […]
With 2024 in the rearview, let’s take a look back at some of the top-performing athletes in Bay County sports this past year. The News Herald will now leave it up to our audience to decide the local top male and female athlete of 2024.The athletes were selected based on statistics, achievements and overall impact in the 2024 season.Voting will be open until noon Friday, Jan. 10 so make sure to share with family, friends and everyone in between.ICYMIArnold record breaker Vandel headlines all county volleyball teams
Lo’Kavion Jackson, Mosley football: The Mississippi State signee had 46 carries for 670 yards and 17 scores on the offensive side. Defensively, Jackson totaled 60 tackles and four sacks. The senior’s “legacy game” against Niceville, when he rushed for 266 yards and five touchdowns, was a standout moment in the Bay County football season.
Female Athlete of the Year
Zoey Vandel, Arnold volleyball: Vandel broke the Marlins’ all-time record in kills (904) and blocks (176). The senior contributed 317 kills, 149 digs and 42 blocks en route to a district semifinal appearance.Kaylee Goodpaster, North Bay Haven softball: Goodpaster led the county in softball and baseball with 11 home runs. The dual-sport athlete also eclipsed 1,000 career points on the hardwood in 2024.
Bre Clark, Arnold softball: Arnold softball ace and Southeastern Louisiana signee Bre Clark was 17-3 from the circle, eclipsing 500 career strikeouts and finishing her junior season with 759. Clark is on course to shatter the county strikeout record.Kat Zacarias, Bay weightlifting: Zacarias became Bay High’s first female athlete to win two state titles. Zacarias rebounded from a torn labrum during her junior season to excel in her senior year.
Sammy Freitas, Mosley football: Freitas threw for 2,017 yards, 23 touchdowns and three interceptions on the way to back-to-back district championships. He also ran for 370 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The senior finished high school with 6,058 passing yards, 82 total touchdowns and 19 interceptions.Chance Jenkins, Arnold weightlifting: The Bozeman transfer joined the Marlins’ weightlifting team in hopes of achieving a state title and did just that. In the 169-pound weight class, the won gold medals in the Olympic and traditional lifts at county and district championships. Jenkins won gold at state in the traditional meet with a total of 625 pounds and won bronze in the Olympic competition with a total of 535.Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
Male Athlete of the Year
Grace Masters, North Bay Haven weightlifting: Masters made history last season becoming the first female at North Bay Haven to win a state championship and followed it up by going back-to-back in the Olympic competition in the 110-pound weight class with a 275 total, 20 pounds clear of second place.
Josh Chandler, Arnold soccer: In 24 games, Chandler only gave up 10 goals, the fourth least in the entire nation for winter soccer schools and made 82 saves. The most important saves came in the penalty shootout victory in the state championship against Jesuit (Tampa Bay).Mack Jones, Arnold football: Mack Jones led Marlins’ defensive turnaround with 158 tackles, ranking ninth in Florida. He was a force on the field, averaging 14.4 tackles per game and consistently making his presence felt. The junior also recorded 26 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Trey Power, Bozeman baseball: Power won every start, going 11-0 from the mound, throwing 112 strikeouts and finishing with a 0.41 ERA. He led the Bucks to a state runner-up finish this past spring.ICYMIMosley, Arnold headline all-county football teamsDerrick Williams, Bozeman wrestling: Williams made program history becoming the first Buck to win a wrestling state championship. Williams defeated Jensen Beach’s Gian Ortiz in the final of the Class 1A 120-pound weight class. The senior was dominant all season, winning the treble of county, district and state titles.Margaret Bartlow, North Bay Haven cross country: The Florida State signee had a dominant 2024, winning gold in seven meets this year, including the Class 2A state championship. Bartlow set Bay County records in the 5K, 1600-meter (5:00.89), and 3200-meter (10:42.3).
Cooper Moss, Arnold baseball: The Florida commit did it all, boasting a 7-1 record, throwing 86 strikeouts and a 0.81 ERA. The junior also totaled 25 hits, 24 RBIs and six home runs.Anna Carlson, North Bay Haven weightlifting: Carlson became the second female to win a state championship after winning gold in the Olympic competition in the 139-pound weight class with a total of 325.
