Columnist Spencer Patterson: LVAC will honor local female student-athletes

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, May 2, 2002 | 9:31 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers high school sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4085.

When Connie Stewart took over as women's programming director for Las Vegas Athletic Clubs last October, she wanted to find a way to recognize some of Southern Nevada's top young female athletes.

So, working with Clark County's high schools, Stewart and LVAC Executive Vice President Chad Smith put together an event honoring outstanding prep sports participants from throughout the valley.

"Las Vegas Athletics Clubs' Celebration of Young Women Athletes" will bring together one student-athlete from each area high school for a luncheon May 23 at Texas Station. Lori Harrigan, pitcher for the USA's gold medal Olympic softball team, and UNLV women's basketball coach Regina Miller are scheduled to speak. Channel 3 anchor Nina Radetich will emcee.

"The accomplishments these young women have made, both athletically and academically, are inspiring and we want them to know that the community is paying attention," Stewart said. "Young women who participate in athletics are generally better academically, and the long term health benefits are astounding."

"Socially, emotionally and physically, athletics have a real impact."

The honorees will be: Brittany Lorenzen (Basic), Danielle Reilly (Bishop Gorman), Trisha DeSimone (Bonanza), Kristie McRae (Boulder City), Rachael Schein (Centennial), Nicole Musolino (Chaparral), Tiffany Abbott (Cheyenne), Jamie Allazetta (Cimarron-Memorial), Christina Maria Trotter (Clark), Elizabeth Bitle (Boulder City), Daisy Nunez (Desert Pines), Gwen Burgess (Durango), Sara Black (Eldorado), Christine Fernandez (Foothill), Kelsi Thoman (Green Valley), Erica Warner (Indian Springs), Lyndsey Webb (Las Vegas), Rojeana Wymbs (Laughlin), Heather Flynn (Moapa Valley), Melissa Horrocks-Arizola (Mojave), Don-netta Coleman (Palo Verde), Carole Jackson (Rancho), Martha Lindner (Sierra Vista), Deanna Appuglise (Silverado), Felicia Bell (Valley), Mindy Stuart (Virgin Valley), Anisha Edwards (Vo-Tech) and Rachel Hall (Western).

Things kick off on Tuesday, with first-round softball games at Stephanie Lynn Craig Fields and boys volleyball at Chaparral.

On Wednesday, softball and volleyball action continues, and baseball teams begin play at five locations: Durango, Burkholder Field, Cimarron-Memorial, Sierra Vista and one field to be determined.

The Sunrise and Sunset boys golf tournaments tee off on Thursday at SilverStone Golf Club. Diving competition also begins on Thursday at UNLV's Buchanan Natatorium.

Softball and volleyball competition conclude with championship games next Friday, while the two-day track & field meets get started at Foothill. The two-day regional swim meets also begin Friday at UNLV.

Finally, Saturday will feature a pair of championship baseball games, along with the conclusion of all track and swimming competition.

State events begin the following week.