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East Bay Student Wins High School Heisman

Tribune file photo by JOHN CEBALLOS

Junior Lauren Verbosky stands at the ready on East Bay High School’s track. On Monday she was named the female winner of the Wendy’s Florida High School Heisman award.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS | South Shore News & Tribune

Published: November 13, 2008

GIBSONTON - In March, Lauren Verbosky broke a 30-year-old East Bay High record in track and field.

And the accomplishments keep coming. The senior four-sport star was recently recognized as one of the state's best student-athletes for her achievements in the classroom and on the field.

Verbosky was named the female winner of the Wendy's Florida High School Heisman award.

"We were very surprised, though she's obviously very deserving from a mom's point of view," said Christine Verbosky, Lauren's mom. "Just knowing that she was recognized is a great thing, and I think it was a comfort for her to know that someone other than her parents have noticed what she's done.

"For her to be able to maintain her grades when she's got four sports going all year long is incredible."

A male and female winner is chosen from each state and the District of Columbia based on their academic, athletic and leadership excellence. The award was introduced in 1984.

Later this month, a panel will select 12 finalists — one male and one female from six geographic regions, which include the South, Far West, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic — who will travel to New York for the Wendy's High School Heisman National Awards Banquet on Dec. 12 and receive $2,000 for their school's athletic program.

Two national winners will be selected and each will receive a $10,000 prize for their high schools.
Verbosky plays soccer, track and field, volleyball and is captain of the cross country team at East Bay.

"Lauren is one of a couple of girls on my team that play multiple sports at the school and are at the top of their class," said soccer coach Claudine Sosa. The other girls are Morgan Williams and Lindsey Rankin.

Verbosky set the school record in the 400 meters with a time of 59.5 seconds during a March 21 track meet. She then broke that record a few days later with a time of 59.28 at a March 25 meet.

Scot Tipton, the school's athletic director, said she was also a state qualifier in the 400 meters.

As far as her achievements inside the classroom are concerned, Verbosky, 18, has a 5.94 grade point average and is the senior class president.

But she is not the first Verbosky to leave her mark at the school.

Her older siblings, Lisa and Michael, both earned varsity letters in multiple sports at East Bay.

"It's kind of funny because Lisa's three years older than Michael, and Michael's three years older than me," Verbosky said shortly after she set the 400-meter record earlier this year. "So it sort of feels like it's my turn."

Christine Verbosky credits east bay for helping mold her kids into outstanding student-athletes.

"The teachers at that school have taken such great care of my kids," she said. "I am proud that they can represent East Bay High School."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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