Mike Ridaught
Following his second consecutive state title in Class 1A, Trenton softball coach Todd Bryant finished runner-up for 2021 Softball Coach of the Year. Bryant, who retired after the season, enjoyed six outstanding years at Trenton, posting a 120-8 record with two state titles (2019 and 2021) and a state runner-up finish in 2018.
Pitcher Darian Ingram, who was a part of that run, was named Miss Softball 2021.
Bryant, who was previously named the Class 1A Coach of the Year, finished second behind Goelz.
“As far as getting second place in the state coach vote it’s totally ok,” Bryant said. “I never set out to win coach awards, just state championships to add to Trenton’s other championships. Our kids will always remember winning and playing together and that’s important going forward.”
Goelz was named the Florida Dairy Farmers 2021 Softball Coach of the Year following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school softball coaches and media representatives. He led his squad to a 30-2 record and the Class 7A state title.
In four years at Lakewood Ranch he has posted a 92-8 record with a final four appearance in 2018 and a state runner-up finish in 2019.
“Coach T.J. at Lakewood Ranch is a great coach and runs a great program,” Bryant said. “I know him personally from travel ball and his teams always play on a big stage. We coached against each other at Huntington Beach, California, a few years back in a National PGF travel ball tournament and we both played baseball at UNF.”
Bryant finished his career with a 57-1 record the last three years.
“I’m just thankful to have gotten to coach in my hometown and end my career as a state champ,” he said. “Not many coaches get to quit like that. Go Tigers.”
Goelz, who previously was selected as the Class 7A COY, won the overall award with five of the 24 first-place votes and 123 points, to finish ahead of Bryant, who had five first-place votes and 105 points. Class 6A COY Willie Viruet of Doral Academy (87) finished third, followed in order by Class 2A COY Jody Moore of Canterbury (77), Class 4A COY Brittany Beall of Eustis (68), Class 5A COY Johnny Manetta of Fort Myers (63) and Class 3A COY Jeff Krone of Academy of Holy Names (5). All seven finalists led their teams to state titles.
The Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers’ commitment to the state’s youth. This is the 29th year of these unique awards as we honor the state’s top athletes and coaches in all 30 FHSAA sanctioned and recognized sports. The program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy products a primary part of their diet in their overall nutrition plan.
2021 FINAL VOTING RESULTS: (Points awarded on a 10-7-5 basis)
Coach Total Points 1st 2nd 3rd
T.J. Goelz, Lakewood Ranch 123 5 4 9
Todd Bryant, Trenton 105 5 5 4
Willie Viruet, Doral Academy 87 7 1 2
Jody Moore, Canterbury 77 3 6 1
Brittany Beall, Eustis 68 2 4 4
Johnny Manetta, Fort Myers 63 2 4 3
Jeff Krone, Academy of Holy Names 5 0 0 1
Past Softball Coaches of the Year:
1993 – Jean King, Niceville (Slow Pitch)
Marilyn Bevetta, Ridgewood (Fast Pitch)
1994 – Robert Iamurri, Naples
1995 – Leslie Black, Cardinal Mooney
1996 – Robert Iamurri, Naples
1997 – Mike Clamon, Bloomingdale
1998 – Kathy Finnucan, Trinity Prep
1999 – Bryan Baucom, St. Thomas Aquinas
2000 – Kathy Finnucan, Trinity Prep
2001 – Mark Schusterman, Gulliver Preparatory
2002 – Glenn Rutenbar, Bartow
2003 – Becker Downie, Miami Palmetto
2004 – Glenn Rutenbar, Bartow
2005 – Chuck Poetter, Palm Harbor University
2006 – Glenn Rutenbar, Bartow
2007 – Kathy Finnucan, Trinity Prep
2008 – Coy Adkins, Wewahitchka
2009 – Kevin Fagan, Dunnellon
2010 – Kevin Fagan, Dunnellon
2011 – Danny Hensley, Niceville
2012 – Mark Schusterman, Gulliver Preparatory
2013 – Bryan Baucom, St. Thomas Aquinas
2014 – Amanda Schuerman, Bloomingdale
2015 – Melinda Wyatt, Tate
2016 – Todd LaNeave, West Orange
2017 – Christina Thompson, Oakleaf
2018 – Mark Montimurro, Coral Springs Charter
2019 – Mark Huaman, Winter Springs