PHU, Tampa Prep stars earn state player of year honors

Two prolific area forwards -- Palm Harbor University's Catherine Brinkman and Tampa Prep's Wes Sever -- have been selected the state soccer players of the year in their respective genders and classifications in voting conducted by the Florida Dairy Farmers.

The players, both seniors, remain eligible for overall state girls and boys player of the year honors. Winners will be announced later this month.

Brinkman (pictured), the 6A girls player of the year, tallied 40 goals and nine assists for the Hurricanes (20-0-1), who won the 6A state title. Sever, the 2A boys player of the year, collected 31 goals and eight assists for the Terrapins (20-4-1), who also captured a state crown.

The players' coaches, PHU's John Planamenta and Tampa Prep's Doug Smith, earned coach-of-the-year honors in their respective classes and remain eligible for the state's overall honor. Mitchell's Oscar Ubillus, who led the Mustangs (20-3-1) to the boys 4A state title, also earned a coach-of-the-year nod for his classification.