Leah Finkelman and Mateo Gray. NBP Athletics and Isabella De Castro}
By: Matt Rothman
North Broward Prep had another incredible season of high school sports, with several players getting recognition at both the high school and college level.
Leah Finkelman was named Florida Dairy Player of the Year in soccer after helping NBP to appear in Regionals after going 14-7. Finkelman, who graduated from NBP in May, set the school record for goals as a junior and surpassed that during her senior season. She scored 36 goals, had 28 assists, and finished her high school career with 108 goals.
While North Broward Prep baseball was making their run to a third straight State Championship, the Eagles had a handful of players making news at the high school and college levels.
Mateo Gray was named Broward County Player of the Year after going 6-0 on the mound and hitting .344 with 26 RBIs. Nathanael Coupet and Riley Luft were also picked to the first team after combining to hit 13 home runs while the team won 27 games.
Tj Gramesty and Gian De Carsto were named to the Second Team All-Conference, while Ryan McPherson was selected to the Third Team, and A.J. Cutler was an Honorable Mention.
In track and field, Michael McGrath and Alexa Schwartz were selected for the First Team All-Conference in their javelin, while Ella Munoz was picked in the long jump. Marcus Dixon made the third team, with Damisi Faluyi and Jayden Smith receiving Honorable Mentions.
Leah Finkelman {NBP Athletics}
Samantha Mirar and Morgan Silber were All-Conference Selections in tennis. Jacob Tannenbaum was led to the Second Team All-Conference in lacrosse, while Daniel Katz was an Honorable Mention after the lacrosse team had their most wins since the 2018-19 season.
At the college level. 2022 graduate Yoel Tejada Jr. is on the move after playing his freshman season with the University of Florida. After being selected in the 19th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tejada chose to play for the Gators but announced he was transferring to Florida State University. He debuted from the bullpen during the team’s win over Charleston Southern making six starts, while Florida went 4-2 in those games despite not pitching more than four innings.
However, Tejada, who hit .355 with four home runs and 20 RBIs, did not get the chance to hit this past season. He is expected to play summer ball in the Cap Cod League before joining the Seminoles.
Dylan Goldstein, a 2019 graduate from NBP, was selected to the Second Team All-Conference after a terrific season at Florida Atlantic University. He batted .297 this year and hit 13 home runs, including a walk-off grand slam against Florida Gulf Coast University. He has 35 home runs and has knocked in 125 RBIs.
Jonathan Xuerub completed a terrific freshman season at Appalachian College, hitting his first home run against Wake Forest. The Deacons were ranked second in the country and are currently the top seed heading to the College World Series. Sawyer Feller also recorded hit three home runs this year after hitting one in his first collegiate game in 2022 for Harvard University.
Gabriel Esquivel started in 48 of UNF’s 49 games this year and finished fifth on the team in home runs. Dylan Runsdorf also knocked in 14 runs for Ursinus College.
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