Each week, the Herald-Tribune staff will select nominees for the Herald-Tribune Boys Athlete of the Week poll sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Network, Inc. Nominees are derived from scores and stats emailed in by Sarasota and Manatee County coaches during the week to htincoming@gmail.com. Readers can then vote in the online poll to determine the Boys Athlete of the Week.
The Herald-Tribune Boys Athlete of the Week sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network for Sept. 28-Oct. 3, 2026, was Manatee High football player Carter Fraser, who won the poll with 65 percent of the vote. After several players exited the game due to injury, Fraser stepped up, rushing for 49 yards on 13 carries with one score against Columbia.
A poll will
be posted at heraldtribune.com each Monday, and voting will end at 10 a.m. Friday each week.
The nominees for the week of Oct. 5-10, 2026 are:
Golf
Andy Dai, Saint Stephen's: Dai shot a 66 at the Donald Ross Memorial Tournament, the lowest score of the competition, helping Saint Stephen's to a first place finish.
Owen Paoli, Parrish Community: Paoli shot a 70 at the Donald Ross Memorial Tournament, tying for the third lowest score of the competition.
Alexander Makarewicz, Lakewood Ranch: Makarewicz placed fifth at the Donald Ross Memorial Tournament, shooting a 71. He helped Lakewood Ranch to a second place finish.
Football
Austin Bowman, Venice: Bowman had 170 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries in Venice's 49-14 win over Lakewood Ranch.
Louisen Desinor, Braden River: Desinor completed 11 of his 18 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, adding nine carries for 39 yards in Braden River's 31-0 win over Southeast.
Cameron Houston, Sarasota: Houston had three touchdowns in Sarasota's 34-20 win over Lehigh. He rushed for 65 yards and a score, adding three receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Ashton Kelly, Palmetto: Running back Ashton Kelly had three touchdowns and over 130 yards in Palmetto's 35-14 win over Manatee.
Swimming
Maddax Harlan, Riverview: Harlan placed first in the 100 backstroke with a 52.36 and the 100 fly with a 51.56 at the Tri-County Invitational.
Andrew Malaj, Sarasota: Malaj placed first in the 100 free, swimming a 47.37 at the Tri-County Invitational on Saturday. He also finished second in the 50 free, swimming a 21.96.
Daniel Snitkovsky, Lakewood Ranch: Snitkovsky finished first in the 100 breaststroke, swimming a 59.83. He also placed first in the 50 free with a 21.70 at the Tri-County Invitational.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VOTE: CFBHN/Herald-Tribune Boys Athlete of the Week for Oct. 5-10
