The Upper Keys Weekly is proud to partner with the Coral Shores’ Athletic Department in choosing “The Male and Female Athlete of the Week.” Recipients are chosen on qualifications of athletic excellence, academic standing and community involvement. We thank our future leaders and the CSHS Athletic Department for allowing us to share a little “Hurricane Pride.”
CARLY LINDBACK
Carly Lindback, a senior standout on the Coral Shores volleyball team, is the inaugural Upper Keys Weekly Female Athlete of the Week. Lindback, who plays opposite hitter, led her team to a huge comeback win over county rival Key West on Aug. 22 in Key West. She has been a starter and standout for the Hurricanes since 9th grade.
Lindback also stars in the classroom — with a 4.02 weighted grade point average — and she has been widely lauded for her exemplary work in various Upper Keys Foundation-Community Services initiatives. Lindback has been extremely active in her work with Special Olympics each of the past four years and is currently a member of the “Special Olympics Club.” She also helped spearhead a UKF-sponsored hurricane relief drive which collected a commercial truckload of supplies and almost $5,000, all of which was delivered to storm victims in the Panhandle of Florida.
In addition to playing volleyball for Coral Shores, Lindback plays club ball for The Tribe, in Pompano. “That is a huge commitment to drive that far from here,” said Canes head volleyball coach Kathy Ets-Hokin. “She trains with weights and a private trainer; she has always wanted to play in college. She is an exemplary role model of an athlete who goes the extra mile to improve her skills. She continues to be a force out on the court and she excels in the classroom with high grades while taking challenging AP and honors courses.”
“Carly comes from a family of outstanding athletes. Her parents understand the value of sports and they are extremely supportive of the team,” said Ets-Hokin. “Carly is always an asset to the volleyball team as a player and leader. She exhibits perseverance, determination and the will to win. Having her on the team has been a true pleasure and I can’t wait to see her play in college!”
On a related note, Lindback has decided on a college and will be signing her letter of intent in the coming weeks. The Upper Keys Weekly will cover that signing in a future edition.
Gage Dennis
Gage Dennis, a senior wide receiver and strong safety for the Coral Shores football team, is the first Upper Keys Weekly Male Athlete of the Week. Dennis, a three-year starter for the Canes, has led the team in receptions each of the first two games, collecting six passes for 42 yards against Coral Park and five passes for 81 yards against LaSalle at George M. Barley Jr. Stadium.
Dennis has received high praise from his coaches for his off-season training and his exemplary leadership. Defensive coordinator and associate head coach Herbert James said, “Gage has really stepped up as a leader. He’s been a very positive role model on and off the field. Gage understands all that goes into winning. He led our off-season training program and transported teammates to workouts on a daily basis.”
Head coach Alphonso Bryant added, “We are a very young team so the leadership and example Gage provides is invaluable.”
Dennis was also recognized for his efforts in The Upper Keys Foundation’s community service program. Most recently he has committed numerous hours to coral reef cleanup efforts, a mission he said is “close to my heart. My family owns Captain Pete’s Pro Shop and I work there every weekend, which has helped me to understand the critical importance of our coral reefs.” He also helped assemble work crews among football teammates after Hurricane Irma. They went “from house-to-house, just helping out any way we could.”
Dennis is also a standout on the boys weightlifting team at Coral Shores. Last year, Coral Shores’ first year in the sport, Gage advanced to regionals by bench pressing 225 pounds, the top press for the district in the 145-pound division.
