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Sports Gala names 4 more honorees

Levar Fisher, a former NFL defensive back, is among honorees for the National Sports Gala to benefit the Marco Island YMCA.

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Levar Fisher, a former NFL defensive back, is among honorees for the National Sports Gala to benefit the Marco Island YMCA.

Four more honorees have been announced for the National Sports Gala at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort on Nov. 15.

Overall, 20 past, present and future sports personalities who have made significant contributions to the world of sports will receive the National Sports Achievement Medal.

New honorees are Kevin Bouis, Florida Firecats coach, Annie Castellano, semifinalist of NBC’s American Gladiator, Levar Fisher, former NFL linebacker with the Arizona Cardinals and Lauren Embree, honored as the High School Girl Athlete of the Year.

Bouis marks his fourth season as head coach with this AF2 franchise. In just three seasons he has an impressive 40-13 record. Prior to becoming head coach, he served as Firecats defensive coordinator on two Arena Cup teams, winning the championship in 2004. A former player with the National Football League’s Mississippi Firedogs, he helped his team win two league championships.

Castellano, is a multi-sport athlete. Presently enrolled in Columbia College in Chicago for Performing Arts School. She played soccer as a striker and center midfield at St. John Neumann High School in Naples. The team captain, she received the Athletic Spirit Award. A Muay Thai Kickboxing athlete since 2006, she was a fan favorite on the Gladiator show.

Fisher, NFL linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, was drafted in the second round in 2002 and played the 2005-2006 season with the New Orleans Saints. His college career at North Carolina State was impressive where he was a three-time All American and three- time All Athletic Coast Conference honoree. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, he led the nation in tackles and was a Butkus Award finalist.

Embree, selected as the High School Girls Athlete of the Year, has been highly-ranked in Florida tennis since the age of 13. She is currently ranked at the top in USTA girls 18 and under. The winner of nine national titles and one professional event, the 17-year-old Lely High senior will play tennis for the University of Florida.

Four sports personalities previously announced include Marco’s Mercedes Farhat, a 2008 Olympic participant in Beijing, China who represented Libya in the swimming competition; Jennifer E. Bate, Canadian and U.S. National Champion in equestrian competition; Johan Kriek, professional tennis player of international stature and Herman Weaver, 11-year NFL punter with the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.

The National Sports Gala is being hosted by the Marco Island YMCA, which will be the recipient of funds realized from the event. The sports personalities will be seated at every table of 10 guests.

There will be a silent auction, featuring sports memorabilia, hotel accommodations, fishing trips, vacations, restaurant meals, merchandise, travel and a myriad of gift packages. There also will be a cocktail social with all the honorees.

Tickets are $150 a person and are available, along with sponsor opportunities, by calling Leslie Drake at the Marco Island YMCA, 394-3144, ext. 205, or e-mailing Leslie@marcoislandymca.org.

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