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Austin Area Athletes Shine In 2018-2019; End Year With Poll Wins

Every week, VYPE hosts a poll to highlight top athletic achievers. Check out the recent winners, and some of the credentials that got them to that point.

Lake Travis' Nick Villarreal (Top Returning VYPE Austin UIL 4A-6A Linebacker)

Why he's deserving:

1. Won the Sun & Ski Sports Poll with 14,489 of the 37,291 total votes.

2. The 2020 all-state talent slowed down opponents in Lake Travis' run to the 2018 UIL 6A Division I state semifinal.

Lockhart's Caleb Jennings (Top Returning VYPE Austin UIL 4A-6A Defensive Back)

Why he's deserving:

1. Won the VYPE Films Poll with 18,711 of the 43,533 total votes.

2. The versatile 2020 all-district player helped Lockhart earn a trio of wins in a tough UIL 14-5A Division II district in 2018.

Hyde Park's Avalon Sanchez (VYPE Austin Private School Softball Player of the Year)

Why she's deserving:

1. Won the VYPE Films Poll with 89.87% of the total vote.

2. The 2020 talent has received three straight TAPPS Division II second-team all-state honors.

Milano's Devonte Jones (VYPE Austin UIL Boys Track Athlete of the Year)

Why he's deserving:

1. Won the VYPE Films Poll with 26,115 of the 63,759 total votes.

2. The senior helped his team win its second straight UIL 2A state title by earning four medals at 2019's state meet: 100 meter dash (gold), long jump (silver), 4X200 meter relay (silver) and 300 meter hurdles (bronze)

Austin St. Michael's Catholic Academy's Nora Carlson (Top VYPE Austin Private School Volleyball Prospect)

Why she's deserving:

1. Won the Sun & Ski Sports Poll with 94.77% of the total vote.

2. The 2021 TAPPS player jumped on the scene with a sophomore year all-state honor in 2018.

Thorndale's Madison Smith (Top VYPE Austin Public School Volleyball Prospect)

Why she's deserving:

1. Won the Sun & Ski Sports Poll with 72.71% of the total vote.

2. The breakout junior earned a first-team all-region honor and a second-team all-state nod in 2018.

Hutto's Dajon Harrison (Top 2019 VYPE Austin Football Prospect to Watch)

Why he's deserving:

1. Won the Sun & Ski Sports Poll with 4,150 of the 9,194 total votes.

2. The former 2020 TCU commit also has offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Boston College, Colorado State, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisiana, New Mexico, Rice, Texas Southern and Texas State.

For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VypeATX) on Twitter.

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