Morrison and Roderiques are Farragut honorees

By Steve Williams

Two talented sophomores – Elsa Morrison and Ty Roderiques – have been chosen Student-Athletes of the Year at Farragut High.

The 5-foot-11 Morrison was the District 4-3A Sophomore of the Year and first team All-District in volleyball.

In softball, Elsa is one of the top high school players in the nation and was recently named the Gatorade Tennessee Softball Player of the Year. She's now a finalist for the Gatorade national award.

Morrison hit 23 home runs this season, which was one short of the state record, and was so respected for her power that opposing teams walked her (usually intentionally) 51 times.

Elsa only struck out twice and finished with a .596 batting average that also included 15 doubles. She scored 52 runs, drove in 72 and stole seven bases.

Morrison had a .740 on-base percentage and a 1.511 slugging percentage.

Defensively, Elsa allowed only four stolen bases and threw out seven of 11.     "She is also one of the best defensive catchers that I've ever seen play the game," said Farragut Sports Information Director Jack Tate, who is a former high school head baseball coach.

In the classroom, Morrison had a weighted 4.04 grade point average.

She also is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and helps in the community by volunteering as a youth softball coach.

Ty Roderiques, the school's male honoree, won the state championship in gymnastics this year and recently won the national championship in the vault event in Oklahoma City. Ty took third place overall in the United States (six combined events).

"After watching numerous videos of his performances, Ty is one of the most talented athletes that I've watched in over 40 years of seeing high school athletes," said Tate.

Roderiques is a two-time academic All-American.

"He was also terrific as an actor/singer in Farragut High School's musical theater performance of Mama Mia back in the fall," said Tate, who teaches Film Studies at FHS.

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