Fort Worth-area high school sports girls athlete of the year, honorable mentions, more

Many high school athletes made their mark in the 2023-24 athletic season, but a few stood above the rest.

Presenting the 2023-24 Star-Telegram girls high school sports individual award recipients:

Athlete of the Year: Kalani Lawson, Dunbar

When Dunbar’s Kalani Lawson entered her junior year, she had already set the record in the Class 4A 100 meter hurdles. Her accomplishments were legendary.

To raise the bar, she had to best the most elite hurdles athlete in Class 4A: herself. She delivered another historic season with the Wildcats , setting a record once again with a 13.89 time.

Dr. Lisa Langston, the Fort Worth ISD Director of Athletics, said she “truly shined.”

“She set her sights on surpassing last year’s performance at the state meet, and she absolutely delivered,” Langston said. “Not only did she win the gold medal, but she also broke the state Conference 4A Girls 100m Hurdles record for the second year in a row.”

Lawson’s accomplishments are extraordinary, especially considering she still has one more year of high school remaining. Many athletes in the Fort Worth are can claim to be dominant, and so can Lawson.

But Lawson’s accomplishments go beyond dominance. Her abilities make her a once in a generation athlete. Before she set the new record in her sophomore season, the previous record stood since 1996.

“Kalani also played a key role in her team’s success, running the 2nd leg of the Dunbar’s state bronze medal 4x100m Relay,” Langston said. “Kalani’s achievements serve as a shining example of resilience, self-belief, and diligent pursuit of one’s aspirations. I am truly proud of Kalani and inspired by her dedication to achieving her goals through hard work.”

Lawson, representing Fort Worth ISD and the Wildcats, could hold her own against athletes in any classification.

Moving forward, Lawson will continue to raise the bar. Dunbar head coach Leah Matthews said her training and abilities haven’t peaked.

“Kalani is a phenomenal athlete and an even better young lady,” Matthews said. “Her commitment to improve at each practice explains her record breaking season. She is the type of athlete that you enjoy to coach because you know she is going to give her best and leave it all on the track.”

Honorable Mention: Suli Davis, Colleyville Heritage volleyball

Davis, a BYU commit, is one of the most high profile volleyball recruits in the nation and for good reason. In her junior season, she led Colleyville Heritage to the state tournament and was named the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 5A Player of the Year.

She was named to the Class 5A All-State First team. Davis, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, is also a member of the USA Volleyball U19 National Team.

Honorable Mention: Camille Williams, Boswell basketball

Williams is the Star-Telegrams 2023-2024 High School Basketball Player of the Year . She led Boswell to the regional finals averaging 19.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

She was named the District 3-6A MVP and set a high standard within Boswell basketball with energetic, scrappy play. Williams’ productive junior campaign resulted in an an All-State selection.

Readers’ Choice Athlete of the Year: Sadie Beck, Keller

Keller’s Sadie Beck , grouped with the most elite girls athletes in the Fort Worth-area , received the most online votes in the Star-Telegram readers’ choice player of the year poll.

Beck built a strong resume over the last year with Keller softball, and went toe to toe with the best in Texas’ largest classification. Softball teams tend to lay a heavy burden on ace pitchers, and Beck shouldered a lot of responsibility.

She started every playoff game for the Indians inside the circle, leading them to the regional finals. Keller lost to Denton Guyer , but Beck was able to secure one game with some heroics. In the pouring rain, she held Guyer’s elite offense to one run to extend her team’s season.

Beck finished with a 1.96 ERA, 24 wins and a whopping 266 strikeouts. As a hitter, she had a .407 batting average and drove home 31 runs. She had 48 base hits and also hit three home runs.

She was named the District 4-6A MVP and will continue her career at Tarleton State. Keller head coach Chad Cribbs, the Star-Telegram’s Softball Coach of the Year, had high praise for Beck.

“I feel fortunate that I got to be here with her,” Cribbs said. “I was here the whole time. The kid is a competitor. She battles. 500 strikeouts. I couldn’t ask for more. I love her to death. And she is going to be great in college. A coach is so lucky to have someone like that. She respects the game, works hard and holds herself accountable.”