Sunday Centerpiece: FSU Women’s Sports Superlatives for 2018-19

It was another outstanding year in Florida State athletics and we’re less than two months away from beginning another one.

During a year in which the university celebrated 50 years of women’s athletics, FSU women’s programs combined to win four conference titles and for a second straight year, a national championship. The national champion, FSU soccer, claimed its second title in five years and will open the 2019-20 year against TCU on Aug. 22.

Before that happens, we look back on the 2018-19 year that was in women’s sports. Here’s a look at Florida State women’s sports superlatives for the past year:

Team of the Year: FSU soccer
After a somewhat disappointing regular season that led Florida State to be the No. 7 seed in the ACC Tournament, the Seminoles found their stride at the right time. FSU won its final nine matches to claim a second national championship in five years. Star Deyna Castellanos and ACC Freshman of the Year Yujie Zhao combined for 47 points during the 2018 season while in goal, Caroline Jeffers performed admirably over the final month of the season in place of the injured Brooke Bollinger.

After beating the top three seeds in the ACC Tournament to claim the conference crown, the Seminoles topped Loyola Chicago, South Florida, USC on penalty kicks and Penn State to advance to the College Cup. FSU opened its stay in Cary, North Carolina with a 2-0 shutout of Stanford to snap the Cardinal’s 45-match unbeaten streak. In the national championship match and a rematch of the ACC Championship, Dallas Dorosy scored on a sliding goal in the 60th minute for the only goal of the match. It was the seventh goal of the season and fifth goal of the postseason for Dorosy.

Athlete of the Year: Ka’Tia Seymour, FSU track and field

A sophomore sprinter, Ka’Tia Seymour claimed ACC indoor championships in the 60 and 200 meters and outdoor championships in both the 100 and 200 meters. During the NCAA Indoor Championships, Seymour claimed bronze in the 60 meters. At the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Seymour was a first-team All-American in three different events. Seymour was named the ACC Indoor Track Performer of the Year.

Freshman of the Year: Frida Kinhult, FSU golf

Frida Kinhult’s outstanding freshman year ended with her being ranked as the top amateur player in the world, according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Kinhult’s freshman season included a GolfStat Cup title and a first-team All-American designation from the Women’s Golf Coaches Association and Golfweek. The winner of two individual titles, Kinhult was a finalist for the Honda Sport Award, the ACC Freshman of the Year and the ACC Co-Player of the Year.

Most Improved Athlete of the Year: Cali Harrod, FSU softball

After hitting just .243 as a junior, shortstop Cali Harrod was the spark that ignited the high-powered Florida State offense in 2019. Harrod raised her average by more than 100 points, hitting .348 for the season with career-highs of 15 home runs, 41 RBIs and 63 hits. Harrod also scored an FSU record 73 runs and led the ACC with 43 stolen bases.

Coach of the Year: Sue Semrau, FSU basketball

The season wasn’t the best of Florida State women’s hoops coach Sue Semrau’s illustrious tenure, but the coaching job for the 2018-19 season may have been her best. The Seminoles entered the season having to replace 74 percent of their scoring, 71 percent of their rebounds and 69 percent of their assists. Still, the Seminoles managed to collect 24 wins, reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the seventh year in a row and win 10 games in ACC play for fifth straight season. FSU finished ranked for the fifth straight season

Performance of the Year: Meghan King, FSU softball, ACC Tournament

While Florida State softball was unable to return to the Women’s College World Series after winning its first national championship as a fastpitch program, the Seminoles did win a sixth straight ACC title. During the ACC Tournament, the Seminoles won three games in three days and redshirt senior pitcher Meghan King returned to postseason form. FSU outscored foes 17-0 over the three days while King picked up three wins. Over the three days in Tallahassee, King worked 17 shutout innings, allowing just 10 total hits and three walks while striking out 13 total.

Contest of the Year: FSU soccer defeating North Carolina for national championship (Dec. 2)

Less than a month after winning a 3-2 thriller over North Carolina in the ACC Championship, the teams met for the national championship in Cary for what was a de facto road game for FSU. The contest was scoreless for nearly 60 minutes before Dallas Dorosy broke through with a sliding goal on a shot assisted by Denya Castellanos. That would serve as the only goal in a 1-0 victory for FSU’s second national title in five years. Caroline Jeffers recorded a pair of saves in the victory.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.