Fairhope teenager captures world personal watercraft championship; local college athletes honored

A 13-year-old student at Fairhope Middle School has earned a world championship on personal watercraft, capping a breakout 2021 season on the water.

Gary Holbein Jr. secured the world title in the Junior Ski Stock 10-12 class at the Pro Watercross World Championships in Naples, Florida, winning all three of his races. He had earlier finished second at the International Jet Sports Boating Association World Finals in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and locked up a national championship in the Junior 10-12 Ski division with a commanding points lead.

“I am elated about winning the World Championships,” the young rider said. He trains with Junior Stars of Florida, a nonprofit that teaches children safe personal watercraft operation.

The Southern States Athletic Conference honored University of Mobile standouts following its championship tournaments. Binaghi, the Rams’ forward, was named SSAC Men’s Soccer Player of the Year and claimed the Golden Boot, while Paredes earned national attention with a bicycle-kick game-winner against Faulkner that landed on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Top 10. The Rams advanced in the NAIA playoffs with a 3-0 opening-round win.

On the women’s side, the Rams’ libero closed her career with more than 1,400 digs and was named SSAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year. Mobile finished 24-6 overall, with Rachel Hart and Sarah Warren earning first-team all-conference recognition.

Spring Hill College sophomore Taylor Fontenelle, a Spanish Fort native, was named SIAC Libero of the Year after averaging 4.15 digs per set. She was joined on the all-conference roster by Kassandra Fairly and Emily Weinzapfel as the Badgers prepared for the NCAA Division II South Regional.

The University of Mobile competes in the NAIA as a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference. Spring Hill College competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.