With our 2008-09 Athletes of the Year now announced, let's look at some of the early candidates for 2009-10. Today, the girls; Tuesday, the boys.
Keep in mind, to be eligible an athlete must be a senior and all-area in at least two sports.
A few who quickly come to mind (and feel free to post others we should keep in mind):
Eaton Rapids' Dani Crandall -- It's easy to understand how her amazing athleticism has transferred into all-area accolades already in volleyball, basketball and soccer. She's also verbally committed to play hoops at Grand Valley State after graduation.
Okemos' Whitney Turner -- Like Crandall, an all-area Dream Team basketball selection as a junior, Turner is also a top track thrower and a Division I college basketball prospect.
Portland's Sierra Riker and Williamston's Kelsey Grace -- Both were all-state softball players this spring, and could be among the area's top basketball guards next winter.
Williamston's Emma Drenth/Grand Ledge's Jennifer Snelgrove -- Either could emerge as the area's dominant distance runner for both cross country and track.
Potterville's Kaila Cook and Dansville's Emily Walker -- Small-school athletes have definitely been represented with these awards (Leslie's Trent Page this year, Dansville's Lindsay Bowen and Bath's Amy Vietzke among those in the past), and these two are three-sport standouts. Walker will be key in volleyball, basketball and soccer, while Cook in the first two and track.
High school sports editor 
