Goleman seniors Gabriella Sallai and Danny Xie have been named the school’s Top Scholar Athletes by Athletic director Jay Flinchum for their outstanding academic achievements and athletic talent.
Both Xie and Sallai are bowlers and badminton players and have played together in teams since their sophomore year. Both are also tied for the top GPA of the school at an estimated 6.13.
Sallai has gone to states for bowling all 4 years of her participation in the team and was the top individual district champion with an average of 130. Xie averages 115 in bowling and both Xie and Sallai placed in 4th for the county in badminton doubles for sophomore and junior year. Each are named in their respective boys and girls doubles teams for first place in the county.
“I’m really amazed at their growth and how they stayed with the sports and how they improved. They practice hard and I’m amazed at their academic achievements even more,” said Flinchum.
Sallai was also a named a Posse Scholar and will be attending Franklin and Marshall College in the fall. Xie plans to attend University of Florida and recently completed a STEM program at the university.
Debbie Perez, the boys and girls coach for bowling and badminton at Goleman said “They work very hard and they both are very humble. They do well in school and out of school. They get to go to class and get frustrated with their projects, then they come out and beat the birdie in badminton and so that’s a good stress relief.”