Newsome’s Jaden Ruszkowski, who helped the Wolves vault up the national rankings this season, won the Jack and Barbara Thompson award as the top senior player in Hillsborough County. 

Ruszkowski, a Clemson signee, finished second on her team in hitting with a .500 average. The four-year starter hit above .400 every season of her high school career. She had some other impressive career numbers, including 28 doubles, 12 triples and nine home runs. 

Congratulations to Jadeyn Ruszkowsi from @HCPSNewsomeHS for being named this year’s Thompson Family Softball Player of the Year!@HillsboroughSch @TBTimes_Sports @SpecSports360 @BigCountyPreps1 @813Preps @Biggamebobby @katsmithsports pic.twitter.com/ofNPfWec3z

— HCPS Athletics (@HCPSAthletics) May 24, 2021

That production was a big reason Newsome was among the top teams in Hillsborough County — and the state. As a sophomore, Ruszkowski helped the Wolves reach the state championship game.

This season, Newsome started the season 24-0 before losing twice to eventual state champion Lakewood Ranch in the district final and region semifinals.