5 Super Athletes With Ties To Plant City

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Plant City area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Johni Broome (Basketball)

A rising star in college basketball, Johni Broome honed his skills at Plant City High School before transferring to Tampa Catholic, where he was named Hillsborough County Player of the Year. He began his collegiate career at Morehead State, quickly making an impact as OVC Freshman of the Year and tournament MVP. After two standout seasons, he transferred to Auburn, where he has continued to dominate in the SEC with his rebounding, shot-blocking, and scoring ability.

2. Parker Messick (Baseball)

A Plant City native, Parker Messick established himself as one of Florida’s top baseball talents at Plant City High School, earning the title of Florida Mr. Baseball. He continued his success at Florida State, where he was named ACC Freshman of the Year and Pitcher of the Year. Drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Messick is now working his way through the minor leagues as a promising left-handed pitcher.

3. Clay Roberts (Soccer)

Plant City High School alum Clay Roberts has left a lasting impact on soccer, both as a player and coach. After playing professionally for the Charlotte Eagles and winning a championship with the Philadelphia KiXX, he transitioned into coaching, where he has led teams at various levels, including Southeastern University and the Florida Tropics. A two-time Sun Conference Coach of the Year, Roberts has also been recognized as Coach of the Year in the Major Arena Soccer League for his leadership in building winning programs.

4. Megan Still (Softball)

Megan Still is a former softball player, first making a name for herself as a standout pitcher at Plant City High School. Shel built an impressive career at Saint Leo University, where she was a key player in the Sunshine State Conference. Over four seasons, she led her team in wins, complete games and strikeouts, earning All-Conference honors.

5. Tracy Otto (Paralympic Archery)

Tracy Otto’s journey to the Paralympics is a testament to resilience and determination. After surviving a life-altering attack that left her paralyzed from the chest down, the Plant City native discovered a passion for archery and trained relentlessly to qualify for Team USA. Otto later represented the United States in para-archery at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, becoming the only woman on the team.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.