Riverhead's Carolyn Carrera named 2013 Wendy's High School Heisman winner

Riverhead senior Carolyn Carrera was named New York’s female State Winner of the 2013 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, given annually to one male and one female student, nationally, for excellence in athletics, academics and community leadership.

One male and one female athlete from each state and the District of Columbia were selected as state winners Monday. Carrera and John McCarthy of Corning-Painted Post West High School were the two winners from New York, having been chosen from a pool of 48,000 applicants in the state.

Last month, 10 male and 10 female athletes from New York were named state finalists, including five from Long Island: Carrera, Erin Neville (Commack), Kathleen Ford (South Side), Darren Davy (West Hempstead) and Brian Keohane (Mepham).

Of the 102 state winners named Monday, 12 will be chosen as national finalists and compete for the title on Dec. 13. National finalists will be featured during a televised ceremony on ESPN and will receive gold medals and $2,000 awards for their high schools.

One male and one female national winner will receive a crystal Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy and a $500 gift certificate to Wendy’s. The fast-food chain also will donate $10,000 to each winner’s high school. Additionally, the winners will be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy announcement on ESPN Dec. 14.