Top 10 female athletes (Sept. 1999 to present)

Blogger's note: The following is the fifth in a series commemorating the best in local high sports of the past decade. Today's topic – best female athletes.

10. Brittany Taylor, Canon-McMillan
Part of a trio which included Natasha Williams (on the basketball team at Akron) and Cameron Jones (an incredible athlete who stopped playing sports before her senior year at C-M), Taylor was an exceptional talent when healthy. Whether it was volleyball, basketball or track, Taylor excelled at all three. On full scholarship at Ohio Valley University for basketball.

9. Shellie Cotton, Charleroi
The 2001 Observer-reporter Girls Athlete of the Year, Cotton was an outstanding soccer player who led the Cougars to back-to-back PIAA Class AA championship appearances in 1999 and 2000. Her 199 goals are a Pennsylvania girls high school record. Cotton was also a basketball standout.

8. Stephanie Kuhn, Ringgold
The 2003 O-R Girls Athlete of the Year, Kuhn was another three-sport standout (soccer, basketball and track). Kuhn received a full ride from Robert Morris for track and soccer. She was a multiple NCAA-qualifier in the javelin. At the high school level, Kuhn scored more than 50 goals and holds the school record with 52 assists.

7. Rachel Rohanna, Waynesburg
A freshman at Ohio State University, Rohanna carved a golfing legacy within the borders of Greene County. Besides golfing with (and often beating) the boys, Rohanna won two WPIAL and PIAA individual championships. In addition, she was a four-year starter the softball team.

6. Jocelyn Floyd, Washington
At one point during her senior basketball season, Floyd recorded six consecutive triple-doubles. In each game, she topped double figures in points, rebounds and steals. A member of Duquesne University's basketball team, Floyd is arguably the best defensive basketball player Washington County has seen. She was also contributed heavily to the softball team.

5. Amanda Kennedy, Bentworth
Kennedy, part of the Marshall University track team and the 2009 O-R Girls Athlete of the Year, had yet to graduate from Bentworth and was already being called the greatest female athlete in school history. Hard to argue. Kennedy was an All-WPIAL talent in volleyball, the Bearcats' record holder in rebounds and the first athlete in Bentworth history to win multiple PIAA track and field medals.

4. Paige McMenamin, Peters Township
These days, McMenamin is winning national championships as part of the Northwestern University women's lacrosse team. During the 2006-07 school year, McMenamin put together one dominating performance after another. Besides being one of the WPIAL's premier field hockey players, McMenamin led Peters Township to a WPIAL lacrosse championship and earned All-America status. She was also the 2007 O-R Girls Athlete of the Year.

3. Brianna Liebold, Chartiers-Houston
Whether it was soccer or track, Liebold's considerable abilities drew considerable attention during her days at Chartiers-Houston. The most recent track great from Washington County, Liebold won four PIAA gold medals (two long jump, two triple jump) and remains among the top 12 in WPIAL history in each event. The 2006 O-R Girls Athlete of the Year, scored 139 goals in soccer.

2. Jaci Timko, Chartiers-Houston
Timko's offensive production may never be matched. A three-time O-R Softball player of the Year, Timko hit 32 home runs during her four years with the Bucs. She batted over .500 with a near .700 on-base percentage and a slugging percentage over 1.000. Timko played in one state championship game and helped C-H win three consecutive WPIAL Class A titles. Timko's softball abilities landed her in Sports Illustrated.

1. Charel Allen, Monessen
Allen left Monessen with one state title and an amazing 3,110 points. That total ranks second in WPIAL history (to fellow Greyhounds great Gina Naccarato) and fifth in state history. Allen went on to Notre Dame, where she was a team captain and a two-time All-Big East first-teamer. She played one year in the WNBA with Sacramento.