Shadow Hills pitcher Ava Valenzuela is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Ava Valenzuela has had quite a career here at Shadow Hills. She’s not only a great player but does whatever it takes to win, which makes her a one-of-a-kind player. “She knows her role, and she accepts it, and she excels at it,”
Palm Desert pitcher/ first baseman Zach Gibbs is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Zach Gibbs is quite a versatile player. He’s a pitcher, catcher, first base, and third baseman, but his versatility, well, that doesn’t define him as a baseball player. It is his competitive drive that makes him a one-of-a-kind player. “I’m going
Desert Mirage left wing Sebastian Ortiz is this week’s student athlete of the week. “He’s very respectful, he’s calm, he doesn’t scream or yell,” head coach Jorge Chavez said. “He’s very patient, and, if you see in the interview, he’s relaxed, and that’s what makes him a great captain.” Sebastian Ortiz has always been committed
Coachella Valley girls soccer center back Savannah Rivera is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Being a captain for two different teams is nothing short of special; just ask Savannah Rivera. “It’s a relief, and it’s also like an accomplishment because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to become a leader,” Rivera said. Being on
La Quinta Girls water polo wing Amaris Martinez is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “She wasn’t one to really be vocal about anything,” head coach Greg Garczynski said. “Just very quiet and kind of went about her way and just continued to work hard, and it was definitely obvious to us coaches that we
Rancho Mirage guard Vincent Davis is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Here at Rancho Mirage High School, Vincent Davis is the definition of a great student-athlete. He’s been the captain for the past three years, is the homecoming king, and has a 4.6 GPA, but Davis ‘s never really been satisfied because he continues
Palm Desert wrestler Mia Navarro is this week’s student-athlete of the week. At Palm Desert High School, senior standout Mia Navarro is not your average wrestler coming in and competing in the 100-pound weight class, but she never let her size affect her to give her all to be the very best. “I think sometimes
Desert Christian Academy center Hannah Shaver is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “She’s really a conqueror through and through,” head coach Zach Devane said. “She’s done her own work on her own time as far as playing club and committing time during volleyball season and in the spring and whatnot. When you want to
Coachella Valley point guard Franky Aguirre is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “He has grown as a player on and off the court, as a leader,” head coach Mike Rodriguez said. “His maturity has been beyond my expectations for this year. Taking his team or taking the team on his back and setting the
Rancho Mirage center back Bryan Osorio is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “We’re blessed with the talent,” head coach Carlos Calixto said. “They love to play together. It makes our practice much easier because the level is there, and so our practices flow a lot better and faster.” Scoring 12 goals in the past
Palm Springs point guard Jayse Creavalle is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Jayse Creavalle has really done it all here at Palm Springs High School. He’s a three-year starter and a three-time first-team, all-league player, but head coach Chris Howard knew he would be a star from the jump. “I mean, just as far
Coachella Valley center midfielder Aida Sanchez is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “A lot of times with her, it’s just kind of letting her take the lead with actions,” head coach Francisco Morales said. “Not necessarily just constantly being told what to do because her own instincts of how she leads the team and
Indio guard Jeremy Corona-Rodriguez is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Jeremy Corona Rodriguez, or who the Rajahs call beast, lives up to the name on the football field and hardwood as, the transition to excel in both sports is quite simple for the senior guard. “I’ve always been ready for basketball,” Rodriguez said. “Football
Rancho Mirage running back Jeremiah Williams is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Jeremiah Williams is an electrifying player and a smart student with a 4.1 GPA, but his work ethic that he puts on the field and in the classroom is what makes him a student of the game. “His football IQ is very,
Palm Desert senior attacker William Walz is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “He’s just gone from this young, you know, not-so-confident boy to a mature young man who’s become a leader inside and outside of the pool,” head coach Michelle Valovic said. “It’s been a really fun thing to watch.” William Walz is the
Shadow Hills cross country standout Julia Fernandez is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “Once you’re a champion, you’re always a champion, and in track, like I said, she’s done everything that we’ve asked,” head coach Richie DeTamble said. “We needed a jumper. She jumped. We need a hurdler. She hurdled, and she’s kind of
Palm Springs tennis player Madison Barrick is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “She’s resilient. She doesn’t give up. She plays hard until the game is over,” head coach Sergio Rodriguez said. Those are the three qualities that define Madison Barrick, but her drive to be the best comes from the people who are closest to her.
Xavier Prep safety/wide receiver Austin McDanel is this week’s student-athlete of the week. For every football team, there are always a couple of players that play both ways and can really do it all, and one of those players for Xavier Prep is Austin McDanel. “I think, like we’ve always talked about Austin, his intelligence,
Coachella Valley outside hitter Leslie Delgado is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “She came in as a freshman. She was just a quiet, shy little girl, you know,” head coach Carlos Contreras said. “The only reason she came out here was because her mom liked volleyball, and so she came out here trying to
Cathedral City left tackle Isaac Calderon is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Isaac Calderon is an offensive lineman who lives up to his position and keeps pushing forward both on and off the field. “The people that I work with, people like my teammates, and the feeling of accomplishment just really drives me,” Calderon
La Quinta wide receiver/defensive back Payton Reynolds is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Payton Reynolds is a star on both sides of the field for La Quinta, and his upbringing comes from the work he puts on the field. “It’s really just all mental,” Reynolds said. “You can put anything you put your mind
Palm Desert libero Sienna Acosta is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “She has been working really, really hard this off-season,” head coach Melissa Walker said. “So being able to see that improvement this year for us, it’s been such a huge blessing, and I’m really excited for her this year.” Sienna Acosta, a libero
Xavier Prep girls volleyball setter Juliette, aka “Juju” Rothe, is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Juju Rothe has been very grateful to be alongside her dad at Xavier Prep. However, her dad acting as a coach is what pushes her to give it her all on the court. “You want to do well for
Indio girls volleyball setter Mackenzie Morin is this week’s student-athlete of the week. A leader and a star are the two words used to describe Mackenzie Morin at Indio High School, but where she is now comes from her drive to be better. “I work really hard for it,” Morin said. “I have so much
Coachella Valley running back Aaron Ramirez is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “A word that describes him as a person is determined, and I think that’s him as an athlete and as an individual,” head coach Bill Johnson said. “I think he’s determined to meet goals, to push through difficult times. He takes on
Congratulations to Sienna Rodriguez and Jayvin Baxa! Congrats to our 2023-2024 Student Athletes of the Year, Sienna Rodriguez and Jayvin Baxa!Rodriguez – Indio, 4 sports, 4.37 GPABaxa – La Quinta, baseball, 4.4 GPA My Thai is awarding $1,000 to each high school for their efforts. Watch the full interview tonight on @KESQ! pic.twitter.com/usgu9mwUjl— Blake Arthur
Palm Desert baseball shortstop Tyler Barsess is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Being on the varsity team for all four years, Barness worked day in and day out to reach his goal. “I think just experience,” Barsness said. “When I started playing as a freshman, everyone was bigger than me and I was intimidated,
Cathedral City High School softball pitcher Guadalupe Castro is this week’s student-athlete of the week. As the Lions reached the playoffs for the first time in the school’s history, the people closest to Castro helped her achieve that goal. “What pushes me is my family,” Castro said. “They’re the ones who motivate me to get
La Quinta baseball shortstop Jayvin Baxa is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Jayvin Baxa, a competitor and leader for the Blackhawks, says his faith drives him to excel both on and off the field. “It goes back to God. All glory goes to God,” Baxa said. “I just try to do my best to
Indio Boys’ volleyball outside hitter Jordan Dickens is this week’s student-athlete of the week. As Indio claimed the DVL title in its inaugural season, Dickens takes in every moment, especially for his final year with the Rajahs. “It feels amazing. I mean, my team worked really hard to get here and from now on, we