How would you describe her as an athlete?  “As an athlete, she’s scrappy. This is her second year so we’re really developing on her technique right now,” said Indio head coach Miguel Villalobos. “And trying to focus on her aggressiveness on the mat. She’s doing a good job with us and she won the league

“So, I met Messiah when I first got hired on here in January, you know, kind of started getting knowing the kids and just kind of filling out who they are as a person. When we got out out here on February, started to see what kind of athletes we have. He was by far

How would you describe him as a football player? “Hard worker, determined, tenacious,” said Palm Desert head coach Rudy Forti. “Just gets after it.”  Dawson Johnson is a football enthusiast. He didn’t find football, football found him.  “I never really played football growing up. I grew up in Canada,” said Johnson. “So a big soccer family,

“He has a great arm in this pool. He’s really in the last three years developed the core strength and his power that he comes off of there. It’s hard for the other team’s goalies to stop once he gets it,” said Gundlach.  Riley Reyes didn’t initially start in the pool at Shadow Hills, but

That is Sage Baricza front and center. The senior cheer captain for Palm Desert and a spirit enthusiast.  “I’ve been cheerleading for 14 years and I got started in a sport that’s a little bit different than high school cheer. I got started in all-star cheerleading when I was four years old,” said Baricza. “My mom

“Come on Miranda lets go, lets go!”  That is Shadow Hills cross country head coach Richie DeTamble encouraging their senior powerhouse. Miranda Salcedo has waited her turn to take over the one spot for the Knights. “Miranda is one of those that doesn’t ask questions and just puts in the work. Well, when I say

“I was going to be a single player, but then the coaches thought that we play together. So, then we became partners last year,” said Lorena Parra-Hernandez.  “We were fighting for the number three spot for singles and then we ended up as the number one doubles,” said Mia Castillo.  “Both of them are very, extremely likable.

“The guys that go to Sacred Heart you are hoping or expecting that they come to Xavier. Doesn’t always work out like that. But Angie is a great lady and she brought Kyle to our school,” said XP head coach James Dockery. “He’s been a great ambassador on and off the field for Xavier, and

“The main reason I came to this school was because of their sports program,” said senior golf captain Madison Siva.  “She is a gritty player. She tries her best and she doesn’t let a whole lot bother her,” said head coach Debbie Koyama.  “I think the most important shot is the next one. So, if

Tennis is mostly an individual sport, but in high school it takes a collective effort. Here at La Quinta Julianna Guerrero has been a solid four-year starter.   “I love it here at La Quinta. I love my team, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” said Guerrero.  “A talented freshman you could see the

Rajahs girls volleyball doesn’t rebuild, they reload. And this season is senior Joselin Martinez’s time to shine. “I expect for her to have some great, amazing, memorable plays out there,” said Indio head coach Meagan Nolasco. “Some great kills. She’s a force at the net with her big block. So, I expect her to be

The Palm Desert girls volleyball team is led by southpaw standout Dakota Minker, a force at the net and a true competitor.  “Her being a senior, her being a lefty, and her being a returner. That’s huge in the volleyball world,” said Palm Desert Volleyball coach Melissa Walker. “Her leadership skills are incredible. She’s able to

La Quinta High School Cross-Country “He came out freshman year in track and that’s where I met him. He had two races and the first race he went it was funny,” said La Quinta Cross Country head coach Candy Felix. Our Student Athlete of the Week segment returns tonight and our first senior to be

Update 6/11/23 Congratulations to our Student-Athlete of the Year winners: Marjourie Lopez of Shadow Hills High School Tristan Mulahusejnovic of Palm Desert High School Original Article: Blake Arthur and Bailey Arredondo have featured local high school seniors throughout the 2022-2023 school year with the “Student-Athlete of the Week” segment. From this year’s seniors who were

Tristan Mulahusejnovic is a triple threat athlete. Dazzled on the track, grinded on the field, and dominated on the pitch. Tristan was built for this.  “When I started walking my Grandfather took it on himself that I had to play sports,” said Mulahusejnovic. “I actually started with ballet and then I went into swimming, tennis,

“She was not a natural born runner. She was a volleyball player that came out for track with her friends and she just got really inspired,” said Shadow Hills T&F head coach Richie DeTamble. “Put in all the dedication and hard work and now we are here.”  Lopez was born to run competitively. It just

“I grew up with these coaches so I already knew when I got to my freshman year I was going to start my experience at Coachella Valley high school,” said Jolene Miramontes.  “I knew her when she was young and she came in and made varsity as a freshman and has been a pleasure for

“He started out with me last year and he grew tremendously,” said Miguel Nolasco. “Last year my number one and this year still my number one. He has grown a lot as a team player and helps me out on drills.”  “It’s been great. These two years have been really fun and the coaches are

Indio might be the most passionate school and fan base here in the desert. Rajah baseball has emphasized the family environment this season and who else better to lead that charge than twin brothers Isaiah and Josh Mendoza.  “They came in the program two years ago and ever since it’s been a coach’s dream. They

La Quinta track and field is always competing for league championships. We’ve seen some of the top track athletes come out of this program. But this year they have a unique talent, senior Hayden McKee who does it all.  “He’s got really good hops and he does it effortlessly. So immediately made him into a

We’re back on the baseball field, a field that’s produced a lot of great talent. Aztec baseball is always in the hunt in the DEL and this season senior Arturo Rodriguez is leading the way and is dangerous inside the batter’s box.  “It’s the team. The environment made me love baseball,” said senior Arturo Rodriguez.

La Quinta softball has been a perennial powerhouse. The Blackhawks are currently riding a 29-game win streak in the DEL, and senior Kassidy Munoz is a big reason why.  “I started when I was 7 years old,” said senior captain Kassidy Munoz. “Never had a break and went straight into it. I grew up on

“I’ve always been competitive. Even if it’s in the classroom,” said Shadow Hills senior Michael DeTamble. “You always want to be the best. I don’t see the point of not wanting to be the best.”  That’s the mindset of senior track standout Michael DeTamble who is coached by his Dad Richie at Shadow Hills. But

Check out this schedule. Golf in the Fall, soccer in the Winter, and track and field in the Spring. That’s the life of senior Haylie Hutchinson. One of the top student-athletes at La Quinta high school.  “She’s the school recorder holder in the 300 meter hurdles,” said La Quinta head coach Brian Ansley. “Her first

One year ago, Palm Desert’s Beau Mantanona lost in the CIF State championship wrestling match. Some say it was questionable but that was then and this is now. A year’s worth of the sour taste fueled Beau to get what was his. In February, Mantanona won the state title, this time with absolutely no doubt.  “It

Starting off our Spring sports season with a little bit of sand. Who doesn’t love the beach? Palm Desert’s Sophia Gilbert sure does. An indoor volleyball player that was given another opportunity to play the sport she loves. All thanks to the efforts of Palm Desert and Xavier Prep athletics.  “The Xavier Prep coach and

Senior captain Ryann Van Horn has been a spotlight for the Aztecs. Soccer run through the blood.  “My Dad is really into soccer and my Mom was a soccer player in high school,” said Van Horn. “But we started off at ASO. My Mom was my coach, and then we did PDYSL where I made

Reece Speer started swimming competitively when she was 6 years old.  Fast forward to now, she led the Indians water polo team to 18 wins and back-to-back playoff appearances.  “She’s one of those people that makes her corner of the world better. In the classroom, leading the student body at Palm Springs high school and also

Dewayne Patterson is a walking bucket. The senior point guard for Rancho Mirage says he didn’t choose basketball, basketball chose him.  “What’s there not to love,” said Patterson. “You bounce the ball and it bounces right back to you. It’s one of the most loyal things in the world.” Don’t normally shoot these anymore but