GILROY—With all the talent coming out of Gilroy High this year, it was difficult for its athletic department to chose just one male and one female Senior Athlete of the Year—so the Mustangs chose two.
Swimmer Anna Brolin and field hockey’s Emma Leach were named the co-female Senior Athletes of the Year, while wrestlers and sparring partners Paul Fox and Nikko Villarreal shared the male honor during the Gilroy High Sports Awards banquet June 1 at the school.
For the wrestlers, it was the icing on cake of their stellar senior seasons.
Villarreal entered the record books as the most decorated Mustang wrestler after capturing his third California Interscholastic Federation state title in March. He took second at Senior Nationals, gave up just a single takedown all season and will attend Arizona State University in the fall. Fox, after finishing second the last two years, finally captured a state title of his own—fulfilling the pact he and Villarreal made to win state together. He became only the second Mustang to win a Senior National title and will wrestle for Stanford University next year. Fox is also a CIF Scholar Athlete of the Year nominee.
“This young man put in the most work his coaches have ever seen at Gilroy High School everyday,” Athletic director Julie Berggren said of Fox.
The talent was just as strong on the girl’s side with standout swimmer Brolin winning a share of the award. After four years of 4:45 a.m. swim practice, school and more practice, her dedication paid off in the form of a scholarship to Washington State University. Brolin is ranked 35th nationally, finished fourth in the 100-meter butterfly at the Central Coast Section tournament and placed in the top eight in the 50m butterfly as well.
“The early mornings are a reminder of what her goals are for the future,” Berggren said. “(It’s) just her, the water and a deep determination to get better daily. …She will be attending Washington State University next year to swim for the Cougars and will make the same impact there as she did here. We’ve been fortunate enough to watch her race in the water over the last four years and wish her the best for her future.”
Leach also received a share of the Senior Female Athlete of the Year award for her contributions to the varsity field hockey team the last four years. She helped lead her team to the semifinals of the CCS tournament where she was recognized as an offensive threat by opponent Archbishop Mitty, who put double—and sometimes triple—coverage on her. Leach will attend the University of Pacific next season and play for its NCAA Division I field hockey team.
“She is the most helpful member on her team, a true leader for all of her players and a fantastic student,” Berggren said. “Her temperament, character on and off the field is unmatched by any other player in the last 15 years.”
The female Junior of the Year award was given to Mustangs pitcher Lauren Castro, while the male award went to soccer player Andres Jimenez. He was recognized for scoring the tying goal that gave the Mustangs a share of the CCS Championship this year.
The female and male Sophomore of the Year was awarded to Ariane Lussier (water polo and swimming) an Michael Kropff (cross country, basketball and track and field), respectively. Three sport athlete Maddy Cox (field hockey, basketball and softball) was given the female Freshman of the Year, while football and track standout Victor Sanchez was honored as the male recipient.
Gilroy awarded athletes from each sport with its “Pursuing Victory with Honor” recognition. Alexis Felix and Josie Fisser were the recipients from gymnastics, Ethan Cline from baseball, Ryan Nguyen from boys volleyball, Rachel Tomlinson from softball and Blanca Becerra and Daniel Ordaz from track and field. Around 50 athletes were recognized as scholar athletes for maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher. Sam Aptekar was recognized as the senior with the highest GPA.
Football’s Isaiah Madalora and Andrea Magana from gymnastics were honored as the Paul Thompson Inspirational Athletes.
“They’re not only are positive characters on the field or in the gym or wherever they’re competing, but they also make positive impacts on those around them,” Berggren said.
Chris Chang and Abby Kienle were given the Sal Tomasello Sportmanship award—which is named for a former AD, teacher and administrator who made sportsmanship one of his top priorities.
Berggren was also honored with what GHS principal Marco Sanchez called the “Halley’s Comet” of awards—the 2014 CCS Softball Honors Coach. The athletic director and coach limited her time in the spotlight before moving onto the student awards. She had just a few simple words for those in attendance:
“Thank you sums it all up.”
Senior Athlete of the Year
Male: Paul Fox, wrestling; Nikko Villarreal
Female: Anna Brolin, swimming; Emma Leach, field hockey
Junior Athlete of the Year
Male: Andres Jimenez, soccer
Female: Lauren Castro, softball
Sophomore Athlete of the Year
Male: Michael Kropff, cross country, basketball, track and field
Female: Ariane Lussier, water polo and swimming
Freshman Athlete of the Year
Male: Victor Sanchez, football and track and field
Female: Maddy Cox, field hockey, basketball and softball
Senior Athlete with Highest GPA
Sam Aptekar, baseball
Paul Thompson Inspirational Athletes
Male: Isaiah Madalora, football
Female: Andrea Magana, gymnastics
Sal Tomasello Sportsmanship Award
Male: Chris Chang, basketball
Female: Abby Kienle, water polo
“Pursuing Victory with Honor” award
Alexis Felix and Josie Fisser, gymnastics; Ethan Cline, baseball; Ryan Nguyen, boys volleyball; Rachel Tomlinson, softball; Blanca Becerra and Daniel Ordaz, track and field
Central Coast Section Honor Coach
Julie Berggren, Softball
