Macy, Jackson Honored as Paloma Valley Athletes of Month

Baseball player Bryce Macy and track and field standout Dazhana Jackson of Paloma Valley High School were recently honored as the Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Macy is hitting .352 for the Wildcats, who won the Sunbelt League title with a 13-2 record and open the CIF playoffs this week with a 19-6 overall record. He also is one of the team leaders in RBIs with 13 and provides valuable leadership from his catcher's position.

"Bryce has been our on-field general from behind the plate for the past three years," said his coach, Chuck Kemp. "This season his leadership and clutch play has been immeasurable.

"Bryce willed our team into a position at the top of the standings. As the season gets deeper, his play gets better."

Macy prefers to give the credit to the whole team, including the improved pitching staff he handles from behind the plate.

"I haven't played as well as I wanted to, but I still feel like I'm helping the team," he said. "Getting on base, sac flies, anything I can do. And as the catcher, I feel like I have to take a leadership role."

Macy plans to attend Cal Baptist next year and play baseball there.

Jackson (right) helped the girls track team win back-to-back Sunbelt League championships. She improved her personal record in the shot put by more than five feet with a best of 39-5. She also recently broke the school record in that event by more than two feet.

"Dazhana has been a great leader and mentor to our younger throwers," said her coach, Juan Merida. "I see her constantly talking to and helping the younger throwers improve their technique. In addition to being a great athlete, Dazhana excels in the classroom, where she holds above a 3.0 GPA."

According to Merida, Jackson has received scholarship offers from UC Irvine, Robert Morris and some other universities.

Macy and Jackson received certificates from Menifee 24/7 and a Target gift card from Larry Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty (presenting Macy his award in top photo).

Menifee 24/7 Honors Paloma Valley High Athletes of Week

From left: Chabris Kelly, Michael Sanchez, Daniel Stuart, Nicholas Salazar. Not pictured: Kaya Gladu.

Paloma Valley High School's Athletes of the Week for the week ending May 12 were honored recently for their accomplishments during the spring sports season.

Baseball player Nicholas Salazar had a big week recently in games against Rival Heritage, going 4 for 8 with a double, RBI and a stolen base. The Wildcats enter the CIF playoffs as the Sunbelt League champions.

"Nick's leadership and on-field play were crucial ingredients to a very successful week," said coach Chuck Kemp.

Michael Sanchez played a key role in two recent victories against West Valley for the boys volleyball team. He ranks second in digs on the team and has become a defensive specialist.

Sanchez plans to attend San Diego City College to play volleyball.

Senior softball player Chabris Kelly is in her first season with the Wildcats but her third varsity season of softball after moving to Menifee from Oceanside. She has provided stability on defense, making an outstanding play at third base in a recent game against Temescal Canyon.

"Chabris works hard and has a great attitude at practice every day," said her coach, Briana Wells. "She is the first to get equipment at the beginning of practice and the last to leave practice. Her support for her team does not change whether she is playing or sitting."

Senior tennis player Daniel Stuart led the team with 25 singles victories in league play. He went on to win his first three matches in the league tournament.

"Daniel has been a pivotal member of the team, helping to lead the team to many victories," said his coach, Alison King.

Senior Kaya Gladu qualified for the CIF individual tournament in golf.

"He is a solid student, dedicated golfer, and community servant," said his coach, Cory Page. He has helped the younger players on the team all year long."

Heritage High Spring Sports Standouts Are Athletes of Week

From left: Jena Chilson, Chris Nile, Justin Brady, J'men Aldrete.

Four outstanding spring sports athletes were honored recently as the Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Week from Heritage High School for the week of May 12.

Senior softball player Jena Chilson is hitting .436 this season for the Patriots softball team, which is headed for the CIF playoffs this week. The first baseman has two home runs and nine RBIs. The team is 17-10 overall after going 12-3 in league play.

Chilson has excelled for Heritage since moving here from Colorado. She plans to play for Mt. San Antonio College next season.

Chris Nile has had a standout senior season for the boys track team. He broke the school record in the long jump with a leap of 21-9 in the recent Sunbelt League finals. He has competed in the 4x100-meter relay, 200, 400 and high jump in the past but focused on the long jump this season.

Also a football player, Nile plans to play both sports at MSJC.

Senior Justin Brady was another standout for the boys track team this season. His personal best in the high jump is 6-2 and he placed high enough in the league finals to advance to the CIF prelims. Last year, he advanced in both the long jump and high jump.

Brady plans to attend either Riverside City College or Mt. San Jacinto College next year. He wants to study criminal justice.

Sophomore J'men Alderete became the first Heritage High golfer ever to qualify for the CIF postseason tournament. A former baseball player who suffered a knee injury, Alderete has a personal best score of 37 for nine holes and 76 for 18 holes.

Paloma Valley Boys Track Team Does Well in League Finals

The Paloma Valley High School boys track team had a good showing Thursday at the Sunbelt League finals, winning the 400-meter relay, shot put and 200 meters.

The boys 4x100 team was made up of Jose Cruz, Chris Owens, Fred Lundy and Anthony Smith. They had a winning time of 43.32, which was just .08 seconds off their own school record, set earlier this season.

Smith won the 200-meter race with a time of 22.12. Brendan Grant saved his best for last as he unleashed a 50-foot toss to win the league championship in the shot put.

Owens had a great day as well in taking a leg of the 4x100 relay team as well as a second place in the high jump and triple jump. Zack Castor took third place in the 1600 after suffering a back spasm during the race, keeping him from winning his best event.

Josh Madrid took third in the triple jump as Owens bumped him from second on the final jump.

Paloma Valley Girls Track Team Dominates League Finals

Paloma Valley High's league champion 400-meter relay team, from left: Regina Sheffield, Christina Rodriguez, Damatria Willingham, Rebecca Ouk. (Photo by George Rodriguez)

The Paloma Valley High School girls track team dominated the Sunbelt League finals Thursday, winning 10 of the 15 events. Outstanding performances were turned in by Samantha Flores, who won the 800, 1600 and 3200. Also, Regina Sheffield won the 100, 200, was part of the winning 400-meter relay team and took second in the high jump.

The following girls placed in their events:

League Champs
100 meters - Regina Sheffield
200 meters - Regina Sheffield
400 meters - Bailey Calhoun
800 meters - Samantha Flores
1600 meters - Samantha Flores
3200 meters - Samantha Flores
100 meter hurdles - Jemena Nesbitt
Long jump - Rebekka Ouk
400 meter relay - Regina Sheffied, Damatria Willingham, Rebekkah Ouk and Christina Rodriguez 1600 Meter relay - Chloe Atkins, Bailey Calhoun, Lauren Perez and Christina Rodriguez

Runner Up
200 meters - Christina Rodriguez
800 meters - Bailey Calhoun
High jump - Regina Sheffield
Triple jump - Rebekkah Ouk

Third place
300 meter hurdles - Jemena Nesbitt
Shot put - Dazhana Jackson
Discus - Dazhana Jackson

Heritage High Boys Tennis Team Finishes League Undefeated

Congratulations to the Heritage High School boys tennis team, which finished Sunbelt League play undefeated with a 10-0 record after beating Elsinore 12-6 this week.

Paloma Valley Girls Track Team Wins League Title Again

Paloma Valley High School's girls track team wrapped up an undefeated championship season in the Sunbelt League Thursday with a 108-19 victory over Lakeside.

This is the second league title for Paloma Valley, which is the back-to-back league champion. According to coach Juan Merida, outstanding performances were turned in by:

-- Jemena Nesbitt, 100 Hurdles, 16.27
-- Bailey Calhoun, 400m, 62.27
-- Damatria Willingham, 100m, 12.86
-- Samantha Flores, 800m, 2:25.96
-- Damatria Willingham, 200m, 26.43
-- Rebekkah Ouk, Long Jump, 16' 01"
-- Rebekkah Ouk, Triple Jump, 31' 01"
-- Regina Sheffield, High Jump, 5'0