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| Heritage High School's Caleb Marquez and Kristen Briseno receive their Athlete of the Month awards from Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty, sponsor of the awards program. |
Marquez has performed consistently both on offense and defense for the Patriots football team, which is 4-1 overall heading into their Sunbelt League opener at home against Perris tonight. As a starting nose guard on the offensive line, he provides valuable blocking for Heritage's running game and pass protection for sophomore quarterback Brett Virgil.
Experience gained as a lineman and familiarity with those playing next to him -- especially tackle Niko Gomez -- has helped Marquez become a comfortable and confident leader of the offensive line.
"Offense is becoming really fun," Marquez said. "Knowing the plays better helps a lot. I feel like I'm able to go full-speed and hit people hard. But I know I have to hit them under control."
Marquez will be called upon for even more leadership tonight, because Gomez is sidelined with a leg injury. Until he returns -- perhaps next week -- it will be up to Marquez to adjust to a new fellow lineman and take up the slack.
One reason for excitement is the fact the Patriots are finally playing at home after four straight weeks on the road. It's also the school's Homecoming.
"It's a homecoming for us, and it's a real Homecoming," Marquez said. "People show up when we're on the road, but there's a lot more hype when we come home and see a big crowd."
Briseno, who was also a Heritage Athlete of the Week last week, is coming off an impressive performance in a cross country invitational at Yucaipa last weekend. She led the race virtually the whole way and finished first.
"I think it's hard when you're out in front," she said. "I have a bad habit of looking back to see where the other runners are. The coaches tell us not to, but a lot of runners do that."
Briseno handled the course well, both on surface streets and on hilly surfaces. That, combined with her 19:48 clocking in the recent Bulldog Invitational, have made her a top contender entering the upcoming Inland Empire Championships.
"It's a really big meet with a lot of great teams," she said.
Briseno's goal is to keep improving her times into the low 19-minute range.
"I didn't feel like I was hitting where I should be," she said about her earlier performances. "I woke up and realized I had to practice harder. I needed to start improving myself."
Each athlete received a certificate and VISA gift card from Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty, sponsor of the award.
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