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).

Six Students Honored as Paloma Valley Athletes of the Week

Front row, from left: Jordan Hill, Dazhana Jackson, Cody McCoy. Back row, from left: Christopher Owens, Armando Fuentes, Karynne Johnston.

Six team leaders in their respective team sports have been recognized as Paloma Valley High School Athletes of the Week by Menifee 24/7.

Junior pitcher Karynne Johnston pitched a perfect game for the Wildcats softball team against Perris, striking out nine. She also pitched two innings in a win over Elsinore and struck out five of the six batters she faced. She was 2 for 2 at the plate against Perris as well. Paloma Valley is in first place in the Sunbelt League.

Senior outfielder Cody McCoy had a big week in two league games last week. He was 4 for 9 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored in wins over Lakeside and Temescal Canyon for the Wildcats, who are undefeated in the Sunbelt League. He also switched positions to take over at second base and made four outstanding defensive plays in one of those games.

Senior Christopher Owens posted victories in the high jump and triple jump and filled in on a leg of the 4x100 relay for the boys track team in the Inland Empire Championship meet.

Senior Dazhana Jackson broke the school record in the shot put by two feet with a throw of 39-5 in a girls track meet against Perris. According to coach Juan Merida, she is also a great mentor to the younger throwers on the team and has received some scholarship offers.

Junior Armando Fuentes made some big plays in wins over Tahquitz and Heritage for the boys volleyball team, which is undefeated in league play. He plays middle front and is also a defensive specialist for the Wildcats.

Junior Jordan Hill specializes in singles play but has moved over to doubles to help out the boys tennis team. Coach Alison King praises his willingness to help better the team and his work in the classroom.