Blevins, Alderete Named Heritage High Athletes of Month

Paloma Valley High athlete Alexandra Blevins is presented her Athlete of the Month award by Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Senior softball pitcher Alexandra Blevins and sophomore golfer J'men Alderete were named Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month for Heritage High School.

The athletes received a certificate and gift card presented by Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty, sponsor of the awards program.

Blevins completed a stellar four-year career at Heritage by posting a 2.78 ERA for the Patriots, who finished second in the Sunbelt League and compiled a 19-12 record on the way to the CIF quarterfinals.

This fall, she is headed for the University of Tulsa on a softball scholarship.

"I'm sad that it's over, but at the same time, I have such a bright future ahead of me," she said. "I completely enjoyed all my years playing softball here and the coaching has been great with coach (Angela) Ramiro; it's been awesome.

"I'm playing travel ball again this summer. For me, softball is a year-round thing. I just want to make sure I keep my speed and more movement on my pitches as I get ready for college."

Alderete (left) this spring 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.

This was the final Athlete of the Month award presented by Menifee 24/7 and RE/MAX Diamond Realty for the current school year.

Heritage High's Briseno, DeMarco Are Athletes of Month

Michael DeMarco and Kristen Briseno receive their Athlete of the Month Awards from Larry Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Track and field standout Kristen Briseno and baseball star Michael DeMarco were recently honored by Menifee 24/7 as the Heritage High School Athletes of the Month, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Briseno is a junior who vastly improved her performance in the distance races this spring, capitalizing on strength and endurance she gained as a cross country runner in the fall. She also played soccer this winter.

Her personal best in the 3,200 meters was established this year in the Inland Empire Championships -- a 12:25. She also has a personal record of 5:43 in the 1,600.

"I started training harder and calculating times more closely this year to see if I improved each time," she said. "I also practiced more on the weekends."

After playing one more year in high school, Briseno would like to study medicine in college.

Senior shortstop Michael DeMarco came on strong in the second half of the season for the Patriots baseball team. He hopes to carry that over to next year, when he will attend Chico State and try to walk on to the baseball team and study kinesiology.

"We had a bad beginning of the season, but we finally started to pick it up," said DeMarco. "We just lost a lot of close games."

Personally, DeMarco said his hitting began to improve when his coach pointed out a mechanical flaw.

"I was dropping my shoulder, so I was popping the ball up a lot," he said. "Got that fixed and did a lot better."

Briseno and DeMarco received a certificate from Menifee 24/7 and a Target gift card from Larry Nemelka of Diamond RE/MAX Realty.

Heritage High's Atkins, Sage Honored as Athletes of the Month

Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty presents the Menifee 24/7 Athlete of the Month award to track and field standout Torrey Atkins. Also honored was softball player Jordan Sage (below).

Hurdler and relay runner Torrey Atkins and softball standout Jordan Sage of Heritage High School were honored this week with the Menifee 24/7 Athlete of the Month award, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty presented the honorees with a Target gift card. They also received a certificate from Menifee 24/7 for their accomplishments in March.

Atkins was named Athlete of the Meet at the recent Mt. Carmel Invitational. He set the meet record in the 110-meter high hurdles with a personal best time of 14.15, then established a personal best in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 39.56.

"I didn't know if I had the record when I ran the race," Atkins said about his meet record time in the high hurdles. "I knew it was fast. Then my coach was on the phone and running toward me, and he told me.

"There's something about Mt. Carmel I just love. I like the hard tracks, not the bouncy ones. And the hurdles felt really short because I'm tall, so I basically just walk over them."

On Saturday, Atkins will compete in the invitational heat of the high hurdles at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational against some of the nation's top athletes.

Sage is one of the top players for the softball team, which is in first place in the Sunbelt League with a 7-0 record and 12-6 overall. She She has a 4-3 pitching record and is batting .390.

She originally committed to a college in Nebraska but has decided to play at Mt. San Jacinto College next year.

"Jordan has been doing a great job both offensively and defensively," said her coach, Angela Ramiro. "I don't know what we would do without her. She is truly an asset to our team."

Chavez, Richard Named Heritage High Athletes of the Month

Tim Richard receives his Athlete of the Month Award from Larry Nemelka of REMAX/Diamond Realty. Chelsea Chavez (below) was also honored.

Wrestlers took center stage representing Heritage High School sports in February, and two of those standouts have received the Menifee 24/7 Athlete of the Month Award, sponsored by REMAX/Diamond Realty.

Senior Chelsea Chavez, who competed in the CIF girls state meet last year, repeated that feat this year, competing again in the state meet in Visalia. She has advanced further than any other wrestler in Heritage's brief athletic history.

Senior Tim Richard finished fourth in the Sunbelt League finals at the heavyweight division but didn't stop there. Taking advantage of an alternate's qualifying position in the CIF finals the next weekend, he placed fifth and earned a spot in the Masters meet.

Richard didn't make it to the state meet, but he added to the strong reputation the Patriots are building in the sport of wrestling.

Chavez and Richard received a certificate from Menifee 24/7 and a Target gift card from Larry Nemelka of REMAX/Diamond Realty.

Alonzo, Guerrero Named Heritage High Athletes of the Month

Kaelea Alonzo and Isaac Guerrero receive their Athlete of the Month awards from Cynthia Nemelka of REMAX/Diamond Realty.

Heritage High School is well represented by two standout athletes who were recently selected as the Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month, sponsored by REMAX/Diamond Realty.

Cynthia Nemelka of REMAX presented certificates and gift cards to wrestler Isaac Guerrero and basketball player Kaelea Alonzo in recognition of their efforts in January.

Guerrero is headed to the CIF Finals in wrestling later this month after placing second in the Sunbelt League finals at 115 pounds. The junior is in only his second year of wrestling but is a team captain and inspirational leader.

He and his teammates are more determined than ever to make good use of the extra time they have before competing at the next level.

"We go to different schools to get used to different people as we get ready for CIF," he said. "We'll train even harder the next couple weeks.

"The key for me is practicing hard every time. You always have to give 100 percent."

Alonzo is in her third year as a varsity player for the girls basketball team. The senior averages 12.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a small forward and shooting guard.

Leadership from her captain's role has been a key in the success of the Patriots this year.

"We have four captains, and I consider myself a leader," she said. "I've had a lot of fun being a captain and it's taught me a lot too."

Alonzo, who also plays volleyball, is hoping to get a scholarship to a school in northern California.

Palmer, Taoete, Castor Named Athletes of the Month

Three high school athletes who recently completed standout fall sports seasons have been selected by their schools to receive the Menifee 24/7 Athlete of the Month Award, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Football player Matt Palmer and volleyball player Dayanerrah Taoete of Heritage High School and cross country runner Zackery Castor of Paloma Valley High School were recently honored for their accomplishments in November. Each was presented a VISA gift card by Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Matt Palmer had one of the best seasons of any defensive football player in Southern California for the Patriots, who posted a 13-1 record and won the CIF-SS Central Division championship. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior defensive back had 10 interceptions this season -- second most in the state. Six of those came in the playoffs, including one in Heritage's 34-33 victory over Rancho Verde in the championship game.

Palmer, who also played wide receiver for the Patriots, is being recruited by several colleges and already has received a scholarship offer from Azusa Pacific University, according to his father.

Dayanerrah Taoete just completed an impressive season as outside hitter for the Patriots girls volleyball team. Under first-year coach Lindsey Sappington, she provided leadership for a team that finished 12-8 and advanced to the CIF playoffs.

Taoete will play club volleyball through the summer in hopes of earning a college scholarship.

Zackery Castor was the top athlete on the Paloma Valley High boys cross country team, even though he spent the entire season dealing with a leg injury suffered during the preseason. He posted a time of 16:19 in the CIF prelims at Mt. San Antonio College, setting the pace for Wildcat runners as usual.

The Menifee 24/7 Athlete of the Week and Athlete of the Month awards will resume in early January.

Gomez, Stafford Named Heritage High Athletes of Month

Heritage High School Athletes of the Month Niko Gomez and Lauren Stafford accept their awards from Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Football standout Niko Gomez and tennis star Lauren Stafford were recognized this week as the Menifee 24/7 Heritage High School Athletes of the Week, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Gomez, an offensive tackle and nose guard for the Patriots, has played a key role in the success of the team this fall. After missing two games with a leg injury, he battled back and gave a boost to both the offense and defense in victories over Paloma Valley and Lakeside.

Thanks to his leadership on and off the field, Heritage is 8-1 overall this season and undefeated in Sunbelt League play, one win away from the league title. The regular-season finale is Friday night at Elsinore High.

"Elsinore's a great team," Gomez said. "You can't just go into a game thinking you're going to win. You have to have a great week of practice and when it comes game time, you have to be well prepared for it. Our coaches will have us ready because they know what this game means."

Although he continues in physical therapy to strengthen his leg, Gomez feels ready for Friday's game and the upcoming CIF playoffs.

"Last week against Lakeside, it felt perfect," he said. "The game before that, Paloma, it was really good. That's the game I wanted to be back for.

"I was being smart about it, staying off of it. When it came time to put the cleats on, I was really ready to go."

Stafford, also a senior, swept her singles matches against Paloma Valley recently and went on to finish second in the Sunbelt League finals, putting her in a good position for the CIF individual tournament later this month.

First, however, is the CIF team playoffs. Stafford and the Patriots defeated Shadow Hills 17-1 in a wild-card match Tuesday to open the playoffs.

"I was surprised at league finals because Elsinore, every one of their girls had beaten me before," Stafford said. "But when it came down to league finals, I beat two of them. I was pretty proud of myself.

"I feel like I've improved a lot this year. Overall, I've learned how to play against each player better and adjust to their game."

Each athlete received a certificate from Menifee 24/7 and a VISA gift card from the award's sponsor, Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Realty.

"I think it's really a great idea to have this award," Stafford said. "It gives the athletes a good feeling about themselves."

Marquez, Briseno: Heritage High Menifee 24/7 Athletes of Month

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.

Senior nose guard and linebacker Caleb Marquez and junior cross country runner Kristen Briseno of Heritage High School were honored this week with the Menifee 24/7 September Athlete of the Month Award, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

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.