Velivis, Gayk Named Santa Rosa Athletes of the Month

A pair of talented sophomores attending Santa Rosa Academy have been honored as the Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Softball player Madison Velivis and golfer Ray Gayk each received a certificate from Menifee 24/7 and a Target gift card from Larry Nemelka, representing RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Velivis plays first base for the Rangers softball team, which just completed the first year of the program. The team struggled to win games as new players came on board, but the leadership of a more experienced player such as Velivis helped build a foundation for future success.

"The girls had good character and we all kept our spirits up," Velivis said. "I've played softball since I was 7, but a lot of the girls were new to the sport. Me and another girl were kinda captains and tried to be team leaders. The girls were all really receptive to learning about the sport. Most of them will be back for next year."

Gayk continued to improve as a golfer in his second year of the program, and the team progressed as well. He shoots in the low 40s on Santa Rosa's home course at Menifee Lakes Country Club.

"As a team, we really progressed," he said. "Last year we had seven or eight players and this year we had around 16. Overall, we had a very good season. But we weren't in a league yet, so it's harder to get into postseason tournaments."

Gayk was introduced to the sport by his father when they played in the Santa Rosa Tournament when he was in the seventh grade. He joined the golf team as a freshman.

Velasquez, Heethuis Named Santa Rosa Athletes of the Month

Brooke Heethuis and Jordan Velasquez have been honored as Santa Rosa Athletes of the Month for March.

Baseball star Jordan Velasquez and softball standout Brooke Heethuis have been honored as the March Santa Rosa Academy Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Velasquez is hitting .469 to lead the Freelance Division for the Rangers, who are 6-4 in their second year playing a freelance schedule. The senior plays shortstop and pitcher.

"Our pitching has been improving and the team skill level has been getting better every single game," he said. "We could go to the playoffs, but being a freelance team, it's not easy."

Velasquez hopes to attend Mt. San Jacinto College and play baseball there next year.

Heethuis is just a freshman but is a team captain of the softball team, which is in its first season of existence. Only three players have previous softball experience so her experience in years of youth softball has proved to be valuable.

"We're doing OK," Heethuis said about the challenge of building a team in its first year of freelance play at the CIF level. "We're not going to the playoffs or anything, but we're improving.

"It's been pretty much a learning experience, but nobody's losing that drive we have," said Heethuis, who is a softball and pitcher. "I'd love to keep heading in the right direction and helping my team improve."

Velasquez and Heethuis received a certificate from Menifee 24/7 and a Target gift card from RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Acosta, Pacheco Named Santa Rosa Athletes of the Month

From left: Marissa Acosta, Larry Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty, Timothy Pacheco.

Basketball standout Marissa Acosta and soccer star Timothy Pacheco were honored for their accomplishments in February as the Santa Rosa Academy Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Pacheco, just a sophomore, played a key role for the Rangers as a midfielder. He scored 14 goals with 6 assists to help the team to a 13-2-3 record in a freelance schedule. Next year, he will be back to help the team in its first league season.

Having a new home field to play on also makes a big difference, he said.

"We got to use the new field for about half the season," Pacheco said. "It's way better than not having a home. I think we had a really solid season and we have a lot of players back for next year."

Acosta made a difficult transition in her first season of organized basketball. Although the team didn't win a game, she and her teammates have grown together as a unit and are excited to all be back next season.

"Even though we didn't win a game, it was nice to start off the first year of a girls basketball team," said Acosta, a junior. "This was my first time playing ever. I had to get used to the fast pace and intensity of the game. No matter what happened, we always kept a positive attitude looking forward to the next game."

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

Ahlquist, Zinter Named Santa Rosa Athletes of the Month

Santa Rosa Academy Athletes of the Month Paige Ahlquist and Jordan Zinter accept their award from Cynthia Nemelka of REMAX/Diamond Realty.

Soccer standout Paige Ahlquist and basketball star Jordan Zinter of Santa Rosa Academy were honored this week as the Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month, sponsored by REMAX/Diamond Realty.

Ahlquist is just a freshman, but she proved to be a team leader from her defensive position. She has played soccer since age 7 and gained experience on the girls soccer team in middle school. This is the first season Santa Rosa has fielded an all-girls high school soccer team.

"The season was good," Paige said. "We didn't do outstanding or anything terrible. We were about even in wins and losses. I'm surprised to receive this award because we have a lot of really good players."

Paige said her philosophy on success on the soccer field is simple: Stay focused at all times.

"Keep your eye on the field and the ball," she said. "Watch out for the good players. Never dive in for the ball because they can cut around you. Keep an eye on their eyes and their feet for an indication of where they're going to go."

She hopes to get a job in the medical field.

Sophomore point guard Jordan Zinter is the leading scorer on the boys basketball team at 15 points per game. He has played a key role for the team, which is in only its second season of actual competition. The coach is Jordan's father, James Zinter.

"At the beginning of he season, we played harder teams than we usually do, so we didn't do too great," Jordan said. "We aren't living up to our potential. But this is only our second season.

"My dad's been coaching for 20-some years. He has us a lot more organized."

The Rangers play their home games at the Valley-Wide Recreation Center at Wheatfield Park. Plans call for the construction of a gym on the new Santa Rosa campus, but that phase has not yet begun.

Paige and Jordan received a certificate from Menifee 24/7 and a gift card courtesy of the sponsor, REMAX/Diamond Realty.

Ramos, Cyr Named Santa Rosa Athletes of Month

Santa Rosa Academy's first season of tackle football produced several highlights, including both the male and female Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Senior center and nose guard Ronnie Ramos got his first chance to play anything other than flag football this year and made the most of it. At the same time, freshman Taylor Cyr handled the challenging role of playing safety as a female and proved up to the task.

The Rangers played only four games in their first season, all against JV teams. They didn't win a game, but the experience was a valuable one for all concerned, said Ramos.

"I played a little flag football in sixth grade, but that was it," said Ramos about his previous playing experience. "If I ever wanted to talk football, I would to talk to my uncle Peter (Arballo). I've wanted to play tackle football for a long time. My uncle originally wanted me to go to Heritage, but I liked the engineering program at Santa Rosa so I put academics first."

Although he is being realistic about his future in football, Ramos hopes he can find a way to continue to play in college.

"I've got this little taste, so I want to keep going," he said. "I know I'll have to work like crazy just to have a chance. We didn't win a game this year, but I think we did very well. We held our own, and I'd like to keep playing somewhere."

Taylor Cyr started playing flag football at Cornerstone Christian School after watching her brother. She fell in love with the game and just never stopped playing.

"Actually, there was enough girls to make a girls team that first year, but after that, the other girls went on to soccer," she said. "I just loved playing football. Then I played middle school flag football for three years and I was the only girl on the team."

By the time she got to Santa Rosa, tackle football was the only option. Taylor said it took her months to convince her mother to let her play.

"My mom was super nervous," she said. "She didn't want me to play, but she knew we would be going against JVs. I finally convinced her."

In three games this season, Taylor had eight tackles -- including a touchdown-saving tackle of a running back who tried to run right through her.

"This big kid came right at me and ran me over, but I took him down," she said with a smile. "I grabbed his legs and held on and took him down."

That, among other things, earned her the respect of her teammates.

"I heard at first they didn't really like the idea, but once I made it through summer conditioning and we got our pads and I started hitting, they said, 'OK, she's for real. She can play.' " Taylor said. "So now we're all really close."

Both athletes received certificates from Menifee 24/7 and a VISA gift card from Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty, sponsor of the award.

Stovall, Miller Are Santa Rosa Menifee 24/7 Athletes of Month

Brianna Stovall and Ben Miller receive their Athlete of the Month awards from Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty, sponsor of the awards program.

Freshman volleyball player Brianna Stovall and junior cross country runner Ben Miller of Santa Rosa Academy were honored this week with the Menifee 24/7 September Athlete of the Month Award, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Stovall is the first female given the honor at Santa Rosa since Menifee 24/7 created the award late last school year. She has adapted quickly to a key role in her first year on the volleyball team, using her 5-foot-10 frame and leaping ability to excel at the middle blocker position.

At that important position on the front line, Stovall is responsible for protecting the net from oncoming shots as well as spiking the ball when it is delivered to her by setter Taylor Flannery.

"The kills all depend on the setter, our timing and placement," she said. "You can't hit the net, either. That takes a lot of practice."

Stovall said she is excited to be part of the team as a freshman and is happy just to be able to contribute.

"I don't necessarily try to be a leader," she said. "I try to be very supportive of everyone and the decisions they make."

Although Santa Rosa has a new campus on Haun Road, most of the athletic facilities are not completed. So far, there is no gym for the Rangers to use, meaning all their matches are on the road.

"It will be nice when we get our own gym, but a lot of the parents are very supportive and come to see us play wherever we are," she said.

Miller is in his third season on the varsity cross country team. Also a soccer player, he began running cross country as an off-season conditioning program. Now, he is focused on a top-tier finish in each meet.

"I take both sports seriously," said Miller, who performed well in the team's first meet of the season, run at Linfield Christian. "I think I've improved immensely since I first started in the sport."

Daily workouts are a big part of Miller's success. He joins teammates in a two-mile run around the school and the nearby wash, building stamina with each step.

"It helps when you get near the finish line," he said. "You want to finish strong and it helps to have teammates cheering you on. I want to finish in the top 20 of races, which means I literally have to be a step ahead of where I am now."

Like Stovall, Miller looks forward to the day the Rangers have their own athletic facilities on campus. Even the soccer team has to practice at Wheatfield Park and play its games elsewhere.

"Having a home field on play on and having our own people to support us, that will be big," he said.

Miller hopes to study history in college and prepare for a career as an athletic trainer.

Each athlete received a certificate and VISA gift card from Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty, sponsor of the award.