Valencia, Offerman Named Paloma Valley Athletes of Month

Paloma Valley High School Athletes of the Month Michael Valencia and Shannon Offerman accept their awards from Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Senior wide receiver and defensive back Michael Valencia and senior volleyball right-side hitter Shannon Offerman have received the Menifee 24/7 Paloma Valley High School Athlete of the Month awards, sponsored by RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Valencia has been one of the top pass receivers for the Wildcats, who are 8-1 this season and headed for the CIF playoffs after Friday's game at Lakeside. He has 27 receptions for 480 yards and 13 touchdowns.

His familiarity with quarterback Brent Boehm on passing routes and timing has been a big part of the team's success.

"I feel like this season is the best season I've ever had," Valencia said. "This is my first year getting the ball a lot. Brent started trusting me more and getting me the ball.

"We developed a big bond over summer in the passing league. That gave us the chance to work on formations and timing."

Valencia is also a starter on defense, collecting 43 tackles this season with one fumble recovery and five interceptions.

Wildcats coach Bert Esposito can't say enough about the impact of Valencia on the program over the years.

"Michael is a Wildcat through and through," he said. "He has played in our program all four years and even played his youth football here with the Menifee Wildcats. Michael is an awesome person and a delight to be around. He is very polite, cordial and intelligent. He will be very successful in whatever endeavor he chooses and I am extremely proud to have been his coach and see him develop into a fine young man."

Offerman has had a standout season for the girls volleyball team, which is headed for the CIF playoffs. Despite ankle and shoulder injuries, she has excelled as both a shot maker and blocker on the front line. In a recent match against Temescal Canyon, she had a school-record nine blocks.

"Shannon has been a leader on the team, someone the other players look up to," said her coach, Stephen Kaas. "She is hoping to play volleyball in college and is working hard to get there."

Offerman said it was a challenge battling through the injuries and helping the team endure a rough start to the season.

"It's been a roller coaster, but we've gotten through it," she said. "We came together at the end when we needed to. We lost a few matches we shouldn't have, but everybody does that. Overall, we've had a good season."

Offerman hopes to continue her volleyball career in college and study ultrasound technology.

Both athletes received a certificate from Menifee 24/7 and a VISA gift card from Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond Realty.

Paloma High Athletes of Week: Offerman, Valencia, Gray

Paloma Valley High School Athletes of the Week, from left: Shannon Offerman, Michael Valencia, Madison Gray.

Three Paloma Valley High School athletes having outstanding seasons have been honored this week with Menifee 24/7 Athlete of the Week awards.

Senior volleyball player Shannon Offerman set a school record with nine blocks in a five-game match victory over Temescal Canyon.

"They have a lot of really good hitters," Offerman said about Temescal Canyon. "I'm a pretty good blocker, I think, so I just have to figure out where they're going to hit and judge the shot."

Offerman, a right side blocker, focuses on defense in using her 6-foot-2 height to her advantage for Paloma Valley, which is one of the top teams in the Sunbelt League.

Senior football player Michael Valencia has been one of the top players on offense and defense for the Wildcats, who are 7-1 this season. One of his top peformances came two weeks ago against Perris, when he caught four passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. He also had two interceptions on defense.

For the season, Valencia has 24 receptions for 447 yards and 12 touchdowns. He teams with senior quarterback Brent Boehm to create an effective offensive threat.

"I grew up with him," Valencia said. "I've known him since third grade. It's like playing with your best friend. It's fun. We have a connection on the field and it got stronger in passing league during the summer."

Sophomore Madison Gray began the year playing doubles on the Wildcats' JV girls tennis team. Her improvement has earned her a spot on the varsity team as a singles player. She says she enjoys the challenge of playing singles.

"I like singles," said Gray, who never played tennis before last year. "I don't have to rely on anyone. Every shot that I miss, that's all on me. It's a nice change."

With two years of varsity tennis ahead of her, Gray is focusing on areas of improvement.

"I just need to get harder shots," she said. "That's one thing I struggle with. I don't have a lot of power. But I'm working on it."