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.

Castor, Barnes Named Paloma Valley Athletes of the Week

Two Paloma Valley High School athletes exemplifying endurance and determination were honored this week as Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Week.

Zackery Castor (left) competed the entire season with a leg injury for the boys cross country team. The injury, suffered in preseason training, slowed his progress, but Castor managed to compete in all his team's races and remained the Wildcats' top runner throughout the season.

"As we came to the last races of the season, Zack was finally getting healthy and able to train like his normal self," said cross country coach Joe Ellett. "I just wish we had a couple more weeks to get him up to speed.

"While Zack was not able to meet the goals he had set coming into this season, he showed determination and dedication to his team by persevering through the injury and spending countless hours in the pool and on a stationary bike to maintain some amount of fitness. I am very proud of this young man."

Even though he was still recovering from the injury, Castor ran a 16:19 in the CIF Prelims at Mt. San Antonio College last weekend, finishing first among Paloma Valley runners.

"I was bummed out about it because I knew I wouldn't be able to train up to the season," Castor said about his initial reaction to the injury. "I ran in all the meets but I was missing the training that would allow me to compete at my full ability."

Senior defensive end Dalvin Barnes (not pictured) is one of the leaders of the Paloma Valley defense. Including last week's playoff victory over Chino, Barnes had 25 total tackles in just six games since becoming eligible following the transfer to Paloma Valley. He also has three sacks.

"Dalvin is a tremendous asset to our program," said Wildcats coach Bert Esposito. "He came new to our football program at the beginning of the year and had to sit out the first five games due to the transfer rules. He is now our second leading sack leader and is climbing up the list of tackles for the year.

"He is a great kid with a great personality, plays hard, is very coachable and we love to have him here as a lifetime Wildcat."