Each week, publications from the The Southern California News Group’s 11 properties (Orange County Register, L.A. Daily News, Press-Enterprise, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Long Beach Press-Telegram, The Daily Breeze, San Bernardino Sun, Daily Bulletin, Redlands Daily Facts, Whittier Daily News and Pasadena-Star News) nominate Athletes of the Week for their respective region.
Each nominee is entered into the overall Southern California Athlete of the Week county-wide vote.
Click on the newspaper links below the athlete’s name to read about their performance from last week, and then vote for who you think is the best athlete this week.
Readers are allowed to vote multiple times. Voting ends at midnight, but final totals aren’t always immediately reflected due to processing.
GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK VOTING
The overall winner will be announced on Friday, Dec. 13
Voting poll at bottom of the page.
Nathan Haas, St. John Bosco: The senior standout became a four-time champion at Westminster High’s Cossarek Classic, dominating at 182 pounds and winning the upper-weights Most Valuable Wrestler award. The Nebraska-bound Haas, ranked No. 1 at his weight in the state, pinned four foes in the tournament, including Cypress’ Jakob Edwards in the final.
Nico Young, Newbury Park: Newbury Park won its first national championship Saturday, competing as “Newbury Park XC” since the Nike Cross Country Nationals is not a sanctioned CIF event. Young won the 5-kilometer race in 14 minutes, 52.3 seconds on a rain-soaked and muddy course at Glendoveer Golf Club in Portland, Ore. Young’s national championship capped a remarkable two-year run in cross country that included two CIF-SS Division 2 titles and two CIF State titles.
Nicholas Cooper, Alta Loma: Cooper, an outside back, helped the Braves to a 3-1-1 start to the season that included a 2-1-1 record in the Aliso Niguel Tournament. They beat Arroyo Valley, Montebello and Colton, tied Valencia and lost to El Dorado. He had two assists and shut down top opposing forwards.
Jose Garcia, Arlington: Garcia, a senior midfielder, scored three goals to help the Lions capture the title at the Rocklin Invitational. Garcia scored a pair of goals against Woodcreek in the third round. He added another goal to help Arlington defeat Granite Bay 3-1 in the championship match. Garcia was selected the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Ian Martinez, JSerra: He was named MVP of the North Orange County Championships after leading the Lions to the tournament title. Martinez, a 6-3 senior guard who signed with Utah, scored 35 points, including eight 3-pointers, with eight rebounds and five assists in JSerra’s 85-75 win over Mayfair in the championship game. He scored 34 points with five 3s and six rebounds in a 64-53 win over Capistrano Valley in the semifinals.
Kwanta Pugh, Gardena: Pugh had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and also scored on a 48-yard run as Gardena defeated Francis Parker 27-13 in the CIF SoCal Regional Division 7-AA Bowl Game.
Davon Booth, El Monte: Booth became the state rushing leader in the Lions’ 30-18 victory over San Diego Serra in the CIF State Southern California Regional Division 5-AA championship. He rushed for a season-high 315 yards and three touchdowns to give him a state-best 2,722 yards this season. El Monte will play for the state title on Saturday.
