Athletes of the Year: Porter, Hunt earn top honors

The Daily News Athlete of the Year award is our way of honoring the multi-sport athlete. And no two athletes earned it more this past calendar year than La Habra’s Aaron Porter and Whittier Christian’s Kellian Hunt. Both won two area player of the year awards.

By Steve Ramirez, SGVN
twitter.com/DailyNewsSports

In the age of specialization, La Habra High School’s Aaron Porter and Whittier Christian’s Kellian Hunt are rarities.
But this twosome does more than just play multiple sports. They do it very well.
For their efforts Porter, who was the area’s Player of the Year in football and baseball, and Hunt, the cross country Runner of the Year and track Athlete of the Year, are The Daily News 2011-12 Athletes of the Year.
“I’ve really done it my whole life,” Porter said of playing multiple sports. “There’s really nothing new.
“I’ve spent a little bit more in football. I wish I could have spent the same time in baseball. I definitely like football more. But they complement each other.”
Porter’s school year began with football. He led the Highlanders to the school’s seventh Freeway League title and earned CIF-Southern Section Southwest Division Player of the Year and area Player of the Year honors.
The versatile senior rushed for 865 yards and 17 touchdowns and had eight sacks and 23 tackles for a loss as a linebacker. Porter concluded his career with a school-record 388 tackles and 26 sacks.
His baseball season was almost as effective. Porter led the area with 34 RBIs and hit .489. He also had eight home runs to help the Highlanders win their first Freeway League crown since 2004 and advance to the CIF-SS Division 4 second round.
“I had a lot of good memories (at La Habra), great times with each team,” he said. “I loved playing with these guys and I’m going to miss them a lot. But I have no regrets.”
Porter, regarded as one of the top linebackers in the state, is expected to play multiple sports at UCLA. He signed with the Bruins in February.
“I think it’s going to be a challenge,” he said. “I’m going to give it a try and see how it goes. I’m ready to get after it.”
Hunt dominated the area in cross country in the fall and was the area’s top distance runner in track .
“I think it’s a good end to the last four years,” Hunt said. “I’ve had some real good races and memories. I’m really pleased with it.”
The senior finished her cross country season with her third consecutive trip to the CIF State championships after placing third in CIF-SS Division 4 with a time of 17 minutes, 53 seconds. She then followed with a 17:58 to finish fourth in Division 4 at the state meet.
“It was easier (this season) in a sense in that I knew what I was doing,” Hunt said of her performance in the fall. “It’s my senior year, so I knew it will be my third time there.
“I was ready for it. I knew the process and how the day worked. But there also was some pressure. I knew it was my last year, and I wanted to do well.”
She felt the same in track and came through with a pair of runner-up finishes. At the CIF-SS Division 4 championships in May, she was second in the 1,600 meters (5:04.19) and 3,200 (11:15.90).
She now will take her act to Biola University.
“I was really happy with the entire year,” Hunt said. “It went really well. We had a good finish to it. I was really happy with my time.
“My goal was pretty much to beat (my) previous best and let the places take care of themselves. I’m happy with the results and the season.”

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All-Area Swimming: La Serna’s Shew, Santa Fe’s Brandt earn top honors


SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR: Andrew Brandt, from Santa Fe, and Kiersten Shew, of La Serna were selected as the Whittier Daily News boys and girls swimmers of the year (Staff photo by Keith Durflinger)

DAILY NEWS 2012 ALL-AREA SWIMMING TEAM
BOYS
Swimmer of the Year:
Andrew Brandt, Santa Fe, So.
Coach of the Year: Mary Ann Prutsman, Santa Fe
FIRST TEAM
Mitchel Embrey, La Serna, Jr.
Sean Haramija, La Mirada, Sr.
Sean Lundin, La Mirada, So.
Kris Kohout, La Serna, Jr.
Seth Villeda, Santa Fe, Fr.
SECOND TEAM
Max McCollum, La Serna, So.
Andrew Torres, Montebello, Sr.
Marcus Delgado, La Serna, Sr.
Isiah Gaytan, Whittier, So.
Kevan Brown, La Serna, Sr.
GIRLS
Swimmer of the Year:
Kiersten Shew, La Serna, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Erin Brown, La Serna
FIRST TEAM
Alyssa Shew, La Serna, So.
Melissa Lopez, La Serna, Jr.
Gabby Pierandozzi, La Serna, Jr.
Samantha Ellis, La Serna, So.
Bertha Baca, La Mirada, Jr.
SECOND TEAM
Lizette Perez, Montebello, Fr.
Gabriela Perez, Montebello, So.
Laura Jimenez, Montebello, So.
Katrina McGrath, La Serna, Fr.
Marissa Lopez, California, Sr.
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La Mirada pair Luatua, Ueli Fa’atoalia receive offers from Michigan, Hawaii

La Mirada tight end Tyler Luatua received a scholarship offer from Michigan Wednesday, while Matadore offensive lineman Spencer Ueli Fa’atoalia received an offer from Hawaii.
Luatua’s offer count is now up to 17 and the list includes USC, UCLA Cal.
Luatua, whose older brother, Isaac, is at Alabama, had 23 receptions for 251 yards and a touchdown last season.
Matadores’ quarterback Kevin Dillman has eight offers, including Fresno State, UCLA, Cal, Colorado and Louisvile, while defensive lineman Koa Kaleopaa has offers from Arkansas, Cal and Arizona.
La Mirada, which was 8-5 and advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division semifinals last season, begins the 2012 campaign at home against St Paul. The Matadores schedule also includes Bishop Amat, La Habra and St. Francis.

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ALL-AREA TRACK: La Serna’s Fabela, Whittier Christian’s Hunt rise above the rest


ATHLETES OF THE YEAR: La Serna’s German Fabela and Whittier Christian’s Kellian Hunt earned area track athletes of the year. (Staff Photo by Keith Durflinger)

DAILY NEWS ALL-AREA TRACK AND FIELD TEAM
BOYS
Athlete of the Year:
German Fabela, La Serna, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Sylvia Elliott, El Rancho
FIRST TEAM
Field: Adam Aguirre, Cantwell, Sr.
Field: Lucas Bedolla, Santa Fe, Sr.
Distance: Aaron Mora, Whittier, Sr.
Distance:
Kevin Ramirez, Santa Fe, Jr.
Sprint: Anthony Jones, Santa Fe, So.
SECOND TEAM
Distance: Cristian Garcia, Santa Fe, Sr.
Field: Taelin Webb, La Mirada, So.
Sprints: Keiyon Reyna, La Mirada, Sr.
Hurdles: George Romo, Montebello, Sr.
Field:
Eric Reyes, St. Paul, Fr.
GIRLS
Athlete of Year:
Kellian Hunt, Whittier Christian, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Joe Jordan, La Serna
FIRST TEAM
Distance: Justine Romo, California, Jr.
Distance: Taylor Jones, La Mirada, Jr.
Field: Katelyn Rogers, La Habra, Jr.
Sprint: Amber Munoz, Whittier, Sr.
Distance: Bailee Henry, El Rancho, Jr.
SECOND TEAM
Field: Tomei Johnson, La Mirada, Sr.
Field: Lina Arreola, Whittier Chr., Sr.
Distance: Michelle Reed, La Serna, Fr.
Sprints: Emerald Rivera, California, So.
Field: Sabrina Moreno, Whittier, Sr.

ALL-AREA TRACK AND FIELD PHOTO GALLERY
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Are you ready for some football? Whittier area to be represented in SGV Hall of Fame Game


ONE FINAL TIME: St. Paul’s David Crabral will be one of nine
area players who will take part in tonight’s SGV Hall of Fame
All-Star football game tonight at West Covina High School.

June and July are usually reserved for summer passing leagues. But some real football will be played tonight when West Covina High School hosts the annual San Gabriel Valley Hall of Fame All-Star football game.
Tonight’s game, which consists most of the top graduated football players from San Gabriel Valley high schools, will also feature nine players from the Whittier area.
The East squad will feature St. Paul’s David Cabral and Marcus Garcia; Whittier Christian’s Daniel Abernathy and Ryan Wallace; Whittier’s Mark Hartnell; Cal’s Lance Hludzik and La Serna’s OJ Medina. Playing for the West are Montebello’s Jorge Romo; Schurr’s Chris Aguilar and Cantwell’s Corey Collins, Miguel Garcia and Francisco Gutierrez.
I will cover the game for the newspaper group and will provide quarter scoring updates via twitter.com/DailyNewsSports.

What: San Gabriel Valley Hall of Fame Game
Who: East vs. West
Where: West Covina, High School
When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Continue reading “Are you ready for some football? Whittier area to be represented in SGV Hall of Fame Game” »

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