Playoffs and Masters for prep sports in the 209 are in full swing, giving the Record plenty of options for this week’s Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week.
Teams across San Joaquin County have been doing everything in their power to bring a blue banner back to their school. From clutch performances on the field to the track, these six athletes have proved they are worthy to be in the running for the Athlete of the Week for the week of May 6-12.
The poll includes athletes from the following spring sports: softball, baseball, and track and field. The poll can be found at the bottom of the story and closes on Friday.
Here are the candidates for May 6-12 (athletes listed in alphabetical order):
Laney Cox, softball, Linden: In the Lions’ regular-season finale, Cox was near unstoppable anytime she came up to bat. The 5-foot-6 junior led her team’s offense past Ben Holt College Preparatory reeling in five RBIs, four hits and two runs. With her leading the charge, Linden would shut the Bobcats out 11-0.
Tamea Creer, track and field, St. Mary’s: As just a freshman, Creer is making a name for herself as one of the fastest runners from the Sac-Joaquin Section. During the SJS Finals this past weekend, she ran an 11.88 seconds 100-meter and a 24.62 seconds 200-meter to take home gold on the Division 1 level. She will be a runner to watch in the upcoming CIF State Meet.
Luke Crivello, baseball, Ripon Christian: The Knights hosted Millennium for the first round of the SJS Division 6 playoffs and entrusted Crivello to take the mound for them. The senior pitcher kept the Falcons at bay for just about the whole game racking up 10 Ks and only allowing one run. Ripon Christian took the game 4-1 thus punching its ticket to the quarterfinals.
More: Playoff Picture: Here are the 12 prep softball teams that are SJS playoff-bound
Hannah Escalante, softball, Lodi: When the Flames took on Tracy on April 30 she was locked in. The senior pitched a complete game with an extra inning and sat down 10 batters with only one earned run and one walk. With Escalante’s lights-out pitching, Lodi took down the Bulldogs 2-1 to earn them a share of the Tri-City Athletic League championship.
Adonis Siga, track and field, Lathrop: Siga played a significant role in helping the Spartans bring home an SJS Division 4 track and field championship to the city of Lathrop. The senior took home gold in the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdle events running anybody in his way. He was also a part of the 4×100 relay team that took fourth place.
Michael Quedens, baseball, St. Mary’s: Quedens can do it all and has done it all for the successful Rams this season as they make a deep run in the SJS Division 1 baseball playoffs. The 6-foot-1 lefty went 6-11 with two doubles and three RBIs during his at-bats to close out St. Mary’s regular season series vs. Lincoln. On the mound, he pitched 5 2/3 innings giving up four hits, one walk and five Ks.
More: SJS baseball DI playoffs: St. Mary’s bests Franklin in first round
Athlete of the Week nominations are based on information available to The Record about all high school varsity players from San Joaquin County. Nominations must be received for consideration by Monday morning following that week’s games.
Anyone can nominate an athlete of the week for every sport. Nominate next week’s ballot via email. Readers can email nominations to sports reporter Shannon Belt at sbelt@recordnet.com. Please include the player’s stats and a photo if possible.
Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.