It's that time of the week again—time to crown the next Desert Sun Athlete of the Week. As the spring sports season heats up and playoffs loom, local athletes are delivering unforgettable performances. Last week, you made an excellent choice by voting for Palm Desert swimmer Ava Otteson, and she proved you right with a jaw-dropping follow-up performance.
After breaking records at the Desert Empire League meet, Otteson didn't slow down. She captured the CIF-SS Division 2 championship in the 500-yard freestyle, clocking a school-record time of 4:52.02. As if that weren't enough, she also took third in the 200 freestyle with a stellar 1:48.57. Talk about making a splash!
Now, it's time to turn your attention to this week's nominees. These athletes have been putting in the work, and they deserve your vote. Here's how it works: read about their achievements below, then cast your ballot in the poll at the bottom of this article on desertsun.com. The athlete with the most votes by noon on Saturday will be named our weekly winner. Let's meet the contenders, listed in alphabetical order:
Cole Carlton, Golf, Palm Springs
This senior dominated the Desert Valley League individual title, posting a two-day total of 120 over 27 holes. He opened with a sharp 38 on day one and followed with an 82 on day two. Carlton also impressed at the CIF-SS individual preliminaries, shooting a 79 at Bear Valley Country Club in Victorville.
Jose Cervantes, Baseball, Cathedral City
Cervantes was a force on the basepaths in a regular-season finale win over Cathedral City. He racked up three hits, three RBIs, three stolen bases, and a run scored, helping the Golden Eagles close out strong. Cathedral City kicks off their playoff run on Friday.
Noah Hernandez, Baseball, Indio
The Rajahs edged rivals Coachella Valley 6-5 to end their regular season, and Hernandez was the star. On the mound, he struck out six, walked four, and allowed just two earned runs to earn the win. At the plate, he added two RBIs and two runs scored—a true all-around effort.
Softball Nominee, Shadow Hills
She helped the Knights lock down the second-best spot in the DEL with two crucial wins over Rancho Mirage late in the season. In the first game, she went 3 for 5 with a standout performance that kept the team's momentum rolling into the playoffs.
These athletes have shown grit, skill, and determination. Now it's your turn to decide who takes home the title. Head to the poll and make your voice heard—every vote counts!