It's time to shine the spotlight on Tulare County's rising stars! Our Athlete of the Week poll is now open, and we need your help to crown the best of the best. From track and field heroes to softball sluggers and baseball aces, these athletes have delivered standout performances that deserve recognition. Cast your vote now—the poll closes at noon on Friday, May 15. No limits on voting, so show your support early and often (no email votes, please).
Let's meet this week's nominees:
Starting on the track, Brooklyn Bawanan (El Diamante girls track and field) dominated the East Yosemite League championships, winning both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. Conner Machado (Monache boys track and field) swept the 800- and 1,600-meter EYL titles, proving his endurance is unmatched. Demaje Riley (Tulare Union boys track and field) soared to first in the long jump at the West Yosemite League championships. Adrian Santa Cruz (Golden West boys track and field) sprinted to victory in the EYL's 100- and 200-meter races. Graycie Serpa (Redwood girls track and field) doubled up with EYL championships in the 200- and 400-meter events. And Dynasty Williams (Tulare Western girls track and field) brought home two first-place medals from the WYL championships in the 100 and 200 meters.
On the diamond, Abigail Haslam (Tulare Union softball) delivered a clutch performance, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored in an 11-10 win over Mission Oak. Eli Palomino (El Diamante baseball) was untouchable on the mound, tossing a complete-game 4-0 shutout with a two-hitter and two strikeouts against Monache.
Nominations are based on information available to the Times-Delta, and any Tulare County high school varsity athlete is eligible. Want to nominate next week's standout? Send nominations to sports reporter Vongni Yang at vyang2@visaliatimesdelta.com by Monday morning, including stats and a photo if possible. Whether it's a game-winning hit, a record-breaking sprint, or a shutout on the mound, we want to celebrate every athlete's moment in the sun. So, who gets your vote?