Eleven Selected as April Athletes of the Month

April was a busy month with some teams in postseason competition and others gearing up for more play to come, but 11 student-athletes were selected as the Western State Conference Athletes of the Month on Wednesday.

Baseball - Citrus finished the regular season on a high note, going 11-0 in April. A big factor was sophomore first baseman Cam Casado, who earned CCCBCA Player of the Week honors and was named the WSC South Division Player of the Year. At the plate, Casado appeared in 10 games, posting a .485 batting average and 1.121 slugging percentage. He recorded at least one hit in each game he played, riding a 21-game streak overall. He earned three doubles, six homers, 14 RBI, and drew seven walks. He only struck out five times in his 33 at bats, while adding three stolen bases.

Men's Golf - Canyons sophomore Anthony Nilson is no stranger to awards. He was named the WSC Player of the Year, edging teammate Jacques Struyf in the overall standings. At the WSC Finals, Nilson started Round 2 +2 behind the leader, shooting a Round 2 best 68 to earn the top spot. He consistenly led the pack and the Cougars to top finishes at every event.

Beach Volleyball - The duo of Ventura sophomores Viola Barrios and Shai Daniels has been near unstoppable all season and April was no different. The pair led the Pirates to a team regional playoff berth, as well as qualifying for the pairs competition, winning the WSC Pairs title. As the No. 1 pair for Ventura, they tallied one of two of the two matches won against both Mt. SAC and MiraCosta in the regional.

Softball - Freshman Hailey Davis was instrumental in Antelope Valley's 8-3 April, earning four wins in the circle on 24.1 innings pitched. She racked up 21 strikeouts and allowing only 13 earned runs. Her pitching efforts earned her WSC Pitcher of the Year honors, while also leading the team to a playoff berth and WSC South Division title. 

Men's Swim & Dive - Sophomore Grant Huston continues to pace the Cuesta Men's Swim and Dive program while garnering individual honors. In April, Huston won seven events at the WSC Championships - 200 IM, 100 IM, 200 Breast, 200 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay, and 800 Free Relay. And on Day 1 of the 3C2A State Swim & Dive Championships, Huston made his mark by resetting the state meet record in the 200 IM (1:44.88) and taking top honors.

Women's Swim & Dive - Santa Barbara City sophomore Trinity Link continued to dominate in the pool in April, scooping up seven top places at the WSC Championships in the 200 IM, 100 Fly, 100 IM, 200 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay, and 800 Free Relay. She helped lead the Vaqueros to a second place finish at the 3C2A State Championships.

Men's Tennis - Bakersfield's Mateusz Lipczynski made an immediate impact in his rookie season for the Renegades. His dominating play in the WSC earned him Player of the Year honors, helping advance Bakersfield to the SoCal Regional Semifinals. In the first round of regional play, he led the Renegades to a 5-0 shutout of Orange Coast.

Women's Tennis - It all came down to the last match of the day at the 3C2A State Women's Tennis Team Championships, and LA Mission sophomore Josilyn Rivera was up for the task. She pulled out a come-from-behind win over Sierra College's Autumn Holmes, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (0) to lead the Eagles to the title and a perfect 25-0 record on the season. The title marked the first for LA Mission, who is just in its fifht season of sponsoring a women's tennis program.

Men's Track & Field - Cuesta sophomore Anthony Frere posted a personal best in the 1,500 meters (3:56.08) en route to not only taking the top spot in that race but also the 800 meters (1:55.22) at the WSC Championships. His marks qualified him for not only the SoCal Championships but also the 3C2A State Meet, as he will be competing in the 800 meters.

Women's Track & Field - Canyons sophomore Hazel Rhodes couldn't stay off the podium at the WSC Championships in April. She earned four medals, winning the 200 meters (24.30), 400 meters (54.47), and anchoring the 4x100 (48.15) and 4x400 meter (3:55.74) relays. Rhodes will be competing in the 200 and 400 meters at the 3C2A Championships.