HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
Zach Benitez Granite Hills | Football
With the freshman leading the way, the Eagles captured the CIF San Diego Section Open Division title and won 12 straight games. He was 163 of 247 for 2,135 yards and 22 touchdowns against just two interceptions.
Jaden Mangini
La Jolla Country Day | Football
In a record-setting 73-34 win over Grossmont, Mangini led the Torreys to the CIF San Diego Section Division 3 championship. The senior passed for 414 yards and 6 touchdowns and had 115 rushing yards and 4 scores on the ground.
Lindsay Zimmer
Cathedral Catholic | Girls cross country Racing to a fourth-place finish, the sophomore led the Dons to the state Division III crown with an 83-92 victory over Moraga Campolindo. She clocked a time of 17:45.1 over the 3.1-mile Woodward Park course.
Faye Naotala
Oceanside | Volleyball
Picking up her game in the section and state playoffs, the senior led the Pirates for the month with 116 kills, 25 service aces and 63 digs. Oceanside won the SoCal title.
Weston Bancroft
La Jolla | Water polo
The Vikings senior saved the best for last as he scored three goals, including the final one with a minute left in the game, to lead his team past section rival Vista, 13-12, in the Southern California championships.
Omar Reyes El Camino | Cross country
After rolling to the section title, the Wildcats senior stayed with the state’s fastest runners the entire Division I race to place fourth overall in 15:03.5 for 3.1 miles — a 41-place improvement
Athletes chosen based on submissions by coaches each month. Please send information about nominees for The San Diego Union-Tribune’s High School Athletes of the Month to stevenrbrand@gmail.com.