Student Athlete Spotlight

Cori Leavitt - Volleyball

Arbor View High School

Cori is a leader in all avenues of her life. She excels in the classroom, taking up to four AP classes at a time and participating in Dual enrollment. She currently holds a 4.77 Weighted GPA and is 24/749 in her class. She has been on Varsity 3 of her 4 years with the program and is one of the league's top offensive players. She demonstrates empathy, compassion, and integrity in the face of every obstacle, while serving as a shining light for many.  

Pierson Butler - Cross Country

Arbor View High School

Arbor View High School is proud to recognize Pierson Butler as our Spotlight Athlete of the Month. A dedicated and hardworking member of the cross country team, Pierson is now in his third year representing Arbor View with pride and determination. His commitment to excellence has placed him among the best in school history—currently ranked 4th all-time on a 5K course and 3rd overall on a 3-mile course. Pierson’s success is built on more than just talent; it’s his consistency, discipline, and willingness to do whatever it takes to improve. Whether it’s pushing through tough workouts or supporting his teammates, Pierson leads by example every day. That same drive carries into the classroom, where he approaches his studies with focus and integrity. Pierson embodies what it means to be a true Arbor View athlete—dedicated, respectful, and committed to being his best in every aspect of life. Congratulations, Pierson, on this well-deserved recognition!

Jaeza Lazaga - Tennis

Canyon Springs High School

Jaeza is a 3.2 GPA Student. She is a great Student Athlete who has helped our Tennis Team have a winning record. Jaeza always helps to her teammates and coaches. This is Jaeza's second year playing tennis and was just playing doubles but has started playing singles this year. Her work ethic has improved to where she is in the #1 spot for our team. 

Alonso Gutierrez-Chavez - Soccer

Canyon Springs High School

Alonso has 24 Goals, helping our Boy's Soccer team to a 10-2-2-record, second place in our division, and a top 10 ranking in Nevada. Alonso has a 2.8 GPA 

Sanai Branch - Basketball

Centennial High School

Sanai Branch is an outstanding representative of Centennial high school and the girls basketball program.  She recently committed to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on a full athletic scholarship. Sanai is a model student on campus and boasts a 3.5 GPA.

Gavin Ahlstrom - Basketball

Centennial High School

Gavin Ahlstrom is a senior captain and four-year varsity shooting guard who brings leadership and consistency to his team. This season, he’s averaging 15 points, 2 assists, and 4 rebounds per game, making him a dependable scorer and all-around contributor. A dedicated scholar athlete, Gavin also earned All-Tournament honors at the 2025 Legacy Tournament, showcasing his impact in big moments.

Tayla Singleton - Volleyball

Cimarron-Memorial High School

Tayla is an outstanding athlete and a strong leader on the volleyball team. She holds herself and her teammates to a high standard. She earned 1st Team All-Conference honors and was named our Team MVP. Tayla led 4A with 482 kills this season and surpassed 1,000 career kills in her four years as a Lady Spartan, which is an incredible accomplishment. She has made her teammates, coaches, and school extremely proud.  

Andres Gutierrez - Soccer

Cimarron-Memorial High School

Andres is the captain of the boys' varsity soccer team and also a high-performing student with a GPA of 3.5. He played 90% of the possible playing minutes of the season, which was rarely subbed out!!

William Philips-Tennis

Del Sol Academy

William is a senior at Del Sol. A magnet student in the Theatre Tech program, he has been a varsity tennis player for 2 seasons, as well as being a major contributor to the Dragon basketball and volleyball programs. William has been a team leader and top competitor for the Del Sol tennis team over the last two years. He is excited about the next part of his journey by playing College Volleyball.

Ricana Taylor-Girls Volleyball

Del Sol Academy

Ricana Taylor is a standout multi-sport athlete. As a senior graduating in the class of 2026, she deserves to be in the spotlight for her versatility, consistency, and impact across multiple sports. She has a key player in both volleyball and basketball, and excels as an Oppo/Outside Hitter on the volleyball court and as a Guard/Wing on the basketball team. Her ability to perform at a high level in different sports showcases not only her natural talent but also her dedication and work ethic. Maintaining good grades, always showing up, and expressing kindness to her coaches and teammates are qualities that best describe her. 

Kai Fields - Football

Desert Oasis High School

From the moment he took over as a starter during his freshman year, Kai Fields has been a dominant force along the Diamondbacks defensive line. He finished his freshman season as the only freshman in 5A football to be named to the All-League team when he was named Second Team All-League. This past season Kai finished third on the team with 37 tackles, tied for the team lead with 5 sacks, and second in tackles for loss with 6. He was the only sophomore in 5A football named First Team All League. In addition to being a tremendous football player, Kai is a leader in and out of the locker room.

Lola Borsh-Cross Country

Desert Oasis High School

Freshman Lola Borsh has quickly established herself in the upper echelon of the Desert Oasis Girls Cross Country program. She capped off her first season with three consecutive second place All Time performances in school history. Lola’s happy, go lucky demeanor and infectious smile brighten up the meeting room and workouts on a daily basis. Despite her diminutive stature, Borsh has a tremendous aerobic engine that will develop even more over the course

of her DO career. She’s a great musician playing the violin in the school orchestra, as well as shredding the electric guitar. As is typical with the cross country program Lola is a great student in the classroom - earning an unweighted GPA of 4.00 in her first quarter in high school. Her future looks to be incredibly bright.

Arecelli (Celli) Hernandez - Volleyball

Durango High School

Celli is the captain of the Durango High School volleyball team and has been a dedicated member of the varsity squad for all four years. With a 4.1 GPA, she exemplifies excellence both on and off the court. During her time at Durango, Celli has helped lead her team to two state championships, showcasing her leadership, determination, and passion for the game. Beyond athletics, Celli is actively involved in the National Honor Society (NHS), the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), and serves on the yearbook staff. This year, she proudly represented Durango at the Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum. After graduation, Celli plans to graduate with honors and attend Northern Arizona University (NAU) to pursue a career in forensic science.

Matthew Dasch - Boys Soccer

Durango High School

Matthew is a dedicated member of the soccer team who always gives 100%, both on and off the field. He takes pride in staying on top of his schoolwork while bringing consistent effort and focus to every practice and game. Matthew is always ready to support his teammates, stay positive, and is a big part of what keeps the team moving forward.  

Ella Ostler - Soccer

Eldorado High School

Ella Ostler is being nominated because of her leadership both on and off the soccer field. During practices and games, Ella never hesitates to uplift her teammates and refocus them during challenging moments. Additionally, her tactical awareness helps keep the team well-organized. Overall, Ella is a captain who leads with integrity and inspires upcoming leaders.

Johnny Valeriano - Soccer

Eldorado High School

Johnny is a leader on the field; he has a great work ethic and plays with passion. One of his best traits is that he is always smiling and positive. He recognizes his teammates and their strengths and holds himself accountable. During the season, he played especially well against our strongest competition, recording three consecutive games with more than 10 saves per game. But Johnny is also a leader at the study hall and in the classroom, bringing his same upbeat attitude. He is funny as well and knows how to make the team relax. Congratulations on being the Athlete of the Month!

Carson Morris and Benson Gifford

Tennis

Foothill High School

These two student-athletes were both named all-state academic scholar athletes and recently won the Tennis Class 4A Boys Doubles State Championship in Reno, NV. Carson and Benson are the first in school history win a state championship in the sport of tennis for Foothill HS. Both players were team captains and helped lead our team to the state tournament the past 2 seasons. 

Tianna Hunsaker - Soccer

Foothill High School

Having scored 45 goals during league play and assisting 18 , Tianna is incredibly well rounded on the field.  She is not only able to find the back of the net but able to find her teammates as well.  She is a true leader and playmaker.  Put her anywhere on the field and she will exude confidence and showcase technical ability that is far superior than most. Tianna Hunsaker has been nominated for the 4A Player of the Year for this very reason. With a gpa of 3.97 she maintains the same level head and drive in the classroom that she does on the field. An absolute class act on and off the pitch, she will represent Foothill, her family and community well when she continues her career playing for BYU women’s soccer. 

DaQuan Brown - Boys Basketball

Green Valley High School

DaQuan is not only an amazing athlete and student, but he is also an exemplary person. He is a great leader on and off the court, always willing to go the extra mile to help his teammates.  He has improved as a player and leader this season.  After hitting the game-winning shot to beat Faith Lutheran, he was injured and offered encouragement from the bench and helped the managers get water and take care of the team.  We could not be more proud of the man he is becoming.  He has a bright future ahead of him in whatever he chooses to do.

Jordyn Terry - Flag Football

Green Valley High School

Jordyn has been a member of our program for 4 years as a starter on varsity. She leads our team with her play and leadership every time she steps on the field. Losing a person like her will not be replaceable, but she will always be remembered for her blue-collar mentality and whatever attitude it takes for us to have success. In her career, she has over 100 catches, 26 TDs, and 22 INTs as a Gator and will be truly missed as she goes out into the world to do great things. 

Indian Springs - Volleyball

Indian Springs High School

Minnie is the absolute definition of what it is to be a leader. Not only is she a vocal leader, but she is also one who does it by example. That's not just on the court, as she was voted team captain by her team, but off the court as well, as seen with her 4.26 GPA and her being the Senior Class Historian. She absolutely shines in a volleyball uniform. She was a 2024 1A Central League All-Star and is duplicating that success this year as she currently leads the league in Digs. She has shown to be a great teammate and to be adaptable, as she has already played Libero, Outside Hitter, and Middle Blocker this year. She's a great teammate, great leader, and above all, a great person.

Vance Dilger - Football

Indian Springs High School

Vance has been a Varsity football player for four years, and in those four years, we have seen him be one of the most adaptable athletes in history. He has played QB, WR, TE, DB, DE, you name it. Vance’s versatility and team-first mentality set him apart as one of the most adaptable and reliable athletes in school history. Whether stepping into new roles to fill team needs, leading by example on and off the field, or making big plays in crucial moments, Vance has consistently risen to every challenge. He’s earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike for his competitiveness, work ethic, and football IQ. Beyond the stat sheet, Vance represents what it means to be a Thunderbird — resilient, unselfish, and all-in for his team.

Madison Miranda - Girls Volleyball

Laughlin High School

Madison is an amazing student and athlete. She works extremely hard on and off the court. She is also kind, considerate, and caring. She exudes Cougar Spirit every day at school. 

Henry Zatarain - Cross Country

Laughlin High School

Henry is an exemplary student-athlete. He is dedicated on and off the field, demonstrating leadership skills for his teammates and classmates. Henry cares about people, himself, and his community. He is impressive in every way. As a mature young man, he takes his academics as seriously as he does his sports. 

Myla Matavao - Volleyball

Liberty High School

Myla Matavao is a 4.0 student-athlete and a key piece of our girl's volleyball program. She is one of our leaders on the court with a tremendous work-ethic to excel at the next level. Her coaches appreciate her selflessness, positivity, and competitiveness. 

Justin Gilliland - Soccer

Liberty High School

Justin is an attacking midfielder with incredible pace. He leads the 4A in points with 80, including 28 goals and 20 assists. He is a reliable student-athlete with a 3.75 GPA and great attendance at school and soccer. Justin is a leader who leads by his actions and is looking to lead Liberty Soccer to a state championship this year. 

Ricky Bunch - Cross Country

Mojave High School

Ricky is a 3-sport athlete and a Varsity letter winner in all 3 (CC, Basketball, Track).  He qualified for the State Cross Country meet as Mojave's top runner and was named team MVP for the second consecutive year. He played in Mojave Basketball's State Championship game last year and was a State qualifier in Track. Ricky was nominated for Mojave's Rattler Leadership program due to his leadership skills. He's the guy everyone follows due to his example and "everybody's welcome" attitude.

Janielle Luna - Soccer

Mojave High School

Janielle was named team MVP for the second year in a row for soccer.  Voted team captain for 3 years. She is a 4-year Varsity letter winner in soccer. Has been named 1st team all-district, all-state 2nd team (still awaiting this year's voting results). Janielle is a 3-sport athlete (flag football and track). Was a State qualifier in track last season. Janielle has earned Academic Excellence recognition every season and is active in the National Honor Society and the Rattler Ambassador Program.

Emily Brown - Golf

Southeast TECH

Emily is having a great senior year for the girls’ golf program. She placed in the top 6 in our first two matches. She had the lowest score on the front nine last week with a 49, finished out the game in the pouring rain for a 109, and placed 3rd overall. She has been a great addition to our team and is always willing to help and support our up-and-coming golfers. She is always encouraging and supportive of her team members, and she is a great role model whom all of the younger players look up to. Emily is also very involved in her major, carrying a 4.793 GPA and ranking 19th in her graduating class, having taken all honors and dual enrollment classes. Tech Athletics proudly names Emily Brown the September Female Athlete of the Month.

Erick Gonzalez Garza - Soccer

Southeast TECH

Erick has demonstrated exceptional leadership both on and off the pitch. He serves as a team captain, and his leadership has been instrumental to our success this year. He scored four goals and had three assists against Silverado recently, and he is the goal leader in our division. He plays forward and is an outstanding soccer player. Erick is also excelling in the classroom, currently carrying a 3.333 GPA, and has maintained perfect attendance this year. Tech Athletics is proud to name Erick Gonzalez Garza the September Male Athlete of the Month.

Kelsea Baer - Volleyball

Spring Valley High School

4.0 GPA

Libero

Sophomore

285 digs this season, #4 in Nevada, #1 NV Class 4A, #1 4A Mountain League, #4 NIAA

442 receptions 

Adrian Oceguera - Football

Spring Valley High School

4A Passing Leader.

1280 Yards

13 Passing TD's

2 Rushing TD's

106 QB Rating 

Quinn Sulliban - Soccer

Valley High School

Quinn works hard on and off the court and received our student athlete of the season award.  She maintains a 4.0 GPA as well as is a top player on her team.  She is in student council and is an exemplary student athlete and an all-around great young lady! 

Clement Kabwe - Soccer

Valley High School

Clement received our athlete of the season award for him exemplifying the student-athlete role as he balances school, work, soccer and taking care of his siblings.  He was the number one scorer with 16 goals this year. 

Victoria Hernandez - Volleyball

Western High School

The success Victoria had during the season was largely attributed to the qualities of mental toughness, leadership, work ethic, confidence, adaptability, passion, courage, integrity, emotional intelligence, and determination. Confidence is a key factor, as is adaptability, which allowed Victoria to adapt to changes the team made during the season. Victoria’s passion drives her to give her best, while courage involves facing fear and taking calculated risks. These qualities contribute not only to her  individual success but also to the strength and cohesion of teams, often inspiring future generations.

Sean Misipeka - Football

Western High School

Sean is the unequivocal leader of the Western HS football team. He leads both verbally and by example, motivating his teammates to give their best. Sean was selected as the Las Vegas Raiders Intermountain Healthcare Player of the Week. Sean earned a 3.67 GPA last semester while taking a full schedule of AP, Honors, and Dual Enrollment Classes