ATHLETE

OF THE YEAR

2 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Supplement to Gold Country Media

BEAR RIVER
THE

JUMPER

Bear River High Female Athlete of the Year

By Mike Ray Of The Auburn Journal

or Bear River senior Erica Higley, Higley, this years Bear River Senior
once wasnt enough.
Girl Athlete of the Year, won her
specialty with a jump of five feet five
Last Thursday at Elk Grove
inches. Her effort helped her qualify
High in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section
for her second straight trip to the CIF
Masters track and field championState track meet next week in Clovis.
ship meet, Higley did it again as she
Shes also the Auburn Journal Female
captured her second consecutive CIF
Athlete of the Year for Bear River.
Masters girls high jump championship.
A year ago, Higley won her first CIF
crown when she won a jump off and
cleared five feet six inches for Masters
gold. She advanced to the state meet
but her 5-3 effort didnt qualify her for
the finals.
Higley began her high jump career at
Bear River with lofty goals after she
won the Pioneer Valley League championship as a sophomore in 2013
and went on to place seventh at the
Masters meet with a jump of 5-3.
Earlier this season, in a dual meet at
Colfax, Highley cleared 5-7 to set a

Network
Real Estate
Two-time Masters champ Erica Higley is the
Auburn Journals Female Athlete of the Year
for Bear River.

10598 Combie Road

Auburn, CA 95602
530-268-8800
brucefrager.com

Go Bruins!!

new Bear River school record, breaking the old mark of 5-6 set by Rachel
Welz in 2007.
She also bagged first place finishes at
the Bronco Invitational at Bella Vista,
the Woody Wilson Relays at UC Davis
and the Whitney Invitational. She was
also fourth at the Stanford Invitational, second at the Sacramento Meet
of Champions and also placed at the
prestigious Arcadia Invitational.
Over the last month, Higley built up
a head of steam for a strong season
finish as she won championships at
both the Pioneer Valley League and
CIF Div. IV-V section divisional meet
before bagging the Masters title.
She won it hands down, said Bear
River track and field coach Dan Buxton about Higheys winning Masters
effort. Everything worked for her, she
didnt waste any jumps.

Auto Glass
Express
1010 Streeter Road
Auburn, CA 95602
530-268-3838
autoglass1.com

Go Bruins!!

Bear River
Junior Bruins
10556 Combie Rd.
Ste. 106219, Auburn
530-320-0006
www.brjb.net

The Junior Bruins

salute the Senior Bruins!

Dine at
the Dive

10934 Combie Rd.

Suite 118, Auburn
530-305-3073

www.DineAtTheDive.net

All the Best to the Bruins!

Euro-Motors
10068 Streeter Rd.
Auburn
530-268-1870

AuburnEuroMotors.com

Congratulations to all
our athletes, GO BRUINS!

Supplement to Gold Country Media ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 3

KING

Named as Bear Rivers Senior Boy Athlete

of the Year, Anderson was a catalyst for the
Bruins this spring in the pool

OF THE POOL

Bear River High Male Athlete of the Year

By Mike Ray Of The Auburn Journal

aying that Shane Anderson left

a swimming legacy at Bear River
High school would be a huge
understatement.
Anderson, one of the top swimmers
ever produced at Bear River, swam
his way into school and foothills area
swim history last week when he scored
points at the inaugural CIF State
Swimming Championships held in
Clovis.
Named as Bear Rivers Senior Boy
Athlete of the Year, Anderson was a
catalyst for the Bruins this spring in the
pool. Teaming with a strong group of
swimmers, he helped lead the Bruins
to their fifth consecutive Pioneer Valley
League championship.
At the PVL league meet, Anderson
won two events and also swam on two
winning relay teams.

Shane Anderson offers a big smile in the Bear River pool. Hes the Auburn Journal pick for
Bear Rivers Male Athlete of the Year.

Huber Property
Management
1222 High Street
(530) 885-7252
www.HPMrentals.com

A hard work ethic, dedication and

perseverance is what it takes to stand out,
not only in sports, but in your whole life.
Congratulations on achieving
Athlete of the Year!

Braces
Muffler

10062 Streeter Rd.

Suite #3, Auburn
530-268-2618

GO BEAR RIVER!

in the 100 free with a time of 45.89

seconds.
Anderson also placed 5th in the section 200 free at 1:40.32 and swam on
a pair of relay teams. Anderson qualified to the CIF state in both events
and earned times that landed him on
the All American consideration list.
Andersons strong efforts at the CIF
section meet helped the Bruin boys
score 160 points and place fifth overall. It was the second straight top five
section finish for the Bear River squad.
At last weeks first ever CIF State
meet in Clovis, Anderson kept right
on excelling. Anderson finished ninth
in the 100 free in qualifying and also
was 13th in the 200 freestyle event,
making the finals in both races.

In the state finals, Anderson (46.64)

finished 16th in the 100 free and 16th
again (1:42.52) in the 200 free to give
Then, at the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section
the Bruins their first ever points at a
meet in Lodi, swimming against the
top swimmers in the section regardless CIF state meet.
of division, Anderson was runner-up

Auburn Ford
1650 Grass Valley
Highway, Auburn
530-823-6591

www.AuburnFord.net

Go Mighty Bruins!

Auburn
Jewelry & Loan
948 C Lincoln Way, Auburn
(530) 885-9219
www.AuburnPawn.com

Congratulations
Bruins Athletics!

4 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Supplement to Gold Country Media

COLFAX

AVILA IS A STAR
Colfax High Female Athlete of the Year
By Mike Ray Of The Auburn Journal

hen Taylor Avila picks up

her diploma this week, it
will be one of the few times
in her four-year stay at Colfax High
that the multi-talented Falcon senior
has taken time to slow down enough

and actually catch her breath.

The star athlete was an easy pick for
Auburn Journal Female Athlete of the
Year for Colfax High.
It seems that its been forever that

Avila, ponytail wagging in the air, was

bringing the ball up the court from
her point guard position for the Colfax
High girls basketball program. Before
that she was diving for digs on the
volleyball court or hitting line drives

on the softball field.

Finally, after three and a half years,
Avila took this spring off to let a
shoulder injury mend correctly as she
prepares to move on to college.
Last week, Avila was named as Colfax Highs Outstanding Senior Girls
Athlete. This year she completed what
is now known as a Avila Slam as she
was named to the all-Pioneer Valley
League team in volleyball and basketball after earning all-PVL softball
honors last `spring.
In basketball, Avila graduates as the
schools all-time three-point basket
leader with a total of 125 treys in
three seasons. All total, Avila played
in 86 varsity games putting her in
the schools all-time top ten for that
category.
She played much of this season with
a problematic shoulder injury that
she suffered in the volleyball playoffs.
However, instead of opting for surgery
and missing the basketball season,
she played through the pain and led
the Falcons to a 19-10 record and the
second round of the playoffs.
Taylor was the heart and soul of
our team this year, said Colfax High
girls basketball coach Rich Simpton.
She showed a lot of courage playing
through her pain. She did a great job
for us.

Taylor Avila made for an easy selection as the Auburn Journals Female Athlete of the Year at
Colfax High.

Supplement to Gold Country Media ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 5

A ONE-MAN WRECKING CREW

Colfax High Male Athlete of the Year
By Mike Ray Of The Auburn Journal

f there was one constant in Tim

Rawlins football career at Colfax
High, when he touched the ball
something good usually happened for
the Falcons.

scored a school career record 51

touchdowns with another school

In three varsity football seasons at

Colfax, Rawlins was a virtual one-man
wrecking crew on opposing defenses
as he established no less than five new
school records in Falcon annals.

One of Rawlins highlights this past

season came in a game at Wheatland.

record 35 of those TDs coming in his

senior season.

Sparked by touchdown runs of 97 and

72 yards, Rawlins broke three school
records that evening as he finished
This past season, Rawlins had a banner with 295 yards rushing breaking the
old mark of 279 yards held jointly
senior season where he helped lead
by Rawlins brother Pat in 2009 and
the Falcons to the CIF Sac-Joaquin
equaled the following season by Tom
Section championship game. For his
Baldoni.
efforts, Rawlins last week was named
as Colfax Highs Senior Boy Athlete
Rawlins big night also vaulted him
of the Year. He was also named the
past his brother Pats former school
Auburn Journal Male Athlete of the
career rushing mark of 2,430 yards,
Year for Colfax.
which was set in 2008-09 and his 97yard scoring run also broke the Colfax
Weve had a Rawlins here, either a
school record for longest scoring run
brother or cousin, every year since
of 96 yards set by Scott Kelley against
1997, said Colfax High coach Tony
Marysville in 1998.
Martello last football season. And
not being disrespectful to the others
The Colfax senior also managed
because they were all outstanding
to dent league champion Placers
football players, but with Timmy they
defense for 173 yards and a pair of
saved the best for last.
scores including an electrifying 75Remarkably, Rawlins big 2014 season yard dash on the games first play from
scrimmage.
came with opposing defenses keying
on the Colfax standout. Opponents
knew he was going to get the ball and
still didnt slow him down.
Rawlins ended his varsity career at
Colfax as the schools all-time leading rusher with 3,569 yards. He also

Colfax High standout Tim Rawlins is the Auburn Journal selection for 2014-15 Colfax High
Athlete of the Year.

6 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Supplement to Gold Country Media

MaxRay Irrigation
Products

P.O. Box 1058, Alta, CA 95701

530-389-8273
CONGRATULATIONS COLFAX FALCONS!

GO FALCONS! CONGRATS
TO THE ATHLETES

TJs
ROADHOUSE
520 S. Auburn St.
Colfax, CA 95713
530-346-1040
tjscolfax.com

LE ORANGE
SALON

333 South Auburn St. #4

Colfax, CA 95713
530-346-6800

GREAT JOB
FALCONS!!

COLFAX DENTAL
CENTER
DAN ZENDNER D.D.S. &
CHAD JENSEN D.D.S.
120 Whitcomb Ave.
Colfax, CA 95713
colfaxdentalcenter.com

GO FALCONS!!

GREAT JOB
FALCONS!!

COMMUNITY
GIFT & THRIFT

COLFAX THEATER
COFFEE SHOP

255-A Hwy. 174

Colfax, CA 95713
530-346-1500

CONGRATULATIONS
COLFAX HIGH SCHOOL!!

49 Main St. Colfax, CA 95713

530-346-9900
Find us on Facebook

Were so proud of all our

students! Go Falcons!

PLACER SIERRA
RAILROAD HERITAGE
SOCIETY

SHIP IT &
MORE

CONGRATS CHS!

CONGRATULATIONS
FALCONS!!

PINETOP
APARTMENTS

COLFAX
LIONS CLUB

150 Years A Railroad Town

Colfax Railroad Days
Sept. 12 & 13, 2015
colfaxrailroaddays.org

200 Pinetop Cir.

Colfax, CA 95713
530-745-9801
pinetopapartments.com

9 S. Main St.
Colfax, CA 95713
530-346-7374

Meeting the first and third

Tues. at Pizza Factory
530-637-5131

GO FALCONS!!

CONGRATULATIONS
FALCONS!

KIND & GENTLE

CHIROPRACTIC

CAFE LUNA

233 South Auburn St. #235

Colfax, CA 95713
530-263-8460
kindgentlechiropractic.com

TAKE CONTROL OF
YOUR HEALTH

5 Depot St., Colfax,

CA 95713
530-346-8833

COLFAX ATHLETES
ARE TO THE MOON
AND BACK!

Supplement to Gold Country Media ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 7

ELECTRICAL TESTING
AND CONTROL
44 Washington St.,
Colfax, CA 95713
530-346-9791
Etandc.us

Colfax Falcons, soaring

over their goals!

HUBER PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
1222 High Street
530-885-7252
www.HPMrentals.com

A hard work ethic, dedication and

perseverance is what it takes to stand out, not only in
sports, but in your whole life.
Congratulations on achieving
Athlete of the Year!

SIERRA
MARKET

575 South Auburn St.

Colfax, CA 95713
530-346-8338
sierramarket.com

Congratulations to all
our Colfax athletes!

DAVE
JOHNSON
Coldwell Banker

916-207-5466
Your Voice in Real Estate

CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL THE COLFAX
HIGH ATHLETES

SIERRA
PACIFIC

16898 Placer Hills Rd.

Meadow Vista, CA
530-878-5100
sierrapacificrealestate.com

COLFAX
NET
P.O. Box 1597
Colfax, CA 95713
530-346-8411
www.colfaxnet.com

Cal BRE #00402288

WAY TO GO COLFAX
HIGH ATHLETES

Great Job
Colfax Falcons!

Sierra
junction

Colfax Mini
Storage

Danelle
Maurer

233 South aurburn St.

Ste 215-255, colfax, ca
530-346-2288
sierrajunction.com

Great Job Falcons

Athletes & coaches!

Simply the best in Colfax

1225 So auburn St.
Colfax, Ca
530-346-7676

lyon real estate

auburn, Ca
530-906-7662
dmaurer.go.lyon.com

GO GETTUM FALCONS!!

Cal Bre #01311219

www.ministoragecolfax.com

BrushBusters Lighthouse
serving Placer County
ReaL estate
since 1987
530-888-7776
www.brushbusters.com

Keep Flying
High Falcons!

530-368-1883
jjgargan@gmail.com

Congratluations
Falcons from
Jim and Stephanie
Cal BRe #01264326

GO COLFAX!!!!

8 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Supplement to Gold Country Media

FORESTHILL

BOUND
FOR
SIERRA
Foresthill High Female Athlete of the Year
By Garrett Johnston Of The Auburn Journal

eyona Thompson, bound for

Sierra College, is the 2014-15
Foresthill Female Athlete of
the Year. The three-sport talent was
captain of the girls varsity team in basketball-her main sport-and made 2nd
team all-league her senior year.
Thompson learned to be a vocal
leader as a senior in basketball. At
times she would initiate practice and
start the other girls on shooting drills
if coach Ross Buck was preoccupied
with parents.
Buck asked her to be captain her
junior year but she shied away from
the idea.
After the first tournament this season,
Thompson changed her mind.
She had a different attitude and outlook and stepped up to the plate and
took charge, Buck said.
This assertive approach helped her to
such milestones as 1,000 career points
and now her career total exceeds
1,600.
Shes just one of those natural athletes, her confidence level is there,
Buck said. She believes 100% in
herself.
Thompson showed similar leadership
in her other two sports, soccer and
volleyball, where she nabbed CVCL
2nd team all league honors in volley-

ball and CVCL first team all-league in

soccer.
This season marked Thompsons first
at soccer.
I felt like I could put her in the most
critical position and she played it
well, soccer coach Sharona Belles
said. She played it like she has been
playing for it all her life.
Thompson also was named MVP of
the soccer team.
Even though volleyball wasnt her
main sport, Thompson still enjoyed it
during her her senior season.
I wish it never ended, Thompson
said of Volleyball season. I saw myself
getting better. Volleyball wasnt my
strongest but I still enjoyed trying it.
As she moves ahead, Thompson is understandably appreciative of her time
at Foresthill.
Foresthill gave me lots of good opportunities that I wouldnt have had at
a bigger school, Thompson said. Ill
always appreciate that.
As she heads to Sierra College this fall
her focus will be on general ed.
Beauty school was something she was
always interested in but after going
througn Foresthills Every 15 Minutes program this year she is leaning
towards pursuing law enforcement.

Teyona Thompson (defending) is the Auburn Journal pick for Foresthills Female Athlete of
the Year.

Laura Nelson
Bookkeeping

6775 Trailhead Court

Foresthill, CA 95631
(530) 852-0761
www.nelsonbookkeeping.info

GO WILDFIRES!

Scott Gabart
Excavating
Foresthill, CA 95631
(530) 367-5786
Serving Placer since 1987

Congratulations
Class of 2015

Supplement to Gold Country Media ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 9

ON THE RIGHT PATH

Foresthill High Male Athlete of the Year
By Garrett Johnston Of The Auburn Journal

enior Kayden Zoller, who is

bound for William Jessup University, is the Auburn Journal choice
for 2014-15 Foresthill Male Athlete of
the Year.
Zoller played four sports during his
senior year for the Wildfires including
cross-country, baseball, basketball,
and track and field. The latter was just
added this year for the first time to
Foresthills athletic programs.
Sports are a big part of my life, Im
always playing them everyday, Zoller
says.
Zollers accomplishments in these
sports stack up pretty quickly, especially in his specialty of cross country.
He was captain of the cross country
team all four years in school, a fouryear Varsity Letter winner, a Commitment to Excellence award winner,
a three-year top seven CVCL Cross
Country winner, and league champion
in the high jump his senior year.
Track and Field coach Rebecca Redding knows Zoller may not have the
prettiest jump but he gets the job
done.

Senior Kayden Zoller is the Auburn Journal selection for Foresthill Male Athlete of the Year.

Debbie
Sanchez

Foresthill CA 95631
(530) 902-6070
www.debbiesanchez.com

Congratulations to all
the Foresthill athletes!

Huber Property
Management
1222 High Street
(530) 885-7252
www.HPMrentals.com

A hard work ethic, dedication and

perseverance is what it takes to stand out,
not only in sports, but in your whole life.
Congratulations on achieving
Athlete of the Year!

Hes kind of stiff and not really graceful over the bar but that boy can hop
like hes a frog, its kind of crazy.
Zoller was the only competitor from
Foresthill to qualify for the Sectional at
CSU Stanislaus this season and it was
his first time at the high jump. However, after much thought, he declined
to compete so he could participate
in Foresthills Every 15 Minutes
program-something that Zoller found
encouraging.
On the field, Zollers work ethic shines
strongly to the mind of Foresthills

Cross country coach Jeff Gallero.

Kaydens the epitome of the student
athlete, always on time, always on
target, he knows exactly what to do,
says Gallero. You dont ever have to
worry about Kayden, he;s the go-to
guy. If you want somebody to close it
out or get the job done hes the guy
for you.
As Zoller closes out his senior year, his
future at William Jessup university is
becoming more tangible by the day.
Last Wednesday Foresthill held a signing for Zoller as he signed with Jessup
to study Kinesiology and he plans to
compete on the Cross-Country team
for coach Parker Daniells.
Zoller is about to realize his journey
to th college-level and all that comes
with it.
Im super excited, its like going back
to a small school again and I like the
small school feel because I like the
smaller classroom sizes, Zoller said.
Its more help from the teachers and
the teachers will know me better.
So what is Zoller hoping to do longterm?

10 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Supplement to Gold Country Media

FOREST LAKE CHRISTIAN

PINER SET INCREDIBLE

BENCHMARKS
Forest Lake Christian High Female Athlete of the Year

Each year she just got better and and really developed that leadership ability, mainly by example

By Garrett Johnston Of The Auburn Journal

orest Lake senior Lauren Piner

is the 2014-15 Auburn Journal
and Forest Lake Christian Female Athlete of the Year. She will head
to Menlo College this fall to pursue
basketball and a business degree.
The 5 foot, 10 inch senior played volleyball, tennis, and basketball during
her time at Forest Lake Christian and
none more prominently than the latter.
Each year she just got better and
and really developed that leadership
ability, mainly by example, basketball
coach Tom Ritchart said. Her work
ethic is great and when she was on
the court she was all in and thats just
a great example for the other players.
This led to her career best 23.4 scoring average as a senior and got her
Falcons into the Division V playoffs
until a resounding 55-18 defeat to
Argonaut which ended their season.
The Falcons ended their season with a
16-11 record overall.
Nonetheless, Piners assertive approach, especially as a senior, helped
her to such milestones as 1,000 career
points and now her career total exceeds 1,600.
These accomplishments are special to
this years MVP of the league.
That was special, honestly the credit
goes to my teammates and the passes

that they did and how they looked

for me down the court and how we
really played team ball, Piner said.
I couldnt have asked for a better
team.

Im so excited about Menlo college

that I cant really put it into words,
Piner said. I cant wait to play at the

next level and be a student athlete (in

college). I want to play my best and
really earn my spot out on the court.

Piners standout memory was when

she scored her 1,000th point early in
the season and Forest Lake stopped
the game to give her a banner and
flowers.
Honestly I had no idea I was close
to that mark, Piner said. When they
blew the whistle I was like Whats
going on? Theres still five minutes left
on the clock.
When I saw the 1,000 point banner I
was like Who is this for? But it was all
very sweet.
Piner was Forest Lakes Dale Lacky
nominee for her strong academic and
athletic accomplishments. She was
a 4.0 student and balanced her time
with captaining the girls basketball
team and was named all-league in
tennis.
That was a big deal to me as well
because its a lot of work, its hard to
balance it all, Piner said. It was definitely another great honor to receive.
Now she will head to Menlo College
and pursue a business degree and
try out for a small forward position on
their basketball team.

Lauren Piner is all smiles with her mom DeeDee Piner during signing day. She is the 2015
Auburn Journal Athlete of the Year

Supplement to Gold Country Media ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 11

FA M I LY

MAN
Forest Lake Christian High Male Athlete of the Year
By Garrett Johnston Of The Auburn Journal

yle Soria is the 2014-15 Forest

Lake Christian Male Athlete of
the Year for the Auburn Journal. He will head to Westmont College
to pursue baseball and an eight-year
PreMed program this fall.
So how did the Soria view his senior
season for the Falcons as he played
basketball, soccer, and baseball?
It was probably the best season by
far, Soria said. Coming up youre
always the younger one looking up
to the older kids and this year I had
a chance to lead and be a mentor
towards the younger kids, set an example and it was fun competing in all
three sports. I love competition and its
always a blast.

Kyle Soria, shown here at signing day, is the Auburn Journal Male Athlete of the Year for
Forest Lake Christian.

Electrical Testing
and Control
44 Washington St.
Colfax, Ca 95713
(530) 346-9791
etandc.us

Congratulations FlCs!

From your alumni Britni Fitzgerald

Huber Property
Management
1222 High Street
(530) 885-7252
www.HPMrentals.com

A hard work ethic, dedication and

perseverance is what it takes to stand out,
not only in sports, but in your whole life.
Congratulations on achieving
Athlete of the Year!

Soria took home 1st team all-league in

soccer, 2nd team all-league in basketball, and was the captain of all three
teams. In baseball, the 18-year-old
was the only senior on the team and
therefore had to set an example to the
younger players.
The Forest Lake Christian pitching
aces senior baseball season proved
challenging as he rolled his ankle sliding into first base during a mid-season
game against Woodland.
This caused him to miss a few games
and focus more on playing other posi-

tions like catcher, his other forte.

Soria also enjoyed seeing younger
players step up for the Falcons this
past season.
It was fun and exciting seeing the
underclassmen getting better at baseball because I love it so much I enjoy
seeing other people play and have
fun, Soria said.
One of those underclassman was
Sorias younger brother Brett, 16, who
played all three sports with Kyle last
season.
Soria ended the season with a .412
batting average and went 2-1 with a
0.51 ERA, his lowest in high school.
Well be in good shape next year
because of Kyle, baseball coach and
father Jess Soria said. He taught the
younger players the right way to play.
Soria scored eight goals in soccer and
averaged 8.8 points and 6.0 rebounds
a game in basketball.
Ive never been pushed and worked
so hard in any sport and that was a lot
of fun and I had such a good chemistry and focus with the team and
coaches and it made me want to work
harder even though it wasnt my main
sport, Soria said of his senior basketball season.

12 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Supplement to Gold Country Media

PLACER
QUEEN OF THE NET
Placer High Female Athlete of the Year
By Ike Dodson Of The Auburn Journal

he storied hardwood of Earl

Crabbe Gymnasium was the
ultimate playground for Placer
High senior Raquel Quirarte.
Bold and aggressive, she attacked the
volleyball net with gusto and found
the bottom of the basketball net with
ease.
The two-sport standout was the clear
choice for the 2014-15 Placer High
Female Athlete of the Year by both
Placer High and the Auburn Journal.

wont forget and thats because I had

such a great group of girls for a team
this year.
Volleyball will be easy to remember
too, especially since its so involved in
her future. Quirarte received a scholarship to play volleyball at Central
Connecticut State University.
According to Placer volleyball coach
Jen Wright, Quirarte was the unani-

mous choice for 2014-15 PVL volleyball MVP.

Its easy to see why.
Quirarte played in 200 varsity sets
across three years of varsity action.
She amassed 607 kills across that
span with 86 aces, 82 blocks and 525
digs. She also played in the Optimist
volleyball match.

She is probably the most physical

and most competitive kid I have every
coached at Placer, Coach Wright
said. She has a ton of fire and brings
that, all the time to every game.
She was 100 percent coachable with
a great attitude. Shes fun, but also a
serious competitor. We are going to
miss her.
The feeling is mutual.

She was a true difference maker who

could score and rebound and guard
the opponents best player, Placer
basketball coach Tony Camillucci
said. She also took practices to the
next level with her intensity and work
ethic.
Quirarte excelled on the basketball
court, earning All PVL status, a league
championship and a selection to the
Optimist All Star Games.
She averaged 12 points and nearly 10
rebounds a game for Placer this year
as the program fought for a 21-7 overall mark and 1-1 playoff stanza.
Most memorable moment at Placer
would be my senior year playing Colfax at home in basketball, Quirarte
said. There was a huge student
section on both sides and it was fun
hearing them get into the game and
cheering us on. It definitely pumped
my whole team up, which made it that
much more fun.
That game is definitely a game I

Volleyball and basketball star Raquel Quirarte is the 2015 Placer High Female Athlete of the Year.

Supplement to Gold Country Media ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 13

CLARK,

WE NEEDED YOU
Placer High Male Athlete of the Year
By Ike Dodson Of The Auburn Journal

rom the moment he stepped

onto Placer Highs historic
campus, the football and golf
standout captured accolades that
grew exponentially in stature.
He played a major role in six Pioneer
Valley League championships, played
on three section champion golf teams
and was the 2015 Division IV individual champion on the links.
The senior, easily recognizable as one
of the most accomplished athletes in
school history, made for an easy Male
Athlete of the Year selection by both
Placer High and the Auburn Journal.
Pietromonaco took the helm his senior
year on the gridiron and led Placer to
an undefeated PVL title. It wasnt even
close. Placer outscored PVL teams
182-41.
The Hillmen beat section champion
Bear River 28-0 and ousted section
runner-up Colfax 45-21.
Pietromonacos tireless progression
was unstoppable, also impossible to
ignore.
Clark is a special kid, Placer football
coach Joey Montoya said. I was not
surprised to see the incredible amount
he improved as an athlete from his
junior to senior year.
He impressed off the field too.

On top of being incredibly intelligent

and competitive he is also just a great
overall person Montoya added. He
has served on mission trips and has
been involved with Young Life and
serves through his church.
I cant say enough great things about
Clark.
Its a common trait among his coaches.
A tremendously driven athlete not
satisfied with mediocrity, Placer golf
coach Greg French said of the senior. (He) wants the spotlight and is
comfortable in it, always looking to
improve all phases of his game.
Pietromonaco said his most memorable moments at Placer High came
from being a part of two winning
teams.
Senior year was the best with sports
because football was an amazing experience and golf won a section title,
Pietromonaco said. I would give 100
percent to the sport that I was playing
and I was fortunate enough to play
well in both.
Pietromonaco said he will miss the
atmosphere at Placer High while he
majors in mathematics at William Jessup University in Rocklin. He received
a golf scholarship to William Jessup
and will strive for a National Championship on the links.

Placer High student Clark Pietromonaco is the 2015 Auburn Journal Male Athlete of the Year
after a tremendous senior campaign.

WAY TO

GO

HILLMAN!

14 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Supplement to Gold Country Media

Moules Foothill
Glass
1029 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn
(530) 885-4180
www.moulesfoothillglass.com

GO HILLMEN!

Huber Property
Management
122 High Street, Auburn
(530) 885-7252
www.HPMrentals.com

A hard work ethic, dedication and perserverence

is what it takes to stand out, not only in sports, but
in your whole life. Congratulations on achieving
Athlete of the Year!

Bail House
11410 Atwood Rd.,
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 823-1852
bailhouse.com

Placer Independent
Resource Services
11768 Atwood Rd., Ste. 29
Auburn
(530) 885-6100
www.pirs.org

Footpath

Sierra Art
Services

825 Lincoln Way, Auburn

(530) 885-2091
www.thefootpath.com

CONGRATULATIONS

TO ALL OUR
ATHLETES!

Strictly
Toy-ondas

135 Stadium Way,

Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 887-0808
strictlytoyondas.com

Auburn
Electric

Sierra Custom
Awards

HILLMEN!

www.sierrapacificrealestate.com
BRE#00920443

All our Athletes

Are winners!

Good Job Placer Hillmen,

Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS

16898 Placer Hills Rd.,

Meadow Vista
(530) 878-5100

WAY TO GO PLACER
HIGH ATHLETES!

Congratulations to
all the fine athletes
of Placer High

(530) 888-6807
www.auburnelectric.com

Sierra Pacific

173 Palm Ave., Auburn

(530) 888-1333
sierracustomawards.com

GREAT JOB

HILLMEN SPORTS!

1084 Meadow Vista Rd.,

Meadow Vista
(530) 885-3822
SierraArtServices.com

Auburn Journal
1030 High Street, Auburn
(530) 885-5656
www.auburnjournal.com

GREAT JOB
HILLMEN!

Auburn Roofing
130 Elm Ave., Auburn
(530) 823-9904
AuburnRoofing.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
OUR ATHLETES!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
BEST OF THE BEST ATHLETES
FROM THE BEST OF THE BEST
ROOFING CO.!

Joe Caribe

Carols Market

Good Job
Placer County
Student Athletes!

Congratulations
Hillmen!
Keep climbing!

Silvas
Landscape
and Design

Souzas Tires

13470 Lincoln Way,

Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 823-5333
joe-caribe.com

Serving Placer & Nevada County

www.silvaslandscaping.com
(530) 878-5073

Good Job Hillmen!

235 Taylor Road,

Newcastle, CA 95658
Deli, Market & More
(916) 663-2120

153 Cleavland Ave., Auburn

(530) 823-8232
www.souzastireservice.com

GREAT JOB

HILLMEN ATHLETICS!

Supplement to Gold Country Media ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 15

Natural Wellness
Massage
1115 High Street, Auburn
(530) 415-4110
www.auburnmassagetherapist.com

GREAT JOB

HILLMEN ATHLETES!

Ropers Jewelers
818 Lincoln Way, Auburn
2288 Grass Valley
(530) 885-4852
www.jewelry-auburn-ca.com

Mickeys Boots
875 Lincoln Way, Auburn
(530) 885-3710
www.mickeysboots.com

GO HILLMEN
ATHLETICS!
Newcastle
Cheese Shop

455 Main St., #B, Newcastle

(916) 663-3704

ITS GREAT TO AWESOME JOB

BE A HILLMEN! HILLMEN SPORTS!
Auburn
Ford

Breathe Again
CPR

Fabulous job
Placer Hillmen!

CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL OUR ATHLETES!

1650 Grass Valley Hwy

Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 823-6591

Classes held in Auburn, CA

or in your own office
(408) 497-5910

16 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Supplement to Gold Country Media

DEL ORO

GOLDEN
EAGLES SOAR

Del Oro High Female & Male Athlete of the Year

By Mike Ray Of The Auburn Journal

hether on the basketball

hardwood or the discus or
shot put ring at Del Oro
High, Lauren Heyn could pretty much
be counted on to come through for
the Golden Eagles.
The same could be said for boys soccer-tennis player Jessie Ahlquist.
Thanks to hard work and determination, Heyn and Ahlquists hard work
and determination in 2014-15 paid off
handsomely as the pair were honored
last week as Del Oro Highs respective
Girl and Boy Athlete of the Year.
Heyn, who will attend attend Colorado
State-Pubelo next season on a basketball scholarship, was elevated to Del
Oros varsity basketball team in her
freshman year.
In four seasons including two as an
all-Sierra Foothill League choice, Heyn
helped Del Oros girls hoop squad win
84 games.
Heyn also had a strong track year for
the Golden Eagles. She captured both
the SFL shot put and discus crowns
and last week before winning the
discus at the Div. I sectional meet. At
Thursdays CIF Masters meet, she finished fourth in the shot put to qualify
for next weeks CIF State Meet.
Basketball star Lauren Heyn is the 2015 Del Oro High Female Athlete of the Year.

Supplement to Gold Country Media ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 17

CONGRATULATIONS LAUREN & JESSIE!

Newcastle
Pizzeria

505 Main St.

Newcastle, CA 95658
916-672-6263
newcastlepizzeria.com

GO Del Oro!!

Artisan
Outdoors

6181 Angelo Ct.

Loomis CA 95650
916-652-9205
artisanoutdoors.com
Congrats to the Golden Eagles!

Taylors
3636 Taylor rd.
loomis, Ca 95650
916-652-8255

Congratulations
Del Oro!

US Bank

Melanie Palmquist
3700 Taylor Rd.
Loomis CA 95650
916-652-5868
usbank.com

Go Del Oro!!

Main Drug
Store

Curves

3685 Taylor Rd.

Loomis, CA 95650
916-652-7265
mainleaderdrug.com

Go Golden Eagles!!

3555 Taylor rd.

Loomis CA 95650
curves.com
916-660-9735
Win or Lose
youll always be the best
DeL OrO!!!

Alpacas
All Around

Golden Eagle
Automotive

Congrats Golden Eagles!!

Go Golden eaGles!!

4300 Hansen Rd.

Loomis CA 95650
916-660-1918
alpacasallround.com

Ahlquist was also busy this past year.

As only one of eight seniors on this
seasons Del Oro boys soccer team,
Ahlquist was a steadying influence for
the Golden Eagles who made a resurgence this season with a strong SFL
finish and a top seed in the playoffs.
A three-year varsity player, Ahlquist
played superb at both ends of the
field for the Golden Eagles. He
was also a steady performer on the
schools boys tennis team.
Jesse played No. 2 singles for us
this season and did a great job, said
Del Oro coach Jill Butler. He showed
great senior leadership, said Butler
of Ahlquist who will attend UC Davis
next year.
Soccer star Jessie Ahlquist is the 2015 Del Oro High Male Athlete of the Year.

3590 Taylor Rd.

Loomis, CA 95650
916-652-1 100
goldeneagleautomotive.com

18 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Supplement to Gold Country Media

A Pets
World

3335 Spence Rd.

Loomis, CA 95650
916-622-7387
petsworldca.com

Congratulations Del Oro!

Mail
Biz Etc.

Huber Property
Management

Barstool
Outlet

Indian Creek
Country Club

222 Hight Street

31 19 Penryn Road
Penryn CA 95663

HPMrentals.com

congrAtulAtions on
Achieving Athlete of the yeAr!

916-488-8680
barstooloutlet.com
Fly High Eagles
From Troy & Kathy Johnson,
Class of 1963 & 1964

Great Job Golden Eagles!

DO It
Carwash

Monroe
Transmissions

Legacy
Propane

530-885-7252

A hArd work ethic, dedicAtion And

perseverAnce is whAt it tAkes to stAnd out,
not only in sports, but in your whole life.

Newcastle, CA 95658
916-663-0763
legacypropane.net

Great JoB Del oro!

CONGRATULATIONS
Golden Eagles!!

9093 Old State Hwy.,

Newcastle, CA 95658
916-663-41 16
monroetr.com
We are proud of all the
student athletes

All In
Organizing

Carols
Market

D&L Smith
Collection

Prestige
Landscape

6100 Horseshoe Bar Rd.

Loomis, CA 95650
916-652-6428
mailbizetc.com

Loomis, CA 95650
916-660-3948
allinorganizing.com
Congratulations to all the
2015 Athletes!

3395 Taylor Rd.

Loomis, CA 95650
916-397-6433

4487 Barton Rd.

Loomis, CA 95650
916-652-5546
golfindiancreek.com

235 Taylor Road

Newcastle CA 95658
916-663-2120
Keep flying liKe the
golden eagles that you are!

Congrats athletes!

Furniture and Cabinets

916-390-0256
dandlsmith.com

GREAT JOB Del Oro

Athletes!

Fly like the Golden Eagles

that you are!
Congratulations Del Oro

Loomis, CA 95650
916-652-7542

Keep flying high

Golden Eagles!
GO DEL ORO!

CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL OF
THE INCREDIBLE
ATHLETES THIS
YEAR!

ATHLETE

OF THE YEAR
BEAR RIVER

pg

02

COLFAX

pg

04

FORESTHILL

pg

08

FOREST LAKE CHRISTIAN

pg

10

PLACER

pg

12

DEL ORO

pg

16