A summertime tradition continues next Saturday, July 9, when the Colusa County Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of some of the top senior athletes and section winning teams, in addition to enshrining four inductees in an event to be held at Granzella’s Banquet Room in Williams.
In the first of a two-part series, the Pioneer Review highlights the 10 seniors along with three teams that won section championships in 2022.
From Colusa, a pair of three-sport athletes in Ethan Lay and Reese Roper led the way. Lay, best known for his sensational play on the diamond, which earned him both the All-Section and Sacramento Valley League Most Valuable Player awards, was also named to the All-SVL basketball team and ran cross country. For her part, Roper was the SVL’s MVP in volleyball as well as an All-League pick in basketball and played first base on the RedHawk softball team.
Representing Maxwell are seniors Shane Danley and Paige Vierra. Danley, another three sport standout, earned All-League honors in football and baseball in his final high school season, and in doing so helped lead the Panther baseball team to a victory in the Northern Section Division VII title game. Vierra, an All-League selection in both volleyball and softball, was the setter on Maxwell’s NSCIF Division VII championship team this past fall.
Pierce seniors Diana Huerta, Bryce Murphy, and Ryan Travis all excelled for the Bears in 2022. Huerta left her mark in cross country and track, while also playing soccer over her four-year career. This season, she was the SVL’s No. 1 ranked runner in the 3200 meters and No. 2 in the 1600. Murphy and Travis participated in four sports this year, including football and basketball, where the Bears finished as section runners up, along with golf and baseball. Murphy was All-SVL in football, basketball and baseball, while Travis got an All-League nod in basketball and baseball, then additionally qualified for the NSCIF golf championships.
Princeton’s Cris Winn had a year to remember athletically, garnering NorCal 8-man All-League honors in football and a spot in the Lions All-Star Game. Winn also played on the Eagles’ basketball team, which ended as the NSCIF Division VII runner up, then helped Princeton to an Evergreen League baseball championship and was once again an All-League selection.
Rounding out the individual athletes are Williams’ seniors Xochitl Hernandez and Jayr Ramirez. In her final year as a Yellowjacket, Hernandez was a cheerleader, in addition to being named to the Mid-Valley All-Conference team in both basketball and softball. Ramirez capped an outstanding senior season by being selected the MVL’s Offensive Player of the Year in football and getting an opportunity to play in the Lions’ All-Star game. He also received All-MVL recognition in basketball.
Four county teams claimed section titles this year: Maxwell volleyball, Williams boys soccer, and the Colusa and Maxwell baseball squads.
The Panthers finished the volleyball season 18-5 and defeated Chester to win the inaugural Division VII volleyball championship, while the ‘Jackets went undefeated in MVL play and 17-3 overall, laying claim to the Division III title after downing Winters.
Colusa’s baseball team was in a class by itself in 2022, winning not only the Division IV crown, but also going on a 33-game tear before losing its final contest to Bradshaw Christian in the NorCal Regional Finals.
Maxwell (14-8) returned to the championship game for the first time under Coach Tyler Wells where they trounced Dunsmuir 28-3 to win the Division VII title.
Next week’s installment will feature the four 2022 Hall of Fame inductees.■
