. . . The Commission on Athletics Awards Committee is
proud to announce Tia DeSoto of Santa Rosa Jr. College and Kris Shirley of Palomar
College as recipients of the women’s and men’s 2002 Pepsi Scholar Athlete Award.
DeSoto and Shirley, along with the rest of the 2002 honor roll members, will
be honored at the annual Pepsi Celebration of Student Athletes Luncheon, part
of the 6th Annual COA Annual Convention, on Wednesday, March 26 at the Peppermill
Hotel in Reno, Nevada.
The Pepsi Scholar Athlete award is the highest student achievement honor awarded
annually by the COA, which oversees intercollegiate competition at 103 community
colleges and nearly 25,000 student athletes each year. The winners, along with
the rest of the honor roll, were selected from nominations made by colleges
throughout the state.
“The judging was very difficult this year as there were many outstanding candidates,
all of whom excelled in academics, competition and citizenship,” said COA Commissioner
Dr. Joanne Fortunato. “We congratulate the winners and the honor roll finalists
on all of their achievements."
The Women’s Honor Roll includes: Katherine Bates (Cabrillo College swim/dive
and water polo, 3.95 GPA), Sarah Bitle (Cypress College swim/dive and water
polo, 4.0 GPA), Kristine Chavers (San Diego Mesa College water polo, 3.87 GPA),
Chelsea Kenna (Moorpark College swim/dive, 3.90 GPA), Angela Mantele (Mendocino
College volleyball, 3.79 GPA), Elaine Martinez (Pasadena City College softball,
3.72 GPA), Adrianne Page (Taft College volleyball, 3.86 GPA), Maria Tonione
(Los Angeles Valley College volleyball, 3.91 GPA), Allison Welsh (Rio Hondo
College basketball, 3.90 GPA), Julie White (Butte College basketball, 3.91 GPA)
and Holly Wilson (Chaffey College volleyball, 3.86 GPA).
The Men’s Honor Roll includes: Joel De Maria (Santa Rosa Jr. College baseball,
4.0 GPA), Savio Gomes (Cuesta College swim/dive and water polo, 3.81 GPA), Michael
Hoy (Los Angeles Valley College swim/dive and water polo, 3.81 GPA), John Koontz
(Reedley College baseball, 3.79 GPA), John Morgan (Saddleback track/field, 3.82
GPA), Brian Olson (Shasta College swim/dive, 4.0 GPA), Michael Peace (El Camino
College water polo, 3.64 GPA), Zachary Schroeder (Antelope Valley College cross
country and track/field, 3.90 GPA) and Jonathon Troop (Feather River College
baseball, 3.61 GPA).
Tia
DeSoto graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College with a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning
Dean’s Highest Honors during each of her six semesters and was selected to the
College Board Talent Roster of Outstanding Transfer Students. DeSoto earned
the Doyle Scholarship each of her semesters at SRJC, and was also the recipient
of the North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation Scholarship, the Dr. Peter Konttas
Transfer Scholarship, and the Ruth Parle-Craig Scholarship. DeSoto was selected
to participate in the Study Abroad Program, and spent a portion of the spring
2001 semester in Florence, Italy.
Just as successful in the athletic arena, DeSoto set SRJC records in the women’s
hammer and discus throws, capturing Bay Valley Conference championships in both
events in 2000 and again in 2002. She was the Northern California champion in
the hammer throw in 2000 and 2002 and discuss in 2002. At the 2002 California
Community Colleges Commission on Athletics Track and Field Championships, DeSoto
captured the state championship in the hammer throw and finished fourth in discus
earning her the MVP award for women’s field events.
DeSoto is currently a member of the track and field team at the University
of Nebraska, where she is majoring in anthropology. Her career goal is to become
an attorney with an emphasis on representing the underprivileged.
Kris
Shirley was a two-year member of the Palomar College wrestling team, serving
as team captain in his sophomore season. During his freshman campaign, Shirley
finished in 8th place at the California Community Colleges Commission on Athletics
Wrestling Championship, assisting his Palomar team to a 3rd place team finish.
In 2001, Shirley’s 6th place finish in the state championship helped to secure
a 4th place finish for the Comets.
While maintaining a 4.0 GPA at Palomar, Shirley found time to participate
in numerous volunteer activities in his community. He volunteered as a tutor
at Hidden Valley Middle School, and served as an assistant coach at his former
high school, Escondido High. Shirley also spent time as a volunteer with Project
Mercy, a humanitarian organization that organizes and constructs housing for
disadvantaged families in and around Tijuana, Mexico.
Shirley is currently majoring
in Economics and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine and
plans to pursue a law degree.
For more information on the COA Annual Convention, and for the latest news,
information and updates of all 23 COA sanctioned sports, please visit www.coasports.org.
COA
