From football games to senior nights, athletics are a big part of the Aragon community. For some athletes, the end of the year brings another honor: Athlete of the Year. This award cements their name in Aragon history, awarding them for their constant hard work throughout their high school sports career.
The award ceremony was different from previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter-in-place ordinance. The winners were announced on May 20 over YouTube by athletic director Steve Sell.
The male athlete of the year was three-time varsity water polo starter and Ocean Division Most Valuable Player Peter Martin. Martin led the Dons to an 11-2 Ocean League record and their first league championship win since 1994 this year.
“I had already walked back into my room after my name had been called for the water polo awards not thinking I would win athlete of the year,” Martin said. “My mom was the one who called me back into the room to keep watching and my jaw had just dropped. I was so shocked, but it definitely feels great to know that my name will be in the rafters as someone who made a large impact on Aragon water polo.”
Water polo offers a fast-paced game with a flow like no other, and Martin enjoys the competition and teamwork that goes along with it. Being a Don also allowed him to share a bond with friends and strengthened him as a person.
“Aragon has been a very unique experience,” Martin said. “There were only four boys in my grade that played water polo so every year was basically a new team. I was able to play and grow with different types of talents and we all toughened up through those 6 a.m. morning practices. It also taught me how to lead a team. I learned that, as cheesy as it sounds, teamwork really does make the dream work and a team with good chemistry will get the best out of everyone.”
Out of the water, Martin loves basketball, both playing it and supporting the Golden State Warriors. He also follows football and baseball and is a fan of Marvel and Star Wars and the behind-the-scenes on how those movies are filmed. Martin enjoys working out at the gym and playing video games in his free time. He will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for Experience and Industry Management.
The female athlete of the year was four-time varsity basketball starter and South Division MVP Lydia Manu.
“I honestly am so honored and humbled to be given this award,” Manu said. “I am beyond thankful for my coaches and teammates who helped build me as a player and a person. The most important thing I want someone to know about me is that anything that I have achieved or anything good in me is because of Jesus Christ in my life. He has truly blessed me with all the memories, experiences and four years here.”
The sports community at Aragon has allowed Manu to play alongside people who enjoyed sports as much as she did, and use that talent to compete.
“I’m thankful to sports because it allowed me to enjoy playing the game alongside people who I loved to be around,” Manu said. “I was able to use my talents alongside others who shared the same passion. We all embarked on a journey as a team and man did it turn out special. I got to witness how remarkable these girls are inside and outside of sports. These girls are queens. They’re strong, hardworking, bold and not to mention hilarious. It felt like everything we did together created a special memory.”
The school community is a matter of pride for Manu and her family. All of her brothers went to Aragon, and the community around quad nights and games made her enjoy her experience even more.
Outside of sports, Manu trains with her family and friends. She goes to church every Sunday and enjoys being the drummer there. Manu is also looking forward to a trip to Tonga with her family and an annual Mexico house building trip over the summer. She will be attending Fresno Pacific University, and will be playing basketball there.
The ceremony also honored principal Dr. Patricia Kurtz, who is retiring this year, for her constant support of the athletic department as well as senior Anthony Remedios for his work as the 2016-2020 sports information director, manager and announcer. Also announced was tennis coach Dave Owdom’s CCS honor coach award for boys tennis.
This ceremony is a defining moment for all senior athletes who have worked hard and used their talents to represent Aragon in their various sports.
