The Pajaronian’s Prep Athletes of the Week were selected based on their performances during the week of Oct. 6-12. Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit nominations to sports editor Juan Reyes at jr****@*****ys.com.
Boys
Sam Hansen (Jr.), Aptos: The speedy long distance runner had a successful week for the Mariner boys’ cross country team, including a top-five finish at the prestigious Crystal Springs Invitational in Belmont on Oct. 11.
Hansen took fourth in 15 minutes, 19.52 seconds in a field of 114 elite runners competing on a 2.95-mile course in the championship division race. He finished just a hair length behind Alisal senior star runner Fernando Herrera (15:19.10) in third.
Hansen was fresh coming off a first place finish that helped Aptos edge Santa Cruz for a team win with a score of 27-30 in the teams’ Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League dual meet Oct. 9.
He won the race in 15:26, giving him a total of six victories in three league dual meets and three invitationals this season.
Next up, Hansen and the Mariners are scheduled to compete at the Rough Rider Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno on Oct. 17.
Girls
Denisse Magallon (So.), Pajaro Valley: The standout two-way player accounted for seven total touchdowns to help lead the Grizzlies’ girls’ flag football team to back-to-back victories in Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division play last week.
Magallon recorded five TDs in PV’s 36-0 shutout win against North Salinas on Oct. 9. She added two more touchdowns, bumping her season total to 25, in a 33-2 crushing win over Marina on Oct. 7.
Magallon also recorded three interceptions and had four long punt returns that set the Grizzlies up with great field position.
Next up, PV (11-2, 10-2) hosts Rancho San Juan in PCAL Mission Division play on Oct. 21 at 4pm.
