There’s a lot of work that goes into being a student-athlete nowadays.
Most have to juggle between practice, workouts (sometimes twice a day), school work and perhaps other responsibilities on a daily basis.
Pajaro Valley High graduate Olivia Contreras knows this all too well seeing that she had first-hand experience in not just one, but three different sports for the past four years.
“It is a lot to balance,” she said. “You really do just have to put in a lot of work and make sure that you can have boundaries for sports and for school because it does get a lot sometimes.”
In those four years, Contreras believes she’s grown a lot in both academics and athletics.
However, it wasn’t until her junior year when the Grizzly star athlete truly began to sparkle for the girls volleyball, basketball and softball teams.
“I was still learning, and I continue to learn, but I think junior year is really where I started to feel more comfortable,” Contreras said. “Then senior year was probably one of my best years.”
No doubt about it.
Contreras found success across multiple sports, earning all-league first team honors in all three that she competed in while also being recognized as the top player in one.
It was a testament not only to her natural talent, but to her relentless work ethic, dedication to her teams and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Contreras was an inspiration while setting an example for younger athletes. She represents the very best of what it means to be a student-athlete, which is why Contreras was named The Pajaronian’s Female Athlete of the Year for the 2025-26 school year.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of other super talented people in the area, and for me to be able to accept this award, and to be given this award, is such an honor.”
PV athletic director Joe Manfre had a front row seat throughout most of Contreras’ career.
Manfre said he was always impressed by her tenacity and willingness to do anything to help make the team better, and win.
“She wasn’t one of those people that was gonna throw the bat down when she struck out,” Manfre said. “It was her calm demeanor that helped lead the other kids in all those sports that she played. She never really got too high, and she never really got too low. Just her consistency and her temperament helped out in all three sports.”
Contreras said it also helped to have her father, Adrian, watching from the grandstands in just about every game, even the ones that added mileage to the car.
“He’s always there to motivate me and to talk about games after if I have a bad game or anything,” Contreras said. “And he’s super supportive, so he’s somebody I really look up to.”
Contreras quickly made a name for herself in her favorite sport after becoming a member of the girls volleyball team her freshman year.
“Just the love for it really pushed me to be better, and I loved the feeling of when I was succeeding in it,” she said. “That feeling also really kept me going, and just putting in hard work.”
The hard work paid off as she earned All-Pacific Coast Athletic League First Team honors in the Cypress Division to cap off her senior year in dominant fashion.
Unlike a real grizzly bear, Contreras did not hibernate during the winter. She continued to grind on the hardwood court as one of the team captains for the girls basketball squad.
Former PV head coach Darren Jackson praised Contreras for being a well-rounded student-athlete that was passionate about anything she set her mind to.
“It speaks to her character and how hard she works,” Jackson said. “I’m glad that she was noticed and being recognized for that [athlete of the year] award. I think she deserves it.”
Contreras went from earning All-PCAL Cypress Division Second Team honors her junior season to earning first team honors, and receiving the co-Most Valuable Player award this past winter campaign.
“[Jackson], with his different strategies, he’s helped me a lot,” she said. “He pushed all of us to be a lot better, and we pushed ourselves.”
The Grizzly standout finished with an average of 12 points and 10 rebounds per game while playing lockdown defense on the opposite side of the court.
What’s even more jaw dropping is she was still successful despite playing out of position, going from down in the paint to up top as a guard.
“She’s that kind of athlete that gives me that full court drive, that pressure that I needed,” Jackson said. “She accepted her new role and she became very good at it.”
Contreras demonstrated a high level of skill, strong leadership and relentless heart in every game.
On top of an MVP season, she helped lead the Grizzlies to a share of the PCAL Cypress Division crown with Pacific Collegiate as both teams went 12-2 in league play this season.
“This year was definitely a shock, but I’m really happy about the outcome,” Contreras said. “[MVP] wasn’t really something I was aiming for, but it’s something I’m super excited that I was able to get.”
The athleticism continued in the spring on the softball field.
Contreras earned All-PCAL First Team honors in the Santa Lucia Division, proving once again her competitive spirit knows no boundaries.
“I love sports, but [softball] just wasn’t really my sport,” she said. “I wanted to do the best that I could in that sport, and I think it showed.”
In 19 games played, she finished batting a .327 average (17-for-52), including three home runs, a pair of triples, 25 RBIs, 19 runs scored, 10 walks and 16 stolen bases.
PV second-year head coach Daisy Ortiz mentioned that Contreras gained confidence at the plate by putting in extra work at the batting cages.
“She wouldn’t stop taking reps until she felt they were good or started getting good swings on the ball,” Ortiz said. “She’s a really hard worker, a leader since she stepped on our field, as well.”
On defense, Contreras stepped into a new role behind the plate as PV’s newest catcher. She finished with 103 put outs on 111 total chances while tallying just seven errors.
A true example of what sportsmanship ought to be.
“She’s a really good athlete, but I think the most important thing is that she’s a really good teammate,” Manfre said. “I think she lifts up all the girls around her. Whatever sport she’s playing, whether it’s volleyball, basketball, or softball, she brings a lot of energy, hard work and dedication.”
In fact, Contreras earned a spot on the PCAL’s Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team, while the Grizzlies were named the Elgi Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team.
“I would have to move a lot of girls around, and whatever position I had to put [Contreras] at that day, she would just own it and do whatever was best for the team,” Ortiz said. “We pride ourselves on good sportsmanship.”
When it comes down to it, Contreras simply loves the competitiveness and seeing everybody get along to be able to play together.
Contreras is also hopeful the athlete of year award will bring more attention to PV’s athletic department, and encourage others to give sports at least a try.
“It’s really a great community,” she said. “I think sports helps people open up, and it’s really important. Sports are a big part of my life.”
The Pajaronian’s Female Athlete of the Year 2025-26 candidates
Adelaide Friedley (Sr.), Aptos
Cloe Morrow (Jr.), Monte Vista Christian
Olivia Contreras (Sr.), Pajaro Valley
Peyton Orradre (Sr.), St. Francis
Esperanza Sigala (Jr.), Watsonville
