FARMINGTON – Nearly 20 recently graduated high school student athletes received $1,500 scholarship checks last week during the 4th annual Wally D Sports Scholarship Foundation Banquet, held at the Farmington Civic Center.
The top prizes were awarded during the event, while top nominees from nearly two dozen sports received scholarship awards as well. The event awarded more than $60,000 in total monies to some of the county’s top prep athletes.
Piedra Vista’s JW Bayless, who led the Panthers baseball team to a Class 5A state title last month, was named the top overall male athlete. Bayless, who recently announced his intent to attend Midland College in Texas, was one of three hurlers who helped guide the team to its first state title in more than a decade.
Bloomfield’s Evani Velasquez, a multi-sport athlete who played a significant role on special teams during the Bobcats run to a second straight Class 4A football title, was named the top female athlete. Velasquez, who also owns a state title for Bloomfield in track and field, recently announced her intent to join Oral Roberts University.
Bayless and Velasquez took home a combined total of $8,500 in scholarship monies. Bayless was named the top high school baseball player, while Velasquez also took home top female track and field honors as well as comeback player of year.
The banquet, attended by more than 500 coaches, sponsors, committee members and athletes from across the county, was a final opportunity for many recent high school graduates to celebrate their achievements in their respective sports.
Kirtland Central’s Angel Acosta was named the county’s top boys soccer player. Acosta led the Broncos with 31 goals last season, and also took part on the Kirtland Central track and field teams, reaching the state finals and also played on the Broncos boys basketball team.
Acosta took the opportunity after receiving his award to thank his family and Kirtland Central head coach Chad Kimball.
“(Kimball) has been my coach since eighth grade, and he honestly is not just a coach to me, he’s a father figure because it’s really just me and my mom. He has been there for me through it all, helped me grow and improve. And I thank him very much.”
Cassidy Babcock, who led the Bloomfield High girls soccer team with 113 saves in her senior season, was named the top female soccer player. Babcock also was a key contributor to the Bloomfield softball team and was a three-year starter as goalkeeper for the Bobcats.
Awards were also handed out for top coaches and top teams during the recently wrapped up high school sports year.
Jeff Kiraly, head coach of the Piedra Vista High baseball team was named coach of the year while the Panthers championship team was also selected as San Juan County’s team of the year.