Tyree Jones and Alyssa Long were the big winners during Central Valley High School's Senior Awards Night.
Jones and Long were presented Golden Hawk trophies in front of family and friends on May 11 in the cafeteria.
A point system taking into account athletic and academic achievement, and community involvement for the past four years determined the male and female winners.
"I've always looked up at the banner in the gym," Alyssa said. "To know my name is going up there is mind blowing. It's great to know I'm always going to be a part of the school. It's an amazing feeling."
"I'll go back to the school 20 years from now and my name will be up there," Tyree stated. "I was surprised I got it because there were a lot of people with talent. It's humbling. All I can say is thank you to all of the people that pushed me."
Long earned an astounding 13 varsity letters during her prep athletic career, including four in basketball, three in volleyball, and two in soccer, softball and track and field.
"Just hearing people talking positively about me was really great," she said.
Alyssa exhibited toughness by playing injured countless times.
"I think it's just part of my nature," she said. "If I get hurt and I can still walk, I'm playing. Letting your team down hurts a lot more than any injury."
Long averaged 9.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 2.3 assists while leading Central Valley's girls basketball program to its first-ever league title and postseason appearance. The Hawks won a share of the Western Athletic Conference crown, qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs and posted a 15-8 record.
"We accomplished the one thing we've been dreaming about," Long said. "That's definitely going to have a special place in my heart."
Jones earned six varsity letters, including three in track and field, two in football and one in basketball.
"I'm more focused now," Tyree said. "My confidence level has gotten higher. School, family and sports are my main priorities."
This spring, Jones helped lead Central Valley's track and field program to a second-place finish in the WAC standings (4-1). Jones took first in the 100 and 200, and anchored the Hawks' winning 4x100 relay team at the conference finals. He advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Meet in two events (100 and 4x100 relay).
Tyree rushed for a school-record 1,717 yards and 14 touchdowns while starring in football last fall.
Past Golden-Hawk recipients include Mike Tubera, Latrisha Jordan, Trevor Mew, Julie Calderon, Vince Lopez and Amanda Lopez.
Greg Tripp, Jones' younger brother, could be in the running for the prestigious honor next year. Tripp was a key member of Central Valley's football and track and field teams. He'll take up a third sport as a senior-basketball.
Jones and Long were presented Golden Hawk trophies in front of family and friends on May 11 in the cafeteria.
A point system taking into account athletic and academic achievement, and community involvement for the past four years determined the male and female winners.
"I've always looked up at the banner in the gym," Alyssa said. "To know my name is going up there is mind blowing. It's great to know I'm always going to be a part of the school. It's an amazing feeling."
"I'll go back to the school 20 years from now and my name will be up there," Tyree stated. "I was surprised I got it because there were a lot of people with talent. It's humbling. All I can say is thank you to all of the people that pushed me."
Long earned an astounding 13 varsity letters during her prep athletic career, including four in basketball, three in volleyball, and two in soccer, softball and track and field.
"Just hearing people talking positively about me was really great," she said.
Alyssa exhibited toughness by playing injured countless times.
"I think it's just part of my nature," she said. "If I get hurt and I can still walk, I'm playing. Letting your team down hurts a lot more than any injury."
Long averaged 9.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 2.3 assists while leading Central Valley's girls basketball program to its first-ever league title and postseason appearance. The Hawks won a share of the Western Athletic Conference crown, qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs and posted a 15-8 record.
"We accomplished the one thing we've been dreaming about," Long said. "That's definitely going to have a special place in my heart."
Jones earned six varsity letters, including three in track and field, two in football and one in basketball.
"I'm more focused now," Tyree said. "My confidence level has gotten higher. School, family and sports are my main priorities."
This spring, Jones helped lead Central Valley's track and field program to a second-place finish in the WAC standings (4-1). Jones took first in the 100 and 200, and anchored the Hawks' winning 4x100 relay team at the conference finals. He advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Meet in two events (100 and 4x100 relay).
Tyree rushed for a school-record 1,717 yards and 14 touchdowns while starring in football last fall.
Past Golden-Hawk recipients include Mike Tubera, Latrisha Jordan, Trevor Mew, Julie Calderon, Vince Lopez and Amanda Lopez.
Greg Tripp, Jones' younger brother, could be in the running for the prestigious honor next year. Tripp was a key member of Central Valley's football and track and field teams. He'll take up a third sport as a senior-basketball.
