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Central Valley’s Hidalgo, Daoheung named Courier’s top athletes
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Isaiah Hidalgo starred on Central Valley’s varsity football team this fall. - photo by Dale Butler

Central Valley High School juniors Isaiah Hidalgo and Amelia Daoheung have been named the Ceres Courier’s Male and Female Athletes of the Year for the fall sports season.

Hidalgo and Daoheung excelled in football and girls golf, respectively.

“I worked harder this offseason,” Daoheung said. “I did the First Tee Program and played golf with my cousin (Ceres High boys standout Visanoukone Homsombath). If I practice more, I’ll improve my scores.”

“I had a better work ethic this season,” Hidalgo said. “That helped me perform better.”

Daoheung has improved each season while filling the top spot in the Hawks’ lineup.

She made program history this fall by becoming just the second Central Valley female player to earn league Most Valuable Player honors.

She follows in the footsteps of Janita Vongphoumy, who was named Western Athletic Conference MVP her junior and senior years.

Daoheung claimed the 2019 CCC MVP award.

“I do feel satisfied because I met a goal I set freshman year,” she said. “I’m surprised I accomplished it. I’ve come a long way.”

“I’m proud of her because she’s improved a lot,” Hawks’ head coach Kelly Wheelock said. “But I don’t think she’s scratched the surface of how good she could be.”

Daoheung turned in a career-best performance while taking first at the CCC End-Of-Season Tournament.

She shot a 93 at Rancho Del Rey Golf Course.

Daoheung won the conference title by eight strokes.

She avenged a pair of losses to Merced’s Lauren Palumbo, who fired a 101 at the league finals.

“She won by a landslide,” Wheelock said. “It wasn’t even close.”

“My coach set higher expectations for me,” Daoheung said. “That built my confidence.”

Hidalgo racked up 1,844 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns during his second season with the Hawks.

He earned CCC honorable-mention recognition. 

“My game has really improved,” he said. “It took a year to understand what was happening. My first year being on varsity (in 2018) boosted my IQ. I became a more patient runner. I played smarter.”

A standout running back, Hidalgo gained 983 yards and tallied 12 TDs, both career-highs, on 205 carries.

He caught 26 passes for 163 yards and one score.

Hidalgo totaled 537 yards and two touchdowns on 20 kickoff returns.

He had 161 yards and one TD on seven punt returns.

“I’m happy with how I performed,” he said. “I want to thank my offensive line. They worked hard every day at practice to get better. I also put in a lot of extra time.”

Two of Hidalgo’s most-productive games came against Sac-Joaquin Section champs Ripon and Sierra during the preseason.

He carried the ball 19 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns against Ripon.

He ran for 129 yards and one TD versus Sierra.

“Those are really good teams,” Hidalgo said.

Hidalgo also helped Central Valley improve its all-time record versus crosstown-rival Ceres High to 12-2 with a 55-13 victory.

He rumbled for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

Hidalgo returned a punt 66 yards for a TD.

“It’s special being on the winning side,” he said.

Daoheung and Hidalgo will vie for additional success in 2020.

“There’s a lot of room for improvement,” she said. “I’m trying to push for that. I need to practice my putting. That’s my biggest weakness.”

“I have one more year,” he said. “I’m trying to be as good as everybody expects me to be. I want to motivate little kids who are watching.”

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Amelia Daoheung continued her run of success with Central Valley’s varsity girls golf teaam. - photo by Dale Butler