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Estevan, Nayeli win CV Athlete of the Year awards
Golden Hawks
Estevan Barragan (pictured right) and Nayeli Pelayo have been named Central Valley High School’s Male and Female Athletes of the Year, respectively. - photo by Dale Butler

Estevan Barragan and Nayeli Pelayo have been named Central Valley High School’s top male and female athletes, respectively.

The 2018 grads were both presented Golden Hawk Athlete Awards.

A point system taking into account athletic and academic achievement, and community involvement determined the winners.

“I got very teary-eyed when my name was called because I wanted to receive this award ever since freshman year,” Pelayo said.

“It was very exciting when I found out,” Barragan said. “It was one of my goals. It’s an amazing honor. I earned it. A lot of people know how much work I put in.”

Nayeli earned eight varsity letters, including four in softball, three in wrestling and one in cross country.

Pelayo’s crowning achievement was becoming the school’s first-ever state medalist in wrestling.

She compiled a 4-3 record on her way to a sixth-place finish in the 189-pound weight bracket at the CIF Girls State Championships.

“I personally would have loved to see her become a state champion,” Hawks’ coach Rob Beckhart said. “If she had one more year, she could have been. She progressed every year. She was consistent.”

Estevan earned seven varsity letters during his prep athletic career, including three both football and track and field, and one in baseball.

Barragan’s main sport was football.

He was Central Valley’s top player on both offense and defense as a senior.

Estevan was voted Western Athletic Conference Most Outstanding Offensive Player.

He rushed for 1,111 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.

He caught 31 passes for 503 yards and two TDs.

Barragan earned second-team all-league honors on defense.

He had 110 tackles, one interception, two pass deflections and one forced fumble at safety.

Estevan racked up a program-record 304 tackles in three seasons with the Hawks.

“Obviously, he was talented and a tough player,” Central Valley coach Scott Edwards said. “He was a great leader. He led by example. He brought everything he had to the table. He didn’t take a play off. That guy’s a warrior.”

The names of the Golden Hawk Athlete Award recipients are displayed on a banner inside Central Valley’s gymnasium.