The Record will nominate several high school athletes in San Joaquin County for the Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week award.
It’s up to you, the readers, to choose the winner.
The Martin Dentistry Award highlights top performances from 209-area schools — excluding boys basketball, which has its own poll. This week’s ballot features seven nominees from Stockton, Ripon, Manteca, Escalon and Galt.
Anyone can nominate an athlete of the week for every sport. Readers can email nominations to sports reporter Dylan Ackermann at [email protected]. Please include the player's stats and a photo if possible.
The poll at the bottom of this page closes at noon on Thursday, Feb. 12. There are no voting restrictions, so vote now and vote often.
Here are the Feb. 9-14 nominees (Athletes listed in alphabetical order by last name):
Touraya Blakey, Girls Basketball, Bear Creek
Since Jan. 6, the results have been clear.
Touraya Blakey stepped into the lineup, and Bear Creek started winning.
The Bruins have gone 15-2 since her debut, powered in part by her 14.6 points per game and steady production that helped secure the No. 1 seed in the SJAA tournament.
But her defining moment came on the biggest stage.
In the SJAA championship game against Edison on Feb. 13, Blakey poured in 26 points, sealing the tournament title and capping a run that has transformed Bear Creek’s season.
Adriana Escobedo, Girls Soccer, Weston Ranch
Few expected Weston Ranch to advance.
Even fewer expected the decisive moment to come from Adriana Escobedo.
Entering the CIF-SJS playoff opener, Weston Ranch was the No. 11 seed facing No. 6 El Camino, which had just completed a 14-0 Golden Empire League title run.
Escobedo, a midfielder, had scored only one goal all season.
She doubled that total at the perfect time, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 upset of El Camino — a strike that may stand as the biggest of the senior’s career.
Alesandra Flores, Girls Soccer, St. Mary's
In a do-or-die match, the goalkeeper carries the weight of every mistake.
Alesandra Flores carried it without flinching.
The St. Mary’s keeper posted her 13th shutout of the season in a 1-0 first-round CIF-SJS playoff win over Grant Union High School on Feb. 13, extending her scoreless streak to eight straight matches.
She has played every minute for the Rams this season and has yet to allow a goal in the run of play. The only two goals scored against her came from penalty kicks, leaving her with a 0.13 goals-against average.
“Her leadership, shot-stopping ability, and command of the defensive line have been instrumental in St. Mary’s success this season,” coach Michelle Coleman said. “Alesandra’s performance exemplifies excellence and makes her highly deserving of this recognition.”
Yandel Gutierrez, Boys Soccer, East Union
Big games haven’t slowed Yandel Gutierrez.
They’ve only fueled him.
With first place in the VOL on the line Feb. 10, Gutierrez scored both goals in a 2-0 win over rival Manteca. When Patterson tied its season finale, East Union’s win locked in a tie for the league title.
Then came the playoffs. As the No. 2 seed in the CIF-SJS bracket, East Union cruised past No. 15 Livingston 5-0, with Gutierrez delivering a hat trick. It marked his eighth game with three or more goals and pushed his season total to 49.
It might feel like his name shows up here every week. That’s not by accident. As long as the sophomore keeps scoring like this, he’ll keep finding his way onto the list.
Alan Montelongo, Boys Soccer, Liberty Ranch
Some moments stay with a player forever.
For Alan Montelongo, that moment came with the season on the line.
As the No. 4 seed in Division IV, Liberty Ranch faced No. 13 Center in the first round of the CIF-SJS playoffs. Montelongo responded with the first hat trick of his high school career in an 8-1 win on Feb. 14.
The senior entered the game with just four goals all season.
He nearly doubled that total in one afternoon, turning a postseason opener into an unforgettable milestone.
Joaquin Rodriguez, Boys Wrestling, Ripon
Effort has defined Joaquin Rodriguez’s four-year career at Ripon.
Nothing has come easy, and nothing has been done halfway.
That approach paid off again this week. Rodriguez went 4-0 at the Division V Divisionals, claiming first place and advancing to Masters for the fourth time. He will compete next weekend at Stockton Arena.
The run comes on the heels of a TVL championship last weekend, where he was also named the Outstanding Upper Weight Wrestler.
Rodriguez reached the state tournament last year, and with momentum building, he’ll attempt to make the trip back once again.
Arianna Velasco, Girls Basketball, Escalon
The title was already clinched. Arianna Velasco kept playing like it wasn’t.
With the Trans-Valley League crown secured the week before, Escalon could have coasted. Velasco didn’t — even without Madison Babasa by her side.
Two days later, she added 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven steals in a 31-21 win over Orestimba, reinforcing her impact on both ends.
After surpassing 1,000 career points to begin the new year, Velasco has become the centerpiece of Escalon’s fifth league title in program history, averaging 16.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
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This article originally appeared on The Record: Vote now for the Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week for Feb. 9-14