Student-Athletes of the Week: May 18, 2020
May 18, 2020 | Student Athlete of the Week
We're showering our senior student-athletes with shout-outs galore! Hats off to Vista Ridge High School's Victoria Baker and Nolan Ybarra–Leander ISD Student-Athletes of the Week! These two exemplary students are closing a chapter on time wisely spent to launch an exciting, new one.
Victoria gave Vista Ridge Athletics a 1-2 punch as a 3-year starter for the Lady Ranger basketball team and a fierce competitor in track and field. In basketball, Victoria received All-District honors. Head coaches from across District 13-6A named her Co-MVP. Victoria has signed a Division I letter of intent to play at the University of California Irvine.
In track, she ran the 4×100, 4×200, 4×400 relays for the Lady Rangers, anchoring the Area Qualifying 4×400 relay team of 2017 and a top 4 13-6A 4×200 relay this season. All the while Victoria also participated in AVID, an elective course that encourages college readiness through raising the bar for individual students.
"Victoria has been a great leader in our program during her high school career," VRHS head girls basketball coach Keith Allen said. "Besides being a great point guard and athlete, she is a great student and ambassador for our sport. Most importantly, Victoria has been a great teammate and a true student of the game."
Both Coach Allen and VRHS head girls track coach Jesse Leake mentioned how Victoria makes each program better, contributing to the overall success exemplifying leadership and character for future athletes.
Head Girls Track Coach, Jesse Leake, states, "How many athletes do you know that sign their letter to play at the next level, and then still come out to compete in Track & Field for their senior season?" Coach Leake asked. "Thank you, Victoria for being a great example of 'We are VR.'"
Nolan is a senior member of the Vista Ridge High School Ranger baseball team. The two-year letterman made the All-District team as a junior. Likewise, Nolan signed up for AVID. The Advancement Via Individual Determination program helps better prepare students for college, serving Nolan well. He has accepted an offer to play at the next level at Northern Oklahoma College.
"Nolan is a hard-working, great young man and it was an absolute honor to be able to coach him," VRHS head baseball coach Matt Garver said. "He epitomizes what it means to be a Ranger. Any time we needed a big moment on the mound, Nolan came and delivered."
Coach Garver remembered a time during last year's regular season when the Rangers were on the brink of making the playoffs in a game against Hendrickson High School.
"It was the fourth and final playoff spot. Nolan started that game and gutted out 8 innings giving up only one run. If it wasn't for a pitch count limit, he would've stayed on the mound the entire night to get us a win. That's just the type of competitor Nolan is!"
Inspiration firing on all fronts, we're so proud of Nolan Ybarra and Victoria Baker, LISD Student-Athletes of the Week!
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