SPORTS & OUTDOORS
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR BY ZACH CAVANAGH | THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH
John McFadden. Photo: Zach Cavanagh
Will Stahl. Photo: Zach Cavanagh
Natalie Gleason. Photo: Zach Cavanagh
Ashlee Gallegos. Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Turner
CO-MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
CO-MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
CO-FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
CO-FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
JOHN MCFADDEN
WILL STAHL
NATALIE GLEASON
ASHLEE GALLEGOS
SAN JUAN HILLS | BASKETBALL
ST. MARGARET’S | FOOTBALL, LACROSSE
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN | SOFTBALL
JSERRA | TRACK AND FIELD, CROSS COUNTRY
John McFadden was in the middle of it all for the Stallions’ historic boys basketball season. For his contributions and accomplishments, McFadden has been selected as one of the San Juan Capistrano high school Athletes of the Year. McFadden, a 6-foot-7, 185-pound guard, averaged nearly a double-double on the San Juan Hills boys basketball team’s run to its first CIF-SS championship. The senior was second on the team with an average of 13.3 points per game and led the Stallions with an average 9.8 rebounds per game and three assists per game. McFadden racked up 21 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the CIF-SS semifinals, then contributed 24 points, six rebounds and four steals in the CIFSS title game. McFadden was named CIF-SS Co-Player of the Year and the Sea View League Co-MVP along with senior teammate and leading scorer Mark Reichner. Both also played in the Orange County AllStar Game.
Will Stahl was a dynamic force on the football gridiron and lacrosse field for St. Margaret’s. For his outstanding performances, Stahl has been selected as one of the San Juan Capistrano high school Athletes of the Year. Stahl was flat-out dominant on the Tartan football team’s run to the CIF-SS Division 9 Final. The senior was far and away the team’s leading receiver with 1,172 yards and 18 touchdowns on 84 receptions, and Stahl was fourth on the team in tackles and had a team-high three interceptions. He even threw two touchdowns and returned a punt and interception for touchdowns. Stahl was a major contributor on the lacrosse team’s run to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals. Stahl scored eight goals and added two assists over three games. Stahl was named All-CIF-SS in both football and lacrosse. Stahl will continue his academic and athletic career at Holy Cross.
Natalie Gleason was dominant in a record-breaking championship season for the Capistrano Valley Christian softball team. For her soaring season, Gleason has been selected as one of the San Juan Capistrano high school Athletes of the Year. Gleason simply mashed the ball all season for the Eagles. Gleason hit for a whopping .711 average with team-highs in runs (64), hits (59), RBI (71), doubles (20) and an Orange County single-season record 20 home runs. Gleason tied the record with two home runs and six RBI in the CIF-SS semifinals and added a home run in each of the Eagles’ state regional games to break the record. Gleason was named the CIF-SS Division 9 Player of the Year, as CVC advanced to its first CIF-SS title game and captured its first section championship. Gleason will continue her academic and athletic career at Grand Canyon University.
Ashlee Gallegos was the senior leader for a robust JSerra distance running squad. For her accomplishments and performances, Gallegos has been selected as one of the San Juan Capistrano high school Athletes of the Year. In the fall, Gallegos was the only senior on a championship Lions cross country team. Individually, Gallegos’ best finish was an eighth-place run at the Orange County Championships. As a team, JSerra won the CIF-SS Division 4 championship and the CIF State Division IV championship. In the spring, Gallegos found more individual success on the track, particularly in the 800-meter run. She won the Orange County Championship, Stanford Invitational and Trinity League Final in the 800. Gallegos pushed all the way to the CIF State Championships, with an 11th-place finish in the final. Gallegos also won the county title in the 1,600-meter run. Gallegos will continue her academic and athletic career at USC.
The Capistrano Dispatch June 10-23, 2022
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thecapistranodispatch.com
