First published in the March 26 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
More than 30 winter sports athletes from Burbank and John Burroughs high schools were recently recognized by Pacific League coaches, earning spots on the All-League lists.
The Burroughs girls’ water polo program received the highest honors with Nancy Baylor sharing the coveted player of the year award with Crescenta Valley High’s Kyra Freeman. Teammates Kelly Long, Clarisa Robles and Makenna Palamara made the first team, Isabella Medina was a second-team selection and Ava Tomlinson received an honorable mention.
Bears head coach Jake Cook was also recognized and named the coach of the year after guiding the program to its first Pacific League championship with a 7-1 record.
The Burbank girls’ water polo team finished 10-10 on the season and missed the playoffs but had Julie Kim make the second team and Vana Matevosian earn an honorable mention.
Seven local athletes made the All-Pacific League girls’ basketball list, four of whom attend Burroughs High.
Noor Fahs and Isabella Roderick represented the Bears on the first team and Ivanna Razov was a second teamer. Rachel Little received an honorable mention.
From Burbank High, Karen Casillas earned a spot on the girls’ basketball first team, Tabitha Cruz was a second-team selection and Christina Ohanians earned an honorable mention.
The boys’ basketball list included three players from each of the Bulldogs and Bears programs. Of the three standouts recognized from BHS, Phoenix Mosley received the highest honor in being named a first teamer. Sattwick Banerjee made the second team and Aman Danielian earned an honorable mention.
From Burroughs, TJ Lumpkin made the first team in boys’ basketball, Desean Robinson was placed in the second squad and Sam Horning received an honorable mention.
Eight Bears from the school’s soccer programs made the cut for All-League, including four from the girls’ squad. Julia Narmone and Megan Schmidt were placed on the first team, Katy Cabril-Sinardi was a second teamer and Charlotte Sanchez earned an honorable mention.
From the Burroughs boys’ program, Landon Espinoza and Zachary Levy each made the first team, Dominic Quijada earned a spot on the second squad and Alexander Leanos received an honorable mention.
The Burbank High boys’ soccer program had three players recognized by league coaches, and the highest honor among them went to first-teamer Abraham Rivera. Rigoberto Garcia earned a spot on the second team and Anthony Palomares was an honorable mention.
From the Bulldogs girls’ soccer program, Kelsey Finnigan earned a place on the second team and Gracie Gisel received an honorable mention.
