Wednesday, December 17, 2008

County volleyball standouts honored at All-Metro banquet

Four players get plaques at event

Jason W. Brooks News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jbrooks@news-bulletin.com

Albuquerque There might not be two more opposite personalities in New Mexico than Belen High School senior Brittany Jaramillo and personal injury attorney Ron Bell. But there they were on stage together in front of hundreds of people at a recent Albuquerque banquet.

Bell presented Jaramillo with one of three awards she received that night, Dec. 8, at the State Farm All-Metro Volleyball Awards. Jaramillo's teammate, Sarah Thompson, received awards at the banquet as well, as did Kaitlyn Chavez of Los Lunas and Melissa Martinez of Valencia High.

"We always get at least one player nominated for the All-Metro awards, but we don't always go to the banquet," said Belen coach Barbara Rodriguez. "These two wanted to go. There's a certain amount of pride for the whole program when someone gets an award, and younger players look up to someone who is recognized."

Jaramillo, Thompson, Chavez and Martinez were all named to the All-Metro Honorable Mention teams. Thompson, Chavez and Martinez received sportsmanship awards, and Jaramillo and Chavez received senior student-athlete recognition.

Both of the Belen players and Chavez are seniors, while Martinez is a junior at Valencia, which doesn't have a full senior class.

Chavez said rising up and becoming a leader is part of how she was the only Lady Tiger player honored at the banquet.

"I've been a captain on swim teams, and I kind of take control of a group project in classes," she said. "I guess I get some of that from my mom."

Martinez, who played on a Valencia team that struggled in a tough district, became the first VHS athlete to be honored in a large, visible Albuquerque-area setting. She said she realized the awards meant her hard work and her school were both being recognized.

"It's really a big honor, and I'm very proud of myself," said Martinez. "But I'm also proud to represent Valencia High. It's a great high school, and I really like it there."

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