Publish Date: Jul 23, 2015
SALINAS, Calif. – The California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) and the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) announced the 2014-15 CCCSIA/CCCAA Athletes of the Year. Panther, Diego Leon is the State’s Male Athlete of the Year - a first for Hartnell College. Irvine Valley’s Annie Mitchem is Female Athlete of the Year.
Hartnell’s Head Coach for Cross Country and Track & Field, Christopher Zepeda says that Leon’s accomplishments have opened doors for him. He has accepted a scholarship to attend Montana State University in the fall. Leon is excited to join the Division 1 team there and continue his studies in Civil Engineering.
“I'm very proud of all that Diego has accomplished both academically and athletically while at Hartnell College,” commented Zepeda. “His sophomore year was near perfect and was accomplished with daily work that was as seamless as an athlete strives for."
Leon has received many accolades, including: NorCal Community College Track Athlete of the year 2015 and CCCAA Athlete of the Month – May 2015. “Running makes me feel proud; I can control every step and do not have to depend on anyone,” said Leon. “It makes me feel free.”
Leon grew up in Hollister with his parents Pete and Elizabeth Leon, and sister Alexandria Leon; he graduated from Anzar High School in San Juan Bautista, where he found his passion for cross country and track & field during his junior year.
“He is a true testament to what hard work and sacrifice can produce at the two-year college level,” added Zepeda. Leon is happy to have made Salinas his home for the past two years and thanks his grandma Patricia Ketcham for hosting him.
“Students should come to Hartnell,” says Leon. “There are a lot of programs here and it was definitely the right choice for me.”
One of his goals at Montana State University is to break records just as Alumnus Cristian Soratos did earlier in the year. Leon, Soratos, and Austin Decker (alum) will be roommates in the fall 2015 semester.
The CCCSIA is an affiliate organization of the California Community College Athletic Association. Its members consist of sports information professionals from California Community Colleges. A full release can be found at
http://www.cccaasports.org/AOTY/2014-15_Athletes_of_the_Year.pdf
Hartnell Community College District
The Hartnell CCD serves over 16,000 students annually through its main campus in Salinas, the Alisal Campus in East Salinas, the King City Education Center, and various outreach learning centers throughout the Salinas Valley. Hartnell College, a Hispanic Serving Institution, provides workforce training, basic skills courses, and prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Hartnell College is recognized for its innovative public and private partnerships that support world class STEM education, career technical education, fine and performing arts, humanities, and athletics. We are growing leaders through opportunity, engagement, and achievement. For more about Hartnell CCD, visit www.hartnell.edu.
###