Prep Athlete of the Week — Chico E-R NorCal Community Newspapers

Orland High freshman Hailey Kagle has improved throughout the year in her first season wrestling. Kagle has gone from not placing at tournaments to now finishing in first place.

In the words of his Chico High wrestling coaches, Rieker Pineda has been through hell and back.

Pineda has dealt with difficult dynamics at home for much of his life. At times, it has affected the mental side of his approach to wrestling since taking up the sport in seventh grade.

During his senior season, however, he's responded well to mental hurdles on and off the mat. As Pineda and the Panthers gear up for stretch run of the postseason, he talked to the E-R about the recent weeks of his season, which inlcluded overcoming a collarbone injury a few weeks ago, his goals for the rest of it, and where he came from.

Read more at: https://www.chicoer.com/tag/prep-athlete-of-the-week/.

Senior midfielder Bella Snider has a commanding presence for the Chico High girls soccer team. She's developed into a leader for the Panthers as they make a push for an EAL title.

The expectations for Andy Khalil were fairly high when he joined the Pleasant Valley High boys soccer team last season as a junior.

Khalil had his moments for the Vikings during the season as they advanced to the CIF Northern California Regional semifinals. At other times though, Khalil felt the strain of living up to the expectations that came with earning a varsity spot.

Once the season was over, Khalil took it upon himself to ask coaches — both from PV and his Chico Cal Soccer Club team — what he needed to improve on. Behind the scenes, he dedicated the offseason to work on those things with the hope that he would earn a full-time starting role. When he returned for his senior season, his progression was evident to PV head coach Nick Lopez. Not only did Khalil earn a starting position in the defensive midfield, but he was also named one of the Vikings' four captains.

Read more at: https://www.chicoer.com/tag/prep-athlete-of-the-week/.

As the Bulldogs’ starting point guard, Tony Murillo has to find a balance between looking for his own shot and getting those around him involved.

“If I’m open I’m going to take my shot, but if I’m not I’m going to make the right play and get my teammates involved,” Murillo said. “I’m not very selfish. I like to go for assists.”

Now a senior, Murillo appears to have discovered the right balance to keep the Gridley High boys basketball team moving in a positive direction. His 3.9 assists per game rank fourth in the Northern Section, to go along with an average 12.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 steals. By most accounts, he’s an all-around player for the Bulldogs (15-7) and the numbers don’t lie.

Durham High senior Melody Elwood can be a force in the post. Elwood has loved basketball since the sixth grade and has helped Durham to an unblemished MVL mark.