Paloma Valley High Athletes of the Week: Oct. 19

Menifee 24/7 is pleased to honor outstanding athletes at area high schools. Each coach of a sport in season is allowed to select one athlete per week as Athlete of the Week. Here are this week's honorees from Paloma Valley High School:

Randy Ruple is the starting center for the football team and leads a group that produced 570 yards of total offense last week in a 57-6 victory over Lakeside. The Wildcats are 6-1 this season and 2-0 in Sunbelt League play.

Junior middle blocker/hitter Melanie Maclin is a team captain and second-year starter in the middle for the girls volleyball team. "Melanie brings consistency to our lineup and our effort," said coach Stephen Kaas. "She was able to slow down the middles from Temescal Canyon and score when we needed her to. She is our top blocker and one of our kill leaders."

Senior Anthony Ortiz of the boys cross country team ran a strong race at the Inland Empire Championships, finishing 18th out of 182 in his race. "Anthony is one of the hardest working kids on the team and is also in the top 25 of the senior class grade-wise," said coach Ryan Sharp.

Girls cross country runner Mickey Kambeitz is the team's captain and the only senior.

"She models excellence to all of her teammates," said coach Joe Ellett. "She is always positive in her words and attitude. She is probably the hardest working athlete on the team. This season she is demonstrating great perseverance as she deals with an ongoing medical issues. Every day, Mickey gives us everything that she's got."










Tennis player Hannah McCoy is the team's No. 1 singles player. "She has battled sickness and injury all year, but continues to go out and give it her all," said coach David McCoy. "She is finally healthy and beginning to hit her stride. She won five out of six matches against Lakeside and a very good Elsinore team. She is the kind of player that can play at the next level."