Female Athlete of the Year Valerie Holler, Volleyball and Soccer
“Valerie’s love of athletics began when she was 4 years old, running the soccer fields and setting her path for athletic stardom,” said Fountain Valley High Athletic Director Dawn Lawler. “She has participated in club in both soccer and volleyball over the years, proving her desire to become the best athlete possible. Valerie has been a two-sport athlete at Fountain Valley in volleyball and soccer for all four years. She has not just participated in these two rigorous sports but she has excelled at both equally. She is a four-year letterman in soccer and a three-year letterman in volleyball.”
In soccer, Holler was second team All-Sunset League as a sophomore, defensive player of the year, All-Sunset League as a junior and first team All-Sunset League as a senior. She was also team MVP this past season for Fountain Valley.
In volleyball, her accolades are equally impressive, as she earned All-Sunset League honorable mention her sophomore year, and second team All-Sunset League her junior and senior years.
“Valerie’s tough mental attitude allowed her to endure long hours of intense practices and games over the course of her athletic career here at Fountain Valley,” Lawler said. “Her ability to lead by example and work ethic gained her the respect of her teammates and coaches in both programs, being named team captain her junior and senior years in both sports.
“Valerie is that type of athlete and person that makes others around her better through her example, dedication and can-do attitude. She was the Coronet winner for girls athletics last year because of her success on the field and top-notch character off the court. In her spare time, Valerie volunteers at O.C. Memorial Hospital every week, assisting those in need. Valerie has loved her time her at FVHS and will carry with her always the memories and experiences that she has gained as a Baron.
“After graduation, Valerie plans to attend Northwestern University in Boston, majoring in political science and business administration and trying out for the soccer team. Her plans after college are wide open, but knowing Valerie’s ambition and work ethic, we can be sure she will have success wherever her life journey takes her.”
Male Athlete of the Year and Coronet Winner Andrew Morgan, wrestling
Morgan, a three-year varsity wrestler, gives credit to his older brother for encouraging him to try wrestling. It worked out well, as Andrew is one of the most decorated athletes in Fountain Valley High School history and helped lead his team to a CIF championship this year. Morgan is a CIF champion, Sunset League MVP, All-American and third in the state in his weight class. He truly is a well rounded student-athlete, with the academic and athletic achievements to prove it.
He credits his success to surrounding himself with good people, including coaches and teammates. He was a team captain and Sunset League Sportsmanship participant and used his influence for good every day.
“Drew has the leadership qualities and compassion that he sees in these good people around him, and during lower-level wrestling matches, could be seen encouraging, coaching and mentoring the younger players,” Lawler said.
Morgan will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to wrestle and will be studying business management. He hopes to one day own his own business.
“He will be equally successful at the college level as he has here at the high school level at Fountain Valley High School,” Lawler said.
Female Athlete Coronet Winner Ryann Callaghan, field hockey and soccer
In the words of her field hockey coach Allison Renth, Callaghan is “a model candidate for a student-athlete of character award. Her physical athletic abilities are a great asset to our team, but her true value is realized through her attitude and work ethic. Ryann always comes to practice and games ready to work and improve, and her mindset is infectious. Teammates feed off her energy and enthusiasm and are ready to work as a team thanks to the positive environment she creates. She never takes a play off and can always be held responsible.
“A true student-athlete not only displays greatness in terms of physical ability, but also excellence in terms of leadership. Along with her dedication to the team, Ryann displays the same attitude with her schoolwork. Ryann was named Sunset League All-League MVP for goalie in field hockey and was also honored as part of the Sunset League All-Academic team. While many athletes can display physical talents, what separates Ryann is her devotion to her work and to her team.”
She received the athlete with character award in February.
Callaghan was Sunset League honorable mention in soccer in 2014 and 2015.