Cuesta College athletes honored by Western State Conference

The Cuesta College men’s water team had eight players receive all-Western State Conference recognition following the Cougars’ 21-win season.

Sophomore Johnny Hartshorne led the way for Cuesta, earning first-team all-conference, first-team all-state and first-team All-America honors. Now a two-time All-American, Hartshorne finished his career ninth on Cuesta’s all-time scoring list with 153 goals, and his 104 career steals rank No. 11 in program history.

Freshman Chandler Mankins and sophomore Trevor Whitsitt also received first-team all-Western State Conference honors. Sophomores Hissam El-Effendi and Logan Deurloo garnered second-team praise, while sophomore Aidan Feigel, and freshmen Brad Dennis and Austin Martin were honorable mention selections.

Mankins and El-Effendi, both Arroyo Grande High School graduates, each received second-team all-state honors for Cuesta, which qualified for the postseason for the 38th consecutive season.

On the women’s side, seven Cougars garnered all-Western State Conference recognition.

Sophomore Daci Hughes and freshman Mia Viss were named first-team all-conference performers. Freshmen Victoria White and Adelaide Foster earned second-team accolades. Sophomore Katie White, and freshmen Naomi Wilson and Shaine Sorensen received honorable mention.

Hughes, a native of Bountiful, Utah, was one of the main catalysts in helping Cuesta win a program-record 24 games this season. She led the team in both goals (79) and steals (65), and set the school record for season and career shooting percentage.

McDermott named runner of the year

Cuesta College sophomore cross country standout Sean McDermott was selected as the Western State Conference Runner of the Year on Wednesday, one of five Cougars honored by the conference.

McDermott, a two-time All-American and the CCCAA individual state champion this fall, earned first-team all-conference and first-team all-state accolades. Sophomore teammate Trevor Stangle also received first-team all-conference and first-team all-state honors.

Sophomore Aramis Knox, a San Luis Obispo High School alumnus, and freshman Cam Goldstone were named to the second team. Freshman Kobi Kelly, another San Luis Obispo High graduate, received honorable mention recognition for the Cougars.

Daschian takes top honor

Cuesta College cross country standout Miranda Daschian was selected as the Western State Conference Athlete of the Year on Wednesday, one of four Cougars who received all-conference honors.

An Atascadero High School graduate, Daschian completed an undefeated season by winning the CCCAA individual state title last month. For her efforts, she earned first-team all-conference and first-team all-state accolades. Daschian was the Cougars’ first all-state honoree since Devon Kelsey in 2011.

Freshman Leza Cassidy, an Arroyo Grande High graduate, also was a first-team all-Western State Conference performer. Former Nipomo High standout Taylor Witcher and freshman Savannah Rigney were named to the second team.

Garcia captures another award

Following his CCCAA state championship run this past weekend, Cuesta College freshman Alex Garcia was chosen as the SouthEast Conference Wrestler of the Year.

The 174-pound Garcia went 32-2 overall this season and became the seven Cougar in program history to win SEC Wrestler of the Year honors.

Freshman Jace Heryford (125 pounds) was named a second-team all-SouthEast Conference honoree after going 14-12 and finishing second at the conference championship tournament.

Sophomore Ross Arve went 6-8 this season in the 133-pound division and was an honorable mention selection. He placed third at the conference championships.

Cuesta soccer players honored

Cuesta College women’s soccer standout Brooke Canepa received first-team all-Western State Conference honors as one of five Cougars recognized by the conference Wednesday.

The sophomore defender from Sonora anchored Cuesta’s defense and was chosen as team’s most valuable player during a trying three-win season.

Sophomore defender Christen Engel and freshman midfielder Alyssa Harris, who scored a team-high 10 goals, garnered second-team all-conference recognition.

Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Siems and sophomore midfielder Victoria Gracie were honorable mention selections. Siems recorded 124 saves this fall, the 10th-best single-season total in program history.

Cracknell earns first-team nod

Four Cuesta College volleyball players received all-Western State Conference accolades Wednesday.

Atascadero High School graduate Maren Cracknell, a sophomore opposite hitter, was a first-team all-conference selection for the Cougars, who went 12-10 overall this season. Cracknell tallied 146 kills, bringing her two-year total to 300.

Freshman libero Becky Boersma was a second-team honoree after leading Cuesta with 254 digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Hallie Robertson and freshman middle blocker Kaylie Griffin, a former Arroyo Grande High standout, received honorable mention. Robertson had a strong all-around season, contributing 142 kills, 223 digs, 36 service aces and 27 total blocks.

Griffin tallied a team-high 86 blocks, the seventh-highest single-season total in program history. She also recorded 99 kills with a team-best hitting percentage of .292.

This story was originally published December 14, 2016 at 11:37 AM with the headline "Cuesta College athletes honored by Western State Conference."