Tribune readers name spring athlete of the year in girls, boys sports
The winners of the spring athlete of the season Tribune reader poll are Arroyo Grande baseball player Ryan Tayman and Mission Prep softball player Savannah Ruelas.
Tayman, a junior catcher and first baseman, won with 6,846 votes, or 74% of the total.
Tayman finished the season with a .289 batting average, seven home runs and 21 RBI. He has committed to play baseball at Cal Berkeley after finishing his senior year next season.
He was trailed by Wade Arkinson of Nipomo baseball, who garnered 1,438 votes or 16%, and Nipomo baseball player Nate Reese, who had 718 votes or 8%.
Arkinson posted a .413 average, with 36 hits, nine doubles, four triples, three home runs, 31 RBI, and 23 runs. Reese hit .441, with 45 hits, 11 doubles, eight triples, one home run, 23 stolen bases, 25 RBI and 31 runs.
In the girls’ spring athlete of the year reader poll, three players all with the last name Ruelas topped the list, coincidentally.
Mission Prep softball player Savannah Ruelas was the No. 1 vote-getter with 24,647, or 62% of the tally. She hit .432 with 11 RBI and 16 hits.
Daniela Ruelas, an Arroyo Grande track star, was second with 13,575 votes or 34%. She finished second in 300 meter hurdles (42.37) and fifth in 100m hurdles (14.33) at CIF state finals, to add to her other regular season accomplishments including several victories in county competition events.
And Melania Ruelas of Nipomo softball was third in the voting with 643 votes or 2%. She hit .400 with 22 RBI, six doubles, four triples and three homers.
The Tribune’s player of the year selections in baseball went to Morgan Codron of Morro Bay and Marc Byrum of Arroyo Grande, who shared the honor. Codron will play baseball at University of Portland and Byrum at Cuesta College next year.
Peyton Schemmer of Morro Bay was named Tribune softball player of the year. Schemmer will attend Syracuse on a softball scholarship.
All-Tribune selections — including first team, second team and honorable mention picks — were based on stats, coach input, game observations, video and other criteria.
This story was originally published June 21, 2022 at 3:13 PM.
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