On May 15, the Coronado Rotary Club hosted Coronado High School’s top senior athletes to celebrate their achievements as the selected students prepare to wrap up their high school careers.
“Today we gather to celebrate the outstanding individuals who have demonstrated their exceptional leadership and character through their high school athletic careers,” said CHS Athletic Director Aaron Brooks.
Brooks commended the athletes for their hard work, countless hours of dedication and sacrifice, and most importantly, he said, for representing Coronado High School with pride and inspiring their peers in the community.
Susanna Pate: softball, basketball, cheer
Brooks began the ceremony by honoring Islander Susanna Pate. During Pate’s time at CHS, she was the captain of the softball team, played basketball and was a member of the cheer team. Over the years, she collected a multitude of accolades – including offensive player of the year, all league honors, Most Valued Player (MVP) titles, league championships and scholar athlete awards. Adding 2024 top senior athlete to her list, Pate will be headed off to Cornell University next year to play softball.
Max Murray: baseball
Representing CHS baseball, Max Murray was called up next from the list of senior athletes. During his high school career, Murray was counted among California’s top recruits and received all league recognition. He will be taking his talents over to the University of California Berkeley in the fall where he will be studying economics and competing for their baseball team.
Luke Machin: baseball, water polo
Luke Machin, another standout baseball player, is just as much of a force to be reckoned with in the pool as he is on the field. As the captain of the water polo team for two consecutive years, Machin has led the team through CIF Division 1 playoffs. His journey both in baseball and water polo has been adorned with recognition – he has received the Brian Bent Award, earned multiple spots in all league and all academic teams, the ISF (integrity, sportsmanship and friendship) award and a congressional nomination from Rep.Scott Peters (CA-50). In the fall he will be headed to play water polo at the United States Air Force Academy, with hopes of walking on for their baseball team.
Chance Pettit: baseball
Next up on the roster of standout senior athletes – Chance Pettit, a four year varsity baseball player, was celebrated for his time as an Islander. While Brooks refers to Pettit as a consistent hitter, versatile athlete and cornerstone for the baseball team, Pettit said he looks back on his time at CHS recalling the camaraderie and family-like team atmosphere built on his team over time.
Rafael Roos: cross country, track and field
Rafael Roos from the cross country and track team was honored during the ceremony as well. As a lead champion in both the 4×800-meter relay in 2023 and the 4×400-meter relay in 2024, and a cross country lead champion, Roos has made his mark on the track. While his running career for CHS has come to a close, he has already signed up for a half marathon in Amsterdam in the coming months.
Graham Bower: football
Graham Bower was called up to the stage next for his versatile career with the football team. Bower has played as the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, middle linebacker and safety for the Islanders. In the fall, Bower plans to attend Auburn University, where he will walk on to play for their club rugby team. He will be majoring in sports production journalism in hopes of building a career in videography and sports broadcasting.
Lindsey Balsley: soccer, volleyball, track and field, football
Lindsey Balsley was a major presence on the soccer, volleyball, track and field and football team. She earned MVP honors on the track team for three consecutive years, as well as All Elite for hurdles, long jump and the 4×100-meter relay. As a soccer player, she boasted a captain’s armband as she led the team this past season through their first Division 1 playoff wins in nearly a decade.
Bella Villarin: golf, swim
Bella Villarin excelled on the greens and in the water during her time at CHS. As a three year golf captain, and most recently a member of the swim team, Villarin has acquired many accolades – including first team all league honors, an ISF award, San Diego Union Tribune Athlete of the Week and fall student athlete of the week. Villarin plans to attend Georgetown University in the fall.
Emily Wygal: indoor and beach volleyball
Emily Wygal, an asset to both the indoor and beach volleyball teams at CHS, was recognized for her athletic prowess and a list of accomplishments, such as being awarded all league awards, all county awards, MVP and ISF awards for both beach and indoor, as well as an “undeniable” dedication and talent, according to Brooks. For college, she will be attending University of Texas where she will study statistics and data science.
Liam Weaver: golf
Liam Weaver made a large impact on the golf course during his time at CHS. As a back-to-back San Diego City League individual finalist, awardee of first team all league honors, Saints team and individual tournament champion, and most recently – a CIF champion, Weaver moves forward with aspirations of becoming a professional golfer.
Megan Ledgerwood: water polo, swim
Megan Ledgerwood from the water polo and swim team was recognized as a “fearless competitor.” Ledgerwood has won back-to-back CIF Division 1 water polo championships, been named to the San Diego City Conference All Academic Team, All Star Game Selection, and won MVP and all League awards. She will be leaving her journey as an Islander to begin a new one as a Division 1 water polo player for San Jose State while studying kinesiology.
Nicholas Redding: indoor and beach volleyball
Nicholas Redding, a member of CHS’ most successful boys volleyball team in recent years, was honored for his talents in both indoor and beach volleyball. Redding helped lead the indoor team to a league championship, which hadn’t been accomplished in seven years. His athletic skills earned him the titles of best offensive player, all league and the first CHS player to play men’s collegiate volleyball in over a decade. In the fall, Redding will continue his indoor volleyball career at University of Lynchburg.
Ines Izuzquiza: golf
Ines Izuzquiza joined the ranks of remarkable CHS golfers. As a standout leader and performer, she has earned spots on the first team during her junior and senior year, as well as led her team to victory in the Western League Championship this past season. Her hope is to become an investment banker or venture into private equity after pursuing higher education.
Harper Gilbert: water polo, swim
As the last of the 14 athletes to be recognized during the ceremony, Harper Gilbert represented what Brooks called the “epitome of athletic excellence at Coronado High School.” An asset to both the water polo and swim team, Gilbert leaves her time at CHS with a string of accolades – including back-to-back Division 1 championships, All League awards, All Star Game awards, a sportsmanship award and Academic All American recognition for three years. Gilbert plans on attending the University of California Davis next year, where she will major in political science in hopes of one day becoming a lawyer and getting involved with politics.
Brooks wrapped up the ceremony by thanking the athletes for their time at CHS.
“It’s been an honor to watch all of you as you compete, and we’re excited for your next steps in life,” said Brooks.
