At Culver City High School’s Athlete of the Year banquet last week, among many awards were four that went to deserving students, of Athlete of the Year.
Football and baseball star Mason Mulvihill and football-basketball-volleyball standout Kyle Johnson won the Male Athlete of the Year awards.
Basketball star Kailey Tooke along with track and field standout Nia Garcia won the Female Athlete of the Year awards.
Mulvihill helped his teams win league championships in football and baseball. An all-CIF wide receiver in football and a center fielder on the baseball team, he was one of the best in the Ocean League with his glove and bat.
“All the hard work paid off,” said Mulvihill at the banquet. “I want to attend Cal State Dominguez Hills, play baseball and major in criminal justice. I eventually want to become a police officer.”
Three-sport standout Johnson was happy to share the award with his close friend Mulvihill. “I thought Mason deserved the award just as much as I did,” said Johnson. “It all worked out. We are great friends.”
Johnson said he has “loved” his four years at Culver High . “I am very competitive. I like to win. I hate to lose. Off the field you can’t lose. So you need to be nice off the field. Be competitive only when you step between the lines.”
Johnson will play volleyball for U.C. Santa Cruz.
Garcia had an outstanding track and field season. She was unbeaten in triple jump, long jump, 100 meter and 300 meter hurdles for three months through the regular season, including the Ocean League finals.
She was beaten for the first time a few weeks ago in the CIF prelims. Each time she went against faster competition in CIF, she lowered her lifetime best time in the 100 meter hurdles.
“I was happy with the way my season ended,” Garcia said, “although it could have been better.
“Running in the CIF was a good experience. I am happy I had the opportunity.”
Garcia has received multiple scholarship offers. She wants to be a nurse and an anesthesiologist.
Tooke, a four-year varsity basketball player, capped off an outstanding career with a 46-point performance the CIF playoffs.
“It feels good that my hard work paid off in the classroom and on the court,” said Tooke.
She said her four years went by fast.
“I had a great time winning a CIF championship and going to the CIF finals.”
Tooke will attend USC.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
