Benitez, Rodriguez, Leon earn top Sun/Rotary honors

Kofa wrestler Jorge Benitez thought he "kind of" had a chance to walk away with the 2008-09 Sun/Yuma Rotary Boys Athlete of the Year award, announced Wednesday at the Yuma Civic Center.

That made him the most confident of the night's three big winners.

Benitez took home the top boys' honor,  while Cibola senior softball and soccer player Itzel Rodriguez won the Girls Athlete of the Year award. Kofa baseball coach Richy Leon was named Coach of the Year.

Benitez successfully defended his 5A-II state title at 160 pounds, pinning Tucson-Sunnyside's Cedric Gonzalez midway through the second period of the championship match. He finished his senior season with a 47-1 record and was the tournament champion at the Mountain View Duals, El Cajon Duals and Holtville Duals. Unbeaten in the last four years against Yuma-area competitors, Benitez set a Kofa High School record for takedowns (192) and pins (17).

Following his state championship run, Benitez traveled to a national tournament in Virginia Beach, Va. and recorded three wins.  He also participated on the Kings' track and field team and helped their 3,200-meter relay team qualify for the state championships.

Benitez beat Yuma Catholic quarterback Matt Inman, San Luis soccer and tennis standout Eric Rodriguez, Yuma high football and track star JC Baker and Yuma high distance runner Gabe Torregrosa.

"It was amazing; I was so nervous," Benitez said. "Those are guys I look up to, guys you here from all the time. I felt so honored. It was just amazing. I still can't believe it."

Still, he said he though he had a chance.

"I kind of knew I had a shot," Benitez said. "I thank God I had a good year. I was honored to be up there with those guys. I thought I had a good shot, but it's still like you never know. It kind of was a surprise."

 Rodriguez was named The Sun/Yuma Rotary Club All-Region Player of the Year for girls soccer, scoring 25 goals and 37 assists in the Raiders' midfield. Cibola posted a perfect record in the Gila Valley Region and a first-round win in the 5A-II State Tournament thanks to her two goals. She was named the Tucson High Champions Cup Player of the Tournament this year and holds Cibola's school record for total varsity goals (110) and (110) assists.

Rodriguez, who took two years off from softball before this season, was a staple in left field and second in the Raiders' lineup. She batted .442 with 34 hits and 35 runs during Cibola's undefeated march through the Gila Valley Region and No. 4 seeding in the 5A-II State Tournament.

Rodriguez topped Kofa swimmer Katelyn Weddle, Kofa distance runner Stephanie Ledgerwood, softball teammate Sarah Ray and Antelope golf and volleyball player Mieke Canan.

"I'm, excited and privileged," Rodriguez said. "There's a lot of good athletes out there. It was a privilege just to be nominated.
"Honestly, I didn't," Rodriguez said. "I didn't think I was going to win."

Perhaps the most surprised was Leon, who guided the injury-plagued Kings to a Gila Valley title and the quarterfinals of the state tournament.

"I'm shocked to be honest with you," Leon said. "I didn't even know about the nomination until this morning when Cesar Castillo at San Luis IM'ed me like 'Hey, I'll be rooting for you tonight.' I go 'What are you talking about?"

Leon led Kofa to a 20-12 record this season and a 9-3 mark in region play to win the Gila Valley title. The Kings won three consecutive elimination games in the 5A-II State Tournament to reach the quarterfinal round.

Following their loss to Yuma in the Cibola Invite, Kofa went on an 11-1 stretch during the middle of the season, including seven straight wins. The Kings scored 10 or more runs in 11 games and held their opponents to three runs or less 11 times.

"I was here for our kids, and this award is a testament to our kids and our coaching staff," he said. "Duncan Johnston and Gabe Ortiz do all the dirty work. ... The kids did it, and if they don't swing the bats or catch the ball - we just rant and rave in the dugout and try to teach them. It was awesome just to watch them enjoy the state run and have a blast."

Leon topped Sam Romine of the 1A-2A-3A boys soccer state champion Antelope Rams, Yuma Catholic football coach Rhett Stallworth, Cibola softball coach Shelly Baumann and Cibola wrestling coach Pepe Moreno.

"I didn't expect it all," Leon said. "With the accolades for Pepe and how is program has done great, and coach Baumann, everybody, coach Stallworth, the coach at Antelope won a state title - I'm just happy to be recognized. The nomination was kind of neat, but never did I think this would happen."