The San Joaquin County has spoken: Kimball’s flag football quarterback Emma Coronado is Martin Dentistry’s Athlete of the Week for Sept. 15-20.
In an online poll that closed Thursday, Coronado earned just over 60% of the votes with 7,076 votes ballots cast. Weston Ranch girls golfer Cristine Ocampo placed second with 2,735 votes.
Coronado doesn’t spend much time talking about herself despite being the nation’s leader in passing yards.
The senior quarterback is quick to credit the teammates catching her passes and the chemistry they’ve built together. It’s a theme that runs through her play — the idea that her success is simply a reflection of the group around her.
Receivers say Coronado makes their jobs easier. Her timing, accuracy and calm presence in the huddle allow them to play with confidence, knowing the ball will be where it needs to be.
That trust has become the backbone of one of the area’s fastest-rising flag football programs.
Her coach, David Rios Jr., points to the way she prepares and leads. Coronado studies opponents relentlessly and uses that knowledge to adjust on the fly, lifting her teammates with her voice, energy and focus.
Even as her performances continue to draw attention, Coronado deflects the praise.
For her, the spotlight belongs on the group, not the quarterback.
That humility, paired with her undeniable impact, is why voters made her this week’s winner.
To dive deeper into her journey, see The Record’s feature: Meet Kimball flag football QB Emma Coronado, the nation’s leader in passing yards.
Here’s a look at the past winners:
The Record will nominate several high school athletes in San Joaquin County for the Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week award.
It’s up to you, the readers, to choose the winner.
The Martin Dentistry Award highlights top performances from 209-area schools — excluding boys football, which has its own poll. This week’s ballot features eight nominees from Stockton, Lathrop, Manteca, Lodi and Oakdale.
Anyone can nominate an athlete of the week for every sport. Readers can email nominations to sports reporter Dylan Ackermann at dackermann@gannett.com. Please include the player’s stats and a photo if possible.
The poll at the bottom of this page closes at noon on Thursday. There are no voting restrictions, so vote now and vote often.
Here are the Sept. 8-13 nominees (Athletes listed in alphabetical order by last name):
Lillie Bayless, Flag Football, Lodi
Legacy may run in the family, but Lodi’s Lillie Bayless is writing her own story.
The sophomore has become the Flames’ all-around force, doing everything at a high level.
On offense, Bayless racks up yards both through the air and on the ground. On defense, she leads the team in interceptions. Add it all up, and she’s the Rams leader in receiving, rushing, total touchdowns and takeaways.
Her impact was clear even in a tough loss to St. Mary’s, where her play kept Lodi in striking distance. At 7-2, the Flames lean on her talent and work ethic in every game.
Emma Coronado, Flag Football, Kimball
The spotlight was on Kimball and St. Mary’s, two of the best flag football teams in San Joaquin County.
Under the pressure, Jaguars quarterback Emma Coronado stole the show — and continues to put up video game numbers in the process.
Coronado, the nation’s leader in passing yards, carved up the Rams with 337 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-0 statement win.
Just days earlier, she shredded Lincoln for 406 yards and four scores in a 38-8 rout.
“That game was the statement of when everything comes together,” coach David Rios Jr. said. “That’s the kind of team we are.”
Coronado added, “It was a big statement for our team as a whole. I think every game, we show up and we show why we’re one of the best teams.”
Keegan Gehrke, Boys Cross Country, Lincoln
In the boys varsity large-school race at the Bret Harte Frogtown Invitational, Lincoln’s Keegan Gehrke stuck out like a sore thumb — but in all the right ways.
Lining up against 110 runners, the junior powered through the three-mile course to finish second overall with a time of 16:56.74.
What made the performance even more impressive is that Gehrke came within 10 seconds of his personal best, leaving plenty of room to climb higher as the season continues.
The way he runs is something that has to be seen in person — steady, fearless and efficient — but the results speak for themselves.
Luz De Luna, Flag Football, Lathrop
When Luz De Luna takes the field, her arm does the talking.
The senior captain, best known as a wall behind the softball dish, reminded everyone why runners don’t test her arm.
De Luna delivered a career night in a 44-0 win over Johansen, tying her career high with six touchdown passes while throwing for 247 yards without a pick.
Even in a loss the night before, she piled up 311 yards and two scores, the second-best total of her career.
It was a back-to-back display of poise and willpower.
Sean Muturi, Boys Cross Country, Oakdale
Oakdale senior Sean Muturi left the competition in his wake at the Bret Harte Frogtown Invitational, winning the boys varsity small-school three-mile race by 25 seconds.
He crossed the line in 16:05.34, shattering his previous personal best of 16:31.3. If he had competed in the large-school field, he still would have taken first by 19 seconds.
A week earlier at the Kim Duyst Invitational, Muturi had already shown his speed, running a 16:05.7 in the 5000 meters, another personal best that eclipsed his prior mark of 16:28.0.
With every race, Muturi is making his case as one of the top boys’ distance runners in the 209.
Rachel Nemee, Girls Volleyball, St. Mary’s
The libero’s jersey is different — and for St. Mary’s, so is the player wearing it.
Sophomore Rachel Nemee has become the Rams’ fearless defensive anchor.
Whether diving across the hardwood or absorbing the pounding of four matches in a week, Nemee makes her presence felt. She racked up 32 digs against Lodi and carried that same fire into the Oak Ridge Tournament against West Park and Oak Ridge.
She may only be a sophomore, but Nemee has already earned the responsibility of libero. Her grit and determination explain why.
Cristine Ocampo, Girls Golf, Weston Ranch
Cristine Ocampo knows how to bounce back.
A returning division qualifier for Weston Ranch, Ocampo started the season slow but found her swing again this week.
She fired a 52 in a tri-match against Edison and Tokay, finishing among the top three players for the day.
Just as important as her score is her leadership.
“Cristine is a natural leader on the team, always being proactive and doing what needs to be done without asking for direction,” coach Miguel Torrente said.
Carmen Walker, Girls Volleyball, Franklin
The court is familiar to Carmen Walker — it’s where she earned All-League Defensive basketball honors as a sophomore.
But this fall, she’s writing her story in a different sport.
Listed at 5-foot-8, Walker isn’t the tallest middle blocker, but she plays with fearless energy. She leads Franklin in kills and blocks by a wide margin, defying expectations and imposing her will at the net.
Franklin’s season has been up and down, with setbacks against Bear Creek and Tokay followed by a sweep of Venture Academy that moved the Yellowjackets to 5-11.
Yet what stands out most is Walker’s joy. No matter the scoreboard, she competes with the same spirit, keeping her teammates steady and inspired.
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This article originally appeared on The Record: Meet the Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week for September 15-20
Reporting by Dylan Ackermann, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
