The San Joaquin County has spoken: St. Mary’s girls water polo Reyna Biedermann is Martin Dentistry’s Athlete of the Week for Oct. 13-18.
In an online poll that closed Thursday, Biedermann earned just under 65% of the votes with 31,468 ballots cast. Bear Creek girls cross country runner Hayden Spence placed second with 15,269 votes.
On senior night, the spotlight wasn’t supposed to be on a sophomore. But in the middle of the pool, that’s exactly where Reyna Biedermann found herself — and she thrived. Every movement had purpose, every pass had touch, every possession ended her way.
St. Mary’s didn’t just win — it dominated, cruising to a 21-2 victory that kept the Rams perfect in league play. And while the score turned lopsided early, Biedermann’s imprint never faded. She picked apart defenders with two assists, turned defense into offense with three steals, and added a block for good measure.
What makes her special, though, isn’t the stat line — it’s the way she commands a game without forcing it. Biedermann plays like someone who sees the pool one frame faster than everyone else. She’s constantly scanning, anticipating, creating. The result? Fifty goals, 42 drawn exclusions, 20 penalties, and 40 steals on the season — a mix of grit and grace that defines St. Mary’s success.
“Reyna is the most dynamic force in TCAL League, San Joaquin County and arguably in Sac-Joaquin Section,” coach Vanessa Vincent said. “She is a true utility — defends, plays center/post-up, leads our team in every statistical category and is a force to be reckoned with.”
That versatility makes her more than just a star — she’s a stabilizer. When chaos hits, the ball finds Biedermann. When momentum shifts, she’s the one resetting the rhythm. Her teammates trust her, her coach leans on her, and opponents have learned there’s no single way to contain her.
On a night meant to celebrate seniors, Biedermann honored them in the most fitting way possible — by showing that their legacy is in good hands. She played for them, led for them, and reminded everyone that the next great Ram is already here.
Here’s a look at the past winners:
Original story: 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 seven nominees from Stockton, Ripon, Manteca and Lathrop.
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 Oct. 13-18 nominees (Athletes listed in alphabetical order by last name):
Gena Agustin, Flag Football, Merrill West
Gena Agustin couldn’t have scripted a better ending to her high school career.
In Merrill West’s final game of the regular season, the senior delivered on every side of the ball against a playoff-caliber Lodi team.
She hauled in eight receptions for 119 yards, made four flag pulls and sprinted more than 50 yards after an interception for a touchdown.
Each play reflected the same intensity that defined her season — steady hands, sharp instincts and relentless energy.
As the clock wound down, Agustin had done it all: leading, producing and leaving her mark on a program she helped define.
Reyna Biedermann, Girls Water Polo, St. Mary’s
On senior night, Reyna Biedermann played for more than just herself — she played for the upperclassmen who’ve helped shape her game.
The sophomore standout filled the stat sheet with two assists, a block and three steals in St. Mary’s 21-2 win that kept the Rams unbeaten in league play at 4-0.
Her unselfish play allowed her teammates to shine, but her season-long impact is impossible to miss — 50 goals, 42 drawn exclusions, 20 drawn penalties and 40 steals.
“Reyna is the most dynamic force in TCAL League, San Joaquin County and arguably in Sac-Joaquin Section,” coach Vanessa Vincent said. “She is a true utility — defends, plays center/post-up, leads our team in every statistical category and is a force to be reckoned with.”
Adriana Dorn, Girls Volleyball, Ripon
Few hitters in California are swinging like Adriana Dorn right now.
Over six matches last week, she totaled 63 kills across 16 sets, including 18 against Division I opponent San Ramon. She added 51 digs and 10 aces to round out a complete all-around performance.
For the season, Adri is averaging 4.8 kills per set with a .428 hitting percentage — sixth in California and first in the Sac-Joaquin Section. She also leads the Trans-Valley League in total kills and aces.
When her team needs energy, Adri provides it. When it needs points, she delivers them.
“She loves the game, and when you watch her play, you can see the special talent and joy she brings to the court,” coach Rod Wright said. “She’s a wonderful individual with both character and drive for the sport she loves.”
Ricardo Guzman, Boys Cross Country, Edison
Three years. Zero league losses. That’s Ricardo Guzman.
The Edison senior has remained unbeaten in league competition since his freshman year, powering through each race with calm determination and closing speed that leaves little doubt who’s in control.
Now, as the Tigers gear up for the Cross Country League Meet at Lodi Lake on Oct. 29, Ricardo once again leads the charge, aiming to cap his career with a state championship push.
A three-year varsity standout with a 3.8 GPA, Ricardo sets the pace for his team in more ways than one — on the course, in the classroom and in every mile toward a state title.
“Ricardo is being nominated for his outstanding consistency and leadership as a three-year varsity distance runner,” coach Kristofer Costello-Larkins said. “His dedication to excellence both on and off the course, maintaining a 3.8 GPA while motivating his teammates and showing exceptional sportsmanship, exemplifies what it means to be an Edison Tiger.”
Sari Lawson, Flag Football, Manteca
Tackling machine. Ball hawk. Game changer.
Wherever the ball goes, Sari Lawson isn’t far behind.
The Manteca sophomore continued her breakout season with another dominant defensive week — nine tackles in a 25-7 win over Oakdale, then seven more in a tough 13-0 loss to East Union.
Her effort in both games pushed her to 100 tackles for the season, the most on the team and one of the top totals in the section.
A tackling machine with instinct and grit, Lawson has quickly become the heartbeat of the Buffaloes’ defense.
Ayden Petroff, Girls Volleyball, Lathrop
Opponents know the serve is coming — they just can’t stop it.
Lathrop setter Ayden Petroff has been nearly untouchable from the service line, leading San Joaquin County with 88 aces. But this week, she proved she’s much more than a specialist.
In a straight-set sweep over Livingston on Oct. 15, Petroff smashed a season-high 11 kills, then followed with 25 assists two days earlier in a sweep of Johansen.
Petroff has become the Spartans’ do-it-all player — setting up points, scoring them herself and keeping opponents guessing with every touch.
Hayden Spence, Girls Cross Country, Bear Creek
As the season winds toward its most important stretch, Hayden Spence is starting to surge.
The Bear Creek senior won the SJAA Meet #4 at Oak Grove Park, finishing the 5,000-meter course in 19:52 — 17 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.
It was a season-best time for Spence, coming just 43 seconds off her personal record.
Like she’s done in years past, she’s rounding into form exactly when it matters most.
Her steady improvement and competitive drive have positioned her as a serious contender entering the league championship meet.
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This article originally appeared on The Record: Meet the Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week for October 13-18
Reporting by Dylan Ackermann, The Stockton Record / The Record
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