Brogan, Martinez Named Heritage High Athletes of the Month

Unlimited underclassman potential and senior leadership are the themes of the Menifee 24/7 Athlete of the Month awards for Heritage High School.

Sophomore track and field standout Diamonique Brogan already holds four school records in her young career. Meanwhile, senior pitcher and third baseman Tony Martinez is a key figure in the baseball team's bid for a CIF playoff berth.

Nominated and selected by Heritage High coaches and Athletic Director David Drake, these two standout athletes received certificates of recognition and an iTunes gift card. As impressive as their seasons have already been, they may prove even more valuable to their teams heading toward the postseason.

Brogan, who had never run track before last season, already holds school records in the 100 meters (12.58), 200 (26.29) and long jump (15-9.75), as well as being a part of the Patriots' record-setting 4x100 relay team, And now she's looking into the hurdles events.

"I'd like to run different events each meet," she said. "My goals are to break my own records."

Brogan said she was most interested in volleyball as a freahman when a coach suggested she utilize her speed and try out for the track team as a sprinter. She took to it right away.

"I ran the 4x100 and that became my favorite race," she said. "Then I tried the 100. It's just so quick, I get like an adrenaline rush."

With half of her high school career still ahead of her, Brogan is already looking forward to attending UC Davis and studying to be a veterinarian. She has three pets: A dog, a chinchilla and a bearded dragon.

Martinez has a 2-2 record with one save and a 2.76 ERA for the baseball team, which is fighting to get into the playoffs. He is also one of the team's top hitters with a .393 batting average, 2 home runs and 12 RBIs.

"It's been kind of a tough year for the team," Martinez said about the Patriots, who are in fourth place with a 4-5 Sunbelt League record and 8-11 overall. "Every game is do or die for us. That makes it a challenge. We've made the playoffs every year."

Martinez plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College and study kinesiology. He is scheduled to be on the mound when the Patriots play a big game in the Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium Friday night against rival Paloma Valley, which is undefeated in league play.