Vega, Shay Named Santa Rosa Athletes of the Month

Senior soccer player Ashton Vega and sophomore basketball player Bryana Shay have been named Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month from Santa Rosa Academy for their efforts in the recently completed winter sports season. The award is sponsored by Photos DLite photo studio.

Vega was named to the first team All-South Valley League after helping lead the Rangers boys soccer team to a 17-6-1 record, setting a school record for games played and wins. He scored three game-winning goals this season for Santa Rosa, which finished in second place for the second straight year.

A forward and midfielder, Vega showed his versatility by playing wherever he was needed. He finished with eight goals and six assists this season.

"The keys to success on my positions are ball control, passing and speed," said Vega, who has been playing soccer since the age of 10. "The ability to move up and down the field quickly gives me the opportunity to assist other teammates in scoring or the ability to score myself.

"The main highlights of my season were when I scored the winning goals for three different games, and strengthened my bond with my teammates and coach."

Vega plans to attend a community college next year and study sports nutrition.

"I plan to continue my soccer career and also play tennis," he said. "I hope to go as far as I can with soccer and some day become a professional soccer player."

Shay served as captain of the girls basketball team. With her leadership, the Rangers won their first league game ever, a victory over Calgary Murrieta. She also is one of the team's representatives on Santa Rosa Academy's Captain's Council, a leadership group involving varsity student-athletes.

"I haven't always felt worthy of being the team captain, but I think I was selected because of how much I love the game," said Shay, who has been playing basketball about seven years. "I also have been playing for a long time. I don't always feel that I am the best leader all the time. I try to lead by example and be the kind of leader that people want to follow out of respect rather than a leader people have to follow."

Shay said she still remembers the thrill of that first league victory.

"It was so amazing," she said. "I was so proud of my teammates because we worked so hard the whole season. As a pretty new program we have had growing pains, but winning this game gave us confidence and I feel it is the beginning of many more wins."

Vega and Shay will receive a free portrait from Photos DLite. The school will also receive one for public display.