Heritage High Athletes of the Week: March 6, 13

Week of March 6 honorees, from left: Angel Perez, Kaitlyn Orona, Kaleigh Giannone. Not pictured: Jacob Garcia. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

Menifee 24/7 is pleased to honor top athletes from Heritage High School, as nominated by their coaches. Here are the Athletes of the Week for the weeks of March 6 and March 13:

Angel Perez is the boys tennis team's No. 1 singles player and the only returning regular from last year's CIF championship team. Three of the Patriots' first four matches were against teams ranked in the top 10 in the Inland Empire. Perez posted a 3-3 record in competition against No. 1 Great Oak and No. 7 Corona Santiago. "He is our team captain and has been playing outstandingly against some of the toughest competition in the entire Inland Empire," said his coach, Doug Fairchild.

The doubles team of Dominic Verza and Chris Ramirez "are very good friends off the court, and that camaraderie has translated to impressive on-court performances like their sweep of San Jacinto last week," Fairchild said.

Jacob Garcia pitched 7 scoreless innings against Moreno Valley in the baseball team's season opener, striking out 5 and giving up only 1 hit. He also came on in relief against Tahquitz the next week, pitching 2.1 innings, allowing no runs and no hits with 2 strikeouts.

Girls track standout Kaleigh Giannone finished first in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles in a meet against Tahquitz. She was also part of the Patriots' first-place 4x400 team. At the Bronco Saddle-Up Relays, she took fourth in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 100 hurdles.

James Phillips of the boys track team ran an 11.24 in the 100 and a 23.14 in the 200 in a recent meet. He also anchors the school's 4x100 relay team.

Catcher Kaitlyn Orona "has been working really hard to keep the pitcher and team focused in our first two tournaments," said coach Angela Ramiro.

These players are eligible for the March Athlete of the Month award.

Week of March 13 honorees, from left: Chris Ramirez, Dominic Verza. Not pictured: James Phillips.