Editor’s note: Medical issues affecting our staff resulted in a delay in this announcement and in the combination of Athlete of the Month selections into one article for April and May. We apologize for the delay and for the fact that at this busy time at the end of the school year, some students were not able to attend the photo shoot. We hope you join us in congratulating all the athletes honored in this news article.
Menifee 24/7 is pleased to honor Athletes of the Month for April and May at Liberty High School. Honorees were selected by the coaches of their respective sports and were recognized with a presentation of certificates and photo opportunity on campus.
Kylie Kaas of the girls swim team “is an outstanding athlete and a key contributor to our aquatics program,” said coach Felicia Asbury. “She has worked incredibly hard all season and qualified for CIF in the 100 backstroke. Kylie is an essential member of our relay teams and consistently gives her best effort. She is a tough competitor who always supports and lifts up her teammates.”
Julian Mojica of the boys swim team “is a positive and uplifting member of our swim team,” Asbury said. “He consistently celebrates the accomplishments of others and is a true team player. Julian has worked hard all season and qualified for CIF in the 100 breaststroke. He is also a member of our school record-breaking 200 medley relay.”
Junior left fielder Lily Matthews of the softball team “has been a consistent force at the plate, leading our team with confidence and composure each time she steps into the batter’s box,” said coach Nichole Smith. “Her ability to deliver in big moments and maintain steady offensive production has been a key part of our success. Beyond her performance, she is a dependable leader on and off the field, making her a truly deserving Athlete of the Month.”
Brandon Ansell “has been a strong driving force for the baseball team all year long,” said coach Scott Montgomery. “His recent commitment to MSJC will allow him to keep his talent local and continue his baseball career.”
Track and field athlete Elijah Bennett closed out his season on an incredible high note. After battling injuries for much of the year, he showed tremendous perseverance in returning to peak form at exactly the right time. Elijah broke two school records in the 110m and 300m hurdles, claimed the Ivy League Championship in the 300m hurdles, and earned a Division 1 CIF prelims berth. “His resilience, dedication, and commitment to improvement were on full display, making him a clear and deserving choice for Athlete of the Month,” said coach Andrew Ellis.
Faise Tamale capped off an outstanding junior track season season with a dominant performance at the Ivy League Finals. She captured both the 100m and 200m Ivy League titles, qualified for the Division 1 CIF prelims, and set new school records in both events. “Faise’s drive to continuously push her limits and her relentless work ethic have been key to her success,” said coach Josh Cagwin. “Her focus, determination, and competitive spirit set her apart, making her a well-deserving Athlete of the Month.”
Girls lacrosse player Sora Beck “is a talented and dedicated team captain,” said coach Brad Loven. “As a multi-sport student-athlete, Sora upholds a high performance standard across many areas of life. She is a competitive wrestler, skilled lacrosse midfielder, and a club lacrosse athlete for MOB. Her intentions for personal development are evident; she stands out as an AVID student who also participates in both HOSA (club for future health professionals) and Model UN club. Sora was recently selected to play for the Philippines at the Lacrosse Heritage Cup in Ryder, NJ for the U19 women’s team. “
Joseph Bankston of the boys volleyball team “has continued to prove himself as an incredibly driven and reliable athlete for our varsity program,” said coach Miguel Barajas. “As a sophomore holding a starting position at outside hitter, he has embraced the challenge of competing at a high level and consistently rises to the occasion with confidence and determination.
“Joseph’s work ethic and mindset stand out every day. He approaches practices and matches with intensity, focus, and a willingness to improve, constantly pushing himself to grow as both a player and teammate. His reliability on the court gives our team stability, and his competitive drive helps elevate the level of those around him.”
Tessa Whitford of the girls swim team “is an outstanding athlete who consistently demonstrates dedication, determination, and a strong work ethic,” said coach Felicia Asbury. “She always puts forth her best effort, both in practice and in competition, setting a high standard for those around her. Tessa was a key contributor to our relay teams at CIF, where her performance and competitive mindset helped elevate the team’s success. She also played a crucial role at the Raincross Championships, battling with determination to help secure a first-place finish in the Girls 400 free relay.”
Chase Mankin of the boys swim team “is a dedicated and driven athlete who consistently demonstrates what it means to be a strong competitor and committed teammate,” Asbury said. “Throughout the season, Chase put in the work and showed tremendous growth, earning his place on our CIF relay teams. He was a key member of both our school record-breaking 200 free relay and 400 free relay, contributing to historic performances for our program. In addition, Chase achieved CIF consideration times in both the 50 free and 100 free, highlighting his individual strength in the pool.”
