Recordnet.com Athletes of the Week: Weston Ranch's Janay Holmes, St. Mary's Leo Ponce
Athletes from the 209 have come into the new year with something to prove.
In the latest installment of winter sports, fans have seen St. Mary’s boys soccer take over the Tri-City Athletic League. In the San Joaquin Athletic Association, newcomers Weston Ranch girls' basketball pushed for a possible two-way tie for first place.
Leo Ponce of St. Mary and Janay Holmes of Weston Ranch are The Record/Recordnet.com Athletes of the Week for Jan. 29 - Feb. 4. Here’s how the two athletes earned this recognition.
Janay Holmes
Class: Senior
Position: Power forward
Team contributions: Holmes has been the Cougars' lead scorer since the start of the season. When her team needs her most, she consistently comes through. Weston Ranch had its second meeting with previously undefeated Stagg on Jan. 30. Holmes finished the game with 10 points and nine rebounds handing the Delta Queens their first league loss, 64-37.
The 5-foot 10-inch senior was just getting started. She went on a scoring rampage, dropping 23 points in the Cougar’s 74-71 overtime win over McNair on Jan. 31. Holmes is a vital part in solidifying Weston Ranch as a rising star in the SJAA. The Cougars just need to win two more games to tie with Stagg for first place in league play.
Leo Ponce
Class: Senior
Position: Forward
Team contributions: In last Friday’s match against Tracy, Ponce was the driving force in preventing a tie. After over 60 minutes of unsuccessful goal attempts, he ran down a long pass from one of his teammates and landed his kick to the back of the net. Ponce’s lone goal gave the Rams its ninth consecutive league win.
Ponce has spent three years on St. Mary’s varsity squad and has seen the team throughout its growing pains. The senior forward can now see the fruits of the team’s labor after Monday’s 2-1 win over Lodi gave the Rams a 10-0 finish in the T-CAL. He is regarded as one of the team’s best forwards and will be a player to watch in the postseason.
Each week The Record selects a girl and boy athlete to be highlighted based on their accomplishments from the prior week. To make a suggestion for The Record Athletes of the Week, email sports reporter Shannon Belt at sbelt@recordnet.com.
Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton area Athletes of the Week are from Weston Ranch, St. Mary's
