Revamped Bakersfield Jockey Club honors first class of high school athletes
Sep. 28—Back in action after a lengthy absence due to the pandemic, the Bakersfield Jockey Club honored its first class of high school athletes for the 2022-23 school year during a breakfast meeting at Hodel's Country Dining Tuesday morning.
Board member Ron Valenti previously told The Californian that the 60-year-old Bakersfield sports media institution is "designed to honor the people who are the good teammates, the good citizens, the good students, the positive voices at their schools."
In its revamped form led by Karen Odle, the club hosted Bakersfield College football coach R. Todd Littlejohn as its first guest speaker. It presented awards to the following athletes Tuesday, according to its Facebook page:
Football
Daniel Hartman, Stockdale
Jalen Hankins, Liberty
Grant Buckey, Liberty
Jaxton Santiago, Centennial
Adam Copus, Centennial
Tye Monteiro, Bakersfield
Johnny Appleton, Frontier
Girls cross-country
Elizabeth Rivera, Bakersfield
Boys cross-country
Daniel Hall, Bakersfield
Girls tennis
Lauren Li, Stockdale
Girls water polo
Bella Palacios, Liberty
Jillian Perez, Centennial
Leyla Malamma, Bakersfield
Boys water polo
Zane Gabriel, Stockdale
Volleyball
Vienna Perier, Stockdale
Paige Sentes, Liberty
Jozzi McFee, Centennial
Emily Dowden, North
The club is slated to host 15 additional breakfasts, beginning this coming Tuesday.
