The Morro Bay High School Athletic Boosters have named their MBHS Athletes of the Month for May, rounding out a terrific year of prep sports.
“On behalf of the entire MBHS Athletic Boosters,” said the Booster’s Ken Hotaling, “thank you to all of the student athletes, coaches, trainers, and other supporters for a fantastic athletic school year. The examples of leadership, sportsmanship, overcoming adversity, and developing relationships have been exemplary.
May’s Student/Athletes of the month recognition are: Jaide Tappan, Shelby Taylor, Ian Lambright, Caleb Calhoun, and Jackson Hanson.
Track & Field
Jaide Tappan was named a Student/Athlete of the Month in Track & Field after she set personal and school records in the discus and then placed second in discus and fourth in shot putt at CIF, qualifying her for the Master’s Meet. Submitted photo
Track & Field, Coach Jennifer Frere, said of her three athletes, “Jaide Tappan is a senior thrower who came to us as a new student this year. She quickly demonstrated her skills and through hard work broke the MBHS school record with a Personal Record of 121-feet in the discus. The previous record was 120’2” set in 2005 by Cassie Freeman.
“She placed second in the discus and fourth in the shot put at CIF, earning marks that qualified her for the Master’s Meet. Jaide will continue her track & Field career at Cuesta College next year, while she studies Criminal Justice. We are proud of all that she has accomplished this season, and we know she will continue to excel in College.”
Freshman runner, Shelby Taylor, was named Student/Athlete of the Month after she was Ocean League Champion in both the 1600 meters and 3200m, and took second at CIF in the 1600m, where she broke a long-standing school record. Taylor broke the tape at 5-minutes 1.89-seconds breaking a school record that had stood for over 30 years and was set by her coach when she was at Morro Bay High. Submitted photo
Her other honoree has three years of high school left. “Shelby Taylor is a freshman who also excelled in cross country this year. Shelby never misses a practice and gives her best effort in workouts. She is a student of the sport and is a fierce competitor on the track. She broke the MBHS school record in the 1600 meters, running 5-minutes 1.89-seconds at the CIF Meet.”
The previous record was 5:07, set by Coach Frere (nee: Lacovara) herself, some 34-years ago when she was a track standout and a State Cross Country Champion. Taylor was Ocean League Champion in both the 1600m and 3200m and second at CIF in the 1600m. Coach Frere said. “Shelby will compete next at the Master’s Meet in Clovis where she will go head-to-head with the best runners in the Central Section.”
Senior jumper and hurdler, Ian Lambright was named an Athlete of the Month after winning the Ocean League in the long jump and taking second in the 200 meters and third in the triple jump. He went on to take third at CIF and qualify for the Central Section Master’s Meet. Submitted photo
Ian Lambright is a senior jumper and hurdler in his second season of Track & Field. Lambright was also the MBHS quarterback this past season. He placed third in Long Jump at CIF, which qualified him for the Master’s Meet.
“At Ocean League Finals,” Coach Frere said, “he was League Champion in the Long Jump, second in the 200m, and second in the Triple Jump. Ian is an excellent athlete who excels at all the different events he trains for. We are excited for Ian to continue his athletic endeavors to the next level. With his commitment to the sport, he will surely experience even more success.”
Boys Tennis
Jackson Hanson was the Boys’ Tennis Team’s Athlete of the Month (of the year according to his coach) after winning the Ocean League Singles
Championship. Submitted photo
Boys Tennis Coach Jason Hanson honored an Ocean League Champion. “Student/Athlete of the year for the Boys’ Tennis Team is Jackson Hanson, who finished the season as Ocean League Champion going undefeated in league play while also carrying five AP/Honors classes.”
Baseball
Boys’ Baseball Team standout Caleb Calhoun was named a May Student/Athlete of the Month. Submitted photo
Coach Jarred Zill of the Boys’ Baseball Team nominated Caleb Calhoun as his choice for Student/Athlete of Month.
Many Thanks
Estero Bay News wants to congratulate these young men and women and all the other Student/Athletes of the Month for the 2023/24 school year and wish them good luck in their future sporting challenges.
EBN would also like to thank Ken Hotaling of the Booster’s Club and Athletic Director Tyler Hoyt for their assistance with these articles. We look forward to doing it again next year.
