December ‘24 Athletes of the Month

Written by Neil Farrell

Neil has been a journalist covering the Estero Bay Area for over 27 years. He’s won numerous journalism awards in several different categories over his career.

January 19, 2025

The Morro Bay High Athletic Boosters Club named its final 2024 Athletes of the Month in December, honoring a total of eight student athletes for their prowess on the field and matt, and their leadership off the field.

The Boosters honored: Violet Pace, Emily Giodorno, Mia Bennett, Shea Dawson, Dawson Whitney, Chelsea Catalan, Ahlexis Terry and Ashleigh Terry as selected by their coaches.

Girl’s Soccer


From left: Emily Giodorno and Mia Bennett were honored by their Girls’ Soccer Team coach for December 2024 Student Athlete of the Month. Photos courtesy MBHS

Girls’ Soccer Coach Kim Wishon nominated her team captains. “Our December Athletes of the Month are our two captains — Emily Giodorno and Mia Bennett,” Coach Wishon said. “Emily is an amazing, dedicated part of our team. As a captain she leads the team with her grit, commitment and hustle in practice and on the field. She plays attacking midfield and is always making a difference on the field. 

“She wins the ball in the midfield, makes runs to move the ball forward and always follows shots. Emily being a senior and a captain, leads by example and is always keeping things positive. We will miss Emily dearly next year.

Bennett, the coach said, is “one of our captains, and a force to be reckoned with! She plays attacking midfield and is a dynamic player that always gives 100%. Her leadership on our team inspires other players to do their best.

“She enjoys being involved, has incredible stamina, and embodies the saying ‘Covers every blade of grass on the field.’ This, combined with her skills and vision, make her an essential player on our team.”

Bennett makes everyone else better. “The team plays better with Mia on the field,” Coach Wishon said. “As a senior leader and captain, we will be sad to say goodbye to Mia at the end of the season.”

Girl’s Basketball


Girls’ Basketball Coach Alex Engle named Violet Pace (shown here) as Student Athlete of the Month for December 2024. Pace is scoring 21-points a game and led the Lady Pirates to a 5-1 start 
to the season. 

Girls’ Basketball Coach Alex Engle nominated Violet Pace as Student Athlete of the Month.

“So far in the first six games of the season,” Coach Engle said, “Violet has been filling up the stat sheet. Violet is averaging 21 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 5.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. This has helped us to a great start to the season with a record of 5-1.”

He added, “She is also one of our team captains and has been a great leader for our program. Violet is one of the hardest working players I have had the pleasure of coaching, and has a great attitude on and off the court.”

Boy’s and Girl’s Wrestling


Wrestler Shea Dawson was named an Athlete of the Month for December 2024.

Wrestling Coach Albert Garza named a quintet of grapplers from both the boys’ and girls’ squads. Wrestling Athletes of the Month were: Shea Dawson, Dawson Whitney, Chelsea Catalan, Ahlexis Terry, and Ashleigh Terry.

Coach Garza said, “Shea’s been working hard all summer and fall to make sure he surpasses the goals he set for himself at the end of last season.

“Shea came into the season ranked in the Top-20 of the State in two different polls and is the top-ranked wrestler in our CIF Division.”


Wrestler Ashleigh Terry was named Athlete of the Month for 
December 2024.

Dawson’s started off great in the early season. “This season,” Coach Garza said of Shea Dawson, “he has gotten off to a great start, with wins in our three dual meets, a Third Place and First Place finish at our first two tournaments. We’re excited to see Shea continue to improve as we hit the bulk of our season this coming January.”

Dawson Whitney’s, “been working hard since last year transforming his body and improving his skills to be a State qualifier this season. He came into the season a little late after being a part of this season’s Football Team that made it to the CIF Finals. 

“We look forward to seeing how the season unfolds for him as he’s come into season in better shape mentally and physically than ever before.”

On the Girls’ Wrestling Team, Coach Garza honored three of his grapplers. Chelsea Catalan has, “been hard at work since last season and looks to be at the State Meet at the end of February. She’s currently ranked First in CIF and Fourth in our Masters. Chelsea is someone we are excited to see wrestle every time she’s on the mat.”

Ahlexis Terry is “Currently ranked Second in CIF and Fifth in Masters,” Coach Garza said. “Ahlexis is looking to make a statement this season. She’s been working hard in the offseason and it’s definitely paying off. We are looking for her to be on the podium this season at multiple tournaments and on the mat at the State Meet.

Another girl, Ashleigh Terry is coming off an injury. “We haven’t been able to see her much in the off season after she broke her collarbone and had to have surgery,” Coach Garza said. “She’s had a great start to her season, placing sixth in her first tournament and is currently ranked third in Masters and second in CIF. Ashleigh has all the ability to be a top contender this year at the state level.”

The Pirates will host the 65th Annual Sam Boyd Memorial California Invitational Tournament (C.I.T.) Friday-Saturday, Jan. 24-25 at MBHS. 

Dozens of schools and hundreds of wrestlers will compete in the 65th Annual Sam Boyd California Invitational Tournament, one of the biggest, most prestigious tournaments on the schedule. 

Some of the top wrestlers in the state will be at the C.I.T. On Friday they will have the first and second round matches and Saturday morning will finish off the brackets. The Top-2 wrestlers in each weight class will compete in the finals later that afternoon (usually starting at 4 p.m.).

Estero Bay News congratulates the Student Athletes of the Month and looks forward to continuing to highlight the accomplishments of our local prep athletes in 2025.

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