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Athlete of the Week Football Lakewood Long Beach Poly Millikan St. Anthony Volleyball Wilson

The562.org’s Athletes of the Week

The562’s Athletes of the Week is sponsored by the Long Beach Century Club.

Congratulations to our Athletes of the Week and thanks to the Long Beach Century Club and Naples Rib Company for their support.

HIGH SCHOOL

Kingsley Medlen, Wilson Flag Football

Kingsley Medlen is having a standout freshman season for the Wilson Bruins, where she is also serving as one of the team’s captains this year. Wilson’s flag football team clinched a CIF opening win over Chino Hills, where Medlen preserved the shutout in the final two minutes with the game-winning interception.

Jenna Smith, Lakewood Girls’ Volleyball

Lakewood is onto the CIF-SS Division 6 Girls’ Volleyball Quarterfinals, and Jenna Smith is a huge part of the Lancers’ success. The senior outside hitter had 14 kills in their first-round sweep over Covina and led the team with 11 kills in their second-round sweep against Yucaipa.

Holly Ibarra, Millikan Flag Football

Holly Ibarra led the Millikan Rams to a dominant first-round win in the CIF-SS playoffs. The senior quarterback threw touchdowns to four different receivers in the 26-6 win. 

Aleeya Salima, Long Beach Poly Girls’ Volleyball

The Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits are through to the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs behind a big performance from Aleeya Salima. The senior led the Jackrabbits with 13 kills in a sweep of Campbell Hall, pushing the Jackrabbits through to the quarterfinals.

Quinn Bell, St. Anthony Girls’ Volleyball

Quinn Bell has delivered for the Saints in CIF-SS Division 5 Girls’ Volleyball action so far, and St. Anthony is through to the quarterfinals because of it. Bell had a match-high 19 kills in their first-round battle against Pacifica Christian and contributed 10 kills in the second-round sweep over San Jacinto.

Layla Bailey-Zavala, Lakewood Girls’ Volleyball

Lakewood picked up a huge second-round sweep over Yucaipa, and senior setter Layla Bailey-Zavala was the key piece on the court. Bailey-Zavala had 22 assists to six different teammates in the huge playoff win.

Gregory Gibson, Lakewood Football

Gregory Gibson helped the Lancers close out the regular season with a 46-0 shutout over Jordan. As a key linebacker for Lakewood, Gibson had three interceptions to help keep the Panthers silent in the big win.

Zion Anderson, Long Beach Poly Football

Long Beach Poly seized sole possession of first place in the Moore League with a statement shutout against Millikan. Junior Zion Anderson scored three touchdowns on six catches and 99 yards in the 42-0 win.

Nina Fife
Nina Fife is a junior at Pepperdine University double majoring in Journalism and English with a writing and rhetoric emphasis. She began working with The562 in the inaugural intern class before being hired as their Social Media Director and now Assistant Editor. Nina is a proud Long Beach schools alum who graduated with valedictorian honors.