Wednesday, May 25, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Palo Verde’s swimming dynasty is still going strong, and a familiar name might be the biggest reason why the Panthers have been able to stay on top.
- Female Athlete of the Year: Aaliyah Gayles, Spring Valley basketball
- Male Athlete of the Year: Justin Crawford, Bishop Gorman baseball
- Female Rising Star: Rebecca Diaconescu, Palo Verde swimming
- Male Rising Star: Yuval Cohen, Palo Verde soccer
- Sun Standout Award: Jenavi Alejandro, Centennial wrestling
- Team of the Year: Coronado girls golf
- Moment of the Year: Moapa Valley football returns home to a state-championship parade
- Game of the Year: Bishop Gorman beats Liberty in thrilling double-overtime basketball affair
- Female Scholar Athlete of the Year: Zoey Robinson, Boulder City volleyball
- Male Scholar Athlete of the Year: Jeffrey Morosini, Durango football and wrestling
- Citizen of the Year: Nykita Rustad, Spring Valley cross country and track
- Hank Greenspun Lifetime Achievement Award: John Kennedy, official
- Coach of the Year: Kevin Soares, Liberty basketball
- Unsung Hero Awards: Marshall Cohen, referee, Kathleen Eakins, transportation, Laquedra Parks, police officer and basketball coach
Rebecca Diaconescu, the daughter of UNLV Hall of Famer and Olympian Lorena Diaconescu, has been virtually unstoppable in the pool throughout her sophomore season. Rebecca won the state championship in the 100 butterfly, took second in the 200 freestyle and contributed to a pair of state-placing relay teams.
None of Palo Verde’s relay teams that include Rebecca lost a race for more than a month to the start the season. Her best event is the 500 freestyle, in which she has won every race by at least 30 seconds this season.
Rebecca also competed in the Romanian Long Course Championships in March and could potentially follow in her mother’s footsteps as a member of the country’s national swimming team. Lorena competed for Romania at the 1996 Summer Olympics and captured a gold medal in the 2000 European Championships.
Rebecca is currently rated as the 87th best sophomore swimmer in the nation according to swimcloud.com.
Finalists
Ashley Duckworth, Bishop Gorman volleyball
Set the state record with 250 blocks to help the Gaels win a state championship.
Grace Knox, Spring Valley basketball
Rated as one of the top 25 freshmen in the nation by ESPN after averaging nearly 14 points and 10 rebounds this season.
Kaylie Phillips, Liberty flag football
Gained more than 5,500 combined passing and rushing yards while also accounting for 82 touchdowns to help the Patriots take the state title.