Ten student-athletes from Malibu High School captured the sports scene this year with their excellence and grace on the field, court, pool and track. The Malibu Times sports department recognizes these individuals for their ability to excel at the highest level during competition while representing the school with honor and pride. Two athletes won CIF individual championships while six garnered Most Valuable Player honors in their respective leagues.
The Malibu Times co-male Athletes of the Year are senior Brennan Cassone and sophomore Logan Hotchkiss and the female Athlete of the Year is sophomore Caroline Pietrzyk.
Here is a brief recap of the past sports year for these young men and women.
Brennan Cassone (senior, football)
Cassone had a remarkable year on the gridiron as he earned MVP honors in the Frontier League as well as being named All-CIF. He was chosen as the All-Ventura County Small Schools Receiver of the Year after hauling in 100 receptions on the season for 1,707 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The USC-bound walk-on led the Sharks to their first playoff berth since 2007 and a record of 7-4, the first time Malibu won seven games in a season since 2004. The sure-handed receiver had individual game highs of 12 catches and 253 yards as MHS took second place in league.
Logan Hotchkiss (sophomore, swimming)
Hotchkiss splashed onto the swim scene by winning two CIF individual championships. He won the CIF Division IV 200 freestyle (school-record 1:45.54) and the 500 freestyle (4:46.45). Hotchkiss also won three league titles as the Malibu boys’ team won the Frontier League championship. He was named the Male Swimmer of the Year for the Frontier League.
Caroline Pietrzyk (sophomore, track and cross country)
Pietrzyk established herself as one of the premier long distance runners in the entire state with a tremendous year in two sports. She recently finished 13th in the 3200 race at the 2013 California State Track and Field Championships after having won a CIF championship in Division IV a few weeks ago. Her Masters meet time of 10:35.91 is a personal best. Pietrzyk also won the 1600 and 3200 Frontier League titles.
During the cross country season, Pietrzyk claimed sixth place at the 2012 State Cross Country Championships in Division IV. She finished third in the CIF Division IV finals as she established a Malibu cross country record with a time of 17:16. Pietrzyk was named the Tri- Valley League MVP for her accomplishments.
Britta Mosser (senior, girls tennis)
Mosser concluded a spectacular career on the tennis courts by winning a third straight Tri-Valley League singles tennis title. She led Malibu to an 18-1 record as the Sharks won their third consecutive Tri-Valley League team title in the process. MHS advanced to the CIF semifinals during her junior and senior seasons.
Emmet Pierson (senior, boys water polo)
Pierson led the boys water polo team to its third consecutive league title and a berth in the CIF Division VI semifinals. He was honored as the Tri-Valley League’s co-Most Valuable Player as he scored 82 goals and registered a teamhigh 51 steals. Malibu finished the season with a 25-5 record and the 15th league title in the program’s illustrious history. Pierson also received first-team All-CIF honors as well.
Linda Brown (senior, girls water polo)
Brown was named co-Most Valuable Player of the Tri-Valley League after leading the Sharks to their seventh consecutive league title in girls’ water polo. Brown’s impressive statistics included a team-high 93 goals, 84 steals and 29 assists on the season. Malibu finished with a 16-11 record.
Adam Fote (senior, boys soccer)
Fote’s superior soccer skills impressed the league coaches to honor him with the Tri-Valley League’s Most Valuable Offensive Player. He was a major factor in the potent Sharks’ offense that scored 72 goals on the season and finished in third place in the TVL with an overall record of 11-5-1.
Sean Ryan (senior, lacrosse)
Ryan, chosen as a two-time high school All-American by US Lacrosse, was named the independent league MVP as Malibu tied for the league title with an 11-6 mark. He scored 25 goals and had 11 assists.
Chase Lambert (junior, baseball)
Lambert led Malibu to a schoolrecord 24 wins and its first league title since 2005. He was named the MVP of the Frontier League after posting eyepopping stats such as his team-leading .454 batting average, 44 hits, 31 runs, 19 RBIs and 13 doubles.
On the mound, Lambert went 3-0 with a 0.79 ERA, eight saves, 50 strikeouts, eight walks and allowed only eight hits in 26 2/3 innings pitched. The Sharks finished 24-5 on the season. Gabriel Rapoport (junior, boys tennis)
Rapoport finished an outstanding junior season with only two losses in singles play and was crowned the Tri-Valley League singles tennis champion for the second year in a row. He led the Sharks to a second place finish in the TVL and a 10-5 overall record. Rapoport is one of the top players on the USTA junior circuit in Southern California.