Trevor Simonian did a lot of swimming around on both sides of the pigskin during his senior season on the Malibu High Sharks football team.
The 18-year-old caught passes and scored touchdowns on offense and made big hits on defense. Simonian, committed to playing college football at the University of Pennsylvania next season, also lined up on special teams for Malibu. The future Quaker said he enjoyed starring all over the gridiron for the Sharks.
“I have so much love for the game of football,” he said. “I always wanted to be out there. I wanted to set a good example for teammates by always wanting to be on the field and help out any way I could.”
The football player played four positions — running back, wide receiver, strong safety and outside linebacker — during Malibu’s 10-game season and, as busy as he was on the gridiron for 2-8 Malibu, Simonian is possibly busier off it.
He is currently training for his freshman season with the Quaker football team and preparing for another spring as a member of the Malibu High baseball team. Simonian is also hitting the books to maintain his straight As in school.
Lately, the only thing that could slow him down was wet weather. He and his baseball teammates were supposed to play in winter league game last Saturday, but the contest was canceled due to rain. The day before, Simonian competed in the Ventura County All-Star Football Game at Ventura College.
The six-foot Simonian, projected to be a wide receiver in college, said he doesn’t mind being a busy student-athlete.
“I am always willing to go the extra mile to be successful in the classroom and on the field,” he said. “I take pride in what I do.”
Malibu football coach Terry Shorten said Simonian is driven to succeed in school and sports.
“Trevor is a great leader, always leading by example and teaching the younger players to work hard,” he said.
Simonian was a leader for Malibu all over the field during his senior season. As a running back, Simonian rushed the ball 55 times for 305 yards and three touchdowns. He caught 35 passes for 409 yards and four touchdowns when he lined up at wide receiver, and he had 11 kick returns for 194 yards on special teams. Simonian had 82 tackles on defense.
Being a jack of all trades for the Sharks led to Simonian being named co-Defensive MVP of the Frontier League, the region Malibu competes in, and to the All-Frontier League Team for a third consecutive season. In addition, he was recognized as a member of the third-team All-Ventura County Team.
The offensive and defensive stalwart said Malibu’s Nov. 4 loss to Carpinteria, the last contest of the season, will always standout to him. Simonian scored a pair of touchdowns that day.
“I was flying all over the field on offense and defense,” he said. “I always gave my all, but I played really well that last game.”
Shorten will remember Simonian as a player he could always count on to make a big impact on the game.
“I could always count on No. 20, T-Nice,” the coach said while identifying Simonian by his nickname.
On the baseball diamond, Simonian finished his junior year with a .319 batting average, 23 hits, 12 runs, 10 RBIs and one home run. The Sharks finished with a 6-17 record last spring, and are set to begin regular season competition next month.
Simonian said he believes he and his teammates can have a good season.
“I think we can make a good run in league this year,” said the catcher, who also hopes to try out for Penn’s baseball team next year.
Simonian decided to attend Penn because of the school’s celebrated business school and his familiarity with the Ivy League university. The 12th-grader’s father and uncle are Penn alumni.
Simonian said he enjoys excelling in baseball and football, but knows academics are more important than both sports.
“I always take pride in my class work,” he said. “That is the most important thing to me.”
The dual-sport standout is dedicated to his sports and schooling, but the players he competes with are just as important to him.
“I have a lot of good friends and teammates,” Simonian said. “We are always pushing each other to get better. Once you are in the programs you really get to see the brotherhood and camaraderie we have.”
Shorten said Penn is getting a smart and intense athlete.
“Trevor will be extremely successful on the field and in the classroom at Penn,” he said.
