LIUGET, ALLEN, CHILES SELECTED AS STARS OF THE MONTH
Chargers DE, Jaguars LB, Sockers forward recognized by the San Diego Hall of Champions
SAN DIEGO—(Dec. 5, 2012)—Professional football dominated the national sports scene in November and the San Diego Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars had two excellent players representing America’s Finest City. Both defensive stars were selected as the San Diego Hall of Champions honored a total of 15 athletes as Stars of the Month.
PROFESSIONAL STARS
COREY LIUGET (Football, San Diego Chargers)—The second-year pro out of the University of Illinois has stepped up his game considerably to become one of the Chargers’ top defensive players. The defensive end collected a sack and 14 tackles during the month.
RUSSELL ALLEN (Football, Jacksonville Jaguars, SDSU, Vista High grad)—Playing linebacker for the Jaguars, Allen rolled through the month compiling 35 tackles in this his fourth year in the NFL.
KRAIG CHILES (Soccer, San Diego Sockers, SDSU, Poway High grad)--Chiles is off to a start that is amazing even by his own lofty standards. The back-to-back Professional Arena Soccer League MVP opened San Diego's season with 25 goals in five games, including a career-high eight goal game against Toros de Mexico.
AMATEUR STARS
ADAM MUEMA (Football, SDSU)—Just a sophomore, Muema helped the Aztecs go 3-0, clinching a share of the MWC title. Muema rushed for 463 yards and 7 TDs on 66 carries, averaging 154.3 yards per game. In the three games, Muema accounted for 42 of the team’s 91 points with the next-highest scoring total on the team going to kicker Chance Marden’s 13.
KATIE HOEKMAN (Volleyball, USD)—The Toreros junior led USD to a 4-2 record and helped USD claim a share of the WCC championship. Hoekman also took home All-WCC first-team honors. Hoekman led the Toreros offense with 70 kills (2.69 kps), while hitting for an impressive .504 clip.
GABI HERNANDEZ (Soccer, UCSD)—Scoring four goals in seven postseason games in November, the senior tri-captain tallied in each of the first four games the Tritons played leading them to the CCAA Championship and West Region title. Hernandez garnered CCAA Championship MVP honors after scoring a late winner in the semifinal and adding a goal in the final.
JOE FERGUSON (Football, USD)—Ferguson led USD to a 3-0 record and claim a share of its second straight Pioneer Football League title. The junior had touchdown rushes in each game and finished the month with 297 yards on 29 carries and 4 touchdowns and was named the league Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 19.
TIFFANY HURST (Soccer, SDSU)--An all-MWC first-team selection, Hurst was the hero against Cal in the second round of the NCAA Tournament as the redshirt senior scored the game-winning goal at the 82:53 mark for a 2-1 victory. The win, which was the 14th straight for the Aztecs put SDSU into the Sweet 16 for just the second time in school history.
DAN DELGADO (Soccer, USD, San Pasqual High grad)--Led the Toreros to their first WCC title and NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009. His four goals and five assists helped USD advance to the NCAA Elite 8 for just the second time in team history. Delgado’s game-tying goal with 66 seconds left at Cal State Northridge forced overtime, leading to the victory.
HIGH SCHOOL STARS
MINJIA LUO (Golf, Torrey Pines)—The senior who helped lift Torrey Pines to three straight state titles saved her best for last, winning the individual title. Luo fired an even par 74 over the tough Red Hill Country Club course in leading the Falcons to the championship.
TATIANA DURR (Volleyball, Cathedral Catholic)—The 6-foot senior helped lead the Dons to another Division III state title with a season that included 479 kills against just 101 errors, 59 service aces, 54 blocks and 207 digs. The Dons finished 34-4.
PIERRE CORMIER (Football, Madison)—Headed to the University of Arizona, the Warhawks senior led his team to the section Division IV title. On the season Cormier rushed for 1,940 yards in just 189 carries, averaging better than a first down a carry. He scored 26 TDs.
SANDY CHOI (Golf, Torrey Pines)—The most consistent of the Falcons golfer, Choi led Torrey Pines to the section title with her second straight individual crown. This time the senior fired rounds of 71-71-142 over the Coronado Golf Course to help lead the Falcons to the title.
TOFI PAOPAO (Football, Oceanside)—There was little doubt which team was the best in San Diego after the senior led the Pirates to a 32-10 win over Poway for the Division I title. Paopao finished the season completing 143 of 240 passes for 2,458 yards and 22 TDs.
MICHAELA DEWS (Volleyball, Francis Parker)—With a perfect 8-0 record over the final month of the season, the Dews-led Lancers finished with 27 straight wins en route to the state Division IV title where the junior had 20 kills in the 3-2 win over Atherton Sacred Heart.
