Joshua Wilson-Murry and Faith Archibald were named Outstanding Athletes of the Year at the Cuesta College athletics awards banquet Tuesday afternoon inside the campus’ student center.
Archibald, a team captain for the women’s water polo team, was the female recipient. The Atascadero High School graduate powered the state’s sixth highest scoring offense by collecting 87 goals and dishing out 38 assists. In her sophomore season with the Cougars, Archibald as was a first-team All-Western State Conference selection, second-team All-Southern California selection, and an All-American.
“It’s a really great feeling,” Archibald said. “I feel like I’ve worked really hard for this. I didn’t start swimming until my freshman year of high school, and to work my way up and become the athlete I am today, it’s pretty amazing.”
“Faith meant everything to our team this season both in and out of the water,” head water polo coach Pete Schuler added. “In the water, she is a smooth powerful athlete that makes things happen on both ends of the tank.”
Wilson-Murry, a team captain for the men’s basketball team, was the male recipient. Wilson-Murry was named the Western State-North Conference Player of the Year after leading the Cougars to the conference title and CCCAA playoffs. He has also named first-team All-State.
Wilson-Murry led Cuesta in points per game with 16.8 and rebounds per game with 7.4. He was also the Cougars’ best three-point shooter.
“It means a lot. It’s great, it’s a great cap off to a good two years here at Cuesta College,” Wilson-Murry said. “I’m just honored to be able to accept the award.”
He continued, “Just knowing what I’ve been through and that there are a lot of people out there that know what I’ve been through, for them to be able to see this and see what I’ve accomplished and what I’m going to keep on doing, it means a lot ”
“Josh has had many obstacles to overcome, yet he was focused enough to complete one of the most spectacular seasons in Cuesta Basketball history,” head men’s basketball coach Rusty Blair added.
As far as the other awards, Aundrea Mendoza and Iker Cruz were named Warren Hansen Scholar-Athletes of the Year, and Hannah Katches was named the George Silveria Memorial Student-Athlete Career Award winner.
