Vote for the Joe Orthodontics High School Athlete of the Week

It's time to vote for the athlete of the week from the High Desert. 

Twelve athletes from across the region are in the running for the Joe Orthodontics High School Athlete of the Week. 

Each week throughout the 2025-26 school year, the Daily Press will recognize one standout student-athlete from the High Desert as Athlete of the Week. 

Through nominations submitted by coaches, as well as our own research, those selected will be placed on a ballot every week. The nominations are limited to only varsity athletes. 

You can vote for your favorite high school athletes as often as you’d like. The poll closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday night.

More: Nine High Desert athletes qualify for the CIF-SS Track and Field Masters

Here are the choices for this week, based on performances from May 11 to 16. 

• Andrea Garcia, Victor Valley softball — Garcia went 3 for 4 and fell a single shy of the cycle, while driving in four RBIs and scoring two runs in a 7-3 victory over Tustin on May 14. She followed that by going 3 for 3 with three home runs, five RBIs and four runs in a 12-2 victory over Orange on May 16.
• Deshaun Kaeo-Kahalioumi, Apple Valley track and field — At the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 Finals on May 16, Kaeo-Kahalioumi won the discus with a throw of 180 feet, 7 inches. His mark ranked second overall across all divisions and is currently the fifth-best throw in California this season entering Masters competition.
• Eden Skinner, Hesperia Christian softball — Skinner went 2 for 2 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs in an 8-7 victory over Los Amigos on May 14. She followed that by going 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in a 5-3 victory over St. Monica Prep on May 16.
• Emily Marks, Granite Hills softball — Marks went 5 for 6 with a home run, four RBIs and three runs in a 32-12 victory over Big Bear on May 14. She followed that by going 2 for 3 with a home run, six RBIs and three runs in a 14-2 victory over Eastside on May 16.
• Izabella Sanchez, Academy of Careers & Exploration softball — Sanchez hit for the cycle, including a grand slam, and scored five runs in a 26-1 victory over Public Safety Academy on May 14. She also struck out 12 batters over five innings in the circle.
• Jake Wilhoit, Riverside Prep baseball — Wilhoit went 2 for 3 and hit a go-ahead two-run single in the fourth inning of a victory over Capistrano Valley Christian on May 15.
• Mackinzie Gomez, Granite Hills softball — Gomez went 5 for 7 with three RBIs, four runs and two stolen bases in a 32-12 victory over Big Bear on May 14. She followed that by going 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs in a 14-2 victory over Eastside on May 16.
• Robert Middlebrooks, Victor Valley baseball — Middlebrooks went 4 for 4 with three runs and a stolen base in a 9-4 victory over Valencia on May 15.
• Reagan Farrand, Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy softball — Farrand went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, two runs and a stolen base in a 17-3 victory over Cornerstone Christian on May 14. She followed that by going 3 for 4 with three RBIs and three runs in a 12-11 victory over Santa Rosa Academy on May 16.
• Ryan Merles, Silver Valley track and field — At the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 Finals on May 16, Merles won the long jump with a mark of 21 feet, 10 inches. His mark ranked 13th overall across all divisions competing at the finals.
• Ryelon Brandt, Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy baseball — Brandt struck out 10 batters over five innings in a 9-5 victory over Environmental Charter on May 14. He also went 2 for 5 with an RBI and two runs at the plate.
• Sienna Garcia, Oak Hills softball — Garcia went 4 for 5 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs in a 15-11 victory over Linfield Christian on May 14. She followed that by going 2 for 2 with a walk and a run in a 6-5 victory over Sunny Hills on May 16.

You Can Vote Here

Nominations must be received for consideration by Sunday morning following that week's games. Anyone can nominate an Athlete of the Week for every varsity sport. 

Be sure to nominate next week’s ballot through email to sports reporter Jose Quintero at JQuintero@VVDailyPress.com. Feel free to also reach out to him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @J0seQuintero, or on Instagram at @760Varsity. Please include a player’s statistics and a photo if possible.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Vote for the Joe Orthodontics High School Athlete of the Week