Cuesta College 2005 Athletes of the Year

A promising baseball player and star tennis contender have been named the Cuesta College Athletes of the Year for 2005.

Baseball player Mike Brown is a Davis High School graduate bound for the University of Kentucky next year. Moving from outfield to second base this year, Brown was recently recognized as the 2005 Western State Conference (WSC) Player of the Year. This award assures him a space on the All Southern California First Team and further honors as a 2005 All-American player. Brown also leads on the field in runs, hits, doubles, home runs and batting average – in fact, his .405 average makes him the only Cuesta player with a career average of more than .400.

Tennis ace Jessie Ritchie graduated from Arroyo Grande High School and is the most decorated player in Cuesta’s tennis history. Coming in third at the California State championships as an individual for the second straight year, she is the first Cuesta player to twice be named WSC Player of the Year. More accolades include the Intercollegiate Tennis Association California Community College Arthur Ashe Jr. Sportsmanship and Leadership Award, as well as being named to the All-WSC Academic Team. Ritchie will move south to Cal State Fullerton in 2006.

The Athlete of the Year Award was first instituted in 2003 under Athletic Director Bob Mariucci. For more information about Brown, Ritchie or the award, email Pete Schuler at pschuler@cuesta.edu, or call 546-3211.