BEALE WINS WICHITA SPORTS COMMISSION'S JUCO FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
HutchCC Sports Information
Add another honor to the long list for Hutchinson Community College freshman Xylavene Beale.
Beale was named the Wichita Sports Commission's Junior College Female Athlete of the Year. Beale was named the winner at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet Thursday at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita.
Beale was named a finalist for the award along with Cowley's Sthephany Silva – a women's soccer player – and Butler's Mya Mayberry of women's basketball.
"An honor like this is ever achieved alone, "Beale said in her acceptance video. "It's the result of a massive village of people believing in you, even from a thousand miles away. First, I want to say a massive thank you to my coach Robert Spies and everyone at Hutchinson Community College. (Coach), thank you for so much for taking a chance on me, for pushing me past my limits every day, and for making Kansas feel like my second home.
"To my family and supporters back home in Australia, thank you for the late nights, the early mornings, and the unconditional love. Even with the massive time difference, I've always felt your energy and support every time I stepped out to compete."
Beale rewrote the Blue Dragon record books several times in her first year at Hutchinson. The Albury, Australia native became the first Hutchinson women's track and field athlete to be named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Athlete of the Year, earning the honor as the Field Athlete of the Year. Beale was a two-time outdoor national champion in the women's shot put and women's discus at the NJCAA Outdoor Championships in Hobbs, New Mexico in May. She also was a national champion while competing in indoor, winning the women's shot put at the NJCAA Indoor Championships in Topeka back in March.
Beale was earned five NJCAA All-America awards, four first-team and one second-team honor.
Blue Dragon baseball's Anthony Mazza was named a finalist for the Junior College Male of the Year category.
Mazza, a two-year catcher for the Brock Nehls, signed to play at the University of Utah. Mazza helped the Blue Dragons to a 46-15 record and Jayhawk West runner-up finish. The Prairie Village product hit .433 with 84 hits, 15 home runs and 65 RBIs. He also tied the school record for the longest hitting streak of 25 games and had an additional 14-game hitting streak.
Mazza's 171 career hits tallied third on the Blue Dragon career list and his 122 career RBIs ranked seventh in Blue Dragon history. He was named a second-team all-Region 6 catcher and was a first-team all-Jayhawk West selection.