Friday, Mar. 08, 2013

WAC's best from Los Banos

The Western Athletic Conference recently announced its winners of the Dale Lackey Scholarship for the top male and female student-athlete, and both of them are from Los Banos High.

Marcus Carrillo was an offensive lineman on the football team, wrestled in the winter, and swims in the spring, while Alexis Barcellos was the area's top tennis player in the fall, was a 3-point marksman in basketball in the winter and roams the infield for the school's softball team this spring.

"We were lucky to have two outstanding applicants," Los Banos athletic director Joe Barcellos said. "Each school gets one, then the principals vote, the ADs leave. We're not privy to the vote."

Los Banos' last winner of the scholarship was Mabel Flores, a three-sport athlete (water polo, wrestling and swimming) who graduated in 2011.

The Dale Lackey Scholarship awards a $600 scholarship to the top male and female athlete in each Sac-Joaquin Section league. Carrillo and Barcellos are now eligible for the Clarke Coover Scholarship Award, a $1,500 scholarship given to the top male and female athletes in the section from the pool of Dale Lackey Scholarship winners.

When Barcellos talks about the two athletes, a sense of pride enters his voice -- which is understandable, given Alexis is his daughter.

"Marcus was two-time all-league in football, all-league in wrestling this year and all-league in swimming two years ago," Barcellos said. "Alexis is four-time all league in tennis, four-time Merced County player of the year, two-time all league in basketball and all-league last year in softball. I've been here for a long time, and I cannot remember an athlete that was named all league in three sports the same year. I'm sure it's happened."

Enterprise reporter David Witte can be reached by phone at 388-6565 or by e-mail at sports@losbanosenterprise.com

Enterprise reporter David Witte can be reached by phone at 388-6565 or by e-mail at sports@losbanosenterprise.com