By Robert Perea
Graduating seniors Marciano Montano, Hunter Lyle and Kael Paz earned Fernley High School’s top athletic awards for the 2024-25 school year.
Montano won the school’s Triathlete Award for being a three-sport athlete for four years. Lyle won the Iron Woman Award, which is presented to the top scholar-athlete who competed in multiple sports, while Paz won the Brian Beaty Award. The awards were presented during the Senior Scholarship & Awards Recognition Night on June 11.
In addition, Gabe Leija and his family were voted the Fan of the Year Award.
Montano was the only male student-athlete who qualified for the Triathlete Award, competing in three sports for fur years. Athletic director Paul Sullivan said the Triathlete Award is becoming more difficult to achieve due to the pressure to balance academics with extracurricular activities. In his freshman through junior years, Montano participated in football, wrestling and track. As a senior, he played football, wrestling and baseball.
Lyle played four years of volleyball, basketball and softball. She ranks among the top of her graduating class with a cumulative grade point average of 3.8.
Chapin said she is an example that a student-athlete should be a student first.
“She’s a leader on the field and in the classroom and believe it or not, she has had perfect attendance since kindergarten,” Chapin said.
The Brian Beaty Award goes to the senior athlete who has achieved the most despite limitations or obstacles. It is named after former Fernley football player Brian Beaty, who overcame injuries throughout his career to become a starter and an all-league player as a senior. He was later killed in a car crash. The name Brian Beatty has become synonymous to the words hard work, dedication and perseverance. His legacy is now handed down to those current Fernley High athletes that have shown these qualities.
Paz ran cross country and track for four years, qualifying for the State Meet all four years. Track coach Todd Wright said Paz is a standout in the classroom and the track.
“This young man has taken on extraordinary responsibilities at home that many high school students could not even imagine,” Wright said. “These responsibilities require maturity, compassion and inner strength. What sets this young man apart is not just his achievements, but his resilience and humility and his selflessness. He is a true example of perseverance, responsibility and heart.”
Chapin also presented the Fan of the year award to Leija. She said during the fall he makes food for the football team before and after games.
“He can be heard all across the field cheering on all the boys, always in a positive manner,” chapin said. “He’s also known for sneaking in snacks for the kids in the stands during basketball games.”
Chapin said during the spring Leija is often out killing weeds, thatching, aerating the softball field on Saturdays and Sundays. He also brought coolers full of snacks and drinks for baseball and softball players during their tournaments.
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