Gaels star rewarded for play-making skill

Megan Wasiak could have been one of the top goal scorers in Southern Nevada this season.

But that's not how Bishop Gorman's girls soccer team used its star midfielder. Instead, the senior was asked to set up her teammates and be a facilitator for a talent-rich team featuring four Division I signees.

Wasiak flourished in the role and was recently rewarded by being voted Southwest League Player of the Year by league coaches.

"She had always been a player concerned with scoring," Gaels coach Lora Feely said. "But then she realized, it's not always about finishing what you're doing with the ball.

"She was real good about laying it off to other players, attacking as a team and not an individual."

Wasiak, who has signed with Stephen F. Austin, had eight goals and nine assists as a senior.

She helped the Gaels (14-2-1) win the Southwest title and reach the semifinals of the Sunset Region playoffs.

"I felt more that I should be the play-maker than the goal scorer," Wasiak said of her senior season. "We have such young talent, and I wanted them to grow."

Western's Jorge Cobian was voted the Southwest's Coach of the Year.

Southern Nevada champion Arbor View swept the top awards in the Northwest, with McKenzie Karas named Player of the Year and Jay Howard voted the Coach of the Year.

In the Northeast, Rancho's Stephanie Apodaca was named Player of the Year and Sunrise Mountain's Lyndsey Sobrero took Coach of the Year.

In the Southeast, Green Valley's Kayla Varner shared Player of the Year with Tech's Rachael Montoya. Silverado's Jenna Carter took Coach of the Year.

■ WRESTLING HONORS -- Gorman senior Steven Hernandez was named Sunset Region Wrestler of the Year, highlighting the All-Southern Nevada wrestling team voted on by area coaches.

Hernandez, a 152-pounder who has signed with Boise State, finished 40-2 and became the eighth wrestler in Nevada history to win a fourth state title.

Las Vegas High junior Napoleon Aniciete (140) was named Sunrise Wrestler of the Year after capping a 52-4 season with a state championship.

Liberty's Rich Muraco was voted Southern Nevada Coach of the Year after guiding the Patriots to the Southeast League title.

■ 2A AWARDS -- Lincoln County junior guard Dantley Walker was named state Most Valuable Player in Class 2A boys basketball.

Agassi Prep's Quincy Brown was named to the first team. Agassi Prep's Dimitri Amos, Mountain View's Justyn Anderson and The Meadows' Garrett Gosse took second-team honors.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.