2023-24 LAVC Athletes of the Year

Congratulations to the 2023-24 Los Angeles Valley College Athletes of the Year - Lilliana Noriega, Royce Clayton, Jr. and Daniel Tovar!

Women's Swimmer Lilliana Noriega is the 2023-24 Female Athlete of the Year.  Noriega had an unbelievably successful swim season taking home numerous championships and awards for her outstanding performances.  She was the California State Champion in the 100 Backstroke, she finished second in the state in the 50 Freestyle race and took home third place in the 100 Freestyle state race.  Her state performance was preceded by her Western State Conference Championships - she won two conference championships in the 100 Backstroke and 50 Freestyle.  Noriega will be furthering her swimming and academic career at the University of the Pacific.  More than well desereved that Lilliana Noriega is the LAVC Female Athlete of the Year.

The 2023-24 LAVC Male Athlete of the Year award is split between two Baseball players who helped lead their team to the First Western State Conference Championship in 13 years - Centerfielder Royce Clayton, Jr. and Pitcher Danile Tovar.

Royce Clayton, Jr. hit .355 with eight home runs and 40 runs batted in (RBIs) during the 2024 season.  He scored 52 runs and stole 31 bases in 43 games this year. During the Monarchs 22 game Western State Conference winning streak he slugged .855 and got 30 hits in 21 games. Royce was named First Team All-Western State Conference and awarded a Gold Glove for his stand-out conference performance. Clayton, Jr. is still deciding what he is going to do after his incredible career as a Monarch.

Daniel Tovar went a perfect 10-0 on the mound in 15 starts for the Monarchs.  He finished the season with a 3.30 earned run average (ERA) and struck out 85 batters in 79 innings.  In Western State Conference play in 2024 Tovar averaged just under 10 strikeouts a game.  He was also named First Team All-Western State Conference for his perfect 4-0 record for the Monarchs.  Tovar will be furthering his baseball and academic career at the University of Nevada.

Unbelievable performances this year Monarchs!  These three being named Athletes of the Year are more than well deserved!!