Sixteen outstanding Santa Monica College students have been named 2008-09 Student Athletes of the Year, demonstrating scholastic achievement as much as athletic talent and persistence.

The students (and their coaches) are:

Rodney Hudson Men's Basketball Jerome Jenkins

Rodney's mother passed away when he was very young, leaving his father to raise him. A native of Los Angeles, Rodney is a people person. He loves all kinds of music, reading poetry, and helping others. Rodney was in the Advanced Placement program in high school and now carries a 2.8 grade point average at Santa Monica College. As the captain of the SMC basketball team he has done an outstanding job, while working hard in the classroom and in improving his skills on the court to be the best basketball player he can be with the hopes of playing at the Division 1 level.

Karlia Batalla Women's Basketball Lydia Strong

As a freshman point guard out of Santa Monica High School, Karlia has made a big impact on the SMC Women's Basketball team during the 2008-2009 season. Despite not playing much during her high school senior year, Karlia came to SMC to take on a new challenge of leading her college team to success. She started every game for the women Corsairs this season and never missed a practice. She was selected team captain and led the team in assists per game. A steady and consistent performer, Karlia worked hard to improve not only herself but the team as well. She will return to play again at the guard position next year, and her future looks very bright.

Karissa Gonzalez Women's Cross Country Eric Barron

Born and raised in Santa Monica, Karissa did not start running until tenth grade. Then she saw her dad run every day and decided to try it for herself. In her junior and senior year she was the high school team's Most Valuable Athlete and also team captain in her last year. In her first season at SMC Karissa earned Second Team All-Conference, and received the 2008 SMC Women's Cross Country Freshman Award. She is a nursing major with a 3.52 grade point average and also actively interested in Chicano Studies.

Jesus De Lara Men's Cross Country Larry Silva

Jesus is the first generation from his family to attend college, the oldest of three children. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 10 and has lived here ever since. Jesus maintains above a 3.0 grade point average, is the team captain, and qualified for Southern California Championships in Cross Country. His personal best improved from 23:58 to 22:38 from his first to second year.

Despite all the hardships and obstacles he has encountered, Jesus has not let anything stand in the way of reaching for his goals in life. This fall he is transferring to Cal State Northridge where he will finish a double degree program in accounting and information systems; following that he plans to become a certified CPA and, as he says, "achieve total independence".

Charlie Hatchett Men's Football Robert Taylor

Having graduated from Stratford High School in Connecticut - where he was All State in football in 2003, 2004 and 2005 - Charlie arrived at SMC in 2007, riding the bus to California with his mother to enroll. He was voted All-Conference Linebacker unanimously in both 2007 and 2008, and was elected SMC football team captain in 2008 while carrying a 2.54 grade point average. Charlie was also a team leader in tackles both years (85 and 105 tackles, respectively) and blocked nine kicks in 2008.

Charlie graduates this June and is being recruited by North Carolina A & T and University of New Haven. His career plan is to graduate from college and continue into medical school, with a personal goal of enabling his mother to retire young.

Sarah Ritz Women's Swimming/Diving Steve Contarsy

Sarah grew up in and around Santa Monica and from a young age was enrolled in either dance or gymnastics where she attained level 8 before breaking her pinky toe. Graduating from Culver City Independent Studies Program with a 3.8 grade point average, she started her higher education at West Los Angeles College and Los Angeles City College before finding her home at SMC and taking a diving class. Her passion for the water was born.

As the lone SMC diver, Sarah was nicknamed "Sara Diver" by her teammates, and was thrilled to qualify for State. She was awarded the "Most Inspirational" award, and she placed 7th in the Community College State Diving Championships. Sarah is ferociously determined to return again and "try to win it all" next year.

Sarah is attending Cal State Northridge under the dual enrollment program and has enjoyed her psychology major and has future aspirations of becoming a therapist.

Ted Boehm Men's Swimming Steve Contarsy

Raised in Arizona and graduating from Sahavrita High School, Ted moved to California to experience a new environment. It took him a little while to find a living situation and to start work and school at SMC. At first Ted didn't do well academically, but when he joined the swim team in spring 2008 he "met some of the best people," made friends and began to excel academically. He became a member of the Players Academic Club and the Math Club and achieved Second Team All Western States Conference. Ted is now in the process of applying to four-year colleges and will pursue a course in civil engineering.

Kelsea Rock Women's Soccer Aaron Benditson

Kelsea split her high school soccer career playing at Santa Monica High School and Notre Dame Academy. At SMC, she was "The Rock" of the SMC women's soccer team this past year. Offensively she cashed in with four goals and eight assists, but her most impressive performance came defensively. She had the job of matching up with the best midfielder on the opposing teams and always came out on top. Kelsea made All Conference and was selected the team's MVP. Kelsey will be returning as a key player and taking on a leadership role next season
Kelsea is currently a business major at SMC and carrying a 3.71 grade point average. She plans to transfer either to Loyola Marymount University or USC after completing her course work at Santa Monica College.

Anastasia Eliseeva Women's Tennis Richard Goldenson

Anastasia immigrated to the United States six years ago from her native Russia, seeking political asylum. In her first season as a Corsair, she played number one singles and number one doubles. In singles she finished the year ranked third in the Western States Conference, posting 14 wins and two losses. She was the only player in the conference to defeat the WSC's No. 1 ranked player.

As a doubles player Anastasia finished the season as the No. 1 ranked doubles team in the Western States Conference along with her partner, Julia Cobian. In addition to her winning ways on the court, Anastasia was team captain and her tough play was an inspiration to her teammates. She hopes to transfer to a four-year university and continue playing great tennis.

Leanne Wilder Women's Track and Field Eric Barron

Leanne grew up in the South Bay, graduating from El Segundo High School. She set her high school's discus throw record in her junior year and consistently puts her shots over 30 feet. She was the 2008 Women's Track and Field Inspirational Athlete and was a Western States Conference finalist in the discus throw last year. Already, she has bettered her mark this year.

Carrying a grade point average of 3.5, Leanne is majoring in History at SMC and wants eventually to become a lawyer. She has already been accepted at three University of California campuses and is in the process of deciding where she wants to go upon leaving SMC.

Dominic Jester Men's Track and Field Larry Silva

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Dominic spent his youth playing basketball for the YMCA and in Veteran's Park. He went on to University High School where he was captain of the track team. Here at SMC Jester is again captain of the track team, runs the 100m, 200m and the 400-yard dash, along with both relays, and he also does the high jump.

At one point he was First Team All Conference in the 400m and also held the best time in the Western States in the 400m. Dominic is on Dean's List at SMC and plans to eventually become a neurosurgeon.

Rebecca Chase Women's Volleyball Nicole Ryan

Rebecca has been playing volleyball since the age of 11. Diligent and driven, she puts forth 100 percent of effort during both practice and games. She attended Rio Americano High School in Sacramento before coming to SMC. Once here, she was a setter and was elected team captain as a sophomore and was First Team All Conference in Fall 2008.

Rebecca's leadership skills were a boon to her team, as were her sense of character and her commitment. Her academic achievements have been solid, and this fall she will attend Holy Names University in Northern California.

R J Storm Larson Men's Volleyball John Mayer

As captain and the leader of this year's playoff-bound SMC volleyball team, and First Team All Western States Conference, R J is set to receive his Associate of Arts degree this year with a 3.2 grade point average. Coming to SMC after attending Westlake High School, R J is a marine biology major who plans to go on to Cal State Long Beach. He is a member of the campus Rotary Club doing community service and he also enjoys snowboarding, skateboarding, paint balling, and any challenge on any volleyball court anywhere.

Erin Walker Women's Water Polo Steve Contarsy

Erin Walker grew up in nearby Culver City, where she started to play water polo in her freshman year of high school and was on the varsity team by her sophomore year and in the starting line-up as a junior. Erin began her college career at Arizona State University, and then returned to attend West Los Angeles College before finding herself, happily, at SMC. Taking a water polo class when she started at SMC, she got back into the sport with determination. She was voted Most Valuable Defense was Second Overall Team in WSC and received the "Three D" award for four years, for "Desire, Dedication and Determination".

Erin's major is architecture and she is waiting to hear back from Cal Poly Pomona for acceptance as a major in Regional and Urban Planning.
Tyler Contarsy Men's Water Polo Erik Matheson

Tyler has spent his entire life near and around water since he was old enough to crawl and has participated in competitive swimming for nearly 15 years. From the time he was a freshman at El Segundo High School he played competitive water polo. He was a CIF finalist as a well as a medalist, he played varsity water polo and he was also a varsity swimmer for all four years.

Since coming to SMC Tyler has won the Coaches' Award and Most Inspirational Award. He has played water polo for two years here and maintains a 3.0 grade point average. He is planning to transfer to Cal State Long Beach to pursue a degree in Recreational Management and currently works as an L.A. County lifeguard during the summer.
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