As the school year of 2016-2017 comes to an end, Pleasant Valley High School announced their Athletes of the year on Wednesday, May 3rd. This year’s recipients are both very decorated athletes in their respective fields.
Female athlete of the year: Claire Park
Senior, Claire Park, is a superior force in the pool. She has two individual state titles in diving. Some more of her great accomplishments at P.V. are her two diving records that she holds. She shattered the school diving record her sophomore year, and has been continually breaking her record at almost every meet. Claire also is a highly decorated track athlete. She has been a part of two team state championships and two shuttle hurdle relay championships. Claire has faced adversity throughout her track career, mainly coming from loss of her team’s state title in 2014. “Many people thought of us as cheaters and had preexisting thoughts about our team. We fought hard and came together to win the state title again,” said park. Claire plans to attend the university of Iowa where she will be continuing her diving career.
Male athlete of the year: Sriram Sugumaran
Senior, Sriram Sugumaran, has been an absolutely incredible athlete for the pleasant valley tennis team. Sriram has the school record for most wins in a career, currently at 69 wins. He has an amazing record of 69-2, both losses coming to eventual State-Singles runner ups. Sugumaran has had lots of success in doubles as well, last year him and Pleasant Valley grad, Charlie Humes, won a state championship in that event. Sriram has had lots of success battling back from an injury at the end of his sophomore year that almost brought his tennis career to a halt. His junior year after the injury Sriram won a combined number of 44 matches. Now being his senior year, Sriram looks to build on to the legacy he has already set behind him. He is currently 16-1 this season and looks forward to be a main contender for the state singles title. Sriram will be attending Grinnell College where he will be continuing his tennis career.
