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Superior Jr. High Diablo Award recepients Julian Navarro (Lt) and Marlee Estatico (Rt).
Eight-graders Julian Navarro and Marlee Estatico were named the recipients of the 2016 Diablo Award at the annual Superior Junior High Sports Awards Banquet, which took place on Apr. 27 at the school.
The Diablo Award is presented each year to the top male and female athlete, but also recognizes student-athletes for their performance, behavior and character in the classroom and in the community.
“I didn’t think I was going to win the award,” Estatico answered when asked what it meant to her to be selected. “I’m just really happy I won it. I just wanted to play sports and I did the best I could.”
Estatico is a three-sport athlete – volleyball, basketball and softball. She understands academics provide her the opportunity to participate in athletics.
“I know my mom and dad would kill me if I got bad grades,” she said. “So I didn’t want to get any bad grades and wanted to represent Superior the best way I could.”
Navarro, also a three-sport athlete – football, basketball and baseball – was asked about winning the award.
“I wasn’t expecting to win,” he responded. “It means a lot to me.”
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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