Photos by Simon Rios/Fortuna High Photo and Design – Coach of the Year Mike Benbow alongside Male Athlete of the Year Russell Pascascio
One of the best new traditions in local high school sports continued recently, when the Fortuna Huskies hosted their annual ESPYs awards night.
The annual event, which began last year and is the brainchild of assistant principal Kristie Christiansen, honors the school’s best senior student-athletes in several different categories.
And perhaps the most impressive part of the night was the fact that there were 13 different award winners in the 13 categories.
The awards for male and female Athletes of the Year went to seniors Russell Pascascio and Allie Cox.
Pascascio was a two-sport standout this year, starring for the Huskies in basketball and track and field, and he was one of just two H-DNL athletes to win a championship at the North Coast Section Meet of Champions, placing first in the boys high jump.
Just as important, Pascascio was a leader on and off the field of competition, as well as a team captain in basketball and a two-time all-league selection.
He was also named the league’s field athlete of the meet at the H-DNL track and field championships.
“His emotion, energy and athleticism made him a crowd favorite,” said his coaches, who added “Russ has had a great year this year academically and athletically. Between basketball and track, Russ has made much progress.
“His work ethic and determination set him above others. Russ is always willing to put in extra work and do what is asked of him.”
Cox, meanwhile, was a three-sport athlete for the Huskies and left her mark in soccer, basketball and track and field.
“Allie embodies the very essence of excellence and leadership through her unwavering determination, competitive spirit, and compassionate nature,” her coaches said.
“Simply put, Allie Cox is the model student-athlete. Whether it’s a practice or a game, inside or outside the classroom, she gives 100 percent. She is on time all the time. She practices like she plays
“She has incredible drive and determination when trying to reach her goals. She wants to be the best at what she does and she constantly works towards that goal.”
Her sister Chloe, meanwhile, received two awards on the night.
Chloe was named the Most Inspirational Female Athlete and also was awarded the CIF’s Pursuing Victory with Honor medal after a stellar winter on the wrestling mats.
“Chloe has overcome much this year in sports,” her coaches said. “She was injured in the fall, continued through the winter with her injury, and competed in the spring with that same injury.
“What makes Chloe a great inspiration is that even with her injury, she was able to compete at the highest level during her winter sport. She had accomplishments this year that would be difficult for any athlete, but she did it with an ongoing injury that she needs surgery for, but wanted to wait until the season was over so she wouldn’t miss out on competing.”
Chloe became the first Husky wrestler, boy or girl, to win four straight league titles, and she did it just a few days after her father, Jay Cox, unexpectedly passed away.
This year, she also became the school’s first two-time state qualifier in wrestling, along with teammate Mason Evanow.
The Most Inspirational Male Athlete award went to Caden Wilkinson, who enjoyed a breakout season on the football field and played a huge part in leading the Huskies to a co-confernece championship.
“Caden is a remarkable athlete,” he coaches said “He is a person who steps up to any challenge that he is given. He works continuously to make himself better and as prepared as possible.
“He has become a team leader by his work ethic and abilities during games. He gets the job done on and off the field. Caden shows how hard work and determination gets results.”
They added that he “possesses natural leadership qualities that effortlessly command respect and admiration.”
Other winners on the night included Taylor Brooks and Evanow for Best Female and Male Individual Performances, as well as Mike Benbow for Coach of the Year and the football team for Team of the Year.
“In the pouring rain, amidst a field turned swampy with mud, Taylor defied the conditions, scoring an astonishing five goals in a pivotal playoff game,” her soccer coach Samuel Licona said. “With each goal, she navigated through the muck, leaving defenders sliding in her wake, displaying a blend of skill, determination, and sheer grit that helps bring us the win.
“Through her unwavering determination, empathy, and competitive spirit, Taylor has not only showcased her talent but also uplifted her teammates and inspired us all.”
Evanow, meanwhile, became the first Fortuna wrestler to ever win a North Coast Section championship.
“Mason’s Performance at the North Coast Section Championships was one for the Fortuna High record books,” his coach Steven Stockdale said. “This tournament is representative of over 125 High Schools spanning 11 counties up and down the Northern California coast from Del Norte to Alameda.”
It was particularly gratifying for the senior standout after he had placed second in the NCS the previous year.”
Remarkably, he won the section crown despite battling a severe injury.
“What nobody other than himself, his family and his coach knew was that he was battling a knee injury which was causing sharp excruciating pain,” Stockdale added. “His knee was swelling, and after practice and matches he struggled to put weight on it.
“Shortly following the season, MRIs revealed he had severe tears in multiple muscles that control his knee function. The Orthopedic surgeon was shocked that he not only competed but that he was successful with this sort of injury.”
Benbow, who also serves as the Fortuna athletic director, has long been one of the most respected and successful coaches in H-DNL sports.
And it’s not just the success he has achieved — including tying Dick Cahill for most career wins at Fortuna with 121 late in the 2023 season — that has earned him the respect of his peers.
“He is also a great coach when it comes to motivating athletes and getting the most out of them on a Friday night,” superintendent Clint Duey said. “More importantly than that, Mike is an even better person and mentor to all young people.
“He cares more about creating good people than making great athletes, and teaching them to do the right things even when no one is watching. It is this philosophy which allows the teams he coaches to achieve greatness.”
Benbow also was honored for his role on the team of the year, which shared the Big 4 title and won an opening-round playoff game.
“In the face of adversity, the 2023 Football Team exemplified true camaraderie and support for one another,” the coaches said. “Players stepped up when needed, demonstrating selflessness, teamwork, and a shared commitment to success.
“Whether on the field or off, the team’s ability to rally around each other and lift one another up in challenging times was a defining factor in their journey to the NCS Playoffs.”
The Breakthrough Athlete of the Year awards went to Maya Brightman in track and field and Kallen Barrote for football, basketball and baseball.
“Compared to last year, Maya has been more serious about her training and she started training before the season even started,” her coach said. “She is dedicated to making herself the best she can this year. Her perseverance and determination have put her at the top of her game this year. She is showing how hard work and putting in the extra time is paying off.”
Barrote was a three-sport athlete as a senior, and he had a big impact with all three of his teams.
“Kallen Barrote’s journey in our football program is a testament to his talent, hard work and unwavering perseverance,” Benbow said. “As a breakthrough athlete, he not only excels on the field but also serves as an inspiration to others, showing that with dedication and determination, anything is possible.”
Rounding out the award winners on the night, Robert and Mary Johnson were named the Fans of the Year, while Sabrina Aguilar Arce received the Most Scholastic Female Athlete award and Tyler Schlesiger received the Most Scholastic Male Athlete award.
Schlesiger had a GPA of 4.51 and Aguilar Arce had a GPA of 4.42.
College of the Redwoods women’s basketball coach Jain Tuey served as the keynote speaker for the night.
