A standout at the court and on the beach, as well as a kingpin on the mat, sophomores Nadine Oronoz and Alexis Tellez, have been named the 2022-23 Rio Hondo College Student-Athletes of the Year for their impressive accomplishments for the Roadrunners.
It's been a long journey for Oronoz, who's been a two-sport star for head coach Teddi Esko's volleyball programs. Originally out of Southlands Christian High School in Rowland Heights, Oronoz arrived at Rio Hondo prior to the start of the fall 2019 indoor volleyball season but suffered a knee injury that required surgery.
Through hard work, rehabilitation, and the commitment to return, Oronoz was finally able to make her way back to the court by the spring of 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the college closed down and the volleyball program did not return to campus until June of 2021.
To keep her student-athletes connected and engaged, Esko ran online workouts over Zoom for a year and a half that Oronoz attended each and every one. Upon the return to in-person activity, Esko says she immediately took a leadership role and helped guide the program to great success.
"Our program mission is 'The Rio Way' in that our players not only excel on the court but in the classroom as well, said Esko. "We take pride in our academics and athletics, focusing on character, culture, commitment and a championship mindset.
"Nadine has embodied 'The Rio Way' in all facets and it has been an absolute pleasure having her lead the way for both the indoor and beach volleyball teams during her time at Rio Hondo College. I am very proud of what Nadine has accomplished at Rio and know she will continue to succeed. Her future is bright!"
Oronoz was a two-year starter and team captain for both the indoor and beach volleyball squads. During the fall 2022 indoor season, Oronoz was named first-team All-South Coast Conference for the second time. She helped lead the Roadrunners to a historic No. 12 state-ranking, a second-place South Coast Conference finish, and helped lead the squad to the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs.
On the sand, Oronoz was a member of the Roadrunners' No. 1 doubles team, qualified for the South Coast Conference Pairs Tournament, and helped lead Rio Hondo to the Southern California team playoffs for the first time. She was also a two-time All-SCC honoree.
While at Rio Hondo, she has compiled a 4.0 grade point average and will graduate this spring. She is committed to Whittier College where she will continue her academic and volleyball career for the nearby Poets.
Oronoz snaps a string of two consecutive women's soccer players to earn the honor, most recently by Jackie Marin (2021-22) and Serina Vargas (2019-20). Due to COVID-19, Rio Hondo did not participate in athletics during the 2020-21 season.
Tellez achieved a rare feat for the storied Rio Hondo College wrestling program. Over the 56-year history of the sport at the college, Tellez became just the eighth Roadrunner to be named an All-American for two seasons.
He wrapped up the 2022 fall season by finishing in third place in the 125-pound weight division at the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) State Championships. As a freshman in 2021, Tellez was the state runner up, taking second place.
On his way to state, Tellez earned All-Southern California and All-Southern California Wrestling Association Southwest Conference honors. He was third at the Southern California Championships.
Prior to Ro Hondo, Tellez wrestled for just two seasons at Arroyo High School in El Monte, making his dramatic rise to success at the collegiate level even more astonishing.
"Alexis had a great season finishing third at the state championships and earning All-American honors," said Rio Hondo College head coach Mike Tellez. "He led by example, worked hard in practice, lifted weights on his own every day, and never missed practice. I'm very proud of all he has accomplished."
Tellez is the fifth wrestler over the past six seasons to be named Male Student Athlete of the Year. Last year (2021-22), swimmer Alexander Dimitriadas ended a streak of four consecutive wrestlers to take home the honor: Daniel Romero (2016-17), James Schmidt (2017-18), Diego Sanchez (2018-19), and Kahlil Tucker (2019-20).