After turning in a pair of solid seasons in their respective sports, seniors Coleton Hutchins (baseball), and Ryan Brunn (football) gained the respect of all-star coaches and the right to compete in the annual City/County all-star games.

Hutchins, a 1st Team All-League second baseman, is bound for UC Irvine, while Brunn plans to attend Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA.

“The City-County all-star games represent the very best student-athletes in the Valley,” athletic director Chris Schultz said. “We are very proud of Coleton and Ryan for their selection to this year’s teams. They carry on a long tradition of outstanding athletes who have graduated from FC and participated in these games.”

The classmates share several honors, and have more in common than meets the eye. Both participated in multiple sports, received athlete of the year nominees (won by Hutchins), and were voted homecoming king nominees (won by Brunn).

Hutchins will get his turn first at Chukchansi Park, June 8, at 6 P.M. in the high school all-star baseball game. He was selected as a second-baseman for the City squad led by head coaches James Patrick (Clovis High) and Ken Papi’s (Fresno High).

The City team comprised of players from Clovis, Clovis East, Clovis West, Buchanan, Bullard, San Joaquin Memorial, Fresno, Edison, Roosevelt, Sunnyside, McLane, Hoover, and FC get their chance to take on the County All-Stars from Fowler, Madera, Yosemite, Sanger, Dos Palos, Chowchilla, Dinuba and Kingsburg.

“I feel extremely honored to be selected for the baseball game,” Hutchins said. “I have played with some of the other players selected, and they are all amazing athletes. It is a great accomplishment to be able to play among Fresno’s top baseball players and I appreciate the opportunity.”

Hutchins, the Eagles captain, showed not only his hitting ability, batting .382, but also his speed on the base paths, swiping 22 stolen bases, while leading the Eagles in most major statistical categories including runs scored and RBIs.

His stellar example of work ethic showed younger team-mates the right way to play the game, and drew praise from varsity assistant coach Bill McGowen.

“Coleton has been chosen to play alongside some of the best overall athletes in the Valley,” McGowen said. “Throughout the year, he has consistently shown the talent, work ethic, and intelligence to compete at this high level. In the practices leading up to the big game, he’ll have the opportunity to represent our school and show the coaches his all-out brand of baseball.”

While Hutchins’ moment in the spotlight grows near, Brunn must wait a while for the all-star football game at Deran Koligian Stadium (Central High School), June 20.

“I feel very honored to have been invited to play in the game,” Brunn said. “I have dreamed about being invited to this game ever since I learned about it my sophomore year. It is an exciting feeling to be marked as one of the best in the Valley, and to get recognition for my effort and hard work.”

The running-back/ defensive-back became the first football player from FC to be nominated for the game since the ’04 season.

Even after earning a 1st Team All-Northwest Sierra League selection as a defensive-back, along with a 2nd team All-league running-back, Brunn refused to be satisfied.

By demonstrating his versatility on both sides of the ball, he earned the Utility Player of the Year award his senior season.

As a 3-year varsity running-back, Brunn rushed for 921 yards on 108 carries, for an average of 8.53 yard average, and scored 11 touchdowns. While not as strong as a receiver, he still hauled in 12 catches for 168 yards and a touchdown.

Proving also to be one of the most consistent hitters on the team, Brunn made 108 tackles and 1 interception.

He earned the senior captain award, along with the prestigious Iron Eagle award on the 2008 varsity team.

“Ryan is always comparing himself and gaging himself with the best,” Hall said. “He has set a very high bar that has set for himself that he is constantly working towards. Now he gets to transfer this bar from his mind to the all-star and collegiate playing field, testing his skills against the cream of the crop.”

Though he understands the immense array of talent selected for the game, Brunn says the experience will better prepare him for the competition at the college level.

“I am a little intimidated about playing with and against the best players around, but I know that it will give me a sense of what college football will be like,” Brunn said. “I was blown away when Pacific Lutheran said they wanted me to play for them, and I hope that I will be able to obtain playing time, and make an impact for them in the coming years.”

Judging from the numbers put up by both All-stars, one comes to the conclusion that these athletes have learned to play through a few jitters and still produce. Plenty of FC fans will also be in attendance to support them according to Schultz.

“It’s a testimony to their dedication, hard work, and willingness to be coachable,” Schultz said. “As an athletic program, we are thrilled to see them rewarded for their efforts, and will be out in full support of these kids at the games.”