Representing the senior class’ athletic prowess and commitment, the FCHS athletes of the year are…drum-roll please…Coleton Hutchins (baseball/soccer) and Melanie Nachtigall (volleyball/basketball/softball).

With athletic ability, and grades to back it up, both winners caught the eye of athletic director Chris Schultz and the rest of the coaching staff.

“Both winners are students first and foremost, and also gifted multi-sport athletes,” Schultz said. “They understand the importance of participating in many things on campus, and are respected and appreciated by all the coaches.”

In addition to maintaining a 4.19 cumulative GPA, Hutchins played soccer and baseball throughout his high school career.

“Sports have taught me time management,” Hutchins said. “They allowed me to cross train, as soccer is a foot sport and baseball is all hand-eye coordination. I also got to know a lot of people at the school, and amidst different results, witnessed the same competitive drive.”

After declining an offer from UC Berkeley, Hutchins decided to attend UC Irvine, where he plans to try-out for the baseball team.

“I had been looking to go somewhere in the LA area, and going north to Berkeley didn’t appeal to me as much,” Hutchins said. “I would like to go into accounting after four years, and if that doesn’t work out, plan b is to go to dental school and become an orthodontist.”

With various awards to his name already, Hutchins added his newest honor to a crowded trophy case. Not only a 1st Team All-League selection his junior and senior years, the second-baseman also won the Character and Class Award in consecutive seasons at Fowler’s Easter Baseball Classic as voted by the umpires and opposing coaches.

Although his aspiration lies with baseball, Hutchins also concentrates his efforts on the soccer field, having completed four solid seasons culminated with a 2nd Team All-League selection.

When it comes to the classroom, very few athletes on campus can match Hutchins’ combination of tough classes and school involvement. In addition to challenging himself with AP calculus and AP Literature and Composition, Hutchins served as treasurer in the inaugural year of the Spanish Club, and is a CSF life member.

Hutchins also sustains a solid reputation among his fellow students as evidenced by his Prom King crown, and a Homecoming King nominee.

Similarly balanced in both athletics and in the classroom, Natchtigall earned a 4.14 cumulative GPA while competing in volleyball, basketball and softball.

“It’s an honor to be known as the best female athlete in my class,” Nachtigall said. “I always enjoyed looking up at the banner in the gym, and seeing all the great athletes, but I never dreamed my name would be up there.”

She plans to stay at home and attend Fresno Pacific University in the fall. Even though the tri-sport athlete says her sports career is “most likely over,” Natchtigall attributes much of her growth as a person to experiences on the court/field.

“I have learned teamwork, leadership and time management from playing sports at this school,” Nachtigall said. “Through learning to work with others to achieve a common goal, they (sports) made me into a better person.”

Nachtigall played four years of volleyball, which she considers her strongest sport. With natural hand-eye coordination and competitive drive, she improved each year.

After winning the Underclassman of the Year award during her sophomore year, Nachtigall proceeded to earn a 1st Team All-League selection her junior year eclipsed with a WSL league MVP title in her final year.

At the conclusion of each volleyball season, Nachtigall laced up her basketball shoes and stepped onto the court. Not satisfied after a 2nd Team All-League selection her junior year, she improved her skills over the off-season earning a 1st team selection this year.

While she never won a Valley championship, the senior captain, led her team to a league title in her final year and consecutive runner-up showings in the Valley championship at Selland Arena.

Like Hutchins, Nachtigall sets a good example for underclassman by participating in as many clubs/groups as possible.

With a life membership in CSF, regular attendance of FCA, and involvement in her youth group on her resume, she earned the Presidental scholarship at Fresno Pacific.

Not only have the ’07-’08 athletes of the year demonstrated their skills on the playing field and commitment in the classroom, but they also remain faithful to God.

After proving their capability at the high school level, Hutchins and Nachtigall head to the college ranks primed for success and prepared for any challenges they may encounter along the way.