DOWNEY — In a program first for Downey High School, the boys and girls water polo team is the recipient of the Male and Female Athletes of the Year for the 2022-23 season.

Seniors Diego Campos and Alexsa Gimenez were honored at the school’s Baccalaureate Ceremony on May 30 in the stadium.

“We are very proud of Diego and Alexsa at Downey High School,” Downey Athletic Director Mark Rand said. “To have two athletes from the aquatics program is a testament to coach Uriel Villa and the programs he has developed and continues to expand.

“The success of these two athletes specifically shows their commitment to doing the job in the pool as well as the classroom. We are proud to have them representing the Vikings as multi-sport athletes and great students.”

Campos was a big part of the CIF champion Vikings, as they won their third title ever and first in 50 years.

Campos, a goalie, helped Uriel Villa win his first championship as a head coach after winning three as a player at Montebello and one as an assistant coach.

“It’s an honor to be decorated,” Campos said. “It feels good, and all the hard work paid off with a little bit of luck here and there.

“It was a huge honor, and everybody was really proud. It was a cool moment. I had a lot of help – with the team, coaches and parents and a lot of support. It’s pretty crazy.”

Gimenez was just as shocked as her friend Diego was when the names were announced.

“It was surprising for me,” Gimenez said. “When they called my name, it was a total surprise.

“We were sitting there, and they called Diego (Campos) up. We were congratulating him, and my friend told me, ‘Do you think you will win the female athlete of the year award?’ It was super surprising. It was also heart warming that my hard work was honored.”

Campos – All-CIF Goalie

Highlighting the year for Campos, in addition to his athlete of the year award, was leading the team in goal and winning the CIF Division IV Championship last November.

The Vikings, who also finished as CIF runners-up on five different occasions through the years, defeated Yucaipa, 10-5. Campos had eight saves in the game for Downey.

The Vikings led, 7-2, at halftime and Campos said after the game he had a feeling of a title. “Our defense really stepped up,” said Campos, after the game last year. “At halftime it was a good indicator that we had a chance to win.”

There was even a connection to the girls athlete of the year, as Ayelen Gimenez was on the staff of the boys team that season. Ayelen is the older sister of Alexsa Gimenez.

Some of Campos’ accomplishments through the years were: Freshman – He started as frosh-soph goalie, moved up to junior varsity and then was promoted to varsity backup for league and CIF. He finished with 48 saves in eight games.

Sophomore – It was a shortened season by COVID with no CIF playoffs.

Junior – He was named to the First-Team All-CIF. He led the team to the CIF D 5 semifinals, losing to eventual CIF Champion Carpinteria.

Senior – Led his team to a championship and was named CIF Player of the Year.

He finished with 320 saves in 30 games. A big turning point in the playoffs came in the semifinals. Campos had 16 saves against Schurr and had a crucial steal in the final minute of the game to seal the win.

Water Polo coach Uriel Villa said of Campos: “Diego is one of the most decorated water polo players in the history of Downey Water Polo. Downey won CIF in the 50s and again in 1972. We won CIF 50 years after the last Downey Water Polo CIF championship, and we couldn’t have done it without the dominant performances by Diego.

Campos, who came into high school only learning the basics of water polo in a recreational class at Cerritos College, had high praise for a coach that sees more than the average person in the water.

“It definitely helps a lot that he comes from that experience and has a different eye for the pool than the rest of us,” Campos said.

Villa won three CIF titles as a player at Montebello, one as an assistant coach and comes from a water polo family, with sister Brenda Villa a legendary women’s Olympic player. “At a young age, I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed,” Villa said. “I wanted to succeed. As a coach, I owe a lot of knowledge of watching my sister (Brenda) and brother (Edgar.)”

Diego Campos – A favorite HS memory

“One of my favorite moments from my senior year was our prom,” he said. “I had so much fun checking out the venue and seeing everyone dressed up, dancing, and just talking to all my friends there.

“Another moment that I will cherish is all the time I went out with my friends. Those were always a fun time.

Of course, a memory he will always remember in the pool was winning the first title in 50 years at Downey.

“A favorite moment from this season has to be winning CIF,” explained Campos. “It was something a lot of people do not get to experience, but when you do it is the happiest moment of your life. It is so satisfying to see all your hard work pay off and get what you wanted all season.”

Alexsa Gimenez – A scoring machine

Gimenez through the years: Freshman – She was second on the team in goals with 71, named Second Team All-CIF and was on the team that advanced to the D 4 quarterfinals.

Sophomore – COVID-shortened season with no CIF playoffs.

Junior – Gimenez was the first of three consecutive years as leading goal scorer with 95 and was named to the First-Team All-CIF and led her team to the CIF quarters. It was a one-goal loss to San Juan Hills.

Senior - Led the team again in goals with 117, advanced to the D 2 semifinals, losing to eventual champ Murrieta Valley and for the third time was named to the All-CIF team (First team).

Gimenez, who begins training for UCLA in September, finished with 283 career goals (not including COVID).

“It’s a big accomplishment for the sport of water polo,” said Gimenez, of the dual winners from the sport. “Out of this program comes a lot of hard workers. It’s a big accomplishment for coach Villa.”

Alexsa began swimming at nine years old and liked swimming better and didn’t connect to water polo until she was in high school. “I didn’t fall in love with water polo until I was in high school,” Gimenez said. “Now that I’m going to UCLA, it’s what helped me at Downey.”

Coach Villa, who in seven seasons at Downey has had 12 players earn All-CIF honors, said of Gimenez: “Alexsa is one of two players to receive All-CIF three times,” he said. She’s the only player to be a two time First-Team All-CIF player. She has the most goals in a season, most goals in a career and has helped establish Downey as one of the premier girls water polo programs in Southern California.”

Gimenez’ favorite memories

“My absolute favorite moment from senior year is definitely during the time my team and I spent together at Ventura on our overnight trip,” Gimenez said.

The tournament was very competitive, perfect practice for the pressure and competitiveness they would see in the CIF playoffs.

“I think many remember their game wins as the best part of being an athlete,” she added. “I love to remember the moments that lead one up to that success. In this moment, before the call of that first whistle to start the game, I felt as though I already won. Looking around at my team with a large smile and ready to take on anything that was thrown at us.

“This moment marked the growth that we have had as a team, the confidence we built throughout countless hours of practice, and overall, the happiness in the family we built at Downey High School.”

A second memory was their final game of the season this year.

“Another favorite moment from my senior year was our semifinal game at home (loss to Murietta Valley),” she remembered. “We did lose this game but the reason I think of it as such a memorable moment is because of the overall success my team has had. When I first came in (as a freshman), we were a D 4 team who made it to the quarterfinals. When I ended, we were a team who made it to the semifinals of D 2. Our success only continued to grow, and we paved a new milestone for Downey High School. Although it was a hurtful time at the moment, it marked happiness in the long run and success for such a wonderful team that I had the honor to lead as captain.

“I saw these girls work so hard in the weight room and in the water alongside me the whole year while managing schoolwork and personal troubles. We worked our hardest that game and that is all I can ask from my teammates, I was incredibly proud of how far we were able to go.”

Another season-long memory perhaps was having her sister Ayelen every step of the way on the pool deck.

“It was really nice, honestly, and she was always there when I fell,” said Alexsa, of her sister who played at Schurr and Rio Hondo College. “It was an amazing support system, and it was nice to share it with her. We both had each other.”

What they said:

Uriel Villa, Downey Water Polo coach: “What makes Diego Campos accomplishments even more impressive is that he came to us a freshman with no water polo experience and not a strong swimmer. He proved that if you commit, sacrifice, work hard and trust your coaches, you can develop into a great athlete without the club scene.

He is a true high school athlete. You don’t really ever see them thrive amongst club players like he did.

Alexsa Gimenez was a great leader, student, and role model for the rest of the young ladies in the program. We are very proud of her and excited for what she has yet to accomplish at the next level at UCLA.”

Diego Campos: “One of my favorite high school experiences has to be my junior year water polo season. The whole water polo team was very close. We would go everywhere together and experience all kinds of things together as a team, and as a team we won so many games together, but also lost as a team in our semifinal game.”

Alexsa Gimenez: “What I appreciate about coach (Villa) is his honesty. He always knew where everyone was supposed to be. He really understands everyone’s skill level. My Downey experience was up and down, and a lot of lessons learned. Downey has made me the player that I am today.

Coach Uriel Villa contributed to this story.