LAKEPORT >> Once upon a time three-sport athletes were more the rule than the exception. Nowadays, with youngsters playing fewer sports or chasing that elusive college scholarship in just the one, athletes such as Clear Lake High School senior Emily Psalmonds are rare indeed.
That Psalmonds was able to accomplish so much in all three of her sports — volleyball, wrestling and softball — makes her rarer still.
Psalmonds, who recently graduated from Clear Lake, is a candidate for the Lake County Record-Bee Athlete of the Year award, the same award won by her older sister Morgan following the 2013-14 season. Morgan also played three sports for the Cardinals.
As a setter in volleyball, a standout 106-pounder in wrestling and a second baseman in softball, Psalmonds went above and beyond in terms on-court, on-mat and on-field accomplishments. Named to the All-North Central League I first team in volleyball, Psalmonds helped lead the Cardinals to a 19-10 overall record and 9-5 league finish (third). She led the team with 642 assists and was second in aces and digs.
In wrestling, a sport that was once exclusively for boys but is now all the rage among girls, Psalmonds finished second in the North Coast Section Championships and was one of seven Lake County girls, and the first from Clear Lake, to earn a berth in the CIF State Championships.
In softball, Psalmonds anchored the Clear Lake infield defense at second base and batted well during league play as the Cardinals, 19-6 overall, won the first 13 of their 14 league games to claim another NCL I championship. For her efforts, she was later named to the All-League second team.
Psalmonds participated in postseason action in all three sports.
The Record-Bee will profile female and male candidates for the Athlete of the Year award leading up to the naming of the 2015-16 winners. Coach of the Year winners in boys’ and girls’ sports also will be honored.
Athlete of the Year candidates must be junior or seniors who play at least two varsity sports and are in good academic standing at their respective schools.
