Soccer player Alexis Delgado and Baseball player Angel Cervantes are named as Warren High School’s Athletes of the Year. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

DOWNEY – Two outstanding athletes were awarded the highest athletic honor recently, as seniors Alexis Delgado and Angel Cervantes received the 2025 Athlete of the Year at Warren High School on senior awards night.

Both athletes were four-year varsity players of their respective teams and received high honors in their sports`.

Delgado will continue her college career attending California State University, Dominguez Hills and Cervantes will head to Westwood at UCLA.

“Alexis Delgado’s accolades and awards speak volumes, but beyond her resume, it has been an honor and blessing to coach her for four years,” said Warren Soccer coach Lily Dussan. “Her hard work and dedication have paid off, earning her both Athlete of the Year for her school and class, as well as Player of the Year for our CIF-Southern Section Division 2.

“This award is so well deserved, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Warren second year baseball coach Cesar Martinez said of his star player.

“What I can tell you is that Angel is not only a special baseball player, but a special human being,” Martinez said. “As his high school coach, I am extremely proud of Angel. He has accomplished so much at this early age and will continue to do big things in his baseball journey. He is a perfectionist and always looking to improve his craft. He's a special one.”

Alexis Delgado

“Receiving the beautiful plaque from (Athletic Director) Ms. Miyahara, I was overwhelmed with emotion,” Delgado said. “I was happy, proud, honored, and deeply grateful all at once. Standing center stage, I looked out and saw my family in the third row, phones in hand, recording the moment with the biggest smiles on their faces. Seeing their pride was the most incredible feeling — knowing I had made them proud meant the world to me.”

The athlete of the Year award capped off an incredible senior season for Delgado, as she was a big part of the CIF-SS Championship – the first ever for Warren.

“I had a remarkable, historic, and unforgettable senior season - one that many dream of,” Delgado said. “I’m beyond blessed to have been part of such an incredible team. I couldn’t have had the amazing season I did without the support of my teammates, coaches, family, and friends who stood by me every step of the way.

“My four years at Warren have been incredibly special and filled with unforgettable memories. Through sports, I had the opportunity to meet amazing people who became some of my closest friends. My teammates over the years stood by me through every high and low, and together we pushed each other to be our best.”

Delgado made the varsity soccer team in her freshman year and eventually became a starter, playing both forward and midfield, scored the most goals (Golden Boot Award), made the All-Gateway League Second Team and received the Scholar Athlete Award (Maintain 4.0 avg.). She also ran frosh track in the 100 and 200 meters and relay teams.

The soccer team lost in the CIF D3 first round.

Highlighting her second year, she became sophomore vice president, was the top goal scorer of the team, team MVP, All Suburban League First Team, Scholar athlete and continued running track on the JV team.

The soccer team lost again in the opening round of the playoffs.

Her junior year the awards began to grow in numbers, with a Most Dedicated team soccer award, scholar award, Suburban League All Second Team, Golden Bear Award for athletics and the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation Scholarship recipient.

She was named captain of the soccer team, which advanced to the CIF Semifinal round, only to lose on penalty kicks.

Multiple awards again adorned her, which highlighted the Suburban Valley Conference All First Team, Gateway League Offensive Player of the year, Bear Award, Golden Boot Award (21 goals), Downey Unified School District Board of Education Honors, Mayors Outstanding Citizen Award and three Golden Bear Awards, to name a few.

She was co-captain of the soccer team along with Alexa Manjarrez Belarde.

The team also advanced to the CIF State Regional Championship game for the first time in school history.

Delgado, who will study Exercise Science in college, also had the honor of assisting on the go-ahead goal in the championship game.

Trailing, 1-0 in the first half, Mayilen Salazar tied the game at 1-1 in the second half with a score from the 18-yard box and with the game winner, Delgado crossed a pass to Allison Bravo who scored to lead, 2-1.

“After all the hard work, we had truly made history,” said Delgado, of the title. “For the first time ever, we brought home the Girls Soccer CIF Championship to Warren.”

“My four years at Warren have been incredibly special and filled with unforgettable memories,” Delgado concluded. “Through sports, I had the opportunity to meet amazing people who became some of my closest friends. My teammates over the years stood by me through every high and low, and together we pushed each other to be our best.”

Delgado has two younger siblings - Anthony Delgado (13) and Abigail Delgado (8). “My amazing parents are Henry Delgado and Lorena Delgado, who are also Warren High School alumni.”

Anthony played on the Warren High School baseball team.

“I can’t thank my family, especially my parents, enough for everything they have done to support me,” she added. “I am truly blessed to have such amazing parents who have always done their best to help me chase my dreams.”

What they said:

Lily Dussan, Girls Soccer coach: “I’ve had the privilege of witnessing what it truly means to be a student-athlete, a community member, and an extraordinary person. She has represented herself, her family, our program, and our school with poise and elegance. Thank you for being part of the Warren soccer legacy and helping achieve a CIF Championship.

“Alexis is a role model students can look up to—always striving to be the best version of herself, wherever she is.”

Isabella Ponce, teammate: “I'm so excited and happy for her winning athlete of the year. She's been working hard and dedicated since her freshman year. She’s always determined to be her best, and always striving to be a good teammate, captain, and student. This award was truly earned as she always left it all on the field, while continuing to excel in the classroom.

Angel Cervantes

Angel Cervantes, who comes off of a phenomenal senior season for the Bears baseball team, had many highlights in his four years. But, perhaps the best one was his last game against rival Downey.

He not only won but threw a no hitter with 16 strikeouts.

“I loved my senior year,” Cervantes said. “Coach (Cesar Martinez) helped out a lot and I really appreciate him and what he did for me and my teammates. It was really fun.

“It feels amazing and there’s a great tradition of great athletes coming out of Warren High School in Downey. “It just feels great you can be part of that tradition, and the athlete of the year is a great honor.”

Cervantes, who committed as a sophomore and signed last November to play at UCLA next season, was named to the MaxPreps California All-State High School Baseball Team.

The 6-3 Warren alumni finished with a 7-3 record, struck out 106 batters in 66 2/3 innings with a 1.59 earned run average. He was one of only 10 pitchers on the MaxPreps list from the state of California.

Warren athletic director Samantha Miyahara said of Cervantes,” Anecdotally, Angel Cervantes is one of the most grounded, approachable, and humble athletes that I have ever had the honor of working with,” Miyahara said.

“Without fail, he carries himself with such integrity and humility. He is the most sincere and authentic young man, genuinely grateful for the people who have supported him. Angel creates moments to express his gratitude, and he never takes for granted the people who have been in his corner. Angel is the consummate teammate, leading by example and putting in maximum effort into everything he does. Angel is incredibly loyal, and Warren Baseball was the beneficiary of that loyalty and trust.”

Cervantes joins two former Warren athletes already at UCLA – quarterbacks Nico Iamaleava and his brother Madden Iamaleava.

“It’s pretty cool,” Cervantes said. “Three dudes coming out of Warren High School, representing the high school they went to. We never thought that we would all be playing at the same school. It’s pretty fantastic.”

That almost didn’t happen with the Major League Baseball draft just concluded a few weeks ago.

Cervantes, who had been ranked No. 49 or 50 in the country by the MLB throughout most of the summer of 2024 and this season, was actually drafted No. 50, which was near the top of the second round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

After careful thought, the young right hander chose college and will be eligible after his junior year at UCLA.

“Last year, (UCLA) went to the College World Series in Omaha and they have the same players coming back. I really think that we’re going to go back again and hopefully even win it.”

When he was drafted, Cervantes talked about what that moment (the draft) was like for him and his family.

“My family is my biggest supporters,” he said. “We were at my grandma’s house watching the draft. Once my name got called, we were all shocked and surprised. A lot of emotions and dreaming that as a kid is awesome and there is no other words to explain it. It was just a good feeling.

“Obviously, having another route going to UCLA, which I was very comfortable going either way. I wasn’t leaning toward any other way. I had two plan A’s. God had a plan for me, and he chose this one and I’m going to stick to it and work hard for it.”

Cervantes remembers what he told UCLA coach John Savage on the phone after his decision to go to UCLA. “Hey coach, you got your Friday night starter. He laughed and said, wow, wow, wow, I can’t believe it.”

Savage has been at UCLA for 21 years.

Cervantes had plenty of highlights at Warren, but all of those games stand out against one team.

“My highlights at Warren were always playing against Downey, especially my last year and last game.

“This year no one has thrown a no hitter in league and I had 16 Ks,” he said. Cervantes never lost to Downey in his four years, but that last one will stand out forever.

Coach Martinez brought an interesting side bar to that final game against Downey.

“I forgot to mention we walked to Downey,” Martinez laughed. “I forgot to order a bus.”

“Once we got closer to the school while we were walking, I got into my zone, especially when I heard it was their senior night, so I took it personnel,” he said. “I kicked them in the butt.”

Cervantes highlighted his senior year with the Gateway League Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-League and also was named All CIF. In addition, he set the Warren strikeout record with 321 Ks.

Cervantes was also All-League First Team in his junior year.

When the vote came for the Pitcher of the Year, Martinez said that Downey coach Jess Gonzalez just said, “’well, you guys know who I’m voting for. I got no hit by Angel.’”

Coach Martinez remembers two particular games this past season and they both include Cervantes.

“The two highlights for me as his coach this year was beating Downey at their place and Angel throwing a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts,” he said.” The other was a dominant performance at Redondo HS to take the first round of the playoffs. This year was a year to remember for all of us at Warren. We had at least 20 pro scouts at every game that Angel pitched. Not only did Angel deal with the game preparation and competing, but the pressure of performing to his ability day in and day out. He really handled himself well and to me that is a sign of maturity.”

Angel has two older sisters (Kayla and Samantha) and they played softball but always would catch his bullpens when he needed a catcher.

However, all that changed once his velocity took off.

“Since I’ve grown up she stopped because I was throwing way too hard,” said Angel, who was only 13 at the time. “They helped me so much growing up with school and baseball as well.”

What they said:

Samantha Miyahara, Warren Athletic Director: “Angel is arguably one of the most talented athletes that I will ever encounter in my career. What will be missed more is his kindness, empathy, humility, and sincerity. He made our team better, but his influence permeated the culture of our campus. He left an indelible impression on Warren High School. I could not be more proud of Angel for the athlete he is and for the young man that he continues to be.”

Cesar Martinez, Warren Baseball coach: “What I can tell you is that Angel is not only a special baseball player, but a special human being. On the field, he is a fierce competitor and has electric stuff. He had a remarkable career at Warren and will continue to have the same success at UCLA and hopefully in the Major Leagues someday.

“When asked who we wanted to play in high school, he always asked for the best team out there. Angel stepped up in the biggest moments for us and led by example. He is liked by everyone and carries himself in a humble way. It has definitely been a journey for me as his coach, and I am excited to see what comes for him in the next few years. He comes from a great family and the person that he is today is not by accident. His parents have done a terrific job in raising him.”

Angel Cervantes: ““My parents Angel and Adriana have helped me on everything I’ve done with taking me to school, to practice and picking me up late from practice. They take me to the weight room and providing me extra trainers to put more work in and to see myself succeed at what I love doing. They always will be teaching me to never doubt myself and to never give up and go after your goals in life.”

Alexis Delgado, Angel Cervantes selected Warren High's Athletes of the Year