Ashley Valencia, DeMari Nunley selected as PMA Athletes of the Year
Ashley Valencia (Soccer, Softball, Track and Field and Volleyball) and DeMari Nunley (Football and Track and Field) were selected as St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy’s 2026 Athletes of the Year. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
DOWNEY – Two athletes, four sports and talent that has no end.
Meet the 2026 St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy Athletes of the Year – Ashley Valencia and DeMari Nunley.
The two student-athletes found out the award at their graduation last month and are both on their way to college.
Valencia, who has been accepted to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to continue her education, while Nunley will be playing football in the Fall at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).
“Both Ashley and Demari have been program changing talents ever since I’ve been here,” said PMA athletic director James Covell, who was hired in the Fall of 2022. “Ashley participated in Soccer, Softball, Track, and was the editor of the yearbook. She helped lead our girls soccer program to the CIF-Southern Section Quarterfinals, which is the furthest that program has ever been. During the spring she was a dual sport athlete, helping our softball team return to the playoffs and was a league champion track runner.
“DeMari hit the ground running within the first few months of returning to PMA. He helped propel us to a CIF State Championship Final in football. That is the first time any team in Downey had made it that far. He backed up that performance by coming back the next year and helped us return to the CIF Southern Section championship game DeMari was also a member of the track team where he ran the 100 and 200.”
Covell went on to describe what went in to the decision to name the award winners saying, “Selecting both of them as our athletes of the year was a long process, but they really stood out as not only top athletes, but students as well.”
DeMari Nunley
“My years at PMA have been some of the most meaningful years of my life,” Nunley said. “From the moment I arrived, I wanted to make the most of every opportunity, both in the classroom and on the field. PMA has helped shape me into the person and student-athlete I am today.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned at PMA was how to balance my academics with athletics. Staying on top of my homework while competing, taught me discipline, responsibility, and time management. Those lessons will stay with me long after graduation.”
Nunley, who transferred into St. Pius in his sophomore year from St. Monica, said of the award, “I am truly honored and excited to receive the Athlete of the Year award. It means so much to be recognized for the hard work, dedication, and commitment I’ve put in throughout my time at PMA. This award isn’t just about me—it’s a reflection of everyone who supported me along the way.
“(Football) coach (Devah) Thomas played a huge role in my journey. He always pushed me to be my best, held me accountable, and believed in me even during the toughest moments. He taught me that success comes from consistency, hard work, and never settling for less than my best. I’m grateful for everything he has done for me.
“I’m proud of everything my teammates and I accomplished together. Winning the CIF Championship during my junior year is a memory I’ll never forget.
“It showed what can happen when a team buys into one goal and works for each other every day. I’m also grateful to have earned honors such as All-League and All-CIF, but the friendships, lessons, and experiences I gained at PMA mean even more than the awards.
“I will always be proud to represent PMA, and I’ll carry the lessons I learned here with me for the rest of my life. Thank you again for this incredible honor.”
Nunley was named to the Angelus League All-First Team, All CIF, Team MVP and was team captain in football.
Nunley said of his next coach, Dan Mullen, at UNLV, “I’m really excited under the staff of coach Mullen,” Nunley said. “He’s a national championship coach. I feel like with his guidance and his excellence from the past it’s going to build from here.”
Track & Field coach Alicia Ross said of Nunley: “Demari Nunley has made his mark at St. Pius X–St. Matthias Academy as a talented multi-sport athlete whose speed, athleticism, and commitment helped produce a historic moment for the Warriors.”
In the 2025 T & F season Nunley and his three teammates on the 4x100 relay team, Kenny Peevy, Johnny McNeil and Jaylen Stokes set a school record with a time of 42.68 at the Santa fe League Finals.
“Nunley’s contribution to the relay went beyond simply having speed,” Ross added. “The 4x100 requires trust, precise exchanges, timing, and the ability to perform under pressure. His role on the record-setting relay demonstrated his ability to work as part of a team and deliver when his teammates were counting on him.
“Demari didn’t just run a leg of a relay—he helped carry the Warriors into the record books.
“His athletic ability also extends beyond the track. Nunley has competed for PMA in football as a wide receiver and defensive player, showing the versatility that has made him an important part of the school’s athletic program.”
Coach Thomas on Nunley: Demari is one of the best players I ever coached in my lifetime. He is a great kid on and off the field. Demari is a hard worker and very humble young man who is determined to be great. He has been a leader since day one and never looked back. Getting the Athlete of the Year aeward meant the world to me because we never got that award before as a program and this year it couldn’t have been a better kid to earn that award.
“Demari brought so much energy and grind to our team and was a pivotal contributor to our CIF championship team.”
Quarterback Jassi Williams said: “Demari was the best wide receiver I ever played with. The physicality, strong hands, and quickness off the ball, he was a big reason on why I was able to do the things I did because I knew a guy like that on my team would win all his matchups.”
Peevy added: “He deserves this award. He was consistent every week for the past two years and he produced every week. As a teammate all he did was encourage and help others get better during prep for games. He was never negative and was a great example of what to do to make to the next level.”
Ashley Valencia
“Getting the award just meant a lot because of all the time and effort that we put into our selective sports and into the school was kind of like a full circle moment,” Valencia said. “My family was in the front row and they were screaming so loud when we were announced.”
Valencia played four sports, three of which were at the varsity level. She played soccer, softball and ran track on varsity and played volleyball on the JV team in her freshmen and sophomore years.
Valencia, who was very familiar with the school even before her freshman year, since both of her brothers proceeded her.
Valencia talked of her balancing act between all of her sports and school work saying, “Balancing my high school sports, club soccer, college classes, and extracurricular activities was not easy,” she said. “Many times, I struggled to keep up with everything and had to stay up late at night after club practice to finish homework or study for a test. However, PMA helped me learn how to balance my responsibilities and manage my time.”
Her sophomore year was special as both the girls and boys teams qualified for CIF at the same time.
“I will always remember my sophomore year because that was the year we became league champions.
“The bond between both teams (girls and boys) and the way we were always there for each other made that season the most memorable one of my high school soccer career.
“My junior year I decided to focus on soccer, since it is my main sport,” Valencia said. “In my senior year I decided to focus on soccer and decided to be an athletic trainer.”
In her senior year she received offers from junior colleges, NAIA schools, Division II and II schools.
“That would have given me the opportunity to continue my athletic career and play soccer at the collegiate level,” she said. “However, I knew that none of those schools felt like home to me. When I received my acceptance to UCLA, I realized that my dreams of playing college soccer would have to be put to the side for the time being. I believe God was leading me toward a different path and wanted me to focus on my academics.”
Valencia ultimately decided to turn own the offers and commit to UCLA academically.
“I was given the opportunity to become a manager and practice player for the UCLA women's soccer team,” she added. “I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity and decided to take it. I am now a manager for the team and plan to try out for UCLA's women's intramural soccer team as well.”
Valencia plans to graduate in three years and hopes to continue her education by pursuing a doctorate in order to become a sports psychologist.
Some of her highlights through her career include:
Soccer – First team All-League (Freshman, sophomore and senior); League champs (2024) and offensive MVP; Senior year – Captain, Co-MVP (team) and league MVP. Also in 2026 she was chosen as All-CIF and was a member of the soccer team that became the first in program history to advance to the third round
Softball – Second team All-League, No. 2 in batting average, best on-base %, second in stolen bases and third best in slugging %.
Track & Field – Freshman – Team MVP; Sophomore - League champ in the 4x100 Relay and qualified for CIF. Senior – League champ in the 4x100 Relay (Placed third in CIF), League champ in the 4x400 Relay (Qualified for CIF Prelims), Broke a 13-year-old record in the 4x400 Relay twice – League finals (4:17.95) and CIF Prelims (4:09.36).
“I believe my accomplishments and these accolades speak for themselves,” Valencia said. “My goal with every sport I played was to leave it better than it was when I first joined.”
Coach Ross said of her part on the record-breaking relay teams: “Ashley also became an integral part of our relay program. She helped our 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relay teams capture league championships and advance to the CIF Championships, contributing to one of the most successful relay seasons in school history.”
Ross continued: “When she joined our program, she had never competed in track and field. She came in with no experience, but what immediately stood out was her determination, willingness to learn, and commitment to becoming the best teammate she could be.”
Ross continued saying, “From her very first practice, Ashley embraced every challenge. She never complained about the work, never looked for shortcuts, and consistently pushed herself to improve.
“Her positive attitude and dedication earned the respect of both her teammates and coaches. Over the course of her high school career, Ashley made tremendous progress.”
Ross concluded: “Her journey proves that talent may open the door, but hard work, determination, and a team-first attitude are what create lasting success. Ashley has left a legacy of dedication that will continue to inspire future athletes in our program.”
Valencia concluded by saying, “My soccer career may look different than I once envisioned, but I know that the love I have for the sport will continue to be a part of my life and future career,” Valencia concluded.