Brooke Starn (MVHS) named Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year

The Rotary Club of Danville has named Monte Vista High School’s cross country and track & field standout, Brooke Starn, as outstanding female athlete of the year 2015-2016.

Starn was selected for the honor from a field of four candidates representing the San Ramon Valley high schools. Runner-up nominees were: Devyn Diolazo (Lacrosse) Dougherty Valley High School; Morgan Taylor (Lacrosse), California High School and Katherine Claybaugh (Volleyball), San Ramon Valley High School.

Each candidate was nominated by their school’s coaches and athletic directors, and were selected based on their accomplishments and honors in their sports, their leadership and service to the community. “We annually honor outstanding female athletes that personify excellence in athletics, leadership and community service,” said Danville Rotary President Leslie Steller. “These young women are excellent role models for all female athletes, regardless of their age.”

The athletes were recognized at a recent Danville Rotary Club luncheon attended by their coaches, school officials and parents. The keynote speaker was Julie Haener, news anchor at KTVU Channel 2 News. Haener’s message was one of perseverance and how as a young women in a male dominated industry she overcame many obstacles to get to where she is today.

Starn’s name will be inscribed on a perpetual trophy that will be housed at Monte Vista High School for the next year. Each school’s athletic department received a monetary donation from Rotary Club of Danville.

Starn, who is described by her coach as the “best cross country and track athlete in Monte Vista High School history,” was also characterized as “humble, an outstanding leader, dedicated and extremely hard-working.” Starn is a 4-time 1st team all-EBAL selection in cross country and was the EBAL Champion in 2015. She holds the school record in the 1600 and 3200 and is ranked in the top 10 in the United States in both of those distances. Starn will be attending Harvard University in the fall of 2016.

“We congratulate and salute all four nominated athletes,” said Steller. “The Rotary Club of Danville is always honored to sponsor the Outstanding Female Athlete of Year awards, as well as several of our other programs that recognize the achievements of local youth. These young people represent the next generation of community leaders who exemplify Rotary’s values of leadership, dedication and service.”