Chukwunonso Udeh Named De La Salle Athlete of the Year for 2022-23

Concord, Calif. - De La Salle High School senior, Chukwunonso Udeh, was today selected as the 2022-23 recipient of De La Salle’s Athlete of the Year award. The announcement was made during De La Salle’s annual Recognition Ceremony.

This year, 32 student-athletes were nominated by their coaches across 11 different sports. However, only three moved forward as finalists: Alec Blair (Basketball), Zach Elian (Swimming), and Chukwunonso Udeh (Track & Field).

Udeh was selected as the 2022-23 Athlete of the Year because of his high-level performance in Track and Field throughout his 4-year Varsity career at De La Salle. In his junior year, Udeh placed 2^nd in the 100 and 300 Meters East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) finals, as well as 3^rd place in the High Jump EBAL finals. He was also the 2^nd place winner in High Jump at the North Coast Section (NCS) Tri-Valley Championship, and he placed 3^rd in the NCS Meet of Champions in the same discipline. At the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Championship, Udeh finished 2^nd with a leap of 6’5”.

This season Udeh is the current state leader in the High Jump with a leap of 6’7”. He is also ranked 2^nd in NCS 110 Hurdles, 3^rd in NCS Long Jump, 3^rd in NCS 4x100 Relay, and 5^th in NCS 100 Meters.

“Udeh is the first De La Salle athlete to be ranked in the top 10 across all five events,” said Leo Lopoz, Vice President for Athletics. “With EBAL, NCS, and State left, he is tracking to be one of the best De La Salle Track and Field athletes of all time. The recognition he is receiving today is extremely well deserved.”

Athlete of the Year Honorees:

1. Alec Blair – Basketball
2. Dominic Brown – Water Polo
3. Trey Caldwell – Cross Country
4. Ryan Cesmat – Swimming
5. John Cheshareck – Volleyball
6. Jaden Dumdumaya – Golf
7. Zach Elian – Swimming
8. Dane Ericson – Tennis
9. Gavin Fernandez – Wrestling
10. Cooper Flanagan – Football
11. Charles Greer – Football
12. Tanner Griffith – Baseball
13. Billy Haggerty – Basketball
14. Bear Harrison – Baseball
15. Jay Hubbard – Water Polo
16. Scott Iannaccone – Swimming
17. Jack Jerge – Golf
18. Cooper Kennedy – Lacrosse/Soccer
19. Charlie Kratus – Lacrosse
20. Tyler Laymon – Swimming/Water Polo
21. Joey Manzone – Rugby
22. Journey McKoy – Football
23. Carsten Peters – Water Polo
24. Lucas Pfister – Soccer
25. Cooper Powers – Football
26. Tommy Rainsford – Rugby
27. Cal Randall – Baseball
28. Jack Richards – Water Polo
29. JC Romo – Lacrosse/Football
30. Derek Thompson – Football
31. Evan Wells – Basketball