Shaw, Bayardo chosen PMA Athletes of the Year

St. Pius - St. Matthias Academy 2023 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Arianna Bayardo and Jordan Shaw, are presented their awards at graduation. On the right is Dr. Christian De Larkin, President.

DOWNEY – Two highly successful athletic careers came to an end recently, as seniors Jordan Shaw and Arianna Bayardo were named 2023 Male and Female St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy (PMA) Athletes of the Year.

Shaw has excelled in the sports of football and track, while Bayardo was a top volleyball player and played basketball for the Warriors.

"Jordan and Ariana exemplify what it means to be a Warrior student-athlete at St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy,” PMA athletic director Joshua D. Ho-Lopez said. “I congratulate them on being named our athletes of the year. Well-deserved, and it was an absolute joy to watch them compete this season. We will miss them."

PMA football coach Devah Thomas, who led the team to the CIF-Southern Section D 7 finals in 2021, called Shaw, a wide receiver and free safety, “a generational athlete.”

“Shaw has been a star since he stepped foot on the PMA campus,” added Thomas. “He has played a pivotal role in all our success here at PMA in football.”

Shaw was an All-Del Rey First Team the last three years, culminating with a MVP this season. Along with that, he was team MVP for the second year in a row.

In addition, he was chosen for the All-CIF team for the second year in a row and was on that 2021 finals team.

Arianna Bayardo, who played both volleyball and basketball, made an impact in her first year at PMA.

She helped the team capture its first league championship (first since 2013 as St. Pius X-St. Matthias) in 2019.

“I have had the pleasure of coaching Arianna since she was a freshman,” former PMA Volleyball coach Krystal Lee said. “Though her personality and qualities have always stood out above others, it is her work ethic I have always found to be truly impressive.

“Ariana has never been afraid to take on new ventures. She has always been willing to work hard, whether it be on the court, ASB events, or giving back to our community. For me, I could put her anywhere and she would get the job done. She brings an energy, enthusiasm, and passion for what she does. This passion is contagious, as it rubs off on her peers and those working around her. Because of this, she has always taken on leadership roles which is why she is most deserving of this award. She has always been very successful because she is a humble and caring leader.”

Bayardo was named freshman Rookie of the Year on the league championship team.

In her sophomore year, she won the Warrior Award and was second team All-League. In her junior year Bayardo was the Team MVP and also All-Second team in league.

She topped off her four-year varsity career with the Team MVP and was selected to the First Team All-League.

“Arianna has been an incredible role model to others and has passed her values onto our younger athletes,” Lee added. “She has always gone the extra mile to help others. You can see her determination, drive and diligence. I know Arianna will continue to do great things, and I'm excited for her to start her next chapter.”