Jonathan Goodloe, Denise Cortez chosen Norwalk High’s Athletes of the Year

Jonathan Goodloe and Denise Cortez were named Norwalk High School’s 2021-22 Athletes of the Year. (Photos by Keith Durflinger)

NORWALK – With a new sports year just around the corner for Norwalk High School sports, here are two athletes that reached the pinnacle of their time in school sports.

Seniors Jonathan Goodloe and Denise Cortez were named Male and Female Athletes of the Year for the Lancers for the 2021-22 school year.

Goodloe played football all four years and ran track during his junior and senior years, while Cortez played volleyball her freshman and senior years and played all four years in basketball.

Goodloe will continue his education at Santa Ana College and play football and will continue on to the next level after his two years.

The same goes for Cortez, who is currently enrolled at Cerritos College and will play basketball. She will continue her education also at the next level.

“Getting athlete of the year is a great testament to how hard (Denise) played and represented her team and school,” Norwalk girls basketball coach Ashley Baclaan said. “I am very proud of her and all she’s accomplished through the years.”

Norwalk’s third-year football coach Ruben Guerrero also had complimentary words for Goodloe – “I had the pleasure of working with Jonathan for two and a half years in the class room and on the football field,” Guerrero said. “He is an example of what I love most about being an educator and a coach, which is witnessing the growth of a person.”

Goodloe, who only ran track in his junior and senior years, also received praise from coach Nicole (Sam) Poublanc: “To me, great dedication and hard work is the ingredients you need to become successful in anything you do, Jonathan Goodloe has those qualities and more.”

Jonathan Goodloe

“Winning athlete of the year is a big step,” Goodloe said. “I mean, I always wanted to go out of Norwalk High School making a name for myself, and I’m glad I did. But the job is not finished still with more stuff to do and more knowledge to gain as a player. Man, my biggest moment is playing that last second with my teammates and coaches.

“I feel great that I got selected. I didn’t think I was going to be selected, but I’m glad I did. There is a lot of other great athletes, but I feel like I closed the gap between other athletes.

“It’s a very big thing for me, because my sister, Destiny, was a very good athlete at Norwalk.

“My experience at Norwalk was really good. The teachers were good and they made me stay and keep my head in the books.”

Goodloe, who is currently playing corner back at Santa Ana, earned 1st Team All-CIF, 1st Team Suburban League, Team MVP and Suburban League Offensive Back MVP.

Goodloe ran for 1,456 yards and scored 14 touchdowns for the Lancers in his senior year.

Guerrero also said of Goodloe: “I had the honor of seeing him grow as a student-athlete. All of the successes he experienced in the class and on the field are a result of his dedication to being the best he can be in whatever he tries to accomplish. I cannot say enough about his grit and determination to succeed.

“On the field, he was a type of player that would do everything in his power to help the team reach a victory. There were times he would carry the team on his back and take the rest of us for a ride. It was such a treat to see and be a part of. Jonathan is the epitome of a true Norwalk Lancer and what we as a coaching staff want all of our players to strive for.”

Goodloe was also selected to play in the annual San Gabriel Valley North-South All-Star game at Sierra Vista High, which was coached by Norwalk legend, Elijah Penny. He was also Honorable Mention in the LB Press Telegram for the 2021 Football Dream Team.

Goodloe commented on one of his favorite memories in a game during his time at Norwalk.

“The biggest game we were in was against South East,” he said. “We were down 21-7 at halftime and then came back in the second half and won 53-21.

“Another big game I could talk about is our first playoff game in years. We ended up losing, but it was a great atmosphere and made me realize that anyone can do it.”

In track, he was Suburban League Champion in the 100 and 200 Meters and 4x100 Relay and Suburban League MVP. He won the award in both his junior and senior years. Goodloe would place in the 100 or 200 in most meets and would always work on his take off from the blocks.

“He would never let the team down in the 4x100 and would stay longer after practice to work on his handoff,” Poublanc said.

Goodloe had two record-breaking times in the sprints with a 11.04 in the 100 and 23.14 in the 200. He also competed in the long jump and triple jump.

“All of us coaches couldn’t be prouder to announce every single award for (Jonathan) because they were very well deserved,” Poublanc added. “I am so excited to know that he got athlete of the year because he really does deserve it with all the hard work he had put in years prior, even though the pandemic. I can honestly say that when you see him you can see so much talent he possesses.”

Goodloe said of coach Nicole, or as the team referred to her as coach Sam: “I know I gave her a hard time, but she trained me hard and made sure I put the work in so it would show at track meets.”

Goodloe thanked his coaches, Efren Salgado, coach Guerrero. “They really stood out for me throughout my four years of high school and they taught me the ins and outs of football and what I needed to do to prepare for a game and what it takes to be ready.”

In his senior year, coach Kevin Cabot, who was a Norwalk alum, helped Goodloe “……he really improved my game and he really taught me that no matter how hard you work there is always someone working as hard as you do. Whenever you step on the field, you do your job.”

Denise Cortez

“It’s honestly a big blessing, because I would have never thought that I would have been chosen as female athlete of the year,” said Cortez, who was chosen as team MVP and All-Suburban League (basketball). I’ve played all my life.”

She was second on the team in scoring with 12 points per game.

Norwalk (4-2) finished second to Mayfair (6-0) in league.

“My main sport was basketball and I played volleyball as well. In basketball, I just did what I could. I was a leader for all of my teammates as a team captain and they looked up to me, so I thought that was cool that people were looking up to me as a leader.”

Cortez is currently enrolled at Cerritos College and is a shooting guard on the team. She hopes to transfer after two years and end up at Cal State.

“I am undecided right now, but I want to be a radiologist,” said Cortez of her major. “Recently, I injured myself and I found it interesting when the radiologist was telling me about his job.”

The Lancers qualified for post season play this past year in CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA, losing to Hart of Newhall. However, Baclaan remembers Cortez’ competitiveness.

“Cortez competed well on the court and ran the open lanes fast for the open layups to creating for her own shot,” she said. “I still remember the competitive look in her eye in her final playoff game this past year. There was a play where she got the ball at the right wing, looked the opponent in the eye, jab-stepped twice, and rose up for a clean-made 3-point shot. She led her team with 10 points that night.”

What they said:

Ruben Guerrero, Norwalk Football coach: “I understand (Jonathan) is trying to forge a future in Football and I wish him nothing but the best. I know that whatever future endeavors he takes on, he will do everything in his power to succeed at it. Jonathan, you will always be a Norwalk Lancer. Keep working hard and the victories of life will take care of themselves. With Love, Coach Guerrero.”

David Herrera, Norwalk senior running back: “Jonathan is nothing less than a brother to me. Throughout the whole season the guy that was always by my side and picking me up when I was down or ready to celebrate after a good play. Jonathan was always fearless and ready for any challenge on and off the field. He is also one of the hardest workers on and off (the field) as well.”

Jonathan Goodloe, Norwalk running back: “My teammates were the people that strive to make me a better player and person everyday - nothing but love to the Norwalk squad.

Thanks to my dawgs for putting me where I’m at today, because they were grinding with me as well. Thank you to the O-line, D-Line and the running backs, linebackers corners and safeties.

How I handled school and sports, I really had no choice rather to do my work and be in the right state of mind on game days then thinking what I didn’t do in the classroom and have it mess with my head every Friday.”

Nicole Poublanc, Norwalk Track coach: “I have heard nothing but great things about him. To me it was a pleasure to have been able to coach him, because I know that he has a bright future ahead of him whether it’s football, track, or anything else. He has nothing but passion, drive, and dedication to anything he puts his mind to.

This would be my first year coaching the Norwalk Track team and without even knowing me, he stepped up as a leader to help me manage the sprint team through warm ups and all the way until the last workouts.

Ashley Baclaan, Norwalk Girls Basketball coach: “Cortez displayed great improvement year in and year out. She played her length and speed well - her rebounding was a great help, as well as her speed, length, and IQ of being able to make reads and get into passing lanes for steals and deflections. She also developed a great shot - one of our top shooters of the season for sure.”