Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week: Weston Ranch's Ricardo Velasquez

The votes are in for the Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week for the week of Dec. 3-10 and the winner is Ricardo Velasquez of Weston Ranch boys' soccer. In an online poll that closed on Friday, Velasquez received close to 60% of the votes cast for a total of 106 votes.

The senior striker earned this recognition after saving the day for the Cougars during their non-league matchup against Lincoln on Dec. 8. He scored the team's game-winning goal off a header thrusting his team to a 3-2 victory. Velasquez finished the game scoring two of his team's three goals as he played a crucial role in the win.

Weston Ranch will need the lucky striker to strike again as it looks to bounce back from two losses. Velasquez has the tools to be the guy once more. So far this season he has scored around five goals putting him among the top scorers for the Cougars. They have a mix of non-league and league games coming up giving Velasquez a chance to shine again.

Here’s a look at the past winners:

• Aug. 26: Samson Hunkin, St. Mary's football

• Sept. 2: Eliana Williams, St. Mary's girls' volleyball

• Sept. 9: Landen Ly, Linden, football

• Sept. 6: McKenna McIntosh, St. Mary's girls' volleyball

• Sept. 23: Matthew Schallberger, Linden, football

• Sept. 30: Sophia Martin, Escalon, girls' volleyball

• Oct. 7: Keely Hummel, St. Mary's, girl's volleyball

• Oct. 14: Taylor Zalunardo, Sierra, girls' flag football

• Oct. 21: Katie Martin, Ripon, girls' golf

• Oct. 29: Kaydence Bispo, St. Mary's, girls' volleyball

• Nov. 5: Dax Weber, Linden, football

• Nov. 12: Reyna Biedermann, Ripon, girls' water polo

• Nov. 19: Asante Carter, St. Mary's, football

• Nov. 26: Emma Gilmore, Sierra, girls' basketball

• Dec. 3: Nylah Dyson, East Union, girls' basketball

Editor's Note: Anyone can nominate an athlete of the week for every sport. Nominate next week’s ballot through email. Readers can email nominations to sports reporter Shannon Belt at sbelt@recordnet.com. Please include the player's stats and a photo if possible.

Original story: The ballots are back open for the newly named Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week. With teams across the pitch and courts showing out in the 209 area, there are plenty of athletes to pick from this week.

Winter sports are getting deeper into non-league play before they're off for Christmas break. From basketball tournament wins to victorious pins at wrestling invitationals, Stockton prep athletes have shined in their chosen sport this week.

This week’s poll will include athletes from the following winter sports: girls' basketball, boys' basketball, wrestling and boys’ soccer. The poll closes on Friday.

Here are the candidates for Dec. 3-10 (athletes listed in alphabetical order):

EJ Campbell, boys’ basketball, Mountain House: The Mustangs have gotten off to a solid start this season thanks to its star senior guard in Campbell. On Dec. 5 Campbell took the game over to lead Mountain House to a 74-60 victory over crosstown rivals Kimball. He finished the game with 15 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Jordan Lee, girls’ basketball, St. Mary’s: It’s no surprise that Lee is leading St. Mary’s to victory in her final season as a Ram. The senior guard is averaging over 25 points per game as her team holds a 5-1 overall record so far. Against Acalanes on Dec. 2, Lee dropped 35 points to lead St. Mary’s to a 64-59 victory over the Dons.

Quintin Maldonado, boys’ wrestling, Stagg: At the 7th Annual Rod Gaines Invitational on Dec. 2 Maldonado could not be stopped. The senior went 4-0 taking down wrestlers from Lodi, Lincoln, Sonora, and Monterey Trail to take first place in the 157-pound weight class. He beat out five other wrestlers for the top spot.

More: 209 Kings of the pitch: Weston Ranch boys soccer snags win over Lincoln

More: St. Mary's alum Jacki Gemelos hosts youth basketball clinic in Stockton

Alexis Toscano, girls’ wrestling, Lincoln: The Trojans won The Gaels Showdown tournament on Dec. 2 and Toscano played a key role in doing so. The sophomore shined in the 100-pound weight class going 5-0 to snag first place. She took down Kacie Tran of Castro Valley in the fifth round to solidify her first-place standing.

Taimane Tuuga, girls’ basketball, Manteca: In a non-league matchup against Tokay on Dec. 5 Tuuga was a star for the Buffaloes. Standing at 5-foot-11 and only a freshman, she led her team in scoring finishing the game with 14 points. She helped Manteca breeze past the Tigers for a 50-34 dub. The Buffaloes have yet to drop a game holding a 7-0 record so far.

Ricardo Velasquez, boys’ soccer, Weston Ranch: Velasquez saved the day for the Cougars as they had a close match on their hands against non-league foe Lincoln. The senior striker scored the game-winning header goal to help Weston Ranch win 3-2. This marked the eighth victory for the Cougars who are looking to be the top soccer team from the 209.

Athlete of the Week nominations are based on information available to The Record about all high school varsity players from San Joaquin County. Nominations must be received for consideration by Monday morning following that week's games.

Anyone can nominate an athlete of the week for every sport. Nominate next week’s ballot via email. Readers can email nominations to sports reporter Shannon Belt at sbelt@recordnet.com. Please include the player's stats and a photo if possible.

Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Martin Dentistry Athlete of the Week: Weston Ranch's Ricardo Velasquez