Yuta Shimazu gets nod at 2023 Sports Awards

Yuta Shimazu was honored as the Men's Collegiate Sports Star of the Year at the 2023 Sports Awards held last Thursday, November 9.

Hosted by the Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission, the annual Sports Awards recognizes the outstanding achievements of local athletes, transforming Thurston County into a sports destination.

Yuta Shimazu, a midfielder with South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Clippers Men's Soccer team, who also plays for Oly Town FC semi-professionally, secured the Men's Collegiate Sports Star of the Year title.

Shimazu was also part of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) West Region All-Star Soccer Team for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Shimazu continues to shine on the soccer field, playing for Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.

In its press release congratulating Shimazu, SPSCC pointed out that the Sports Star awardee also contributed to the campus community as the Senator of Communications in the Student Senate during his stay.

SPSCC also congratulated other alumni who were nominated in the Star Awards, namely:

• Chris Morell, a standout from the 2022 Men's Soccer team, now plays for Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa
• Jason Montes, a key player in the 2022-2023 Men's Basketball team, found success at Pacific Lutheran University
• Sharay Trotter, a member of the school’s 2022-2023 Women's Basketball team, is currently at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri.

“All four of these incredible nominees have graduated and successfully transitioned to universities to continue their journeys as student-athletes,” said Vernell Willingham, SPSCC’s Director of Athletics. “We are so proud of their achievements, and we would like to express our gratitude to the Sports Commission for the continued partnership and for organizing this wonderful community event.”