Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Maya Canada of Clayton Valley Charter High

Name: Maya Canada
Grade: Senior
School: Clayton Valley Charter High School
Sports: Water Polo and Swimming

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 9, 2023) — Maya Canada has been making a splash in the worlds of swimming and water polo for almost 13 years. She started swimming as a small child just for fun. It wasn’t until she began playing water polo for club team Diablo Alliance that she became more serious about her water sports.

In her youth, Canada also played soccer, mostly as a goalkeeper, which translated into her water polo career primarily playing goalie in the pool. This season, Canada has blocked 102 shots, which is not only impressive for Clayton Valley Charter but she is currently ranked 14th in the nation with a goals against average of 9.8.

For all four years in high school Canada has been on varsity water polo and swimming. She is also a team captain and, as her coach Ernie Minglana says, has “the courage to step up. . . and tell me how she sees it. She has a great pulse on the team. Maya is respected by her peers and by all of the adults she interacts with.” In just four years, Canada has accomplished many feats in swimming as well, including winning several Diablo Athletic League Championship meets in 100 breaststroke and placing top 20 at North Coast Section.

She’s also earned high point honors and records in her age group during summer swim season for the Springwood and county champions Dana Hills swim teams.

Canada strives to prove that CVCHS has strong swimmers who work hard, in and out of the pool. She is part of the school’s Outdoor Adventure Club and holds a 3.6 GPA. Next fall, Canada is looking to attend DVC with the hope of transferring to a four-year school to complete her education.

The Pioneer congratulates Maya and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry.

Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or a great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com

Corinne Jeandheur

Corinne Jeandheur is a senior at Clayton Valley Charter High School.  She runs on the CVCHS cross country team in the fall as well as competing on the track and field team in the spring.  She also plays the piano and bakes in her free time.  Jeandheur is a member of the CVCHS Engineering and Design Academy and concluded her sophomore year with a 4.33 GPA.  She is serving as co-president of the California Scholarship Federation at Clayton Valley Charter this school year and continuing her academic and community involvement in the National Honor Society. She is very pleased to be writing the monthly Athlete Spotlight for the Pioneer.