SAM GREEN AND BROOKE ROBSON ARE THE KING HIGH ATHLETES OF THE YEAR (2024)

A two sport athlete in track and in football, Sam Green has had a senior year – not to mention a career – worthy of the spotlight it is now receiving.

In Track and Field during the Spring, Sam competed in the discus and shot put. He was selected as a Team Captain by Track and Field Director Mat Vasel.

“He was part of our deepest throwing teams ever,” Vasel said, and then added, “The thing that stands out about Sam is his work ethic and dedication. Always willing to go the extra mile if that’s what it takes. He leads by example.”

It was on the gridiron during the Fall where Sam’sexploits really sparkled. A two-way player for the football team for three of his four years at King, Sam was an All-League and All-CIF performer on the defensive side and our offensive player of the year, a uniquely difficult thing to accomplish. Sam amassed 44 receptions on offense, goof for 590 yards and 9 touchdowns. On defense he put together a season of 80 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

Oh, and for no extra charge he was the team’s long snapper on punts. Anyway the team could get Sam on the field was a win.

Sam was one of the Wolves’ team captains and Coach Jason McMains described him as “a team motivator and team leader.”

“Sam set the example of how we want our King Football players to represent our team in the community and here on campus,” McMains added.

“Sam has had several special moments as a King football player,” McMains said, but then added that “I think the ones that stand out for me is the way he dominated the Poly game in 2023, and the leadership he showed on both sides of the ball during our playoff run.”

That kind of play, leadership and inspiration led to Sam being awarded in 2024 with theNational Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete award for Riverside County. Sam will receive a special certificate from Archie Manning and Steve Hatchell, along with his photo, bio, high school and his NFF chapter will be on display at a special kiosk at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Sam plans on attending Northern Colorado(link) and play football in the Big Sky Conference

Brooke Robson has had a prolific career at ML King High playing soccer and taking AP and Honors courses but then, for grins, she added in a second sport during her senior year. That sport? Flag football.

“It was a lot of fun!” she exclaimed recently with a wide smile and her trademark gleam in her eyes.

But she made her money and scholarship by playing soccer at a high level throughout high school. “Brooke has a great passion for the game,” said King’s head coach Dave Smith who has helped guide her throughout the four years at king. “Every minute she is not on the field feels like an eternity for her,” he added.

A hard working and dedicated athlete, perhaps the first thing you notice about her is that smile. She exudes good cheer and enthusiasm both on the field and in the classroom. “She is consistently working to improve her skills to help the team in any way possible,” Smith added.

Brooke filled many roles on the team. She played defense, midfield, and forward. During her senior year, she played midfield and moved to forward due to teammates’ injuries.

During her freshman year she was the team’s third leading scorer on that CIF championship team. Her sophom*ore year she was fifth in goals and third in assists. In her senior year, she was tied for the most assists on her team and had two assists in a 2-1 victory over CIF champion Apple Valley.

Smith fondly remembered a moment from Brooke’s freshman year that encapsulated her distinction as a King player. “During our playoff run in her freshman season, she scored one goal against Beverly Hills, one goal against Marymount, and then the only goal scored against Westlake in a playoff victory,” he said. A prodigious start to the precocious player’s career.

Brooke is planning on continuing her athletic and academic pursuits at Suffolk College(link) in Boston, where if she continues on the same trajectory she’s been aiming at over the last four years, the next four should be just as exciting.