The multi-sport athlete gets rarer and rarer every year as parents opt to lock their kids into one sport at younger ages, often paying enormous fees for club programs that operate year-round. In Long Beach, there are still athletes who can dominate in different sports, and we’re pleased to honor the two who turned our heads.
Ryan Pettway, Football/Baseball, Wilson
This is a “career” honor for Wilson senior Ryan Pettway, who set records on the gridiron this year but was unable to play much baseball because of the COVID-19 spring sports shutdown.
Pettway was the Moore League Player of the Year for football, rewriting the Wilson record books as the team’s quarterback, leading them to a CIF-SS Division 7 quarterfinal appearance and a second-place league finish. Pettway threw for 2,976 yards with a 70% completion rate, 41 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. He also ran for 289 yards and another four scores.
While he didn’t get to suit up for a full season with the Bruins baseball team, his start to the year was impressive, as he had a 1.7 ERA on the mound in four appearances, with two saves.
Aniah Cutler, Soccer/Volleyball, Long Beach Poly
Another two-sport star was Poly senior Aniah Cutler, who was a standout on the soccer field and the volleyball court.
She was the best soccer player in the city this year, earning Moore League Player of the Year honors as well as a scholarship to Washington State in the Pac-12. Cutler was a physical force at the forward position, and scored goals using both size and technical skill.
On the volleyball court, she was a force as an outside hitter, helping boost the Jackrabbits to a Moore League title while earning second-team All-League honors. Cutler’s older sister, Allanah, is on the volleyball team at West Point.
