Olivo awarded State Leadership award by CBCA

Fallbrook Union High School senior Dean Olivo was recently awarded a State Leadership certificate by California Baseball Coaches Association.

The award is given to the senior athlete from each school that best exemplifies leadership on his team.

Olivo said his leadership comes in the form of setting a good example for his teammates.

"I'm not like a leader that's loud and trying to get in people's faces," he said. "But I like to characterize my leadership by helping others through my actions and setting a good example by putting the right foot forward."

The four-year varsity starter at shortstop only played two other sports in high school and both during his freshman year.

"I played one year of freshman football and one year of rugby, but baseball is my main sport," Olivo said.

Looking back at his four years at Fallbrook High, he has nothing but positives to say about his experience.

"I like to say that I really enjoyed growing up in a small town with all your friends and just continuing those relationships through high school," Olivo said. "That's what really made it for me. From the baseball side of it, we continued playing from when we were 8 until we were seniors in high school. That brought like really good connections and really good chemistry on and off the field. That is a big driving factor in all of it."

Olivo was crowned homecoming king in the fall, another highlight of his senior year.

But it wasn't always smooth sailing for these seniors, they went through quite a bit with changes at the administrative level at the school. He admitted it wasn't all that smooth, but nevertheless, he wouldn't have it any other way.

He is, however, looking forward to what's next, even if that is also uncertain.

"Right now, I'm looking into nursing at a college, but with all this virus going on ...," Olivo said. "I had been accepted to a Xavier University for nursing, but with this virus, I'm not really sure where I'll end up. I'm using the June 1 deadline to my advantage before I make my commitment anywhere."

Growing up in Fallbrook was special to him.

"That's one of the good things about Fallbrook because it's a small town with big community support," Olivo said. "I was a homecoming king. I mean, I have a lot of thanks to give out. Thanking this community, all my friends and family, and especially the coaches, earning this award really means a lot to me."

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].