Award-Winning Student-Athletes Earn 2022 Don MacKenzie Scholarships

Mt. San Antonio College women's soccer standout Frida Monsalvo and Cerritos men's basketball star Dorian Harris are the 2022 recipients of the annual South Coast Conference Don MacKenzie Scholarships. The SCC will award the two student-athletes $1,000 each. 

The MacKenzie Scholarships annually go to student-athletes who exhibit strong academics and high performance on the field of play. In several cases, the student-athletes chosen are ones who also have overcome obstacles and involve themselves in community service. The awards honor the memory of MacKenzie, the long-time SCC commissioner from 1979 until his passing in 2004.

Monsalvo was the SCC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, a Second Team All-American, and was selected the United Soccer Coaches Association JC National Scholar Athlete of the Year with an outstanding 3.91 GPA. As a student first at Hacienda Heights Glen Wilson High, Frida faced both financial and personal challenges in having to help her parents raise her younger brothers while taking four AP classes and participating as a 3-sport athlete. 

She also overcame a tough first season at Mt. SAC in 2019 when she was a reserve player as well as sticking to her educational responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But in 2021, it all came together for the defender as she earned an AA degree in business among her collection of athletic accomplishments. Monsalvo helped Mt. SAC win the SCC Tournament title and reach the CCCAA State Semifinals. She also served as a volunteer coach at Wilson High. Monsalvo now takes her talents to NCAA Division I UC Riverside where she will play as a junior for the Highlanders this season.

A 2-time, All-SCC selection, Harris helped Cerritos to two SCC South Division titles and in 2021-22, the forward earned All-State honors. While developing into one of the conference's best players, Harris stayed strong in the classroom. He held a cumulative GPA of 3.64, receiving an AA degree in business administration. 

Harris persevered during the health pandemic, dealing with the tragic passing of his grandfather and adjusting to remote classes on Zoom. As a sophomore, Harris averaged 13.4 points and 6.1 rebounds a game in leading the Falcons on the court. In a December, 2021 game, he set a new single-game school record with 19 consecutive free throws made against Mt. San Jacinto.

Harris earned a full playing scholarship to attend and play at D2 Chaminade University of Hawaii. 

PREVIOUS DON MACKENZIE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Release by Robert Lewis, SCC SID