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Irvine baseball coach Gabriel Cota with scholarship winners (from left) Hudson Hall, Adam Valencia and Owen Featherston. (PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Three Irvine High School baseball players received the Casey Dumont Character Scholarship Award this week during the Vaqueros final regular season game.
Irvine won the Pacific Coast League game over St. Margaret’s 6-1.
“Each player will receive $1,000 with the support of Mike Lockwood and Oakwood Wealth Partners to further their education after graduation,” said Irvine Coach Gabriel Cota.
Casey Dumont was a popular Irvine assistant coach who died on Aug. 7, 2021.
The scholarship winners were Hudson Hall, Adam Valencia and Owen Featherston.
Fans were told about the award by public address announcer Eric Spivey, who was provided information from the baseball coaches.
“Coach Dumont was a man full of life and love. He brought enthusiastic energy every day to the classroom and field. His dedication to getting the most out of his students and athletes has served as an example on how to hold each other to the highest standard.”
Fans were then told about each recipient.
Hudson Hall
“Hudson Hall exemplifies everything this scholarship represents: resilience, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to his team. Hudson worked relentlessly to earn a starting position—not through entitlement, but through grit and determination. He consistently showed up early, stayed late, and embraced every challenge thrown his way.
“What sets Hudson apart is not just his athletic ability, but his character. He holds himself and his teammates to high standards, never hesitating to speak up when accountability is needed. His leadership is quiet but firm, grounded in action more than words. Hudson pushes his own limits daily, not for recognition, but because he genuinely wants to grow and contribute everything he can to the team’s
success.
“A selfless competitor and a dependable teammate, Hudson Hall represents the heart of a great program. He’s the kind of player who makes everyone around him better—and that’s exactly the kind of young man who deserves this recognition.”
Adam Valencia
“Adam exemplifies what it means to be a leader, a teammate, and a person of exceptional character. Possessing one of the highest baseball IQs in our program, he consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of the game—and, just as importantly, he eagerly shares that knowledge to elevate those around him.
“He never misses a practice, a workout, or an opportunity to get better. He’s the first to volunteer for the tasks no one else wants, and the last to seek recognition for it. His selfless commitment and team-first mentality have elevated this program in countless ways—both on and off the field. Whether through quiet leadership, unwavering reliability, or a relentless work ethic, he sets the standard for what it
means to wear this uniform.”
Owen Featherston
“Owen is the kind of player every coach hopes to have on their roster. A quiet leader by nature, he doesn’t seek the spotlight or boast about his accomplishments, but his performance and work ethic speak volumes. Over the past few years, Owen has consistently been one of our top players—both in terms
of skill and attitude.
“He refuses to be outworked, setting a tone of determination and focus that elevates everyone around him. What sets Owen apart even more is his resilience. He has battled through multiple injuries during his time with us, yet not once has he asked to be taken out of the lineup. Instead, he pushes through adversity for the good of the team, always putting others before himself. He never shows a bad
attitude, never backs down from a challenge, and never turns away from responsibility.
“He has been and would be a tremendous asset to any program, not only for his talent on the field but for the character and leadership he brings to the dugout every single day.”
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com