Malhi, Villegas named Torch of Excellence Scholar-Athletes of the Year

Amar Malhi of men's soccer and Lily Villegas from the women's volleyball team were selected Clovis Community College Scholar-Athletes of the Year. The pair were honored and recognized at the annual Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Dinner on Wednesday night.

The Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Dinner has been an annual community event since 1997. This event is now a partnership between the Athletic Departments of Clovis Community College, Fresno City College, Madera Community College, Reedley College, State Center Community College District, and the Kiwanis Clubs of Fresno – Madera counties.

Malhi emerged as a leader for the Crush on and off the field. The sophomore served as a team captain and helped lead his squad to a Northern California Regional Playoffs appearance. Malhi was honored as a first-team All-Central Valley Conference selection and was invited to play in the California Community College Soccer Coaches Association (CCCSCA) Sophomore Showcase.

He is a mechanical engineering major and earned a 3.75 grade point average while juggling a difficult courseload and soccer. Despite the challenges, he earned Dean's List honors in each of his semesters at Clovis.

Malhi also sits on the board of the Crush Student-Athlete Council and is a dedicated member of the campus Engineering Club. He is still weighing his options on where to continue his journey next year but is considering some of the nation's finest academic institutions.

Like Malhi, Villegas took on a leadership role with the inaugural Crush women's volleyball team this past fall.

On the floor, Villegas played a key role in the immediate success of the new program that finished second in the Central Valley Conference North Division and advanced to the Northern California Regional Playoffs. For her effort, Villegas earned second-team All-CVC North Division accolades.

A kinesiology major that carries a perfect 4.0 GPA, Villegas has earned Dean's List recognition in each of her semesters in a challenging field of study that requires many advanced science courses.  

She also serves as a board member for the Crush Student-Athlete Council, ensuring that the voices of student-athletes are heard, and helping to plan events and initiatives that improve both the campus and local communities.

This fall, Villegas will be transferring to San Diego State University where she will pursue a bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a pre-physical therapy emphasis.