Ventura College honored its student-athletes, coaches and staff with its end-of-year awards at its Hall of Fame banquet Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach.

Sophomore Destinee LaFountain was voted Female Athlete of the Year. The first Pirate to average a double-double for her career since 1993, the 6-foot-1 forward from Royal High was the foundation of the 32-2 state semifinalist women's basketball team, earning Western State Conference and state Player of the Year awards, as well as honorable mention All-American honors.

Sophomore Eric Donahoo was voted Male Athlete of the Year. The multi-port star was an All-SoCal selection in water polo as a freshman and, over two seasons with the men's swimming team, was a two-event state champion and a 10-event All-American.

Thomas Maires was voted Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. The Ventura High product, who earned a 3.73 GPA, won the WSC championship in the mile freestyle and was a three-time All-American.

Carlotta Kloppenburg was voted Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. The All-WSC women's basketball guard, who earned a 3.73 GPA, made 77 3-pointers as a sophomore for the state semifinalist Pirates.

Nelson Emery, who coached the men's and women's tennis teams to WSC titles, was voted Head Coach of the Year. The undefeated women won The Ojai tournament and are competing for team, singles and doubles state championship.

Tom Lawrence, who coaches special teams for the football team and throws for the track and field team, was voted Assistant Coach of the Year. His athletes won five of the eight throwing events at the WSC Championships last month.

Duane Yeto and Steve Monka, longtime assistant coaches for women's volleyball and women's soccer, respectively, were honored with Meritorious Service Awards. Eligibility specialist Lori Kramer was voted Classified State Member of the Year.

The Ventura College men's swimming team has finished in the Top 3 at the California Community College championships for seven straight years.

That streak is in jeopardy this weekend at East Los Angeles College after the Pirates qualified only eight swimmers last week while winning the Western State Conference title.

"We're a little hobbled," Ventura coach Larry Baratte said.

The big blow was sophomore Eric Donahoo, who, slowed for much of the season by what was discovered to be a torn meniscus, failed to qualify in his freestyle events.

"He's been hobbling around and he's been avoiding the doctor," Baratte said. "He's really turned everything over to the team."

Despite soreness, Donahoo, whose healthy times last year would have made him the top seed in the 200-yard freestyle this weekend, still plans to compete in relay events.

"I'm really proud of him," Baratte said. "He could have very easily have shrugged his shoulders and chucked it in."

With just eight men and seven women qualified, both the Ventura men's and women's teams are focused on Top 5 finishes.

Henry Chung is in position to complete a stellar freshman season. The sprinter is the top seed in all three of his individual events -- today's 50-yard freestyle (20.23 seconds), Friday's 100-yard backstroke (49.42) and Saturday's 100-yard freestyle (45.24)

"And I wish I could swim him in even more (events)," Baratte said.

On the women's side, sophomore Shyla Motley is the No. 3 seed in the 50-yard breast stroke (30.92 seconds), while freshmen Christina Robledo and Abby Puczkowski are the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the 100-yard backstroke.

"They've just been solid all season long," Baratte said. "They're hard-working, good group with six freshmen and one sophomore.

"We're going to be right in the hunt. It'll be a great experience for the girls."