Baseball: Downey’s Juan Avena gets to throw out first pitch

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Juan Avena, a recent graduate of Downey High, has been selected winner of the State Farm student athlete of the year award.

It is affiliated with the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy and goes to a student who has demonstrated ‘the highest academic and/or athletic achievement during the previous school year.’

He’ll be honored by throwing a ceremonial first pitch prior to the Dodgers-Phillies game on Aug. 9 at Dodger Stadium.

Avena is headed to Central Arizona Junior College in the fall.

-- Eric Sondheimer