Santa Cruz High School
Athletics Hall of Fame
1980S
1980 - John Mockus
John was a two sport athlete, 1978 First ever sub five minute Freestyle swim in Santa Cruz History, 1978 Second Team All SCCAL Water Polo, 1979 ALL SCCAL Water Polo, 1979 broke two SCHS team records in the 100 and 200 Freestyle, 1980 qualified for the Far Western Championship Meet (a U.S. competition), 1980 Santa Clara Invitational Swim Championships participant, (Cabrillo) 1982 MVP Swimmer and established 3 new Cabrillo Swim records, 1982 1982 top qualifier in the 100 Freestyle and the second best qualifier in the 200 Freestyle and the third best qualifier in the 200 Individual Medley at the state meet.
1980 - Steve Hatch
Steve was 1978 and 1979 ALL SCCAL Swimming, 1979 set meet records in 100 Breast Stroke and 200 Breast Stroke at the Salinas “Y” Open at Hartnell College, 1978 became one of two athletes from Santa Cruz County to qualify for CCS, 1978 posted records in the 100 and 200 Breast Stroke at the Pacific Association AAU Junior Olympics, 1980 competed in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke and the 200 and 400 Individual Medley at the Junior Nationals in Lincoln Nebraska, 1980 CCS champion in the 100 Breast Stroke, recognized as an All American swimmer in 1980.
1980 - Sharon Hightower
Sharon Hightower 1979 and 1980 All SCCAL Basketball (Cabrillo) 1980 set a record for scoring and rebounding as a freshman, 1980 All Northern California Team Selection, 1980 All Conference, 1982 All Coast Conference Selection (San Francisco State) 1983 and 1984 First Team All Northern California Athletic Conference.
1980 - Mike Scott
Mike was a two sport athlete, 1979 All SCCAL and ALL County Football, 1979 ALL County Baseball, 1980 All SCCAL and ALL County Baseball, (Walla Walla Community College) 1981 Football First Team All Southeast B-11 Conference, (University of Hawaii) 1982 Football 42 rushes/ 167 yards and 3 TDs.
1980 - Rudy Escalante
Rudy was a three sport athlete, All SCCAL 1979, All County Football 1979, also played Basketball and Baseball (Cabrillo College) Baseball 1981 and All Conference Baseball 1982, also played Football 1980 and 1981 (San Jose State) played Baseball in 1982 (Semi-Pro) Played for the Santa Cruz Cubs in 1986 (Coaching) Rudy was the Varsity Head Baseball Coach in 1994.
1980 - Bob Sanders
Bob was a two sport athlete, 1980 school record in the High Hurdles, second place in the 110 High Hurdles at the CCS Track Championships in 1980, qualified for the state meet in 1980, 1980 SCCAL Champion in the High Hurdles, (Cal Poly) member of the Track and Field team, (Coach) SC Varsity Track and Field for 12 years.
1981 - Kim Hodges
Kim was a three sport athlete, 1980 and 1981 was a CCS qualifier in the 300 Low Hurdles, 1981 was the first female in school history to start on the Men’s Soccer team, 1981 set two school records in Track and Field that held for over a decade, (San Francisco State University) 1983 and 1984 member of the Women’s Soccer team.
1982 - Ellen Newberry
Ellen Newberry was a 4.0 student and a two-sport athlete, excelling in both basketball and softball. A two-year varsity started in basketball, Ellen was all-league in 1981 and all-defensive team in 1982. Her accomplishments on the softball diamond were even more impressive. A four-year varsity starter at shortstop, Ellen was all-league her junior and senior year. In 1982 she was selected as the SCCAL’s MVP. Ellen continued her career at Brown University where she was a softball standout.
1982 - John Wilson
John Wilson was a three-sport standout playing football, basketball and baseball. He was all-league and all-county in football his junior and senior years and was a major contributor to the basketball team. Most of John’s success came on the baseball diamond where he was known as a crafty pitcher. He was selected all-league and all-county his sophomore, junior and senior years. In 1982 he batted .386 with a 1.5 ERA. John continued his career at Cabrillo College where he pitched a no hitter. He then played at San Francisco State where he holds the record for victories with a career 19 wins. He went 11-0 in 1987 and was named a Division II All-American. He was drafted as a free agent by the San Francisco Giants.
1982 - Nick Dadigan
Nick Dadigan transferred from Southern California for his junior and senior years and wasted no time in leaving his mark on the boys’ soccer program. His junior year he was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year tying the league record of 19 goal for the season. He was also awarded the Offensive Player of the Year title his senior year while scoring half of the Cards season goals with 16. In the spring of his senior year, Nick joined the swim team and became a first-time diver. He placed second in the SCCAL league meet and qualified for CCS.
1982 - Lisa Delucchi
Lisa Delucchi was a varsity sprinter for all four of her seasons at SCHS. Lisa held records in the 4x100 relay and the 200 meters. In her senior year she won both the 100 meters and the 200 meters at the SCCAL league meet. She qualified for CCS Region IV in both events. Lisa continued her career at Cabrillo College.
1982 - Serena Whiting
Serena was a two sport athlete for the Cardinals. She excelled in Basketball and Track and Field. She was All League and All County three years in a row. She was the only SCCAL representative on the All Star Basketball team in 1982. In Track and Field Serena held the school record in the Long Jump until 2012, she was also a school record holder in the 4X100 relay team.
1983 - Kim Bianconi
Kim Bianconi was a multi-sport athlete at SCHS excelling in basketball and softball. In basketball she was an all-league and all-county player in both 1982 and 1983. In 1983 she was selected to the Cardlette Invitational all-tourney team and the North-South All-Star team. Kim was a force to be reckoned with on the softball diamond. She batted over .400 she sophomore, junior and senior years. She was voted all-league and all-county all three years.
1983 - Bill Domhoff
Bill Domhoff was another two-sport athlete. In basketball He was second team all-county and first team all-league his senior year while being voted the Dad’s Club Tournament MVP. In baseball, Bill was selected all-league and all-county his senior year batting .413. He went on to play both basketball and baseball at Cabrillo College and baseball at San Francisco State.
1983 - Steve Glass
Steve Glass was a talented basketball and baseball player at SCHS. In basketball he was voted all-county second team and first team all-league in 1983. On the baseball field he was generally recognized as the best defensive shortstop in the county. Steve was first team all-league and all-county his junior year batting .450 with 22 RBIs. In His senior year he was first team all-county and all-league batting .357 with 13 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Steve went on to play at San Francisco State where he scored 111 career runs (fifth all-time), 21 career homeruns (second all-time) and 97 RBIs (third all-time). He was inducted into the San Francisco State Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1987 he was drafted by Atlanta.
1983 - Glenallen Hill
Glenallen Hill made his mark as a three-sport athlete at SCHS. In 1982 he was the all-county football Offensive Player of the Year. The same year, he was selected to both the first team all-league and first team all-county basketball teams and was first team all-county baseball batting .442. Though hampered by an injury his senior year, Glenallen was still recognized as all-county and all-league honorable mention in both basketball and baseball. He was offered a full athletic scholarship to play football at Arizona State University while being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays for baseball. He finished his 13-year MLB career with a lifetime batting average of .271, hitting 186 homeruns and driving in 586 runs. As a San Francisco Giant, he became the National League’s first designated hitter during a ’97 game with the Texas Rangers. With the Yankees, he won the 2000 World Series over the New York Mets.
1983 - Gino Panelli
Gino Panelli is widely regarded as one of the best athletes to come out of this area. As a two-sport at SCHS, he was named to the 1982 all-county football team, but he found most of his success on the baseball diamond. Gino was known as a hard throwing righthander. He was all-county and all-league his junior year going 6-1 with a 1.05 ERA all while batting .340 with 17 RBIs. His senior year was even more impressive as he was voted the county’s MVP. He batted .436 with 6 doubles, 13 RBIs, 8 stolen bases and a 4-1 pitching record. Gino went on to have a successful career at Cabrillo College.
1983 - Fred Plageman
Fred Plageman was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the league in the mid ‘80s. He was selected to the SCCAL all-league soccer team in his junior and senior years. Fred went on to play goalie for the University of San Francisco.
1984 - Julie McPherson Farmer
Julie was a phenomenal swimmer and aquatic athlete. From a very young age Julie was helping her Santa Cruz Aquatics Team win meets. Julie swam for the varsity team at SCHS for 4 years. As a junior she did the unthinkable; she tried out for the boys varsity water polo team and earned a spot. She was the first girl ever to play on the boys’ team in SCHS history. She played 2 years for the boys’ team which set her up for her next step; playing on the men’s team at Cabrillo College! After that experience she was selected to the 13 person USA Junior Water Polo Team where she competed in Europe. Julie also garnered honors swimming for the Cabrillo College swim team.
1984 - Fonsella Brown
Fon was a talented athlete that excelled at every sport she played. Fonsella played 4 years of basketball earning All-League Honorable Mention as a junior in 1983 and went on to be selected as First Team All-County averaging 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game with the League Champion Cardinals her senior year. Fonsella was even more gifted at softball starting all 4 years for the varsity team. She was selected First Team All-League as a junior batting .327. She was known as having he most powerful swing in the county and during her senior season in 1984 she hit .321 and led the league in RBI’s with 25, again garnering First Team All-League and First Team All-County selections. Fonsella went on to star at Cabrillo College hitting .465 and once again earning an All-League designation.
1985 - Kevin Grindy
Kevin played on the varsity basketball team for two years where he earned the respect of his teammates and coaches. He was known as the best defensive player on the team his senior year. But where Kevin really shone was on the baseball diamond as he played on the varsity baseball team all four years. As a sophomore, he was an honorable mention in 1983, and an All-League and All-County First Team selection as a junior in 1984 with a 1.08 ERA and 57 strikeouts. He followed that performance by posting a 1.19 ERA and was again selected to the All-League Team his senior season. Kevin went on to have continued success pitching for 4 years at UC Davis.
1985 - Diana Macken
Diana was an outstanding athlete. Her combination of speed and technical ability was second to none. She played on the varsity basketball team for 3 years, and she started as a freshmen on the varsity softball team. Diana was selected as the All-County Junior of the Year in 1984 hitting .392 and tracking down balls that only she could get to in center field. She was known as the best outfielder in the county. She was again selected to the All-County Team as a senior hitting .372. She was such a valued asset during her 4 year varsity career that her coach Vic Miguel retired her number. Diana went on to have a successful career playing for UC Davis.
1985 - Michael Poll
Michael was a gifted athlete. He played on the varsity basketball team for 3 years. After earning a starting role as a scrappy, no non-sense sophomore, Michael earned First Team All-League honors in 1984 as a junior averaging 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. As a senior in 1985, Michael averaged 16.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Again he earned First Team All-League honors while adding All-County honors to his resume as well. Michael went on to play collegiate basketball at Menlo College.
1986 - Eddie Marcum
Eddie Marcum was a two-sport athlete excelling in both basketball and tennis. He was a solid contributor in basketball earning all-league honorable mention honors in 1985, all-league second team honors in 1986, all-county second team in 1985 and all-county second team in 1986. In tennis, Eddie played in the number one singles spot his sophomore junior and senior years. He won the SCCAL league singles championship in 1985 and 1986. He was regarded as one of the best tennis players in the area dominating the SCCAL in 1985 and 1986.
1987 - Bill Hackbarth
Bill Hackbarth was a swimmer and water polo player at SCHS. As a swimmer, he was SCCAL champion in the 200 medley relay and the 100 backstroke as a sophomore, SCCAL champion in the 200 individual medley, the 100 backstroke and the 200 medley relay as a junior and SCCAL champion in the 200 individual medley as a senior qualifying for CCS every year. He set school records in the medley relay and 100 backstroke and held league records in the medley relay and the 100 backstroke. Bill was selected to the all-league water polo team in 1984, 1985 and 1986. He went on to play water polo at USC.
1987 - Sean Harrell
Sean Harrell was a talented two-sport athlete at SCHS playing basketball and baseball. On the basketball court, he was named to the third team all-league in 1985, second team all-county 1985, all-county Sophomore of the Year in 1985, all-league first team 1986, all-county first team 1986, first team all-league in 1987 and first-team all-county in 1987. Sean went on to play for Cal Berkeley.
1987 - Kurt Hodges
Kurt Hodges was a three sport athlete at SCHS (Track, Soccer, and Baseball). He is the Santa Cruz High and SCCAL record holder in the 100 and 200 meters (a record that has stood for 32 years). In 1987, Kurt finished 2nd in the Central Coast Section (CCS) Track Finals and ran in the state meet. That same year, Kurt was also selected First Team All SCCAL in Soccer. In 1985, Kurt began his varsity career as a sophomore center fielder for the cardinal baseball team.
1987 - Heidi Whiting
Heidi was a Cardinal Aquatics standout. She was named an All County swimmer in 1987, and was on the Junior National Swim Team in 1985. She was league champion in the 200 Free in 1986, won eight of eleven events versus Harbor High School in 1986. She went on to compete at the CCS level in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke. She was named Sentinel SASthlete of the week. She was a major contributor in beating Aptos for the first time in her freshman year.
1988 - Daryl Ratliff
Daryl was a standout three sport athlete for the Cardinals. His excellent speed at running back served the team well. He was an all-league selection in baseball and basketball, and was named to the Sentinel Dream Team in 1988 for his prowess in baseball. Daryl was the top hitter in the SCCAL his senior year as well. In basketball he was known for his breakaway speed and quickness on defense. Darryl went on to be a star baseball player at Cabrillo College and played professionally for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for several years. He has given back to the Santa Cruz baseball community by assistant coaching Cardinal baseball for many years.
1987 - Jon Melton
Jon Melton - (Swimming) No history of SCHS swimming is complete without an account of Jon Melton’s achievements in the water. In 1984 he set a school record in the 500 freestyle and swam with the Santa Clara swim club where he qualified for the Junior Nationals in 6 events. In 1985 he set another school record in the 400 freestyle relay team and placed 7th at the Junior Nationals in the 400 freestyle, 12th in the 200 freestyle, and was on the 800 freestyle team that placed second. He was an SCCAL league champ in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle (with a league record of 4:49.72). Jon was also a league record holder in the 50 freestyle, 200 freestyle, and 100 butterfly. In 1987, swimming for the San Jose Aquatics Team, Jon qualified for the US Swimming Senior Nationals in the 200, 500, 800 and 1500 freestyle. He placed 9th in 500 freestyle, 13th in the 1000 freestyle and 13th in 1600 freestyle. In the 1987 SCCAL finals Jon finished by winning the 200 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay, 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 500 freestyle, and 100 backstroke. Jon never lost an SCCAL race and received a full scholarship to University of Alabama.
1988 - Mercedes Blair
Mercedes made a huge impact in Cardinal Track and Field in the two years she attended Santa Cruz High School. Mercedes transferred to Santa Cruz in her Junior year, during that time she amassed for wins at the 1988 Region IV track meet and almost single handedly brought home that championship. She won four events that day, High Jump, 100 meters 4X100 relay and the Long Jump. She held school records in the Long Jump and High Jump until recently. She was named the Sentinel Athlete of the Week in 1988.
1989 - Thomas Ronzano
Thomas Ronzano - (Wrestling) Thomas Ronzano was a standout wrestler for the Cardinals. A team captain and a career full of tournament championships. He was a 4 year varsity wrestler 86,87,88,89, 3x SCCAL League Champion, 4x Central Coast Section Qualifier, 2x Central Coast Section place winner 132 lbs 1988-3rd, 1989-4th, 2x CIF State qualifier. Finishing top 12 his junior year in 1988 and capping off his amazing high school career with a 2nd place in the 1989 California CIF State Championships. He's the only Cardinal to ever medal in this prestigious California State meet since its inception in 1973. Also in 1989 he led the Cardinals to a team SCCAL league title and 17th place team standing in the California CIF State Tournament. That team's 17th place is the highest in Cardinals history in wrestling.