Monte Vista High School Senior Collegiate Athletes Recognition Day

By Erin Donnelly, Monte Vista Senior—
 
On Friday, May 30th, Monte Vista High School held a lunchtime event honoring the twenty ­three Monte Vista seniors who are going on to play college sports. These twenty ­three student athletes were recognized for their accomplishments in sports over the past four years at Monte Vista, and their future plans for playing at the collegiate level. Chris Lum, assistant coach for the Monte Vista women's varsity soccer team and PE teacher, was the announcer at the ceremony. Principal Janet Terranova and Athletic Director, Craig Bergman, also were present at the event to take pictures with the students and congratulate them with certificates of excellence.

This class of graduating senior athletes has accomplished many impressive feats. The men's varsity basketball team for example, broke Monte Vista school records by winning EBAL, NCS, Nor Cal, and State.

They were the first team ever in the history of the Monte Vista men's basketball program to win the State championship.

Senior Spencer Rust, star center for the Monte Vista basketball team, and EBAL MVP, said, "Graduating after winning a state championship is beyond my wildest dreams. I cannot wait to head off to MIT and pursue my degree while at the same time continuing to play the sport I love."

Other Monte Vista athletes who are planning to play basketball in college include Trevor John at Cal Poly SLO, Grant Jackson at UCSD, and Madison Burroughs at Cal State Sonoma.

The Monte Vista women's varsity soccer team also had great success in 2013 ­ 2014. They had an undefeated season, were Tri Valley champions, EBAL champions, and defeated their rival, San Ramon, in the NCS Championship with a 2­1 win.

Senior captain of the Monte Vista women's soccer team, Remi White, said, "I was so lucky to have been a part of such an amazing team all four years and I couldn't have asked for a better way to go out! I'm so excited to carry on my soccer career at UCSB and can't wait to see what my future

White's fellow varsity teammate of four years, Hailey Balma, will also be playing college soccer at SDSU.

Monte Vista track had an outstanding season as well. One example of the talent on Monte Vista track, is senior Chloe Winn who is going to run at Villanova and broke four records throughout her freshmen and sophomore years, (4 by 100m, 4 by 400m relay, the 200m and 400m). Senior Cody Dalton is also going to continue track and field at U of Arizona.

Winn said, "My favorite experience from track is all the road trips and bonding along the way with the team for invitationals; especially the Arcadia invitational in LA every year when we race against the top athletes in

Monte Vista's Athletic Director, Craig Bergman said, "I think this has been a great athletic class. From a team aspect look at how well we've done, and from an individual aspect look at all the good schools these kids are going to. It's a nice feather in the cap for the whole school. Everybody should be proud of that."

One example Bergman gives of a noteworthy student athlete is senior Sean Bloore who is a Monte Vista rally chair, and member of Monte Vista varsity swim.

Bergman said, "Sean Bloore is going to swim at college (U of Utah), and he was at every football game, and every basketball game leading cheers. It makes it fun to see the kids showing support for one another and

Sean Bloore placed second in the 50m free style at NCS this year.

Other successes on Monte Vista swim include, Gabby Barattolo who placed 10th in the 200 IM and is going to swim at Cal Poly, and Anna Peirano who achieved the two best times in the 100 fly and 200 IM at NCS and is going to swim at U of Kansas. Sara Nicolosi will also be swimming at Villanova. Two major highlights for the swim team overall include placing second in EBAL and placing second at a tournament in Mission Viejo.

Other Monte Vista athletes who will be playing at the collegiate level include:

• Brendan Landman for football at ASU
• Michael McDaniel for wrestling at Ouachita Baptist U
• Marissa Maddox for softball at CSUBakersfield
• Lucas Halstead for baseball at U of Pacific
• Erin Morrison for lacrosse at UC Davis 
• Mimi Harris for water polo at Long Beach State
•  Zack Bailey for golf at George Washington U 
• Jordan Peterson for baseball at SF State
• Jessica Ober for volleyball at George Washington U
•  Vincent Chapey for water polo at DVC
• Fiona Caulfield for diving at American U.

Bergman said, "It's nice to see them [the student athletes] honored. They deserve it. Not only are they good athletes, but all of them are great kids as well. They will be missed, that's for sure."