MJC set to honor 17 past stars
The Modesto Junior College Athletic Hall of Fame reaches to the top of the sports world.
It is filled with Olympic gold medalists (Wilbur "Moose" Thompson and Cy Young), five Olympians and world champions, a Wimbledon champion and dozens of collegiate All-Americans. The walls of the lobby of MJC Gym are covered with the photos of 153 hall of famers.
An additional 20, most from 1994 through '99, will be inducted Sept. 11.
The latest group — 17 athletes, one coach and two "contributors" — underscores MJC's sports tradition.
The honor roll features record-setting quarterback Mark Garcia, two-time state diving champion Glen Simonds and the late and beloved trainer Ralph Bradley.
The coach to be saluted is Dean Jepson, who guided the MJC women's basketball team for 22 years.
The Hall of Fame was begun in 1990 by longtime MJC wrestling coach Dean Sensenbaugh. Next month will mark the ninth induction ceremony, and former coaches such as Sensenbaugh, Steve Da Prato, Bob MacKay and Dave Ashleigh plan to be attend.
Tickets are $25 for the event, which begins with a social in the gym lobby at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the program. For more information, call the MJC athletic office at 575-6269.
The Hall of Fame inductees:
JILL (WOOL) ALTAMIRANO (1995 and '98) — State hammer throw champion and All-American and national record holder.
JEREMY BLANEY (1994-95) — State champion in 1-meter and 3-meter diving, All-American and school record holder.
RALPH BRADLEY (contributor) — Equipment manager from 1969 to '91, posthumous award.
SHELLEY (HILL) BROWER (1997-98) — State pole vault champion, state javelin champion and two-time All-American.
CHRIS DEWAR (1999-00) — All-Northern California and All-State golf team; LPGA professional
GABE EASTMAN (1995) — NSCAA Regional All-American; Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer
JOAN (LOPES) FARIA (1979-80) — All-time MJC leading women's basketball scorer; Fresno State
MARK GARCIA (1994-95) — All-American quarterback, school record-holder in passing yards, touchdowns and efficiency; Ohio State
TRACE HOLLIS (1993) — NSCAA Regional All-American; Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer
DEAN JEPSON (coach) — Athlete at MJC (1969-70) and Washington State, MJC women's basketball coach (1979-01)
DEE KING (contributor) — Cheerleading coach (1977-94), MJC supporter and administrator
CHRISTINE (VAN REGENMORTER) KRINGER (1994-95) — State singles tennis champion, Ojai singles champion and State Scholar Athlete for all sports.
MELANIE (BATES) NUNES (1995-96) — State medal winner in 200 and 400 meters, 400-meter record holder; Cal State Stanislaus
MIKE O'BRIEN (1969-70) — State Meet wrestling runner-up at 177 pounds; all-league linebacker; UC Davis
TOM PETITHOMME (1990-91) — All-league fullback/tight end; San Jose State; Arena Football League (1995-99)
GAIL (PEREZ) PETZ (1999-00) — Northern California golf champion, All-NorCal, All-State
GLEN SIMONDS (1997-98) — State champion in 1-meter and 3-meter diving; school record holder in 1-meter
LORI (HIMES) VARGAS (1994-95) — State medal winner, Northern California champion, 100-meter hurdles school record holder; Fresno State
RYAN VIERRA (1988-89) — State Meet medal winner, hammer; football; Cal State Northridge; five-time world champion, Highland Games
ROMAN YEGIYANTS (1995-96) — All-American in water polo, school record holder with 180 points; All-American at Pacific
This story was originally published August 9, 2009 at 1:52 AM with the headline "MJC set to honor 17 past stars."