Virgen: Gust award a huge honor

Tom Saftig, a former fullback for Newport Harbor High football, becomes emotional and teary-eyed when he tells the story about his best friend John Gust.

Saftig, who wore his varsity letterman jacket from 1974, talked about Gust, a standout center for Newport Harbor while at the football team’s annual season ending banquet on Jan. 31 at Balboa Pavilion.

“He was all-league and all-county,” Saftig said of Gust. “He had a full-ride scholarship to Washington State and then he also wrestled [in high school] and was undefeated as a heavyweight. Tragically, on Dec. 22 [1973], he was killed in a car wreck going on a ski trip. Still to this day, Dec. 22 is the saddest day of my life, because he was my best friend. But out of the bad, comes good. His parents, Ev and Marilyn formed the John Gust Memorial Scholarship. That leaves John’s legacy with the Sailors.”

The John Gust Memorial Scholarship presentation was one of the highlights during the banquet. The award is in its 43rd year.

Saftig presented the award to senior Elliot Frye, who also played center for the Sailors.

“It’s a huge honor,” Frye said. “I’m very glad about this. He played center and I played center. There are a lot of similarities between us. He was an outstanding member of the football team and of this community. It’s just great to be a part of this award, and also graduating and being in the Long Grey Line.”

Frye wasn’t sure at the time about which college he will attend. He said Arizona State is an option. But he realizes it will be hard for him to stop playing football, so he’s also considering a junior college.

“I might not be able to let it go yet,” Frye said. “We’ll see what the future holds for me.”

Marilyn Gust, who also attended the banquet, says she’s grateful to hear about all the stories of how the scholarship money bearing her son’s name is used.

She’s heard some award winners who use the $500 for books, or even to help pay for a car.

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•There were more scholarship awards presented at the banquet. Max Durante won the Cade Feitler Scholarship.

Feitler suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was 13. It happened in February of 2005 when a driver ran a red light on Newport Boulevard and broadsided the family vehicle while coming home from Ensign Intermediate.

Kirk Norton, a Newport Harbor alumnus, presented the award. He said Feitler continues to fight and his determination continues to inspire many, as does the scholarship.

Reed Rutter, a senior wide receiver, won the Vincent D. Mulroy Scholarship. Rick John, a friend of the late Mulroy, presented the award named after the former standout who also excelled at Stanford.

The award is presented to the offensive player demonstrating the highest level of football performance on the field of play.

Arthur Guillen and Max Spruill both won the Kamble Chai Foundation Athletic Scholarship award.

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•Durante was also named the Defensive Lineman of the Year. Rutter also took home the Defensive Back of the Year award.

Spruill was named Offensive Lineman of the Year. Dalton Rosene was named Special Teams Player of the Year.

The MVP went to junior standout running back Cole Kinder.

Quarterback Michael Bonds was named the Offensive Back of the Year. As reported in the Daily Pilot, Bonds, a junior, announced his transfer to La Canada St. Francis the next day.

The transfer upset Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley, who spoke highly of Bonds’ toughness at the banquet.

Kinder was also held in high regard. There are great expectations for the running back and he is eager to return to the Sailors for his senior year.

“I have one more year left to win,” said Kinder who ran for 1,317 yards and nine touchdowns on 223 carries to earn first-team All-Sunset League honors. “I came to Newport knowing that there were a lot of schools around here that might seem better. There are a lot of good schools in Orange County. In my opinion, Newport Harbor was the best fit for me. I want to leave this school with Newport Harbor on top and influence other kids to come to Newport Harbor too. I think going to Newport Harbor is a very good thing to do. There are a lot of good private schools, Mater Dei, JSerra, a lot of great ones. I think if you go there, it’s a great decision but I hope a lot of those kids think about Newport Harbor. Not just because it’s a great public school, but hopefully because it’s a great athletic school, a great academic school. It’s a really great place to be. I hope when I leave here we’ll have lots of wins. I want to leave Newport Harbor better than when I got here.”

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•Gavin Wilson was one of 19 seniors honored at the banquet. Wilson stood out to me among those hardworking seniors when I found out about his future.

After graduating from Newport Harbor, Wilson is headed to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Sometimes, Newport Harbor athletes are seen as laid back or privileged. Wilson not so much. Wilson had always wanted to be a U.S. Marine, since he was 5, he said.

“It’s just something I wanted to do, to serve our country,” he said. “Around my sophomore year, I started talking to recruiters. Before it was just a dream and now it’s a dream come true. I ship out Aug. 7, for boot camp, Camp Pendleton, 13 weeks of hell. After that I go to combat training and wait to see what they want to do with me.”

Wilson said Newport Harbor football helped him by providing discipline that he plans to carry with him after graduation.