Next class of Crescenta Valley Hall of Fame on deck

Crescenta Valley High recently announced its latest and seventh annual athletic hall of fame class.

Along with the 1998 Falcons baseball CIF Division I championship team, individuals Trevor Bell, Wendy Cohen, Lisa Erickson, Hudson Gossard, Jeff Holyfield, John Jenkins, Brock Jacobson and Pete Loporchio will be inducted.

The ceremony is set for May 3 at the Chevy Chase Country Club, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and the induction ceremony beginning at 7 p.m.

Bell was a standout for the baseball team, earning All-CIF, All-Area Baseball Player of the Year and Glendale News-Press Male Athlete of the Year honors during his Falcons tenure. He was a first-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, played in the major leagues for the Angels and has subsequently spent time in the Detroit Tigers organization and, most recently, the Cincinnati Reds.

Cohen won two CIF championships in gymnastics in the all-around event.

Erickson was twice an All-CIF selection in softball and was a member of the 1986 CIF championship softball team. She went on to be an All-American at Cal State Northridge and was a member of the program’s 1987 NCAA Division II national championship squad.

Gossard, who’s currently the football team’s offensive coordinator, was a prolific quarterback for the Falcons during Pacific League title runs in 2000 and ’01. As a senior, he was an All-CIF selection and Pacific League MVP after passing for 3,542 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Holyfield claimed was an All-American cross-country runner and won an individual CIF championship in 1981.

Jenkins led the way to a 1993 CIF swimming team championship and set a CIF record in winning the 50 freestyle. He also won a CIF title in the 100 freestyle and two relays.

On the basketball court, Jacobson was a two-time All-CIF selection who led the Falcons to a Pacific League title in 1995 while averaging 27 points per game.

Currently at Los Angeles Valley College, Loporchio has been one of the architects of a wildly successful Crescenta Valley aquatics program. His swim teams won four CIF championships, with his swimming and boys’ and girls’ water polo squads winning numerous Pacific League titles. In his final two seasons coaching the girls’ water polo team, the Falcons advanced to the semifinals each time.

Anyone wishing to attend the hall of fame induction event may do so by contacting Grace Chase at chasermama@aol.com. Tickets for the event cost $55.00.