Bidding a farewell to the foothills’ Class of 2003

The fall season of 1999 might seem like a long time ago, but it

didn’t take but a few weeks to realize that the hundreds of freshmen

roaming high school campuses all over La Canada Flintridge would

eventually mature into an amazing group of seniors by the time they

graduated in 2003.

During the past four years, they excelled in the classroom,

remained involved in numerous extracurricular activities and

captivated audiences in their respective athletic endeavors, all

while maturing into the outstanding young men and women that

represent our future.

St. Francis High was the first graduating class to take that giant

step into the real world May 31, and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

and Flintridge Prep have since followed.

And when La Canada’s seniors toss their caps in the air shortly

after 8 tonight, the Class of 2003 will officially be enjoying the

perks of summer vacation, with all the memories that have been

accumulated during the past four years being saved for a friend’s

yearbook, a phone call or e-mail.

However, for the members of the News-Press sports department, a

number of lasting memories have also been created.

It is never easy to bid farewell to those individuals who have

graced the headlines, made for great photo subjects, filled the box

scores and inspired the feature stories that allow us to deliver our

product every week.

A mere thank you can only attempt to pay a measure of gratitude

for the past four years of individual achievement and team success,

but it is with great honor that the sports staff salutes the newest

college freshmen one last time.

To Caroline Applegarth and Jennai Taylor, the dynamic duo on the

Flintridge Prep girls’ soccer team. Although your final season didn’t

deliver the storybook ending you would have liked, it doesn’t

diminish your long list of accomplishments during the past four

years.

To Nikki Arboleda, Kim Gilmour, Laura Leyda, Megan McCoy, Lindsay

Sherman and Robin Toyota, the group that helped the La Canada girls’

basketball team return to Rio Hondo League glory.

Your success in the regular season and the playoffs was a tribute

to your outstanding team chemistry.

To Scott Archer, Brent Callister, Max Hibbs, Mike Motia and Eric

Parker, the quintet that made good on their promise of no more

third-place finishes in the Rio Hondo League, lifting the La Canada

baseball team past Monrovia and into a second-place tie in the

standings.

To Frank Arthofer, captain clutch on the court for the Flintridge

Prep boys’ basketball team. On a squad filled with talent, you were

the ideal leader to guide your teammates on that magical postseason

run.

To Maya Benitez, the heart and soul of the Flintridge Prep sprint

core. Along with pole vaulter Sevan Yeghiazarian, you helped elevate

the Rebel girls’ track and field team to the same elite level as your

male counterparts, contributing to one record-setting performance

after another.

To Peter Blanton, David Millikan, Steve Neville, John Thielen and

John Yang, the guys who were able to maintain the legacy of success

for the La Canada boys’ water polo team. Future generations of

Spartans will someday thank you for your contributions.

To Dan Boswell, Jordan Nomura and Alfred Yi, three of the five

seniors who helped bring a Prep League title back to the Flintridge

Prep football program. You helped pave the way for a repeat effort,

and possibly more, next season.

To Daniel Caldwell, Robby Dow, Collin Dunner, Jeff Fawcett, Luke

Postlewaite, Jason Roel and Steve Ullom, who provided the golden

touch to another soccer championship at St. Francis.

The road to this year’s title might have been the toughest, which

is why any accolades that you did or will continue to receive are

well deserved. You also continued to excel in the classroom, which is

an equally great accomplishment.

To Dominic Capaldi and Sean Pramov, the ones who helped motivate

and guide a young Flintridge Prep boys’ soccer team, allowing the

Rebels to compete with some of the best small-schools programs in

Southern California.

To Jackie Crea, Jillian Davis, Kim Heller, Kathryn Gorsch and

Kacey Knauf, the close-knit group that guaranteed this would be a

memorable season for the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy volleyball

team and delivered on every last promise. Your enthusiasm, intensity

and drive is what set you apart.

To Sang Cho, Cameron Curtis and Courtney Lee, who kept the La

Canada swim program afloat long enough for some promising

underclassmen to give you the support you rightfully deserved. The

boys’ and girls’ Rio Hondo League titles are a tribute to your

perseverance.

To Pat Donovan, who made the commitment to being St. Francis’

next great distance runner and reaped the benefits every step of the

way. No one deserved to race at the state meet more than you.

To Jackie Fisher, Jessie Gilbert and Natalie Hodge, who made their

last run on the Flintridge Sacred Heart soccer field their most

gratifying one. After three seasons of near misses, your commitment

to making the playoffs was one of the feel-good stories of this past

year.

To Andy Frazee, Scott Smiland and Tim Smiland, among a number of

seniors on the St. Francis volleyball team, you were the most

fearless competitors and the most consistent contributors, not just

this year, but for the past four. Your dedication speaks volumes.

To Prescott Gadd and Seth Horwitz, who helped push the Flintridge

Prep cross-country team to its limits and wound up celebrating

another state title as a result. You again proved that for the

Rebels, no road is too long to run and no mountain is too high to

climb.

To Grant Haney, among a multitude of accomplished golfers in the

area, including fellow seniors Chris Linick, Bryan Mele, Mike Miller

and Brendan Shannon, you had no trouble separating yourself from the

pack, always doing so with poise and humility.

To Adrian Herlache, who pitched through one tough-luck loss after

another for the Flintridge Sacred Heart softball team, thanks for

being the model of determination. Your desire and competitive spirit

won’t soon be forgotten.

To Kevin Herron and Jason Turner, the fire and ice combination

that made the St. Francis football team a force to be reckoned with.

It takes more than just talent to compete at the Division I level,

which is why you should do just fine.

To Billy Hofman and Andrew Scott, the playmaker and the

sharp-shooter who guided the La Canada boys’ basketball team to

another successful campaign. You helped remind us why playing and

reporting on high school sports is such a rewarding experience.

To Caroline Kim, Megan McAllen, Marissa Owsley, Lisa Rowland and

Joanna Tice, the Flintridge Prep swimmers who wanted to make history

and reached that goal on a fateful afternoon in May. Your Prep League

title will always be remembered among the most significant athletic

feats in school history.

To Katie Kimble, Kate Lawrence, Shari Quan and Stephanie Young,

the quartet who shared plenty of success and an abundance of memories

playing basketball at Flintridge Prep. More than your ability, your

passion and your spirit is what defined your success.

To Danielle Mellin and Annalise Rodli, along with the team’s other

three seniors, you helped the La Canada softball program maintain its

level of dominance in the Rio Hondo League, quieting any doubters

along the way. Your character in the dugout and presence on the

diamond said more than any wins or losses ever could.

To Nick Seaver, who put the weight of an entire water polo team on

his shoulders and carried Flintridge Prep to one of the most

memorable seasons in school history. You not only established

yourself as a big-time talent, but you earned the respect of your

competition, the ultimate goal for any athlete.

To Tara Sharma, among a group of impressive track athletes at La

Canada, especially distance runners, you and shot putter Nick

Sinclitico were the cream of the crop.

And to all the other student-athletes representing the Class of

2003 that might have been overlooked, your accomplishments have not

gone unnoticed.

The News-Press sports staff hopes you had as much fun competing as

we did watching.

And in the fall, when you start another journey at a junior

college, two- or four-year school across the United States, prepare

to make your mark again.

Whether it be in the gym, on the field, in the pool or on the

track, as well as in a classroom or lecture hall, continue to strive

for the best life has to offer.

And thanks for four outstanding years.

ERIK BOAL is a staff writer. He can be reached at 637-3225 or by

e-mail: erik.boal@latimes.com