AHS Alumni News

Recognizing AHS alumni in their continuing athletic pursuits.

- patrick byrne (09) - lacey parodi (08) - emily childs (08) - ashley sanchez (08) - jordan pries (08) - 
- wes moyer (08) - thai tu (08) - matt adgar (08) - jeff perri (07) - kenny arnerich (07) - devin grigg (06) - jeff croft (06) -
- jeff raimondi (06) - laurel pipkin (06) - jordan scott (06) - nissa hatifie (06) - holly armijo (06) -
- ramsey moyer (05) - pat foster (93) - chris speier (68) -

Missing any others?  Send info (4-yr. college, website, AHS accomplishments, photo, etc.) to webmaster.

Patrick Byrne - Now a Hawk
Golf
Holy Names University
Fall 2009

Patrick Byrne a 4-year starter on the Men's Varsity Golf team is now playing for the University of Holy Names team.

As a member of the Alameda golf team, Patrick helped the Hornets win their league title all four years and qualify for the North Coast Section 3 out of his four years. In addition, he earned 1st Team All ACCAL honors all four years and was twice individual runner up in the League Championship Tournament. Patrick was chosen as Team MVP in 2009.

Patrick is also a member of the Northern California Golf Association, California Junior Golf Association, United States Golf Association, International Junior Golf Association, and Alameda Junior Golf Club. Patrick has played in many events on all of these tours earning several top ten finishes and shooting personal best scores of 68, 69, and 70. 

(link to Holy Names website)

Lacey Parodi - Now a Hawk
Softball
Holy Names University
2010

Lacey Parodi is now playing softball for the University of Holy Names team.

- Please send in additional information -

(link to Holy Names website)

Emily Childs - Now a Golden Bear
Golf
University of California
Fall 2008

Emily Childs a star golfer on the Hornet Golf team has transferred from the University of Colorado and is now a Cal Bear.

Emily was the team captain of the first Alameda High School girl’s golf team in school history this year and she led them to a first place finish in the North Coast Section Championship. Emily placed fourth individually and took fourth again in the Nor-Cal Championship, securing a spot in the CIF/State Championships, where she finished sixth overall. Prior to her senior campaign, Emily was an individual participant in high school tournaments and took back-to-back first place honors in the Tilden Women’s High School Invitational and the Bay Shore Athletic League Championship. She earned First Team All-League honors and was named First Team All-East Bay as a junior.

Before wrapping up her prep career at AHS, Emily attended Bishop O’Dowd High School as a freshman and sophomore. She earned First Team All-League honors both years and was the team’s Rookie of the Year in 2004 and Most Valuable Player in 2005. 

Emily is a member of the AJGA and USGA and has had a great deal of experience at the national level. She participated in a number of American Junior Golf Tour events, placing second twice in AJGA Fidelity Investments and AJGA Coca-Cola at Boyne Highlands. In 2007, Emily was awarded a medal for qualifying for four United States Golf Association Girl’s Championships. She also participated in the Junior America’s Cup, finishing fourth overall after carding a 73-77-73. 

Emily set the tournament record low-score of 65 at the 2007 State Fair Championship and the women’s course record of 68 at the 2007 Northern California Players Championship over the summer. Emily lists her biggest moment in her golfing career as making it to the NCS Finals with the Boy’s team in 2006 as the only girl playing in the tournament.

(link to Cal website)

Ashley Sanchez - Now a Beaver
Softball
Oregon State University
Fall 2008

Ashley Sanchez, a standout on the Hornet Varsity softball team, is now playing softball for Oregon State University in the PAC-10.

A 3-year varsity starter for the Lady Hornets, Ashley helped the Hornets notch a perfect season and a NCS championship in 2005. 

Ashley has worked hard both on and off the field. She was able to attain a 4.0 throughout her junior year, while also helping the Hornets make it to the playoffs. 

Ashley received 1st Team honors all 3 years in the ACCAL, including All East Bay ANG Honorable Mention her freshman year (05) and 1st Team honors her sophomore (06) and junior (07) years.

(link to Beaver website)

Jordan Pries - Now a Cardinal
Baseball
Stanford University
Fall 2008

Jordan Pries, a 3-yr. standout on the Varsity baseball team, is now playing ball for The Cardinal at Stanford University.

In his 3-years ('08 will be his 4th) as a starting pitcher for the Hornet Varsity squad, Jordan racked up a number of honors including:  2nd Team All-East Bay Pitcher (2005); 1st Team All-ACCAL Pitcher and 2nd Team All-East Bay Pitcher (2006); and 1st Team ACCAL Pitcher and 2nd Team All-Metro/Utility (2007). 

Jordan has also pitched his way into the school record books, recording the 2nd most strikeouts in a season in school history (95); the 2nd lowest ERA (1.02); and 5th most innings pitched (68.2). 

And to top it off, Jordan was a key member of Alameda High's first ever North Coast Section (NCS) Championship baseball team in 2006.

  • 2009 Season Stats: Pries finished his first season with the Cardinal leading the team in innings pitched (76) and starts (11-t), and was 3rd on the team in wins (4-t), Opposing Batting Average (.228) and strikeouts (50).

  • Stanford (3/10/09) - Jordan earned Pac-10 "Pitcher of the Week" honors after leading Stanford to a 7-1 victory over Texas.

  • Stanford (3/7/09) - "Freshman right-hander Jordan Pries stymied Texas over 7.1-excellent innings in his first collegiate start, and the offense came alive for host Stanford (3-7) in a 7-1 win over the second-ranked Longhorns (11-1) at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond. The victory snapped the Cardinal’s six-game losing streak, and saddled Texas with its first defeat of the 2009 season. Looking for a stopper, Stanford gave the ball to Pries (2-0), who had worked 7.0 innings over a pair of relief appearances. The freshman from Alameda, CA was masterful, carrying a shutout into the eighth inning and departing after allowing only three hits – a double and two singles. Pries walked two and struck out four, while he now owns collegiate wins over Southeastern Conference power Vanderbilt and Big 12 Conference stalwart Texas."

  • Stanford (2/20/09) - "In a come from behind 6-5 win over Vanderbilt, freshman right-hander Jordan Pries (1-0) earned the win in his collegiate debut, tossing 3.0-innings of two-hit, shutout relief after entering in the eighth inning. Pries survived a two-on, two-out jam in the eighth, and induced a double play grounder after the leadoff batter reached in the top of the 10th."

(link to Cardinal website)

Wes Moyer - Now a Bulldog
Football
 Yale University, Connecticut 
September 2008

Wes Moyer, a standout on the Hornet Varsity football team, is currently playing ball at Yale University in Connecticut.

Yale, a member of the renowned Ivy League (which includes such schools as Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth and Cornell), were the 2006 Ivy League champs, and finished 2007 9-1, rattling off 9 straight wins before dropping the season finale to rival Harvard.

A 3-year starter for the Hornets, Wes -- playing quarterback, running back and linebacker -- helped the Hornets to three consecutive winning seasons and three consecutive NCS appearances.

In 2007, Wes' accomplishments on the gridiron earned him All-League honors on both offense and defense as well selection to the ANG All-East Bay team and Chronicle's All-Metro team. 

Wes was also selected the 2007 Hornet team MVP.

In addition to football, Wes was also a starter on the Hornet Varsity Baseball team, and was a key member of the 2006 NCS Championship squad.

Yale Bulldogs football website

+ Yale bio + article (Nov. '08)

Jeff Perri - Now a Pioneer
Football
Malone University, OH 
Fall 2009

Former Hornet football and baseball player, Jeff Perri is now playing football for the Malone University Pioneers, following two successful seasons playing wide receiver for Laney College.

Jeff started his high school career at Bishop O'Dowd, but transferred to Alameda where he played wideout and DB for the Hornet football team and also infield for the Hornet baseball team. 

Jeff was a member of the Hornet team that brought Alameda its first and only North Coast Section Baseball Championship in 2006. 

Malone plays in the Mid-States Football Association and won the conference title in 1995, 1996 and 1998.

(link to Malone University website)

 

Matt Adgar - Scrumming in San Jose
Rugby
San Jose State 
May 2009

Former Hornet football player Matt Adgar is now transferring those skills to the rugby team at San Jose State University.

Matt was a full time Spartan starter as a Freshman and was the only person to score a try on Cal Maritime (vs. fellow Hornet alum Kenny Boothby); the only D1 school played this semester in league play. 

Matt  also helped a rugby program that has not won a single in-season win in 3 years to its first 2 victories back-to-back. 

The Spartans are now considered one of the teams to beat in the upcoming season.

(link to SJS Rugby website)

 

Kenny Arnerich - Now a 49er
Baseball
Long Beach State 
May 2009

Following two successful seasons at Diablo Valley College (DVC), forrmer Hornet baseball player Kenny Arnerich is now playing ball for Long Beach State University.

At DVC, Kenny pitched in eight games, making two starts in 2009 ... Posted a 3-1 record with a 1.52 ERA ... Pitched 29.2 innings with 17 strikeouts with just five earned runs ... Won Big 8 conference title.

At Alameda, Kenny was a four-year letterwinner in baseball and also played for the Hornet basketball team.

In baseball, Kenny led the team to two section finals appearances, winning the title in 2006 ... League MVP and a second-team all-state selection after setting school records for hits and batting average as a senior ... Earned first-team all-league honors as a junior.

The 49ers play in the Big West Conference which includes such teams as Fullerton, UC Riverside, Cal Poly and UC Davis.

(link to Long Beach State website)

 

Thai Tu - Now a Don
Tennis
University of San Francisco
March 2009

Thai  Tu was a four-year letter winner at Alameda High, earning him team MVP honors three times (2006-08).  He was NorCal Section doubles champion in 2005 and 2007... NorCal Section singles champion in 2006 and 2008... and led his team to the NorCal Section Championship in 2007.

Thai also was the 2005 Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League Rookie of the year and was on the Alameda HS Honor Roll from 2006-08.

In the Fall (08), Thai advanced to the singles semifinal at the Fresno State Bulldog Classic... advanced to the singles round of 32 at the Wilson/ITA Northern Cal Championships... picked up three wins at the Land Rover Napa Valley Tennis Classic... won six straight singles matches from Sept. 12 through Oct. 4, and eight of his first nine matches... advanced to the doubles quarterfinal with partner Jonathan Dahan at the Bulldog Classic... took home two doubles wins at the Napa Valley Classic with Bozhidar Katsarov... advanced to the doubles quarterfinal at the Wilson/ITA Northern Cal Championship with Kallim Stewart.

(link to the USF website)

Devin Grigg - Now a Pioneer
Baseball
Cal State University East Bay 
September 2008

Devin Grigg (2006) is the starting centerfielder at Cal-State East Bay, where he joins fellow former Hornet Jeff Croft.

At Alameda, Devin was a two sport star:

  • Playing on the Hornet football team, Devin received All-League honors at both wide receiver and safety.  He was also named the Hornet's Offensive Player of the Year in his senior year.

  • On the Hornet baseball team, Devin twice received the team's Golden Glove award, received All-League and All-Metro nods as an outfielder, was the starting centerfielder on the 2006 NCS Championship team, and came on in relief to pitch the final 3 shutout innings in the Hornet's first NCS game vs. Clayton Valley to notch the win, helping the team kick off their improbable 4-game run to Alameda High's first North Coast title. 

CSU East Bay plays in the D2 California Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAA), which includes such teams as Chico State, Sonoma State, Monterey, Cal Poly and UC San Diego.

(link to CSUEB website)

Note:  Finding no local teams to play for in the summer, Grigg and fellow Hornet alum -- Jeff Croft -- also started their own 19+ baseball team, The Alameda Dirt Dogs, who compete in the Stan Musial Division of the WBA (Western Baseball Association) and play ball summer ball throughout the greater Bay Area.

Jeff Croft - Now at CSU East Bay
Baseball
Cal State University East Bay 
September 2008

Jeff Croft (2006) is a utility infielder (starting most games at 1st) for Cal-State East Bay, where he joins fellow former Hornet Devin Grigg.

At Alameda, Jeff was a well-known slacker.

  • On the Hornet Basketball team, Jeff was promoted from JV water boy to Varsity water boy where he served diligently for two seasons. 

  • On the Hornet baseball team, Jeff couldn't buy a hit, so he spent most of his time in the dugout seeing how high he could stack the batting helmets.  
    His record - still unbroken - is 7. 

Jeff's Motto: "Quitters never win, winners never quit, but those who never win AND never quit are idiots."

CSU East Bay plays in the D2 California Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAA), which includes such teams as Chico State, Sonoma State, Monterey, Cal Poly and UC San Diego.

(link to CSUEB website)

Note:  Finding no local teams to play for in the summer, Croft and fellow Hornet alum -- Devin Grigg -- also started their own 19+ baseball team, The Alameda Dirt Dogs, who compete in the Stan Musial Division of the WBA (Western Baseball Association) and play ball summer ball throughout the greater Bay Area.

Jordan Scott - Now a Pioneer
Football & Basketball
Malone University, OH 
2008

Former Hornet football and basketball player Jordan Scott is now playing both football and basketball for the Malone University Pioneers, in Canton Ohio.

Jordan played DB for the Hornet football team and was also a starting guard on the Hornet basketball team. 

His senior year, Jordan also made the Varsity baseball team and was a member of the Hornet team that brought Alameda its first and only North Coast Section Baseball Championship in 2006. 

Malone plays in the Mid-States Football Association and won the conference title in 1995, 1996 and 1998.

(link to Malone University website)

Nissa Hatifie - Now a Highlander
Soccer
UC Riverside 
2008

Former Hornet soccer and football player Nissa Hatifie is now playing soccer for UC Riverside.

Nissa was a four-year starter on the Hornet soccer team and was also an excellent kicker on the Hornet football team. 

UC Riverside plays in the Big West Conference which includes such teams as UC Davis, Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Fullerton.

(link to UC Riverside website)

Jeff Raimondi - Continuing Success as a Matador
Swimming
Cal State University Northridge 
February 2009

Jeff Raimondi (06) lettered four years for the Hornets in swimming and three years in water polo and served as team captain in both sports senior year . . . made first team all-ACCAL and North Coast Section honorable mention in water polo (05) . . . Hornet MVP in swimming (05 and 06) and water polo (05).

Jeff competed in swimming for four years at Cal State Northridge and served as team captain of the Matadors for the 2009-2010 season. During his time at Northridge, Jeff was the most versatile swimmer on the team, competing in all freestyle events, as well as butterfly, breaststroke, and individual medley. Jeff recorded all-time top ten school records in the 200 butterfly and the 400 IM.

(link to CSU Northridge website)

Holly Armijo - A Seawolf
Water Polo
Sonoma State University
Fall 2008

 Holly appeared in all 31 games for the Seawolves as a freshman…posted 14 goals on 33 attempts…dished out seven assists and forced 14 steals…lead the team in scoring against Hartwick on Mar. 29 with two goals on two attempts…recorded two goals and one assist in a win over Chapman on March 10.

Holly was also selected to the WWPA (Western Water Polo Association) All-Academic Team her freshman year, sporting a 3.77 GPA.

At Alameda, Holly played on the varsity water polo team from 2004-2006… First Team All-ACCAL in 2005 as well as Most Improved for Alameda…Was a team captain her senior year…voted Most Inspirational in 2006…grabbed another First Team All-ACCAL during her final year.


(link to Sonoma State website)

Laurel Pipkin - Now a Bison
Softball
North Dakota State University 
November 2005

In 2008, Laurel batted .348 to earned 1st Team All-League Honors!

Lady Hornet star Laurel Pipkin is now playing softball for North Dakota State University.  NDSU is an independent D-1 school who, this year, will be playing such schools as Oklahoma, Indiana, Penn State, Princeton, Iowa, Loyola, Santa Clara, and San Jose State.

As a Hornet in 2005, Laurel helped Alameda to its fourth consecutive ACCAL title, as well as a 3rd place finish in the prestigious Livermore Stampede tournament, which features most of the top teams in Northern California.

"Laurel has great speed and is the prototypical leadoff hitter. She has great bat control and an excellent eye at the plate. Defensively, Laurel is very smart and steady, with outstanding range," said NDSU coach Darren Mueller.

Pipkin hit .412 in her senior year at Alameda High School, with 20 stolen bases on her way to earning first team all-league and second team all-state underclassman honors.

Other Honors:
2005: All League 1st Team - ACCAL; Cal-Hi's 2nd Team All-State Underclassman, All-ANG 2nd Team 
2004: All League 2nd Team - ACCAL
2003: All League Honorable Mention- ACCAL

North Dakota State finished its first full season of NCAA Division I softball with a 24-27 record under the direction of head coach Darren Mueller. The Bison schedule featured eight opponents that advanced to the NCAA tournament including road wins over UCF and Virginia Tech. The 2006 season will be NDSU’s third year in a five-year reclassification to NCAA Division I.

(link to NDSU website)

Ramsey Moyer - Now an Aggie
Football
UC Davis
Fall 2006

Ramsey Moyer, All-League Defensive Back for the Hornet Varsity Football team in 2004, has walked on at UC Davis, made the school's football team, and is currently competing for a spot in the Aggie line-up.

In addition to receiving All-League honors for DB while at Alameda, Ramsey was selected to the ANG Newspapers All-East Bay squads as a senior DB... He also won All-ACCAL honorable mention at receiver that year... Posted 9 interceptions in 2004, two more than his junior-year total... Picked up All-ACCAL second-team nod in 2003, helping team to an undefeated league record.

The Aggies are Division 1-A and play in the Great West Football Conference (which includes Cal Poly, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Southern Utah).

Ramsey was named
Special Teams Player of the Week (10/4)
for his outstanding play in Davis' thrilling, last-second 34-30 win over Northern Colorado.

April 23, 2008: Awarded football scholarship for 2008 (junior) season.

For the 2nd year in a row, Ramsey was named to the 
Great West Football Conference's
All-Academic Team.

Named Emery Lillard Scholar-Athlete 2009. 

UC Davis Football Website

Speier 3rd Base Coach for Cubbies
Baseball
www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Spring 2006

Chris Speier was signed by the Cincinnati Reds on October 29th, 2007 as an infield coach. According to new manager Dusty Baker, Speier will also serve as the Reds' bench coach because Baker said he needed "... an infield guy. Him being an infield guy was very important".

Speier, a native of Alameda and an AHS graduate (AHS 1968), has spent two other seasons on major league staffs, with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2000, and with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001.

A shortstop, Speier played for six major league teams from 1971-89. He had a .246 career batting average with 112 home runs and 720 RBIs. He was an All-Star from 1972-74.

Speier has served as a roving minor league instructor in the Giants' farm system, been a minor league coach for the Cubs, and managed in the Diamondbacks' farm system. Speier also managed in the Arizona Fall League, and was bench coach for the Oakland A's in 2003-2004.

Speier's oldest son, Justin, is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Follow-up Story (3/25/04)

Pat Foster ('93) - Named to UC Davis Hall of Fame
Swimming & Water Polo
April 2007

Former Alameda High School swimmer and water polo player Patrick Foster has been named to the Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Fame at UC-Davis, the school announced March 27. Induction ceremonies for Foster and five others chosen will take place June 2. Competing in both sports with the Aggies from 1993-96, Foster enjoyed 18 All-America swimming finishes, including 10 in individual events, under three coaches. In water polo, Foster scored 132 career goals and helped guide the Aggies to a berth in the NCAA championship playoffs as a senior in 1996. 

Foster, a 1993 Alameda graduate, was a high school All-American in water polo as a junior and senior. In swimming, he was a high school All-American in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 butterfly as a senior.

-- Mike McGreehan
Alameda Journal

If you have a Hornet alumni update you'd like to submit,
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Submissions must be for an 'official' school athletic team, from a 4-year college/university.

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