Devin Grigg - Monterey Bound
Baseball
Cal State University Monterey Bay 
June 2008

After two successful seasons playing centerfield at Chabot College, Devin Grigg (2006) has accepted an offer from CSU Monterey to join their baseball team for the 2009 season.  In both years at Chabot, the Gladiators made it all the way to the Super Regionals in post-season play. 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 Monterey plays in the California Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAA), which includes such teams as Chico State, Sonoma State, Cal Poly and UC San Diego.

(link to CSUMB website)

Justin Marcelene - Now a St. Paul Tiger
Football
St. Paul College, Virginia 
June 2008

Justin's Alameda High and Laney College highlights will go here.

St. Paul's College is a Division II program playing in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) which is made up of teams such as Bowie State, Virginia State, Virginia Union, Saint Augustine's and Fayetteville State.

(link to St. Paul College website)

Jonathan Ve'e - Now a Viking
Football
Western Washington University, Washington 
July 2008

Former Hornet star, Jonathan Ve'e, who earned first-team Junior College All-America honors at Laney College, has signed a scholarship agreement to play football at Western Washington University. At Alameda, Jonathan was First-team CalHiSports.com All-State selection and Most Valuable Player of Alameda-Contra Costa Athletic League as senior at Alameda High School ... First-team all-league on offense (running back) and defense (linebacker) for second straight year ... Helped Hornets to 8-2 record and first round of North Coast Section playoffs ... Finished season with 1,500 rushing yards ... Team MVP as junior on 7-3 squad ... First-team all-league on defense as sophomore, Hornets finishing 9-1, winning league title and losing in first round of playoffs ... Holds the schools single-game rushing record at 404-yds... Started and lettered three years.

At Laney, Jonathan was First-team JC All-American and Mid-Empire Conference pick as sophomore last season ... Helped Eagles to 10-1 record, league title and victory in Graffiti Bowl game for Northern California "B" Conference championship ... Credited with 75 tackles, 2 quarterback sacks, 4 pass interceptions, 6 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks ... Returned two interceptions for touchdowns and recovered two fumbles in end zone for scores ... Team captain ... Honorable mention all-league as freshman on 9-2 squad that won Graffiti Bowl game ... Led team with 77 tackles ... Started and lettered two years ... Also played rugby for Alameda and Haywood club teams.

Western Washington University is a Division II program playing in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).  This season the Vikings will face off against such teams as Western Oregon, Eastern Washington, Dixie State, Central Washington and Humboldt State.

(link to Western Washington University website)

Kevin Nious - Continuing Success as a Matador
Track
Cal State University Northridge 
July 2008

Senior Kevin Nious finished sixth in the Big West in the 400 meters with a season-best 47.77 ... also ran the anchor leg of the Matadors' 4x400 relay team that placed fourth in a season-best time of 3:13.62 ... also clocked a season-best 22.29 in the 200 meters at the Steve Scott Invitational in Irvine ... and ran a season-best 49.15 in the 400 meter prelims at the WAC Indoor Championships. Before attending CSUN, Kevin spent one season at City College of San Francisco, where he ran the 400 meters and was part of the Rams' 4x400 meter NorCal Champion relay team ... as a team, CCSF won the State Championship.

At Alameda, Kevin played basketball and ran track for two seasons (2003, 2004). He was the NCS champion in the 400 meters, was part of the NCS champion 4x400 relay team, and posted school records in both events.

(link to CSU Northridge website)

Meghan Pipkin - A Belmont Bruin
Softball
Belmont University 
May 2008

After a stellar senior campaign, Meghan Pipkin of the Belmont softball team received Second Team All-Conference honors on Wednesday afternoon by the Atlantic Sun office. It marks the second time in her career she has received a postseason honor from the league. She is also only the eighth player since the Bruins joined the A-Sun in 2000 to be named to an All-Conference team. Pipkin , a native of Alameda, Calif., led the Bruins in batting average (.316), runs (27), hits (50) and stolen bases (35). The two-time team co-captain was also second on the team in fielding percentage (.972). Among Atlantic Sun outfielders, Pipkin led in stolen bases and was second overall. Pipkin , who only missed one game over the last four years, left her mark all over the Belmont record book. Most impressively, she became the program’s all-time leader in steals as a junior and finished with a career total of 95, 50 more than the next player. This season, she took over the top spot in all-time at-bats, a record that had stood since 2002, and became second in all-time hits, a record that had stood since 1999, and third in all-time runs.

The 2005 Atlantic Sun All-Freshman team selection also holds several single season records, including owning four slots in the top-10 for stolen bases and four slots in the top-10 for at-bats, both in the Division I era. Pipkin is also seventh in batting average in the Division I era for her performance this season.

“We are very proud of Pipkin and all of her accomplishments,” said Head Coach Amy Tudor. “I am a bit shocked that she was not selected to the first team due to her amazing play this year in the A-Sun, but I am very proud of her for making All-Conference. She has made a huge impact on this program and she will be missed.”

(link to Belmont U. website)

Carrie Arth - Now a Golden Bear
Softball
UC Berkeley 
Jan 2008

Prior to Cal: Carrie played two seasons at San Francisco State ... appeared in 33 games for the Gators last season and registered 10 RBI and two home runs ... in 2006, hit .373 with 13 RBI and was named to the All-CCAA Team ... at Alameda High School, earned multiple all-league honors and helped guide the Hornets to a league championship her senior year. Personal: Lists social welfare as her intended major (minor in child development) at Cal.

Why I Chose Cal: "Cal has been my dream school ever since I was a little girl. I thank God everyday for giving me the opportunity to receive a UC Berkeley degree as well as compete on the softball field for a national title."

(link to Cal website)

Patricia Adgar - Continuing Success as a Highlander
Softball
UC Riverside 
May 2006

(May 16, 2007) - Sophomore outfielder Tricia Adgar was named second team All-Big West and freshman designated player Marissa Alvidrez was named Big West Honorable Mention as both a utility player and designated player, the conference announced Tuesday evening. Adgar (Alameda, CA), moved into the starting line-up when injuries knocked three starters out of the Highlanders outfield. She hit 316 on the season with a homer and seven RBI. In conference, she hit .350 with five runs scored.

"Tricia took advantage of the opportunity presented to her and really ran with it," Head Coach Connie Miner said.

(link to UCR 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 play in the Great West Football Conference (which includes Cal Poly, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Southern Utah) and are currently in the 4th year of a 5-year transition from Division II to Division I-AA . Ramsey was named Special Teams Player of the Week (11/3) for his outstanding play during the annual  Causeway Classic vs. Sac State which the Aggies won 31-26. Rams' was also named to the Great West Football Conference's 2007 All-Academic Team, sporting a 3.81 GPA.  April 23, 2008: Awarded football scholarship for 2008 (junior) season. UC Davis Football Website

Sierra Pereira - Now a Rocket
Softball
University of Toledo
November 2004

Lady Hornet pitching star Sierra Pereira is currently pitching for the University of Toledo (Ohio).  UT is a member of the Mid-America Conference, which includes such schools as Bowling Green, Miami of Ohio, Marshall, Kent State and East, West and Central Michigan. Sierra received a full athletic scholarship from UT and plans to major in pre-Law with a minor in Communications. As the Hornets ace in 2004, Sierra 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.

Through it all, Sierra has also managed to maintain a cumulative 3.8 grade point average while at Alameda High.

As a Hornet, Sierra will be starting in her 4th year on Varsity.  In 2004 she was named 1st Team All-League; 2nd team All-ANG (East Bay) and All-State as a Utility player.  Other softball honors include... (2003) 1st Team ACCAL, All-ANG 1st Team, Golden Glove for pitching at Livermore Stampede, nominated to the All-State Team, and (2002) 2nd Team ACCAL, 3rd Team All-East Bay (Frosh).

(link to University of Toledo website)

Julie Stauder - Now an Aggie
Softball
UC Davis
November 2004

All-League Lady Hornet shortstop Julie Stauder is currently playing softball for UC Davis.  Last season (06) Julie was selected to The Division 1 (Independent) All Newcomer Team. UC Davis is a member of the Big West Conference, which includes such schools as Long Beach, Cal Poly, Fullerton, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, Utah State, Northridge and University of Pacific. The Big West is one of the top softball conferences in the country; many of their teams have been ranked in the top 25. Julie plans to major in Humanities at Davis and feels fortunate to be able to stay in California and study at such a great school.

In Julie's senior year, she worked hard to help the Hornets win their 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.

While juggling her various sport commitments at Alameda High, Julie has also managed to maintain an academic 3.6 grade point average.

As a Hornet, Julie will be a 4th year Varsity starter.  In 2004 she was named 1st Team All-League (3rd time); 1st team All-ANG (East Bay) and All-State as a middle infielder.  Julie also played Varsity Basketball for three years and was selected 2nd team All-ACCAL.  In the "off-season", Julie is a member of the Sorcerer softball teams that won the 2002 & 2003 ASA 18A National Championships. 

Julie hopes to help the UC Davis Aggies compete for a National Championship.

(link to UC Davis' website)

Emily Medved - Now an Aggie
Swimming
UC Davis
November 2004

All-League Lady Hornet swimmer Emily Medved is currently swimming for UC Davis.  Davis -- which has just made the jump up to NCAA Division I -- is a member of the Big West Conference, which includes such schools as Long Beach, Cal Poly, Fullerton, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, Utah State, Northridge and University of Pacific.

In Emily's Varsity Swimming career at AHS, she has been three time 1st Team All League; three times has won Most Outstanding AHS Swimmer Award; has been an NCS Finalist four times -- where she has placed as high as 5th in her best event, the 100-yd Backstroke; has achieved three High School All America Consideration Times; holds the AHS School Record in the 100-Back (59.07 sec's); and was awarded the City of Alameda's "Sally Gallagher Memorial Award" in 2003.

Emily also played Varsity Water Polo for the Hornets from 2002-4, making Honorable Mention All League in 2003 and 2004.

Emily has maintained a 3.8 GPA at AHS, despite routinely putting in over 40,000 yards each week in the pool.

Though sought after by a number of schools across the country, Emily ultimately decided on UCD due to the quality academics, the campus environment, the coaches and team members she's met there, and their brand new swim center. Her love of horses and UCD's distinguished Animal Sciences program also figured into the decision as she intends to study Animal Sciences/Pre-Vet. 

In the pool, Emily is expected to help the Aggies immediately in both Backstroke and Sprint Freestyle events.

(link to UC Davis' website)

Tommy Tu - Now a Don
Tennis
University of San Francisco
November 2004

Tommy (Thong) Tu is currently playing tennis across the bay at USF. While at AHS, Tommy was the #1 player (standings) in the Boy’s 18’s for Northern California.  Tommy has been one of the top 3 ranked players in Northern California most of his career.  In his last season in Boy’s 14’s, he was ranked #2, and in his last season in Boy’s 16’s was ranked #3 in NorCal.

Tommy has been invited to represent Northern California in zonal competition, intersectional play, as well as Junior Davis Cup. 

This season he is set to be the top player on the Hornet team.  He is one of the only players from Alameda High to have won the team, singles, and doubles ACCAL titles, capturing the elusive Triple Crown.  He has also earned Co-MVP honors on the team the last two seasons. 

This year in USTA Northern California tournaments he has won three tournaments,  reached the finals in two and the semis in three.  He also recently won the 2004 Blackhawk Championships in Danville without dropping a set.

(link to the USF website)

Ki-Shui Liao - Now a Cardinal
Golf
Stanford University
November 2004

Ki-Shui Liao is currently playing golf for Stanford University.    "This recruiting class is absolutely one of the best overall classes in the country and certainly one of the best classes Stanford Golf has ever signed," said O'Connor. With the addition of this class to our already strong roster, I expect that we will be poised to run for a championship immediately. I expect Ki-Shui to make a significant impact during her freshman year."

Liao, who attends Alameda High School, is a two-time AJGA Rolex Junior All-American as well as a two-time AJGA HP Scholastic Junior All-American. She is a two-time AJGA tournament winner (2002 Needham San Jose Junior Classic and 2003 Ping Phoenix Junior) and was won the individual title and was a member of Team NorCal at the 2002 Girls Junior America's Cup which was crowned team champion. Liao was also the 2002 Junior Golf Association of Northern California Player of the Year.

(Link to Stanford Golf page.)

Kayleigh Calandri - Now a Banana Slug
Basketball
UC Santa Cruz
February 2006

Kayleigh Calandri, a 2005 Alameda High School graduate, capped her freshman season for the UC Santa Cruz women's basketball team by being named to the Colorado College Classic all-tournament team. In three games, Calandri scored 14, 21 and 20 points, respectively, for the Banana Slugs. Santa Cruz finished the tournament 0-3 and its season at 7-18.  A  guard, Calandri was second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.3 points per game.  Calandri also led the team in blocks, was second in free-throw percentage, fifth in rebounds and steals and started 21 of the Banana Slugs 25 games. She also scored a college career-high of 28 points in a 85-76 win against Pomona-Pitzer on Nov. 25, 2005.

UC Santa Cruz W-Basketball Website

Alameda Journal
February 2006

Tavis Ve'e - Now a Wolf
Football
www.northern.edu
September 2004

Tavis Ve'e is attending NSU (Northern State University in South Dakota), playing football for the The Wolves, 
so if you'd like to keep track of his exploits, check out the school website.

The Wolves earned a spot in the 2004 Mineral Water Bowl
vs. Washburn State.  The game was played on December 4 and reports are this Mineral Water Bowl may have been the best ever. Northern State rallied for 30 2nd half points to tie the game 33-33 with 1:41 left in the fourth quarter. But Washburn, drove from their own 20 to the Northern State 15 and kicked a 32 yard field goal as time expired to give Washburn a 36-33 win.

---

Tavis was an All-Leaguer in football while at Alameda High.  He also was selected All-League as a centerfielder for the Hornet baseball team.  In 2003, Tavis not only won All-League Honors as a running back (rushing for over 1500 yds) and safety, he was also voted ACCAL League MVP, and made Cal-Hi Sports 1st Team All-State.

Reports are this Mineral Water Bowl may have been the best ever. Northern State rallied for 30 second half points to tie the game 33-33 with 1:41 left in the fourth quarter. But Washburn, drove from their own 20 to the Northern State 15 and kicked a 32 yard field goal as time expired to give Washburn a 36-33 win

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 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'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

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