Aptos, Calif. - Last week marked a momentous night for the Aptos Sports Foundation and the future success of student-athletes for generations to come at Aptos High School and its feeder programs.
In a 7-0 vote, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board unanimously passed the Youth Recreation Agreement between the district and the non-profit organization. Historically, the ASF and PVUSD have partnered on projects at the high school and junior high school under a Declaration of Cooperative Support and Collaboration Agreement. Wednesday’s MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) solidifies the relationship between the two and provides a streamlined process for project review, design, and construction.
Brett McFadden represented the ASF board in the presentation of the Action Item on the agenda. President and Founder Paul Bailey spoke about starting the foundation in 1979 and the projects that have been done over the last 45 years at the school. Aptos High Girls Soccer Coach and alumni, Gina Castaneda, followed; speaking of her time as a young person struggling to find safety and stability in a gang-riddled home. At one point homeless, Mariner coaches and teammates were her only home and family. Castaneda said when she decided to come back and coach at Aptos, she was ridiculed by the Watsonville community for not taking a job in that community. Castaneda said, “At that time I had very few role models who looked like me. Now, there are many Latinas who I can be a role model for at Aptos High. I understand them, their struggles, and I want to be there for them, just like my coaches and mentors were for me.” Castaneda is a shining example of the Aptos Sports Foundation mission to develop community leaders of tomorrow by providing a quality student-athlete experience for the youth of Aptos.”
Athletic Director Travis Fox wrapped up the presentation by pointing to statistics that served as a reminder for why Aptos has put such an emphasis on sports as an opportunity to teach their students valuable life lessons. Forty percent of the Aptos High School student body come from low-income families. Meanwhile, sixty percent of the student population play at least one sport. Currently, Aptos High School has the largest sports program in the county; that includes Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz.
Trustee Dr. Jennifer Holm asked about projects at any of the elementary sites so far. McFadden explained that the focus has been at the high school campus improving, upgrading, and in some cases completely renovating the facilities. Recently, the ASF has expanded efforts to the Aptos Jr High with a floor renovation and first ever painting of the school gym. “We certainly are open and exploring any way we can help at the elementary sites as well,” said McFadden.
In its 45 year history, the sports Foundation has raised six million dollars, and that total climbs to over 10 million once in-kind donations are included. One hundred percent of funds raised are put back into the athletic programs.
Years ago, the Sports Foundation started an endowment fund that is housed at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. Their goal is to have a fund of one million dollars, with a long term stretch goal of five million dollars. These assets will be held in perpetuity to fund an annual operating budget for facility maintenance and needed safety upgrades as well as first aid supplies, team training equipment as well as a new scholarship fund. The Bobby Salazar Scholarship fund was created in 2020. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a student who exemplifies Bobby’s spirit of community service, hard work, and Mariner values.
The most immediate project in the works for The Aptos Sports Foundation is Holcomb’s Landing. This addition to Trevin Dilfer Stadium, is named after the late Mark Holcomb, and will be built in the north endzone and feature a landscaped gathering area with a large brick “A.”
If you would like to leave a lasting legacy for you or your family by purchasing a brick, donating to the endowment fund or participate in one of the annual fundraisers, and to learn more about the ASF, visit aptossportsfoundation.com or email aptossportsfoundation@gmail.com.
Arguably the Greatest Softball Player in School History, One of the Finest Distance Runners, a Father-Son Coaching Duo, and More, To Be Celebrated at Aptos High Sports Hall of Fame Event April 29
APTOS, Calif. (April 2, 2023) – The Aptos High School Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023 gets inducted on April 29. The eleven new members are highlighted by Breana Kostreba, a two-time SCCAL MVP and three-time All-State softball player, Rylan Hunt, a distance runner who won three SCCAL cross-country titles and eight SCCAL track & field titles, and Joseph and Jack Smith. Joe, with 272 victories, is the 2nd-winningest boys basketball coach in school history, trailing only the legendary Bill Warmerdam. He is also the 3rd winningest girls basketball coach in school history. His father, Jack, was his right-hand man and assistant coach at every level and every step of the way.
Breana Kostreba (Class of 2011) was a four-time 1st-team All-SCCAL softball player, a two-time SCCAL MVP, a three-time All-State selection, and an ESPN Rise 1st-team All-American. She led the state in homeruns as a senior, and is #4 all-time in CA history. She led the Mariners to three SCCAL team titles, and was selected as the Santa Cruz Sentinel Female Athlete-of-the-Year in 2011. Bree matriculated to UC Berkeley, where she earned multiple All-PAC !2 honors, and, hitting .318 with 12 homeruns as a frosh, she led the Bears to the 2012 PAC 12 Championship and into the College World Series.
Rylan Hunt (Class of 2009) was an extraordinary distance runner. In cross-country, Rylan won three individual SCCAL titles, and he led the Mariner harriers to four SCCAL team championships and two CCS team championships. In track & field, Rylan earned eight individual SCCAL titles, winning the 1600 meters an unprecedented four times and the 800 meters three times, and he led the Mariners to three team titles. He was a multiple CCS medalist, 4th in the state in the 1600 meters in 2008, and left Aptos High with top marks in four events. He was selected as the Aptos High Male Athlete-of-the-Year in 2009.
Joe and Jack Smith coached basketball at Aptos for over twenty years together, Joe as the head coach and his father, Jack, by his side. They started-off with the JV boys, then moved-on to the varsity girls for 4 years before transitioning to the varsity boys in 2003. Together they won over 350 games and 5 SCCAL team championships. They reached the CCS Finals and qualified for the Nor-Cal Playoffs in girls basketball in 2001, and reached the same heights in boys basketball in 2015. Both seasons remain two of the finest in AHS history. Jack’s mantra “All in, all out, all the time” remains a core principle of both programs. Jack sadly passed in 2014.
The Class of 2023 also features some of Aptos High’s best competitors in football, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and water-polo:
Jamie O’Mahony (1984) - Jamie is in an exclusive club. In 50-plus years of Aptos football, he is one of only two AHS football players to ever be selected to the All-SCCAL 1st-team three times! Not Trent Dilfer. Not Sam Kennedy. Not Kevin Walters. Not Carlos Torres. Only Jamie O’Mahony and Rick Downey. Jamie was a ferocious and unrelenting defensive lineman, and he helped the Mariner win the 1982 SCCAL team championship. In 1983, he won the coveted Golden Helmet Award. Jamie was also a member of the 1983 SCCAL championship boys soccer team, one of only two boys soccer championships in AHS history.
Emily Di Franco (1990) - After 50-plus years of Aptos athletics, Emily is one of only 30 student-athletes, out of over 12,000 participants, to earn four 1st-team All-SCCAL selections. She earned three 1st-team selections in soccer and one in softball. In soccer, she was a four-year starter, a tenacious defender, and she helped the Mariners win three SCCAL team championships, including an 11-0-1 record in 1990, the second best season in school history. Emily also participated in track and field, and both of her relay teams qualified for the CCS Finals in 1989.
Alissa Bailey (1990) - Alissa was our #1 singles player all four years. She was a two-time SCCAL finalist, and lost in the semi’s the other two years. She led the Mariners to the 1989 SCCAL team championship, our first in almost 10 years. In 1990, she led all amateurs at the BMW Cal Open at the Seascape Tennis Club. She matriculated to Cal Poly, SLO, where she played both singles and doubles for four years, including in three NCAA National Championships, where the Mustangs finished 2nd in the nation in 1993. Alissa achieved a remarkable overall record of 77-19 in four years at SLO. She was also a two-time 1st team All-CCAC selection.
Amy Larson (2002) - Amy is one of the top two or three pitchers in AHS history. She was a four-year starter in softball, a three-year 1st-team All-SCCAL selection, and a two-time SCCAL Pitcher-of-the-Year. In the AHS record book, she is #1 in ERA, #1 in fewest walks allowed, #2 in strikeouts, #4 in complete game shutouts, and #4 in no-hitters pitched. She also led the Mariners to four consecutive SCCAL team championships. Amy matriculated to Occidental College where she continued to pitch successfully for another four years.
Brice Dahlmeier (2005) - A dominating outside hitter, Brice led the Mariners boys volleyball team to its first SCCAL team championship and to our first appearance in the CCS Finals. In 2005, he was selected as the SCCAL MVP. In four years, Brice led the Mariners to an overall 95-33 record, a four-year span of success not yet duplicated, and to deep runs into the CCS playoffs every year. Brice matriculated into a joint degree program at UCSC and UC Berkeley, and he played volleyball successfully at both schools, including making two Top 10 Lists at UCSC.
Torrey Ornelas (2012) - Torrey is the most-decorated girls water-polo player in AHS history. She earned four 1st-team All-SCCAL selections, including Frosh-of-the-Year in 2008, Sophomore-of-the-Year in 2009, Junior-of-the-Year in 2010, and SCCAL MVP in 2011. Aptos High has only won two SCCAL team championships in girls water-polo, and Torrey was the leading scorer on both of those teams.
Dave Ensminger (assistant coach) - The recently-retired Dave Ensminger is the 2nd-longest tenured football coach in AHS history, trailing only Hall of Fame member Jamie Townsend. Dave started coaching football at Aptos High in the fall of 1985. Yes, 1985. 37 years ago. That’s over 400 football games ago, and almost 4000 practices, and yet he never missed a game or practice since he started. Dave has coached the wide receivers at the frosh, JV, and varsity levels, and for very many years he was also the official varsity football stat keeper, which required double-duty from him at games. Dave’s generous nature, his attention to detail, and his soft-spoken witticisms are treasured by legions of wide-outs.
Bill Warmerdam 1939-2022
Aptos High School Teacher and Coach Bill Warmerdam passed away May 18, 2022. A member of the Sports Hall of Fame, Warmerdam was known by decades of students, staff and the greater Aptos community as a one of a kind mentor and friend; with a twinkle in his eye to the very end. Recently, Warmerdam was able to attend the Class of 2020 Hall of Fame dinner (postponed due to COVID) and watch his son, Cris, be inducted. He visited with many AHS alumni and colleagues and friends. Bill Warmerdam will also be remembered for his PE and Driver’s Ed classes, everyone had a good “Warmer” story!
Hall of Fame Bio:
Bill Warmerdam (coach) – Warmer, as he is fondly called, is widely considered one of the greatest basketball coaches and innovators in northern California basketball history. He was the boys basketball coach at Aptos from the school’s opening in 1969 until 1992. Bill’s teams won ten league championships, including six consecutive titles. His teams reached five CCS Semi-Finals and three CCS Finals. His 1986-87 team was the Nor-Cal runner-up, and his 1985-86 team was the CCS and Nor-Cal Champion, losing in the CIF State Finals to Wilson HS and future NBA star Scott Williams 72-46. No other AHS boys basketball team has ever reached the state finals, and only three others have reached the Nor-Cal playoffs. Bill’s overall record is 393-232.
Despite not having the three-point line until 1987, his teams still hold several CCS and Nor-Cal scoring records, Playing a fast-paced offense in front of packed gymnasiums, Warmer’s teams put Aptos High School on the map. Bill also coached track and field, baseball, cross-country, girls basketball, and football. Bill retired from Aptos in 2000, but you can still see him on the road teaching driver’s training. The varsity MVP Award is the Bill Warmerdam Award, and the original gym on campus is Warmerdam Gymnasium.
Bill is married to Patricia, and they have eight children and thirteen grandchildren.
Bill was presented into the Hall by Bobby Salazar.
Bill Warmerdam - Head Boys Basketball Coach
Aptos High School
1969-1992
23 seasons as head basketball coach
Longest-tenured basketball coach in AHS history (2nd longest overall - Jim Triplett, swimming)
393-232 overall record (63% winning record)
10 SCCAL Championships
31 CCS Playoff Appearances
19-12 record in CCS (61%)
1985-86 CCS and Nor-Cal Champions
Only AHS basketball coach to make Nor-Cal Finals (twice)
Only AHS basketball coach to reach CIF State Finals
5-1 record in Nor-Cal & State (83%)
