Eric Pape, a junior varsity wrestler, has his leg taped by coach Richie Figueroa.

LGHS Wall of Fame

By Dick Sparrer

An assortment of pictures lines the walls of the new wrestling room at Los Gatos High School. But this is no eclectic collection of photographs; there is a definite theme and chronology to the presentation.

The pictures chronicle the rich heritage of the high school wrestling program and honor those who have contributed to its success with a place on the Los Gatos Wrestling Wall of Fame.

It takes a special achievement to earn a place on the coveted wall. The criteria for selection:

• Significant contribution to the program;

• 40 or more wins in a season;

• 70 or more varsity wins;

• 3-time league champion;

• Regional champion;

• Central Coast Section champion;

• Northern California placer;

• California state placer

  
  Jake Schonig takes a break in the wrestling room. The addition of the room allows LGHS to have a year-round program.

  
  

  And the pictures and statistics that fill that wall are a venerable who's who of Los Gatos wrestling:

  Outstanding Wrestlers

  Jerry Ledin, 1952
  Ken Spagnola, 1954
  Jim Madonna, 1956
  Ed Howell, 1964
  Gordon George, 1967
  Ron Lewis, 1968
  Guy Greene, 1969
  Tom Robak, 1969
  Ken Follmar, 1970
  Bruce Lynn, 1970
  Steve Smith, 1971
  Brian Lungo, 1973
  Gary Lynn, 1973
  Bruce Lemos, 1973
  Steve Hosmer, 1975
  Keyne Kensinger, 1977
  Jay Slivkoff, 1977
  Richard Popejoy, 1983
  Jimmy Walker, 1983
  Mike Scialabba, 1986
  Chad Barnes, 1987
  Pete Hedrick, 1988
  Ian Nyquist, 1994
  Jason Carlton, 1994
  Fred Luminoso, 1998
  Rohner Segnitz, 1998
  Dan Benedetti, 2000
  David Serwitz, 2001
  Andrew Pease, 2001
  James Pease, 2000
  Jerry Yuhara, 2001

  Outstanding Teams

  1961, first league championship
  1968, league champs, CCS third
  1969, league champs, CCS champs
  1970, league champs, CCS champs
  1972, league champs, CCS fourth
  1973, CCS second
  1994, second CCS duals
  1998, CCS fourth
  2000, league champs, CCS 10th
  2001, CCS fourth

  Coaches on the Wall

  Paul Ferris, 1952-'60
  George Talman, 1965-'69
  Tony Fiorentino, 1970-'72
  Kit Lauer, 1973-'74
  Brian Ganz, 1983-'88
  Scott Downs, 1988-'94, 2002-Present
  James Fanshier, 1996-'98
  Jeff Garlick, 1999-2001
  Howard May, 1990-Present

  Special Recognition

  Ted Simonson
  Larry Hansen

  So while the wrestlers of today work hard in the wrestling room that is their new home, they can focus on the here and now ... with the comfort of knowing that those who set the foundation for the program are watching over them from the walls above.

Los Gatos Wrestling Wall of Fame

Photo: Los Gatos Creek Trail

Carl Heintze: Rod Steiger

Local Home Sales Listings

Obituaries

Picture From the Past

Sports Briefs

Wildcats roll over Pioneers, SCVAL

Youth soccer tryouts continue

Cats fall in CCS girls soccer playoffs