Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Wildcats, Longhorns join all-star tradition

By Dick Sparrer

Ken Caminiti was the starting third baseman for the National League All-Star team earlier this month.

His selection certainly came as no surprise. After all, the San Diego Padres' star was picked as the NL's most valuable player just a year ago.

But it wasn't Caminiti's first all-star experience. That came many years ago as a young football player from Leigh High School.

Caminiti was a member of the South all-star squad in 1981 for the seventh annual Santa Clara County All-Star Football Game. And he is just one many athletes who have springboarded to greatness after competing in the traditional summer football classic.

That tradition lives on as the Almaden Rotary sponsors the 23rd annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game on July 23 with an 7:30 p.m. kick-off at San Jose State University's Spartan Stadium.

From its humble beginning in 1974, it was the "Best Game in Town," and in 1997 it still is as talented high school football players converge for one last time before moving on to the college ranks.

A number of all-stars have ended up in the National Football League: Doug Cosbie of St. Francis (Dallas Cowboys), Don Schwartz of Mitty (St. Lous Cardinals), Jeff Toews of Del Mar (Miami Dolpins), Rich Campbell of Santa Teresa (Green Bay Packers), Carl Monroe of Overfelt (San Francisco 49ers), John Tuggle of Independence (New York Giants), George Achica of Andrew Hill (Chicago Bears), John Faylor of Mitty (49ers), Erik Howard of Bellarmine (New York Giants), Randy Kirk of Bellarmine (49ers), and Tim Ryan of Oak Grove (Chicago Bears).

Among those 'stars playing for the North squad in the summer game will be quarterback Josh Rogers, linebacker Doug Miller, offensive lineman Carlos Lanuza and tight end Jeremy Malander of Los Gatos, and wide receiver Dan Ljepava of Leigh.

The five join a talented list of Los Gatos and Leigh all-stars dating back to that first game in 1974:

Los Gatos:

1974--Steve Bauer, Gary Lynn; 1975--Steve Hosmer, Pat Geary; 1976--John Breidenthal; 1978--Kirk Fraley; 1979--Jeff Petulla; 1980--Kent Cooper; 1981--Tom Havens; 1982--Dave Bearden, Al Schwimmer, A.J. Mathhews; 1983--Joshua Hatch, Orrin Childs; 1984--Dan Leonis, Stu Bailey; 1985--Brock Bowman, Todd Mayo, David Palaniuk, Pat Smith, Jeff Blaisdell; 1986--Jeff Borgese, Steve Priest, John Cundy, Leigh Haring; 1987--Marc Bresniker, Gary Norquist, Spencer Boyer; 1988--Mark Magee, Joe Farwell, Barry Teigen; 1989--Steve Lombardi, Matt Lemiere, Jim Copeland; 1990--Bill Berk, Jason Hallady, Max Fancher, Dave Hoffner, Burt Prentice; 1991--Trevor Wilson, Robert MacGregor, Sam Partovi, Ian Stone; 1992--Darren Fisk, Joe O'Hehir, Travis Rodgers; 1993--Brad Sanfilippo, Joe Musser, Cory Maday, Mark Cox, Ryan Marcos; 1994--Jim Lombardi, Dion Mejia, Chad Nelson; 1995--Jeremy Barth, Gus Farwell, Derek Krug, Gavin Hayes, Paul Willmes; 1996--John Giordano, Neno Manuel, Scott Grover.

Leigh:

1974--Rick Foley, Jeff Beeson, Steve Leonard, Tom Clark; 1976--Steve McGarry; 1978--Bob Leal, Brian Usry; 1979--Mark Mena; 1980--Joseph Valenti; 1981--Ken Caminiti, Nicholas Neri; 1982--David Pruitt; 1984--Dino Sontag; 1986--Derek Rosas; 1987--Keith Usry; 1988--Dan Hall, Don Vigeant, Carl Cardarelli; 1989--David Mackey; 1990--Dave Dyer; 1991--Frank Mazzola; 1992--James Mazzone, Joe Cattolico, John Cerda; 1993--Clint Semon, Tom Stone; 1994--Brian Fong, Ronell Duffie; 1995--Chris Guthrie, Kevin Millering, Bryon Bratcher; 1996--Pat Guthrie, Tim Garner, Scott Whiteford.

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