Menlo-Magazine-Fall-2014

2014 Hall of FameLeft to right, Hall of Fame awards ceremony: retired Coach Bill Imwalle, presenter, Kari Shimomura, Volleyball 2002–06, presenter Cindy Eps, Maria Gomez,Basketball 2001-05, Mike Simmons, Football 1972-74, presenter Howard Erenberg, Mike Bettega, Baseball and Football 1966-68, Bill LeBlanc, Baseball &Football 1966–68, Melissa Hara, Softball 2001-04, presenter Randy Adams.PHOTO: NOE DURAN-RIVERA ‘15by Aaron GillespieSports Information DirectorMenlo College Athletics welcomedsix new members who span nearlyfour decades of competition from1966 to 2005 into its Hall of Fame.Maria Gomez, Women’s Basketball 2001-05Maria Gomez was named Cal Pac Freshmanof the year in 2000-01. She helped the teamto a 59-48 overall record and 48-23 mark inCal Pac play during her career. Gomez wasnamed a First Team All-Cal Pac selectionfollowing her senior season in 2005. Sheranked in the top ten in 14 different careercategories and top five in two single-seasoncategories. The Nipomo, Californianative ranks tops in program history with100 games started and is fourth in gamesplayed with 107 where she accumulated828 points (fourth all-time), pulled down470 rebounds (fourth all-time), doled out318 assists (second all-time) and posted 189steals (second all-time). Gomez ranks firstall-time in single season field goal percentagefor her 2003-04 season in which sheshot 61% from the field.Kari Shimomura, Volleyball 2002-06Kari Shimomura (Honolulu, Hawaii) posteda remarkable career from 2002-06 in whichshe was a four-time All-Cal Pac selectionand led the team to back-to-back conferencechampionships in 2004 and 2005.During the 2004 season, Shimomura ledthe squad to a 20-4 overall record and aperfect 17-0 mark in Cal Pac play. Theyfollowed it up with a 13-1 mark within the36 FALL 2014conference the next season to claim asecond-straight title. Under Hall of FameHead Coach Bill Imwalle and the stellar playof Shimomura, the Oaks finished 68-42overall and 50-5 in conference play duringher four-year career.Melissa Hara, Softball 2001-04Melissa Hara helped the Oaks softball teamto one of the most winning stretches inprogram history from 2001-04 where shebroke nearly every single-season offensiverecord. In total, Hara currently ranks firstin four different single-season categoriesincluding: at-bats (134), hits (57), runs (40)and stolen bases (25). Additionally, sheranks in the top 10 in seven different careercategories including: second in career atbats(440), fourth in batting average (.374),second in hits (169), first in runs (97), first instolen bases (48), seventh in RBIs (40) andsecond in games played (132). Hara helpedthe Oaks to two 28+ win seasons and 87total wins–the second-most during anyfour-year stretch in program history.Mike Simmons, Football 1972-74Mike Simmons split his time as both astarting quarterback and safety for theOaks football team from 1972-74 underlegendary head coach Ray Solari. He twicenetted All-League honors while helpingthe team to back-to-back 7-3 seasons. Bothseasons he was named an All-Coast ConferenceDefensive Team selection and washonored as the team’s Most Valuable Playerfollowing the 1973 campaign. Following histwo-year career as an Oak, Simmons playeddefensive back at U.C. Riverside from 74-75where he led the team to back-to-backCalifornia Collegiate Athletic Associationtitles and was an Honorable Mentionall-CCAA selection in 1975, when he wasnamed the team’s most valuable defensiveplayer.Bill LeBlanc, Baseball & Football 1966-68Bill LeBlanc, a Woodside High alum, servedas the Oaks backstop for two seasons,handling the catching duties of fellow 2014Hall of Fame inductee Mike Bettega. LeBlancnetted CCJC honors in 1967 and firstteam CCJC honors in 1968. LeBlanc letteredin both Football and Baseball during histwo-year tenure at Menlo, and was nameda football team captain by Head Coach BoMolenda during that span. Additionally, hewas twice named the department’s GlenE. Dorst award winner which honors allaroundsportsmanship.Mike Bettega, Baseball & Football 1966-68Mike Bettega was both a baseball andfootball player at Menlo. Exceling on themound, Bettega was named a second teamCCJC selection in both 1967 & 68, and ontwo different occasions took a no-hitterpast the sixth inning including 10 inningsof no-hit ball pitched in a March 196811-inning win over Hartnell. He pitchedMenlo to five of its six league wins in 1968,a year in which he was also fourth in theconference in total yards gained as theOaks’ quarterback. Bettega was named theCollege’s Best Athlete in 1968. He was thefirst player drafted in Major League Baseball’sFirst Year Player Draft when he waschosen by the New York Mets in the 36thround in 1968.