Whoever started the idea that summertime is a dead period for local sports, obviously didn’t live in Long Beach.
The 2007-08 local athletic season was another legendary one for the city, and the athletes who made it special will be honored this Friday in the Parade of Champions down Pine Avenue. National, state and CIF champions will be honored along with several athletes who achieved great individual honors. The parade will begin at Pine & 7th Street, wind it’s way through downtown and end up back at Smooth’s Sports Bar & Grille, where the athletes will be treated to a hamburger dinner. Last year’s event was a real treat to recognize Long beach’s hard working student-athletes, and this year’s parade boasts an even more impressive list of achievements.
Let me reiterate: A slew of national champions, a plethora of state champions and a bushel of CIF champions. This isn’t America’s greatest sports town? Phooey to you, ESPN.
Don’t miss it!
Parade Participants
Girls’ Volleyball State Champions (Lakewood; Coach Mike Wadley)
Girls’ Basketball CIF Runner-ups (Millikan; Coach Lorene Morgan)
Girls’ Basketball CIF Champions and State Champions (Poly; Coach Carl Buggs)
Girls’ Soccer CIF Champions and “mythical” National Champion (Wilson; Coach Jason Kirkwood)
Wrestling CIF Runner-ups (Millikan; Coach Marshall Thompson)
Football CIF Champions (Poly; Coach Raul Lara)
Surfing State Champions (Wilson; Coach Steve Marion)
Boys’ Golf CIF Runner-ups (Wilson; Coach Jeff Evans)
Baseball CIF Runner-ups (Wilson; Coach Andy Hall)
Girls’ Track CIF Champions and State Champions; (Poly; Coach Crystal Irving)
Paulina Guzman (Millikan Masters Diving Champion)
Travis Clock (Millikan 2-Time CIF Wrestling Champion)
Osvaldo Donato (Millikan CIF Wrestling Champion)
Isaac Howell (Millikan CIF Swim Champion)
Brianna Do (State Qualifier, Wilson Golf)
State Champion 4 x 100 Relay Team (Poly): Kaelin Clay, Ellan Orange, Evant Orange, Joey Hughes)
State Champion 4 x 400 Relay Team (Poly): Akawkaw Ndigabor, Autumn Fowler, Jasmine Joseph, Tanisha Hawkins
State High Jump Champion: Tara Richardson (Poly)
State 400 Meter Champion: Joey Hughes (Poly)
State 400 Meter Champion: Akawkaw Ndigabor (Poly)