Former Stanford stars headline East Bay high school’s 2021 Hall of Fame class
Monte Vista's new class includes Maggie Steffens’ older sister, Jessica, a 2012 Olympic water polo champion, and football standout Ryan Whalen
Monte Vista High School’s first Hall of Fame class included the likes of water polo superstar Maggie Steffens and Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.
The Danville school’s second class isn’t bad, either.
The new class includes Steffens’ older sister, Jessica Steffens, a 2012 Olympic water polo gold medalist, and former Stanford and NFL wide receiver Ryan Whalen.
The 10-person class is comprised of eight athletes, a coach and a sports contributor.
They will be honored at a banquet at Roundhill Country Club in Alamo on Sept. 30 and during halftime at Monte Vista’s homecoming game on Oct. 1.
Jessica Steffens graduated from Monte Vista in 2004. She led the school to North Coast Section titles as a junior and senior, then went on to play at Stanford. She was on the U.S. senior national team for more than six years. In addition to a gold medal at the London Games, she helped the U.S. win a giver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Steffens also swam and played soccer at Monte Vista.
Whalen was a three-year starter at Stanford during the Jim Harbaugh era after a storied football and basketball high school career. He graduated from Monte Vista in 2007.
The 2021 class also includes:
Brian Barbour (Class of 2009): Led Monte Vista to its first NCS basketball championships, in 2007 and 2009. Was a three-time captain at Columbia.
Kathy Callaghan Rex (Class of 1980): Monte Vista’s first female Olympian. Competed at 1988 Olympics in handball. Was a basketball, volleyball and track and field athlete in high school.
Whitney Casey (Class of 1993): Three-time all-East Bay Athletic League selection in volleyball. Played at USC and Virginia.
Lisa Cote (Class of 1990): Earned 12 varsity letters in high school in tennis, cross country, soccer and softball. Played soccer at Cal.
Carol Dolsby (Class of 1977): Volleyball, basketball and track and field standout. Played volleyball and basketball at Lewis-Clark State University.
Jason Hill (Class of 1995): First-team all-state in baseball as a senior. Played at Cal before a 10-year pro career with the Angels, Reds, Marlins, Padres and Phillies organizations.
Coach Ron Hirschman: Led the school’s girls basketball program to seven league titles and 24 trips to the NCS playoffs in 26 years, winning two section titles.
Sports Contributor, Jerry Davis: Volunteered as the football team’s physician from 1981 to 1999.
For more information, contact athletic director Andy Popper at apopper@srvusd.net