The 2006 and 2007 JSerra Athletic Classes will be inducted into the JSerra Hall of Fame on May 26th at the second annual JESPY Awards. Both classes laid the foundation for the schools' athletic programs that we see today, enduring hardships on and off the field during the school's infancy and helping to provide the framework from which the entire athletic program is built upon.

"At that time, we had no athletic facilities, our basketball practices were in the parking lot, our soccer teams practiced at public parks, and football used Saddleback College," said Principal Eric Stroupe.

"Most of our students were multi-sport athletes out of necessity to fill rosters. All our games were away contests, and we didn't have our fleet of busses yet, so coordinating practices and games was a task as well.

"Added to that we were thrust into the Trinity League -- the most competitive league in the country. Playing in that difficult a league built a lot of character into our athletic program and laid the foundation for who we are today."

Representing the '06 and '07 classes at the JESPYs are four alumni:

• Bussey Ellis '06 - Bussey was an extremely bright student who exceeded all expectations on the basketball court to become one of the best point guards in Orange County. He was the first JSerra athlete to play Division 1 sports at UC Davis. His leadership was the backbone of the program, and he upholds the tradition he created by now coaching young Lions at JV and Freshman levels.
• Allie Reinicke '06 - Reinicke made history by being the only female athlete on the boys' soccer team in the early days and she could hold her own. She was also a standout on the girls' volleyball team and a cornerstone of the athletic program at JSerra.
• Nick Sarris '07 - Sarris has tremendous character and heart, playing football and basketball in the early days against bigger competition in the Trinity League. Sarris also played golf and ran track at different times during his tenure. His character building at JSerra has paid off as a stellar businessman and standout Head Coach for our Rugby Program.
• Rachel Purcell '07 - Purcell was a multi-sport athlete who went on to fame as the "Fastest Woman in Washington" in her college days. She excelled on both the cross country and track and field teams. Her love of sports, character, and integrity grew at JSerra and have led her to a coaching and training spot with the Arizona Diamondbacks Organization.

The JESPY (JSerra Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Award is an accolade presented by the JSerra Athletics Department to recognize individual and team athletic achievement as well as other sports-related performances during the calendar year preceding a given annual ceremony.

Join us Thursday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m. on JSerra's Main Field to celebrate. For more information, visit jserra.org/jespy.