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the greatest jordan hasay athletes on the central coast By Dr. Don Morris
Editor’s note: Among San Luis Obispo athletes, coaches, and fans, a debate has raged over who are the greatest athletes in the history of San Luis Obispo County. For years—in coffee shops, bars, gyms, and fitness centers—seething arguments persist. Now finally, to clear the air, Pismo Beach resident Dr. Don Morris will identify once and for all “The Greatest Athletes in Central Coast History” right here in this column. Reader nominations are welcome and will be used to develop the final list. Some nominations have already been received and will be written up in future columns. So far the following athletes have been featured: Ed Brown, Stephanie Brown Trafton, Chuck Liddell, Loren Roberts, Steve Patterson and Gene Rambo. Please send nominations to Dr. Morris at dmmorris@calpoly.edu.
robin ventura
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rofessional Baseball player Robin (Mark) Ventura went to Righetti High School and was nominated for the honor of being considered for the greatest athletes in the history of the central coast by LTC Tim Vincent, Director of Grizzly Youth Academy, Cal Poly Head Football Coach Tim Walsh and San Luis Obispo resident Richard Andrews. Robin Ventura was a major league baseball player and is currently the Manager of the Chicago White Sox.
Ventura was a 3-time All-American at Oklahoma State University and had an NCAA record 58-game hitting streak. (His hitting streak remains the Division I record). In 1988 he earned a spot on the gold medal-winning Olympic baseball team. He is known as one of the best third baseman in the history of college and professional baseball. During his professional baseball career he was on two All-Star teams and won six golden glove awards. He played on four major league teams. On July 4, 2006, Ventura was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of its inaugural class.
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2015
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ordan Melissa Hasay was nominated by Dr. Bernie Troy and “Tiger Bill” Cotnam.
Jordan Hasay grew up in Arroyo Grande and attended Mission College Prep Catholic High School. She was unanimously selected 2008 Girls High School Athlete of the Year by the voting panel at Track and Field News. She became only the ninth high school athlete ever (and third woman) to grace the cover of Track and Field News magazine. She also gained her nickname of “The Little Pony” due to her long, flowing, mane-like ponytail. As a 15-year-old Hasay ran the fastest ever by a sophomore and received a silver medal in her first international championships. She ran in the 1500 meters at the 5th World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Hasay was selected by Track and Field News magazine as both the best high school miler and two-miler in her Junior year at Mission Prep. At the 2008 CIF California State Meet, Hasay won her third consecutive 3200 state title and she successfully defended her national junior 1500m title. Hasay broke the national high school record for 1500m in a semifinal heat at Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. Her time of 4:14.50 bested the previous mark. Hasay was named 2013 Track & Field Scholar Athlete of the Year and finished her University of Oregon tenure as a 16 time AllAmerican. In 2013, upon completion of her time at the University of Oregon, Hasay signed with Nike, Inc. Last year her 10km time is the 5th fastest in Photo from spokeo.com the world. Hasay later ran a personal best 1500 metres at a meet in Glasgow, Scotland. At her youthful age, Central Coast track afectados are hoping that Hasay will make the United States Olympic team in 2016 and compete and win in the Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Olympics.