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Bulldogs softball greats among Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

The Fresno Bee

Monday, Oct. 01, 2012 | 09:30 AM

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The Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame will honor a pair of Fresno State softball greats and a pole-vaulting pioneer as part of its latest induction class.

Softball All-Americans Carie Dever-Boaz and Jamie Southern-Wiggins are among nine inductees this year, as well as former Fresno State pole vaulter Melissa Price-Lewis.

The ceremony will be Nov. 1 at the Fresno Convention Center's Valdez Exhibit Hall. Online reservations will be taken until Oct. 29.

The Harold Zinkin Senior Award goes to 1997 inductee Len Ross, a promoter of golf in the Central Valley and particularly for youths through the 65-year-old amateur championship that bears his name.

Here is a look at the class:

Dever-Boaz: As a pitcher and third basemen, she helped the Bulldogs reach the College World Series four times and the title game from 1988-90. Also a three-sport star at Woodlake High.

Southern-Wiggins: After starring at Clovis High, she became a four-time All-American and the greatest athlete in the history of the Bulldogs softball program. Was the 10th NCAA D-I pitcher to post 1,300 career strikeouts and the 10th with 118 wins.

Price-Lewis, track and field: First a pioneering standout at Kingsburg High, she went on to become an NCAA champion at Fresno State and American record-holder.

Haruo Imamura, judo: Nationally known for his martial arts expertise and a multiple U.S. champ, he also coached the Fresno State judo team.

Roscoe Pondexter, basketball: Starred with younger brother Clifford first at Memorial High and later for coach Jerry Tarkanian at Long Beach State in the early 1970s.

Mike Watney, golf: Took over as men's coach at Fresno State, his alma mater, in 1979 and has won multiple conference titles while helping coach and develop future pros such as Kevin and David Sutherland, nephew Nick Watney, Todd Rose, Joe Acosta and Tim Loustalot.

1994 Fresno City wrestling team: Led by coach Bill Musick, the Rams were the first JC wrestling team in California to go undefeated in duals and tournaments for an entire season. Yero Washington (134 pounds), Eddie Ramos (142) and heavyweight Chad Mast won individual state titles and had a combined record of 106-2.

1989 Fresno Pacific volleyball team: Coach Dennis Janzen led the Sunbirds to the NAIA national title, with 6-foot senior middle blocker Jessica Bennett named the tournament MVP and Janzen the Coach of the Year. It was the first of six national titles for the program.



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