Posted By Press Democrat Staff Writer Michael Coit:
Santa Rosa Junior College will induct five new members into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Byron Craighead, Trina Cox, Tom Daniels, Jason Craighead and David Montano make up the 2011 class selected by the Bear Cub Athletic Trust.
The induction ceremony will be held March10 at Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa.
Byron Craighead: For 36 years, Craighead was an SRJC physical education instructor and athletic trainer for the college’s athletic program. He helped make athletic training a true profession at the two-year college level both in California and nationally. Also, Craighead was the athletic trainer on the gold medal-winning U.S. four-man bobsled team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia.
Trina Cox: A two-sport standout from Santa Rosa High, Cox ran cross country and track at SRJC. She was the NorCal and state cross country champion in 2001. A year later, she repeated as the NorCal Champion and placed second at state. In track, Cox set school records in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter races and in 2003 was the NorCal and state champion in the steeplechase. Cox went on to Abilene Christen University, in Texas, and earned All American honors two times in the steeplechase.
Tom Daniels: Daniels set top track and field marks for SRJC in 1957 and ’58. He had a rare combination of speed and strength. Daniels set the school shot put record at 50 feet, 8 inches, which would have won the Big8 Conference finals last year. Daniels once won five separate events in a meet — shot put, broad jump, discuss, 100- and 220-yard dashes. Daniels transferred to San Jose State, where he set school records in the shot put and discus.
Jason Craighead: A swimmer, Craighead competed for SRJC in 1995 and ’96. He was the school’s Most Valuable Swimmer both seasons and Bay Valley Conference Most Valuable Swimmer in 1995. Craighead earned seven All American designations, in the 100 back, 200 back, 200 individual medley, 50 free, 100 free, 800 free relay, and 400 medley relay. He continued swimming at UC Santa Barbara. In 2000, he returned to SRJC and was all conference in water polo.
David Montano: The Redwood Empire Lightweight Wrestler of the Year at Piner High, Montano wrestled at SRJC in 1983 and ’84. In a standout sophomore year, Montano went 29-7. He was a two-time team MVP and was named to the All Camino Norte Conference team in 1984. Montano finished third in the state championships at 118 pounds to earn All American recognition. He went on to wrestle at Chico State.
The March10 induction ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes dinner.
Tickets cost $60.00 each.
For more information call Dr. James Forkum, SRJC Dean/Athletics Director, 527-4237.
