San Pasqual High School will honor three new inductees to its Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, August 17 at 5 p.m. in the school’s multi-purpose building located next to the student parking lot.
The Class of 2018 includes:
John Kroesche a 1985 graduate who excelled in water polo and swim; tennis player Molly Gavin a 1994 graduate, and 2004 graduate, Claire Rethmeier a cross country and track star.
The San Pasqual High School Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in July of 2008 to recognize and honor the school’s outstanding athletic history. The mission each year is to recognize alumni, coaches, and significant supporters.
These people have excelled athletically and academically, coached, or provided support, while proudly and positively representing the San Pasqual Golden Eagles.
This year’s class of 2018 features three outstanding student/athletes from three different decades: 1985 graduate John Kroesche; 1994 graduate Molly Gavin; and 2004 graduate Claire Rethmeier. It is a tribute to the outstanding athletes who have worn the blue and gold of the Golden Eagles that these three waited eleven years to join the San Pasqual Athletic Hall of Fame! Each of these inductees who represent Swim/Water Polo, Tennis, and Track and Cross Country. Each enjoyed very successful college careers as well.
John Kroesche
Kroesche is one of the most decorated swimmers in SPHS history. He lettered four years, 1982-85, leading the Golden Eagles to two league championships. During his four years, he was a League Champion each year. In addition, he was a CIF Champion in 1983, 1984 and 1985. 1985 was a special year for Kroesche as he was named CIF San Diego Swimmer of the Year, media Athlete of the Year, and was considered for Junior National and All-American honors. John still holds SPHS swimming record in Iron (2) Man and 100-yard freestyle relay (33 years later).
In addition to his swimming prowess, Kroesche participated in four years of water polo, where he was captain in 1982, 1983, and 1984. He earned All North County Water Polo Team in 1984, and National Training Team in 1984. He also played freshman and JV basketball. In the summer of his junior year, John represented San Pasqual High School at Boy’s State in Sacramento. To finish his high school career, John was chosen for the prestigious San Pasqual Golden Eagle Award.
He later matriculated to the University of Southern California to continue his swimming career. He swam all four years for the Trojans, 1985-1988. In both his freshman and sophomore years he earned the USC men’s swimming “Willis Award” for excellence. He was runner-up for the famous Mr. USC in 1989.
Kroesche lives in Murrieta where he is a business development manager for Flyers Energy. Married to Tracy, he has a daughter, Rachel, and a son, Jack, along with his parents, Eric and Judy, and sisters, Kitty and Suzy. One of John’s favorite memories was winning Avocado League Championships and especially the Individual CIF Championships in swimming.
Molly Gavin
Molly Gavin is one of the best, most decorated, girl’s tennis players in Coach Ron Peet’s career at SPHS. She lettered four years, 1990-93, leading the Golden Eagles to two League championships (1990, 91), while also earning League Singles Champion and Player of the Year in 1990, 1991, and 1993. In addition, Gavin was named San Diego Junior Player-of-the-Year in 1992, CIF Singles Champion and Player of the Year in 1993, and San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic Team Captain in 1993. She also served as the SPHS ASB Treasurer her senior year, 1994.
Gavin’s excellence on the tennis courts and in the classroom were not unnoticed as she was awarded a Full Ride Tennis Scholarship to the University of Norte Dame. She enjoyed continued success in the classroom and on the tennis courts, earning Big East Conference Academic All-Star award in 1996. Graduating Summa cum Laude (with highest honors), Gavin moved back to the West Coast and earned a master’s Degree in International Relations from UCSD. She was awarded the Markle Foundation Fellowship for study abroad and studied in Mexico. She was recruited by Qualcomm Incorporated where she has worked for 18 years, including as Vice President. She has enjoyed the opportunity to travel extensively around the world for work, experiencing the culture of over 50 countries while also living in Hong Kong, China for three years.
Claire Rethmeier
Rethmeier is one of the finest runners in SPHS cross country and track history. She lettered all four years in both sports. Her cross-country career saw her garner CIF Individual championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003, CIF State Champion Runner-Up in 2003, and Footlocker Cross Country All-American in 2003, all while leading the Golden Eagle team to League Championships in 2001, 2002, 2003 and CIF Championship Team titles all four years (2000-2003).
As great as she was in cross country, Rethmeier was even more dominant on the track, where she earned the League Individual title in the 3200 meters all four years, while also winning three San Diego CIF Championships (2002, 2003, 2004)! She went on to earn the State Individual Championship in the 3200 meters in 2003, and State Runner-up in 2004. She continues to hold the SPHS record for both the 1600 and 3200 meters!
Her teammates excelled as well winning the League Championship all four years (2001-2004) and San Diego CIF Championship in 2004. Rethmeier’s storied career culminated with being named North County Times newspaper’s ‘Athlete of the Year’, along with San Diego Union-Tribune’s ‘Female Student Athlete of the Year’ in 2004.
After her great career for the Golden Eagles, Rethmeier was awarded a full scholarship to UCLA, where she continued to excel in both Cross Country and Track, lettering all four years (2005-2008). She enjoyed a solid, successful, career for the Bruins. She has continued her competitive running after graduating from college, qualifying for the USA Olympic Team in the marathon in 2016!
She is married to Chris Guarino and they share one daughter, Quinn. Residents of Carlsbad, Claire is a CPA. Thinking back on her high school career, Claire’s favorite memory is winning the California state title in the 3200-meter race with her coach, Pat King, as well as her parents in attendance.
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