Russ Saunders/Coaches awards
- 2004-05 school year
- San Diego Hall of Champions
RUSS SAUNDERS AWARD, Clinton Snyder, Monte Vista
Clinton Snyder graduates from Monte Vista High with a 4.5 grade-point average and plans to major in engineering. As a senior, he recorded 93 tackles, 18 sacks and nine pass knockdowns for the 11-1 Monarchs. He recorded 18.5 sacks as a junior when he led Monte Vista to the Division II championship.
“As a player, his biggest attribute is he has the best motor I’ve ever seen,” said Monte Vista coach Paige Culver. “As a role model, I think other kids strive to be like him. I didn’t want to embarrass him while he was here in front of the team, but now that he’s gone I’ll mention him as a role model as much as I want. Clinton always wanted to be just one of the guys.”
At Stanford, Snyder will be converted from a defensive end to an outside linebacker so the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder can use his size and speed to rush the quarterback but also drop back in coverage.
"It's a dream come true because I always wanted to go to Stanford," Snyder said. "I'm looking forward to getting up there and seeing how I measure up against everyone in college."
Snyder also played basketball for the Monarchs and was the only San Diegan named to the 20-man All-State Grid-Hoop Team selected by CalHiSports.com.
The Russ Saunders Award is named for the former San Diego High and USC star running back. He was the captain of San Diego High's 1926 team before he went on to play for the Trojans. At USC, he played on USC's first national championship team in 1928 and was MVP of the 1930 Rose Bowl.
MALE COACH OF THE YEAR, Wayne Branstetter, Poway
Poway wrestling coach Wayne Branstetter won his third CIF State team title in wrestling in March when the Titans had the championship clinched before the finals with 167 points. Poway previously won state titles in 1986 and 1999. Branstetter invited his 1986 team to attend the 2005 team banquet and both teams received state championship rings similar to ones awarded to the 1999 team.
Branstetter has built a national power at Poway since arriving at the school in 1978. His teams have won 24 straight CIF San Diego Section titlesand 25 in all as well as 27 league titles in 28 seasons.
“The ultimate goal is when a kid graduates from high school, regardless of whether he won a state title, a CIF title or was just a member of the team, when he leaves here I want to know the sport of wrestling had such an impression on him, he can carry those values into the rest of his life,” Branstetter said.
FEMALE COACH OF THE YEAR, Ronni Olsen, Scripps Ranch
Scripps Ranch girls volleyball coach Ronni Olsen won her second straight CIF San Diego Section Division II title in girls volleyball when her Falcons defended their title in the fall. It was the third CIF title for Olsen in girls volleyball to go with two CIF titles in boys volleyball that her teams won in 1994 and 2003.
This past school year was Olsen’s 19th as a girls volleyball coach at Scripps Ranch and Mira Mesa and 17th as a boys volleyball coach at the two schools. She also previously coached girls basketball at Mira Mesa after having entered the teaching profession before Title IX mandated that girls sports be sponsored by high schools at the CIF level.
“In the beginning, you could hardly get girls off the field because they were so excited to have the opportunity to play sports,” Olsen said. “Kids are kids and they love playing the game. That’s what has made it so enjoyable for me. I can’t believe I’m still coaching at this stage of my life, but I still love it.”
- Russ Saunders Award Winners
- Past recipient
1988 Eric Bliss, Helix High School
1989 John Louis, Point Loma High School
1990 Danny White, Point Loma High School
1991 Teddy Lawrence, Morse High School
1992 Gary Taylor, Morse High School
1993 Chris Buddin, Orange Glen High School
1994 Tony Faxon, Mt. Carmel High School
1995 Chad Hutchinson, Torrey Pines High School
1996 Andrew Ord, Torrey Pines High School
1997 Matt Friedrichs, Carlsbad High School
1998 Chris Hakim, Monte Vista High School
1999 Leon Oloya, Marian Cathlic High School
2000 D.J. Busch, Santana High School
2001 Tyler Arciaga, Bonita Vista High School
2002 Jason Bash, Ramona High School
2003 Reggie Bush, Helix High School
2004 Aaron Smith, Point Loma High School
2005 Clinton Snyder, Monte Vista High School
2006 Stephen Carr, Eastlake High School
- Maureen Connelly Award
- Recipients
2006 Whitney Spence, Mt. Carmel
- High school male and female coaches awards
- The award is given to the outstanding male and female high school coach of the year.
2006
Male Coach of the Year -- Randy Johnson, Santa Fe Christian boys basketball
Female Coach of the Year -- Robin Blalock, Mt. Carmel girls basketball
2005
Male Coach of the Year -- Wayne Branstetter, Poway wrestling
Female Coach of the Year -- Ronni Olsen, Scripps Ranch girls volleyball
2004
Male -- Ray Johnson, El Camino boys basketball.
Female -- Jane Morrill, Scripps Ranch field hockey.
2003
Male -- Zack Jones, Horizon boys basketball.
Female -- Diane Pascua, Santa Fe Christian girls volleyball.
2002
Male -- Gordon Wood, Helix football.
Female -- Terri Bamford, La Jolla Country Day girls basketball.
2001
Male -- Sam Blalock, Rancho Bernardo baseball.
Female -- Carolyn Taetafa-Hudson, Bonita Vista girls volleyball.
2000
Male -- Herb Meyer, El Camino footbll.
Female -- Lisa Reis, Poway girls volleyball.
