The fifth annual Aragon Athletic Hall of Fame inductions were held on Saturday, January 21 at an induction banquet at the San Mateo Elk’s Lodge. This year’s inductees included six Aragon alumni and one team.
Aragon’s athletic hall of fame was created “to recognize outstanding people and their place in the school’s history,” according to Aragon Athletic Director Steve Sell. The inductees are selected by a committee comprised of players and coaches from several decades.
Jennifer Bloom-Crenin, one of the inductees, was a gymnast at Aragon. Bloom-Crenin graduated in 1987 as the female athlete of the year. She won PAL’s all four years at Aragon, and won CCS her senior year. George Wilcox, her former coach, said, “She was an all-around gymnast, and she never scored below a nine [out of ten] throughout her Aragon career.” After her years at Aragon, she went on to compete at Stanford University.
Steve Fletcher, another inductee, played basketball at Aragon, and graduated in 1967. He says, “It was difficult going into freshman year 4’11’’ and 98 pounds, but after a lot of work, I was able to make the team junior year with the help of a growth spurt.” He went on to lead the league in scoring and was twice awarded the distinction of Most Valuable Player.
In addition to playing basketball, Fletcher also wrestled and played baseball. Later, he played both baseball and basketball at UC Santa Barbara and UC Davis.
“The most dominant wrestler in Aragon history,” according to athletic director Steve Sell, was also a member of the 2012 hall of fame class. Rich Moss graduated in 1983, and he still holds the Aragon records for pins and victories. Sell adds, “I wish somebody was close, but nobody is.” Moss went on to the 1988 Olympic trials and wrestled competitively at San Jose State.
The “dynamic duo” of Aragon basketball was also inducted this year. Kenny Powell and Ron Franklin, both 1980 graduates were a dominant force in the in the 1980 division. Franklin averaged 19 points per game his senior year, leading the division by large margin while Powell shot 52 % from the floor, also atop the division. Powell went on to play at Skyline College.
Jeff Gradinger, a football player who graduated in 1979, was also inducted this year. He was the first sophomore to start on the varsity team in Aragon history. In his senior year, Gradinger was the all-league quarterback and defensive back.
After his Aragon career, Gradinger played at Brown University, and was placed on their ’80s all-decade team. Dick Breaux, his former coach, said, “He was extremely instrumental in putting the football program on his back.”
The entire 1994 varsity football team was inducted this year as well. Brit Williams, the varsity football coach in 1994, said, “The 1994 football season is one of the greatest football accomplishments that I’ve ever been associated with.” The team went an undefeated 13-0 that year.
Aragon’s Hall of Fame continues to grow with talented athletes, coaches and teams. With new records constantly being broken and established, next year’s Hall of Fame inductions look prepared to welcome even greater success.
