On Saturday, Sept. 26, Aragon held its 18th annual Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Center Court, commemorating six individuals for their distinguished athletic careers at Aragon. The event featured speeches from the inductees on their time at Aragon, as well as plaques noting their accomplishments in the Peninsula Athletic League and California Interscholastic Federation Central Coast Section, among other honors.
Jeremy Leibs, Class of 2002
Jeremy Leibs is the most accomplished hurdler in Aragon history. During his four years, he set school records for the 65-meter, 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles, capturing PAL and CCS 110-meter hurdle titles as a senior.
Leibs’ obsession with meticulous improvement fueled his rigorous dedication to the sport.
“I’ve always been drawn to [activities] where you can [keep] … measuring [your] progress,” Leibs said.
He later became an Academic All-American and two-time Caltech Athlete of the Year, paving the way for future student-athletes.
“I loved [hurdles],” Leibs said. “But I didn’t want to sacrifice academics. I didn’t want to [quit] robotics, and so I feel like I showed that you can balance those [things].”
Rex Harrison Manu, Class of 1986
A member of the famed “Manu Crew,” Rex Manu played a crucial role in Aragon’s undefeated 1985-86 PAL basketball championship season, being named first-team all-league, all-county and all-CCS.
Manu credits Aragon’s encouraging atmosphere for sparking his success.
“At Aragon, there’s a lot of support for the coaches and … players,” Manu said. “It creates an awesome environment for athletes to excel in. When you get older … you become very thankful for what a school like Aragon offers to students.”
After graduating in 1986, Manu starred at Skyline College and Pepperdine University before playing professionally in Taiwan, collecting multiple championships and honors.
Dave Owdom, Boys and Girls Tennis Coach
As the most successful tennis coach in Aragon history, Dave Owdom led boys tennis to three consecutive PAL championships and 17 CCS qualifications, and coached three individual CCS girls tennis champions.
Recognized as a CCS Honor Coach in 2020, Owdom focuses on developing life skills and sportsmanship in the athletes he coaches.
“For ‘AHS’, he says ‘Always High Standards,’” said co-coach Jon Felder. “We [strive to] play the game the way the game is meant to be played.”
Owdom hopes that his legacy lives on through his players rather than his achievements.
“If they remember me and say, ‘I had a good experience, it was fun [and] I’ve gotten better,’ that’s how I want to be remembered,” Owdom said.
Kat McAuliffe, Class of 2011
An electrifying midfielder, Kat McAuliffe was the focal point of the girls soccer 2009-10 CCS Co-Championship team, recording 17 goals and 17 assists and becoming the PAL Most Valuable Player.
Over the course of her Aragon career, she became the girls soccer program’s all-time top scorer, earning multiple all-league honors and top-scorer awards along the way.
Having lived just across the street from Aragon for much of her life, McAuliffe always felt a deep sense of pride and connection with the school.
“To have been part of the team and represent what this school [means] to me,” McAuliffe said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
After Aragon, McAuliffe played D1 soccer with the Santa Clara Broncos.
Kier LaCrosse, Class of 1983
A decorated three-sport athlete at Aragon, Kier LaCrosse made his biggest mark on soccer, guiding the team to three PAL titles and two CCS semifinals, and earning multiple all-state and all-CCS honors.
“We had many games [together],” said Daniel Rosaia, a close friend of LaCrosse. “He was a goal-scoring machine, always striving for perfection.”
LaCrosse’s drive for success followed him off the field. As an aspiring guitarist, he played for multiple notable college bands, earning an audition with the Grammy-winning band Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“Aragon shaped how I was working with people,” LaCrosse said. “[It] helped me well beyond soccer, especially [in] my music career.”
William Eleazer, Class of 2009
Breaking Aragon’s quarter-century individual wrestling CCS title drought, William Eleazer cemented his status as a great.
That year, he won a PAL Championship and two invitational championships, leading to him being named San Mateo Daily Journal and PAL Wrestler of the Year.
He is perhaps best remembered for his thrilling comeback in the 189-pound CCS final. Down 3-4 in the dying seconds and pinned down, Eleazer turned the tables and flipped his opponent, securing an unforgettable championship. The following morning, East Bay Times declared that he had “redefined what it means to never give up.”
Eleazer is known for his achievements, but those close to him remember his dedication and how he embodied the spirit of wrestling.
