Signs All Pointing in Right Direction for Student Athletes

November 9, 2011

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Justin Garza is heading down the 57 freeway to become a Titan and Shavonn Johnson is heading way out of town, to Beaumont, Texas, to play soccer for Lamar University.

“I don’t think you’re going to find many schools in the San Gabriel Valley sending this many student athletes to top universities,” said Darren Baumunk, head varsity girls’ basketball coach who emceed a brief but exciting letter-of-intent signing ceremony inside the Bonita High School gym on Wednesday morning.

The signees were Breeana Kennedy (Loyola University for basketball), Ambyr Stewart (UC Irvine for water polo), Victoria Dennis (UC Irvine for volleyball), Shavonn Johnson (Lamar University in Texas for soccer) and Justin Garza (Cal State Fullerton for baseball).

Proud parents, grandparents, coaches and friends were beaming just as much as the student athletes, who have distinguished themselves both athletically and scholastically during their four years at Bonita.

Varsity baseball coach John Knott had high praise and respect for Garza, who completed last season, 13-0.

“By the time he’s through, he’s probably going to be best player I’ve coached at Bonita,” said Knott, who’s had a lot of outstanding players in his dugout over the years. “His work ethic, his desire is off the charts. You look at him, and go okay, how’s this kid, 5-9, 150 pounds doing this? It’s because he’s willing to do things others say they want to do, but really aren’t willing to do. He works hard every single day.”

UCI Twins: Victoria, left, will play volleyball for UC Irvine, while Ambyr Stewart, will play water polo for the Anteaters

Indeed, word has it that Garza has been working harder this off season preparing for his senior year than ever before.

“I never want to plateau, so I knew I had to work harder,” Garza said moments after signing on the dotted line.

As for this season, he said, “I just want to try to give my team another winning season.”

Kennedy will join former teammate Taylor Anderson at Loyola next fall, a dream come true for the Bonita center.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Kennedy said. “Taylor and I always joked that someday we might be teammates in college, but we really didn’t think it was realistic – and now it’s happening. She’s a great teammate and makes everyone around her better.”

Kennedy won’t have much time to think about the future because she and Dennis are preparing for the first round of the volleyball playoffs tomorrow night.

Coach John Knott and family plan to keep a close eye on the star right-handed pitcher, Justin Garza.

Dennis, the volleyball’s team’s biggest star, is thrilled to be headed to UC Irvine. “I really like the coaching staff, and it’s awesome to have a classmate (Ambyr) attending with me.”

Dennis doesn’t think that all the hoopla over her signing with Irvine will distract her from tomorrow’s play-off match. “That’s what I signed up for,” said the always affable Dennis.

Likewise, Stewart is ecstatic to finally realize her dream of playing water polo at the division 1 level. There’s not a day she’s not in the pool, and on most days, she’s taking a dip two or three times.

“It’s always been my dream,” said Stewart, who credits her coach Andy Rosenberg and club coaches for bringing her along this far.

Johnson will be traveling the farthest to pursue her dream. Lamar University is located in Beaumont, Texas.

“I have a lot of family there, so I’ll only be a little nervous,” Johnson said.

Locally, she’ll be making opponents very nervous with the soccer season just getting under way.

“She’s an amazing soccer player,” said head varsity girls’ soccer coach Lindsay Bock. “She brings a lot of finesse, quickness and ball skills to the game. She comes from a great club program and she’s just a pleasure to coach.”

For a Wednesday morning in a cool gym, it was an amazing showcase of talent that Bonita featured … with plenty more no doubt to come!