Metro Conference Hall of Fame to expand with 2026 class

The Metro Conference Hall of Fame is set to welcome 16 new members during ceremonies on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Olympian High School.

The newest inductees include former standout athletes and coaches, administrators and distinguished service awards.

The newest inductees include former standout athletes and coaches, administrators and distinguished service awards.

Social hour starts at 2 p.m. Induction ceremony starts at 3 p.m.

Athletes:
 Donnie Edwards (Chula Vita High School)
 Vianney Campos (Eastlake High School)
 Ronnie Cortell (Sweetwater High School)
 Zeke Moreno (Castle Park High School)
 Jose Silva (Hilltop High School)
 Steve Copp (Hilltop High School)
 Jenna Daniels (Bonita Vista High School)
 Jerome Haywood (Castle Park High School)
 Oscar Robles (Montgomery High School)
 Karen Taeatafa-De la Rosa (Sweetwater High School)

Coaches:
 Tim Latham (Sweetwater High School)
 Mervyn “Chip” Holmes (Southwest, Bonita Vista, Hilltop and Eastlake high schools)
 Dave Lay (Sweetwater High School)
 Gary Zarecky (Sweetwater High School)

Distinguished Service:
 Mike Stein (sports medicine)

Distinguished Service/Athlete:
 George Milke (Marian High School/Mater Dei Catholic High School)

2026 METRO CONFERENCE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Honoree Name	DONNIE EDWARDS
School(s)	CHULA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
Sport(s)	Football, Basketball and Baseball
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	Donnie was an outstanding multi-sport athlete at Chula Vista High School, excelling in football, baseball, and basketball. A standout linebacker and tight end, Edwards helped the Spartans continue their championship tradition. He earned selection to San Diego’s high school football All-Star Classic while also starring on the baseball diamond and basketball court. Edwards continued his career at UCLA, earning All-American honors, before becoming a fourth-round NFL Draft selection. He enjoyed a remarkable 13-year NFL career, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers.

Honoree Name	KAREN TAEATAFA–DE LA ROSA
School(s)	SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL
Sport(s)	Volleyball, Basketball, Softball
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	Karen was a three-sport standout in volleyball, basketball, and softball, she earned First-Team All-League honors in all three sports. In 1986, Taeatafa was named the San Diego Section Volleyball Player of the Year. On the basketball court, she was a three-year varsity player who averaged 13 points per game. Following graduation in 1987, she continued her volleyball career at Grossmont College where she was selected Player of the Year in 1988. Her athleticism, toughness, versatility, and competitive spirit established a lasting legacy in Sweetwater High School and Metro Conference athletics.

Honoree Name	Ron Cortell
School(s)	Sweetwater High School
Sport(s)	Football & Basketball
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	Ron’s athletic excellence began in National City and continued at Sweetwater High School, where he starred as an inside linebacker and running back, leading an undefeated state championship team while earning CIF Defensive Player of the Year honors. He continued his football career at Colorado State University, becoming the school’s all-time leading tackler, a two-time First Team All-Conference selection, and a member of the Colorado State All-Century Team. In 2000, Ron returned to the Sweetwater Union High School District to coach and mentor young athletes, dedicating himself to developing future generations through the same passion, leadership, and commitment that defined his playing career.

Honoree Name	JENNA DANIELS
School(s)	BONITA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
Sport(s)	Golf
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	Jenna excelled at Bonita Vista High School as the only female member of the boys’ golf team, ranking second on the squad, earning First-Team All-State honors, and helping capture the 1996 Metro Conference championship. She later became a three-time First-Team All-American at the University of Arizona, winning nine collegiate tournaments and the 2000 NCAA individual and team championships. Daniels also captured Pac-10 and NCAA West Regional titles and received the prestigious Honda Award. After college, she earned her LPGA Tour card on her first attempt and competed professionally for seven seasons, establishing an exceptional legacy from Bonita Vista to professional golf.

Honoree Name	OSCAR ROBLES
School(s)	MONTGOMERY HIGH SCHOOL
Sport(s)	Baseball
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	Oscar was one of Montgomery High School’s premier baseball players, setting a then-San Diego Section record with 143 career hits. As a senior in 1994, he batted .560 with a 1.09 ERA and was named CIF San Diego Section co-Player of the Year. Selected by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 1994 MLB Draft, Robles later played in the Major Leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. He enjoyed an extensive career in Mexican professional baseball before becoming a manager. Robles’ remarkable baseball journey represents Montgomery High School and the Metro Conference with distinction.

Honoree Name	JOSE SILVA
School(s)	HILLTOP HIGH SCHOOL
Sport(s)	Baseball
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	Jose began his baseball career at Hilltop High School, where his talent on the mound led the Toronto Blue Jays to select him in the sixth round of the 1991 MLB Draft. Silva reached the Major Leagues in 1996 and pitched seven seasons, appearing in 154 games and recording 25 victories and 298 strikeouts. His professional career continued in Mexican baseball, including time with the Tomateros de Culiacán. Following his playing career, Silva became a pitching coach for Team Mexico, representing his country in the World Baseball Classic and Olympic Games. His remarkable baseball journey proudly represents Hilltop and the Metro Conference.

Honoree Name	Vianney Yamada
School(s)	Eastlake High School
Sport(s)	Field Hockey, Basketball & Softball
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	Vianney was one of Eastlake High School’s premier multi-sport athletes, earning an extraordinary 12 varsity letters in field hockey, basketball, and softball before graduating in 2003. She continued her field hockey career at the University of the Pacific, becoming a First-Team All-American, three-time NorPac Offensive Player of the Year, and the program’s all-time leader in goals and points. She later earned selection to the USA Field Hockey National Team Development Squad. At just 23, she was selected to launch and lead UC Davis’ NCAA Division I field hockey program, continuing an exceptional legacy of athletic excellence, leadership, and achievement.

Honoree Name	JEROME HAYWOOD
School(s)	CASTLE PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Sport(s)	Football, Wrestling and Track & Field
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	Jerome was an outstanding multi-sport athlete at Castle Park High School, excelling in football, wrestling, and track and field. A standout defensive lineman, he also excelled in the discus, recording a throw of 167 feet, 10 inches in 1997, ranking among the San Diego Section’s top performers. Haywood continued his football career at San Diego State University, becoming a four-year defensive line standout and earning conference honors in each of his final three seasons. He later enjoyed an eight-year professional career in the Canadian Football League. Haywood’s determination and accomplishments represent the proud athletic tradition of Castle Park and the Metro Conference.

Honoree Name	Zeke Moreno
School(s)	Castle Park High School
Sport(s)	Football
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	Zeke was a standout football player at Castle Park High School, helping lead the Trojans to CIF San Diego Section Division II championships in 1994 and 1996, including an undefeated 13–0 season. He was a two-time CIF Defensive Player of the Year, three-time First-Team All-CIF selection, and earned All-American honors as a senior. Moreno continued his career at USC, where he received the Trojan Award as team MVP. Selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft, he played five NFL seasons before continuing his career in the Canadian Football League, earning All-Pro honors in 2007 and 2008.

Honoree Name	STEVE COPP
School(s)	HILLTOP HIGH SCHOOL
Sport(s)	Basketball
Induction Category	Athlete
Plaque Bio	For Steve, the randomness of life and the good fortune it can bring created a lasting sense of gratitude. Growing up in Chula Vista, basketball began simply as fun playing with friends at Parkway Gym and competing against adults at age 13. That opportunity led to an outstanding career at Hilltop High School, where Copp earned All-CIF and Metro League Player of the Year honors. He continued at San Diego State, earning PCAA Player of the Year honors before being selected 42nd overall in the 1976 NBA Draft. Despite those accomplishments, Copp treasures most the friendships, competition, and innocence of playing basketball at Hilltop.

Honoree Name	Tim Latham
School(s)	Sweetwater High School
Sport(s)	Track & Field and Cross Country
Induction Category	Coach
Plaque Bio	Coach Latham dedicated 43 years (1978–2023) to education and athletics, including 31 years with the Sweetwater Union High School District. As Head Track and Field Coach, Head Cross Country Coach, and Athletic Director at Sweetwater High School, he built one of the Metro Conference’s most successful athletic programs. His teams captured 36 league championships, while his boys track and field teams compiled an outstanding 144-34-1 dual meet record. Coach Latham was recognized as the California CIF Model Coach of the Year, the NFHS Section VII Boys Track Coach of the Year, and was inducted into the San Diego County High School Coaching Legends. His legacy of excellence continues to inspire generations of student-athletes and coaches.

Honoree Name	MERLYN “CHIP” HOLMES
School(s)	Bonita Vista, Southwest, Hilltop & Eastlake
Sport(s)	Cross Country / Track & Field
Induction Category	Coach
Plaque Bio	Coach Holmes, a 1967 Hilltop High School graduate, dedicated more than three decades to Sweetwater District athletics as a teacher and championship coach. His cross-country and track programs at Bonita Vista, Southwest, Hilltop, and Eastlake captured an extraordinary 46 Metro League championships and six CIF championships. At Hilltop, Holmes won 15 Metro titles and two CIF girls track championships while coaching future Olympian and Boston Marathon champion Desiree Linden. He later guided Eastlake to 11 Metro titles and two CIF championships. A Hilltop Hall of Fame inductee and San Diego Coaching Legend, Holmes established an enduring legacy in Metro Conference athletics.

Honoree Name	DAVE LAY
School(s)	SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL
Sport(s)	Football
Induction Category	Coach
Plaque Bio	Coach Lay built a distinguished coaching career beginning at Sweetwater High School, where he served as head football coach from 1971–1981. Lay developed the Red Devils into a respected program and earned San Diego area Co-Prep Coach of the Year honors in 1972. He later became a highly regarded collegiate offensive coach at San Diego State and Colorado State. At SDSU, his innovative one-back offense ranked among the nation’s top 10 in total offense for three consecutive seasons. At Colorado State, he helped lead the Rams to back-to-back conference championships.  Coach Lay’s leadership and innovation created a lasting legacy in Metro Conference football.

Honoree Name	Coach Gary Zarecky
School(s)	Sweetwater High School
Sport(s)	Boys Basketball
Induction Category	Coach
Plaque Bio	Coach Gary Zarecky (“Coach Z”) transformed Sweetwater High School into one of California’s premier boys basketball programs during his 13 seasons as head coach. Under his leadership, the Red Devils won eight consecutive Metro League Championships and captured the 1980 CIF Championship—the first Metro League school to win a CIF Boys Basketball title. From 1978 to 1984, his teams compiled an outstanding 159-29 record and a 56-game league winning streak. Coach Z mentored 25 All-Metro players, 12 All-CIF selections, four High School All-Americans, and 21 NCAA Division I and II scholarship athletes. His legacy of excellence, leadership, and innovation forever elevated Sweetwater basketball and inspired generations of student-athletes.

Honoree Name	Mike Stein
Induction Category	Distinguished Service
Plaque Bio	Mike has dedicated more than three decades to advancing sports medicine and orthopedic physical therapy in the South Bay. After graduating from California State University, Long Beach, he began his career in 1988 and founded Manual Orthopedic Physical Therapy in 2002. Throughout his distinguished career, Mike has evaluated and treated thousands of high school, collegiate, professional, and Olympic athletes, earning a reputation for clinical excellence and compassionate care. As a founding board member of the Southwest Sports Wellness Foundation, he has championed health, wellness, and athletic performance throughout the community. His lasting impact continues through the countless athletes, families, and colleagues whose lives he has influenced.

Honoree Name	George Milke
School(s)	Marian Catholic & Mater Dei Catholic
Induction Category	Athlete & Distinguished Service
Plaque Bio	George Milke distinguished himself as an outstanding athlete, coach, educator, and leader. A 1972 graduate of Marian Catholic High School, he excelled in four sports before playing baseball at the University of Southern California, where he helped lead the Trojans to back-to-back NCAA Championships and was named the 1974 College World Series Most Outstanding Player. A three-time USA Baseball selection, he also enjoyed a professional baseball career after being drafted by both the California Angels and the New York Mets. George later dedicated 34 years to Marian/Mater Dei Catholic High School as a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal, leaving a lasting impact on generations of student-athletes.