Inductee Class of 2022: Individual Videos

Aisha Maston (basketball, track)
Christina Munoz Salinas (basketball, softball)
Greg Romo (baseball)
Jeremy Wedel (baseball)
Jose Medina (cross country)
Tom Proffitt (coach, football, softball)
Lawrence Demery (baseball)
1985 Tiger Boys Cross Country Team
1990-91 Tiger Boys Tennis Team
1991-92 Lady Tiger Softball Team

View Inductee Class of 2022 PHOTO GALLERY

Aisha Maston – Athlete (1995)

Aisha Maston, a 1995 Wasco High graduate, earned varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and track while competing for the Lady Tigers. Aisha competed three years in volleyball and basketball and lettered all four years on the Lady Tigers’ track and field team. Each year, Maston continued to improve her athletic skills, leading her senior Lady Tigers’ basketball team in points and rebounds and a game away from a trip to the Division 3 Valley Championship game. On the track squad, she was most proud of breaking her mom’s Wasco High school record in the long jump. Continuing her education and athletic career at Bakersfield Junior College, Aisha competed in basketball, but it was on the track and field team that her skills continued to shine as she almost single-handedly led the 1997 Bakersfield College Lady Renegade Track team to the State Championship title. Maston scored 40 of her teams 82 points, which included individual State titles in the 100 meters, the long and triple jumps, as well as a runner-up finish in the 200 meters, and also competing on the 4x100 relay, while still holding four Bakersfield College Stadium records. MVP and Athlete of the Year awards followed this outstanding performance, and now 25 years later, she continues to hold the most points scored by a track and field athlete at a California State Junior College Track and Field meet. Aisha’s accomplishments at Bakersfield College earned her a track and field scholarship to the University of Nebraska where in her junior year she helped the Cornhuskers to a 3rd place finish at the NCAA championships before a career ending injury in the triple jump ended her collegiate athletic career after one season at Nebraska. For these many outstanding accomplishments, Maston was honored by being inducted in 2018 California Community College Athletic Association Hall of Fame, and in 2021 Aisha was inducted into the Bakersfield College Hall of Fame, an outstanding Hall of Fame athletic career from Wasco High, to Bakersfield College, and the University of Nebraska.

Christina Munoz Salinas – Athlete (1990)

Christina Munoz Salinas is a proud Wasco High alumnus. She said the memories of playing basketball and softball hold a special place in her heart. She followed in the footsteps of her older siblings who were Tiger athletes.

Christina was a three-year varsity basketball player who was named team MVP. She was an integral part of the Three-Peat SSL Championship teams of 1988, 1989 and 1990. They also won back-to-back Valley Championships in 1988 and 1989. A moment that stands out in her TIger career was the So-Cal Championship at Dominguez Hills. “Mr. Lucas told me my only job was to guard #3 which was their leading scorer. I was amazed to find out at the end of the game, she only scored 3 points. I took great pride in my defensive skills both in softball and basketball.”

In softball, she started all four years on a team that won the SSL Championship in 1990. Accolades included three years All-League SSL, Honorable Mention All-League, MVP, and All-Area 2nd Baseman. After graduating Wasco High, she played Softball at Bakersfield College in 1991 and 1993.

Christina recognized Coaches Tom Proffitt (Softball), Joe Hively (Softball), and David Lucas (Basketball) for their leadership. Her greatest mentor is her father Manuel Munoz who was their family’s leader in sports. She brings her personal philosophy to all she does. It is: “You play like your practice. There's always room for improvement, don't ever be satisfied with where you are at. Give 110% always.”

Christina has been employed by Wasco High since September 1997, recently celebrating her 25th year as an employee. She has 2 sons, Jacob and Elias, and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 25 years.

Greg Romo– Athlete (1993)

Greg Romo, a 1993 graduate of Wasco High, played Varsity Baseball for the Tigers in his junior and senior seasons under Head Coach Leonard Ortiz. Leading the Tiger pitching staff, Greg led the Tigers to the 1993 South Sequoia League Championship with a season 9-win 2-loss record, an exceptional 0.92 earned run average, 101 strikeouts with only 12 walks, a .390 batting average, and the starting pitcher in the Tigers bid in the Valley Championship game, though a 3-1 loss to Selma. With his success during his senior year, Romo earned the Tigers MVP award, All-League, All-Area, Kern County Player of the Year, and All-State awards and was drafted by California Angels in the 11th round, though Romo elected to go to Bakersfield College. As a BC Renegade, Greg was awarded the 1995 Pitcher of the Year during his sophomore season for the Renegades with a 6-win 2-loss record and a 3.23 earned run average. The Detroit Tigers drafted Romo after his sophomore season with the Renegades, and Greg went on to play five years in the Tigers minor league organization, being named to the Midwest League All-Star team two years in a row as well as the league’s All-Star starting pitcher both years, while also winning a 1998 Championship ring with the Tigers’ West Michigan Whitecap’s Single A team. Romo finished his Detroit Tigers minor league baseball career with excellent 42-24 won/loss record.

Jeremy Wedel – Athlete (Class of 1994)

Jeremy Wedel was a three-sport star at Wasco High School. He played football and wrestled but was a true baseball star. He calls himself “Tiger through and through,” adding “It is an honor to be selected as one of many great athletes to come through Wasco.

He was Captain of the football team his senior year. Jeremy made All League in baseball twice and was All Area Captain. His 1993 baseball team won SSL and was runner-up for the Valley title.

After graduating Wasco High, he played baseball at Bakersfield College where he was named All Conference twice. In 1996, he was Conference Player of the Year and included in the All State team. He was also part of the 1998 All conference Team, Conference Tournament 1st team, Peach Belt Pitcher of the Year, and All Regional Team, South Atlantic Regional Pitcher of the year. Jeremy was a 1998 All American and was recently inducted into Georgia Southern College Hall of Fame.

In 1998, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 20th round. Jeremy was a 2001 Venezuelan World Series Champion, having participated in the Caribbean Series for Team Venezuela. He was also a 2002 Puerto Rican All Star. He was placed on the Major League 40 man roster in 2002.

He credits many Wasco coaches and mentors with his success including Larry Pearson, Frank Theissan, Leonard Ortiz, and Danny Espitia to mention a few. Jeremy says what really stands out to him from his Wasco High athletic career is not any of his individual accomplishments. He singled out “in 2017 when we won Valley and ran the table in the SSL, coaching with my brothers was tops.”

Jeremy is married with 4 kids: Charles, RJ, Rose, and Maxwell. He works as the Athletic Trainer here at his alma mater Wasco High and shares his motto “Dream Big” with current Wasco Tigers.

Jose Luis Medina – Athlete (Class of 1986)

Jose Luis Medina, a 1986 graduate of Wasco High, and competed in Cross-country and Track, under previous Tiger Hall of Fame inductees, Bill Peck and Jerry Scott. Jose was a three-time letterman on Coach Peck’s Varsity Cross-country teams, which captured the South Sequoia League titles in both his junior and senior seasons, and Jose, along with his teammates, led the Tigers to a 1985 Valley Championship before Divisions were established after 1986. Individually, Medina placed 3rd in the Valley in his 1985 senior season, was selected the Tigers’ MVP for his accomplishments in both his junior and senior years and was awarded the Bakersfield Californian’s Co-Runner of the Year in 1985. Jose was also a three-year Varsity letterman on Coach Scott’s Tiger Track team, showing his versatility by running the 800, 1600, and 3200 meters events. He qualified for the State Championship in the 3200 meters during his junior and senior seasons, was back-to-back Area winner of the 800, 1600, and 3200 meters during his junior and senior seasons and set school records in the 800 meters with a 1:56 time and the 3200 meters in 9.27, records that presently still stand. Medina, who also held the 1600 meters record at 4:23 that was recently broken, was selected the Tigers MVP as both a junior and senior. In 1990, Jose was hired by Wasco High as a campus supervisor, and for the following ten years took over as the Boys’ and Girls’ Cross-Country coach, winning the Girls’ Division 3 title in both !996 and 1997, which earned him the Bakersfield Californian’s Girls’ Cross-country Coach of the Year in each of those years, capping off an outstanding Tiger career as an athlete and coach.

Thomas Proffitt – Coach (1979-1999)

After playing football and baseball at California Lutheran University, Proffitt began his teaching and coaching career at Righetti High School in Santa Maria, and as their head softball coach won a Division Section 2 Softball Championship in 1979. Proffitt then took a math teaching position at Wasco High in 1979 and coached sixteen years in the Tigers’ varsity football program in various positions, from head coach, defensive coordinator, and line coach. As head coach for the Lady Tigers’ Softball team for 20 years, Tom’s teams won 9 South Sequoia League titles and 2 Valley Championships, with the 1991 Valley Championship team becoming the first Kern County team to win a Valley Championship. Proffitt’s success in leading the Lady Tigers’ Softball program earned him the Bakersfield Californian’s Softball Coach in both 1992 and 1999.

Tracy Burns-Lusich – Athlete (Class of 1993)

She played Varsity Volleyball three years, Varsity Basketball three years, and Varsity Softball all four years. Individual accolades include: 1989-1990 Most 3 Pointers in a game WHS Record - Girls Basketball, and 1993 MVP Varsity Softball, 1992 Bakersfield Californian Spring Sports Award - All American Area Team DH and 1993 Bakersfield Californian Spring Sports Award - All American Area Team Infield. Team achievements included: 1990-1993 Girls Basketball SSL Champions, 1989-1993 Girls Softball SSL Champions, 1990-1993 Girls Softball Valley Champions. While at Wasco High, she played A.S.A. travel fastpitch softball for the Bakersfield Babes. Tracy played all four years of high school, including in the ASA 18 & Under Fastpitch Nationals in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1992.

A true student athlete, she dominated in the classroom as well as on the courts and in the field. She was 1990-92 Most Scholastic Varsity Girls Volleyball, 1990-93 Scholastic Award Varsity Girls Basketball, and 199-93 Most Scholastic Award Varsity Girls Softball. She also was awarded the 1990 Student Activities Gold Tiger Award.

After graduating Wasco High, Tracy played four years of fastpitch softball at Cal State University Bakersfield from 1993-1997. She continued her success in the classroom, receiving scholastic awards all four years. She also received the following: California Collegiate Athletic Association All-Conference Women's Softball 1st Team 1995 and 1997, 1996-1997 GTE Academic All-America District Team Selected by CoSIDA and 1997 National Fastpitch Coaches Association First-Team All-Region 3rd Base.

Tracy stayed close to her roots, living in Bakersfield. She remains close to her family and Wasco HIgh friends and is married to her wife and best friend, Michelle Burns-Lusich. Tracy has worked locally in the construction industry for the last 24 years. She started as office help at T.D. Whitton Construction worked up to Vice President of Operations during her 19 year tenure. For the last five years she has worked for The Wonderful Company. She began as a Senior Project Manager and is now Director of Capital Projects.

She shared that all her coaches at Wasco High School were encouraging and supportive, but one stands out. Hall of Fame Inductee Coach Tom Proffitt was her high school Softball coach and the Proffitt family remains close friends with Tracy. Being part of the Valley Championship softball team he coached was very special to her.

Tracy is honored to be recognized as part of the athletic legacy of WUHS. Her parents, Charles and Judy Burns, have always been her role models. “They are my greatest supporters and biggest fans. They never missed a game and were my coaches for most of my life. I would not have achieved any of my athletic or scholastic accomplishments if it weren't for them.”

Lawrence Demery – Athlete (Class of 1971)

Lawrence Demery attended Wasco elementary school, Thomas Jefferson Junior High, and then Wasco High up to the beginning of his senior year when he transferred to Locke High School in Los Angeles, graduating in 1971. An excellent all-around athlete, Lawrence played Varsity basketball and baseball for the Tigers before transferring. When playing for Locke High School in 1971, Lawrence caught the attention of many Major League scouts, finally signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates before the start of the 1972 season. As he began his major league career, Lawrence became better known as Larry Demery, and started his first season in 1972 in the minor leagues in Gastonia, North Carolina. He pitched in 24 games and finished with a 10-6 record with 137 strikeouts in 145 innings. In 1973 Larry moved on to the Salem Pirates in North Carolina where he led the Carolina League with 14 complete games and a 2.82 earned run average, which was fourth best in the league, while also striking out 169 hitters in 182 innings. Larry then joined the Charleston Charlies in North Carolina in the early 1974 season and his early success prompted the Pittsburg Pirates to move him up to their Major League team at age 21. During his first season in 1974, Larry pitched in 19 games for the Pirates, 15 of those as a starting pitcher, finishing the season with a 6-6 won/loss record. Larry would continue to have success with the Pirates, a 7-5 won/loss record in 1975, a 10-7 record in 1976 which would be his best, and a 6-5 record in 1977 before arm issues ended his major league career after that season and a final winning Major League won/loss record of 29-23.

Boys’ Cross-Country Valley Champions (1985)

The 1985 Boys’ Cross-Country team coached by Bill Peck, a 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee, won both the South Sequoia League and South Area titles before going on to win the Central Section Valley Championship in a narrow a one-point win over Madera. This Valley title was outstanding for Coach Peck’s team as it was accomplished by the Tigers defeating all teams in the Central Section before individual Division Valley titles were established. Senior Jose Luis Medina led the Tigers in the Valley championship meet with a 3rd place overall finish in the 3-mile race, followed by teammates junior Juan Ramirez 14th, senior Kevin Riley 19th, and sophomore Richard Duran 21st. Also placing to help capture the team title were sophomore Ernie Ramirez 31st, senior Jorge Ortiz 65th, and Jose Luis’ Medina’s younger brother Jorge Medina 79th. For his accomplishment at the Valley meet and throughout the season, Jose Luis Medina was chosen by the Bakersfield Californian as Kern County’s Runner of the Year, and this outstanding season would not have been possible if not for the great camaraderie shown through the hard work put in by all members of Coach Peck’s Tiger’ Cross-Country squad.

Boys’ Tennis Valley Champions (1990 and 1991)

The 1990 and 1991 Tiger Tennis teams under previous Hall of Fame Inductee Frank Thiessen were Back-to-Back Central Section Division 4 Champions, the 1990 team finishing with a 10-0 South Sequoia League record and an overall 23-1 season, their lone loss to Strathmore, 7-6. However, the 1990 squad made up for that one loss by defeating Strathmore 8-5 to capture Wasco High’s first Tennis Valley Championship. David Lewis captured the 1990 SSL Singles Championship and Brent Paul and Steve Bloemhof combined to take the Doubles Championship. 1990’s Most Valuable Player was shared by Brent Paul and Steve Bloemhof, David Lewis as Captain, and Co- Most Improved to Mike Bloemhof and Kip Hankins. Thiessen’s 1991 team was his first to go undefeated, winning the SSL title with a 12-0 record and a 21-0 season record, and the Tigers once again faced Strathmore in the Valley Championship, winning a close 7-6 match for Back-to-Back titles. In 1991 league play, Jun Ogino won the singles title, and Mike Bloemhof and Kip Hankins teamed to capture the Doubles Championship. Mike Bloemhof and and Ogino were selected team Co- Most Valuable Players, Brian Renken and Kip Hankins Co-Captains, and Co-Most Improved went to Keith Luna and David Redden. Both of these teams dominated play throughout the 1990 and 1991 seasons leading to Wasco High continued future dominance in SSL and Valley Championship matches.

Boys Basketball Valley Championship Team (1991)

The 1991 Varsity Boys Basketball team earned a spot in Wasco High Athletic history by winning the first valley championship in 36 years of competition. The team was blessed with very talented, unselfish, and enthusiastic players that recognized the value of teamwork and dedication in order to achieve the goal they set at the beginning of the season. The team played 27 games over the summer in tournaments and a summer league in Bakersfield as a final preparation for the championship season. Many of those games came after long summer work days and in the stifling Kern County heat making the gyms 90-plus degrees.

The 1991 season saw the Tigers win 2 of the 3 tournaments they entered and capture the South Sequoia League Championship. Entering the valley playoffs, the Tigers were seeded 4th in the section bracket. They defeated Yosemite and then Sierra high schools at home before going to on the road to defeat the #1-seeded Washington Union Panthers who had won eight consecutive section championships. Wasco slowed the game down and took advantage of their superior size and defensive tenacity to down the favored Panthers.

The championship game was played against the Lindsay Cardinals, coached by 1964 Wasco High grad Don Perales. The game was played at Monache high school in Porterville, and Wasco High sent five rooter’s buses to pack the gym. The game was hard fought but the Tigers sore down the Cardinals with inside play and tough pressure defense to pull away and win by 12 points. The team brought Wasco its first Valley Championship in 35 years at that time, now the only one in 63 years. In a 25-4 season,

This is one of only two Varsity Basketball teams to qualify for the state playoffs in Wasco’s history. The Tigers hosted St. Joseph’s of Santa Maria. After a close battle, the Tigers came up 6 points short and were eliminated from the state playoffs.

After the season, Hall of Fame Coach Gary Cheatwood was named All-Area Coach of the Year, and was assisted that season by long time Wasco educator Richard Redding.

Valley Championship Softball Teams (1991 and 1992)

The 1991 and 1992 Tigers softball teams were back-to-back South Sequoia League Champions and back-to-back Central Section champions. The Tiger teams went 46-7 over those two years and earned a spot in Wasco High Athletic lore while being led by 2022 inductee Coach Tom Proffitt along with assistant coaches Gil Garland and James Payne.  Their championship runs were marked by exceptional individual and team play that led to dramatic team victories on their league and playoff runs.

The 1991 team went 20-5 on the season and had an extra-inning victory over San Joaquin Memorial in the ninth inning of a dramatic valley championship game.  With the game tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, Veronica Serda reached first base on a throwing error.  Serda advanced to third on a Tracy Burns sacrifice bunt before Jody Pearson reached first on a fielder’s choice. She then stole second base before Carrie Parks came to the plate.  Parks laid down a suicide squeeze bunt and Serda beat the throw to the plate to give the Tigers a dramatic 2-1 victory in the championship game. “That’s our game - trying to put pressure on,” Coach Proffitt said.  “It’s our game plan to go with the pitch.” Tigers pitcher Tammy Burns (15-4) gave up just five hits and struck out two in helping to lead the team to a win over nine innings.

The 1992 team returned eight of the nine starters from the previous championship season and began the defense of the valley title by winning a second consecutive league championship. The team was led by the shortstop and CSUB commit Tracy Burns and many others who received county-wide accolades for their play that season.  Whether it was the outstanding hitting of Tracy Jones, Jody Pearson, Brandy Gann, and Jennifer Ludy or the reliable pitching duo of Tammy Burns and Sonia Garza, the team always found a way to win.  The 1992 softball team would go on to win a second consecutive valley championship with a group that truly did represent the epitome of a team.