SMCHS Alumni In the News

Santa Margarita softball standout Garland Cooper ’03 was recently inducted into Northwestern University’s elite Hall of Fame. Cooper, along with three other former Northwestern athletic standouts to receive this prestigious designation, were recognized during halftime of the Northwester-Purdue men’s basketball game. The Santa Margarita graduate currently resides in Chicago.

Ryan Martin ’07 had a spectacular 2012 that was capped off with a fourth place finish in the 800 meter finals at the United States Olympic Trials. The two-time All-American at UCSB was one of the youngest runners in the race and narrowly missed a berth to the London Olympic Games. Martin, however, has put himself in prime position for future opportunities. In his time at SMCHS, Martin was a State Runner-up, two-time CIF Champion, Orange County Champion and League Champion numerous times. He is one of the most accomplished high school athletes to come through the Boys’ Track and Field Program. After Martin’s success on the track, he earned a professional sponsorship with one of the leading running footwear manufacturers, ASICS.

Our former Lady Eagle Basketball player Lauren Oosdkye ’08 just made it official. She will be heading to Grindavik, Iceland to play women’s basketball this fall. Oosdyke just finished up her career at University of Northern Colorado as a top player. She left her footprint in the record book as well. She leaves holding records 4th in scoring, 5th in rebounding, 2nd in free throws made, and 14th in assists and 16th in blocks. Oosdyke also was named team captain on three occasions and was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week three times as well. Oosdyke was named to the USA National All Star under 20 Team this summer and enjoyed sharing the road with 20 members of her team to China. The women competed with teams from all over the world and came home earning a first place trophy. The team felt like they were celebrities and enjoyed the Chinese hospitality.

Congratulations to Gavin Escobar ’09 who was selected as the 47th overall pick at this year’s NFL Draft. Escobar, the 6-foot-6 254 pound San Diego State University tight end, was drafted the third tight end off the board and will be suiting up as a Dallas Cowboy receiving catches from Tony Romo. His three-year successful career at SDSU ended with 122 catches, 1,646 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. He was also named a two-time first team all Mountain West Conference selection and a two-time honorable mention All-American. While at Santa Margarita, Escobar played varsity seasons in 2007 and 2008 and caught 49 passes for 650 yards in his Eagle career. He caught 37 passes for 492 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2008 with his best game being a seven-catch performance for 130 yards against St. Bonaventure. He was named to the All-Trinity League Team that year. He also made time during his SM career to play Eagle basketball. Escobar will be the third former Eagle to be drafted by an NFL franchise behind Kris Farris ’95, who was selected in the 3rd round in 1999 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Carson Palmer ’98 who was the number one overall draft pick in 2003 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Escobar ranks as the ninth alumni to enter an NFL training camp.

Beau Hossler ’12 earns 114th SCGA Amateur Championship title. The University of Texas golfer and rising star won the 114th SCGA Amateur Championship, beating out some of the best amateur golfers in Southern California at San Diego CC. Hossler put together rounds of 70-69-71-70 for a total of 5-under-par.