Cypress High School has proudly made history with the launch of its Inaugural Hall of Fame, honoring 15 extraordinary alumni and community legends whose athletic excellence, leadership, and lifelong dedication have shaped the Centurion legacy.
“Our inaugural Hall of Fame is a reflection of who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Cypress School Principal Jennifer L. Brown in a statement.
“When we lead with Love Before Learning, we honor the people who created opportunity, belonging, and belief for others. These inductees remind us that legacy is not just about records or championships — it’s about the lives you impact on and the dreams you help make possible. Their stories invite our students to dream together and to understand that Centurion Pride is built across generations,” said Brown.
According to Brown, the Hall of Fame was announced during a series of ceremonies in January when Hall of Fame inductees were honored during a varsity basketball home game.
“This allowed current students, families, alumni, and community members to celebrate Centurion greatness together in a packed gymnasium,” the principal said.
“The ceremony intentionally connected past and present, reminding the crowd that today’s Centurions are part of a story much larger than a single season or scoreboard,” she said.
The celebration continued over that weekend with a Hall of Fame Luncheon, where inductees and their families gathered for an afternoon of reflection, storytelling, and connection. The luncheon offered a space to honor accomplishments more personally, as alumni reconnected with former teammates, coaches, and friends while sharing memories spanning decades of Cypress history.
The Inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2026 represents a wide range of contributions — from pioneers of girls’ athletics and championship coaches to multi-sport standouts, record-holding athletes, professional competitors, and community champions. Together, said Brown, they embody excellence, perseverance, service, and pride — the values that continue to define Cypress High School.
The establishment of the Cypress High School Hall of Fame marks the beginning of a new tradition, ensuring that the stories of Centurion excellence are preserved, celebrated, and passed forward for generations to come.
Here is the Inaugural Cypress High School Hall of Fame,
Class of 2026:
Marie Upton — Pioneer of Cypress girls’ athletics and mentor to generations of Centurions
Rob Walker — Legendary Athletic Director and coach; led Cypress Golf to the 2005 CIF Championship
Charles Williams — Longtime community pillar, announcer, BBQ master, and tireless program supporter
Dave Belshe (‘81) — Original Cypress basketball scoring champion; record stood for 15 years
Troy O’Leary (‘87) — Four-sport star; 11-year MLB career with over 1,100 hits and a historic grand slam for the Boston Red Sox
Diane Pohl (‘88) — Three-sport standout and softball icon; first All-American in Iowa softball history
Julie Adams (‘95) — Eleven-letter winner, UCLA Hall of Famer, National Champion and College World Series MOP
Bob Brito (‘96) — 1995 Orange County Player of the Year; holder of 14 Cypress school records
Clarence Moore (‘00) — CIF Triple Jump Champion; Northern Arizona Hall of Famer and former wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens
Adam Wilk (‘06) — CIF Player of the Year with 12 career shutouts; advanced to professional baseball
Lalita Patipaksiri (‘08) — Two-time Orange County Player of the Year; medaled in every high school golf match
Paul Yoo (‘12) — CIF Masters Champion and Orange County Register Wrestler of the Year
David Fletcher (‘13) — Four-year varsity starter, CIF Player of the Year, and seven-year MLB veteran
Quinten Pounds (‘15) — Eleven-letter athlete; CIF Masters High Jump Champion and Division I standout
Erik Papke (‘18) — Twelve-letter varsity athlete with league titles in Volleyball, Water Polo, Track & Field, and Basketball
For more information about Cypress High School athletics and the Hall of Fame, visit the Cypress Athletics website at:
For more information, visit https://sites.google.com/auhsd.us/cypressathletics/home