2022* Hall of Fame
*Class or 2020 Hall of Fame was awarded in 2022 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic
Hal Hevener
Coaching Career 1967-1997
Hal Hevener grew up in the mountains east of Fresno and attended Sierra Joint Union High School. He was awarded 7 Varsity Letters in Football, Basketball and Swimming and was the MVP in swimming. Upon graduation he attended Fresno State College majoring in Social Science with a history emphasis. While there he competed in water polo and swimming. He was awarded 3 varsity letters in swimming and 4 in water polo. His Junior year, F.S.C. awarded him MVP in water polo and he was an all CCAA honorable mention. His Senior year he was voted Team Captain. Upon graduation (1965) he coached the Roosevelt B Boys swim team. In 1966 he was hired by Porterville High to teach history and coach Boys Varsity Water Polo and assist in Boys swimming. The following year he became the Varsity Swim Coach as well as continuing in Water Polo.
Hal Hevener began his coaching career at Monache in 1969 and would coach to 1997. He coached both boy's teams and girl's teams in Varsity Water Polo and Swimming. He also coached boys J.V. Basketball and Varsity Girls Basketball. He started the aquatics program for Monache as it first J.V. and Varsity Coach in Boy's Water Polo and Swimming and Girls Swimming. He also Coached the first J.V. and Varsity Girls Water Polo team for Monache in 1994 when it was added as a Girl's sport.
Hevener Assisted on the Varsity level in basketball and swimming. He was assistant to Head Coach Carroll Land in Boys Varsity Basketball for 2 years. (1982-83). He also assisted for 2 years (1983-84) under Head Coach Karen Cardell in boys and girls swimming and 4 years (199497) under Head Coach Pam Berryhill in boys and girls swimming. This resulted in 12 sport seasons as an Assistant Varsity coach and 6 EYL Championships.
Hevener coached an equivalent of 34 seasons as the Varsity head coach in boys and girls water polo, Girls' basketball and Girls and Boys Swimming. His teams amassed 8 EYL Titles, 25th place team finishes at the Valley Swim Meet, and 2 Valley Championships in Girls Water Polo. Teams made 6 division 1 Valley appearances (3 boys Water Polo) (2 girls water polo) (1 girls' basketball). Monache had Valley finalists and Valley Champions on most of both the boys and girls swim teams. In both Boys and Girls Water Polo many were named to all EYL and all Valley teams. Many of his swimmers and water polo players have gone on to play on the next level and some have given back to the sports by coaching and officiating.
In order to build Aquatics at Monache, Hevener spent many summers coaching the Porterville Recreation Swim Team (Neptunites), P.A.C. swimming, U.S. Water Polo, and U.S. Swimming teams. He was also involved in the movement to build pools on campus at the high schools. He hosted one Boys Valley Water Polo Tournament, one Valley Girls Water Polo Tourney and one Valley Swim Meet at Monache. He also became head of water polo officials in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His teams won the Reno invitational water polo tournament. He was named the South Coach in the High School Boy's water polo North and South game in Clovis. During summer play he was named the Central Valley head Coach for the California State Games in San Diego. In 1992, he was awarded a plaque from the Central Valley Water Polo Coaches Association in appreciation for the advancement of Water Polo in the San Joaquin Valley. Hevener also became a mentor teacher and Department Chair of the Monache Social Science Department. He was awarded the Confucius "Educator of the year" by the Chinese Cultural Center for Tulare County. He retired from coaching in 1997 and teaching in 2004. "l am really appreciative of all the help I have received from other coaches, families of athletes, administrators and especially my personal family whose support made it possible for me to coach. It took much time and sacrifice, but it was all worth it when I see how many athletes have gone on to do great things on the next level and in their lives.”
MONACHE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL SECTION (VALLEY) CHAMPIONS 1997
We reached our goal during the 10-game EYL schedule. We went 10-0 during league. We outscored our opponents 838-458 or 83.8 The culmination of 3 years hard work. I remember the first couple of days of practice. I mentioned to our team that I was tired of being a “bridesmaid”! After all, we had lost the previous two seasons to Clovis West in the Central Section Division 1 Girls’ Basketball final. From that point on, our team’s theme was “Going to the Chapel”. And, of course, we did that and finally defeated our biggest nemesis by the final score of 54-51 at Buchanan High School. More about that game later.
We were fortunate to have 7 players return from the previous year. Our record in 1995-96 was 26-1 including a perfect 8-0 in league. In fact, our entire starting five returned this year. Anticipation and expectations were very high. Let’s look at our overall season.
The Preseason (14-1)
We opened our season at home against Buchanan. Led by junior, Amanda Baker’s 18 points and 8 rebounds and sophomore, Bryn Britton’s 15 points and 6 rebounds, we held on for a 56-52 victory. The game was close, in part, because of missing of 21 free throws and a 0-7 shooting from 3-point range. Next up was Wasco. We improved to 2-0 with 82-43 victory. Game 3 began the start of the Redwood Tournament. We were victorious over Golden West 87-50 in game 1; 78-51 over Woodlake in game 2; and 69-41 (game 3) over Redwood for the tournament championship.
Next came our own (Monache Christmas Tournament). We played 4 games with wins over Foothill 71-18, Lemoore 62-39, Clovis 71-57 and the tournament championship 75-63 win over Edison.
The next action was at the Buchanan New Year’s Tournament. We went 3-1 losing to our nemesis Clovis West 59-55 in the championship game. We defeated Yosemite 61-32 in the 1st round; Hanford 77-51 in the 2nd round; and Buchanan 75-73 to reach the finals. In addition, we had 2 nonleague games – we defeated Mt. Whitney 70-34 and Redwood 68-54. That concluded our preseason schedule with a record of 14-1. Bring on the EYL as we strive to win our 3rd consecutive league championship.
East Yosemite League (10-0)
points per game average in league to our opponents 45.8 points per game. Needless to say, it was a great EYL year for the Lady Marauders. Results for the league included 2 wins over each opponent. Highlights were a 104-41 victory over Delano (most points ever scored by a Monache Girls’ team) and 2 victories over cross-town rival Porterville; 70-35 and 76-44. Bring on the playoffs!
Post Season (3-1)
Our 1st round game was against Bullard. We jumped out to 40-18 lead at half and never looked back. Final score was 77-41. We were led by junior Bryn Britton’s 25 points followed by senior Amanda Baker’s 18 points. Junior Shea Purkiss led us with 12 assists. Great way to start the playoffs.
The 2nd round game (semifinal game) was against Bakersfield High School. Led by Bryn Britton’s 28 points, Amanda Baker’s 27 points and Shea Purkiss’16 points and 11 assists, we were able to hold off Bakersfield 87-72 and head towards the finals for the 3rd year in a row to face our favorite – Clovis West.
The date was Thursday, March 6, 1997. The location was Buchanan High School (neutral court) and tip-off was at 7:30 p.m. Let’s go Lady Marauders. This is what we have been working towards all year. The time is now! We had lost three straight games the past 3 years to Clovis West. It was our turn!
What a game! Close all night. The score was tied at 14-14 after the 1st quarter. We outscored Clovis West 15-13 for a 2-point lead (29-27) at half-time. The second continued to be a battle. Clovis West outscored us 14-7 to take a 41-36 lead going into the 4th (and final) quarter. Shea Purkiss hit a basket and then a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 43-41. Bryn Britton (playing with a dislocated finger) threaded a 3-point shop to cut the lead to 45-44. With the scored tied at 49 with 2:09 seconds left, Bryn Britton drove through the lane, made the shot, and was fouled. She converted the three through for a 52-49 lead with 1:27 left on the clock. With 19 seconds left, Bryn was fouled after stealing the ball. After a near steal by Shea Purkiss, Clovis West called a time out with 10 seconds left on the clock. After a missed shot, that agonizingly rolled off the rim, Amanda Baker pulled down the biggest defensive rebound of the season with 1 second on the clock. Amanda calmly made the first and missed the second but Julie Drews pulled down the rebound and time out! History was made. Let the celebration begin. What a game! What a season!
The season ended a few days later at the hands of Cresenta Valley High School from Cresenta Valley, California. It was a wonderful game that we lost in overtime.
Jennifer Baker Alvarez
Jennifer was born and raised in Porterville by her parents, Ruth and Charles Baker. She began her running career at Westfield Elementary School and continued to compete in AAU Jr. Olympic Track and Field meets during her time at Bartlett Junior High.
When at Monache High School, Jennifer ran cross- country and track for all four years. Some of her achievements while running for the Mauraders include seven MVP awards, eight EYL titles, six area titles and three valley championships. She ended her high school career qualifying in two events for the state track and field meet where she placed 11th in the 3200m. Jennifer left Monache holding three school records in track and field - 800m, 1600m and 3200m.
Porterville College was the next stop for Jennifer where she competed on the cross-country and track teams for both years. The 1986 PC Women’s Cross Country team won the league championship and Jennifer was named MVP. That team was also inducted into the PC Athletic Hall of Fame. Then Jennifer attended Cal State University Bakersfield where she received her BA in Liberal Studies.
Most recently, Jennifer spent ten years (2009 - 2018) coaching at THE Porterville High School as an assistant Track and Field coach.
Jennifer lives in Porterville and has been teaching for 27 years. She currently teaches Language Arts and English Language Development at Sequoia Middle School - Go Hawks! She has been married to her husband, Robert, for 30 years and both of their children, Roberto and Alia, have recently received their Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy and Master of Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology respectively.
Jennifer lives in Porterville and has been teaching for 27 years. She currently teaches Language Arts and English Language Development at Sequoia Middle School - Go Hawks! She has been married to her husband, Robert, for 30 years and both of their children, Roberto and Alia, have recently received their Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy and Master of Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology respectively.
Stephanie Raymond
Stephanie Raymond attended Monache High School from 1986-1990. While she played volleyball for three years, transitioning from freshman to junior varsity to varsity, she is best known for her swimming career.
Stephanie started swimming at the age of 7 in Salinas, CA. To make the team, one needed to swim one length of the pool (25 yards). She was put in a lane with other swimmers her age and told to swim across the pool. She made it about half way and hung on the lane line. Other swimmers stopped, as she was in the middle of the lane, and told her resting on the lane line wasn’t allowed. Somehow, she made it to the other end. Needless to say, she did not make the team that day. A short time later, Stephanie tried again, and the rest is history.
The Raymond’s moved to Porterville when Stephanie was 9 years old. Her parents signed her up with the Porterville Neptunites, where Leslie Thomas was her coach. The Porterville Aquatic Club was next with Karen Cardell coaching. Stephanie began to move up the ranks of swimming making her first United States Zone team when she was 10, and again at the ages of 12, 13, 14, and 15 years old, permitting her to travel throughout the western United States representing Central California Swimming. She attended the United States Junior National Swimming Championship from the ages of 16-17 and the United States Senior National Championships from the age of 18 until 21. During that time, she also went to numerous US Open and other nationally recognized swim meets. Besides Karen Cardell, the Porterville Aquatic Club also was coached by Barbie Petzolt, Paul Patterson, Andrea Hevener and Mickey Goularte, who also all had a role in coaching Stephanie to the successes she had.
Stephanie was first introduced to Monache High School swimming when she was in junior high. She was invited to participate in morning swim workouts while she was in the 7th and 8th grades. During her high school career, she was coached by Hal Hevener. She began setting school records her freshman year and by the end of her sophomore season, held every girls swimming record. During her high school career, she garnered 4 most valuable girls swimming awards, numerous K-tip athlete of the week awards, and team captain 3 years. She was the East Yosemite League champion numerous times and 4 time CIF Valley champion. Her senior season, the girls team finished 3rd in the CIF Valley Championship meet with only 4 participants with Stephanie finishing first in her two individual events setting school records in both (50 free and 100 backstroke) as well as contributing to the first place 200 medley relay finish which also set a valley record. Stephanie graduated from Monache High school in 1990 as a class valedictorian as well as an Academic All –American. She was also selected the Porterville Chamber of Commerce and Exchage Club Youth of the Year. She signed a letter of intent and received a swimming scholarship to the Division 1 University of California at Santa Barbara.
Swimming 5 years at UCSB for coach Gregg Wilson, Stephanie continued to excel. She set a UCSB woman’s team record in the 100 yard back her freshman year and a Big West conference and team record her sophomore season in the same event. She was consistently a member of four UCSB relays and swam three individual events at the Big West Championship which the UCSB team won 3 of her 4 years. She was voted most improved swimmer after her freshman season. She continued to represent Central California Swimming setting age group records in the 100 yard back where she was nationally ranked. Stephanie graduated in 1995 from UCSB with a BA in Sociology and earned a Distinguished Graduate Award for her contributions to the university and community.
Stephanie then went on the graduate school, University of Pacific, where she graduated in 1997, with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. She became a California licensed Physical Therapist (1997). She was a member of the medical staff at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. She also earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University (2012). As a Physical Therapist, Stephanie’s doctoral thesis project has been published in the Outpatient Physical Therapy Practice journal (2013). She achieved American Physical Therapy Orthopedic Clinical Specialist designation, the only one in Merced County (2013).
Stephanie started swimming at the age of 7 in Salinas, CA. To make the team, one needed to swim one length of the pool (25 yards). She was put in a lane with other swimmers her age and told to swim across the pool. She made it about half way and hung on the lane line. Other swimmers stopped, as she was in the middle of the lane, and told her resting on the lane line wasn’t allowed. Somehow, she made it to the other end. Needless to say, she did not make the team that day. A short time later, Stephanie tried again, and the rest is history.
The Raymond’s moved to Porterville when Stephanie was 9 years old. Her parents signed her up with the Porterville Neptunites, where Leslie Thomas was her coach. The Porterville Aquatic Club was next with Karen Cardell coaching. Stephanie began to move up the ranks of swimming making her first United States Zone team when she was 10, and again at the ages of 12, 13, 14, and 15 years old, permitting her to travel throughout the western United States representing Central California Swimming. She attended the United States Junior National Swimming Championship from the ages of 16-17 and the United States Senior National Championships from the age of 18 until 21. During that time, she also went to numerous US Open and other nationally recognized swim meets. Besides Karen Cardell, the Porterville Aquatic Club also was coached by Barbie Petzolt, Paul Patterson, Andrea Hevener and Mickey Goularte, who also all had a role in coaching Stephanie to the successes she had.
Stephanie was first introduced to Monache High School swimming when she was in junior high. She was invited to participate in morning swim workouts while she was in the 7th and 8th grades. During her high school career, she was coached by Hal Hevener. She began setting school records her freshman year and by the end of her sophomore season, held every girls swimming record. During her high school career, she garnered 4 most valuable girls swimming awards, numerous K-tip athlete of the week awards, and team captain 3 years. She was the East Yosemite League champion numerous times and 4 time CIF Valley champion. Her senior season, the girls team finished 3rd in the CIF Valley Championship meet with only 4 participants with Stephanie finishing first in her two individual events setting school records in both (50 free and 100 backstroke) as well as contributing to the first place 200 medley relay finish which also set a valley record. Stephanie graduated from Monache High school in 1990 as a class valedictorian as well as an Academic All –American. She was also selected the Porterville Chamber of Commerce and Exchage Club Youth of the Year. She signed a letter of intent and received a swimming scholarship to the Division 1 University of California at Santa Barbara.
Swimming 5 years at UCSB for coach Gregg Wilson, Stephanie continued to excel. She set a UCSB woman’s team record in the 100 yard back her freshman year and a Big West conference and team record her sophomore season in the same event. She was consistently a member of four UCSB relays and swam three individual events at the Big West Championship which the UCSB team won 3 of her 4 years. She was voted most improved swimmer after her freshman season. She continued to represent Central California Swimming setting age group records in the 100 yard back where she was nationally ranked. Stephanie graduated in 1995 from UCSB with a BA in Sociology and earned a Distinguished Graduate Award for her contributions to the university and community.
Stephanie then went on the graduate school, University of Pacific, where she graduated in 1997, with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. She became a California licensed Physical Therapist (1997). She was a member of the medical staff at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. She also earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University (2012). As a Physical Therapist, Stephanie’s doctoral thesis project has been published in the Outpatient Physical Therapy Practice journal (2013). She achieved American Physical Therapy Orthopedic Clinical Specialist designation, the only one in Merced County (2013).
Heather Brown Sandoval
Heather was born in 1973 to parents, Steve and Kathee Brown. The family lived in Canada at this time during her father’s professional football career with the Calgary Stampeders for the Canadian Football League. The family returned to Porterville when Heather was three years old. Surrounded by family athletic talent and a love of sports, Heather’s parents found that she excelled in athletics. Track and field is where Heather proved to be especially talented. She began running track at age 7 in the AAU and TAC programs. Her talent led her to an AAU All American Track and Field Award at the age of 12 also setting two National Records in the Bantam and Midget age groups for multi events and as a 12 year old finished in the top three in the nation for the pentathlon multi’s (included events such as hurdles, long jump, high jump, 800 meter, and shot put). She also earned a Nike sponsorship and was featured in articles in both GO Magazine and the Fresno Bee for her athletic accomplishments as a youth track athlete.
On to high school, Heather was a stand out on 11 varsity sports teams at MHS including basketball, volleyball, and track and field. She served as team captain four times and earned three first team all league selection awards overall and played on four EYL championship teams. In volleyball, she led her team and the EYL in block kills her senior year. In track and field, she earned multiple EYL and Area titles in the long jump, high jump, 4x100 m relay, and hurdle events. She set three school records and also a meet record in the 100 m hurdles, finally finishing 4th in the valley overall four years in a row. In basketball, Heather became the second female athlete at MHS to score 1000 plus career points. Deciding that basketball would be the athletic field she would follow, she moved on to the college level.
College highlights include a basketball scholarship to Fresno Pacific University, a member of a two time GSAC championship basketball team, two appearances at the NAIA National Women’s Basketball Tournament in Jackson, Tennessee in 1992 and 1994. Heather was named Female Giant of the Year at College of the Sequoias and earned 1st team all conference honors in both volleyball and basketball also serving as team captain on the basketball team in 1993. During her junior year of college, Heather suffered a career ending ACL knee injury.
Post career highlights including coaching several sports teams at Monache, Porterville, Granite Hills, and Porterville College. At MHS, Heather coached two EYL champion basketball teams at the Freshman and JV level and also assisted on Coach Firomonti’s Valley Championship team, two volleyball EYL championships, and one EYL track and field team at PHS and also coached two seasons of track at MHS. She helped reestablish the volleyball program at Porterville College in 2002 where she served as an assistant coach for two years under Head Coach Lisa Davis.
Heather received her bachelor’s degree from FPU and teaching credential at Cal State Bakersfield. She began her teaching career as an aide and then substitute teacher at Strathmore High School in 1997. Two years later she was hired as a 5th grade teacher at Olive Street School where she taught for 4 years. She is currently a 7th grade teacher at Strathmore Middle School where she has been teaching science and language arts for the past 17 years. She married her husband, Richard Sandoval in 2007. She spent 4 years following her son Isaac play football and run track for the Marauders. He is now serving his country in the USMC and lives in North Carolina. Her son, Noah was born in 2016. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially her three year old son, Noah, traveling, and painting.
Curtis Alkire
Curtis was raised in Porterville by his parents John & Denise Alkire. At the age of 5, Curtis was exposed to wrestling, T-Ball, tennis & flag football. He attended St. Anne’s elementary and Bartlett Jr. High School. During Curtis’s elementary years, he competed 4 years at the California State Freestyle Championships and placed each year & won the State Title in 1987.
Alkire started at MHS in 1988. Where he earned 11 Varsity Letters as a 3 Sport Athlete in wrestling, Tennis & Cross Country. While at MHS, Curtis was named “Top Male Scholar Athlete / Double M Award ” his senior year. Curtis was also named KTIP’s “Athlete of the Week” 7 times!!! One of Alkire’s many accomplishments was holding three all-time physical fitness records at MHS; records that still stand to this day. Alkire currently continues his quest for physical fitness on a daily basis BUT with one addition; his son Cael!!! During his tenure at MHS, Curtis was voted Senior Class President and was recognized numerous times as a leader in all three sports as Captain and Multiple MVP’s; however one of the high lights of Curtis’s career was traveling to Germany on the USA Exchange Team in 1990. On that trip Alkire learned a great deal about international travel, international competition and most of all, learning about the culture of Germany.
At MHS and throughout Curtis’s life he was blessed with great coaching combined with a strong work ethic that provided a solid foundation for him to CONSISTANTLY compete at a high level at four years varsity in three sports! Curtis’s saying has still remained to this day, “you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with and I have truly been blessed my whole life”. After Monache High School Graduation, Curtis received a Full Ride Scholarship to Cal State Fullerton and later graduated from Cal Poly SLO. Upon returning to Porterville, Curtis assisted Coach Jim Short & Coach Donnie Townsend at MHS in the wrestling room. Curtis also coached 2 State Championship Flag Football Teams in 2014 – 2015.
Curtis lives in Porterville & currently owns & operates Curtis Alkire Insurance Services. He is currently married to Adela Alkire. He has 3 beautiful children Taylor, Cylee & Cael & still enjoys coaching & personally lifting with his son Cael.
Jennifer Stephen-Brown
Jennifer had trouble learning how to swim. She struggled to learn until age 7 and promptly fell in love with the sport.
She started her career in Neptunites with Leslie Thomas and went on to swim club in Visalia and Porterville and even lived in Fresno for two summers to swim with the Fig Garden Dolphins. A young Andrea Hevener was the first coach to notice her talent when Jen was 12. It took until age 14 to start to make her mark and from there, her career saw steady improvement.
As a freshman at Monache she came under the forward-thinking coaching of Hal Hevener who was very important to her success. His high intensity workout approach was ahead of its time, but proved to be very effective for Jen.
As a high school swimmer, she was undefeated in EYL in every event she swam. She still holds the EYL record in the 200 and 500 freestyle. She was the CIF champion in her sophomore, junior and senior years in the 200 free and 500 free. She was a 2 time high school All-American and was second in the country in the 200 free her senior year which garnered her an all expense paid trip to the NISCA all american swim meet in Illinois.
Jennifer’s sister, Sara, also attended Monache and in Jennifer’s senior year they had the good fortune to play on the varsity volleyball team together and make it to the CIF championship game. Jennifer was a 2 time EYL pick in volleyball and in her senior year was EYL MVP. She was also a Fresno Bee all star in her junior and senior years.
Jennifer’s dream had always been to attend USC. She was a walk-on and through hard work and determination earned a scholarship at the end of her freshman year.
There, she was an 8 time all american, 2 time NCAA finalist in the 200 free and NCAA champion on the record breaking 800 free relay. At one point, she was ranked in Swimming World's top 100 All-Time and 17th in the world, in the 200 free.She was also team captain in her junior and senior year.
While at USC, she received the Barbara Hedges Scholarship Award and was also inducted into the secret honor society, Skull and Dagger.
Jennifer now resides in Peoria, AZ with her 16 year old daughter, Hanna, and is an executive marketer for W.L. Gore And Associate