2011 October Stars of the Month
PROFESSIONAL
DOMINICK CRUZ (Mixed Martial Arts, UFC, Fights out of San Diego)—Cruz scored a
unanimous victory over Demetrious Johnson to retain his bantamweight (135 pounds) title by
scores of 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46 in the five-round match. Cruz and Johnson battled fairly evenly
early-on but the stronger Cruz was able to handle the quick, aggressive Johnson. As the bout
wore on, Cruz did everything but pin his opponent to improve his career record to 19-1.
ARIAN FOSTER (Football, Houston Texans, Mission Bay High alumnus)—Although last
season’s standout had three games over 100 yards rushing to give him 532 yards and four TDs
before the halfway point of this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers game was a highlight. In the
contest, Foster rushed 30 times for 155 yards, including the winning touchdown from 42-yards
out, in a 17-10 victory.
NICK NOVAK (Football, San Diego Chargers)—When the Chargers signed Novak to a twoyear contract to replace an injured Nate Kaeding, they could not in their wildest dreams have
imagined how successful he would be. Novak was 15-of-16 on field goals, the lone miss coming
from 52 yards. He was 12-of-12 on extra points as well, giving the Chargers the kind of
consistency few NFL teams enjoy.
AMATEUR
NIKOLA BUBNIC and THIBAUT VISY (Tennis, USD)—The duo won the doubles title in
the USTA/ITA Division I Men’s Southwestern Regional Championships at Pepperdine. With the
victory, Bubnic and Visy earned a berth to the National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships.
The pair, who went a perfect 5-0 in Regionals and were 5-1 in the month of October overall,
became the first USD doubles tandem ever to advance to the National Indoors.
KENNY JAMES (Football, USD, Mt. Carmel High alumnus)—James led USD (3-1) by
averaging 111.2 yards rushing, scoring six times. He rushed for 445 yards and five TDs in
October. James added eight receptions for 94 yards (11.8 yards per catch average) and returned
13 kickoffs for 373 yards (28.7 yards per return), including an explosive 95-yard return for a
score in the team’s PFL win over Davidson.
TONY JEFFERSON (Football, Oklahoma, Eastlake High alumnus)—The 5-10, 199-pound
defensive back/linebacker is a major part of the dominant Sooners defense. In the team’s October
game against Ball State, he intercepted three passes. On the season, the sophomore has 41
tackles, 24 of them unassisted and four for a loss, as well as two sacks and four interceptions.
LARRY PARKER (Football, SDSU, St. Augustine High alumnus)—The senior cornerback
had an interception in four consecutive games, five over the last four overall to lead the
Mountain West Conference and tie for second nationally. In five outings he helped force nine
2011 October Stars of the Month
turnovers with five interceptions, three forced fumbles and one recovered fumble. Parker ranked
10th in the nation in passes defended and first in the MWC.
ERICA WESSELS (Soccer, PLNU)—The Sea Lions senior had a terrific month for thirdranked Point Loma Nazarene. The defender helped lead the Sea Lions to an 8-1 mark en route to
winning their first-ever conference championship, posting six shutouts. The defensive captain
also scored a team-high three goals—all three of which were game-winners.
CHRISTINE WONG (Golf, SDSU)—Wong helped the Aztecs get the season off to a fast start.
In the Wyoming Cowgirl Desert Intercollegiate, she fired an even-par 216 to win over 82 other
golfers. The victory was the third of her SDSU career. After a 25th in the Stanford Invitational,
the junior tied for 8th in the Las Vegas Showdown where she fired a brilliant 67 on the opening
of three rounds.
HIGH SCHOOL
BRANDON LEWIS (Football, Helix)—With the senior quarterback leading the way, Helix
compiled a 4-0 record, outscoring its opponents 195-10, moving to No. 1 in the section overall
and No. 1 in the state in Division II. Lewis completed 54 of 79 passes for 830 yards and 13
touchdowns against just one interception. He also gained 53 yards on 9 rushes.
ERICA COHEN (Field Hockey, Torrey Pines)—In order to beat the Falcons, you have to get
the ball past the senior who has committed to UC Davis. That’s no easy task as she wrapped up
the month with a pair of shutouts collecting 27 saves. That pushed her monthly total of saves to
102 with just five goals allowed, all in league play. Cohen was also an All-Tourney pick in the
Serra Tournament.
JOE KENNEDY (Football, St. Augustine)—It has been a very special season for the senior
quarterback. During October he guided the Saints to a 4-0 mark, completing 55 of 83 pass
attempts (66 percent) for 882 yards, including 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. On the
season Kennedy is 106 of 155 for 1,651 yards with 23 TDs and just five interceptions.
NATALIE BAUSBACK (Volleyball, La Costa Canyon)—The University of Virginia will
score the services of the 6-foot-2 hitter in Fall 2012, but first she will attempt to lead the
Mavericks to the section title. A 14-1 October helped LCC improve to 22-6 overall with the lone
loss coming to nationally-ranked Santa Ana Mater Dei. Bausback has 171 kills on the season,
hitting at a 62.6 pace.
WILL WILDE BOTTA (Cross Country, Bishop’s)—There are few faster runners than Wilde
Botta among the state’s smaller schools—maybe no one. The Bishop’s senior was virtually
unbeatable during October and in his one setback he was second in the prestigious Mt. SAC
2011 October Stars of the Month
Invitational Small School division. Wilde Botta covered the hilly 3.1-mile course in 15-minutes,
28-seconds.
SAVANNAH KNOX (Golf, Madison)—Although the Warhawks did not always have the best
team, they always had the best individual player. The senior was a medalist in eight matches
leading up to the Eastern League championships, in which she finished third. Knox’s top
performance was a 3-under at National City in a win over Morse.