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Next group set for Burbank High Athletic Hall of Fame

Twelve former standouts to be honored in next Burbank Athletic Hall of Fame induction.

July 17, 2012|By Jeff Tully, jeff.tully@latimes.com
(Page 2 of 2)

A standout in track and field and cross-country, Romero — who graduated in 1964 — was part of a distance dynasty at the school in the 1960s and into the 1970s. He captured a CIF Southern Section championship in the boys' 1,600 in 1964 and was the CIF runner-up in cross-country as a senior. In addition, he was the Foothill League champion in 1963.

JOHN GABALL

The 1965 graduate averaged 20 points a game during his senior season in boys' basketball. He was a two-time Foothill League Player of the Year and was named most valuable play in five separate tournaments.

BRUCE DODGE

A 1969 graduate, Dodge is the only athlete in Burbank history to be named a high school All-American in two sports (boys' swimming and water polo). His Bulldogs teams won two Foothill League championships in water polo and three in swimming. He went later earned collegiate All-American accolades at Cal State Northridge.

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JEFF ROSS

An accomplished swimmer who could swim every event, Ross was a three-time high school All-American who captured the CIF Southern Section 100-yard freestyle event in 1972. As a senior, the 1973 graduate was undefeated in every dual-meet race he took part in and still holds the school record in the 100 freestyle.

KENNY WALKER

The 1975 graduate was a standout in three sports: football, basketball and track and field. In football, he was a two-time All-CIF Southern Section award winner and was named a Prep Magazine All-American as a senior. He earned a football scholarship to UCLA.

LOUISE GRONICH

Graduating in 1976, Gronich was one of Burbank's first female athletes to earn All-CIF Southern Section accolades, garnering the award twice in volleyball. She was a three-time all-league award winner in volleyball, also receiving an all-league nod in basketball. She also ran track.

LIN WHATCOTT

Another of the successful distance runners to come out of Burbank. The 1979 graduate captured a CIF Southern Section 3-A championship in the 1,600 in 1979. In addition, he placed fourth in the State Meet in the 3,200 and is a member of the Bulldogs record-holding distance medley relay team.

MARJI GILLES

Graduating in 1988, Gilles is the only athlete in school history to win a CIF Southern Section triple jump championship, taking the 3-A title in 1987. She held the national triple jump mark as a senior and was a three-time champion in the Foothill League.

TODD LEWIS

Along with Nelson, Lewis was one of the most decorated distance runners in school history. The 1989 graduate captured a title in the boys' Division 3-A 1,600 in 1989 and also added a title in cross-country. In addition, he was a state runner-up in the 800 and captured a Foothill League cross-country title.

Also receiving Distinguished Achievement Awards at the Hall of Fame event are longtime football team doctor Bruce Varon and longtime trainer Scott Moro.

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