Coaches, former athletes to be inducted into West High Hall of Fame
The late Ann Cierley, a former principal at West High, as well as the school’s 1982 and 1983 speech and debate teams will be honored at the West Hall of Fame Dinner on March 18 at Stockdale Country Club.
In addition, others affiliated with West will also be honored during the dinner, including Ray Juhl, Rob McCombs, Julie Seay, Susan Bigler, the late Fred Laningham Jr., Woody and Etta Morrison and the 1978 physical fitness team.
Cierley, a Bakersfield High (Class of 1948) and 1952 UCLA alumna, returned to Bakersfield in 1975 to coach the West Academic Decathlon and speech and debate teams. She guided the Vikings
to 10 consecutive Kern County championships and 16 out of 20 county titles. She was principal at West from 1981 to 1992. West’s 1982 and 1983 speech and debate teams are the only back-to-back state champions for West.
Juhl began his teaching career at Foothill and transferred to West High in 1965 as one of its first teachers. In addition to teaching, Juhl also served as the school’s head wrestling coach. During his tenure, the Vikings won backto-back South Sequoia League titles in 1966 and 1967, including dual-meet champions and South Sequoia League Tournament champions.
McCombs, a 1973 graduate, was named All-City for football during his junior and senior years. He played tailback and cornerback on defense. He also played basketball and baseball, and competed on the Presidential Physical Fitness team. He also played football at Bakersfield College.
Seay, a 1979 graduate, excelled in volleyball and track and field at West. She was the South Yosemite League high jump champion for three consecutive seasons, earning track and field MVP. She now teaches and coaches in Boron.
Bigler, a 1985 graduate, was a four-time valley diving champion and four-time valley finalist in swimming. She qualified for nationals five times. She was part of the forensics team for four years.
Laningham began his 38-year career with the Kern High School District in 1962. He was the first head baseball coach at West in 1965. He taught physical education, biology and science and eventually served as a guidance counselor.
Woody and Etta Morrison have been avid supporters of the West High Viking programs since 1975. They were married in 1962. Woody was a special agent of the FBI and Etta was a registered nurse.
The 1978 physical fitness team, made up of Jim Folger, Gary Snyder, Ben McKnight and Jim Ennis, traveled to Washington, D.C., and won the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports national title. Additional members of the team included Brad Dickens, Joel Dooley, Scott Douglas, Kevin Dutt, Dave Norris, Greg Powell, Jim Peacock and Bob Tucker.
The hall of fame social starts at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. and the program at 7:30 p.m. March 18 at Stockdale Country Club, 7001 Stockdale Highway.
Tickets ($100) are available at westhighvikings.com.