SAN DIEGO—(Sept. 1, 2016)—The 2016 Rio Olympic Games not only showcased the top athletes in the world, it brought out some of the best from the San Diego area including gold medalists Kerry Simmonds and Jeff Henderson.
The two topped the list of 10 standout professional and amateur athletes who were honored as August Stars of the Month by the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Simmonds, a Torrey Pines High graduate, was one of the stellar rowers for the American Women’s 8 team that captured the gold medal in winning their 11th straight in Olympic and world competitions.
Henderson was one of nine athletes who trained at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista who earned Olympic medals, capturing the long jump gold on his final attempt at 27-feet, 6-inches.
Travis Jankowski of the Padres, Shelby Rogers of the Aviators and former SDSU golfer J.J. Spaun were also honored as professional Stars of the Month.
Jankowski, an outfielder who has not committed an error all season, had a major-league leading 24-game on-base streak while batting .308 with a .375 on-base percentage and a .385 slugging average. He was third in the majors with 11 stolen bases.
Rogers led the Aviators to the Mylan World Team Tennis title by capturing her singles match and teaming to win the women’s doubles as San Diego beat Orange County for the title, 25-14.
Spaun not only captured the Web.com Tour New Sentinel Open in Knoxville, Tenn., firing a record 26-under 257, he also earned his PGA card by placing third in the Web.com Tour standings.
On the amateur front, baseball was in the spotlight as Victor Lizarraga led Park View to the Little League World Series while Francis Parker’s Nick Allen and Torrey Pines’ Kyle Hurl were standouts in the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park.
Nicole Mossmer won the USTA Junior National Hard Court tennis championships and Stephanie Heimler captured the Mickey Wright Invitational golf tournament, rounding out the Amateur stars for August.