VC Honors 25-26 Pirates, Inducts Five into Hall of Fame

The Ventura College Athletic Department inducted five distinguished alumni and/or contributors into the VC Pirate Athletics Hall of Fame on Sunday May 17, highlighting the 18th Hall of Fame Induction and Student Athlete Recognition Banquet at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. All 20 Pirate sports were represented in the evening's activities as the department honored the achievements of the 2025-26 academic year.

The celebration of another successful year on the field, court, course and pool for the Pirates included highlighting the Western State Conference championships for the men's water polo, men's basketball and softball teams along with another SCFA Northern Conference title for the Pirate football team. Additionally, 49 student athletes were recognized for outstanding achievement in competition and in the classroom.

The Pirates were a steady presence in the 3C2A Regional and state competition in 2025-26, with 17  of 19 eligible sports competing in the post-season. The Pirate soccer team made its 28th playoff appearance in 29 seasons while volleyball made its ninth playoff appearance in the past 11 seasons.  Men's cross country ran as a team in the post-season for the 12th consecutive season and the women's harriers ran in the regionals for the 19th time over the past two decades. Men's water polo also returned to the playoffs, advancing to the second round while women's basketball returned to the playoff for the 34th time in the past 35 years and men's basketball advanced to the regional finals.

Meanwhile, in the spring, the VC softball team returned to the playoffs while men's and women's swimming made a splash in regional and state competition. Both men's and women's tennis teams went to the SoCal Regionals and each had players in the 3C2A State Singles and Doubles Championships. Golf returned to state for the second straight season and beach volleyball went to the playoffs for the sixth straight year with a pair playing on the final day of the state pairs tournament for the sixth consecutive season.

Women's soccer two-time All-American Leslie Torres earned the Female Athlete of the Year Award for the second straight year and men's swimming All-American Jaiden Monroe repeated as the Male Athlete of the Year. Olivia Badaracco from women's swimming and diving and men's basketball's Jerimiyah Smith were honored as the Outstanding Sophomore Athletes of the Year with a ticket to the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet in June. Viola Barrios from beach volleyball and Taylor Lane from indoor volleyball were named the Female Scholar Athletes of the Year while Johnny Levelis from baseball, Jack Sloniker from football, Shane Speth from men's swimming and diving and Yusen Sato of the men's tennis team earned the Male Scholar Athlete Awards. 

Conference coaches of the year were also recognized, including Mike Arteaga from men's water polo, Steve Mooshagian from football, Kane Daniels from men's basketball and Julia Tamai from softball.  Chad Wright of the men's golf team was honored as VC's Head Coach of the Year and men's water polo assistant Kemi Dijkstra was named the Assistant Coach of the Year.

The evening was highlighted with the induction of five** Pirate greats into the VC Athletics Hall of Fame:

Will Cowen '98, Athletic Director, 2009-2018
* Athletic Director for five state championships, 67 conference championships and 18 state scholar teams.
* Helped guide VC Athletics to five Top-10 rankings in NATYCCA Cup standings for overall excellence in among California Community College schools.
* Named 2018 Junior College/Community College Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
* Served as Head Men's Basketball Coach in 2010 & 2011, assisted with VC football, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball programs.

Gabe Diaz '90, Pirate Baseball
* Starting Shortstop for 1989 Western State Conference champions and 1990 Pirates
* Ranks in Top-10 All-Time seven offensive categories, Top-20 in two more.
* Started all 74 career games at shortstop, earned All-WSC honors in 1990.
* Transferred to Cal Lutheran University, played on NCAA Division III national runner-up, 1992.
 
Edwin Hawkins, Contributor
* Championed all VC athletics for over 40 years
* Attended every home women's and men's basketball game for over 20 years, and attended most home football games.
* Volunteered to supervise women's basketball tournament hospitality rooms for over 15 years.
* A member of a historical Ventura family who have had a legacy existence.

Peder Nielsen, Equipment Manager, 1985-2019
* Worked in VC Athletic Department for 34 years, including 13 state championships and 18 WSC Supremacy Awards
* Twice named Athletic Equipment Managers Association District 9 Equipment Manager of the Year
* Served as VC Classified Senate President & on the State Classified Senate.
* Twice awarded VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year and named State Classified Employee of the Year.

Yadira Toraya '11, Women's Soccer
* All-Western State Conference first team in 2010 and second team in 2009.
* Helped Pirates to 2009 3C2A State Final Four, 2010 3C2A State Elite Eight and 2010 WSC championship.
* Transferred to Kansas Wesleyan University, two-time All-American and conference Defensive Player of the Year.
* Played with Mexican Women's National Team and was first alternate for 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.

**Jennifer (Corral) Dalhauser, '01, Pirate volleyball alumna, was unable to attend Sunday's event and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a later date.