Wall of Fame Induction Dinner to Honor Exceptional WUHS Athletes

Fresno, California, March 25, 2019– The Washington Unified School District is pleased to announce that the following outstanding individuals and team have been named as honorees at the Annual Washington Union High School Wall of Fame Induction Dinner to be held on April 6, 2019, at Washington Union High School:

 

Anthony Petersen

A five-sport athlete, Anthony “Tony” Petersen II was truly an all-star who lettered in football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and track.  Petersen led the Panther Football team in 1949, scoring 71 of the 123 points earned during their season.  Petersen served as co-captain of both the basketball and football teams and was the president of the Block W club at WU.  He was actively involved on campus as a member of the student council, Hatchet and Progress staff, and a member of the science and tennis clubs. After graduating from WU, Petersen went on to become an outstanding athlete for Reedley College. His accomplishments include All-Conference Basketball Honoree for setting scoring records for both RC and the conference and Conference Doubles Tennis Champion.  He was inducted into the Reedley College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.  Petersen finished his education at Fresno State University and then played Army football and basketball after being drafted into the United States Armed Forces.  Notably, Petersen turned down professional contracts from the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), the Boston Celtics (NBA), and the St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) to raise his family in Clovis, CA where he taught and coached for over 45 years.

 

Claude Westmoreland

Claude Westmoreland graduated from Washington Union in 1971 where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete.  His senior year, Westmoreland was named as WU Football’s Most Valuable Player, was chosen for the All-League Football team, and was selected as a member of the 71’ All Metro Football Team.  He was the second athlete in school history to have his jersey, “No. 19,” retired at the end of the season.  In basketball, Westmoreland was selected as a first team member of the All-League team.  Westmoreland’s talent proved unmatched on the baseball field where he led the WU Varsity Baseball team to victories in 1970 and 71.’  Westmoreland was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 9th round of the 1971 MLB June Amateur Draft from WU and to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1st round of the 1974 MLB January Draft-Regular Phase from the University of California, Berkeley.

 

Gilberto Camacho

Two-time California State Wrestling Champion Gilberto Camacho’s coaches describe him as one of the most determined athletes the program has ever seen.  Camacho dominated his weight class for four years at Washington Union where he was a three-time North Sequoia League Champion, three-time Valley Champion, and two-time Master Champion.  In 2008 Camacho helped the Panther Wrestling team finish 3rd in the Valley, 7th in Masters, and 2nd in the State Small Schools Division.  He is still the first and only wrestler from the Small Schools Division to win two State Championships and be honored twice as a National High School All-American. Camacho earned a scholarship to Wartburg College in Iowa where he placed third at the Concordia Open during the 2012-13 season and won the Dick Walker Invitational Tournament.  In 2013-14 Camacho was named the NCAA DIII Central Regional Champion and an NCAA Division III All-American for his performance.  Camacho graduated from Wartburg with a degree in Fitness Management and a minor in Business.

 

1978 Valley Championship Football Team

The 1978 Panther Football Team earned Washington Union its first Valley Championship Football Title.  Coached by Bill Perkins, the team beat rivals: Kingsburg, Central, Garces, and Immanuel to earn an overall 10-3 record which included a Valley Championship win over Immanuel.  The 1978 team was known for being a strong all-around team with both a solid defense and powerful offense.  16 players from the 78’ team were awarded All-League honors for their outstanding performances.

 

 

The Wall of Fame Induction Dinner will be held on April 6, 2019, in the Washington Union High School South Gym.  A reception will begin at 5:00 p.m. and a steak dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m.  Tickets are on sale now in the WUHS Main Office for $25.00.  Please call (559) 495-5693 for more information.

 

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Jeff Freitas at 559-495-5693 or email at jeff.freitas@wusd.ws.