Class of 2024

Jason Stephens’ impact on the Antioch High School Swim Team in the early 1990’s was much more than being one of the fastest freestyle sprinters in school history. He brought energy, enthusiasm and built team cohesiveness. Everyone rallied around Jason and his character made things fun. Along with another teammate, he created a ‘social media’ atmosphere with a printed swim team newsletter called The Weekly Wake. Fun facts, words of encouragement and a little humor here and there, it helped focus both the boys and girls teams on that week’s competition.

Jason was a four-time BVAL finalist and four time North Coast Section meet qualifier. As a sophomore, he placed 2nd in the 50 free and 3^rd in the 100 free at the BVAL Championships. During his junior year, he placed 2^nd in the 50 and 3^rd in the 100 free at the North Coast Section Championships. His senior year he had the fastest time in the 50 and won the 100 free at the BVAL Championships. He was 2^nd in the 50 (21.53) and 2^nd in the 100 free (47.44) at the NCS Championships. He was voted the boys Most Valuable Swimmer and Team Captain by his peers. Along with his swimming success in high school, he was a second team All-BVAL water polo player as a sophomore, 1^st team All-BVAL as a junior and senior.

Jason went on to swim for two years at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he competed against the likes of Tom Jager, Brad Schumacher and Jason Lezak, all Olympic gold medalists and world record holders. He graduated in 1999 with a BS in Business Administration/Finance. Jason currently lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife Summer and works as a Senior Portfolio Manager for Texas Capital Bank.

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Carrie Tucker was always willing to swim in off events to help the team win. At the BVAL Championships in her junior year, she helped the Antioch HS girls win the school’s first league swimming title, fending off rivals Clayton Valley and Carondelet by swimming in off events. She was a league champion in the 500 free as a sophomore and the 200 freestyle as a junior. At the NCS Championships she was a five-time finalist in five different individual events (50, 100, 200, 500 freestyle, and 100 backstroke) and was on five relays. During Carrie’s senior year she posted a CIF top 16 time in California in the 100 freestyle and was voted girls team captain and the MVP Award. She also excelled academically and was the female CIF Scholar Athlete of the Year for Antioch High School.

Carrie signed on to swim and play water polo at the University of Pacific in Stockton on an Academic Scholarship during her first two years. In her junior and senior years, she earned a full swimming/water polo scholarship. As a sophomore Carrie was a finalist in the 100 backstroke at the Big West Conference Swimming Championships. As a junior she finaled in the 100 and 200 freestyle. She was the UOP girls swim team captain in both her junior and senior years. Carrie was a Big West Scholar-Athlete and Academic Scholar Athlete all four years at UOP for both swimming and water polo.

Carrie was an English teacher as well as a swimming and water polo coach at Deer Valley and Heritage HS in Brentwood for 18 years before moving into administration. She was the principal at Heritage HS for eight years and is currently working for the Antioch Unified School District as the Senior Director of Human Resources.

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Sheena Wellman was one of the most impactful swimmers in Deer Valley High School history. She still holds the school record for the 50 freestyle and 400 free relay, is 2^nd all time in the 100 freestyle, 3^rd in the 100 backstroke, and 7^th in the 200 freestyle. Sheena placed in the finals at the North Coast Section Championships all four years, scoring 43 individual points (school record), and earning All-American consideration in the 100 backstroke as a sophomore. Upon her graduation in 2001, she was selected Deer Valley’s Outstanding Female Athlete for all sports by the Athletic Director and coaches.

During Sheena’s first year at Diablo Valley College, she received the Outstanding Female Swimmer Award while earning All-American honors in three relays (400 medley, 200 and 400 free relay) and two individual events, 50 and 100 backstroke (both school records), while DVC won the California JC State Championships. During her sophomore year, she was a CC Times Athlete of the Week along with the Bay Valley Athletic Conference Female Swimmer of the Year. She earned three more individual All-American awards (adding the 50 free) and was in three All-American relays at the JC State Championships. Sheena was also DVC’s Most Valuable Women Swimmer in 2003.

Sheena earned a scholarship to San Jose State University in 2003, where for two years she was a Scholar Athlete. As a SJSU swimmer, she was on multiple relays and in individual events at the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championships. She graduated in 2005 with a degree in Sociology and Psychology.

Sheena currently lives in the east bay with her two sons (Jack and William) and ‘Crazy Maisie’ their Golden Retriever. She currently works for the City of Orinda as a Supervisor in their Recreation Department.

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Josh Winfield, fondly known as “Happy” among his loved ones, embodied the essence of joy and positivity in everything he did. From his earliest days at DVHS, Josh’s infectious personality and unwavering spirit made him a cherished figure among his peers. His athletic journey began on the track, where he discovered a passion for running that would define much of his high school career.

Josh’s talent and determination were immediately evident. Throughout his time competing, he amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including named All-NCS and All-Nor Cal athlete. His remarkable speed and endurance, highlighted in standout performances, such as his lightning fast 400-meter time of 47.29 at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational.

Josh’s dedication to his craft, were on full display at the BVAL Track & Field Championships where he secured titles in both the 400-meter and 200 meter races. His impact extended beyond individual accolades, as he played an instrumental role in leading his team to success. His leadership and determination propelled DVHS to impressive finishes, placing 5th place in the CIF Track & Field Meet and victories at the NCS Meet of Champions, where he clinched first place in both the 200-meter and 400-meter races.

Off the track, his influence was just as profound. His genuine kindness and infectious positivity left an indelible mark on all who knew him. Whether he was cheering on his teammates or offering words of encouragement, Josh’s unwavering support lifted those around him and inspired them to strive for greatness.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements and remarkable character, Josh was honored as the Contra Costa Times Athlete of the Year, cementing his legacy as one of DVHS most celebrated athletes. Though his time on the track may have ended, Josh Winfield’s legacy of determination, resilience, and joy will continue to inspire generations to come.

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Rich Woods was a highly successful football coach that had led three high schools to state championships at Vanden High School in Fairfield, California, Shasta High School in Redding, California and Juanita High School in Kirkland, Washington. He became the California State Small Schools “Coach of the Year in 1995 following the Vanden Vikings undefeated season of 13-0 that earned them the Sac-Joaquin Section 3A and CIF State 3A Football Championships. 

Coach Woods brought his winning culture to Deer Valley High School that had been highly successful in the smaller school divisions. He believed that, “Championship teams are not born, they are coached.”  He introduced the “Wolverine Creed” that required all players to make a commitment to the team before themselves, always wearing their black and teal jerseys with pride and dignity. He implemented “Fly T” offense that had been highly successful at his previous high school football programs. 

His winning ways had an immediate impact raising the bar of expectations for the Wolverines football program.  The Wolverines became one of the top rushing offenses in the region that led to their first BVAL football championship with an undefeated regular season record of 10-0 in 2006 and won their second BVAL football championship with another undefeated 10-0 season in 2009.  During Coach Woods’s tenure, the Wolverines qualified for the NCS Football Championships 6 seasons (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013) with a winning percentage of 65% with a total record of 79 wins and 42 losses. 

Among the DVHS football championship teams were Taiwan Jones (Raiders/Bills), Sterling Moore (Patriots), De’Ondre Wesley (Ravens) and Nsimba Webster (Rams) who all played professional football in the National Football League.

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Top Row: Mike Nichols, Coach Dan Lovell, Johnny Unpingco, Joe Reed
Not Pictured: Jesse Unpingco and Andrew Strausbaugh

On the way to winning the 2004-05 two titles, the NCS Division 3A Dual Team and NCS Wrestling Championship, the Panthers won the Iron Man Dual Meet, Clayton Valley Invitational, Lou Bronzan Invitational, and placed 5^th at the Mission San Jose Wrestling Tournament.

The Panthers won the BVAL Championship with an undefeated dual team record of 7-0, and won BVAL Tournament score of 226 points, unseating the perennial power Liberty High School. The Panthers had 12 wrestlers advance to the NCS Championships with three champions, Ben McCorriston (112), Dominic Mutulo (145), Mike Nichols (152) , 2^nd place finalist, Ashley Preciado and 3^rd place medalists Johnny Unpingco, Sergio Fragoso, Derric Mutulo, Riki Chacon, Jake Bingham and Joe Reed.

The Panthers made NCS wrestling history by winning the inaugural NCS 3A Dual Team Championship. The Panthers had an overall record of 20-1, its only loss to Sac-Joaquin Section Champions Vacaville High School ranked 4^th in CIF state wrestling. Prior to the tournament, Coach, Dan Lovell said, “The Panthers have been pumped up all season and this is the first time we’ve had a full lineup all season.” The Panthers dominated the tournament with victories over James Logan 49-17, Liberty 46-17 and Newark Memorial 47-17. 

Antioch had 12 individual wrestlers advance to the NCS Wrestling Championships.  The Panthers won the NCS Championship with a score of 145.5 with 6 wrestlers, Ben McCorriston, Sergio Fragoso, Derric Mutulo, Dominic Mutulo, Mike Nichols, and Johnny Unpingco placing in the top eight medal stand.

The Panthers had 4 wrestlers (Dominic Mutulo, Ben McCorriston, Sergio Fragoso and Mike Nichols) advance to the CIF State Wrestling Championships with Dominic Mutulo placing 4^th upon the top eight-medal stand.

Head Coach, Dan Lovell, received the 2005 Contra Costa Prep Athlete Coach of the Year and National Junior College Athletic Association Regional XIII Coach of the Year in 2015.

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