Sedona Red Rock High School Unveils Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

The Sedona Red Rock High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced the inaugural class for 2025, honoring some of the institution’s most distinguished athletes.

Chairman Harry Schneider, a veteran track and field coach, expressed his excitement regarding the initiative. Over the past year, a dedicated group of former coaches, administrators, and community members met to recognize exemplary athletes and teams from the school’s history, which dates back to its founding in 1994.

The nine inductees for this first class include Kelly Busche (swimming), Whitney Cooper (softball), Kevin Cox (track and field), Jake Grodzinsky (golf), Carlos Lattanzi (swimming), Hannah Ringel (track and field), Michael Sells (basketball), Liza Westervelt (basketball), and McKenna Woodford (volleyball).

Schneider stated, “As SRRHS celebrates 30 years, it’s appropriate to honor these athletes and motivate future generations by establishing this hall of fame. This endeavor will be ongoing, allowing us to continually recognize exceptional talent.” He also thanked the Scorpion Booster Club for their sponsorship and support.

Initially, the committee concentrated on the most outstanding athletes from the program’s over thirty-year history before specifically focusing on nominees from 1997 to 2001.

Among the inductees is Kelly Busche, a track and swimming star who graduated in 2002. She earned multiple all-region honors and was a state finalist in several events, with several school records to her name.

Whitney Cooper, a 2012 graduate, dominated the softball field, achieving a .561 batting average and breaking school records for RBIs and home runs during her stellar career.

Kevin Cox, also a standout from the class of 2010, was a champion in both sprinting and long jump, setting school records that still stand today. He continued his athletic career at Occidental College.

Jake Grodzinsky, a 2003 graduate, won two state championships in golf and set a school record with an astonishing average stroke score of 71.5 in his senior year. He later found success at Duke University.

Recent inductee Carlos Lattanzi has already made a name for himself in swimming, with multiple state championships and several school records, currently continuing his athletic career at California State University-Bakersfield.

Hannah Ringel, who graduated in 2017, triumphed in shot put events and continued competing in college, securing a Big Sky championship during her time at Idaho.

Michael Sells, a 2001 graduate and standout basketball player, still holds various school records and was a notable athlete in multiple sports, including football and golf.

Liza Westervelt, who graduated in 2018, made significant contributions to the basketball program, earning all-region and all-state honors and excelling in her academics as well.

Lastly, McKenna Woodford, a volleyball player from the class of 2015, enjoyed a successful college career at Washington State University, where she became one of the all-time leading scorers.

For those interested in nominating an athlete for future consideration, more information can be found on the Sedona School District’s website under the “Clubs and Activities” and “Scorpion Hall of Fame” sections.