List of 12 items.

• A

  John Adams ('82) – Football

  • Named 1st Team All-Dade by both the Miami Herald and Miami News
  • Garnered 2nd Team All-State recognition
  • Lettered in Football, Basketball and Baseball

   

  Michael Aguirre ('96) – Swimming

  • Four-time All-Dade First Team Member
  • Five-time Individual County Champion
  • Six-Time Individual GMAC Champion

  
  

  Gus Alfonso (‘97) – Baseball

  • Four-Year Starting Shortstop in Baseball
  • Bronze Medal winner at 1997 Jr. Pan American Games
  • Captain of the FIU Baseball Team

  
  Hugo Alvarez ('91) – Football

  • Two-time All-Dade Third Team selection by the Miami Herald
  • Invited to play in the Florida Shriner’s All-Star Game
  • Two-year Letterman at the University of Maine

   

  Sam Ancona ('92) – Wrestling

  • School’s first State Wrestling Champion
  • 33-1 in 1992 — 32 Pins
  • Wrestled at University of Virginia

   

  Juan Ayala ('79) – Tennis                  

  • Three consecutive individual and team district championships
  • He was ranked in the top 150 in the world in both singles and doubles
  • The head tennis pro at the Forest Club in Houston, Texas

• B

  Bernie Brewer – Special Contributor

  • Served as the Equipment Manager for 28 years
  • Established a system for organizing all equipment needed for outfitting a football team

   

  Timothy Briand (‘96) – Golf

  • Named the Dade County Golfer of the Year by the Miami Herald
  • Had the lowest scoring average in Dade, shooting just over 34 per round
  • Was a member of the University of South Carolina Men’s Golf Team that ended the 1998 season as 4th in the nation

   

  Br. Herb Baker 1983-1996 – Head Baseball Coach

  • Won 2 State Championships at Monsignor Edward Pace Senior High School
  • Head Coach for 14 Seasons at Columbus
  • Won 7 District, 5 Regional and 2 Sectional

   

  Bret Baynham (‘77) – Football and Baseball

  • Second Team All-County
  • He compiled a 24-4 career record at South Carolina
  • The recipient of Columbus’ Scholar Athlete Award

   

  Eugene Becker (‘67) – Baseball

  • First recruit of Charlie Greene, the legendary Miami-Dade South baseball coach
  • Named MVP of the American Legion All-Star Game
  • Played on the Columbus American Legion team

   

  Enrique “Kiki” Bengochea (‘99) – Baseball

  • Named Player of the Year
  • Helped baseball team post a record on the all-time win list
  • Drafted by the Kansas City Royals

   

  Tom Bernhardt (‘93) – Baseball

  • All-County in 1995 when he led Dade County in hitting and home runs
  • Played at Louisiana State University where he helped the Tigers win two National Championships
  • Played in the Cubs organization

   

  John Bevilaqua (‘65) – Basketball

  • Led the Explores to 16 wins and a District championship in 1965
  • Scored 11 points in the 1965 North-South All Star Game and took home the MVP trophy
  • He was named First-Team All-City by the Miami Herald

   

  Greg Blackwell (‘04) – Golf

  • Won both Youth Fair and GMAC titles
  • Named the Miami Herald Athlete of the Year for Boy’s Golf
  • Ranked in the Top 50 Nationally by Golfweek Magazine

   

  Eduardo Blanco (‘83) – Baseball

  • Three-year starter in centerfield
  • County-record 11 Homeruns as a Junior
  • Played at Creighton University

   

  Frank Boucek (‘64) – Football

  • 3 Year Letterman
  • First Team All-City and All-Catholic
  • Played both Offensive Line and Linebacker

   

  John Bow (‘76) – Football

  • Lettered in four sports – football, basketball, baseball and track
  • Named to the Miami Herald and Miami News All-County football team
  • Athlete of the Year in 1976
  • Played at the University of Kentucky

   

  Matthew Britton (‘87) – Football

  • Named first team All-Dade and first team All-State
  • 22 tackles – Team captain his senior year
  • A Hall of Fame member

   

  Marc Buoniconti (‘83) – Football

  • All-county inside linebacker
  • Started as a junior on the team that played in the state championship game
  • Played at the Citadel

   

  Dr. E. Carter Burrus (‘62) – Football

  • All-state defensive end; also played running back
  • Was also a standout sprinter in track and was the CCHS Sportsmanship award winner in 1962
  • Played football at Michigan State University

   

  Bob Bustamante (‘72) – Basketball

  • Led CCHS to its first district basketball championship
  • First-team Class AAA all-state
  • Played at Miami-Dade and Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University)

   

  Warren Butler (‘76) – Basketball

  • Starting Point Guard for 2 Years
  • 1976 Team Records was 23-6
  • Played 4 Years at Florida Southern College

• C

  Dominick “Dom” Cabrera (‘10) – Cross Country

  • A member of the 2008 & 2009 CCHS State Championship Cross Country Team
  • First Team All-Dade in Cross Country
  • A member of the 2010 State Championship 4X800 Relay Team

  
  Roger Cainzos (‘93) – Baseball

  • Four-year letterman
  • Named 1st Team All-Dade as a Senior
  • While at FIU, he helped the Panthers win the 1995 TAAC Conference and contributed heavily to a school record of 21 straight wins

   

  Michael Carricarte (‘59)

  • Named to the All Gold Coast Conference First Team
  • Helped the Explorers make it to the Gold Coast Championship Game
  • Earned a Baseball Scholarship to the University of Miami

   

  Robert “Hoven” Cizek (‘82) – Tennis

  • Helped CCHS to four-straight winning seasons
  • First-ever Big South Conference player of the year
  • Earned First-Team All-Conference Honors

   

  Andres Correal (‘89) – Soccer

  • One of the toughest goalies in the history of Columbus soccer
  • Guided the Explorers to a record of 15-3-3, and the District title in 1989
  • Earned All-Dade 1st team honors from the Herald

   

  Julio Cortes (‘79) – Baseball and Football

  • First-team all-Dade in Baseball and Football
  • The “Goose Egg” defense
  • Won the school’s first national championship

   

  Jim Cox (‘64) – Football

  • All-American as a senior tight end and linebacker
  • Started three years as a receiver at the University of Miami and became the first CCHS player to play in the National Football League
  • Also, starred in baseball and track
  • Athlete of the Year in 1964

   

  Luis Cristobal (‘86) – Football

  • Named MVP in his senior year
  • Awarded the Scholar Athlete Award
  • The most intense and punishing Offensive Lineman the school has ever seen

   

  Mario Cristobal (‘88) – Football

  • First Team All-Dade
  • University of Miami 4-year Letterman
  • University of Oregon Head Coach

   

  John Cull (‘79) – Track & Field

  • State champion in the mile run as a senior and first team all-county
  • Selected CCHS Athlete of the Year in 1979
  • Won a track scholarship to the University of Michigan

• D

  Raymond “Ray” De Cario (‘64) – Football

  • Named First Team All-Catholic by the Voice newspaper
  • First Team All Gold Coast Conference selection
  • 1968 Pre-Season All-American for the Naval Academy

   

  Cesar Trigo De Serrano (‘05) – Volleyball    

  • Named First Team All-Dade as a senior
  • First Explorer to receive a college scholarship for volleyball (Mount Olive College in North Carolina)
  • Set a school record for kills per set at Mount Olive

   

  Cesar Hoed De Beche (‘88) – Water Polo

  • Led Dade County in scoring as a Senior
  • Named First Team All-Dade, First Team All-State and First Team All-American
  • Earned a Scholarship to the University of Miami

   

  Armando Del Valle (‘11) – Track & Field

  • Most decorated athlete in Columbus History
  • Two-time state champion in the 3200 meters, the 1600 meters, and the 4×800 relay
  • Three-time Regional Champ in the 3200 meters
  • Four-time Regional Champ in the 1600 meters
  • Named the Miami-Dade Athlete of the Year in 2011

   

  Andres Davila (‘06) – Cross Country 

  • 3200 meters GMAC champ in Track
  • Named 1st Team All-Dade and All-State
  • One of the best distance runners in CCHS history

   

  Peter De Morejon (‘92) – Baseball

  • Starting pitcher 3 years
  • County record 24 wins
  • First team All-Dade

   

  Thomas DeSiato (‘76) – Football

  • Named a Third-Team All-Dade
  • Received the Scholar Athlete Award
  • Went to the University of Norte Dame; received ring for Notre Dame’s National Championship

   

  James Desmond (‘81) – Football

  • Guided the Explorers to a record of 20-4 over two years
  • Quarterback who led the Explorers offense to their first District title and State Championship Game
  • Three-year letterman at the University of South Carolina

   

  Orestes Destrade (‘80) – Baseball

  • Played professionally in Japan and in the Major Leagues for four years
  • Was on the Florida Marlins opening day roster in their inaugural season
  • Works as a baseball analyst for ESPN

   

  Eric Diaz (‘05)- Basketball

  • Most Valuable Player and Second Team All-Dade
  • 20 points and 11 rebounds per game
  • Awarded a basketball scholarship to Stetson University

   

  Rick DiBernardo (‘80) – Wrestling

  • State runner-up at 185-pound division as a senior with a 38-2 record
  • Also, was first team all-county in football as a linebacker
  • Won a wrestling scholarship to Ball State
  • CCHS Athlete of the Year in 1980

   

  Scott Dimare (‘85) – Football

  • 3-year starter
  • FSU
  • Athlete of the Year

   

  John Doyle (‘69) – Football

  • First Team All-Dade
  • Second team All-State
  • Scholarship to Purdue University

   

  David Drier (‘83) – Swimming & Diving

  • 4 Years – All-Dade
  • 2 years – All-state
  • 3-time All American

   

  Kirk Dulom (‘84) – Baseball

  • 3-year starter
  • First team All-Dade
  • Played for the University of Miami and then the New York Yankees

• E

  Jack Ellison (‘61) – Football

  • Football Captain for two years
  • All Gold-Coast Conference
  • Also, played basketball and ran track

   

  James Ellison (‘59) – Football

  • Miami-Dade County’s All-Catholic most outstanding player
  • The first All-City player in the school’s history
  • Received a football scholarship to the University of Miami

   

  Thomas Ellison (‘61) – Football

  • Halfback, fullback, wide receiver and linebacker
  • All-Gold Coast Conference first team – All Catholic All-State
  • Honored as the school’s top scholar athlete

   

  Matthew Eustace (‘00) – Bowling

  • 2000 State Champion
  • 212 Average
  • Bowled for FSU

• F

  Jorge Fabregas (‘88) – Baseball

  • All-state and all-county as a senior
  • Three-year starter at the University of Miami before being selected in the first round of the 1991 MLB draft by the California Angels
  • Played in the Major Leagues for nine seasons (Angels, Royals)

   

  Manny Figueroa (‘67) – Swimming & Diving

  • All-city performer who set school records in the breaststroke and freestyle
  • Selected all-American at Miami-Dade Community College and later swam at Eastern New Mexico University

   

  Joseph Flaherty (‘65) – Baseball and Wrestling

  • First team All-State and first team All-City
  • 10-1, won the NAIA national championship
  • He entered the world of professional wrestling

   

  Brian Flynn (‘80) – Football

  • Earned team Offensive MVP award
  • Three-year letterman in football
  • Member of University of Pennsylvania Baseball Hall of Fame

   

  Mike Flynn (‘70) – Football

  • 3 Year Starter at Linebacker
  • First Team All-City and All-State
  • Columbus’ Athlete of the Year in 1970

   

  Nelson Fonseca (‘91) – Basketball

  • Three-Year starter
  • Team MVP
  • Barry University, three-year starter

   

  Fred Foyo (‘77) – Baseball and Track & Field Coach

  • The most dominant and respected player on the Columbus offense
  • Baseball, Track & Field Coach at Fort Lewis College

   

  Robert “Bobby” Fuller (‘87) – Football

  • Led the 1986 Explorers to District and Regional championships
  • Honored with the Offensive MVP award
  • Two-time University of South Carolina MVP

• G

  Mauricio Galindo (‘97) – Golf

  • Four-Year Letterman in Golf at CCHS
  • First-Team All-Dade in 1997
  • Four-Year Letterman in Golf at the University of Central Florida

  
  Alex Galvez (‘92) – Football

  • Three-year starter at center
  • Named First Team All Dade in 1992
  • Three-year starter at the University of Central Florida

   

  Dwayne Ganzy (‘84) – Track & Field

  • School Record Holder 110 Hurdles
  • Three-year Letterman in Football & Track
  • Played Football at Syracuse University

   

  Alex Garabedian (‘04) – Baseball

  • Hit 28 career home runs
  • Two-time All Dade Selection
  • 4-year batting average of .415

   

  Jeff Gardner (‘72) – Football

  • All county, all-state and all-American
  • Three-year varsity starter as offensive and defensive lineman
  • Selected Miami Herald all-decade team
  • Three-year starter at Florida State University

  
  

  Kito Gary (‘95) – Track & Field

  • Four-Year Letterman in Track
  • Set the CCHS record for the 200 meters
  • 1995 Outstanding Athlete Award Winner

   

  Ed Gehret (‘64) – Track & Field and Cross Country

  • First team All-City in track & field and cross country
  • Championships three consecutive years
  • GMAC champion in cross country

  
  

  Danny Gil (‘03) – Baseball

  • Dade County Pitcher of the Year in 2003
  • Member of 2003 Explorer State Championship Team
  • Ranks first in career appearances for University of Miami Baseball Team

   

  David Gil (‘96) – Baseball

  • High School All-American in 1996
  • A member of the 1999 UM College World Series Championship Team
  • A two-time All-American at UM

   

  Rudy Gomez (‘93) – Baseball

  • Three Year Letterman at the University of Miami
  • Recognized with 1st Team All-Dade Honors
  • Named a AA All-Star in 1997

   

  Joaquin Antonio Gonzalez (‘97) – Football

  • Sugar Bowl winner in 2000; National Champion in 2001
  • Named Freshman All-American
  • Recipient of the Draddy Scholar-Athlete Award

   

  David Goodman (Swimming Coach) – 1963-1971

  • Led Columbus to 68 dual meet wins
  • He was honored as the Miami News Coach of the Year
  • He received honor from the Miami Herald in 1971

   

  Camilo Guerci (‘06) – Volleyball

  • A brilliant leaper with uncanny timing
  • Received Second-Team All Dade honors from the Miami Herald and was selected to play in the Dade-Broward All-Star game
  • Bronze Medal winner at the USA Open Nationals

   

  Tony Guerra (‘89) – Soccer

  • The most dynamic offensive weapon
  • He kicked 31 goals in just 17 games
  • Soccer at Miami-Dade & Division 1 Drexel University

   

  Joseph “JoJo” Gutierrez (‘03) – Baseball

  • School record holder for RBIs and Homeruns
  • Won 23 games as a pitcher
  • Delivered a clutch two-RBI double to help the Explorers bring home the State Title

   

  Brian Griese (‘93) – Football

  • All-county quarterback
  • Played at the University of Michigan and in the National Football League
  • CCHS Athlete of the Year for 1993

   

  Pedro Grifol (‘88) – Baseball

  • All county catcher.
  • Played for Florida State University and Team USA
  • Played nine seasons of professional baseball (Minnesota Twins, New York Mets)

  
  

  Mark Gulesian (‘11) – Cross Country

  • Three-straight First Team All-Dade selections
  • Crowned GMAC champion as s senior
  • During Mark’s tenure, the Cross Country won three District, Regional and an unprecedented three straight State titles

• H

  Alex Halley (‘05) – Soccer

  • First Team All-Dade in Soccer, Football and Volleyball
  • Four-year starter in Soccer
  • 2005 Scholar/Athlete Award winner

  
  Br. Kevin Handibode 1971-1988 – Head Basketball Coach

  • Came to the school first in 1966
  • Titles, positions: teacher, dean of discipline, principal, president, development director, athletic director, basketball coach

   

  Darren Handy (‘86) – Football

  • Three-sport standout
  • UM — 2 national titles
  • Columbus defensive coach for a number of years

   

  David Hartnett (‘82) – Baseball

  • Columbus MVP Pitcher 1981 & 1982
  • Pitched at Creighton University
  • Pitched for Seattle Mariners & Chicago Cubs

   

  David Heffernan (‘80) – Football

  • “Goose Egg” Defense
  • 1979 Team allowed 39 Points in 10 Games
  • 2-year OT Starter at University of Miami

   

  Jim Hendry 1980-1982 – Head Baseball Coach

  • Columbus Coaching Record of 80-16
  • National Collegiate Coach of the Year in 1991
  • Current General Manager of the Chicago Cubs

   

  Joseph Hernandez (‘65) – Football

  • Three-year Starter
  • 1965 First Team All-Dade
  • Four-year Starter at University of Tampa

   

  Luis “Wicho” Hernandez (‘90) – Baseball

  • Helped Explorers post a 27-6 Record and capture GMAC, District, Regional and Sectional titles in 1988
  • Received 1st Team All-Dade honors
  • Had a career average of .360 and was a phenomenal base-stealer

   

  Alonzo Highsmith (‘83) – Football

  • All-county, all-state and all-American defensive end
  • Started three years as a running back at the University of Miami and was the third overall pick in the NFL draft in 1987
  • Also, played basketball at CCHS
  • Athlete of the Year for 1983

   

  David Hiss (‘63) – Football

  • All-city, all-state, and All-South
  • Led Dade County in rushing as a senior
  • Also, ran track and was Athlete of the Year for 1963
  • Won a football scholarship to the University of Florida

   

  Christopher Hosford (‘65) – Track & Field

  • Earned all-state honors in both the 1-mile and 880-yard runs (school record holder)
  • Earned all-State MVP honors
  • Won the Dade County sophomore and Florida Junior Olympics 1 mile titles

   

  Carlos Huerta (‘87) – Football

  • “Ice Man”
  • First Team All-Dade
  • University of Miami Hall of Fame

• I

  Robert Infante (‘00) – Cross Country

  • 4-time 1st Team All-Dade
  • 2-Time 1st Team All-State
  • Athlete of the Year

• J

  Lane Jackson (‘00) – Football

  • First-Team All-Dade Linebacker
  • Three-Year Starting Linebacker for the U.S. Naval Academy
  • Member of U.S. Navy SEAL Team Eight

  
  Jonathan Jay (‘03) – Baseball

  • First team all-county in 2003 when he led CCHS to its first state baseball championship
  • Played at the University of Miami
  • Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals out of UM

• K

  John Kaay (‘67) – Swimming & Diving

  • Freestyle swimmer who dominated in the 50 and 100 meters and anchored the Explorers’ dominate relay teams
  • Went on to William & Mary University

  
  

  Joe Keefe (‘60) – Basketball

  • First-Team All-City in Basketball
  • All Gold Coast Conference in Basketball, Football and Baseball
  • 1960 Athlete of the Year at CCHS

   

  Joshua Monsalve-Kirk (‘98) – Soccer

  • First team All-Dade
  • Team captain: Two sports
  • Went on to the University of Bridgeport

   

  Hank Klovekorn (‘75) – Baseball

  • 1975 Columbus Salutatorian and Scholar Athlete
  • First Team All-County in 1974
  • Played at LSU

   

  John Koval, M.D. (‘67) – Golf

  • Selected to be on the Gold Coast All-Conference Team
  • Named Outstanding Senior Golfer
  • Placed on the first-ever Miami News All-Star Golf Team

• L

  Donald “Donnie” Lewis (‘80) – Football

  • Three-time letterman for the Explorers
  • Led the nation in receptions in 1982
  • Third Team All-American for Columbia University in 1983

   

  Frank Lagotic (‘63) – Cross Country

  • Won state cross-country championship in 1962, becoming the first state champion in school history
  • CCHS Scholar-Athlete award winner for 1963

   

  Patrick Lee (‘03) – Football

  • Two-year starter
  • Played at Auburn University and earned All-SEC honors
  • Played for the Green Bay Packers and won a Super Bowl

   

  William (Bill) Lennon (‘76) – Track and Field

  • Dominant in the 800 Meter and the Mile
  • First Team All-County
  • First Team All-American at Miami Dade South

   

  Robert Lesperance (‘81) – Track & Field

  • Received Honorable Mention by both the Herald and Miami News
  • Named Track & Field Athlete of the Year
  • Has competed in over 25 marathons including Boston, New York and Miami

   

  Chris Lynch (‘72) – Baseball

  • Three Year Letterman
  • First Team All-County in 1972

   

  Ed Lynch (‘73) – Baseball

  • First team all-city in baseball and basketball
  • Played both sports at the University of South Carolina
  • Pitched in the Major Leagues for 8 seasons, including 7 with the New York Mets

  
  

  John Lynskey (‘78) – Football

  • CCHS School Record Holder for tackles in a game (26) and a season (150)
  • Winner of the 1978 Sportsmanship Award
  • Coached the CCHS Varsity Linebackers for 18 years