Blayne Ballard and Makenna Choi are this year’s Eric Griffin Memorial Award winners. This is Northgate High School’s most prestigious sports award as it recognizes both athletic achievement and the athlete’s character.
In 1975, Eric Griffin died of complications from Chicken Pox during his freshman year at Northgate High School. He played football, basketball, and track and made a huge impact on the school and community. Since then, the Northgate Athletic Department honors Griffin’s life each year by selecting one male and female student-athlete as Eric Griffin Award winners.
To be eligible for the prestigious award, a student-athlete must participate in multiple sports, earn above a 3.0 grade point average, and show excellent effort, sportsmanship, and conduct. Additionally, the student-athlete must be a team leader who makes others better through their example and encouragement.
This year marks the 50th presentation of the award that began in 1976. Two of Eric Griffin’s friends, Lee Orr and Tom Fenner, worked with the father of a classmate, Dan Grove, and the Griffin family to establish this award as a way to remember Eric. For this 50th presentation, Orr and Fenner, along with Eric’s mom and siblings, were present. Orr and Fenner (class of 1978) presented the plaques as Athletic Director Ben Ballard introduced the two awardees. Each award comes with a $300 scholarship. Congratulations to Blayne and Makenna!
Makenna Choi has been a cornerstone of Northgate High School’s athletic programs, showcasing her versatility and leadership in both softball and tennis.
Softball: As a four-year varsity player and team captain, Makenna has demonstrated exceptional skill and commitment. Her career statistics are a testament to her prowess: a batting average of .444, 88 hits, 78 RBIs, and 8 home runs. Notably, she achieved a fielding percentage of .979 and an ERA of 2.93 over 157.2 innings pitched, with 133 strikeouts. Her outstanding performance earned her the Diablo Athletic League (DAL) Pitcher of the Year award and recognition as a Player of the Game.
Tennis: Makenna also excelled on the tennis court, serving as a three-year varsity player. Her agility, strategic thinking, and sportsmanship contributed significantly to the team’s success, further highlighting her athletic versatility.
Academic Achievements:
Beyond her athletic endeavors, Makenna has maintained an impressive academic record, holding a 4.2 GPA. Her commitment to excellence extends to her involvement in extracurricular activities, where she serves as the Co-President of the Northgate Asian Cultural Society and Vice President of the Northgate Tutoring Club.
Blayne Ballard is the epitome of dedication, versatility, and excellence. As a three-sport varsity athlete at Northgate High School, he has left an indelible mark on Northgate’s football, soccer, and baseball programs.
In football, Blayne’s senior year was nothing short of historic. He led the team as the top receiver, breaking three school records, including the longest kick return in Northgate history at 99 yards. With 25 total touchdowns, over 1,000 receiving yards, and a 51-yard field goal. His versatility was on full display in a game against Mt. Diablo, where he scored 39 points through various means, including touchdowns, extra points, and even a two-point conversion pass. His exceptional performance earned him titles such as DAL Offensive MVP, First Team All-Bay Area, and Cal-Hi Sports Northern California Multi-Purpose/Special Teams Player of the Week.
In baseball, he was a 3 year starter at center field and continued with a remarkable .449 batting average and 19 stolen bases this year, ranking among the top in the North Coast Section both his Jr. and Sr. years.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Blayne has demonstrated commendable academic dedication, maintaining a 3.4 GPA. Blayne’s commitment, leadership, and sportsmanship embody the very spirit of the Eric Griffin Award. He has not only excelled individually but has also uplifted his teammates and represented Northgate High School with honor and integrity.
By Kara Navolio. Resident since .1991