Bearcat Athletics announces new Hall of Fame inductees
The Paso Robles High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced the induction of three former Bearcat student-athletes into the Athletic Hall of Fame. They are Greig Welch, Travis Bertoni, and Elmer “Bud” Bayer. The induction will take place at War Memorial Stadium during halftime ceremonies this Friday. The Bearcats will take on the Arroyo Grande Eagles. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Greig Welch
Greig Welch, class of 1968, was a three-year letter-winner in football and baseball. He was named team captain and received All SLO County recognition in both sports his senior year. Continuing his football and baseball career at Cuesta College, Welch was named team captain and Most Valuable Player in football in addition to being named to the Central Conference All-League Football Team in 1969.
As a student-athlete at Chico State University, Welch was a two-year letterman in football and was the Team Captain his senior year, leading the Wildcats to a Far Western Conference Championship and a berth in the 1971 Camelia Bowl vs. Boise State University. Welch went on to have a successful 38 year career as a teacher, administrator and coach, which included four league championships, a trip to the CIF Finals in baseball in 1978 and a second place CIF finish in Track & Field in 1982.
He served as the Principal of Flamson Middle School (1991-1997) and Paso Robles High School (1997-2005) before being named Assistant Superintendent of Personnel in 2006. He has also been active in the local community serving on the Board of Directors for Twin Cities Community Hospital, Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, Paso Robles Youth Task Force, and Youth Arts Foundation.
Travis Bertoni
Travis Bertoni, class of 2002, was a four-year varsity letterman in golf and the team MVP in 2002. He was League Champion in 2001 and the Runner-up in 2002. Bertoni earned a golf scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he was a four-time team MVP, three-time Big West Conference Golfer of the Year, and was named to the Ping All Pacific Region Team. He was the Cal Poly Male Athlete of the Year in 2006, and Honorable Mention NCAA/Ping All American in 2005 and 2006.
Bertoni is currently fourth on the NCAA Division I list of career victories and won two of three matches in the USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championships. Turning pro in 2007, he has played in the NGA, Canadian, and Nationwide Golf Tours. In 2008 Bertoni qualified and played in the US Open. He currently plays on the Web.com tour.
Elmer “Bud” Bayer
Elmer “Bud” Bayer, class of 1936, was a track star at Paso Robles High School 1934-1936. He competed in both the mile and 880 yard distances. In 1935, he placed second in the mile at the Los Angeles Regional Meet with a time of 4:27:00. Bayer then went on to finish first at the 1935 State CIF meet in Fresno with a time of 4:30:00. In 1936 he set a school record in the 880 with a time of 1:57:80; a record that stood for 53 years. He earned a track scholarship to San Jose State University, but a blood infection ended his running career.
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