To The Mountaintop

JASMINE WALKER
Interviewed by Darlene Castro

Jasmine’s journey took her from homelessness to success on the basketball court.
Jasmine is the epitome of strength, grit, resilience and the power of purpose, faith and focus. Her journey, inspirational to many, received a national spotlight on ESPN’s E:60 program. Jasmine’s journey took her from homelessness to success on the hardcourts of basketball. Now studying at Bethune-Cookman University, while also managing the women’s basketball team, Jasmine is an honor roll student majoring in sports psychology.

WALTER REDONDO
Interviewed by Noah Zamora

As a professional tennis player, Walter reached a career high ranking of 226 in the world.
Walter is the fifth of nine children born into a Filipino American family from San Diego. Growing up he was a leading player on the junior circuit, ranked top in the country for the 16s, ahead of his peer John McEnroe. On the professional tour he reached a career high ranking of 226 in the world and as a doubles player he made the round of 16 at the 1981 Wimbledon Championships.

Since retiring, Redondo has transitioned into a new career as a successful painter and sculptor. He has been making art since he was quite young. Over time, the process has become a tool of communication, and brought with it growth in himself, in his faith in a higher power, and in his place in the world.

MARITA REDONDO
Interviewed by Melania Attar

Marita is an American former tennis player and San Diego native who was active during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Marita enjoyed success at the US Open, the French Open and Wimbledon, reaching a ranking of 14th in the world at one point in her career.

In 1973, at age 17, she played on the Wightman Cup, an annual women’s team tennis competition between the United States and Great Britain, partnering Chris Evert in the first doubles rubber. Redondo played World Team Tennis for the Los Angeles Strings in 1974, the San Diego Friars in 1975 and the Seattle Cascades in 1978.

Marita was inducted into the San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012.

COCO GOODSON
Interviewed by Eva Grunburg

After playing several years of professional soccer, Coco volunteered for the U.S. Army and is currently a 2nd Lieutenant in the fabled 82nd Airborne Division.
Born in Ramona, California, Coco attended Cathedral Catholic High School where she was a four-year letter winner and was named to the All-CIF First Team. She was a member of the CIF San Diego Section and Western League Championship teams from 2005–2007. Goodson was named All-North County twice and All-Western League twice. In 2005, she was named California Gatorade Rookie of the Year. In 2007, she was named to the Union-Tribune All-Academic Team.

After spending the first two years of her college career at the University of Texas where she played midfielder for the Texas Longhorns, Goodson transferred to the University of California, Irvine where she played for the UCI Anteaters from 2010–2011. During her two seasons at Irvine, the squad made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first two times in school history, with Coco twice enjoying All-American status.

After playing several years of professional soccer in the US and internationally, Coco then volunteered for the U.S. Army, where she is currently a 2nd Lieutenant in the fabled 82nd Airborne Division, the elite of the elite among airborne troops and fittingly known as “The All-Americans.”

TONY GWYNN JR.
Interviewed by Konor & Cole Chinn

Tony is a former professional Major League Baseball outfielder and a broadcaster for the Padres’ radio and television network.
Tony Gwynn Jr. is a former professional baseball outfielder having played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Philadelphia Phillies. The son of Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, he works as a broadcaster for the Padres’ radio and television network.

A graduate from Poway High School in California, Tony is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn Sr., who died of salivary gland cancer on June 16, 2014, and Alicia Gwynn. Tony and his wife Alyse Mallek have four children; three daughters Makayla, Jordan and Leighton and a son, Anthony Keith III

ROLF BENIRSCHKE
Interviewed by Jess Newell

As the third most accurate placekicker in NFL history at the time of his retirement, Rolf Benirschke had an illustrious 10-year career with the San Diego Chargers. Rolf received numerous honors during his career including NFL Man of the Year; The Breibart Award, Comeback Player of the Year; Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Most Courageous Athlete; NFL Players Association Hero of the Year; NFL Justice Byron Whizzer White Award; and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl. In 1997 he became the twentieth player to be inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame, and was named to the Chargers’ All-Time team. In 2004 he was inducted into the Academic All-America Hall of Fame.

In his second year with the Chargers, he would be forced to embark on a journey that would lead to deep despair and self-discovery. It would require four major abdominal surgeries and challenge his very life before returning him to the highest of heights. He would go on to take all of the lessons he has learned and devote his time and energy to inspiring others to climb to their mountaintop. He has become the model for turning into adversity into action and activism for others.

Rolf is married to Mary Michaletz Benirschke, a speech pathologist, and they reside in San Diego. The couple has four children, Erik, Kari, Tim, and Ryan. Three of his children have special needs including cerebral palsy, brain injury and developmental delays, which further sparks the couple’s advocacy for those in need and gives them more compassion and understanding of life’s gifts and challenges.

For more information on Rolf, please visit www.rolfbenirschke.com