Warrior Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Fresno High School

Sports run deep in Fresno, and Fresno High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Warrior uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Fresno High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

1. Monte Pearson – MLB Pitcher and Fresno Hall of Famer

A Fresno High School alumnus and current Hall of Famer, Monte “Hoot” Pearson went on to pitch at the University of California before launching a Major League Baseball career that spanned a decade. He played for the Cleveland Indians (1932–1935), New York Yankees (1936–1940) and Cincinnati Reds (1941), becoming a key part of the Yankees’ rise in the late 1930s. Pearson excelled on baseball’s biggest stage, helping the Yankees win four consecutive World Series titles (1936–1939) and delivering memorable postseason pitching performances, including multiple starts and victories in Fall Classic play. (Source: Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame)

2. Les Richter – NFL Hall of Fame Linebacker

Fresno High School graduate Les Richter became a football legend, first as an All-American at UC Berkeley, then as a hard-hitting linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams. After being selected second overall in the 1952 NFL Draft, Richter served in the military before launching a nine-year career with the Rams, where he earned eight Pro Bowl selections and led the team in scoring in two seasons. Known for playing through injuries, he never missed a game in his 112-game NFL career. He passed away in 2010, age 79, and was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame the following year. (Sources: Fresno High School Wall of Champions, ProFootballHOF.com)

3. Gordon Dunn – Olympic Silver Medalist and Fresno Mayor

Gordon Dunn, a Fresno High School graduate, won a silver medal in the discus at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and once held the American record in the event. A dominant track and field athlete for Stanford, he also competed internationally and collected numerous awards. After serving as a naval officer in WWII, Dunn became Fresno’s mayor and earned a reputation for cracking down on crime. He passed away at age 52 in 1964. (Source: Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame)

4. Elizabeth Miles – Olympic Rower and World Silver Medalist

Fresno High grad Elizabeth “Liz” Miles rowed for UC Berkeley and represented the U.S. in the coxed fours at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, finishing fourth. She also won silver medals at the World Rowing Championships in 1981 and 1982 and placed fourth in 1985. Miles competed at the highest levels of international rowing and later went on to a career in banking. (Sources: Fresno High School Wall of Champions, Olympics.com)

5. Tom Seaver – MLB Hall of Famer and ‘Miracle Mets’ Ace

Before becoming “Tom Terrific,” Tom Seaver pitched for Fresno High School from 1959 to 1962. He went on to win three Cy Young Awards and 311 career games, and he helped lead the New York Mets to their iconic 1969 World Series win. A 12-time All-Star, Seaver was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 and remains one of the most celebrated pitchers in MLB history. A statue in his honor stands outside Citi Field in New York. He passed away in 2020, age 75. (Sources: Baseball-Reference.com, Fresno High School Wall of Champions)

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