1985 Girls Basketball Team
Martha Renteria
WHS Class of 1985
Martha grew up in Woodlake and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her numbers as Guard were 22/23. After graduation, Martha attended COS and played two seasons of volleyball. She worked at the Exeter Hospital, followed by Kaweah Health Hospital for over 30 years. Martha is now enjoying retirement in Woodlake.
Billie Jane (Shaver) Merlo
WHS Class of 1987
Billie grew up in Woodlake and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her number as Center/Forward was 42. After graduation, Billie attended Fresno State, achieving a Bachelor’s in Agriculture with an emphasis in Production. Billie married Harry Merlo and had two sons: Dominic, 30, a US Army Ranger stationed at Joint Base Lewis McCord in Washington, and Anthony, 26, who is attending Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport Iowa. Billie and her husband own and operate a vineyard and small winery in Sonoma County. They were blessed with their first grandson, Luca, in February. Billie and her family currently live in Geyserville, CA.
Irene Robles Teraoka
WHS Class of 1985
Irene grew up in Woodlake and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her numbers as Forward were 30/31. After graduation, Irene attended COS and Fresno Pacific, and is currently a science teacher and coach at Buchanan High School in Clovis. She married Kerry Teraoka and has three children: Brent, Jordyn, Caleb. They were blessed with a grandbaby, Keanu in 2022. Irene and her family currently live in Fresno, CA.
Julie Eastburn
WHS Class of 1987
Julie grew up in Three Rivers and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her number as Forward/Center was 34. Julie played basketball and volleyball for 4 years and was voted Player of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year in 1987. After graduation Julie attended Cal Poly SLO and Notre Dame de Namur University, graduating with a Masters in Education Administration. Julie went on to be a high school teacher and coach (volleyball, basketball and softball), HS Vice Principal, currently is a District HR Director). Julie’s greatest accomplishment to date is her daughter, Olivia (14), who is a multi-sport athlete like mom, specializing in softball (pitcher) and volleyball (middle and outside hitter). They currently live in Foster City, CA. Julie’s dream following graduation was to own a sports bar in Jamaica with a sand volleyball court - it still might come true; she’s holding out! She also wants to cheer for her daughter in college sports.
Missy Stone-Martin
WHS Class of 1985
Missy grew up in Three Rivers and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her number as Guard was 9. After graduation, Missy attended COS and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and became a teacher in the early 90’s. She married Dennis Martin, had two children, Katie and Jack. and became a stay-at home mom. In 2009 she became a Secretary for Los Ranchos Elementary School in San Luis Obispo. Missy and her family currently live in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Laura Richey
WHS Class of 1985
Laura grew up in Woodlake and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her numbers as Guard were 10/11. Laura was in sales for the first part of her career. She decided to make a change and went back to school for a nursing degree at City College of San Francisco. She was a Critical Care nurse for over a decade and then moved into the business side of healthcare in IT and operations departments. Laura currently lives in Danville, CA.
Uta Sauerwald
WHS Class of 1986
Uta grew up in Germany, coming to Woodlake High School for the ‘84-’85 school year as a senior exchange student, staying with the Dever family in Three Rivers. Her numbers as Forward were 42/43. During her time at WHS, she played volleyball, softball, and basketball. After graduating, Uta returned to Germany, attended college at Bergische Universität Wuppertal, and became a primary school teacher. She married Gero, and has two sons: Linus Ove, 20, studying virtual reality in Stuttgart, and Sven Ole, 22, studying data science in Karlsruhe. Uta feels her greatest accomplishment is her two almost perfect sons. As for Uta’s plans and dreams for the future; Do more Sports! Uta and Gero currently live in Kornwestheim, which is close to Stuttgart, Germany.
Carie Dever-Boaz
WHS Class of 1986
Carie grew up in Three Rivers and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her number as Guard was 40. Carie was known as a fierce competitor during her years in sports at Woodlake High School, lettering in 11 varsity sports - volleyball, basketball and softball. She played on three basketball teams that participated in the state finals and was a crucial member of the 1986 team that clinched the state title. After graduation, Carie attended Fresno State where she played softball for the Bulldogs as they pursued the national collegiate championship. Carie was a decorated athlete on and off the field earning both conference Player of the Year and national All American awards for sports and academics. After college, she played professional softball and was a player coach of a world champion softball team. She then coached 24 years at six different colleges. Carie is an author, clinician, athletic director, speaker, wife to Bruce, and mom to Max and Macie. The Dever-Boaz family lives in Senato-bia, Mississippi.
Sandy Perez Neeley
WHS Class of 1987
Sandy was raised in Woodlake and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her numbers as Forward were 32/33. Soon after graduation, she moved to the Bay Area and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies at San Francisco State University. Sandy has two daughters, Aria Schwartz who is a STEM major at COS, and Akira, majoring in History at UCLA. She is married to Greg Neeley and has two stepsons: Aaron Neeley of San Francisco and Brad Neeley of Austin, Texas. She is a step-grandmother of three boys. Sandy currently lives in Lindsay and teaches at Sequoia Union Elementary School.
Kerrie Bennett Gostanian
WHS Class of 1988
Kerry grew up in Three Rivers and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her number as Guard was 44. After graduation, Kerry attended University of the Pacific (Doctor of Pharmacy) and is currently a pharmacist at Kaweah Health. She married Russell Gostanian and has three children: Alex, Molly, and Meg. Kerry and her family currently live in Visalia, CA.
Jill Richey Brooks
WHS Class of 1987
Jill grew up in Elderwood and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her numbers as Guard were 44/45. During her time at WHS she played basketball, tennis ( MVP Sr Year), and volleyball. After graduation Jill attended California State Chico. She married Terre Brooks, even though he is an Exeter Monarch. Despite this, they have been married for 33 years, their marriage made stronger by going through a major health issue. Jill is currently a group sales manager for Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and resides in Sheridan, Wyoming, along with her mom, who attended every game. Her job has allowed her to travel and meet some inspiring people, including Magic Johnson. Jill plans to retire in about 6 years and looks forward to working on home projects, entertaining, designing, music, and having outdoor adventures, including hiking, skiing, tennis, golfing, fishing, being in the mountains, on the water, and spending time with family.
Kathy Brown Williams
WHS Class of 1986
Kathy grew up in Three Rivers and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her number as Center was 12/13. After graduation, Kathy attended San Joaquin Valley College and is currently a dental hygienist She married Clay Brown, has a daughter, Kayla. Kathy and her family currently live in Visalia, CA.
Kristy Melikian Sahagun
WHS Class of 1988
Kristy grew up in Three Rivers and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her number as Point Guard was 20. Kristy also played volleyball, basketball, and softball at WHS. After graduation, Kristy attended Fresno State. She married Richard Sahagun and has two daughters, Sara and Cynthia. They were recently blessed with a beautiful granddaughter named Mia. She is very proud of her wonderful family. Kristy is currently an English Teacher at Hanford West High School. Her plans for the future are to retire in a few years and relax. Kristy and her family currently live in Exeter, CA.
Coach Marvin Welch
Marvin Welch, 79, taught and coached for a total of 38 years: 22 years at Woodlake High School and 16 years at Porterville High School. During his career, he coached many sports, including: football at Woodlake High and Porterville JC, both boys and girls basketball, golf and tennis at Woodlake High, and softball at Porterville. Coach Welch received the CIF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, along with many other honors. For him, his greatest achievement was the girls basketball teams. During his tenure, Coach Welch led the teams to the southern state championships in 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987. The girls won the top honor of State Championship in 1985. Since his retirement in 2007, Coach Welch has enjoyed time with his family and traveling on his motorcycles. He still enjoys time in the Woodlake community and following sports.
Maggie Martinez
1968 - 2011
WHS Class of 1986
Maggie Martinez was born on May 18, 1968 in Tulare, CA to Sidney and Celia Martinez. She passed away in Tulare, CA on January 21, 2011 at the age of 42 years. Maggie was raised and educated in Woodlake, CA, graduating from Woodlake High in 1986. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed watching and playing softball. Maggie's proudest accomplishment in addition to being a State Champion was becoming a mother to her three children, Richard, Ricky, and Kassandra. Everything she did, she did at 100%. Maggie's youngest brother, Coach Manny Martinez, always looked up to her and her accomplishment as a Woodlake Tiger State Champion. She is missed by her family and friends.
Michelle (Vincent) McNiece
Michelle grew up in Elderwood and attended Woodlake High School. In 1985, her numbers as Forward and Guard were 24/25. Michelle played volleyball, basketball, tennis, track, and swim team. She also was a 4x state qualifier for District 6 Rodeo. After graduation, Michelle attended COS and Cal Polytechnic University, graduating with a secondary teaching credential, and a Masters in Special Education and in Administrative Services. She has been married to Kent for 31 years and has 2 daughters, Kinley and Riley, both multi-sport athletes who competed at the collegiate level. Michelle coached Varsity Girls Basketball at Woodlake for 6 years and Central Valley Christian for 2 years while teaching special education for Tulare County Office of Education, retiring after 30 years. Michelle and Kent currently live in Tea, South Dakota, and her daughters live in Meridian, Idaho. Her greatest accomplishment is raising her two daughters and having a family that she loves so deeply. Michelle’s future plans are to travel and move to Idaho after Kent retires to spend more time with her daughters and son-in-law.
