Benkert now a proud member of Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

Jim Benkert has known a lot of team success over the years as head coach of Westlake High's football team, winning CIFSouthern Section championships in 1999 and 2003. On Sunday night, Benkert received his highest individual honor.

Benkert was one of five new members inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame at the Ventura Beach Marriott. In Benkert's 18 years coaching the Warriors, his teams have won six Marmonte League titles.

"I was very thrilled when I learned about six weeks ago I was being inducted into the Hall of Fame," Benkert said. "I'm even happier that my mom was able to be a part of the event and see me get it."

Although Benkert received the recognition, he was quick to point out that he had a lot of help getting to where he's at.

"As a coach you sometimes get a lot of credit from the hard work put in by the kids and the assistant coaches," Benkert said. "I wish they could have all been there on the podium that night with me."

Getting inducted into the Hall of Fame along with Benkert were Larry Baratte, Michelle Palmisano, Troy John Kuretich and Ned Mircetic.

Baratte was an aquatics coach at Thousand Oaks High and Ventura College. His Thousand Oaks boys' and girls' swim teams won nine Marmonte League championships.

Palmisano was a basketball star at Thousand Oaks before playing at UCLA and Vanderbilt.

Kuretich competed at Cal Lutheran in track and field from 1984 to 1987 and holds school records in the 100 and 200meters as well as the long jump.

Mircetic coached the Ventura College women's basketball teams to five state championships from 1996 to 2002.

Also being honored at the event were Oak Park High's Kareem Maddox and Simi Valley's Anna Sperry.

The two seniors were given the Athlete of the Year awards. Maddox was recognized for his performance in basketball and track, while Sperry was honored for her running accomplishments.