Five Poway High alumni and staff members will enter the Titan Hall of Fame at a ceremony Saturday, Nov. 7, on the school's campus.
The inductees include 91X morning show DJ Rick Savage, Maui Brewing Co. CEO Garrett Marrero and three longtime coaches and teachers honored under a new "Contributor" category, the Poway High Alumni Association announced. The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported the inductees Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The Contributor category, debuting this year, recognizes educators, coaches, staff and volunteers who shaped the school and its students. The first three honorees are wrestling coach Wayne Branstetter, biology teacher Alan Torretto and soccer coach Bob Champion, who is being honored posthumously after his death in 2024.
In 40 years coaching Poway High wrestling, Branstetter compiled a 471-6-2 dual-meet record, won 37 CIF championships and four state team titles, and was named National Coach of the Year three times. His teams produced 17 individual state champions and 136 state medalists.
Torretto, known around campus as the "Biology Answer-Man," spent 45 years as a biology teacher and coach. He also contributed more than 35 years to the wrestling program alongside Branstetter.
Champion served Poway High for 34 years as a teacher and coach after a career as a U.S. Navy officer. He founded the school's soccer program and finished with 483 victories and three CIF championships. His oceanography and environmental education work gave hundreds of students hands-on coastal experiences.
The two alumni inductees built careers far from Espola Road.
Savage, 46, a Sorrento Valley resident and Class of 1998 graduate, now serves as morning show DJ and music director at San Diego's 91X. His career includes brand and creative work with Apple, the NFL, Warner Bros. Records and artists such as Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar and Metallica.
"Poway High played a huge role in developing the person I've become … To be honored in this way is very special," Savage told the Union-Tribune.
Marrero, 48, graduated in 1996 and co-founded Maui Brewing Co., building it into Hawaii's largest independent alcohol beverage producer. He and co-founder Melanie Oxley were named National Small Business Person of the Year in 2017. After the 2023 Maui wildfires, Marrero helped organize a collaboration of 725 breweries that raised more than $1.5 million for housing relief.
Marrero told the Union-Tribune that San Diego is still in his blood and he hopes to keep making Poway proud.
The ceremony runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in Room K-1 at Poway High, 15500 Espola Road. Tickets are limited and available at tinyurl.com/yhndxyd6.
