By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

In the last four years, you could easily make an argument that Cameron McFarlane and Franco Alonso were the two most complete and dominant athletes that strode across the Pasadena Poly campus.

McFarlane’s impressive athletic prowess as well as his character and success in the classroom set up an amazing opportunity, which was an invitation to walk on at Stanford and play football for the Cardinal.

McFarlane also played baseball and was part of the 2018 CIF-SS Division 6 championship.

Alonso, just like McFarlane, dominated on both the baseball and football fields.

He kept a steady GPA that ranged between 3.8 and 4.0 throughout his four years at Poly.

In just a few days, Alonso will make the 2,653-mile trip to both attend and play baseball for Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

The 2019 Poly graduate turned in one of the most complete four-year careers in the San Gabriel Valley.

Alonso played freshman football, but decided to sit out his sophomore year.

When he came back for his junior season, Poly football coach Chris Schmoke was delighted.

As most do at a small school, Alonso played and contributed in all three phases of the game.

He spent some time at running back when they needed him, but he was also just as lethal catching passes and scoring long touchdowns in runs after catches.

In his senior season, through just four games, Alonso had already scored five touchdowns and two were 60 yards or more.

That might not seem or sound incredible, but you have to keep in mind that Poly blew out a lot of opponents and the starters usually took most of the second half off, or his numbers would have been even greater.

In all, Alonso was part of two consecutive Prep League titles in football.

When it came to baseball, he was a huge contributor on that 2018 CIF title team, as he played shortstop, closed out games on the mound and set the table for the Panthers’ offense from the leadoff spot.

His 48 hits in 2018 were third best in the San Gabriel Valley and it didn’t cool off in 2019.

Over the past two years, Alonso was part of a baseball program that went 47-7, which also included two Prep League baseball championships.

Additionally, the Panthers went 9-1 in the postseason, which was good, as mentioned, for the 2018 title, and a runner up spot in 2019, when the Panthers’ fell to Xavier Prep in the D-5 title game.

Alonso will go to Cornell with the intention of earning the leadoff spot for the Big Red, and to get ready, he played nearly 45 summer baseball games for two different teams.

As much as Alonso has accomplished and for all that he’s done for both the football and baseball programs, he is actually the one saying ‘thank you,’ to his alma mater for all the support and guidance that has led him to this day.

“This school not only challenged me to be my best, they were there to pick me up whenever I struggled or needed their support,” Alonso said. “It is this education, my teachers, my coaches, my friends and teammates that have made this possible, and I’ll always be grateful and proud to have gone to Poly for four years.”

The irony in how good Alonso became on the baseball field is that his twin sister, Catalina, is considered the best hitter in the family.

And while they spent four years together impressing all at the Pasadena school, Alonso and his sister will also attend college together at Cornell.

In a past conversation with Poly football coach Chris Schmoke, he called Franco a “coach’s dream,” because of his skills, versatility, work ethic and for growing into a leader.

Alonso carried out his duties as student, athlete, teammate, leader, brother, son and friend as well as anyone could hope for, and his parents Rosy and Ben should get their share of the credit.

We wish both Franco and his sister Catalina well in New York and have every confidence in the world that they will represent the San Gabriel Valley well.

Quotable:

Rio Hondo Prep star & CIF-SS Division 6 Baseball Player of the Year, Jake Lang: “Franco is a great athlete and competitor. Over my three years playing against him, his name was always on the threat list. He gave us great competition, and some really tough and fun football and baseball games. He has earned my respect and praise for always being respectful, a class act, and a tough rival. He’s received some very well earned achievements and he definitely deserves all that he has coming for him at Cornell. I wish him the best of luck!”