5 Super Athletes With Ties To Capitola-Soquel

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Capitola-Soquel area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Dwight Lowery (Football)

Dwight Lowery is a skilled defensive back who was born and raised in neighboring Santa Cruz and attended Soquel High School. Lowery’s football journey began locally before he reached the professional level. He was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft after an impressive college career with the San Jose State Spartans. Lowery went on to play for multiple NFL teams over his career, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, and San Diego Chargers.

2. Casey McGehee (Baseball)

Former professional baseball infielder Casey McGehee is a proud graduate of Soquel High School. During his time there, he excelled in baseball and basketball, earning County Player of the Year honors and setting records in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League. After continuing his baseball career at Fresno State (Class of 2002), McGehee was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 2003 MLB Draft. He went on to play for Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Francisco Giants, and earning the 2014 NL Comeback Player of the Year award. He also thrived in Nippon Professional Baseball, leading the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles to a Japan Series title in 2013.

3. Quinn Healy (Water Polo)

Capitola native and Soquel High School alum Quinn Healy has already made waves in water polo as a sophomore two-meter defender at Stanford University. At Stanford, Healy made an immediate impact as a freshman, playing in all 26 games, ranking sixth on the team in goals (23), and earning ACWPC All-Academic honors. Healy also played a pivotal role in helping Team USA’s Women’s Senior National Team secure gold at the 2024 Pan American Championships in Ibague, Colombia, scoring twice in the championship game and contributing nine goals throughout the tournament. Her defensive prowess and scoring ability helped Team USA dominate all six opponents, earning a spot in the 2025 World Aquatics Championship.

4. Maggie Vessey (Track and Field)

Maggie Vessey, a middle-distance runner from Soquel, has carved out a remarkable career in track and field, competing in national and international events. A two-time Big West Conference 800m champion at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, she burst onto the professional scene in 2009 with a stunning victory at the Prefontaine Classic and a world-leading time of 1:57.84 in Monaco. Vessey represented the United States in the 800m at the World Championships in 2009 and 2011, placing as high as fourth in the finals. In 2015, she helped the U.S. set a pending national record in the 4x800m relay and claimed victories at several prestigious meets.

5. Luke Skyler Rockhold (Mixed Martial Arts)

Luke Rockhold, a native of Santa Cruz and a graduate of Soquel High School, is a retired mixed martial artist celebrated for his accomplishments in the UFC and Strikeforce. Rockhold became the UFC Middleweight Champion in 2015 after defeating Chris Weidman at UFC 194, a victory that earned him the "Fight of the Night" honors and prompted Santa Cruz to declare December 18 as "Luke Rockhold Day." Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, Rockhold's resilience and dedication to his craft made him one of the most respected fighters in the sport.

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