5 Super Athletes With Ties To Santa Cruz

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Santa Cruz 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. Reggie Stephens (Football)

Reggie Stephens, a former NFL cornerback and Santa Cruz High School alum, has left an indelible mark both on and off the field. After excelling as a three-sport athlete in Santa Cruz, Stephens played football and basketball at Cabrillo College before earning a football scholarship to Rutgers University. His professional career included playing for the New York Giants, where he participated in the 2000 Super Bowl and the Nashville Kats in the Arena Football League. Stephens returned to Santa Cruz in 2010 and later founded the Reggie Stephens Foundation (RSF), which mentors youth in sports, arts, education and culture.

2. Natalia Grossman (Climbing)

Natalia Grossman, an accomplished athlete from Santa Cruz, began climbing at the Pacific Edge gym at six years old. Known for her prowess in bouldering and lead climbing, she has earned multiple World Cup titles, including back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022. Grossman represented Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 11th in the combined event.

3. Nate Doss (Disc Golf)

Santa Cruz native Nate Doss began his disc golf journey at DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course. Turning professional at just 15, he went on to win three world championships and became the first disc golfer featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10. A pioneer in the sport, Doss is also a commentator for the Disc Golf Pro Tour and co-founder of Bevel Craft Brewing.

4. Kelsey Robinson Cook (Volleyball)

An Olympic volleyball star and Santa Cruz resident, Kelsey Robinson Cook has competed in three Olympic Games, earning gold in Tokyo. Known for her leadership both on and off the court, the Illinois native has captained Team USA and excelled in international club play. Robinson Cook is married to Santa Cruz native Brian Cook, who has also played professional volleyball on a global stage.

5. Caspar Corbeau (Swimming)

Santa Cruz swimmer Caspar Corbeau earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics while representing the Netherlands in the 200-meter breaststroke. A former collegiate swimmer for the University of Texas, Corbeau also competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.