26/10/2025
Since its founding in 1997, the Hall of Fame has proudly celebrated the excellence and sportsmanship that define what it means to be a Napa High athlete. Over the years, we’ve inducted 120 athletes, 12 coaches, and 10 distinguished contributors — each leaving their mark on our school’s history and our community’s spirit.
The Hall of Fame’s mission extends beyond recognition. Each year, it provides two meaningful scholarships to deserving Napa High student-athletes — ensuring that the legacy of excellence continues to inspire the next generation.
Thanks go to the members of the Hall of Fame Board for their continued leadership and dedication, and to the Selection Committee for the time, care, and thoughtful consideration they put into choosing this year’s class.
Robyn Miller rewrote the record books. Upon graduation she held 10 individual school records and three relay records — missing just one, the 100 breaststroke.
Just three days after emergency appendectomy surgery, Robyn was back in the pool, competing. She went on to become an MEL champion, a four-time CIF Sac-Joaquin Section finalist, team captain, and Napa High Athlete of the Year.
Her excellence continued at the University of New Mexico, where she was a three-time All-Mountain West Conference selection, excelling in multiple events. When Robyn’s competitive days ended, she returned to Napa High leading swim teams to three MEL titles as co-head coach.
Robyn is clearly one of Napa’s most successful prep swimmers, and a welcome addition to the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Ben Ballantine was a three sport star who excelled in football, basketball and baseball where he served as team captain for each team.
Ballantine excelled in all three sports, but baseball was his primary focus. Ballantine was a two-time All-MEL and All Napa County selection in baseball and the team’s Most Valuable Pitcher as a senior.
In basketball, Ballantine was first-team All-Napa County as a senior. He was a double-double machine, averaging 13.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per contest as a 6-foot-7 big man who had range as a jump-shooter.
An outstanding hitter Ballantine recorded a .350 batting average against MEL combatants. As a pitcher, he was 6-2 with a 2.67 ERA.
Ballantine was a member of the Indians' 2007 CIF Sac Joaquin Section championship football team and caught a two-point conversion in the 38-36 title game win over St. Mary’s of Stockton.
Ben received scholarship offers in baseball from the University of the Pacific, Nevada, and Michigan before choosing Michigan.
A truly outstanding all-around athlete, we are pleased to welcome Ben Ballantine as the newest inductee into the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Michael Ruffino was a member of the Indians' 2007 CIF Sac Joaquin Section Division I football championship team, and was a two-year starter at the linebacker and tight end positions.
Michael earned MEL and All-Napa County Player of the Year honors. As a tight end, Ruffino helped the Indians running game using his powerful blocking skills and, as a linebacker, ran through would be tackles. Ruffino tallied 92 tackles as a senior, an interception, 89 first-hit or solo tackles, along with a blocked punt.
Ruffino also played two years of varsity basketball and went on to play college football at University of San Diego. He was also recruited by Brown, Humboldt State, and Sacramento State. In 2012, he helped San Diego win the Pioneer Football League Title as a starter at weakside linebacker as a senior.
Athletics, however, tell only half of Michael’s story. Ruffino was one of two Napa County representatives for the 2009 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Scholarship. His academic achievements were not limited to Napa High, as Ruffino was a four-time PFL Academic Honor Roll member.
A true student athlete, we are delighted to it welcome Michael Ruffino as the newest inductee into the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Tatum Souza was a star athlete the day she walked on campus. She was a three-year varsity star in three sports - volleyball, basketball, and track & field. Souza was a two-time Napa Valley Register Female Athlete of the Year went on to star in track at UCLA in the heptathlon.
To give you and idea as to what type of athlete Tatum was the heptathlon is comprised of the 100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meter sprint, long jump, javelin throw and 800 meter run.
Tatum was a dominate volleyball player as well. She was the MEL Player of the Year as a junior, leading the Indians to an MEL title and runner-up finish in the SJS Div. I and NorCal playoffs, coming within one victory of advancing to the State title match.
Additionally, Tatum earned first-team All MEL basketball honors as a senior. And helped Napa to three consecutive MEL titles.
In track, she was a two-time State meet qualifier in the long jump, establishing a school record (18 2 ¼) and also ran the 100 hurdles as a senior.
Souza also finished her college career at UCLA in elite company, finishing with the second-highest point total in the heptathlon with 5,771 points behind the famous Jackie Joyner Kersee.
Clearly, one to the finest female athletes to come from Napa, we welcome Tatum Souza as the newest inductee into the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
