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Aptos High School

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Mariners Athletics

Aptos High School

Mariners Athletics

Aptos High School

Mariners Athletics


Aptos High School



Aptos High School Alumni GO MARINERS!

Sports Hall of Fame Bio.

Dan Gruber

Hall of Fame Class of 2006

Dan Gruber (class of 1973) – Dan is the only current Hall of Fame member inducted as both an athlete and a coach. As an athlete, Dan starred in cross-country, basketball, and track. In basketball, Dan was a member of the school’s first championship team, but it was in running where Dan really made his mark. Dan was the school’s first SCCAL and CCS champion, and a two-time All-Nor Cal champion. In 1973, Dan was selected as an All-American by Track and Field News. In 1973, Dan was also selected as the Aptos High Male Athlete-of-the-Year. Thirty-three years later, several of Dan’s track records still stand. Dan matriculated to San Jose State University, where he developed into the conference champion in the 5000 and 10000 meters. At San Jose, Dan was also selected as an Academic All-American. Dan continued to run after college, and for many years he was one of the most sought-after distance runners in the nation. Dan started coaching at Aptos in 1979, when he led the girls basketball team to four consecutive SCCAL championships, culminating with the 1983 CCS championship, which was the school’s first CCS championship in any sport. Dan eventually switched to the boys basketball team, replacing the legendary Bill Warmerdam. Dan coached the boys from 1991 until 1995, and he was twice-named the SCCAL Coach-of-the-Year. Today, Dan is the boys and girls cross-country coach. His boys and girls teams have combined to win six SCCAL championships, four CCS championships, and our school’s only state CIF championship. Dan has also coached eighteen individual CCS champions and nine individual state-meet medalists. Dan was presented into the Hall by Athletic Director, Mark Dorfman.

https://aptosathletics.org