Hall of Fame
Welcome Lancer Alumni!
Hilltop High School Hall of Fame Inductees
Nancy Acerrio
Nancy Acerrio, having served as a teacher’s aide, teacher, Athletic Director, and coach continuously from 1976 through the spring of 2021 for 45years of service, she is also one of, if not the longest, serving staff members in Hilltop’s history. Even more importantly, Nancy served with excellence in all four roles as she put service to and care of students as her most important duty and passion. (Read More)
Janet Balsley
Among teachers and coaches, those who stand out from all the others are those with the unwavering commitment and enthusiasm that is key to the success of all the students in that person’s care. This is what has set Janet Balsley apart from so many! (Read More)
John Baumgarten
Coach John Baumgarten is a San Diego Coaching Legend Hall of Fame member and a longtime coach of Hilltop High football and softball. However, it is baseball where he left his largest footprint. He coached for over 30 years with numerous CIF titles and over 15 former players being drafted into the professional levels and countless more moving onto the college ranks. (Read More)
Dr. Scott Leckman
Scott is a general surgeon living in Salt Lake City. After receiving his Associate of Science degree at Southwestern College and BS and MS degrees at Stanford University, he completed his medical studies and surgery training at the University of Utah. (Read More)
Desiree Linden
In April of 2018, Des Linden braved head- winds and torrential rain to become the first US women’s champion at the Boston Marathon since 1985. Her win was one for the record books as she bested the field in the worst conditions in race history. In the spring of 2021, Des set the World Record for the 50k, running 2:59:54. (Read More)
Megan Mahoney
Megan lettered in field hockey, basketball, and golf while at Hilltop. She played women’s golf at SDSU on a scholarship from 1993-1996. She was the Assistant Women’s Golf Coach after graduation for one year. Graduating with a BS in Outdoor Recreation from SDSU in 1998. (Read More)
Mark Martensen
Born in San Diego, California in 1958 and raised in Chula Vista where he lives and works to this day, Mark is nationally known artist. Mark started his professional art career in the early 80’s as a painter and sculptor of cowboys and Native American subject matter. (Read More)
Linda Nielsen
As a high school student Linda could usually be found doing the things she loved like practicing fielding skills in softball, diving for digs in volleyball or putting on a full court press in basketball. She says that practice always pays off. (Read More)
Hilltop High School Hall of Fame Inductees
Frank Pugh
Frank Pugh moved to Chula Vista in 1967 and attended Hilltop Junior High and Hilltop High School graduating in 1973. While at Hilltop he was an average student, not thinking college was in his future. But it was there he found inspiration through his friends and classmates that ultimately led him to discover his passion: education.
Tim Tyler
Coach Tim Tyler spent 27 of his 37-year teaching career at Hilltop High School where he was known as the Wrestling Coach. In addition to wrestling he was the softball JV coach for several years. As the Wrestling coach, his teams won 12 league titles, three CIF Runner-ups, and four CIF championships. Numerous wrestlers from Coach Tyler’s teams went on to collegiate wrestling and one became the world champion UFC title holder.