Cactus High School

Cactus High School
Location
6330 W. Greenway Road, Glendale, Arizona, United States of America
Coordinates	33°37′36″N 112°11′44″W
Information
Type	Public Secondary
Motto	Everything but Ordinary
Established	1977
Principal	Tad Bloss
Faculty	101
Enrollment	1,326
Color(s)	Columbia Blue and Silver
Athletics conference	AIA 4A Division II
Mascot	Cobra
Website	http://cactushigh.peoriaud.k12.az.us

Cactus High School is a public secondary school located in Glendale, Arizona, United States. The high school is currently a part of the Peoria Unified School District. The school opened its doors in August 1977, since which it has maintained an Excelling academic status.^{[citation needed]} Approximately 1,300 students are enrolled, and because of this, Cactus is a Class 4A Division II school, as classified by the Arizona Interscholastic Association. Their mascot is the Cobra. Cactus is considered the smallest high school in the Peoria Unified School District, by student population.^{[citation needed]} Cactus' sports and arts programs are referred to as the “Mighty Cobras.” The principal is Tad Bloss and vice principals include Holly Medina, Cedrica Hester, and William Sorensen.

Fight song

The song is set to tune of Northwestern University's fight song.

Go Cactus High School, On to Victory. Hail the Blue and Silver, we'll defend our dignity Fight mighty Cobras, keep our spirits high Show all the rest, that we are the best We'll fight forever, Cactus High CHS! CHS! CHS! CHS!

Athletics

Fall Sports

• Football: State Championship in 2005 after three straight appearances; State Championship in 2009, after losing in the playoffs for two years
• Volleyball: State Championship in 2006 season; Runner-Up in 2008 and in 2009
• Boys Swim and Dive
• Girls Swim and Dive: 2009 4A II state champion diver Katie Dallman
• Boys Cross Country: West Valley Region Championship in 2007 season (No losses but one tie during regular season 15-0-1).
• Girls Cross Country: West Valley Region Championship in 2007 season.
• Boys Golf: 1987 State Campions as a team (the 1st in school history) and Robert Parker won the individual state championship after finishing fourth in the 1985 and 1986. 2009 State Runners up as a team and Individual Kale Davidson finished 2 in state.
• Girls Golf

Winter Sports

• Boys Basketball: State Championship in 1994, State Tournament Appearances in 2006 (12 seed—lost in first round) and 2008 (15 seed---upset 2 seed Sandra Day O'Connor High School but lost to 10 seed Paradise Valley High School in second round)
• Girls Basketball: 5 total State Championships under coach Jim Graham.
• Boys Soccer: Six State Championships and Eighteen Region Championships under coach Jack Altersitz, a member of the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame.
• Girls Soccer: Multiple State Championships
• Wrestling

Spring Sports

• Baseball: 2009 region championship; lost in 4A-I state title game to Canyon del Oro High School
• Softball: National Championship in 2006 season.
• Boys Track
• Girls Track: Back-to-back state championships in 2007 and 2008 (2008 title won with only 7 athletes participating in state meet)
• Boys Tennis
• Girls Tennis

Extra Curricular Activities

Cactus supports all of its clubs and after school activities including Chess Club, DECA, Key Club, Improv Club, Drama Club, 500 Mile Club, World Languages Club, FCCLA, Media Club, FBLA, Med Start, Key of C, Outdoor Adventure Club, Student Council, NHS, AFJROTC, Athletic Training, Clay Club, Robotics, Environmental Club, Mind's Eye.

Many of these organizations have received state and national recognition for their work.^{[citation needed]}

Notable alumni

• Kyle Kosier: Offensive lineman, Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
• Brandon McDonald: Midfielder, San Jose Earthquakes (Major League Soccer)
• Joe Riggs: Welterweight (UFC)
• Marques Coleman: Men's Basketball Assistant Coach, Brown Bears (NCAA)

External links

• Cactus High School website