Randy Ariey​

Randy Ariey was a multisport athlete at West High and an elite one, especially in track and field, ultimately earning a scholarship at Auburn University.  Ariey’s 61’6” shot put throw remains the school record at WHS.

As a sophomore, Ariey earned a spot on the highly competitive WHS varsity football team, playing defensive tackle.  Also as a sophomore, he won the varsity Kern County track meet with a throw of 56’9”.  That same throw was best of any sophomore in the United States, in 1979.  Today, that very same throw is the 9th best all-time for sophmores in the San Joaquin Valley.

As a junior, Ariey earned the starting spot at center, on the varsity football team, and finished the season with All League honors.  In the shot put, Randy improved his best throw to 57’4” and finished second in the Valley track meet.

Ariey moved to offensive tackle as a senior, helping the Vikings win the 1980 Valley Championship, and earning himself all-city honors, along the way.  In the spring of 81’ Ariey broke the WHS shot put record.  He then went on to win the West Coast Relays, Kern Relays and finished 4th at the Arcadia track meet.  Ariey placed first in the Valley, and third at the California State track meet, in Norwalk. 

From West, Ariey went to Bakersfield College where his best shot put mark was 54’7” (using the larger olympic size shot put), and then earned a scholarship at Auburn University, in track.

In his adult life, Ariey became an entrepreneur (Ariey Athletics), teacher and coach.  Randy recently completed his 25th year of teaching, currently at South High, working with special education students.  He’s also served as the club advisor to the Cause Club Christian group, at SHS. 

Philanthropically, Ariey served as president of the St. Vincent De Paul/ Little Flower Society Conference at St. Francis Church, focusing on home visits to people of Kern County who need assistance with paying bills, food etc. Ariey is the author of “OCD and Religious Scruples: Help for People of All Ages!”

Randy and his wife Denise have been married for 38 years.  Their children are Stephen (wife Amanda), Ivy, Andrew  (wife Brooke) and grandchildren Jolie and Georgia. The Arieys’  youngest son, Jason passed away in 2011.