David Tarabochia

June 1983 saw the graduation of David Tarabochia, one of Astoria High School’s most versatile athletes. During his days as a student/athlete at AHS David distinguished himself in three arenas: football, basketball and finally baseball.

Autumns found Tarabochia toiling on the gridiron, playing quarterback at a high level for the Fighting Fishermen where he lettered as a junior and senior. During his two years at the helm he threw for 25 touchdowns and 2200 yards to his cadre of receivers. In his senior year alone he tossed 16 TD’s and for 1300 yards as the team finished the season ranked number 10 in Oregon after rising as high as number 5. For his efforts he was rewarded with second team all-league accolades during his junior season and first team quarterback status as a senior, as well as second team place kicker. His senior year also saw him make 3rd team All-State as a QB and an alternate to the Shriner’s All-Star game.

When the winter seasons rolled around Tarabochia could be found in the friendly confines of Astoria’s famed “brickhouse.” Throughout his varsity hoops career Tarabochia averaged 15 points a game scoring over 600 points in two seasons. During his senior year he averaged 20 points per game. All of this scoring was before the three point shot was created, and since he shot mostly from the outside, one can only imagine how many more points he may have tallied. His junior season saw his team finish with a 21-4 record claiming seventh place at the OSAA 3A tourney. That same team finished the Cowapa League season unscathed flying to a 15-0 record. As a junior David was selected honorable mention All-State as well as All-League honorable mention. As a senior he was first team All-League, third team All-State, and participated in the State of Oregon East/West All-Star series as a starting guard.

Spring of his senior year found Tarabochia trying a new sport-baseball. His gold glove center field defense and quick bat speed earned him 2nd team all-league honors and honorable mention all-state honors.

Team and school awards were nothing unusual for David. As a senior he was awarded, by vote of his teammates the Gold Helmet Award signifying his selection as the team Back of the Year. Basketball season found his team awarding him the prestigious Gordon Scott Memorial Award as the team’s Player of the Year. And, in his sole season of varsity baseball his teammates selected him as their Player of the Year. To cap off his senior year he was awarded the highest honor a senior athlete can achieve in athletics at AHS- the Doctor Blair Henningsgaard Memorial Award as the outstanding athlete in his class. Academically Tarabochia was a member of the National Honors Society and maintained a 3.5 GPA.

Following graduation David enrolled at Linfield College where he played two years of football and basketball. He graduated with a double major in Communications and Sociology. He lives and works in Tigard, Oregon, residing with his wife, Christina, and their five children and working for CityCounty Insurance Services.