20th OVAC Hall of Fame Banquet slated Saturday

  The Ohio Valley Athletic Conference will honor its own once again Saturday night when the 20th OVAC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place with the induction of the Class of 2024 at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling.

  A total of 20 individuals associated with the conference will take their place among the elite who have helped make the OVAC one of the premier high school athletic leagues in the nation.

  This year’s inductees include:

  OVAC ‘Family’ – Libby Shepherd

  OVAC ‘Contributor – Terry Rataiczak

  Media – Kim North

  Coaches – John Magistro and Lou Nocida

  Official – Roger Levi

  1950s Athletes – Bob O’Brien (Benwood Union) and Keith Sommer (Martins Ferry)

  1960s Athletes – Thomas ‘Chip’ Coulter (Toronto) and Donie Young (Wintersville)

  1970s Athletes – Scott Barnhouse (St. Clairsville) and Darrell Cheripko (Brooke)

  1980s Athletes – Aric Long (East Liverpool) and Lisa Ribble (Fort Frye0

  1990s Athletes – Rafael Cruz (Wheeling Park) and Bobby Sismondo (Steubenville Catholic)

  2000s Athletes – Ashley Dunigan (Cambridge) and Kinsi Tellep (Meadowbrook)

  2010s Athletes – Alexa Abrams (Buckeye Trail) and Dan Monteroso (St. Clairsville)

  Five “Legends of OVAC Member Schools” will also be recognized at the banquet, including Reyman ‘Bud’ Bonar of Bellaire, Mike Carson of Sistersville, Brian Jonard of Caldwell, Rod Oldham of Parkersburg South and Joe White of Magnolia. The “Legends” category recognizes athletes and coaches who competed prior to the inception of the OVAC in 1943 or while their schools were not members of the conference.

  The Dennis Magruder Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Tom Myers.

Plaques of the OVAC Hall of Fame inductees are on permanent display in the outer concourse at WesBanco Arena as part of the OVAC Museum.

  John Sorrenti, former sports director of WEIR radio, will again serve as master of ceremonies while Dr. Vince Monseau will offer the invocation and benediction.

  Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the induction ceremony starts at 6:30. No tickets will be sold at the door.

  Here’s a look at the bios of this year’s Hall of Famers and Legends:

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2024

Libby Shepherd

Wheeling High School, Class of 1971

    If it involves cheering, it’s a good bet Shepherd is involved.

  She started out as a cheerleader at Wheeling High, later serving as cheer coach at Wheeling Park High School and Bridge Street Middle School. Shepherd also worked countless competitions throughout the Ohio Valley and beyond including Pac-8 competition and the West Virginia Regional.

   Her biggest impact, however, has been with the conference as she has served as the OVAC Cheering Championships Director since 1996, That yearly event at WesBanco Arena features as many as 25-30 schools, more than 300 cheerleaders and thousands of spectators and has contributed between $15,000 and $20,000 to the OVAC’s general fund annually, totaling more than $325,000 thus far.

  She also added the role of OVAC Junior High Cheer Director starting in 2007, an event that helps fund the annual OVAC Banquet of Champions.

  Shepherd’s responsibilities include heading up the annual committee meeting; designing and producing the program; selecting the cheerleaders for the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game and selecting the cheer scholarship winners annually.

  Beyond cheering, Shepherd has had other roles within the conference. She has assisted in various capacities with the OVAC Cal Giffin Track Championships during their time in Shadyside and serves as a member of the OVAC Scholarship Committee.

  An educator at Bridge Street, Ritchie and Wheeling middle schools for more than 40 years, she was the recipient of the first OVAC Overtime Achievement Award in 2019.

Terry Rataiczak

Bellaire High School, Class of 1991

  The Ohio Valley Athletic Conference joined the “technology age” primarily due to the expertise of Rataiczak.

  The CEO of Kinetic Networking in Caldwell, he was responsible for building the OVAC website (ovac.org), which has become the lifeblood of conference communications, in 1999 His efforts included design, start-up, creating voting formats and the ability to have online voting for all-conference and all-star teams by the coaches, and methods for text messaging and score reporting. It greatly reduced the need for traditional mail correspondence and some of the in-person meetings throughout the year.

  Rataiczak’s other contributions included implementing an electric timing system for the OVAC Cal Pokas Cross Country Championships in 2015 and assisting with the OVAC Cal Giffin Track Championships. He also handled the OVAC George Strager “Evening with the Stars” banquet held in conjunction with the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football game for three or four years.

  He also contributed by keeping statistics at both Bellaire and Caldwell and he served on the Caldwell Exempted Village Board of Education

  Rataiczak has also been involved in providing numerous scholarship opportunities for athletes within the conference. He has sponsored the OVAC Soccer Scholarship since 2010, awarding $12,500 to 25 recipients (as of 2023) and the OVAC Cross Country Scholarship since 2015, awarding $6,000 to 12 recipients (as of 2023), with both presented at the annual OVAC Banquet of Champions at WesBanco Arena in May. He also helped start a scholarship fund in memory of long-time Journal-Leader photographer Charles “Wally” McAuley, presented annually in Noble County to students from Caldwell and Shenandoah high schools.

  The son of long-time OVAC Executive Secretary/Director and fellow OVAC Hall of Famer Thomas E. Rataiczak, he is also actively involved with Rotary (Marietta chapter) since 2009, serving as Foundation Chair, Treasurer, President and Chairman of the Foundation Committee, recently elected to be District Governor 6690 for 2026-27. He’s been a member of Eagles 2952 in Caldwell for seven years, serving as treasurer for the last six for a chapter that returns around $75.000 to area communities annually.

Kim North

Troy High School, Class of 1977

  A media member in the Ohio Valley since 1983, he has worked at the Weirton Daily News, Steubenville Herald Star, Wheeling News Register/Intelligencer and Times Leader.

  North, who has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Salem College, has covered a wide variety of sporting events throughout the conference as both a writer and photographer, everything from youth level to college.

  Probably his biggest passion, however, is with the sport of wrestling. He has covered every conceivable event from countless duals and invitationals to four decades of OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Tournaments as well as OHSAA and WVSSAC state tournaments.

  In 1985, he pulled off a “triple” by covering the OVAC Tournament, the West Virginia State Tournament and the NAIA National Tournament – all at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling.

  North was selected as the West Virginia Wrestling Sportswriter of the Year in 1990 and 2017; the National Wrestling Sportswriter of the Year by Wrestling USA Magazine; and received the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s West Virginia Chapter ‘Lifetime Service to Wrestling’ award in 2018. 

John Magistro

St. John Central, Class of 1966

  Magistro amassed an impressive 242-113 career coaching record including a 181-76 mark in 23 years at Bellaire, highlighted by back-to-back OHSAA Division IV State Championship Game appearances. In 1995, the Big Reds dropped a heartbreaking 50-44 double-overtime loss to Versailles in the title game before returning in 1996 only to fall to Germantown Valley View, 37-12, with Bellaire finishing 13-1 both seasons.

  Magistro-coached Bellaire teams reached the OHSAA playoffs seven times (193, ’95, ’96, ’97, 2003, ’05, 06), winning six regional titles (1995, ’96, ’97, 2003, ’05, ’06); claimed nine OVAC championships (1988, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, 2003, ’05, 06); and had a 37-game regular season winning streak (1995-98).

  He was the Ohio Division IV Coach of the Year three times (1995-96-97); East District Division IV Coach of the Year seven times; Ohio Valley Football Coach of the Year three times and the OVAC Overall Coach of the Year (all sports) in 1996. Magistro coached in the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game in 1995 and the OHSBCA North-South All-Star Football Game in 2006.

  Magistro’s coaching career began at St. John Central in 1970 as freshman coach and varsity assistant for three years. He moved on to Martins Ferry where he was an assistant in football (1973-78) and baseball (1975-76) before becoming the head baseball coach (1977-79).

  He moved on to Bellaire as an assistant football coach (1980-83) and then began a highly successful run as the Big Reds’ head coach (1984-2006).

  After stepping down at Bellaire, he was an assistant coach at Olentangy (2007-08), head coach at Westerville Central (2009-2016) and assistant at Worthington Kilbourne (2017-2022). He also had a two-year stint as offensive coordinator of the Ohio Valley Greyhounds of the National Indoor Football League.

  At Westerville Central, his nine-year record was 61-37 and his teams made the OHSAA playoffs four times while winning the Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division in 2011 and 2013. He was Ohio Division I Coach of the Year in 2011.

   Magistro was previously inducted into the West Liberty University Hall of Fame (2001), the Minor Pro Football Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh (2015) the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2015); and the Ohio Valley Football Coaches Hall of Fame (2024). 

                                                                                          Lou Nocida

Glenville High School, Class of 1959

   With stops at five different high schools and one college on his resume, Nocida’s record as a prep football coach over 23 seasons was an impressive 180-76 with five state championships at Sistersville High to his credit.

  Nocida began his coaching career with one year at Fort Frye (8-2 in 1967) before moving on to Magnolia for six seasons (1969-74) with a 41-22 record and two playoff appearances, including a state runner-up finish in 1972. He was also head basketball coach for one year at Magnolia, leading the Blue Eagles to an 18-7 record and a W. Va. Class AA runner-up finish led by OVAC Hall of Famer John ‘Fuzzy’ Filliez.

  After two years at Oak Glen (1975-76) with an 8-12 record, he began a remarkable 10-year run at Sistersville (1977-86) where he compiled a sparkling 104-18 record over 10 seasons.

  Nocida took the Tigers from the brink of dropping football to a state small school powerhouse, winning five Class A state championships (1980, ’81, ’84, ’85, ’86) and two runner-up finishes (’82 & ’83). Between 1980-86, Sistersville lost only five games and had a 42-game regular season winning streak, with the 1981 team finishing 13-0 (outscoring its opponents 531-26) and the 1986 squad going 12-0.

  Nocida-coached teams won OVAC football titles in 1972 and ’73 at Magnolia and 1986 at Sistersville. At Sistersville, he coached Hunt Award winner Brian Swisher and two Kennedy Award winners – Joel Wilson and Jeff Swisher.

  He served as head coach at Glenville State College for three years (1987-89) with an 8-20-1 record and spent three years at Parkersburg South High (1990-92 and again in 2000) with a 19-22 record and one playoff appearance (1991).

  Nocida was named OVAC Coach of the Year (all sports) in 1983 and was the West Virginia Coach of the Year (all sports) in 1981 and 1985.

  As an athlete, Nocida was an honorable mention All-West Virginia Class A running back as a senior. He played at Glenville State College, graduating in 1965, and was a defensive back with the Wheeling Ironmen of the Continental Football League.

Roger Levi

Warren Consolidated High School, Class of 1964

Levi spent an incredible 50 years as a registered basketball official in both Ohio and West Virginia, with more than 2,200 games to his credit during 44 years of active service.

  He was inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Officials Hall of Fame in 2008 and received the OVAC Robert Dawson Basketball Officials Award in 2019. He was named the District 12 Basketball Coaches Association Official of the Year in 1994 and the District 5 Official of the year in 1995 and 2008.

  Levi worked a total of 19 state tournaments - 14 in Ohio (five boys and nine girls) and five in West Virginia (three boys and two girls) including state championship games in each. He also officiated at least 65 regional-level games and numerous OVAC Basketball Championship contests.

  He served two terms as president of the Ohio Valley Board of Approved Basketball Officials and was also the secretary-treasurer of that association for many years.

  A graduate of Ohio University and a teacher in the Buckeye Local School District for 31 years, he passed away in 2023 at the age of 75.

Bob O’Brien

Benwood Union High School, Class of 1953

   He was a 6-foot-3 forward-center who led the most successful Union team to a 19-1 regular season record and state tourney berth while earning First Team All-State honors as a senior.

   He was a three-year starter for the Ironmen, who won two straight OVAC Class A titles with overall 22-2 and 16-5 records. The two-time All-OVAC selection was selected captain as a senior while leading the OVAC in scoring with a 22-point average. As a senior, he led the Ironmen to sectional and regional titles in the largest Class AA and into the state tournament before bowing to Grafton. An All-State Tournament pick, he was first team "Big" All-State after earning all-class "Big" All-State mention as a junior. He also played in the W.Va. vs. Ohio All-Star Game at Madison Gym on Wheeling Island.

   O'Brien earned a scholarship to the University of Maryland and led the freshman team in scoring with an 18-point mark before lettering three years on the varsity. He started all 74 varsity games and scored 972 points (13.1 ppg). He averaged double figures all three years and was team captain as a senior. He was selected Second Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and Honorable Mention All-America.

   After college, he played two seasons, and started most games, with the Bullets of the Eastern Professional League before the team went bankrupt and folded.

Keith Sommer

Martins Ferry High School, Class of 1959

   He earned 10 Purple Rider letters in three sports--four each in football and track and two in wrestling as the sport originated at the school during his junior year. 

   In football, the back was selected to the Class AAA All-OVAC team and All-Valley "Big School" mention as a senior while not playing on a winning team all four years. He was selected to play in the Ohio-W.Va. All-Star Game but opted instead to compete in the Ohio North-South All-Star Game in Canton.

   In track, he qualified for the state meet as a freshman and sophomore member of the Riders' 440-yard relay unit.

   Wrestling is where he earned his most recognition. Sommer became Ferry's first state place-winner on the mat with an Ohio runner-up finish in the 175-pound class to cap a 32-1 season record. Ferry's team captain also won OVAC and District titles as a senior. He also qualified for the state meet as a junior.

   He enrolled at Bowling Green University where he was a freshman member of the 1959 football team which posted the school's first-ever perfect record team (9-0) and claimed the college division national title.   The team was inducted into the school Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

   He also competed in wrestling and was Mid-America Conference runner-up as a sophomore, when he only had two losses, but injuries kept him from competing in his final two seasons.

   Sommer, a long-time attorney in his hometown, was inducted into both the Martins Ferry High Athletic Hall of Fame and the Martins Ferry Wrestling Hall of Fame.

  Thomas (Chip) Coulter

Toronto High School, Class of 1964

  He was a three-sport, four-year athlete, and record-setting basketball player who played professional baseball including a brief stint in the major leagues.

   The four-year Red Knight basketball regular set a school career scoring record of 1,580 points which lasted 50 years until broken in 2015 by Blaze Glenn. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Coulter was a three-time All-Eastern Ohio selection and twice mentioned for All-Ohio in the largest Class AAA by The Associated Press –third team as a senior and honorable mention as a junior. He led the Knights to the OVAC Class AA crown as a senior and was named All-OVAC.

   In baseball, the three-year starting infielder, and four-year letterman, earned some All-Ohio recognition as a senior. He also lettered in track four years.

   After his senior season, he signed a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and played six years with the Tidewater Tides and Arkansas Travelors. In 1969, the second baseman was called up to the major leagues and played six games. He was traded to the New York Mets and played one minor league season before retiring and returning home to Toronto.

   He was honored in the charter class (2000) of the Toronto High Athletic Hall of Fame.

Donnie Young

Wintersville High School Class of 1968

  He was an Ohio Valley record-setting running back for three Golden Warrior teams which went 28-2 under Hall of Fame coach Bob Kettlewell, including a 10-0 record as a senior when he set a modern valley career rushing record of 4,230 yards which lasted for 18 years. As a junior, he led the valley and the state of Ohio with 202 points in 10 games for the OVAC Class AAA title-winning team while rushing for 1,819 yards on 218 carries. He led the valley in both scoring and rushing in his last two years.

   As a senior, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound back rushed for 1,489 yards on 212 carries and scored 148 points. Career-wise, he scored 416 points including 350 in his last two seasons.

   His senior honors included first team All-Ohio largest Class AA and national recognition from Parade magazine.

   Young was twice honored as first team All-Valley "Big School", All-OVAC Class AAA, All-Eastern District, All-Eastern Ohio and captain, and was the Ohio-West Virginia All-Star Football Game MVP.

   In addition to football, he lettered three years in basketball and two years in track.

   He earned a football scholarship to Eastern Kentucky University and lettered three varsity seasons after playing on the freshman team.

   After college, he coached high school football in Kentucky for 37 years and was the coach of future Pittsburgh Steeler lineman Dermontti Dawson and world sprint champion Tyson Gay.

   He passed away in 2021.

Darrell Cheripko

Brooke High School, Class of 1979

  Cheripko was a two-sport standout for the Bruins, earning Class AAA All-State, All-OVAC Class 4A and All-Valley honors in football and baseball.

   The 6-4, 210-pounder started three years for Coach Bud Billiard’s gridders at tight end and defensive end. He was a two-year captain for the OVAC Class 4A two-time champions. Cheripko played in the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game and the W.Va. North-South All-Star Football Game. He also received special recognition from the Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dans.

   In baseball, Cheripko was a three-year starter. He was the Bruins’ regular first baseman as a sophomore and junior before becoming the catcher as a senior.

   As a junior, he earned second-team All-Valley honors while being tabbed honorable mention All-State Class AAA. As a senior, he was tabbed first-team All-Valley as a catcher and a first-team All-State utility selection. 

   As a senior, Cheripko led the Ohio Valley with seven home runs, 13 doubles and 35 runs scored while batting a robust. 456. He was second in the Ohio Valley with 37 hits.

   Cheripko was also a Bruins basketball performer, picking up two letters and leading the team in rebounds.

   He was inducted into the Brooke Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. Cheripko was a three-time class president.

   After his Brooke High career came to an end, he matriculated to Youngstown State, earning two football letters. 

Scott Barnhouse

St. Clairsville High School, Class of 1978

  Barnhouse was a three-sport standout for the Red Devils, but it was on the baseball diamond where he had the biggest clout.

   He was a three-year letterman for baseball coaching legend Richard ‘Lefty’ Hall. The multi-talented athlete earned All-Ohio, All-OVAC and All-Valley honors as a senior. 

   As a junior, Barnhouse tossed a perfect game in an OHSAA Class AA Sectional contest. He was tabbed to participate in the Mizuno All-Star Game in Columbus.

  Barnhouse turned in a sparkling senior season for the Red Devils, helping Hall’s charges reach the OHSAA Class AA Regional tournament. He crafted a 6-2 mound mark with a miniscule 1.67 ERA while batting at a sparkling .372 clip.

  The talented right-hander accepted a baseball scholarship to Mercer University in Georgia. He quickly worked his way into the starting rotation and helped the Bears capture three conference championships in four years.

  Barnhouse compiled a 26-21 career mound mark for Mercer. He was also the Bears’ starting first baseman as a senior, producing a .321 batting average with 12 home runs and 32 RBI.

   Barnhouse was chosen by the Seattle Mariners in the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft. He eventually reached the Class AAA Minor League level with Salt Lake City in 1983. In 1985, he was traded to the San Diego Padres. His pro career ended two years later.

   During his St. C. prep days, Barnhouse was an explosive quarterback. He executed Coach George Strager’s famed “belly-series” to near perfection. He earned first team All-OVAC Class AAA honors and was chosen to play in the 1978 OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football game. He was also an honorable mention All-OVAC selection in basketball as a junior.

Lisa Ribble

 Fort Frye High School, Class of 1981

    Fort Frye has authored an illustrious girls’ basketball history and Ribble remains one of the greatest ever to suit up for the Lady Cadet hoopsters.

    She finished her Fort Frye hardwood career with 1,404 career points, 795 rebounds and 198 assists. Her all-around talent helped the Lady Cadets compile an impressive four-year record of 69-13 to go with three Pioneer Valley Conference championships and one OVAC crown.

   Ribble made her presence felt as a Fort Frye frosh, averaging 9.2 points a game. She became a bigger force in the following three seasons, averaging 13.3 as a sophomore, 19.7 as a junior and a whopping 25 points a game as a senior. She also established an OVAC girls’ single-game scoring record with 56 points, a mark later tied and broken by St. John Central legend Stephanie Petho.

  Ribble was a first team Associated Press Class A All-Ohioan as a senior to go with All-OVAC and All-District first-team plaudits. She was honorable mention All-Ohio as a junior.

  She was also a key member of the Lady Cadets’ softball team as a centerfielder-pitcher. Fort Frye reached the OHSAA Class A State “Final Four” in 1980 and 1981, finishing as the state runner-up in Ribble’s senior season.

    Ribble took her basketball prowess to WVU, where she also became an integral part of the Lady Mountaineers’ program. She was a four-year letter-winner and served as the team captain as a senior.

  During her career in Morgantown, she scored 641 points, dished out 483 assists, collared 350 rebounds while recording 140 steals. Her multi-faceted game helped the Lady Mountaineers post a 74-45 record in her four years.

   The 5-9 guard owns the distinction of assisting on an historic play. She made a length-of-the-court pass to 6-7 Georgeann Wells who delivered the first dunk by a woman in a college game - that coming on Dec. 21, 1984 against the University of Charleston.

  Ribble was also a standout in the classroom, gaining first-team Academic All-Atlantic 10 honors as a junior and senior while also being named to the Academic All-East team as a senior.

    She was chosen to the WVU women basketball team of the 1973-86 era. She was also inducted into the District 12 Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014.

Aric Long

East Liverpool High School, Class of 1988

   Long scripted a sparkling athletic career at East Liverpool. However, after he picked up his Potter diploma his achievements soared to new heights.

      Long represented the United States in the 1992 Olympic Games staged in Barcelona, Spain as a decathlete. Unfortunately, he had to drop out of the competition after seven events as he tore his Achilles tendon. Prior to being injured, he won the Olympic decathlon high jump competition via his 7-1.5 effort.

      In 1995, Long represented the U.S .in the World Games. He finished fourth in the decathlon. In 1989, Long was the Pan-American Games Junior Champion in the decathlon.

       During his prep days at East Liverpool, Long was a force both in the OVAC and at the OHSAA state meet. He was OVAC runner-up in the high jump as a sophomore, junior and senior, clearing 6-9 as a senior.

      Long was Class AAA runner-up in the state meet as a senior via his 6-10 effort. He was fourth in the state championships as a junior, also clearing 6-10.

     While the high jump was his obvious meal ticket, he also excelled in several events during his Potter days. He was a 21-8 long jumper, 14.8 high hurdler, 130-0 discus thrower and 48-10 shot putter while also helping the Potters’ 4x100 relay quartet establish a school record (44.4).

     His exploits earned him a track scholarship to the University of Tennessee.  He enjoyed a stellar career with the Vols, including winning the NCAA decathlon championship in 1991 and taking the runner-up spot in 1992. He also claimed multiple Southeast Conference titles.

    Long was a three-sport standout for East Liverpool, also competing in basketball and football. On the gridiron, the 6-2, 245-pound linebacker garnered first-team All-OVAC AAAA honors.

   The OVAC shrine induction will be Long’s third Hall of Fame. He previously has been enshrined in the East Liverpool Athletic HOF as well as the East District Track & Cross Country Association Hall of Fame.

Rafael Cruz

Wheeling Park High School, Class of 1997

   One of only three OVAC standouts in more than a half-century to win the Bill Evans Award as the West Virginia Boys' Basketball Player of the Year, Rafael Cruz scored over 1,300 points at Wheeling Park before taking his talents to the collegiate and professional levels.

   Cruz burst onto the scene as a sophomore starter and All-Tournament selection as the Patriots capped their 1995 post-season run with an epic 99-96 triple-overtime win over Beckley Woodrow Wilson in the Class AAA state championship game. The 6-2 shooting guard made the All-State Tournament team again the following year, averaging 23.6 ppg. in leading WPHS to another regional title and state tournament berth, but the best was yet to come.

   Switched from shooting guard to point guard, the blurry-fast southpaw stuffed the stat sheets as a senior to key yet another state tournament run for the Patriots. He averaged 15.3 points a night along with 6.2 assists and 3.7 steals while shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor and just under 80 percent from the foul line. Wheeling Park fell to Woodrow Wilson in the 1997 state title game but Cruz – who set a tournament record with 8 steals in the semifinals – swept nearly every post-season honor.

   In addition to the Evans Award from the W.Va. Sports Writers Association, Cruz was honored as the West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year and voted captain of the Class AAA All-State Team. The 2-time first-team All-Stater was also named co-captain of the All-Valley "Big School" and Class 4-A All-OVAC Teams.

   A National Honor Society member with a 4.0 GPA, Cruz began his collegiate career with one season at the University of Massachusetts before playing his final three years at Youngstown State. He set a school record as a senior at YSU by making 41 straight free throws and still ranks among the Penguins’ all-time leaders in free throw percentage (149-176, .847).

   After graduating from Youngstown State, Cruz played professionally for more than two decades in his native Puerto Rico.

Bobby Sismondo

Steubenville Catholic Central High School, Class of 1995

  A record-setting pitcher in high school and college, Bobby Sismondo was one of the most dominant southpaw hurlers ever to come out of the OVAC.

  Sismondo made an immediate impact as a sophomore at Steubenville Catholic Central when he helped the Crusaders make a run all the way to the Ohio Division III state semifinals. As a junior, he played a key role in SCC's 1994 state championship season by firing a 15-strikeout one-hit gem in a state semifinal win over Fort Jennings.

  The hard-throwing lefty led the valley in strikeouts as a junior and senior. A first-team All-Ohio pick as a senior, he went 7-2 on the mound with a 1.01 ERA while striking out 112 batters in 69 innings. At the plate, he was third in the valley with a .493 batting average, scoring 25 runs and driving in 30 more. A 3-time first-team All-Valley selection and honorary captain as a senior, Sismondo set Ohio Valley records for career wins (35) and strikeouts (432).

  The "Ks" just kept on coming during his three seasons (1996-98) as a Mid-American Conference ace at Ohio University when he set the school's all-time strikeout record with 254 career whiffs. That number still ranks No. 2 in the Bobcat record book while Sismondo's 24 career wins rank third.

  He earned first-team All-MAC and All-Mideast Region honors as a sophomore when he won 11 games and fanned 106 batters in 101 innings. Those 11 wins and 106 strikeouts still rank among the school's Top 5 single-season efforts. The 1997 Bobcats were MAC champions and set a school record with 43 wins while earning a bid to the NCAA Mideast Regional in Oklahoma.

  Sismondo was a 6th-round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in the 1998 MLB Draft following his junior season at OU. After two years in the Tigers' organization, he was traded to Philadelphia and ultimately rose as high as Class AA with the Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers before retiring after the 2002 season.

Ashley Dunigan

Cambridge High School, Class of 2002

  It didn't matter if it was on the cross country course or the track, this Bobcat product shined on both surfaces.  Dunigan reset numerous meet and school records during her prep career, which actually started with a victory despite the fact that she took a wrong turn in a cross country race and got off course.  From that point on, Dunigan wouldn't slow down. Her career culminated in 2002 at Dayton's Welcome Stadium when she won the OHSAA Division II state championship in the 1600-meter run with a career-best time of 5:02.95.  Between those races, a lot of gold medals were earned. All told, Dunigan won 12 OVAC championships, sweeping the 800-, 1600- and 3200-meter runs each season. She scored an impressive 133.5 points during her career in the OVAC Track and Field Championships.  She didn't stop there. Dunigan was a four-time district champion, including a pair of titles in Division I. She was a four-time state qualifier, competing in the state meet in the 3200 as a frosh and sophomore and competing on a relay team as a junior before reaching the top of the podium as a senior.  Dunigan claimed four East Central Ohio League titles in both the 800 and 1600 meter runs.At Cambridge, Dunigan's best times of 59.95 (400), 2:17.89 (800), 5:02.95 (1600) and 11:28.8) stood as school records. She was also part of the 4x400 record (4:06.21).  In cross country, Dunigan was a three-time all-state performer. She was twice a district champion and placed third three times in the regional. Her highest state-meet finish came in 1998 -- as a frosh -- when she finished 12th. She was 16th and 18th in her other All-Ohio finishes.  As a senior, she was the OVAC runner up. She won a trio of ECOL crowns and was named Female Runner of the Year each time. After her prep career – which also included being a four-time Academic All-Ohio selection - Dunigan competed at the Division I level, running for Wake Forest University. She spent four years working for the NCAA and was a finalist for the NCAA Presidential Award.

  She's previously been inducted to the Cambridge High School (2017) and Eastern District Track and Cross Country.

Kinsi Tellep

Meadowbrook High School, Class of 2009

  Thanks to her powerful right arm, this former Colt was a star inside the circle on the softball field during her prep career.  Tellep led her team to the OHSAA Division II State Tournament in 2009, with the team posting an overall 22-8 record. During her final prep season, she spun four perfect games, including back-to-back ‘perfectos’ at one point. She hurled 15 shutouts, which included an astounding five straight during the tournament. She logged 39 consecutive scoreless innings and finished with a miniscule 0.41 earned run average. She also sat down 402 batters via the strikeout, which was fifth best in Ohio history, and had an incredible 37 strikeouts in an extra-inning game and 21 Ks in a seven-inning contest.  For her career, Tellep posted 1,260 strikeouts, which ranked third all-time in Ohio history when she graduated. The breakdown of her strikeouts also included 223 as a freshman, 327 as a sophomore and 308 as a junior. She finished with 68 pitching wins, 41 shutouts and a 0.77 ERA while at the plate, she hit .286 with 50 RBI.

  Tellep's career by no means went unnoticed. She was first team All-Ohio as a junior and senior after gaining second team honors as a sophomore. She was a three-time OVAC Class 3A Player of the Year, named first team all-conference three times and second team once; was named All-Eastern District and All-ECOL first team four times, including Player of the Year as a for both; and she was also anointed First Team All-Valley three times.  While softball was where she made her biggest impact, Tellep was a four-year letterwinner in basketball for the Colts.

  Tellep was a two-year letterwinner at the University of Akron.

Alexa Abrams

Buckeye Trail High School, Class of 2011

  This former Warrior standout not only competed in three sports -- volleyball, basketball and softball -- but she shined in each one.  While putting up impressive stats and garnering numerous accolades, it was on the volleyball court where Abrams made her greatest impact, becoming Trail's only three-time all-state performer.  Abrams finished her career with 1,227 kills and 411 blocks. As a senior, she posted 415 kills with 244 digs, 108 blocks and 36 aces en route to first team All-Ohio Division III acclaim. She was also OVAC Class 3A Player of the Year, All-District 12 and All-PVC and was the District 12 Player of the Year along with playing in the District 12 All-Star Game.  As a junior, Abrams was first-team All-OVAC, PVC and District 12, named OVAC Class 2A Player of the Year, and she was second team All-Ohio.

  She was third-team All-State as a sophomore along with first-team All-OVAC and All-PVC.  On the basketball court, Abrams earned All-Eastern District, All-District 12, All-OVAC and All-PVC honors multiple times and was honorable mention All-Ohio as a sophomore. She also played in the District 12 All-Star Game

  On the diamond, Abrams was a two-time All-OVAC performer and earned second team All-Ohio Division III as a senior. She was also All-Eastern District, All-PVC and took part in the OVAC All-Star Game.  After her prep career, Abrams went to Muskingum University where she played volleyball, lettering all four years. She was an honorable mention All-OAC player as a senior and finished her collegiate career with 628 kills, 135 assists, 60 aces, 1080 digs, 19 solo blocks and 78 block assists.

Dan Monteroso

St. Clairsville High School, Class of 2013

  It didn't matter if it was on the football field or the basketball court, this former Red Devil was among the best to ever do it at St. Clairsville.  Monteroso was a four-year mainstay in both football and basketball and helped to guide the Red Devils to heights they’d never reached before in those sports.  In football, Monteroso was a standout at wide receiver and helped fuel the Red Devils to the 2012 OHSAA Division IV state championship game. He caught 68 passes for 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns that season. He was named Eastern District Player of the Year, first-team All-Ohio, All-OVAC, All-Buckeye 8, All-Valley, All-Times Leader and received the Big 22 Player of the Year award. He also took part in the North-South All-Star Game.  During his career, Monteroso finished with 135 receptions for 2,741 yards and 34 touchdowns. He rushed for four touchdowns, threw for a score and had two interception returns for TDs. Defensively, he finished with 29 solo tackles and 48 assists.  On the basketball court, Monteroso was the unquestioned leader of the Red Devils.  He led the way to the OHSAA Division II state semifinals as a junior, averaging 26 points per game. He was named first-team All-Ohio, All-OVAC, All-Valley and All-Times Leader for his efforts.  As a senior, Monteroso averaged 27 points a game and led the Red Devils to another OVAC title and a trip to the regional tournament. He was named Division II Co-Player of the Year and a finalist for the prestigious ‘Mr. Basketball’ award.  He finished his hoops career with 2,340 points, which ranks 21st in Ohio history, and St. C. compiled an impressive 82-14 record during his career. Along with scoring, he is St. C.’s all-time leader in games played (95), two-point goals (715), free throws attempted (746) and made (565), single-season points (677) and single-season free throws made (169).  Monteroso inked a National Letter of Intent to continue his football career at Purdue University. He graduated with a degree in three years after earning academic all-Big Ten twice. He opted to play his final season of football at West Liberty and played two seasons of basketball for the Hilltoppers. He scored 1,134 points for the Hilltoppers, helping them to a pair of NCAA Tournament berths. He was named a pre and post season All-American as well as a finalist for the Bevo Francis Award, honoring the top small college men’s basketball player in America.  He was also named the Mountain East Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year twice and received the 2018 NCAA Division II Academic All-American of the Year.  Monteroso is currently overseas playing professional basketball in the German Pro A League for Ehingen Urspring.

LEGENDS

  Reyman (Bud) Bonar (Bellaire High School, Class of 1927). The 5-foot-8, 170-pound quarterback was an All-Valley honoree as the Big Reds captured Ohio Valley Athletic Association titles two straight years. He also competed in baseball. 

  He originally committed to Princeton University before enrolling at Georgia Tech and playing freshman football in 1929. He transferred to the University of Notre Dame for his final three seasons and lettered, and started, in 1933 plus 1934. In 1933, he drop-kicked the extra point which led the Irish to a 13-12 upset of previously unbeaten and top-ranked Army.

  Bonar returned to the Ohio Valley and was head football coach at his alma mater from 1949-58. His record of 61-25-7 was the winningest at the school until broken by OVAC Hall of Fame honoree John Magistro. He coached the Big Reds to their first two OVAC titles (Class AA) in 1950 and 1954, including an unbeaten 8-0-1 record in 1950.

  He also served as Big Reds' athletic director until his death in 1970. Bonar was one of the four charter inductees in the 1987 Bellaire High Hall of Fame class.

  Mike Carson (Sistersville High School, Class of 1969). The 6-foot-7 Tiger basketball center was a four-year prolific scorer and rebounder with school career records in both categories. He finished career with 2,269 points - third best in Ohio Valley history at the time. 

  A three-time first team Class A All-State honoree, and captain as junior and senior, he also was 1st Team all-class "Big" All-State two years and third team as a sophomore. He also was first team All-Valley "Small School" captain in 1968 and 1969 when the Tigers went 22-3 and 20-4.

  As a freshman, he anchored Tigers to sectional and regional titles and a berth in state Class A tournament. He averaged more than 30 points a game in his final two seasons and 22.4 rebounds a game as a senior. He set a sophomore Ohio Valley and state record with 54 points vs. Wirt County and also tallied 61 points vs. Wirt as a senior. Carson earned All-America mention from Scholastic Coach, Cage Scope and Basketball Yearbook.

  He earned a scholarship to West Virginia U. where he was a starter on the freshman team as the second leading rebounder while averaging 10.9 points. A chronic ankle injury limited his varsity play, including missing one season. He lettered on the 1972 varsity.

  Brian Jonard (Caldwell High School, Class of 1977). The four-year letterman in track and cross country won six Ohio Class A state championships for the Redskins. In cross country, he won district qualifiers and state crowns both as a sophomore and senior. His state winning times were 9:59.7 in 1974 and 10:07 in 1976.

  In track, the distance runner claimed four Class A state titles after winning district qualifiers. He captured the two-mile state final three times (9:46.4 in 1975, 9:44.8 in 1976 and 9:45.4 as a senior). He also won the state one-mile crown in 4:26.6 as a senior when he single-handedly led the Redskins to a fifth-place team finish.

  He was inducted in 1998 to the Ohio Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame while in 2019, he was an inductee into the East District Track & Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

  In college, Jonard was a two-time All-Southern Conference cross country runner as a freshman and sophomore at Marshall University. In his first year, he placed third in the conference meet as the Thundering Herd won the team title. The next year, he was fourth in the conference meet as the Herd was team runner-up. He also lettered in 1980 at Ohio State University.

  Rod Oldham (Ripley High School, Class of 1955). The architect of the ultra-successful Parkersburg South wrestling program was the school's first mat coach starting in 1967 and never looked back. He guided the Patriots to their first four state one-class wrestling titles (1975, 1983-84-85) and was named West Virginia Wrestling Coach of the Year four times.

  Before his retirement in 1986, he had coached 30 individual state champions including four three-time titlists in Jim Weatherholt, Brad Dornick, Rich Underwood and Darren Moore.

  In 2003, he was honored with a "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award by the West Virginia chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

  A native of New Martinsville, he graduated from Ripley High School, Glenville State College and did graduate work at both West Virginia U. and Marshall. He is deceased.

  Joe White (Magnolia High School, Class of 1943). A three-sport prep athlete in football, basketball and baseball, he excelled in the hoop sport by earning All-State mention three years including second team all-class honors as a senior center. A two-year team co-captain, he led the Blue Eagles to the 1943 largest Class A regional tournament finals where he scored 20 points in a 49-23 loss to eventual state champion Wheeling High. As a senior, he set a school record with a 38-point game (rare in low scoring era), which lasted 15 years until broken by OVAC and West Virginia University Hall of Famer Jim McCormick.

  After serving in the U.S. Army from 1943-45, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward remained on the West Coast and enrolled at the University of Southern California. He lettered four seasons in basketball and started as a senior while selected as the Most Inspirational Player. His teammates included two National Basketball Hall of Famers--Bill Sharman and Alex Hannum. White's best scoring game was 21 points vs. Stanford.

  After college, he served as a long-time basketball coach and athletic director at Allan Hancock Junior College in Santa Maria, Calif. The gymnasium at the now four-year college is named for him as well as the annual fund-raising banquet. White gave Pro Football Hall of Fame coach John Madden his first coaching job.

  White was honored in the first class of Magnolia High School Life Achievement Awards. He is deceased.