Martins Ferry Athletic Hall of Fame/Wall of Honor induction set for Friday

By Jeff Harrison

  The 11th class of the Martins Ferry Athletic Hall of Fame and Wall of Honor will be inducted on Friday, August 30th.

  Steve Santa (Class of 1931), Jodi Janetski (Class of 1985), Tony Rose (Class of 1986), Pete Beck (Class of 1993), Bobby Tucker (Class of 1995), Heather Baker (Class of 1997), Tony Collette (Class of 2000), Mandy Bruney (Class of 2001) and Jeremy Murray (Class of 2009).

  The Wall of Honor category – entering its ninth year – serves as a way to thank those people who have made significant contributions or support to the athletic program, not as an athlete or coach, but in a variety of "behind the scenes", motivational or inspirational ways.

  This year’s selections are Roger Best, Vance Deihl, Paul Matuska and Nancy Shaffer.

  These individuals will be honored at a luncheon for family at the MHFS cafeteria in the afternoon and they’ll be introduced at halftime of the Purple Riders’ home football game against River.

  Here’s a look at the bios of this year’s Hall of Fame/Wall of Honor inductees:

MFHS Athletic Hall of Fame – Class of 2024

Steve Santa

(Class of 1931)

  More than 90 years ago, during the Golden Era of Martins Ferry baseball under Hall of Fame Coach Fred Hart, you didn’t have to wait until Christmas to see Santa come through!

  This talented pitcher was part of not one, not two but three state tournament teams, serving as the “iron man on the mound” and combining to form a formidable “battery” with Hall of Fame catcher John Vargo on the 1930 Purple Rider squad that captured the Class A championship. This was Ferry’s first state championship in any sport and one of only three in school history (the others were the 1941 boys’ basketball team and the 1941 football team).

  As a junior, Santa reportedly pitched all three games over a two-day span to lead the Ferrians to the state crown with an overall 21-2 record. The Riders defeated Cincinnati Woodard, 13-4, in the title game which was originally scheduled for nine innings but shortened to seven by “mutual agreement” of the coaches. Santa pitched all seven innings, giving up four runs and six hits with six strikeouts and three walks while also leading the way at the plate with a double, five RBI and two runs scored. He also pitched in a 6-0 win over Canton McKinley in the first round and a 1-0 shutout of Bedford in the semifinals.

   MFHS also reached the state tournament in 1929 when Santa was a sophomore, beating Cleveland Garfield 6-3 before losing 12-1 to Canton McKinley in the semifinals; and after winning it all in 1930, returned in 1931 during his senior season, falling 2-0 to Toledo Waite in the first round.

Jodi Janetski

(Class of 1985)

  She was one of the premier discus throwers in the Ohio Valley and only the second female state place-winner in the OHSAA State Track Meet, finishing in sixth place in the discus as a junior to earn All-Ohio honors.

  As a freshman, Janetski finished second in the Class AA District (94-3) to qualify for the regional and then as a sophomore, she took second in the Class AA District in the discus (97-11) and shot put (32-3.5) to qualify for the regional in both events. At the OVAC Class AAA Championships, she was third in the discus (101-4) and fifth in the shot put (29-2.5) as well as fourth in the discus at the OVAC Cal Giffin Track Classic (103-9).

  Her memorable junior campaign featured first in the discus (106-9) and fifth in the shot put (31.8.5) at the Class AA District; second in the discus (115-2) at the Class AA Regional and culminated with the sixth-place finish at the OHSAA State Meet (119-9). She was also first in OVAC Class AAA in the discus (118-11) and fourth in the shot put (31-8); and first in the Belmont County Relays in the discus (112-3) and third in the shot put (33-0).

  As a senior, Janetski broke her own OVAC Class AAA record in the discus (118-11) and placed second in the shot put (31-8½); placed first in the Class AA District in the discus (113-0) and third in the shot (31-10¼) to qualify for the Class AA Regional in both events.

  She also set what still stands as of 2024) as the school record in the discus her senior season with a toss of 129-6.

  On the basketball court, Janetski was a three-year letterwinner who earned honorable mention All-OVAC Class AAA as a senior after averaging 11.5 points per game. She tallied seven points a game as a junior.

Tony Rose

(Class of 1986)

  A three-year letterman who played tailback and defensive end, Rose finished his career with 2,533 yards rushing which was second in MFHS history at the time he graduated and still ranks fifth all-time as of 2023 (behind Jeremy Murray, Chad Brinker, Jimmy Johnson and Tony Collette). That included back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons – 1,285 as a junior and 1,080 as a senior.

  As a senior co-captain, the 5-7, 185-pound Rose helped the Purple Riders to a 6-3 record and received several post-season honors including second team All-Ohio Class AA; first team All-Eastern District Class AA and first team All-OVAC Class AAA. He played for Ohio in the 1986 OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game.

  As a junior, Rose was honorable mention All-Ohio Class AA and first team All-Eastern District Class AA.

  Also a member of the Purple Riders’ basketball team, he went on to Otterbein University where he was a two-year letterman in football.

Pete Beck

(Class of 1994)

  One of the best distance runners in Purple Rider history, he was a four-year letterman in both cross country and track.

  In cross country, Beck not only earned All-Ohio status as a senior when he finished 13th in the OHSAA Division II State Cross Country Championships and set the school record at the 5K distance with a time of 16:11.

  After finishing 11th in the Belmont County Meet and 15th in the OVCCL Meet (18:08) as a freshman (16:47), Beck began to make his presence felt as a sophomore by finished second in the Belmont County Meet (16:01), second in the OVCCL (17:04), fifth in the OVAC (17:21) and fourth in the Division II District (17:26) to qualify for the D-II Regional.

  As a junior, Beck placed fourth at the district (17:21), 24th at the regional (17:02) and ran 16:42 at the state meet; placed second in the county meet (16:27), third in the OVCCL (17:53) and fourth in the OVAC (17:22). He also won the Martins Ferry Invitational (17:38) and was second in the Malone Invitational (16:51).

  As a senior, he was fifth in the district (16:47) and 17th in the regional (17:17) before running a sharp 16:11 to place 13th in the state meet and gain All-Ohio honors. He also was the champion in the OVAC (16:50) and Belmont County (15:37) events and fourth in the Malone Invitational (16:28).

  In track, Beck’s career began as a freshman with fourth place finishes in the Belmont County Relays in the 3200 (10:51) and 1600 (4:53) and a fifth place effort in the D-II District (10:46) which qualified him for the D-II Regional.

  As a sophomore, he was first in the district in the 3200 (10:00) and fourth in the regional (10:02) to qualify for the state meet; placed third in the OVAC (10:12) and was second in the Belmont County event in the 3200 (10:02) and 1600 (4:44).

  As a junior, he won the district 3200 (9:37.8, a meet record at the time) and finished third in the regional (9:39) to again advance to the state meet; won the 3200 at the OVAC (9:53) and placed sixth in the 1600 (4:43); and first in the county event in the 3200 (10:17) and second in the 1600 (4:47).

  As a senior co-captain, Beck won the 3200 at the district (10:09), finished fourth in the regional (9::50) and 14th in the state while also earning a regional spot in the 4x800 relay with his twin brother John, Kurt Petit and Jeff Baggott by placing second in the district (8:34). He won the 3200 at the OVAC (9:57) and placed second in the 1600 (4:44) while at the Belmont County Relays, he was first in the 3200 (9:59) and second in the 1600 (4:40) and on the winning 4x800 relay team (8:37).

Bobby Tucker

(Class of 1995)

  A four-year letterman in wrestling, he served as co-captain as a senior when the Purple Riders won the OVAC Class 3A championship, the OHSAA Division III Sectional and District titles and finished fourth in the OHSAA Division III State Tournament.

  Tucker’s four-year varsity record was an impressive 92-26 and he was a two-time Division III Sectional and District champion. He qualified for the state tournament as a junior and capped his senior season by finishing as the OHSAA Division III State Tournament runner-up at 119 pounds.

  In the OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Championships, he placed second at 125 pounds as a senior; second at 119 pounds as a junior and sixth at 112 pounds as a sophomore.

  During his career, the MF grapplers won four OVAC Class 3A Tournament titles, three OHSAA Division III Sectional crowns, two OVAC Class 3A Dual Tournament titles, went 46-6 in dual meets and won 17 tournaments.

  He continued his wrestling career at West Liberty University where he was a four-year letterman (1996-99). With the Hilltoppers, Tucker compiled a 79-38 record and qualified for the 1997 NCAA Division II National Tournament.

  He was inducted into the Martins Ferry Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.

Heather Baker

(Class of 1997)

  A multi-sport performer who collected 11 varsity letters, Baker was the fourth player in Lady Rider basketball history to reach the prestigious 1,000-point mark, finishing her career with 1,008 points.

  A four-year letterwinner/starter, not only could Baker score, but she was also a quality defender and passer.

  As a sophomore, she averaged 17 points per game, receiving second team All-Valley ‘Big School’, special mention All-OVAC Class 3A and honorable mention All-Eastern District Division II recognition.

  Baker tallied 13.9 points per game as a junior, landing second team All-OVAC Class 3A, third team All-Eastern District Division II and third team honorable mention All-District 12 Division III.

  As a senior, she checked in with an 11—point average on OVAC Class 3A championship squad that posted a 19-1 record and finished fifth in the AP Division III state poll. Baker was awarded second team All-Eastern District, third team All-Valley ‘Big School’ and honorable mention All-OVAC Class 3A and All-District 12 Division III.

  Baker was also a four-year letterwinner in softball and a three-year letterwinner in volleyball.

On the softball diamond, as a pitcher-third baseman, she received second team All-OVAC Class 3A honors as a junior and first team recognition as a senior.

  She lettered one year in basketball at Marietta College before transferring to Ohio University Eastern where she finished her playing career, scoring 750 points with 225 assists and 200 rebounds at OUE.

Tony Collette

(Class of 2000)

  Collette lettered in four sports, but it was in football and track where he made his biggest impact as a Purple Rider.

  On the gridiron, he was a three-year starter/letterman who posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and helped the Riders to a three-year mark of 32-5, including the school’s first two playoff appearances. For his career, he amassed an impressive 2,729 yards rushing and 4,065 all-purpose yards while scoring 43 touchdowns.

  During his sophomore campaign, he had 406 yards rushing and 686 all-purpose yards with seven TDs, earning All-OVAC, All-Valley and All-Eastern District honorable mention. 

  As a junior, he racked up 1,207 yards on the ground and 1,425 all-purpose with 12 TDs with his accolades including special mention All-Ohio, first team All-Eastern District, first team All-Valley and honorable mention All-OVAC.

  His senior season numbers included 1,116 yards rushing and 1,954 all-purpose yards with 24 TDs and 11 two-point conversions while on defense, the Riders’ co-captain had 60 tackles, two interceptions (both returned for TDs), two fumble recoveries and a punt return TD.

  Collette’s senior accolades included AP All-Ohio Division IV first team; first team All-Eastern District and the Defensive Player of the Year; All-OVAC and first team/co-captain of the All-Valley “Big School’ squad. He represented MFHS in the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game.

  He also enjoyed tremendous success on the track, highlighted by being part of the state champion 4x100-meter relay team that posted a blistering 42.5-second mark (an Ohio Valley record) and was inducted into the MF Athletic Hall of Fame along with teammates Rich ‘JR’ Thomas, Ron Hill and Julius ‘Jay’ Wallace in 2016.

  As a sophomore, he was part of the Riders’ 4x100 quartet that won the Belmont County Relays and finished sixth in the OHSAA Division II State Meet (43.87) for All-Ohio honors.

  In addition to the state title in the 4x100 relay, Collette’s junior year included first place in the 100 and second in the 200 at the D-II District; second in the D-II Regional in the 4x100; first in the 100 and 4x100 at the Belmont County Relays; and first in the OVAC in the 100.

 As a senior, he was on the 4x100 relay team that finished third (All-Ohio) at the D-II State Meet (43.55) and a state qualifier in the 4x400 relay; second in the 200 and on the winning 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams at the OVAC; first in the Belmont County Relays in the 100 and 4x100 relay.

  He was All-Eastern District in the 100, 4x100 and 4x200 and on the All-Valley team in the 100.

  He was also a three-year letterman in basketball (MF was OVAC, Sectional and District champion during his sophomore season and Sectional champion during his senior year) and he also lettered as a freshman in baseball.  Collette was a two-year letterman at Ohio University as a defensive back/special teams player.

Mandy Bruney

(Class of 2001)

  One of the best female distance runners in Purple Rider history, Bruney was a four-year letterwinner and All-Eastern District selection in both track and cross country who capped her career with a runner-up finish in the 3200-meter run at the OHSAA Division II State Track Championships with a school-record time of 11:14.30.

  As a freshman, Bruney had three top three finishes in the OVAC Class 3A Championships – first in the 3200 (11:554.52), second in the 1600 (5:28.75) and third in the 800 (2:32.42); won the 3200 (12:03.3) in the Belmont County Relays; was first in the Division II District in the 3200 (11:52.3) and fourth as a member of the 4x800 relay team (10:02.5); and third in the D-II Regional in the 3200 (11:54.29) to qualify for the State Meet.

  As a sophomore, she was first in the OVAC in the 3200 (11:44.58) and third in the 1600 (5:38.40); second in the Belmont County Relays in the 3200 (12:06.5) and third in the 1600 (5:38.8); first in the District in the 3200 (11:40.0) and third in the Regional in the 3200 (11:33.19) to return to the State Meet.

  As a junior, she won 1600 (5:32.85) and 3200 (12:06.58) at the OVAC; finished second in the 1600 (5:57.7) and 3200 (12:28.1) at the Belmont County Relays; took second in the D-II District (12:23.83) and second in the D-II Regional (11:45.11) to reach the state meet yet again.

  As a senior, she won the OVAC in the 1600 (5:33.35) and 3200 (11:41.63) and on the 4x800 relay team (10:08.55); was second in the county meet in the 1600 (5:35.6) and 3200 (11:56.1) and on the winning 4x800 relay team (10:30.4); took second in the 3200 (11:40.0) and 4x800 relay (10:09.57) at the District; was third in the 3200 (11:15.1) and 4x800 relay (9:53.52) at the Regional to qualify for the state where she finally reached the podium with her state runner-up finish in the 3200.

  In cross country, as a freshman, she was 12th in the OVAC (20:56); eighth in the Belmont County Meet (19:44); 8th in the District (20:30); 15th in the Regional (20:17) and a state qualifier.

  As a sophomore, she was seventh overall in the OVAC (2nd in Class 3A/20:42); 8th in the OVCCL (20:07); 7th in the Belmont County Meet (20:05); 2nd in the District (19:46); 5th in the Regional (19:54) and 16th in the State Meet (19:20.0).

   As a junior, she was 2nd in the OVAC (20:02); 1st in the OVCCL (19:55); 1st in the Belmont County Meet (20:57); 4th in the District (19:40); 11th in the Regional (20:24) and 27th in the State Meet (19:56).

  As a senior, she was 1st in the OVAC (20:18); 1st in the Belmont County Meet (21:11); 5th in the OVCCL (20:34); 2nd in the District (20:32); 17th in the Regional (20:31) and 48th in the State Meet (20:02).

  She was also a four-year letterwinner/three-year starter on the Lady Riders’ basketball team.

Jeremy Murray

(Class of 2009)

  An electrifying performer on the football field and the track, Murray was a four-year letterman in both sports.

  In football, the 5-9, 180-pound quarterback/running back set all-time records at MFHS with 4,807 rushing yards while scoring a whopping 73 touchdowns.

  After earning OVAC Class 3A honorable mention as a freshman while rushing for 486 yards and six TDs in just five games, Murray rushed for 1,780 yards with 34 TDs as a sophomore to gain second team All-Ohio Division V, first team All-Eastern District Division V and honorable mention All-OVAC Class 3A recognition.

  Injuries limited his playing time as a junior, but he still managed to play part of six games and collect 380 yards with six TDs, gaining first team All-OVAC Class 3A honors.

  He bounced back with vengeance as a senior who switched to quarterback, rushing for 2,181 yards with 27 TDs and was named first team All-Ohio Division IV, All-Eastern District Division IV (Player of the Year) and All-OVAC Class 3A. The Riders posted an overall 11-2 record that season, reaching the OHSAA Division IV, Region 15 Championship Game and winning the OVAC Class 3A championship.

  In track, Murray enjoyed tremendous success in the OVAC Cal Giffin Track Championships, earning all-conference honors nine times during his career.

  As a freshman, he was on the Class 3A second place 4x200 relay team (1:34.73) with teammates William Antill, Matt Smith and Justin Smith; and second place 4x100 relay team (44.94) with Antill, Matt Smith and Dustin Smith.

  As a sophomore, he was fourth in the 100 meters (11.81); fifth in the 4x800 relay (3:37.81) with Ryker Hill, Brad Becca and Cameron Gasmire; and sixth in the 4x100 relay (46.75) with Rawn Driver, Gasmire and John Martin.

  As a junior, Murray was on two place-winning relay teams – fourth in the 4x400 (3:38.31) with Anthony Phillips, Becca and Gasmire); and sixth in the 4x200 (1:36.65) with Anthony Phillips, Casey Bain and Gasmire.

  As a senior, he again was on two relay teams that placed – fourth in the 4x200 (1:35.81) with Driver, Bain and Tyrel Simmons; and sixth in the 4x100 (51.95) with Bain, Simmons and Phillips).

  In Buckeye 8 competition, Murray was on the sixth place 4x100 relay team (48.91) as a junior with Cody McGeen, Gasmire and Bain while as a senior, he took fourth in the 100 meters (11.96); was on the winning 4x200 relay team (1:36.49) with Driver, Bain and Simmons; and second in the 4x100 relay (45.80) with Driver, Bain and Phillips.

  In OHSAA Division II District action, he took eighth in the 100 (12.13) and was on the fifth place 4x200 relay team (1:34.60 with Antill, Matt Smith and Justin Smith as a freshman; placed seventh in the 100 (11.46), third in the 4x400 (3:34.14) with Gasmire, Hill and Becca and seventh in the 4x100 relay (46.17) with Driver, Gasmire and Martin as a sophomore; and was second in the 4x100 relay (44.90) with Simmons, Phillips and Bain, with that quartet going on to place fifth in the D-II Regional (44.36) to just miss a state meet berth.

  His personal best marks of 11.81 in the 100 and 24.02 in the 200 rank in the top 10 in MFHS track history.

  Murray went on to play running back for two years at the University of Mount Union, compiling 3,346 yards rushing and scoring 45 touchdowns.

  As a freshman, he earned second team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors with 1,616 yards rushing and 21 TDs along with 15 pass receptions for 156 yards and two TDs.

  As a sophomore, he received first team All-OAC recognition after gaining 1,730 yards rushing with 20 TDs and 20 catches.

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MFHS Athletic Wall of Honor - Class of 2024

Roger Best

  Best was a contributor to Purple Rider athletics in a variety of ways for more than four decades.

  He served as head boys’ basketball coach from 1964-70, posting a 65-51 record with two sectional titles. He was also the head baseball coach from 1987-1996, with the Riders finishing as OVAC runner-up on multiple occasions.

  He was a long-time booster and supporter of MFHS sports, and he coached summer baseball for the Martins Ferry Civics for several years.

  Best – a graduate of Maysville High School - was a high school math teacher and guidance counselor who later served on the Martins Ferry Board of Education and was on the Belmont--Monroe Career Center Board of Education. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 69.

Vance Deihl

  Deihl was involved in Purple Rider athletics for 30 years as an assistant coach and athletic trainer. He was one of those individuals who would lend a hand when anyone needed help.

  He was a history teacher at MFHS and a member of the Martins Ferry Education Association. He graduated from Big Spring High School in Pennsylvania; got his bachelor’s degree from West Liberty State College where he was a member of the Hilltoppers’ football team and his master’s degree from the University of Detroit.

  He passed away in 2010 at the age of 69 and the “Vance Deihl Memorial Golf Scramble” named in his honor has taken place ever since, with proceeds going to a scholarship for a Martins Ferry senior.

Paul Matuska

  Matuska has contributed to Purple Rider athletics in a variety of ways dating back to 1990 when he began his teaching/coaching career Martins Ferry.

  His coaching involvement included assistant track coach for a quarter of a century; football assistant for more than two decades and many years as a boys’ basketball and volleyball assistant. He was the head girls’ basketball coach for two seasons (2017-2018). He was also responsible for the formation of the Purple Riders’ indoor track program.

  In addition to his athletic contributions, Matuska has also served as National Honor Society advisor and Chy-Phy advisor; launched the Renaissance Program at MFHS, an incentive program designed to increase student academic achievement, decrease absenteeism and improve school climate by reducing discipline problems; served as a member of school’s district leadership team; became president of the Martins Ferry Education Association in 2011; and was honored as a “Master Teacher” by the state of Ohio.

  Matuska also helped prepare food for the annual Athletic Hall of Fame luncheon for the first nine years, among his many behind the scenes contributions to MFHS.

  A native of Shadyside and a 1982 graduate of St. John Central, he was a three-sport athlete in high school who was first team All-Ohio, All-Eastern District and All-OVAC in football. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences and a master’s degree in educational administration from Ohio University.

Nancy Shaffer

  Shaffer was a 1965 graduate of Malone University in Canton with a bachelor’s degree in music education with an emphasis on Tuba. In 1980 she earned a master’s degree in education administration from Dayton University. 

  While in high school, she became proficient in tuba performance, and this resulted in an invitation to join the School Band of America.  In 1963 she traveled through seven European countries performing with the band.  She later performed with them again in 1968 at the World’s Fair in Montreal, Canada. 

  In 1965, she was employed by the Martins Ferry School District as their first female instrumental music instructor and Junior High Band Director and Assistant High School Band Director.

  For 35 years, she shared her love and knowledge of music with the children of the district and prepared them for participation in the high school marching and concert bands while working in concert with another Wall of Honor selection, long-time MFHS Band Director Russ Armstrong.  She was also the Music Administrator for the school district and the first director of the MFHS Alumni Marching Band.

  Shaffer’s legacy is an example of what women can accomplish when given the opportunity, led to many young women joining her as band directors in school districts throughout the Ohio Valley.

  Professionally, Shaffer performed in the Canton Symphony from 1966-1968 for 25 years (1967-1993), she performed in the Wheeling Symphony, and she was the first female principal tuba performer in both orchestras. Upon her retirement, she became a member and participant in both the Wheeling Park and Oglebay Park women’s golf leagues and the St Clair Lanes bowling leagues. She continued her musical performances volunteering with the Cambridge City Band and later the Hernando Symphony in Florida. 

  Shaffer passed away in 2023 at the age of 80.