The Greater Capital Region Track, Field and Cross Country
Hall of Fame
Meet the Hall of Fame
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 20182023 INDUCTEES
D. Mark Woodruff (Gloversville ’81, U.S. Naval Academy ’86)
- Won the Class B state individual cross country championship in 1980 at Great Neck South High School and was runner-up in the Federation Meet at Van Cortlandt Park. Named to the Harrier Magazine All-American team.
- After being invited to run in the Millrose Games High School Mile and dominating area distance races indoors and out, captured the 1981 state outdoor 1,600 championship at Cornell in a Section 2-record 4:11.8. Was also the Eddy Meet mile winner in 1980.
- Competed in four seasons each of cross country, indoor track and outdoor track at Annapolis, helping the Midshipmen finish seventh in the NCAA Championships at Marquette. Crowning achievement on the track at the Naval Academy was a personal best of 4:02 in the indoor mile against arch-rival Army.
Dick Stevens (Cherry Valley ’61, Colgate ’65)
- Produced an impressive list of athletes in his 30 years of coaching at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, including Miles Irish, a member of the inaugural class of the GCRTFCCHOF who held two national and five state records indoors; state champions Irish, Hugh Willig (1,600) and Michelle LaPointe (800); plus state relay champions in the 4 x 800 outdoors and 4 x 400 indoors.
- Was the lone indoor coach for three seasons after starting the indoor program in 1976 and carrying as many as 129 athletes. The girls’ and boys’ teams combined for eight Section 2 indoor championships and 10 runner-up finishes, and the girls added four sectional crowns outdoors. Athletes regularly excelled in major meets in the East.
- Inspired several of his athletes to become coaches themselves, including current highly successful running coach Chip Button. A vast majority of the existing Burnt Hills school records were achieved under Stevens’ tutelage, and BH-BL names top or populate the all-time area performance lists. Later coached at RPI and Ballston Spa High School.
Louis Serafini (Niskayuna ‘09, Boston College '13)
- Running career reflects tremendous range of accomplishment. One of three Capital Region runners to break the four-minute mile and at the top of the all-time list of marathoners with a PR of 2:14:59. Qualified three times for the U. S. Olympic Marathon Trials including 2024.
- At Niskayuna High School, ran 1:53.3 in the 800 for second in 2009 state qualifier, 4:13.58 in the 1,600 for fifth at the 2009 State Championships and a 2:31.20 in the 1,000 at the 2009 State Indoor Championships, good for fifth place.
- Had an outstanding career at Boston College, one highlight of which was running a cross country time at the iconic Franklin Park 8K course that places him in the top 10 all time for the Eagles. Major player on the local road racing scene as a three-time winner of the Stockade-a-thon and having garnered 14 straight Cardiac Classic championships.
Felipe Reyes (CBA '04, Albany ’09)
- Burst into the spotlight at the tail end of his junior year by uncorking a 24-3 ¾ long jump in the 2003 Division I State Meet, a mark that still tops the all-time Section 2 list. Came back the following outdoor season to capture both the State Meet long and triple jump championships.
- Had a scintillating indoor season in 2003-04, soaring to 24-5 in the Hispanic Games. The latter mark was No. 1 in the nation and still stands as the all-time Section 2 indoor record. Capping the season were long jump victories in the state meet and Nike Indoor Nationals (24-1 ¾).
- Competed for two seasons at LSU, then transferred to the University at Albany, where he notched a school-record long jump of 24-6 ½ in the UAlbany Classic.
Mike Novenche (Shenendehowa 92', Syracuse U ')
- Has held Section 2 outdoor pentathlon record since 1994 with 3,637 points. No. 3 all time in indoor pentathlon with 3,573 points. Section 2 indoor champion in 300 meters in 1990, 91 and 92. No. 24 on all time leaderboard for 600 meters
- Section 2 outdoor champion, 4 X 400-meter relay, 1991 and 1992. His 400-dash time of 48.8 is No. 23 on all-time leaderboard. Placed third in nation in the decathlon, 1991, earning All-American designation. Empire State Games scholastic decathlon champion, 1991, open division champion, 1993.
- Established Syracuse University pentathlon record. All conference Big East, 1995.
Mark Mindel (Niskayuna ‘70, Union College ‘74)
- As a cross country coach, led Averill Park to eight sectional titles and three state championships. Won 20 league titles (12 girls, eight boys) in the Patroon League and Colonial Council. Coached four state cross country champions and three Foot Locker All-Americans. Coached five state champions in track. Has coached Fleet Feet Racing Team for many years.
- Was founder and longtime race director of the Schenectady Stockade-athon. Won the event in 1976, 1977 and 1979 and ran 43 consecutive races, 1976-2018. Competed in 51 consecutive Troy Turkey Trots, 1967-2018. Won the Montreal Marathon in 1979 in a personal record time of 2:26:31.
- A 36-year member of the Capital District Track Officials, where he is currently the secretary and indoor track assignor. Served as Section 2 indoor track girls’ coordinator from 1986 to 2002.
Ernie Marshall (Mont Pleasant ’38, Fort Valley State College)
- Running on cinders and without the benefit of starting blocks, posted section records of 21.4 in the straight 220-yard dash (stood for 19 years) and 49.2 for the 440-yard dash (stood for 23 years). The latter mark came in his sixth race of the day at the New Hampshire Scholastic Invitation, where he was a triple winner for the second straight year.
- Lauded by a New York Herald sports columnist as "the next Jesse Owens," Marshall won national scholastic and national junior A.A.U. titles in the 440 and the Eastern States championship in the 220. Helped the Red Raiders win Championship of America races at the Penn Relays in 1936 and 1937.
- Was considered a strong prospect for the 1940 Olympic Games, his performances included a school-record 47.8 for Fort Valley State College in Georgia, but the Games were cancelled due to World War II. Continued to dominate local meets, including the Adirondack A.A.U. and G.E.A.A. Championships, for several years after high school.
Donna Girtler Duffy (Columbia ’82, Virginia Tech ’86)
- Won outdoor state high jump championships as both a sophomore and junior and finished second at the Penn Relays in 1981. State meet performance of 5-8 in 1980 established a Section 2 record that was not bettered for 10 years. Came back as a senior to set the Eddy Meet record.
- Indoors, set the area record of 5-6 in the high jump while posting victories in the Dutchmen Games, Engineer Games and Tri-County Indoor Track League Championships. Placed third and fifth in the Eastern States Championships high jump in 1980 and 81. Also excelled as a hurdler and her 7.7 for the 50-meter event at one time shared the Section 2 record.
- Received an athletic scholarship at Virginia Tech where she set school high jump records both indoors (5-10) and outdoors (5-6). The indoor mark still stands No. 2 on the Hokies’ all-time list, and the outdoor mark remains in the top 10.
Jim Connolly (Vincentian Institute ’62, Siena College ’67)
- Amassed a six-decade, 86-season coaching career at three high schools: Cardinal McCloskey, Scotia-Glenville and Bethlehem Central. His athletes dot many of the all-time event lists: distance, horizontal and vertical jumps and multi-events.
- During his career, was head coach or assistant for teams that won 10 indoor league championships, 11 indoor sectional championships and six outdoor sectional championships.
- One of the very first members of USATF the Adirondack Officials Committee. Officiated at numerous prestigious national meets, including four Olympic Trials, World University Games and Youth and Masters National Championships
Mary Beth Allan Fetterolf (Bishop Maginn ’84, Bucknell ‘88)
2022 INDUCTEES
Dana Ostrander Bush (Shenendehowa ’96, Providence ’00)
- Lead runner for the Shenendehowa cross country team, ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in 1995, when she swept individual titles in the State Meet, Federation Meet and Foot Locker Northeast Regionals.
- Passed up the 1996 outdoor state meet to win the two mile at the prestigious Keebler International Prep Invitational. Earned four state meet golds in individual races and another three on relays and anchored the Plainsmen victory in the distance medley in the 1995 National Indoor Championships.
- Competed for four seasons at Providence College in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, and was named team captain for all three sports. Helped the Friars place in the top 10 at the NCAA Cross Country Championships all four years.
Tedi DeMaria (Bethlehem ’16, University of Virginia ‘20)
- Currently ranks No. 2 on both the all-time Section 2 indoor (12-8 1/4”) and outdoor (12-3) pole vault leaderboards
- New York State pole vault champion outdoors in 2015 as a junior with a jump of 12-4. Runner-up at indoor state championships and fourth at the New Balance Indoor Nationals in the pole vault as a senior.
- An outstanding competitor in the triple jump, with a personal best of 35-10 Placed in many invitational meets in this event
Jennifer Fazioli (Averill Park ’98, Colorado ’02)
- An early bloomer with strong performances as a seventh- and eighth-grader, Jen broke through with her first of three consecutive state cross country championships as a freshman in 1994 and broke the course record the following fall.
- Saw limited activity on the track, but did finish second in the Outdoor Nationals 5K as a freshman to earn All-American honors and posted a 17:20.44 in the 5k, which at the time was No. 2 on the all-time Section 2 list.
- Helped the University of Colorado win the 2000 NCAA Cross Country Championship and three Big 12 Conference titles, and was named the school’s Scholar Athlete of the Year. Post college, she was the youngest qualifier (age 21) for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
Marbry Gansle (Chatham ’73, Russell Sage ’77)
- Developed and coached the Shaker girls’ cross country program and coached for 42 years, amassing a dual meet record of 271 wins and 171 losses, currently No. 12 on the all-time New York State list. Her outdoor track record was 301-141
- Earned Coach of the Year Award for Girls Cross Country, 2017-2018 National Federation of High Schools, Northeast Section. Was given the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports Pathfinder Award for significant contributions, 2009
- Section 2 Girls’ Cross Country Coordinator – 1978 – 2019. New York State Girl’s State Chairperson for Cross Country - 1995 to present
Dr. John Gregg (Colonie ‘57, Michigan ‘61)
- Long before high school track switched event distances from yards to meters, he was one of the Capital Region’s premiere sprinters, and his bests of 9.6 in the 100-yard dash and 21.0 for the 220-yard dash on a straight course are tied for first on retired all-time Section 2 lists.
- John was an impressive double winner in the 1957 state meet in New Hartford, taking the 100 yards in 9.8 to tie one meet record and the 220 in 21.0 to smash another. He capped his senior year by running a record 9.6 in the Adirondack AAU Championship Meet in 1957.
- The Colonie speedster competed at the University of Michigan, lowering his 100-yard time to 9.5, just two-tenths of a second off the world record at the time, and had an official 20.8 for a 220 on the curve. Mr. Gregg also clocked a 6.1 in the 60-yard dash indoors to equal the Big Ten record held by the great Jesse Owens.
Matt Jones (Bishop Gibbons ‘73, SUNY-Cortland '77)
- Veteran coach of more than 30 years had an exemplary run at Shenendehowa High School, where his boys’ cross country teams garnered five state and Federation championships while ranking as high as No. 2 in the nation in 1998, and the girls’ program earned two state crowns.
- He had eight relays and two individuals in three events capture national titles, indoors and out, and watched more than 30 individuals or relay teams prevail in state or Federation track competition.
- Has been a member of the award-winning University at Albany coaching staff since 2008, earning honors such as Division I Northeast Region Men’s Indoor Assistant Track Coach of the Year in 2010 and America East Conference Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2011.
Dr. Tim McCrossen (Ballston Spa ’84, St. Lawrence University ‘88)
- Continues to hold three Ballston Spa HS records: 100m, 10.8; 200m, 21.6; 400m, 48.45. The 200 mark ranks No. 9 all-time in Section 2; the 400 ranks No. 10.
- After over 35 years, continues to hold four indoor and four outdoor records at St. Lawrence University. Named a Division III All-American 12 times and was a two-time national champion. Was inducted into the NCAA Division III Hall of Fame in 2015.
- Garnered many accolades while competing at St. Lawrence. Among them: ICAC Athlete of the Year 1987 and 1988, Most Outstanding Runner Award in the state meet 1987 and 1988, Senior Scholar Athlete Award, inducted into the St. Lawrence Hall of Fame 1999.
Felipe Reyes (CBA '04, Albany ’09)
- Burst into the spotlight at the tail end of his junior year by uncorking a 24-3 ¾ long jump in the 2003 Division I State Meet, a mark that still tops the all-time Section 2 list. Came back the following outdoor season to capture both the State Meet long and triple jump championships.
- Had a scintillating indoor season in 2003-04, soaring to 24-5 in the Hispanic Games. The latter mark was No. 1 in the nation and still stands as the all-time Section 2 indoor record. Capping the season were long jump victories in the state meet and Nike Indoor Nationals (24-1 ¾).
- Competed for two seasons at LSU, then transferred to the University at Albany, where he notched a school-record long jump of 24-6 ½ in the UAlbany Classic.
Kevin Scheuer (Bishop Gibbons ‘75, Union College ’79)
- While at Bishop Gibbons, tied the Section 2 record for the outdoor 880, and established Tri-County Indoor Track League records in the 600 yard, 1000 yard and mile runs.
- After 40 years, continues to hold numerous Union College records. He leads the indoor lists in the 1000m, 1500m, and was a member of the 1600 and 3200m relay record teams. His outdoor records were in the 800m, 1,500m, mile.
- National Division III champion in the outdoor 1,500 in 1979.
Aidan Tooker (Saratoga Springs ‘16, Syracuse ’21)
- In high school, was a 13-time Section 2 champion, a two-time state indoor champ and a Federation cross country meet champion.
- At Syracuse University, was a six-time NCAA Division I championship meet participant (three in cross country and three in outdoor track.} Placed 11th in the 2018 USATF championships steeplechase.
- One of only three Capital Region athletes to break four minutes in the mile at 3:59.39 indoors.
2021 INDUCTEES
Joe Zelezniak (Mont Pleasant, 70)
- Won state shot put championships in 1969 and 70 and was a three-time Section 2 champion whose 62-3 remains as the Section 2 record. Set a section record of 170-2 in the discus (since broken) in a dominating weight career that included wins at the Eastern State Championships and Eddy Meet.
- In the early 80s, set meet records and won the shot at numerous open meets in the East and placed fifth in the 1983 National Indoor Championship Meet at Madison Square Garden. That earned a spot on the Olympic Committee European Tour, where he placed fifth in the European Indoor Championships in Milan, Italy.
- An 11-time winner at the Empire State Games, he competed until age 40, when he was ranked No. 1 in the East in the shot. Spent years mentoring local high school athletes in the event.
Steve Szumachowski (Mont Pleasant, ’34, Notre Dame ’39)
- Unbeaten in cross country meets his junior and senior years, including back-to-back victories in the American Interscholastic Championship Meet. He placed second in that meet as a sophomore and set a meet record the following fall.
- Track highlights included legs on three relay teams that won Championship of America races at the Penn Relays. After graduating from Mont Pleasant, he represented the U.S. in the 1934 Polish Olympics in Warsaw, winning the 1,500- and 5,000-meter runs.
- As a scholarship athlete at Notre Dame, was a cross country All-American, a sport in which he finished fifth in the National Collegiate Championships as a senior, and won 20 of 25 dual meets. He also had a successful career on the track.
Christine Petersen (Johnstown ‘66, Oneonta ‘70)
- Provided dynamic and dedicated leadership to the Capital District Track Officials organization for multiple decades. Secretary for several years, President 1995-2011, Outdoor track assignor 2011-2020.
- Officiated at New York State High School Track and Field Championships for more than 30 years in a variety of roles: discus judge, finish line judge and timer, starter, head starter, clerk and chief clerk, pentathlon judge and chief pentathlon judge.
- Received the NY State Officials organization Dick Teetsel Award as the “Outstanding Track & Field Officials of the Year” (2013). In 2016, won the Dick Fersinger Award “Given in honor of dedication to the sport, its athletes, coaches, and officials.”
Leah Moran (Holy Names ‘16, Indiana, '20)
- Highly decorated high school career at Stillwater and Holy Names. Outdoor State Championship Meets: Division 2 double winner in the long and triple jumps in 2014 and 2015. Outdoor Section 2 record in triple jump at 40’ ½ and all-time best in long jump at 19’ 11’”
- Indoor track: Finished seventh in the triple jump at the New Balance Indoor Nationals in 2015 and had top-five finishes in both horizontal jumps at indoor state meets her junior and senior years.
- Scholarship athlete at Indiana University. Big Ten indoor track long jump champion in 2020. Holds school record for indoor triple jump. Back-to-back Big Ten outdoor triple jump championships. In May, 2021 her 44-6 school record met the qualifying standard for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Keelin Hollowood (Saratoga, '13, Providence, ’17)
- Scored consecutive championships in the 2,000-meter steeplechase at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in 2012 and ‘13 and competed for the Blue Streaks on five relay teams that won in national meets.
- Earned All-American honors 14 times across the cross country and indoor and outdoor track seasons, which included a dozen Section 2 championships. In cross country, Saratoga finished first or second in every state, Federation and Nike Cross National cross country meet she participated in for four years.
- Ran on the NCAA championship cross country team at Providence College in 2013 and posted top-10 finishes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Big East Championships for four straight years.
Dick Edmunds (Glens Falls, '56, Philips Exeter, ’57, Princeton, ‘61)
- Undefeated in 100, 220 and 440-yard dashes during junior and senior high school years. New York State champion in the 220 dash in 1955 and 1956, 100 yard dash in 1956. Ran personal bests of 9.8 (100), 21.0 (220) and 49.4 (440)
- Established 12 school records while at Princeton University. In 1960, placed fifth in the NCAA championship 440 and sixth in the Olympic Trials 400. His time in the latter race, 46.44, remained a Princeton school record for 52 years.
- Won title in the 440-yard dash at the Marine Corps and All-Service Championship on 1962. Member of the United States team at the Pan American Games in 1963, where he won a gold medal as a member of the 1600-meter relay team.
Erin Davis (Saratoga, '97, Penn State, '01)
- Extraordinary high school cross country career highlighted by three State Meet and four consecutive State Federation Meet individual titles. Won the 1993 Foot Locker Championships as a freshman and had two other top-10 finishes in the race.
- Despite battling injuries for much of her career, won three state 3,000-meter golds, and her indoor mark of 9:42.41 at the Yale Invitational topped the all-time Section 2 list for 11 years.
- As an eighth-grader, posted a 16:43.47 in the Empire State Games 5K for the fastest time ever by a New York state high school runner, and appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd.”
Alicia Crowd-Andersen (Greenwich, '97 Syracuse, ‘01)
- Holds seven individual and three relay records at Greenwich High School. Won 4 State titles, 16 Sectional titles, and numerous league and invitational championships.
- Qualified for the NYSPHSAA Track & Field Championships seven times and was State Champion in the 300 meters indoors and the 400 and the 200 outdoors in 1996. Placed fourth in the 400 meters (55.73) at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships in Boston in 1997.
- As a scholarship athlete at Syracuse University, won the Indoor Big East Conference Championships in 1999 in the 400 and established the school record (54.75). Set and continues to hold the school record in the 500 (1:12.91) in 1999. Won All-Big East Conference and ECAC accolades several times during her career.
2020 INDUCTEES
Jeoffrey York (Troy ‘89, University at Albany ‘96)
- Holds Troy HS records for indoor (50 and 55 meters) and outdoor hurdles (110 meters). 1989 NYSPHSAA Indoor Hurdle Champion.
- Five-time NCAA Champion, 55 hurdles, 110 hurdles, 4 X 400 relay at the University at Albany. Holds school records for the 55 and 110 meter hurdles. Was chosen University Male Athlete of the Year 1994-95. Semi-finalist, 110 meter hurdles 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. Established all-time NCAA DIII fastest 110 Meter hurdles 13.56. Post Collegiate 13.28.
- USTFCCCA Region III Junior College Coach of the Year, 2019, Hudson Valley Community College.
Ysanne Williams (Albany ’98, UCLA ’03)
- Competed for Jamaica in the 800 in 2008 Olympic Games. Lowered her PR to 2:02.28 the year before. Won the Pan American Junior championship and U.S. Junior Championships in the 800 in 1999.
- Won five state championships while competing for Albany High School (400 twice, 600 twice and 800). Still sits in the top 10 in nine events, indoors and out, on all-time Section 2 lists.
- A five-time All-American at UCLA, she ran the leadoff leg on the 4 x 400 relay team that finished third in the 2001 NCAA championships and had numerous other placings in NCAA and Pac-10 championship meets.
Roberto Vives (Cardinal Hayes ’73, Seton Hall ‘78)
- Director of the University at Albany’s Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country programs, 1985 to present (35 years). Served as National Coach for Team USA, 2015 and Puerto Rico, 2016 to Present.
- Thirty-three America East Conference Men’s and 24 Women’s Team Championships. Men’s IC4A Indoor champions 2009, 2010 and 2017. Outdoor IC4A champions 2009. Women’s ECAC champions, Indoor 2017, Outdoor 2018 and 2019.
- Eight-time USTFCCCA Northeast Regional Coach of the Year, 11-time Collegiate Track Conference Coach of the Year, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service, University at Albany, 1994
Ray Trail (Mont Pleasant ’35-’36, Syracuse)
- Before arriving at Mont Pleasant after living along the Canadian border, he had already gained a reputation as a runner who hitch-hiked his way to AAU races all over the region, almost always winning.
- He had two spectacular cross country seasons, culminating with a course record in the American Interscholastic Championships in Newark, N.J., and a repeat as national champion in 1936.
- He set two world interscholastic mile records, 4:24.8 indoors then Glenn Cunningham’s outdoor standard of 4:24.7. He went on to lower that standard to 4:22.3, and no Schenectady high school athlete would run a faster mile for the next 74 years.
Madalayne Smith (Saratoga ‘10, Connecticut ‘14)
- New York State Indoor Track Champion in both the 55 meter dash and 55 meter hurdles 2009 and 2010
- New York State and Federation Champion in the 100m Hurdles three consecutive years, 2008-10. Section II record holder in 100 hurdles, 13.78.
- At Connecticut, highlights included fourth place in Big East Conference outdoor championships junior year, first in New England Indoor Championships 60m hurdles with a meet record.
Dave Petersen (Johnstown ’65, Wisconsin ’69)
- Established all-time area best of 14.3 in the 120-yard high hurdles and finished second in the state meet for the Sir Bills. Earned a full scholarship to the University of Wisconsin.
- Veteran coach of nearly 50 years, he started the boys’ and girls' track programs at Fonda-Fultonville. They combined for 36 Section 2 championships and 46 Tri-Valley League titles under his leadership and compiled an aggregate dual meet record of 483-23.
- Has been the Section 2 boys’ outdoor track coordinator since 1981 and was an inaugural class inductee of the Fonda-Fultonville Athletic Hall of Fame.
Jared O’Connor (Shenendehowa ’04, University of Washington ’09)
- New York State indoor track champion in pole vault in 2004 with state- record 15’ 10”. Was selected as “Athlete of the Meet.”
- His performance of 15’ 10” was the Section 2 indoor record for 15 years, and currently ranks third all-time on the leaderboard.
- Finished second in the 2008 NCAA Division I Championships with a jump of 17’ 4.5”. Achieved a personal best of 17’ 6”.
Katie Twarog Moulton (South Colonie ’01, Providence ’05)
- Won the Class A state individual cross country championship in 1998 and led the Raiders to state and Federation team titles the following year, when they were ranked third in the nation.
- Five-time All-American in indoor track, winning the state indoor 1,500 title in 2000 and twice participating in state championship 4 x 800 relay teams. Outdoors, she took a state 3,000 title in 2000 and led Colonie to two 4 x 800 relay crowns.
- Earned a full scholarship to Providence College, where she helped the Friars finish third in the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Frank Myers (Colonie ‘63, Albany State University ‘68 )
- Coached all levels of boys and girls track and cross country at Colonie High School uninterrupted for 51 years, amassing a total of 353 dual meet and 82 invitational meet victories
- Led 1986 and 1999 girls’ cross country teams to state championships, and has coached numerous individual and relay state champions
- Charter member of the Capital District Track Officials (47 years), longest-tenured President of the Tri-Country Indoor Track league (19 years), created and directed Colonie Tuesday night Community track meets, 51 years.
Krissy Haacke Dillabough (Shaker ’93, Providence ’97)
- Finished in the top 10, Class “A” state championship cross country meet 1989-1992. Federation Meet champion in 1990.
- Won the scholastic division of the Fifth Avenue Mile in 1990, 4:55.71. Placed second in that race at 4:54.47 the following year.
- Numerous placings in conference championships while at Providence University. A member on the Friar’s 1995 National Championship team.
Izaiah Brown (Amsterdam ’15, Rutgers ’19)
- Set a state freshman record for 400 meters in the Eddy Meet, won three straight state titles in the 400, one in the 4 x 400 relay and set all-time Section 2 bests of 46.40 in the 400, 21.10 in the 200 and 3:17.01 in the 4 x 400 relay (45.11 anchor split).
- Holder of 10 Amsterdam school records, he won two indoor state 300 titles and was runner-up in the indoor nationals 400 with an all-time area record of 47.32. His 34.30 in the 300 ranks second.
- Posted four indoor victories in the 400 and one outdoors for Rutgers in Big Ten championship meets. Set Rutgers school records in four indoor events and two outdoor, lowering his PRs to 45.27 in the 400, 20.68 in the 200 and 10.49 in the 100.
2019 INDUCTEES
Barry Brown (Colonie ‘62, Providence ‘66)
- First runner from the Capital Region to break the four-minute mile, running 3:58.8. Competed on 23 U.S. National Teams and qualified for the Olympic Trials three times.
- Established 12 USA age-group records, including American Masters records at 10,000 meters, the half marathon and marathon.
- Multiple winner of USATF Masters Runner of the Year and Roadrunners Club of America Masters Roadrunner of the Year titles.
Gary Connor (Niskayuna ‘69)
- Two-time state high school Class A cross country champion. Won the 1968 race by a record 33 seconds.
- Three-time Section 2 Class A Cross Country champion who set nine course records in his career.
- When he ran 9:24.9 for a full two miles on a cinder track in 1969, it ranked second on the all-time Section 2 list.
Tom Dalton (CBA Syracuse ’76, Siena College ’81)
- Undefeated in dual meets and invitationals during three years of cross country at Siena College.
- Five-time USATF Masters Cross Country Runner of the Year.
- Champion, Albany Corporate Challenge (14 times), Schenectady Stockade-a-thon (7 times), Troy Turkey Trot (8 times). Record holder in Turkey Trot for 10,000 meters.
Cliff Lehman (CBA ’56, New Hampshire ‘60)
- Coached Christian Brothers Academy of Albany for 34 years with a dual meet record of 317-29-1. He compiled 184 invitational and championship meet wins.
- Coached 60-foot shot putters in four decades and had a 50-foot thrower for 30 consecutive years.
- Honored as Region 1 Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High School Coaches.
Elizabeth Maloy DeBole (Holy Names ‘03, Georgetown ‘07)
- Won state high school championships in cross country, indoor and outdoor track, setting sectional records in the 1,000 indoors and 1,500 outdoors.
- Finished seventh in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials 5,000.
- Currently head coach of cross country and assistant track coach at Stanford University, where she has been named NCAA West Region Coach of the Year in both cross country (2016) and indoor track (2017).
Heidi Mann Vittengl (Queensbury ‘82, University of Florida ‘87)
- Set a national high school record in the heptathlon and state records in both the pentathlon and heptathlon. Her then state heptathlon mark of 4,953 points has only been surpassed once in 38 years.
- Won consecutive state championships in the pentathlon and captured the TAC Junior National Championships heptathlon while in high school. While competing for Florida, she became the first woman to win the Penn Relays heptathlon three years in a row. In addition, she was designated as an All American twice and was a four-time SEC All-Academic team selection.
- Inducted into both the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Empire State Games Halls of Fame following a diverse athletic career that included excellence on the golf course, as well.
Vince McArdle (Vincentian ’60, Manhattan ‘64)
- A solid high jumper and long jumper at Vincentian Institute before blossoming as a sprinter and 440-yard hurdler at Manhattan.
- Ran a number of 46-point 440-yard relay legs, set a field house record in an indoor meet at Navy with a 1:11.0 for 600 yards, and dominated outdoor meets in the 440-yard hurdles as a senior. He was runner-up in the NCAA Championships and finished eighth in the 1964 Olympic Trials with a career-best 50.7.
- The All-American received the Metropolitan Coaches Association Founder’s Award as the top college athlete in the New York City area.
Sarah Palmer (Schuylerville ‘11, Penn State ‘15)
- Won five consecutive state high school outdoor high jump championships, sits second on the all-time area list with a best of 5-9 ¼ and broke the state freshman record with a 5-8 1/2.
- Indoors, she won two state federation titles, the Eastern States Championship and was a three-time All-American.
- Helped Penn State win three Big Ten team titles and was a finalist six times, indoors and out, in the conference high jump championships
Jen Petersen Jette (Fonda-Fultonville ‘93, Michigan ‘97)
- Ranks high on the all-time Section II outdoor lists in the 100-meter hurdles (14.3), high jump (5-9) and pentathlon (3,397), with a state title in the latter.
- A state indoor high jump champion who went on to place third at the indoor nationals in the pentathlon. Still holds the all-time area indoor pentathlon mark of 3,393 and ranks high on the lists in the 50-meter hurdles (7.5), 55-meter hurdles (8.1) and high jump (5-8).
- After a Big Ten career at Michigan, took up coaching at Colonie, where she compiled a dual meet record of 89-9 and coached two All-Americans and a state champion.
Klarrisa Ricks (Holy Names, ’11, Syracuse ‘15)
- Burst onto the scene with a state freshman class record of 7.58 for the 60-meter dash in the indoor nationals after winning her first of two state meet titles. Holds all-time area indoor bests in the 45 (6.11) and 55 (6.95) and sits second on the long jump list (18-11 ¾)
- Won the Penn Relays Championship of America long jump to kick off a senior year outdoors that included three gold medals at the state meet in the 100, long jump and 4 x 100 relay. Her 11.93 in the 100 is the all-time area best, and her 19-10 ¾ in the long jump continues to rank second.
- After initially attending Columbia, transferred to Syracuse and competed for two years with a long jump best of 19-3.
Ed Springstead (Cortland State)
- Has coached cross country and track for more than 60 years, winning state cross country championships at Colonie in 1962 and at Shaker in 2010. The latter team also won the state federation title and competed in the Nike Cross Nationals.
- Has coached numerous individuals and teams to Section 2 championships. Among his outstanding athletes was Barry Brown, who became a world-class competitor in the steeplechase and marathon.
- Served as the Section 2 boys’ cross country coordinator for many years. An early fall season meet, the Ed Springstead Invitational, has been named in his honor.
2018 INDUCTEES
Arthur Allen (Mont Pleasant, Northeastern University)
- Two-time state indoor champion in 300 m dash and outdoor champion in 200 m
- Held Section 2 200 m record for 32 years
- Nicknamed “Northeastern’s Fastest Human,” member of the University Varsity Club Hall of Fame
Tracy Baskin (Albany HS, Seton Hall)
- 1988 US Olympic team in 1988, ranked number 4 in the world, ran a 1:44.43
- 3 time NCAA Division I All-American, Division I 800 m champion in 1987
- New York State HS 400 m Champion 1983
Nicole Blood (Saratoga HS, Oregon University)
- State and national high school champion in the mile and 2 mile
- Two time Millrose Game high school mile champion
- Most decorated female athlete in University of Oregon history, earning multiple All-American designations
Andy Bloom (Niskayuna HS, Wake Forest University)
- 2000 U.S. Olympic team, placed 4th in shot put in Sydney, Australia, highest Olympic Games finish ever by a Capital Region track athlete.
- NCAA Division I champion in the shot put 1996
- New York State champion 1991, has held NYS discus record for 27 years
Shelly Choppa Anderson (Glens Falls HS, Arizona State University)
- Four-time State Champion in high jump, has held state record for 28 years
- 1988, 89, 90: Ranked #1 in the US by Track and Field News
- Number 1 high jumper at Arizona State for 4 years. Ranks #3 on all-time ASU high jump lists
Cheri Goddard Kenah (Saratoga HS, Villanova University)
- State and Federation NY State Champion in Cross Country
- In Villanova Athletics Hall of Fame. Part of a world record 4 X 1500 Meter relay team
- Competed internationally on the US team in Europe and Africa
Miles Irish (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake HS, Georgetown University)
- Set national indoor 600 and 1000 m records, and at one time held 5 state indoor records. Continues to hold NYS records for 1000 m and 1000 y, 35 years later.
- Member of the world record distance medley relay team while at Georgetown, Personal records of 1:46 for 800 m and 4:02 for mile
- Two time NY State indoor champion: 1000 m as sophomore, 3200 m as senior
Linda and Art Kranick (Saratoga HS Coaches)
- National and NYS Coaches of the Year in Cross Country
- Coached over 100 All-Americans in track and cross country
- Numerous Sectional, State and National championships, team and individual
Tim Lewis (Shenendehowa, University of Colorado)
- US Olympic team member 1988, participant in the Seoul, South Korea Games
- NY State Champion in one mile walk 1979, 1980
- Multiple time National champion in the 20 km Racewalk from 1985-92
Dan Olson (Albany Academy, Wheaton College)
- Still holds NYS high jump record Indoors (7’ 4”) and outdoors (7’ 3”)
- Won Penn Relays scholastic HJ in 2001 at 7’ 1.5”
- Two-time indoor national Division III champion and three-time outdoor high jump champ at Wheaton College
Kyle Plante (Colonie HS)
- National indoor champion (2010) and outdoor runner-up (2012)
- NY State Indoor champion in 300 m and 4 x 400 m relay; NY State Outdoor champion in 400 hurdles, 400 m, 4 X 400 MR
- Section 2 all-time leader for the 200, 300 and 400 indoors and 400m hurdles, pentathlon, 200, 400 and 4 X 400M relay outdoors
Barbara Palma
- Officiated at 1996 Olympic Games, three Olympic trials, many NCAA Championships in all three divisions, many conference championships
- Inducted into the USATF National Officials Committee’s Hall of Fame inaugural class
- Developed and taught USATF/NCAA officiating curriculum at University at Albany
Aliann Pompey (Cohoes HS, Manhattan College)
- Four time Olympian for Guyana: 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012; semi-finalist in 2008; Five-time Athlete of the Year in Guyana.
- NCAA indoor champion in 200, Manhattan College Hall of Fame inductee 2009
- Established a high school state record for 400 meters that stood for 20 years. State champion in 1995
Diana Richburg (Lansingburgh HS, University at Albany)
- US Olympic team, 1500 m Los Angeles Games, 1984
- National Champion 1500 m 1985, US indoor record for 1000 m
- Held NYS 800 m record for 32 years, 1500 m record for 29 years
Rhonda Phillips Scott (Mont Pleasant HS, Louisiana State University)
- While in high school, established seven Section 2 records. Has held 600 m record for 34 years
- Sixth in 1988 Division I NCAA championship heptathlon, helping LSU win the team championship
- Division I All-American honors in 1988 and 1989
Deshaya Williams (Saratoga HS, Penn State University)
- NCAA Division I discus champion at Penn State
- NY State champion in indoor and outdoor shot put, outdoor discus
- Olympic trials 8th place, Pan American Games discus champion
Rudy Winkler (Averill Park HS, Cornell University, Rutgers University)
- U.S. Olympic team in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro
- NCAA hammer champion, USATF National Champion hammer, 2016
National record holder in the high school hammer; New York State HS Champion in the discus, 2011