Athletic Hall of Fame
Aurora Alumni Association
Athletic Hall of Fame
Established 1982
Inducted 2022
Mark Godale
Class of 1989
Running is not a punishment, but a lifestyle… Every day I step out the door is a great day to run!
Mark Godale was an elite ultrarunner, American record holder, and a National Champion. During his running career he ran roughly 1,000 races, including more than 25 100s and he finished 29 consecutive Boston marathons. Mark started his running career on the Aurora High School track team and was also a varsity soccer player. He graduated from Aurora High School in 1989.
After high school Mark continued his running career at the University of Akron where he ran cross country and track. When he was a freshman in college, he ran his first marathon and finished with an impressive time of 3:17. By the time he graduated college, he was regularly running sub-3-hour marathons, with a 2:47 at the Chicago Marathon, and 2:52 at the Boston Marathon.
Mark started running ultras at the age of 24 with a first-place finish at Buckeye Trail 50K in Ohio with a time of 5:12 and took on his first 100-miler at the 1995 Mohican 100.
1999 was Mark’s break-out running year when he was named the USATF ultradistance runner of the year. He was also named ultrarunner of the year by Ultrarunning Magazine. That same year he ran the Olander Park 24 hour run and set a new 24-hour Road Record of 162.4 miles.
In 2000 Mark ran his lifetime marathon best at Boston, finishing in 2:30, the 8th American to cross the finish line and 38th overall. Also that year he was on the silver medal team that ran at the World 100K Championship in the Netherlands.
In 2005 Mark became a world champion when he won the Masters World Champion 100K held in Argentina with a finish time of 8:28.
In 2007 Mark won Burning River 100 in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, and set a course record of 16:07. In 2008 he ran a personal best of 3:16:16 in the 50K at the USA National Championship at Caumsett Park in Huntington, NY where he placed 4th.
Mark’s Personal Records from his USATF page include:
- 400m: 52 [Florida State Relays, Split for 800m]
- 800m 1:58 [Florida State Relays]
- 5 km: 15:27 Bally Total Fitness B-Fit 5K Run, Chicago
- 5.45 Miles: 25:37 [Hood to Coast Relay, First Leg]
- 1/2 Marathon: 1:12 [Youngstown Road Runners Distance Classic 1/2 Marathon]
- Marathon: 2:30 [Boston Marathon]
- 50 km: 3:16 [USA 50 km Championship]
- 50 Miles: 5:30 [50 Mile GNC Challenge, Pittsburgh]
- 100 km: 7:08 [100 km World Championship, France]
- 100 Miles: 14:15 [USA 24 Hour Championship, Split for 24-Hours]
- American Record to 24-Hours: 162.4 Miles [USA 24 Hour Championship]
Outside of running Mark was a devoted father to his four children Chase, Ellis. Avery and Kendall. He was also a talented artist and enjoyed photography and all sports, especially soccer.
Mark passed away on June 13, 2022 a few days shy of his 52nd birthday. He is survived by his children, mother Margaret and brother Stephen.
A beautiful article was written about his running career where most of this information was obtained. The full article is located at
Ultra running history - Mark Godale
Inducted 2021
Joe Cech
Class of 2007
Joe Cech, a 2007 graduate of Aurora, was a member of the outstanding 2006 High School football team. Joe’s leadership style of hard work, persistence, and championship mentality was instrumental in creating the 2006 football team, but also paved the way for the 2008 State Championship team. He was also an outstanding athlete in track. After high school Joe played four years on the Ohio State University championship teams during the storied Jim Tressel era.
Joe’s accomplishments and honors include:
- All League First Team as a Junior and Senior
- 3rd Team All State Football as a Senior
- League MVP in Track
- Collegiate football at Ohio State University.
- Was a member of the 2009-10 O.S.U. Rose Bowl Championship Team and the 2010-11 O.S.U. Sugar Bowl Championship Team under Coach Jim Tressel.
- Still holds several Track Records at A.H.S.
- In the top three of all receiving football records at A.H.S.
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Joe earned his B.A. Degree in Urban and Regional Geography from Ohio State University in 2011. Today he resides in Worthington, Ohio with his son Rex. He is a Customer Care Manager with Pulte Homes.
Wes Miller
Class of 2007
Wesley “Wes” Miller, a 2007 graduate of AHS, is described by his head football coach Bob Mihalik, as “the man” who started the High School football team on their road to success as a program.
Wes still holds most of the career passing records at Aurora as the quarterback who led the teams that ultimately led to the 2008 State Championship team. He was a three year letterman in Football as a starter and also three year letterman in Basketball.
Wes’s honors as a High School athlete include:
- Third Team All State as Junior
- Second Team All-State as a Senior
- All League MVP as a Senior
- All League First Team as a Sophomore and Junior
Wes played collegiate football at Mount Union College. He later attended Coastal Carolina University where he earned a BA degree in History as well as Horry Georgetown Technical College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Accounting.
Wes has pursued his love of athletics in adult life including becoming an Advance Champion at the Myrtle Beach NAGA in the Cruiser Weight Division from 2016-2019. He has also coached Pee Wee Football in Carolina Forest 2015-16.
Wes, his wife Brianna, and two children, Teagan and Wilder live in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where he works as the Chief Revenue Officer for AccuChex Payroll Services.
Inducted 2018
Jake Baechle
Class of 2006
Jake Baechle, class of 2006, was one of the school’s most outstanding athletes in track and cross country events from an era of unprecedented achievements by the Aurora High School track team. As a four year Varsity Letter earner, he redefined the meaning of Champion in a prolific four year career that culminated with a State Championship title in 2006 in the 800m dash. He was also a recognized academician who graduated Cum Lade and earned various C.V.C. academic honors.
His accomplishments included:
High School
Cross Country
2004 4th Place Team Finish at State
Most Improved Runner
2005 5th Place Team Finish at State
1st Place at Conference
1st Team All – Conference
2006 1st Team All Conference
C.V.C. All Academic
1st Place Team Finish at Conference
4th Team Finish at State
Track and Field
2004 Helped set A.H.S. record in 4x400m relay
8th Place finish in 800m dash at State
M.V.P. Award – A.H.S.
2005 3rd Place in the 800m at State
800m dash and 4x800 relay Conference Champion
M.V.P. Award – A.H.S.
2nd Place Team Finish at Conference
2006 State Champion in the 800m dash
Set A.H.S. record in the 800m dash
Set A.H.S. record in the 400m dash
Helped set A.H.S. record in 4x800m relay
Conference Champion in the 800m dash and 4x800 relay
A.H.S. 1st Place Team Finish at Conference
C.V.C. All Academic
3rd Place Finisher in the 4x800 relay at State
College
Graduating from A.H.S. with State Championship honors, Jake attended the University of Redland where he earned a degree in Business Administration. He continued his running successes at the University of Redlands where his accomplishments included:
2007 SCIAC Conference Champion 4x400m
2008 Cross Country - Runner of the Year (MVP)
NCAA Division III National Qualifier in the 800m dash
SCIAC Conference Champion 800m dash and 4x400m relay
2009 NCAA Division III National Qualifier in the 800m dash
SCIAC Conference Champion 800m dash.
MVP – University of Redlands Track and Field
Post Collegiate
Jake continued his athletic endeavors after graduating from college.
These included completing the thru-hike of the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2012 as well as the thru-hike of the 800 mile Arizona Trail in 2016.
Today Jake lives in Colorado with his wife Karrie where he is a Trails
Technician for the U.S. Forest Service in that state.
Inducted 2017
Drew Troy
Class of 2003
Athletic Hall of Fame
Many Aurora Alumni from the turn of the millennium remember Drew Troy as “Mr. Hockey”. As a founding member of Aurora’s varsity level Hockey team, Troy was a guiding force for those early years serving as captain his freshman through senior year. The records he set in Aurora scoring and points have yet to be broken in the 19 years since his graduation. These local records even remain in enviable rankings at the State level where he still holds eight OHSSA records ranging from #2 to #26. Among those records set were:
• Aurora Single Game point leader (11) – All time State #2
• Single Season Point Leader – 3 times (State ranking #25)
• Career Point Leader – 300 goals (State ranking #8)
• Single Season Goal Leader – 4 times (State ranking #13)
• Career Goal Leader (180 pts) – (State ranking #4)
• Career Playmaker - 190 (3 assists in one game)
• Only Aurora player to be invited to play in the annual Cleveland area High School All Star game.
After High School, Drew played hockey at North County of Essex and Franklin in Saranac Lake, New York. He went on from North County to continue a successful career for four years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. While with the IUP Hockey Team ultimately went to the National ACHA Tournament reaching the semifinals in Rochester, New York, where they lost to University of Massachusetts. While at Indiana University he graduated with a B.S. Degree.
Today Drew is working with the Helix Energy Solutions primarily in the Gulf of Mexico. He and his wife Anna are Aurora residents and parents to sons Victor and Owen. Today we are pleased to augment Drew’s “first” accomplishments as the first Aurora Hockey player to be inducted into Aurora’s Hall of Fame.
Inducted 2016
Phil Quinn
Class of 1987
Phil Quinn is a multi-sport letter earner whose passion for athletics has continued into his adult life. Teachers, classmates, and coaches of the mid 1980’s remember Phil as a colorful, engaging, and larger than life individual who overcame challenging personal obstacles to find success in athletics. Despite a serious knee injury his junior year, he made huge contributions in three sports and earned notable recognition in all of them. Former Athletic Director Dick Bliss describes him as “a great football player – State Champion wrestler – exceptional baseball player.” Phil earned three Varsity letters in Football and was voted ALL – ESC in 1984, 1985 and 1986. He earned two Varsity letters in Baseball, where he earned All-Conference recognition. He also a Varsity letter in Track and Field. As a wrestler, Phil earned two Varsity letters and was an undefeated State Champion in 1987. After graduation Phil attended the Allan Hancock College in California on a football scholarship.
After college, Phil moved back to Aurora to raise his family. He has spent his adult life volunteering and contributing greatly to his hometown’s youth athletic programs. Phil has been a coach for the Aurora Baseball League, the JAWS wrestling program, and has been a coach and board member of the Aurora Youth Football Association. He has further had the honor of seeing one of his sons participate in Aurora athletics and go on to excel on the football field of Toledo University.
James Sjostrom
Class of 2000
In Aurora, when you think runner you think James Sjostrom. Perhaps no Aurora athlete has dominated a sport, both as a student and as an adult as James Sjostrom. As a high school student James earned 4 letters in Varsity Cross Country and 4 letters in Varsity Track. In addition he was a 2000 State Champion in Cross Country, the 1600 meters and the 3200 meters. James still holds the Aurora records in the 1600 meter and 3200 meter events.
After graduation James earned a degree in Business Administration from Kent State University. While at Kent University he continued his passion for running where he was a member of the 2004 MAC Championship team and an NCAA Qualifier. He also earned a Kent school record in the 5k event, a record that stands today.
After college James has continued to be active in running including participation in USA Track and Field competitions and a host of events locally and throughout Northeast Ohio. He continues to train with a goal of qualifying for the Olympic Trials marathon.
Inducted 2015
Geoffrey Jewett
Class of 1966
Jeff attended the Aurora Public Schools K – 12, graduating in 1966. He was a member of the much-heralded, undefeated Aurora Greenmen football teams of 1964 and 1965. In 1965, he caught critical touchdown passes in three separate games that greatly contributed to that year’s undefeated PCL championship football team. Jeff lettered in Football all four years and was All-County Honorable Mention his senior year. An outstanding all-around athlete, Jeff earned 10 additional letters in three other sports including: four letters and two years’ honorable mention in Basketball, three letters in Track including state qualifier on the mile relay team, three letters in Golf, where his team won the Cleveland District Golf Meet and were the first Aurora Golf team to qualify for State.
Jeff continued his athletic endeavors in college at Denison University where he was a walk-on, with no prior playing experience, on their nationally ranked Lacrosse team. Remarkably, he picked up the sport so fast that he lettered his sophomore, junior and senior years and served as the sole Team Captain his senior year. In his senior year, he also earned First Team All-Midwest and Honorable Mention All-American honors. In May 1969, Jeff and two teammates were featured in an article in Sports Illustrated regarding the emergence of Denison as a Midwest Lacrosse power. The article specifically addressed Jeff’s athletic prowess and ability to learn the sport so quickly.
After graduation from Denison, he earned an MBA from the University of Denver and then served in the United States Air Force. Jeff has enjoyed a lengthy career in the institutional real estate investment business. Six years ago he formed his own company, where he specializes in arranging equity financing for institutional multi-family developments and acquisitions.
Jeff feels strongly that the Aurora Schools provided memorable teachers and coaches with tremendous community support for both academics and athletics. Lifelong friendships remain his most cherished memories.
Jeff and his wife, Ann, live in the San Francisco area. They have three grown children, one grandchild and a marriage of over 37 years loaded with blessings.
Click here for the 2015 Hall of Fame program of the event.
Inducted 2014
Jericka Duncan - Class of 2001
Jericka was a three year letter winner in Basketball and a four year letter winner in Track and Field. She was part of seven school track and field records and a three time OHSAA State Champion in the 330m Hurdles, 4x100m Relay and the 4x200m Relay. Jericka established 5 school records which stand today including 100m High Hurdles, 330m High Hurdles, 4x100m Relay, 4x200m Relay, and 4x400m Relay. Jericka was on the CVC all 2nd place team in 1998 and was named to the CVC 1st place honors team in 1999, 2000, and 2001. As a senior she was named to the CVC 1st team.
Upon graduation Jericka attended Ohio University on academic and athletic scholarships where she majored in communications and was the 2005 recipient of the NAACP Image Award of Athletics. While there she broke the 100 meter Hurdle record which still stands today. In 2005 Jericka was named team captain and was the team’s MVP in 2004 and 2005.
Inducted 2007
Dick Bliss: Coach
A.H.S. Athletic Director: 18 years
A.H.S. Head Wrestling Coach – 36+ years
As Coach: High School Championship Team (1995), 11 League Championship Teams, 65 Individual League Champions, 66 Individual Sectional Champions, 22 Individual District Champs, 71 Individual State Qualifiers, 40 Individual State Place Winners, 7 Individual State Champions, Two Time Ohio Wrestling Coach of the Year, Member of Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame
Inducted 2003
Mark Telerico – Class of 1987
A.H.S.: Golf – 2 Letters, Two Time ESC Golf First Team, Individual State Champion
Miami University: Golf – 4 Letters, Two Time All Mid-American Conference, Three time NCAA Qualifier
Professional Golf: Three Years – Canadian Honda Classic PGA, Northern Ohio Golf Association – Player of the Year.
Gavin Sontag – Class of 1995
A.H.S.: Basketball – 2 Letters; Tennis – 4 Letters, Three time Sectional Champ, Three time District Champ, Two Time State Place (2nd and 4th) University of Illinois: Tennis – 4 Letters, Three time All Big Ten, Two time NCAA Div. I All American
Professional: 3 ½ years, Won 9 Professional Events in Doubles.
Pat Duncan – Class of 1995
A.H.S.: Basketball – 3 Letters; Tennis – 4 Letters
Case Western Reserve: Basketball – 4 Letters and Team Captain
Tim Courtad - Class of 1995
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters; Wrestling – 4 Letters; Track – 4 Letters,
College: Wrestling – 4 Letters, Two time MAC Champion, Two time NCAA District I National Qualifier, Two time Freestyle All-American
Coach: Clarion College and Cleveland State University
Tom Courtad – Class of 1995
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters; Wrestling - 4 Letters; Baseball – 3 Letters
Case Western University: Football – 3 Letters, Division III Academic All-American
Inducted 1995
Charles Thorton – Class of 1958
A.H.S.: Football – 2 Letters; Basketball – 3 Letters; Baseball – 3 Letters
John Nussbaumer – Class of 1969
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters; Track – 4 Letters; Baseball – 3 Letters
Dennison University: Attorney and Professor of Law
Harry Lee – Class of 1953
A.H.S.: Football – 4 Letters; Basketball – 4 Letters; Baseball – 4 Letters
Ohio Northern University: Football – Outstanding Freshman and Varsity Letter
Inducted 1993
William Miller – Class of 1948
A.H.S.: Football – 4 Letters; Basketball – 4 Letters; Baseball – 4 Letters; Track – 1 Letter
Robert Pealer – Class of 1965
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters; Basketball – 4 Letters; Baseball – 4 Letters; Track – 3 Letters
Byron Spruell – Class of 1983
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters; Basketball – 2 Letters; National Honor Society
University of Notre Dame: Football
A.H.S. 2001 Distinguished Alumni Award
Robert W. Russell – Class of 1959
A.H.S.: Football – 2 Letters; Basketball – 3 Letters; Recipient of Mayne Griffith Award and 1959 Activity Award Recipient
Richard Russell – Class of 1957
A.H.S.: Football – 2 Letters; Basketball – 2 Letters; Baseball – 2 Letters
Inducted 1992
James M. O’Brien – Class of 1967
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters; Basketball – 4 Letters; Track – 4 Letters and Four year Relay Champions and Record Holder Team, State Cross Country Championship Team
West Point Academy: Graduated 2nd Ltn. and Track 4 Years
Edward E. McVeigh – Class of 1935
A.H.S.: Football – 4 Letters and Quarterback; Basketball – 4 Letters; Baseball - 4 Letters; Track – 4 Letters.
Kenyon and Kent State University
Patricia William Holly – Class of 1960
A.H.S.: Field Hockey, Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Archery, Tumbling, Track & Field.
Wittenberg University: Field Hockey – 4 Years and All–Great Lakes Team 4 Years; Volleyball – 4 Years; Basketball – 4 Years; Softball – 4 Years; Synchronized Swim Club Coach: 1964-67 – Tecumsey High School; 1976-68 – Indiana University; 1968–1992 – Wittenberg University – coached Bowling, La Crosse, and Swimming
Kim Heisler – Class of 1971
A.H.S.: Football – 2 Letters; Basketball – 2 Letters; Golf – 1971 CVC Golf Champion and Regional Medalist Award Winner
Florida State University: Golf 1971-75
PGA Professional Golf: 1977 - 1981
Joe Manno – A.H.S. Coach
Golf – State Champs 1971, District Champs – 1971 and 1972, Sectional Champs – 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, CVC Coach of the Year – 1971,1972,1973,1977
Helen M. Shilling – Coach
“Mother of Aurora High School Girls Athletics”
1945 – 1974 – Science and Physical Education Teacher
Introduced Girls Sports to A.H.S.
Initiated and Organized Girls Athletic Association
Started A.H.S. Girls Interscholastic Team Play
Inducted 1986
Greg Johnson – Class of 1973
A.H.S.: Cross Country – 2 Letters; Track – 3 Letters; Baseball – 1 Letter
Tri-State University: Cross Country – Three time All-Conference, Two Time All-State, Track- Three time All-Conference, Three time All-State, Six time Conference State Champion, Two time All-American, Three time Tri-State MVP. Member of Tri-State Athletic Hall of Fame
Casey Courneen – Class of 1969
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters; Basketball – 4 Letters; Golf – 4 Letters; Baseball – 4 Letters;
Junior Year – All-Portage County Basketball, 1st Team – Record Courier All-Star Team Basketball, Dream Team Basketball – Cleveland Plain Dealer, Senior Year – Basketball All CVC. Recipient of Mayne Griffith Award
Rutgers University: Basketball, Golf – 4 years, Captain 1973,
Michael Scott – Class of 1973
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters; Wrestling – 2 Letters and 3rd in Ohio; Track – 3 Letters and State Qualifier
Georgia Institute of Technology: Wrestling – 3 Letters, Mid-South Conference Champ, Southeastern Conference Champion.
Stanley “Butch” Perchan – Class of 1965
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters and two time All-County; Basketball – 3 Letters and Two time All-County Co-Captain
Ashland College: Football - 2 Letters; Track – Two school records in 440 mile and 2 Mile Relay
Coach: Ravenna High School – Football and Head Track; Tri-State College - Ten years
Todd Jindra – Class of 1973
A.H.S.: Football – 3 Letters; Wrestling – 3 Letters and Two time Hudson Tourney Champ, Undefeated Senior Sectional Champ, Two time District Champ, STATE CHAMPION
Ohio State University: Wrestling – 4 Letters
Charles Brown – Class of 1953
A.H.S.: Football – 4 Letters and 2 Undefeated County Teams; Basketball – 3 Letters; Track – 4 Letters, Baseball; 4 Letters
Harry Gilcrest – A.H.S. Coach
A.H.S. Football Coach – Three Portage County championships, 1 Undefeated Team;
Also directed Aurora High School Band and Choir
Inducted 1982
Thomas Curtis – Class of 1966
A.H.S.: 3 Letters and Two time All-County, County MVP, 2nd Team Ohio; Basketball – 4 Letters and Three time All-County, All-County MVP, All District, Two times Honorable Mention; Track – 3 Letters and State Qualifier (High Jump)
University of Michigan: 3 years Varsity Football, broke Big Ten interceptions record, two NCAA records in interceptions and returns, Two time All Big Ten Professional: Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins – 2 Super Bowl Championship Teams
Allen “Pres” Bliss – Class of 1953
A.H.S.: Football – 4 Letters and All-County two years; Basketball – 4 Letters; Baseball – 4 Letters, Track; 3 Letters
Miami University: Football – 4 Letters, 1st Team – All MAC, All-American Honorable Mention, Played on Sugar Bowl Team,
Professional: Drafted Cleveland Browns – 1957
Edward Oswald – Class of 1945
A.H.S.: Football – 4 Letters; Baseball – 2 Letters; Track – 2 Letters, Led two teams to County Football Championships
Thomas P. Truce – Class of 1933
A.H.S.: Football – 4 Letters and Two time All-County; Basketball – 4 Letters; Baseball – 4 Letters
Baldwin Wallace College: Football – 4 Letters and Ohio Conference Championship Team; Track – 4 Letters
Frank Langmyer – Class of 1927
A.H.S.: Football – 4 Letters and Two time All-County; Basketball – 4 Letters; Baseball – 4 Letters
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