CHAGRIN FALLS TRACK AND FIELD SCHOOL HISTORY, P.1

STATE PLACERS AND CHAMPIONS

BOYS GIRLS

1925 1^st Bus Nellis (Mile – 4:46.2)

1927 1^st Cecil Hill (Mile – 4:48)

1931 1^st Bill Robinson (100 yd – 10.5)

2^nd Bill Robinson (220 yd)

3^rd 880 relay

Leroy Robinson-Gordon Bradley

Robert Gilmore-Bill Robinson

1939 2^nd Don Batchelor (120HH)

1948 5^th Lester Green (120HH)

5^th Lester Green (220LH)

1952 5^th Karl Hoekstra (Pole Vault)

1954 4^th John Fitzpatrick (100 yd)

4^th 880 relay

Pete VanNort-Larry Wiley

John Fitzpatrick-Bob Hudson

5^th Pete VanNort (120HH)

1955 2^nd Pete VanNort (180LH)

2^nd 880 relay

Pete VanNort-Larry Wiley

Dave Banning-Jim VanGorder

4^th Pete VanNort (120HH)

1956 4^th Dave Banning (100 yd)

1958 3^rd Al Sindelar (Discus)

5^th Art Davidson (100 yd)

5^th Mile relay

Al Pickford-Orlo McKibben

Dave Dunbar-Al Pettibone

1959 1^st Art Davidson (100 yd – 9.9)

3^rd Art Davidson (220 yd)

4^th Mile relay

Al Pickford-Orlo McKibben

Dave Dunbar-Al Pettibone

1972 2^nd Glen Bomback (Mile)

6^th Dan Miller (Two mile)

1975 4^th Margaret Ingalls (mile)

1977 6^th Glenn Hamilton (220 yd)

1979 4^th Dave Revelle (440 yd)

1980 2^nd Dave Revelle (400 yd) 5^th 4 x 800M relay (9:49.9)

Sally Garrett - Joanna Streeter

Debbie Mendelsohn - Jennie Alexander

1981 5^th Andy Wiese (1600)

1982 1^st Andy Wiese (1600 – 4:18.4)

1983 1^st Andy Wiese (1600 – 4:13.38)

1985 4^th Eric Anderson (High jump) 6^th 4 x 100 relay (:51.04)

Lolita Bello-Alexandra Bello

Jodi Bernard-Colleen Thome

1986 6^th 4 x 100 relay

Alexandra Bello-Vanessa Bello

Jodi Bernard-Colleen Thome

1987 5^th Eric Harsh (1600) 6^th 4 x 200 relay

Carlene Cox-Vanessa Bello

Jodi Bernard-Colleen Thome

1988 1^st Eric Harsh (1600 – 4:17.19) 4^th 4 x 800 relay (9:44.3)

Megan Thomas-Liz Youngblood

Laura Wurster-Carlene Cox

4^th Carlene Cox (800 - 2:17.52)

5^th Vanessa Bello (200 - :26.13)

1989 2^nd Andrew Rosette (3200 – 9:32.02) 4^th Vanessa Bello (200 – :26.13)

1990 2^nd Andrew Rosette (3200 – 9:37.26)

4^th Andrew Rosette (1600 – 4:20.58)

1991 5^th 4 x 800 relay (9:52.31)

Tiggy Hopkins-Amy Michel

Courtney Michel – Shawn Conley

1992 4^th 4 x 800 relay (9:43.46)

Tiggy Hopkins-Amy Michel

Courtney Michel-Heather McGimpsey

1994 6^th Heather McGimpsey (1600 – 5:12.30)

1995 2^nd Katie Carson (Shot Put – 40’ 1.25” )

1996 6^th Katie Carson (Shot Put – 39’ 3.5”)

1998 6^th Katie Carson (Shot Put – 39’ 3.25”)

2000 7^th Joe Hufgard (Discus – 156-1)

2002 8^th Chris Smith (1600M – 4:27.84) 8^th Christine Collins (1600M – 5:15.86)

2003 3^rd Christine Collins (1600M – 5:12.71)

2004 Tie 6^th Jeff McClurg (Pole Vault – 14-0)

2005 2^nd Jeff McClurg (Pole Vault – 15-0) 6^th 4 x 800 relay (9:41.15)

3^rd John Macklin Chaffee (1600 – 4:20.34) Grace Kaste – Ashley Sullivan

2^nd Brian Robiskie (400M – 49.80S / 49.63F) Karen Corson – Katie Stancik

5^th Karen Corson (3200 – 11:42.39)

2006 6^th 4 x 800 relay (9:39.31)

Grace Kaste - Emily Metzger

Amy Hegan* - Katie Stancik

2007 3^rd 4 x 800 relay (9:31.56)

Grace Kaste – Martha Bentz

Kirsten Stevenson - Katie Stancik

2008 6^th 4 x 800M relay (8:07.28) 8^th Kim Keesler (Pole Vault – 10’ 4”)

Graham Fishell – Griffith Chaffee

Jack Cogan – Drew Appelbaum

8^th Ryan Kochert (Pole Vault – 13’ 4”)

8^th Taylor Throckmorton (400M – 51.16)

2009 8^th Jack Spilman (400M – 50.34)**

* The 100^th athlete to earn All-Ohio honors in track and field

** Last athlete to date to earn this honor – currently, number 116

TOP 10 TEAM BOYS FINISHES: 1925 (10^th), 1931 (3^rd), 1955 (7^th), 2005 (6^th)

TOP 10 TEAM GIRLS FINISHES:

COACHING HISTORY

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

1907 The first Ohio High School Boys Track and Field Tournament was held

1914-1915 The Cuyahoga County High School Athletic League was formed. Chagrin Falls played football, basketball, and

baseball .

1916 The Chagrin Falls Athletic Association voted to support track and field for the first time. They voted unanimously

to enter the county track and field meet at Brookside, to be held on May 20. Fred Ridge was elected manager and Everett Kline assistant. Mr. Frank Wass (boys gym director) and Miss Marie Lewis (girls gym director) coached the 44 entrants from Chagrin. Athletes competed according to the premise that “each contestant must compete in all events of his class and thereby prove himself an all-around athlete rather than a specialist.”

Track and field was an on again-off again sport over the next few years subject to a vote of approval by the Athletic Council and invariably ruled by budgetary concerns. By the mid 1920’s, however, track and field was an established spring sport. Head coaches for Chagrin Falls Track and Field since this time have been:

1924-1926 GLENNARD ELDER and FRANCIS M. CODY

In 1925, Chagrin Falls won the Cuyahoga County Athletic Conference meet for the first time. Bus Nelisse became Chagrin’s first individual state champion that same year with a mile time of 4:46 and 2/5 seconds. The team placed 10^th at the State Meet, the first time that a Chagrin Falls team placed in the top ten.

1927-1936/7? THEODORE C. GURNEY

Ted Gurney first came to Chagrin in 1927, coached every sport Chagrin offered, eventually became high school principal, and retired in 1966. During this time, two athletes won individual state titles – Cecil Hill in the mile in 1927, and Bill Robinson in the 100 yd. dash in 1931. Bill Robinson also set the school record for the long jump of 21’2.5”, the oldest record still on the books. The 1931 team placed third at the State Meet. The 1932 team had many of these athletes returning, but they were unable to pursue the state title because of the Depression – there were no funds available.

1937/8?-1942 MICHAEL T. DePAOLA

A popular coach with Chagrin athletes but moved on after only a couple of years to join the service. He coached Don Batchelor, the 1939 state runner-up in the 120 yd. high hurdles, and the first of many state placing hurdlers to come out of Chagrin Falls.

1943-1947 THEODORE C. GURNEY

“Top Cat” returned to the track and field program for the war years since there were no young men available to teach, let alone coach.

1948-1950 WILLIAM W. FREELAND

Also a very popular coach with the athletes but did not stay long in Chagrin. He coached the outstanding hurdler, Lester Green, who placed in both the 120 and 220 hurdles in the 1948 State Meet.

1951-1965 RALPH L. QUESINBERRY

Ralph came to Chagrin in the 1946-47 school year from BGSU to teach physical education. He served as a coach for football, basketball, and track. He later became the athletic director where he oversaw the Chagrin Falls sports program until his retirement in 1980. Twenty-six athletes placed at the State Meet during his tenure as head coach including Art Davidson, the 100 yd. dash state champion in 1959. Ralph’s 1955 team placed 7^th at the State Meet – the third time that a Chagrin team has placed in the top ten at State.

COACHING HISTORY (Continued)

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

1966-1989 JACK STANTON

A Chagrin Falls alumnus, Jack returned to his alma mater to teach math and coach football and track until his retirement in 1989. During Jack’s tenure as head coach, athletes qualified to the State Meet 18 straight years with eleven athletes placing. These included 1982 and 1983 state champion miler Andy Wiese, and 1988 state champion miler, Eric Harsh. Andy’s 1983 winning time of 4:13.38 was the state record for the Class “AA” mile, the first time a Chagrin athlete had ever broken a state record. Jack’s teams won the CVC title in ’71 and ’77 and earning him Coach of the Year honors those same years. In addition, his teams were District Runners-up in 1982, Regional Runners-up in 1983, and District Champions in 1984. Twelve of the seventeen current track and field records were set during Jack’s time as head coach. For his 23 years of coaching in track and field, Coach Stanton is recognized in the Chagrin Falls Athletic Hall of Fame and in the Ohio Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches’ Hall of Fame.

1990-1993 PETE OLAH

A long time assistant of Coach Stanton, Pete added the title of head boys track coach to his cross country duties which he had inherited from John Hurst in 1988. He left the program in 1993 to take over the head coaching position for the girls track team. Pete’s shining star was Andrew Rosette who finished 4^th in the 1600 and 2^nd in the 3200 in the 1990 State Meet.

1994- DAVE KIRK

An assistant under Pete Olah since 1990, Dave became the head boys coach when Pete moved over to fill the head girls position. This brought the head boys cross country and head boys track and field positions under one roof for the first time in school history. Many athletes have qualified for the State Meet during this time including All-Ohio performers Joe Hufgard (1999/discus/7^th), Chris Smith (2002/1600M/8^th), and Jeff McClurg (2004/PV/T6^th). School records in the 4 x 200M relay (2009), the pole vault in 2005 (Jeff McClurg), the 200M in 2005 (Brian Robiskie), shot put in 1998 (Chuck DeRee), 4 x 400M (2009)and the long jump in 2009 (Ryan Kochert). For his 23 seasons of coaching track and field, Coach Kirk is recognized by the Ohio Cross Country/Track and Field Coaches’ Hall of Fame. His best performing State Meet team came in 2005 with 2^nd place finishes by Jeff McClurg (PV) and Brian Robiskie (400M) and a 3^rd place finish by Mac Chaffee (1600M). The team finished 6^th in the State – the first time in the top 10 in 50 years (1955 – 7^th).

The tradition continues…

COACHING HISTORY

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

1970-1974 COLLEEN WILCOX

Colleen was a physical education teacher at Chagrin and deserves the credit for getting girls track and field started as regular competition sport. Girls track had existed since the 1920’s as a conditioning class that competed against itself in the intramural league and also “play days” against other schools, but not until Colleen began working with the girls as a club sport did Chagrin get the opportunity to compete against athletes in regular interscholastic competition. In 1974, the Ohio High School Athletic Association finally endorsed women’s track and field with the first Girls Track and Field State Tournament.

1975-1979 JIM HALLORAN

Jim became the first officially recognized coach in 1975 when girls track and field was approved by the Board of Education. Things got off to a good start that year with Margaret Ingalls becoming the first female Chagrin Falls athlete to place in state competition with her 4^th place finish in the mile.

1979-1980 DAVE HART

Coach Hart took over for Jim Halloran at the midpoint of the 1979 season and then stayed one more season before also leaving Chagrin.

1981-1989 DAVE QUESINBERRY

Following in his father’s footsteps, Dave took over the girls program in 1981 and helped build the girls track and field program into the regional and state level program it is today. Chagrin sent athletes to the State Meet nearly every year of this decade where many of them placed in individual events as well as relays. During Dave’s tenure as coach, school records were set in all 16 girls events, nine of which are still on the books. It was also during this time period (1985-1989) that Vanessa Bello became Chagrin Falls’ first athlete to place in each of her four competitive seasons at the State Meet.

1990-1993 THERESE STEPANEK

Therese became the first board approved woman to head the women’s program in 1990 inheriting a fine distance program from Coach Quesinberry and the cross country program. Taking advantage of her talent, Coach Stepanek sent athletes to the State Meet in each of her four years at Chagrin. Three school records were set during her tenure - the discus record by Siobahn McGuiness still remains.

1994-2000 PETE OLAH

Pete moved over from his head boys position in order to bring the head girls track and field and cross country coaching positions under one roof. The tradition of Chagrin Falls competitive spirit has remained alive and well under Pete’s guidance with school records being set in the long jump, the shot put, 100M high hurdles, 1600M, and 3200M. Many athletes have advanced to the State Meet and several have given outstanding performances which earned them All-Ohio recognition, most notably three time state placer Katie Carson.

2001-2002 PAT WEIGEL

Pat moved up from his assistant girls position to assume the head girls position upon the retirement of Pete Olah. The tradition of Chagrin Falls track continued during his tenure as girls qualified to the Regional Meet on 31 different occasions. During Pat’s tenure, outstanding distance ace, Christine Collins, set school records in both the 1600M and the 3200M and earned All-Ohio honors at the ’02 State Meet.

2003- SHANNON BEACH

Shannon has continued a tradition of assistant coaches taking over the head coaching position. Her first year saw eight athletes qualify to the Regional Meet in thirteen positions, with Christine Collins qualifying to state in the 1600M. In addition to setting school records in the 1600M and 3200M, Christine’s 3^rd place finish at the State Meet was the second highest placing ever by a Chagrin Falls woman athlete. School records have also been set during this time in the pole vault, 100M HH, 800M, and the 4 x 800M relay. The highlight of Shannon’s coaching tenure came in 2007 when Chagrin Falls won the Chagrin Valley Conference title for the first time in school history and she was named CVC Coach of the Year – a feat that was repeated in 2008!

The tradition continues…

THE KIRK-OLAH YEARS

The 1990’s will be remembered as the Kirk-Olah decade – a decade where these two coaches became best of friends, sharing a philosophy and method of coaching that became synonymous with success and guaranteeing that Chagrin Falls began the 21^st century as one of the most respected programs in Ohio.

The combined accomplishments of the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams from 1990 to 2000 include:

TEAM TITLES

Chagrin Valley Conference Championships 6

District Runners-up 7

District Championships 6

Regional Qualifying Teams 15

Regional Runners-up 1

Regional Championships 2

State Qualifying Teams 4

State Runners-up 2

State Championships 1

INDIVIDUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Regional Qualifiers 194 (67 cross country / 127 track and field)

State Qualifiers 34 (11 cross country / 23 track and field)

All-Ohio Selections 19 (8 cross country / 11 track and field)

In addition to these highlights, Coach Olah has been named Chagrin Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994. Coach Kirk was named to the same honor in 1993 and 1998.

KIRK-SERLUCO (CROSS COUNTRY, 2000- ) 42 Regional Qualifiers Martha Bentz (2005, 2006, 2007) Caitlin Carleton (2004) Jack Cogan (2007, 2008) Pat Cogan (2004) Christine Collins (2000, 2001, 2002) Karen Corson (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) Anna Distaulo (2008) Graham Fishell (2004, 2005,2006, 2007) Kathy Hayes (2003) Amy Hegan (2005) Hannah Jacobs (2004) Erin Lang (2002) Kitty O'Riordan (2005) Kristen Ostergard (2007) Ryan Pierce (2009) Lindsey Quinn (2006) Rachel Regano (2009) Kate Sloan (2003) Chris Smith (2001, 2002) Jack Spilman (2007, 2008) Katie Stancik (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) Nate Stapulionis (2009) Kirsten Stevenson (2007, 2008, 2009) Jessica Walker (2009) Girls Team Qualified: 2002 (9^th), 2003 (11^th), 2004 (14^th), 2005 (2^nd), 2006 (10^th), 2007 (6^th), 2008 (13^th), 2009 (6^th) Boys Team Qualified: 2005 (14^th), 2007 (11^th), 2008 (16^th), 2009 (7^th) 14 State Qualifiers Martha Bentz (2007 – 12^th / All-Ohio) Christine Collins (2001 – 14^th / All-Ohio) Karen Corson (2003 – 77^th, 2004 – 67^th, 2005 - 6^th / All-Ohio) Katie Stancik (2003 – 48^th, 2004 – 34^th, 2005 - 18^th/ All-Ohio, 2006 - 33^rd) Graham Fishell (2005 - 21^st / All-Ohio, 2007 – 20^th / All-Ohio) Kirsten Stevenson (2007 – 36^th, 2008 - 70^th, 2009 – 10^th / All-Ohio) Total Count (Since 1990 – as of CC State 2009) Regional Qualifiers 387 (109 CC / 278 TF) State Qualifiers 97 (25 CC / 72 TF) All-Ohio Selections 54 (15 CC / 39 TF) National Qualifiers 2005 Jeff McClurg (PV – Indoor) - Finished 7^th 2007 4 x 800M Relay (Outdoor) – did not compete Grace Kaste – Martha Bentz Kirsten Stevenson – Katie Stancik

KIRK - WEIGEL (TRACK, 2001-2002) 13 Regional Qualifiers in 36 positions Brittany Anderson Shot Put (01), Discus (01, 02) Jen Bistritz 100M HH (01), 4 x 200M (01), 4 x 400M (01) Jacky Brysacz Discus (01) Christine Collins 1600M (01, 02), 3200M (01, 02), 4 x 400M (01, 02), 4 x 800M (02) Ted Elliott 1600M (01) Sara Grigera 4 x 200M (01), 4 x 100M (01), 4 x 400M (01, 02), 4 x 800M (02) Allie Hollister 4 x 800M (02), 4 x 400M (02) Amy Lang 4 x 200M (01), 4 x 100M (01), 200M (01),4 x 400M (01) Erin Lang 4 x 800M (02), 4 x 400M (02) Michele Petrillo Long Jump (01), 4 x 200M (01), 4 x 100M (01) Dan Podor 400M (01) Chris Smith 1600M (01, 02), 3200M (02) Lisa Wilson 4 x 100M (01) 2 State Qualifiers in 2 positions Christine Collins 1600M (02 – 8^thAll-Ohio) Chris Smith 1600M (02 – 8^th All-Ohio) KIRK - BEACH (TRACK, 2003- ) 46 Regional Qualifiers in 115 positions Brittany Anderson Shot Put (03, 04), Discus (04) Drew Appelbaum 4 x 800M (08), 800M (08), 4 x 400M (07, 08) Alex Baker 4 x 800M (08), 4 x 400M (08, 09) Martha Bentz 4 x 800M (07, 08), 3200M (07, 08) Alex Bill 110HH (08, 09) Evan Breitsch 4 x 800M (09) KK Carothers 4 x 800M (03, 04), 1600M (03, 04) Aurora Chaffee 4 x 800M (08), 300IH (08), 4 x 400M (08, 09)) Griffith Chaffee 4 x 800M (08) Mac Chaffee 1600M (05) Jack Cogan 4 x 800M (08, 09), 4 x 400M (08, 09) Christine Collins 4 x 800M (03), 1600M (03), 3200M (03), 4 x 400M (03) Karen Corson 4 x 800M (03, 04, 05), 3200M (04, 05, 06) Matt Digel 4 x 400M (07, 08, 09) Nate Ealy High Jump (09) Brooks Fishell 4 x 800M (09) Graham Fishell 1600M (08), 3200M (07, 08), 4 x 800M (08) Heather Friebus 300IH (03, 06) Mike Hageman High Jump (09) Amy Hegan 4 x 800M (06) Grace Kaste 4 x 800M (05, 06, 07), 800M (05, 06, 07) Kim Keesler Pole Vault (06, 07, 08) Ryan Kochert Pole Vault (08, 09), Long Jump (09) Dan Lalich High Jump (07) Erin Lang 4 x 800M (03), 4 x 400M (03) Jeff McClurg Pole Vault (04, 05) Emily Metzger 4 x 400M (03), 4 x 800M (04, 06) Lindsey Quinn High Jump (09) Lisa Roach High Jump (09) Sean Roach High Jump (06) Meredith Robinson Shot Put (04, 06) Brian Robiskie 400M (05), 200M (05) Susannah Shelley 400M (09), 4 x 400M (08, 09) Chris Smith 1600M (03), 3200M (03) Jack Spilman 400M (07), 4 x 400M (07) Kirsten Stevenson 4 x 800M (07, 08), 800M (09) 4 x 400M (08, 09) Nate Spagnola Pole Vault (06) Jack Spilman 4 x 800M (09), 400M (09), 4 x 400M (09) Katie Stancik 4 x 800M (04, 05, 06, 07), 1600M (04, 05, 06, 07) Ashley Sullivan 4 x 800M (05), 1600M (05) Ryan Takacs 4 x 400M (09) Taylor Throckmorton 400M (08), 4 x 400M (07, 08) Jackie Welch Pole Vault (04) Kelly Welch 300IH (05) Lisa Wilson 4 x 400M (03) Lee Zucker Long Jump (04) 28 State Qualifiers in 47 positions Drew Appelbaum 4 x 800M (08 -6^th All-Ohio), 4 x 400M (08 – 11^th) Alex Baker 4 x 800M (08 – 10^th) Martha Bentz 4 x 800M (07-3^rd All-Ohio, 08 – 10^th) KK Carothers 4 x 800M (04 –12^th) Aurora Chaffee 4 x 800M (08 – 10^th) Griffith Chaffee 4 x 800M (08 -6^th All-Ohio) Mac Chaffee 1600M (05 – 3^rd All-Ohio) Jack Cogan 4 x 800M (08 -6^th All-Ohio), 4 x 400M (08 – 11^th) Christine Collins 1600M (03 – 3^rd All-Ohio) Karen Corson 4 x 800M (04 –12^th, 05 – 6^th All-Ohio), 3200M (05 – 5^th All Ohio) Matt Digel 4 x 400M (08 – 11^th) Graham Fishell 4 x 800M (08 -6^th All-Ohio), 1600M (08 – 14^th) Mike Hageman High Jump (09 - 14^th) Amy Hegan 4 x 800M (06 - 6^th All-Ohio) Grace Kaste 4 x 800M (05 – 6^th All-Ohio, 06 - 6^th All-Ohio, 07–3^rd All-Ohio) Kim Keesler Pole Vault (06 - 16^th, 07 -10^th, 08 – 8^th All-Ohio) Ryan Kochert Pole Vault (08 – 8^th All-Ohio, 09 – 15^th), Long Jump (09 - 9^th) Jeff McClurg Pole Vault (04 –Tie 6^thAll-Ohio, 05 – 2^nd All-Ohio) Emily Metzger 4 x 800M (04 –12^th, 06 - 6^th All-Ohio) Meredith Robinson Shot Put (06 - 15^th) Brian Robiskie 400M (05 – 2^nd All-Ohio) Chris Smith 1600M (03 – 12^th) Jack Spilman 400M (07 - 16^th, 09 - 8^th All-Ohio) , 4 x 400M (08 – 11^th) Katie Stancik 4 x 800M (04 –12^th, 05 – 6^th All-Ohio 06 - 6^th All-Ohio, 07-3^rd All-Ohio) Kirsten Stevenson 4 x 800M (07-3^rd All-Ohio, 08 – 10^th) Ashley Sullivan 4 x 800M (05 – 6^th All-Ohio) Taylor Throckmorton 400M (08 – 7^th All-Ohio), 4 x 400M (08 – 11^th)

COACHING HISTORY

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

1929 The first Ohio High School Boys Cross Country Championship was held.

1963-1987 JOHN HURST

Coming to Chagrin in the fall of 1962, John became the coach of the newly formed cross country program in 1963 and got things off to a good start by winning the East County League Championship Meet in both ’63 and ’64. In 1965, Chagrin competed in the newly formed Chagrin Valley Conference and over the next 22 years, John’s teams won the conference title seven more times (’65, ’66, ’67, ’70, ’71, ’74, and ’82). In addition to this, his teams qualified to the Regionals eight times and to the State Meet four times. The 1970 squad captured the State Runner-up title and the 1971 squad became the first Chagrin Falls team to win a State Championship. Coach Hurst won CVC Coach of the Year honors in ’65, ’66, ’67, ’70, and ’71. Also in 1971, John was named the Northeastern Ohio Coach of the Year. Many fine runners prospered under Coach Hurst’s guidance including nine individual Regional qualifiers and four individual State qualifiers. John retired from coaching in 1987, but continued to teach until his retirement in 1991 after nearly 30 years at Chagrin. For his 25 years of coaching, he is in the Chagrin Falls Athletic Hall of Fame and in the Ohio Cross Country/Track and Field Coaches’ Hall of Fame.

1987-1989 PETE OLAH

A long time assistant track coach, Pete took over the boys program upon John’s retirement. Although the men’s program was struggling as a team, individually Andrew Rosette kept the Chagrin Falls name in the papers by finishing 2^nd overall at the 1989 State Meet. Andy also holds the school record of 15:31. Pete left the boys program at the end of the 1989 season to take the head girls coaching position.

1990- DAVE KIRK

With the hiring of Coach Kirk, the boys program began a rebuilding process which has earned Chagrin Falls statewide respect. His teams have qualified to the Regional Meet eleven times winning District Runner-up honors in ’90, ’91, ’92, ’95, and ’98 and the District Championship in 1993. In 1993, Chagrin also earned Regional Runner-up honors and capped their season by winning the State Runner-up title. Chagrin Valley Conference Championships in 1993 and 1998 have won Coach of the Year honors for Coach Kirk in those same years. In 2005, he was also named as the Ohio District 2 Women's CC Co-Coach of the Year along with Coach Serluco. During his sixteen years, he has coached 36 individual Regional qualifiers, 4 individual State qualifiers, and 3 All-Ohio athletes. Perhaps the finest runner to come out of this period has been Jim Vickers who qualified to the State Meet individually in ’92, and ’93 earning All-Ohio honors on both of those occasions in addition to being one of the captains of the ’93 squad. For his 41 combined seasons of coaching cross country and track and field, Coach Kirk is recognized by the Ohio Cross Country/Track and Field Coaches’ Longevity Hall of Fame.

COACHING HISTORY

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

1970-1974 COLLEEN WILCOX

A physical education teacher at Chagrin, Colleen deserves the credit for getting cross country going as a regular competition sport for the girls. Women’s cross country would not be recognized as an OHSAA State Championship sport until 1977, but it was people like Colleen working with the girls as a club sport that fostered interest in women’s running, helped the sport gain popularity amongst girls, and paved the way for the opportunity to compete in statewide interscholastic competition.

1975-1985 DAVE QUESINBERRY

The Board of Education formally recognized and supported girls cross country for the first time in 1975 and Dave became Chagrin Falls’ first “official” coach. Building on Colleen’s work, David built women’s cross country into a state level competition team. Under his guidance, Chagrin Falls teams reached the Regionals three times (’80, ’81, and ’85) and the State Meet in 1980 and 1981 where they finished 9^th and 8^th respectively. Coach Quesinberry continued to work with the program as a volunteer even after the title of women’s head coach was eliminated by the Board for the 1986 season.

1986-87 JOHN HURST

With the elimination of the position of head women’s coach, the boys and girls teams both fell under the supervision of Coach Hurst. Coach Quesinberry continued to work with the team also during this time period and stayed in this capacity until John’s retirement from coaching in 1987.

1988-1999 PETE OLAH

In 1990 the head coaching position for women’s cross country was reinstated. Coach Olah opted to stay with the girls program and Coach Kirk took over as the boys head coach. This allowed coach Olah to focus on the girls program – and focus they did! That season was the first of three consecutive trips to the State Meet where Chagrin Falls placed 6^th, 1^st, and 2^nd respectively. These teams featured former school record holders Courtney Michel (3200M, 5000M), Heather McGimpsey (1600M), and Cortney DeGross (3200M, 5000M). In addition, Coach Olah’s teams were Regional qualifiers eight times winning District Runners-up trophies in ’88, ’95, and ’96 and District Championships in ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, and ’94. In addition, the ’91 and ’92 teams won Regional Championships. Coach Olah was named the CVC Coach of the Year in ’91, ’92, ’93, and ’94 and coached 67 individual regional qualifiers, eleven individual State qualifiers, and eight All-Ohio athletes.

2000- JIM SERLUCO

Jim took over the reins of the girls cross country upon the retirement of Pete Olah. The girls program continues to grow in numbers and achieve statewide recognition. In 2004, the Tigers won their first CVC Championship in ten years, repeating in 2005 and 2006 – and Jim was named the Coach of the Year in all three of these seasons. In 2005, he was also named as the Ohio District 2 Women's CC Co-Coach of the Year along with Coach Kirk. In addition to this, Jim has coached 29 Regional qualifiers and seven State Meet qualifiers, the most notable of whom were three-time individual State qualifier and All-Ohio finisher Karen Corson – four time individual State Meet qualifier, Katie Stancik; and school record holder (18:57), Martha Bentz. The girls’ teams have qualified to the Regional Meet in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007; they have won the District Runner-up title in ’04 and ’07 and the Championship title in '05. In 2005, they also brought home the Regional Runner-up title and went to State Meet as a team, finishing 3^rd - the first time to State for the girls since 1992.