Dave Fach 1980: Dave earned All-Federal League in Football as the Quarterback of the Panthers. The Panthers were 16- 4 during his tenure, He earned three varsity letters in football and baseball. Dave led the baseball team in triples , stolen bases, assists from the outfield and was second on the team in batting average. Dave could outrun the baseball on defense and when running the bases. Speed kills and Dave had crazy wheels. He was one of Perry’s best all-around athletes.
Ben James 1996: Ben starred on the football field for three years playing fullback and linebacker. His senior year he led the team in tackles and assists and was the team’s second leading rusher. He was1st team All-Federal League,1st team All-stark County, 1st team All-Northeast District,1st Team All-District as chosen by the Akron Beacon Journal, and 1st team All-Ohio. Ben was selected to the North-South All-Star team. He was the guy we could always count on to make a play when we needed it most.
Shawn Arline 1984: Shawn lettered three years for the Perry basketball team from 1982-1984. He was honorable mention All-Federal League as a sophomore and All-Federal League his Junior year. He was the top rebounder all three varsity-years. His Senior year was fantastic, He was All-Federal League, All- Stark County, Player of the year in the Federal League, and All Northeast District. Shawn played in the North-South All-Star game and was 1st team All-Ohio. He was chosen “best in field” on the track team, he ran on relays and was an excellent high jumper.
Eric Gutshall 1994: Eric won three varsity letters in baseball and one varsity letter in football. He was 1st team All-Federal League, and All-Stark County pitcher his junior and senior years in Baseball. Eric was also a member of the Academic All-Ohio baseball team. Eric went on to pitch for the Yale baseball team where he earned three varsity letters. He was All-Ivy League his Junior and Senior years. Eric was selected as the top pitcher in the Ivy League his Senior year, when his 1.83 ERA was the third best in the USA.
Heather Bango 1988: Heather was a fantastic basketball player for the Panthers from 1986-1988. She was All-Federal in 1987 and 1988. She was All-Stark County in her Senior year and All-District 4 1986-1988. Heather was 1st team All-Inland District in 1987 and 1988. She is the record holder in rebounds in a season (316) and during her career (811). When a shot went up, if it was a miss, Heather would sweep it up. She averaged a double-double her senior year ( 13.9 points per game and 10.9 rebounds a game.)
Danny Genetin 2008: Danny wrestled for Perry from 2005-2008. Danny placed in the state tournament 3 times during his career (2nd place in 2006, 7th place in 2007, and 4th place in 2008. He qualified to the District 4 times and was a District Champ in 2006. He has some interesting accomplishments. He recorded a pin in 4 seconds, made the All-Academic All-Ohio team three times, and was a national qualifier three times at Ashland College. His Senior season he was 44-5, he had a career record of 158-22. Danny now teaches at Pfeiffer and Coaches Perry wrestling.
Sammy White 2009: Sammy was one of the All-Time Greats for the Perry wrestling team from 2006-2009. Sam was Sectional and District Champion 3 times 2007-2009. He was three times All-Federal League, three times All-Stark County, and two times the Stark County Wrestler of the year. Sam won the Ironman tournament in 2009 and was runner-up in 2008. The Ironman is a national tournament. Sammy was a two time Ohio State Champion which makes him an elite wrestler. He also received a full ride to the University of Illinois.
Josh Tormasi 2009: Josh was a star for the Cross Country and track teams from 2006-2009. His Cross Country teams were twice Federal League Champs, twice runner-up. Josh also ran on the District Champion team in 2008. In track he was three times All-Federal League, three times All-Stark County and three times All-Ohio in multiple events. In 2007 his 4 x 800 relay finished 7th in the state meet, and Josh finished 8th in the 1600 M. In 2008 Josh finished 8th in the state meet in the 3200 M. Josh was the runner-up in the 1600 M with a Stark County record 4:09.54. He was also Academic All-Ohio three times.
Dave Riggs 2015: Dave is the most productive wrestling coach in Perry history and one of the greatest coaches in the Perry Hall of Fame. He won 311matches during his 29 years as the head of our wrestling program. Perry had 30 state champions and 48 state finalists. In 2014 Perry had its fantastic season, they won the Ohio State Dual Tournament and were Champions of the Individual State Tournament. Dave’s teams were also runner-up in the State Tournament 9 times and 7 times runner-up at the State Duals. He is an Ohio Hall of Fame Coach, a National Hall of Fame Coach, 13 times All-Federal League coach of the year, 14 times Stark County Coach of the year and now, a unanimous Perry Hall of Fame Inductee.
Nicole Fach 2003: Nicole led our 2003 team to the State Semi-finals, allowing just one run in six play-off performances. She was All-Federal league two times and All-Stark County her senior year. She was All-Northeast District in 2003 and was the second pitcher in school history to lead the Panthers to the Softball Final Four. Nicole was also honorable mention All-Ohio as a Senior. The 2003 team had hitting, power and great defense, but the improvement by Nicole made a tremendous difference. She is remembered as one of Perry’s finest pitchers.
Molly Lockhart 1993: Molly was the first Perry swimmer to qualify to the State Championships meet four years in a row in an individual event. 1990> 200 yard I.M., 1991> 100 yd backstroke 1992> 100 yd freestyle and 1993>200 yd I.M. She was 4 times All-Federal League, 4 times All-Stark County, 4 times All Northeastern Ohio, and 3 times All-Ohio. Molly was a member of a relay team that held two national high school records in the 200 freestyle relay. She was a NISCA Academic All-American with a 3’92 GPA. Molly continued a great tradition in an era of excellence for Perry swimmers & divers.
2003 Wrestling Team: The Perry Athletic Hall of Fame will also honor the 2003 Wrestling team. The 2003 team was Perry’s first team to finish as runners-up at the Ohio State Wrestling team. This team was Federal League Champs, Sectional Champs, and District Champs. The 2003 team had 3 State Champions: Steve Luke, John Foster, and Jason Johnstone. Travis Kovach finished third and Chris Hatley came in fourth. The 2003 team started the greatest run of success in Perry Sports history and one of the best in Ohio.
