Induction junction

BY LESLIE SULLIVAN
SPARTA — The Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame hosted its annual induction ceremony on Nov. 6 at the Lake Mohawk Country Club. Since 1976 the SCSHOF has recognized athletes and their contributions in the athletic world in Sussex County. This year nine individuals were welcomed to the Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2015. “You’re finalized by what you did in high school and now over 100,000 kids have been eligible to be inducted into the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame since the early 1970s," said SCSHOF President Gunner Frauenpreis. "This event is acknowledging accomplishments of what people have done athletically from when they were young to now. A lot of these people do not get in until their 40s or 50s, so it’s a really cool thing,”

Thomas Trudgeon was inducted as a Veteran for his accomplishments as an athlete, coach, and Athletic Director. Trudgeon is a graduate from Franklin High School where he was an All-County baseball player in 1948 & 1949. He attended Seton Hall for two years before enlisting in the Air Force. Trudgeon was a member of the Idaho State Service Champions from 1952 – 1956 and completed his education at East Stroudsburg University. Among his accomplishments in athletics, Trudgeon was instrumental in founding the Sussex County Interscholastic League in the early 1970’s.

Edward Levens, an Army veteran, was honored on Friday for his fineness in coaching at Jefferson High School for over 40 years. Levens was a 1962 graduate from Hackettstown High School and went on to study at Montclair State University in college. Levens obtained his masters from Seton Hall University. Edward taught history and coached at Jefferson High School for 43 years before his retirement in 2009. His record of 614-156 (.797) included 18 Sussex County Interscholastic League Titles, 12 Sectional Crowns, and 2 State Championships.

Arthur Smith is the 2015 Honorary Inductee for his enormous contribution to athletics in Sussex County. He is survived by his second wife, Liz, and by his children Scott and Melanie. Smith was inducted to the Montclair State University Hall of Fame in 1979 for both football and track. Smith was also influential in starting the Sussex County Interscholastic League in the early 1970’s. “Our father was a big advocate for Sussex County Sports Teams, and it is such an honor to be a part of this event.”

Michele Fisher is a 1986 graduate of Jefferson Township High School. Michele is being nominated for her accomplishments in field hockey, softball, and basketball. Fisher is a member of the Jefferson Township High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Franklin & Marshall College Sports Hall of Fame. Highlights from her career include: Basketball 1,000 point scorer in both high school and college; pitching 6 no-hitters as a junior and senior in high school; and was selected for numerous All Area teams by local newspapers across all three sports. Michele is the daughter of William Sipos who was a 1963 West Point graduate and was killed in the line of duty in 1968. Emotionally, Michele’s uncle Joe Sipos explained, “Michele is a spitting image of her father and I am very honored to be here tonight and support her.”

Ryan McGowan is 2000 graduate from Sparta High School and a 2004 graduate from Seton Hall University. McGowan is being nominated for his accomplishments in soccer. Among his many accomplishments, McGowan was honored with Player of the Year, honorable mentioned All American, All-East, MVP in 1999 for North South All Star Game, 5 time Regional team member, 4 year starter, Male Athlete of the Year twice, and name to 1st All Mid-Atlantic Region First Team. Ryan’s grandfather Dale Kobler is a 1983 inductee for his accomplishments in coaching and for his wrestling career. “I was a little guy when I started soccer, kicking the ball around in the back yard with my sister, I played all types of sports growing up but when I got a little bit older I fell in love with soccer.”

Elizabeth Sisca is a 2002 graduate of Newton High School and a 2005 graduate of William Patterson University. Sisca is nominated for her accomplishments in field hockey, basketball, and softball. She showcased her leadership skills by being named Captain of her three sport career as a student at Newton, and as a record holder in a single season at William Patterson with 13 home runs, 42 walks, 18 intentional, and a batting average of 486. Sisca was also named 1st team All American, only the 3rd in history. “I grew up in a family of athletes and this was always the eventual goal, to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.”

Catherine Stone, a 1980 graduate of Vernon Township High School and a 1984 graduate of The University of Arkansas is nominated for her accomplishments on state, and national, Olympic and professional levels from high school to masters running. “Overall I love running, so I kept doing it,” said Stone. She was the Sussex County Champion in cross-country and tract and Sectional and State Group Champion during her high school years. Stone holds World and National Records in the 400 & 800mm relay, 800m, 1500m, 5k, & 20k distances.

Matthew Valenti is a 2002 graduate of Kittatinny Regional High School. He graduated in 2007 from University of Pennsylvania. Valenti is being recognized for his accomplishments in wrestling. According to Valenti’s high school coach John Gill, “Matthew is one of the most decorated wrestlers Kittatinny has ever produced.” While in high school Matthew achieved the status of being a 2x New Jersey State Champion, placing top 4 in the state Championship all 4 years. “My dad wrestled in high school, which led him to meet his high school sweetheart, my mom, because her brothers wrestled as well. And that is kind of where it all started, my dad was my coach through junior high. This sport was something I really fell in love with.”

David Zabriskie is a 2005 graduate of High Point Regional High School and a 2010 graduate of Iowa State University. Zabriskie is recognized for his achievements in wrestling. His career in wrestling began years ago in Sussex County as a Branchville Bomber. As a high school student he won the New Jersey State Championship at 215lbs. During his college career Zabriskie posted a record of 116-22 while compiling 3 Big 12 Conference Championships, 3 All American honors and in 2010 he won the Division 1 NCAA Championship at Heavyweight. “Wrestling was a struggle for him until his sophomore year in high school. He was getting stronger and his junior year I decided to wrestle him to help him train, and he ended up hurting me and I had to get surgery. And that’s when I knew he was a good wrestler and it was out of my hands,” said Zabriskie’s father, David.

John DiColo, who has been the athletic director of Jefferson High School for the past 16 years stated, “I cannot tell you how important high school sports are. They get kids involved, and meeting friends. I consider athletics the biggest classroom. There are things you learn while being a part of a sports team, or on the field that you can’t learn in the classroom; sportsmanship, work ethic, leadership skills, and teamwork. I always say that if we win the game after accomplishing and learning all of that, then I’m happy.”

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2. Catherine Stone sits through an interview with Dan Cleary

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