Six Olympians, four NCAA champions and a number of athletes whose state high school records have held up for decades headline the 2018 inductees for the inaugural class of the Capital Region Track, Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame.
The inaugural class of 18 also includes national award-winning coaches, state and national high school champions and a highly decorated track official. The group represents the best athletes from the long and storied history of Capital Region track and field and cross country
The
induction ceremony and banquet will take place Saturday, Oct. 6, at the
Red Lion Inn in Colonie. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.zippyreg.com/?
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 (Glens Falls HS, Arizona State University)
· Four-time State Champion in high jump, has held state record for 28 years
· 1988 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