BUCYRUS — Five individuals and one team be inducted into the Crawford County Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday as the Class of 2021. The event begins at 5 p.m., tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for children ages 6-12. The event is being held at the Trillium Event Center, 1630 E. Southern Ave., Bucyrus. Tickets are available for purchase at the Crestline Advocate, all six county high school athletic departments or you may reserve a seat by calling 419-571-6284.

Class of 2021 Biographies

George Guins

In the late 60s and early 70s, George Guins was everything to young men and women entering the new sport of cross country. A 1961 graduate of Olmsted Falls High School, and a soccer goalie for Ohio State, George graduated from OSU in 1966. George also attained a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University and taught math for 11 years at Bucyrus High School and another 22 years at Galion High School. George started the men’s cross country program at Bucyrus High School in 1967, followed by the women’s program in 1970. George’s own running took off about the same time, running the Boston Marathon for the first time in 1969. He missed the 1970 marathon, but then began a 29-year streak at Boston including a 2:34 PR, which ranked him 17th American and 75th in the world.

In 1978 George took over the Galion High School track team. He retired from high school coaching in 2018. In a coaching career that spanned 95 seasons of track and cross country, George’s influence on young runners and coaches around the state has been impactful. He has served on numerous district and regional games committees and has been the District 6 Coach of the Year on several occasions. George was the Mid-East Cross Country Coach for three years. When there was a demand for qualified officials, George became one. He started meets for 27 years. George promoted running by founding the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival “Brattie Run,” sponsored 24 hour running relay events for fundraising, helped to found the Galion Invitational and hosted one of the best district cross country meets for years.

Finally, George’s athletes have garnered many achievements on the track. His teams have won numerous NOL titles in both men’s and women’s competitions. They have won several district titles and two regional titles, in cross country in 2005 and track in 1995. His track teams have advanced to the state championship eight times, with the highest finish of 4th in 1995.

Notable Galion athletes under George’s coaching have included: All-Ohio Jessica Strickler in cross country, Jessica Carmona a Baldwin-Wallace All-American, and James Zeuch a nine-time Malone College All American. Many of the relays and individuals have also earned All-Ohio honors across the years. George retired from teaching at Galion in 1999, from coaching track in 2016 and cross country in 2018.

George has been married to Ann for 44 years. They have two children, Nicky and Rich and four grandchildren.

Dr. Bret Simmermacher

Dr. Bret Simmermacher is currently an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Teacher/Head Baseball Coach at East Ridge High School in Clermont, FL. Prior to East Ridge; he was an Associate Professor/Chair of Sports Coaching at the United States Sports Academy from January of 2015 to August of 2018. From August of 2012 to August of 2013, he was a Special Education Teacher/Assistant Baseball Coach at Artesia High School in Artesia, NM. He was a Special Education Teacher/ Assistant Basketball Coach in the Roswell Independent School District from August of 2013 to January of 2015. He taught in the special education department as an inclusion teacher at Washington Avenue Elementary School. He spent six years (2006-2012) at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM as an Instructor/Head Baseball Coach.

Before leaving for New Mexico, Bret spent time in Marion, Alabama at Marion Military Institute as a junior college Physical Education instructor and was restarting their junior college baseball program from January 2006 until August of 2006. In June 2005, he became an Associate Professor of Sports Management at the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, AL.

After an active-duty stint in the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1987-1990. He would later spend 16 years in the Ohio Air National Guard and USAF Reserve to retire in October of 2008. He became a teacher/coach at Plymouth High School for a year. Simmermacher spent his first 15 years teaching and coaching in the Crawford County area. After a reduction in force at Plymouth, he took a position at Wynford High School. He spent 3 years at Wynford before taking a position at his alma mater, Crestline High School, in August of 1993 until leaving for Alabama in June of 2005.

Bret originally went to the Mobile, AL area in 1981, earned a baseball scholarship to the University of South Alabama, and played for the legendary Eddie Stanky. Upon Coach Stanky’s retirement in 1983, he transferred to the University of West Florida, where he graduated with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health, leisure, and sports/physical education in May/December 1986. After completing his bachelor’s degree in May 1986, he signed a professional contract with the Seattle Mariners organization and played in Bellingham, WA in the Northwest League. The team won the Northwest League championship in his only season. Bret was a left-handed relief pitcher for the Bellingham Mariners. He received his Doctor of Sport Management degree from the United States Sports Academy in 2003.

Over a 31-year career, Dr. Simmermacher has coached many different sports including football, golf, boys’ and girls’ basketball, and baseball. He was a member of the coaching staff that won a 2014 4A basketball state championship while coaching at Roswell High School. He was the head coach at Shelby High School in Ohio of a team that competed in the Division II State semifinals in 1993. In 1995, he was an assistant baseball coach at Ashland University that made the school’s first ever trip to the Division II College Baseball World Series in Montgomery, AL.

Bret went to Crestline High School from 1977-1981 and played three sports while there. He was a member of the football, basketball, and baseball programs. He lettered three years in all three sports. He earned All-Conference, All-District, and All-State honors in all three sports while playing for the Bulldogs. In 1981, he led all Crawford County schools in average points per game in basketball. He was a member of the 1978 undefeated, 10-0, Bulldog football team. He was a member of the 1981 state final four qualifying baseball team for Crestline. He was also a member of the National Honor Society, the Yearbook staff, and the German Club while at CHS.

Dr. Simmermacher is the son of Larry and Constance Simmermacher. He has three siblings, Brian his older brother, and younger sisters Val and Vicki, which all live in the Tampa/St. Pete, FL area. He has been married to Charlene Simmermacher for 12 years. He has two children, Natasha (deceased), and Allyssa, seven grandchildren, and two stepchildren, Justin and Cheyenne.

Tyler Brause

Tyler Brause attended Wynford High school from 2006-2010. Tyler was a four-year football and basketball player earning 3 varsity letters in each sport.

As a football player, Tyler was a member of four North Central Conference championship teams, under head coach Travis Moyer. Tyler was the starting quarterback for Wynford for the 2007, 2008, and 2009 seasons, helping lead the Royals to a 33-3 record, including a 12-1 senior season as regional runners-up, and 3 North Central conference titles. Tyler set the school single-season and career records for completions, passing yards and touchdown passes over his career. Tyler was also a starting defensive back for the 2008-2009 seasons, as well as the punter and place kicker for the 2007-2009 seasons. For his career, Tyler threw for 5,159 yards and 56 touchdowns, while rushing for 2,259 yards and 40 touchdowns. As a defensive player, Tyler recorded 6 interceptions during his senior season. Tyler was named the Ohio Division VI offensive player of the year, as well as, being named to the Division VI first team All Ohio offensive team. In addition, Tyler was named first team All North Central Conference in 2008 and 2009, and second team for 2007. Tyler was named the Mansfield News Journal Roadhouse Offensive Player of the Year and was a first team All-County All Star for the 2009 season.

As a basketball player, Tyler helped lead the Royals to three district titles and one district runner up title while scoring 729 career points. Tyler was named honorable mention AP Northwest district for the 2010 season as well as league honors for the 2008, 2009 seasons. Tyler was also named to the 2010 Mansfield News Journal All-star team as well as the 2010 NCC all start team.

Tyler was the Wynford High School Class of 2010 Valedictorian, vice president of student council, and a member of National Honor Society.

Tyler received football scholarship offers from 13 division one schools including the University of Kentucky, The University of Maryland, Syracuse University, Stanford University, Bowling Green State University, Kent State University, Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Iowa State University, The University of Akron, and Ohio University. Tyler decided to attend the University of Kentucky, graduating in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science: Kinesiology. Tyler played for the University of Kentucky football team for five seasons, earning four varsity letters and was a four-time member of the Academic All-SEC team. Tyler continued his education at the University of Findlay, Earning a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.

Tyler is married to Aubrey (Boyd) Brause. They reside in rural Crawford County with their two dogs Norah and Piper. Professionally, Tyler practices as a Physical therapist while also working on the family farm.

Dan Wurm

A 1981 graduate of Buckeye Central High School, Dan Wurm excelled in three sports: football, basketball, and track. After high school, he played basketball at Tiffin University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

During his time in high school, Buckeye Central was a Single A member of the State of Ohio’s three athletic divisions (A, AA, and AAA). Dan was inducted into the 1st Buckeye Central Hall of Fame in 2001. During his 1980 junior season, he was second-team All-Ohio in football, Northwest District first-team in basketball, and the 110-meter-high hurdle state champion.

During his 1981 Senior season, Dan was second-team All-Ohio in football, second-team All-Ohio in basketball, Northwest District 6 Player of the Year in basketball, Northwest District first-team in basketball, selected to the Mansfield News Journal All-star team (North squad), 110-meter-high hurdle State Champion, 400-meter relay state champion (with Chet Johnson, Rob Kreim, Dale Niese), and a member of the 1981 state runner-up boys track team.

Dan married his wife Kelly in 1988, and they have a daughter, Emily. He retired from the Ohio Adult Parole Authority after 33 years in Law Enforcement.

Al White

Al is a 1968 graduate of Buckeye Central High School. Al was a four-time letter winner in baseball and was All NCC three times. Al played pitcher and short-stop. As a senior he was All-Ohio and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians. Al played basketball and was a three-time letter winner. He was also All-NCC first team, twice. He had a career high 1,283 points, scoring 25.3 points per game as a senior. Al played football his senior year for the first time. He made the All-NCC team, was third team All-Ohio and was the team MVP as a quarterback and safety.

Al was drafted in the 40th round by the Cleveland Indians, but decided to go to The Ohio State University, after receiving a scholarship to play basketball, for Fred Taylor. Al realized that his chances of playing basketball were slim, and Ohio State switched his scholarship to baseball, where he lettered three times. Al played second base, then first base for the Buckeyes. Al graduated from OSU in Public Recreation.

Al was inducted into the inaugural Buckeye Central Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

Al worked in New Washington at the family business, the C.E. White Company, creating upholstered products. The business sold in 1996. Al retired and is living the life in sunny Florida.

Al has two children, Alan “Rocky”, and Nicole, and four grandchildren.

Buckeye Central 1996 State Volleyball Champions

The Buckeye Central Buckettes finished the 1996 volleyball season with a 28-1 record. Their only loss was against Mansfield Madison in the regular season, losing in three sets, 10-15, 15-13, 14-16. The Buckettes swept through the sectional defeating Lucas, the district defeating Norwalk St. Paul and South Central, and the regional defeating Western Reserve and Lorain Catholic, all in only two sets per game. Heading into state competition, the Buckettes defeated Centerburg in the semi-final game in two sets. In the state championship, the Buckettes faced St. Henry.

According to the New Washington Herald, November 14, 1996, the Buckettes were at the edge of defeat, down one game and losing the second game 13-14, before they showed their poise by coming back and winning it all. Senior All-Ohioan, Stephanie Striker commented, “We all got together and played as one team, not as individual players”.

The Buckettes crushed St. Henry, 7-15, 16-14, 15-4, in the Division IV State Volleyball Championship at Wright State’s Nutter Center. The Buckettes defeated a St. Henry team that had made it to the state three times in a row and were the two-time defending state champs. It was also Coach Nancy Ackerman’s 200th win!

The Buckettes were coached by Nancy Ackerman and Amber Christy. The team members were Kara Predmore, Tracy Frombaugh, Alison Harrer, Kara Delarber, Amanda Heydinger, Jennifer Smith, Tricia Sheibley, Lisa Stump, Stephanie Striker, Amanda Mann, Brandy Hanson, Clare Forster, Amanda Siesel, and Cindy Smith.