By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
While the stars of today battled it out in the NCAA basketball tournament Saturday night, the sports legends from yesteryear grew in numbers at the Crawford County Sports Hall of Fame when six new members took their places.
It was a night of celebration, and reflection as Mike Pensinger, Sarah Henize, Jody Grove, Ryan Hieber, Andy Roesch, and Tom Schreck were enshrined into the Crawford County Sports Hall of Fame as the class of 2016. Also being celebrated was the first year that the Crawford County Sports Hall of Fame wing at the Trillium Event Center was opened to the public.
Pensinger, a Bucyrus graduate, used his pole vaulting talents to claim a state championship, the first in the school’s history. Pensinger, who was inducted by Teresa Lambert, thanked his parents during his induction.
“I would like to thank Mom and Dad, they never missed a game, and I wish that they were both here,” Pensinger said.
Pensinger then directed the room’s attention to his father in attendance.
“My dad has had a beard since 1971,” Pensinger said about his dad. “He said he wouldn’t shave until we lost a game my senior season. We went undefeated.”
Henize, who was a state track champion for the Lady Redmen in the 800 meters in 2004 as well as a state-qualifier in 2001 and 2003, reflected on her Hall of Fame career.
“Well you have to say your favorite memory is winning state, I suppose, but actually my favorite memory is probably my mom being on the back stretch of the track every single meet cheering me on, and telling me when to make my move, or when to go faster or when to sit tight, and all of my teammates in practice every single day, are my best memories,” Henize said.
Grove, who took numerous Colonel Crawford track and cross county teams and individuals to state championship glory, still holds the post as the Eagles’ coach in both sports. During her induction, Grove spoke about not planning to slow down any time soon.
“I didn’t plan on waking up and coaching for 36 years in track, or 22 years in cross country, but I have no plans on retirement,” Grove said. “There is always someone coming up that you want to see what they become.”
Hieber, who was a state wrestling champion for the Galion Tigers in 1999 spoke about what it meant for him to go into the Crawford County Sports Hall of Fame.
“It is a great honor. I am thankful that they thought of me, it has been a few years since any form of athletic accomplishment, but to still be thought of after all of this time is truly an honor,” Hieber said.
Hieber went 49-0 in his state championship season which included 34 pins and 206 takedowns. Hieber’s collegiate career was cut short due to concussions. During his speech, he added that the entry into the hall of fame is the capstone to his career.
Holding records for the Galion Tigers in both football and basketball, Roesch was inducted by his former basketball coach Steve Kent. During his induction Roesch reflected on one of the coach’s team building exercises.
“Coach Kent taught not only the game of basketball, but important life lessons. Coach cared deeply for all of the players that played for him,” Roesch said. “I still remember when coach took the team to a WCW Monday Night Nitro wrestling event in Columbus. That trip brought us closer together as a team.”
While he may not have coached in the “House of Thrills,” Coach Schreck built a field of dreams with his baseball teams, which included four separate teams winning 60 or more games over four, four-year stretches. Schreck reflected on his coaching career.
“The 1982 state runner-up team, and coaching my son in the early 90s,” Schreck said. “We also had seven or eight regional teams, and that is the thrill, with those four teams that won 60-some games. That is probably my biggest honor is coaching kids that really want to play and work hard. It was great fun. It was a lot of work, but a lot of great fun being at Wynford.”
With the six new members, the Crawford County Sports Hall of Fame currently has 44 players and coaches, as well as seven teams. This was the first Hall of Fame class since 2009 not to induct a team.