Nancy Christiansen, a West Carrollton social studies teacher, is in her fifth year in charge of the event.
Nominations were open to anyone.
“It’s got to be an outstanding athlete,” Christiansen said.
A subcommittee reviews the nominations, narrowing them down, and then a full committee votes on the finalists. This year’s induction event took place at the high school between the junior varsity and varsity basketball games and was preceded by a reception attended by the current inductees, former inductees, family and friends.
West Carrollton’s athletic director, Rob Dement, presented each with a plaque.
The honorees:
• Doug Compton, a tackle for the WCHS football team, was a three-year letter winner. He was a Division 1, all-state player; had a host of awards, including Dayton Daily News All Greater Dayton (also Player of the Year); and attended Notre Dame on a football scholarship.
Compton is now president of Park National Bank based in West Chester.
Looking back three decades, Compton laughed, “It’s been awhile.” He said he was surprised when Christiansen called.
“I remember most just the guys that I played with. I still hang out with a lot of them,” he said.
• Ernest Courtney died in 2001 but his wife, Sharon Courtney, of Miamisburg, attended the event. She said had Ernie talked of his time on the cross country team, where he was a letter-winner for three years.
Sharon said the couple moved often, living as far away as Toronto, northern New York state and Florida.
Of her husband’s award she said, “I think it’s great. I just wish he could have known about it.”
“His nickname was ‘Iron Lungs’ because he could run forever,” she said.
• Lisa Fitzharris, honored for three years of letters in soccer, basketball and softball, said she’s still involved in sports through biking, hiking and yoga.
“I do a little bit of everything if I have time,” she said. “I prefer being outside doing something.”
She was looking forward to visiting West Carrollton again. “I loved West Carrollton, even with the other successes I’ve had in my life. This is a huge thing for me,” she said.
Fitzharris works in the hot forging industry, running the local operation of Wepuko Pahnke Engineering. She lives in Springfield.
• Travis Hearn was honored as a three-year letter winner in football, wrestling and track. Hearn works with a Cincinnati construction company and resides in Centerville with his wife, Karen, and one son. He serves as a baseball and basketball coach and helps with football and holds a seat on the Centerville Baseball League board.
On being inducted, Heard said, “I’m very pleased. It’s a proud moment.
“Lucky for me, I got to play with a bunch of great athletes.”
Contact this columnist at (937) 696-2080 or wschmidt@gemair.com.
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