Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches

Hall Of Fame

Class of 2003

Micki Bish

Micki Bish graduated from Liberty Benton High School where Hall of Fame coach Pat Wagner coached her. Micki won both the cross country State title in 1984, and also won State titles in track in 1986 and 1988. Micki was a four time All-Ohio Athlete. She never lost a conference race in sixteen attempts while in high school and earned All-District status twenty-two times. While at the University of Findlay, Micki earned All-American status in the marathon.

Laurie Gomez Henes

Laurie Gomez graduated from Youngstown Boardman High School in 1988. Her outstanding high school credits include six AAA State Meet Race Titles (Three in cross country, two in the 1600 meter run and one in the 3200 meter run). Her 1600 and 3200 meter times led the Nation, helping her to earn high school All-American status that year. Laurie’s first place finishes also included the MidEast Cross Country Championships and in the U.S. Junior Nationals in the 3200 meter run. She was a Kinney (now Footlocker) national finalist. Laurie also was a collegiate All-American eight times while at North Carolina State University. She raced in the U.S. Olympic Trials, the World University Games, and the World Championships. Laurie also raced professionally from 1993 to 1999.

Bob Henes

Bob Henes graduated from Peninsula Woodridge High School and North Carolina State University. While a high school runner, Bob won two State Titles in cross country and three State race titles in track. Bob earned All-American status placing fifth in the National Kinney Cross Country Meet. Bob also placed third in the Golden West Meet in the 3000 meter run. He was a seven time collegiate All-American in cross country and track. Bob was awarded the Kennett Award for the most outstanding North Carolina State University athlete.

Darrin J. Hill

Darrin Hill was coached by Hall of Fame coach Bob Mucha while attending Middletown High School. While Darrin’s specialty was the hurdles, he also excelled in the sprints. Darrin won the 300 meter hurdles in the State Championships in 1978 and 1979. Darrin’s high school relay teams won the 4 x 400 and 4 x 200 meter relay titles. As a collegian Darrin earned titles in the Kansas Relays, the Drake Relays, and the Texas Relays.

Thomas Jefferson Jr.

Thomas Jefferson competed for Cleveland John Marshall under the tutelage of Hall of Fame coach Tom Elkins. Thomas was an accomplished sprinter with specialties in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Thomas also competed for Kent State University where he earned five MAC Titles. He scored in both the NCAA and TAC National Meets, establishing five Ohio Collegiate records in the process. Thomas went on to win the bronze medal for the 200 meter dash in the Olympic Games.

Allen Knisley

Allen Knisley coached at Fairborn High School for 17 years. He also served as a registered official for 42 years. Coach Knisley guided athletes to state champion titles in the discus, mile, and pole vault. His high school track teams earned an eighty-seven percent winning margin. Allen also was a highly decorated combat pilot during World War II.

Jeff Phillips

Jeff Phillips graduated from Whitehall Yearling High School. Jeff won the State Track Title in the 100 and 220 yard dashes in 1975 and 1976. Jeff also was an accomplished high school long jumper, going over 23 feet. Jeff won the 100 and 220 yard dashes in the Golden West Invitational, and established four state records. While competing for the University of Tennessee, Jeff won the Penn Relays, Drake Relays, and Kansas Relays. He also won the 200 meters in the Senior National Meet, as well as placing in many NCAA championships.

Ted Rupe

Ted Rupe won the State Cross Country Meet and led his team to the State Championship Title in 1972. He qualified for the U.S. International Cross Country Team three times. Ted has won titles in many road races including the Cleveland Revco Marathon. As a coach Ted Rupe has coached at Maplewood High School for fifteen years, qualifying his cross country teams to the state meet thirteen times. His Maplewood teams captured the State Cross Country Meet Titles in 1997 and 2002. They were also Co-Champions in 2000 Ted earned the Fred Dafler Career Coach of the Year. Ted Rupe is a well respected cross country meet manager, road race organizer, and cross country camp director.

Hall Of Fame Index