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Eastern District Track HOF inducts first class

Photo Courtesy/JOHN POKAS PICTURED ARE the area inductees to the Eastern District Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held Wednesday evening in Cambridge. From left are Betty Pokas, who accepted for her late huband, Cal, who was inducted as a contributor for his work of covering both track and cross country during his years at The Times Leader; Greta Peterson-Walton and Committee Chairman Dugan Hill.

CAMBRIDGE — The Eastern District Track and Cross Country Coaches Association inducted its inaugural Hall of Fame Class Wednesday evening at Mr. Lee’s Banquet Hall. The class included five athletes, three coaches, and two contributors.

Charlie Fondale — the long-time girls’ track coach at Cambridge — was the first inductee in the Contributors category. This award called the Charlie Fondale Contributor Award was presented to Charlie due to his service to track & field and cross country. He was one of the founding fathers of the EDT&CCCA in 1972 and still serves as its treasurer. He also is a registered track & field official.

Cal Pokas was the Sports Editor for The Times Leader for many years. Cal covered the sports of track and cross country with the same enthusiasm that he covered the other sports. Cal has been inducted into several Hall of Fames including the OVAC Hall of Fame, The Ohio Prep Sports Writers Hall of Fame, and the UPI Sports Editors Hall of Fame. Cal passed away in 2000 and his wife Betty accepted in his behalf.

Jeff Arthurs coached at Claymont High School for 43 years. His teams won 19 conference championships in track and cross country. He coached several state champions and all-Ohioans and his cross country teams finished in the top 10 in the state on two different occasions. Jeff’s love for cross country was so strong that he bought land and built the Claymont cross country course on his property.

Wayne Clark coached track and cross country for 23 years with a total of 30 years coaching experience. During this time, Clark’s teams won 22 league and district championships in track and another 16 league and district championships in cross country. He coached athletes to seven individual state championships. Clark has served as President of the State Coaches Association and has been the clinic director for the state track & field clinic (one of the largest and best in the country) for the last 25 years.

Don Marks was best known as the Waterford Cross Country and track coach where he enjoyed great success while coaching at one of the smallest schools in the state. Don also had two stints of coaching at Morgan. Marks coached numerous All-Ohio athlete and also sponsored a President’s Day Track Clinic every year that provided top name collegiate coaches teaching to coaches and athletes in Southeast Ohio. Don died in 2011 and his wife Linda accepted on his behalf.

Aric Long was a 1988 grad of East Liverpool. He high jumped 6’10” his junior and senior years in HS placing him fourth and second at the state meet. Aric become much more successful after high school competing in the decathlon. Aric competed in the Pan American Games in 1989 and won the Decathlon in the NCAA D-1 National Meet in 1991 competing for the University of Tennessee. He also competed in the Olympic Trials in the Decathlon.

Susan Nash Sugar graduated from Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans High School where she won 10 track & field championships and 2 more in cross country making her one of the most decorated track stars in history. She was a member of a 3200 meter relay at the University of Florida that won the NCAA indoor National Championship that set the American and World Record.

Greta Peterson Walton graduated from Cadiz High School and was a sprint sensation. She was successful in all the sprints and the long jump but it all came together one June Saturday when she competed in the 100, 400 , and long jump at the 1982 State Track and Field Championships propelling Cadiz High School to a second place finish all by herself.

Tony Carna graduated from Caldwell High School in 1987. He is one of only four males to win the state cross country individual championship three years in a row. Carna set a national age group meet record TAC Junior Olympics when he was 16 of 15:12 for 5000 meters. Tony went on to run for the University of Michigan where his best Cross Country Nationals finish of 21st earned him All-American honors and propelled the Wolverines to a 6th place National Finish.

Jon Thomas graduated from Zanesville High School and won two State Championships in th 110 Hurdles and won the 300 hurdles his senior year also. Jon went on to Indiana University where he won 7 Big Ten Championships and scored in three NCAA National Championships in the 400 hurdles. Jon set the Big Ten Record in the 400 hurdles that still stands today.

Some 80 people attended this event and the hope is this annual event will continue to grow and become a “Who’s Who” of track and field.

If you know of someone from your school that is worthy of nomination please send their name and bio to the track or cross country coach of your school and have them nominate that individual. You can also send their bio to H. Dugan Hill Caldwell HS 516 Fairground Street Caldwell, Ohio 43724

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