2023 class for New Philadelphia Athletics Hall of Fame to be recognized Feb. 10
NEW PHILADELPHIA − The 2023 class of the New Philadelphia Athletics Hall of Fame will be honored and recognized at halftime of the New Philadelphia vs. Mount Vernon boys’ basketball game on Feb. 10.
Three former athletes, two teams and three contributors will be honored that evening. The following are biographies for each person and team.
TEAMS
The 2005 Quaker wrestling team was undefeated and East Central Ohio League Champions. The team won the Meadowbrook Duals and the Massillon Duals while taking second in the sectional and ninth in the district. The seniors on the squad finished their careers with a 67-6 record. The team was coached by Jack Nutter, a 2017 New Philadelphia High School Athletics Hall of Fame inductee.
The 1995 New Philadelphia boys’ tennis team was undefeated and finished as Federal League champions. They were ranked 8th in Ohio. Three of the team members moved on to play tennis on scholarship in college. The team was coached by Tom Andreas.
INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES
Blake Miller set the tone for the Quaker wrestling team in the early 2000s. He is first in career wins at New Philadelphia High School with 135 total victories as well as in pins with 82. He was a 2001 state qualifier and added two East Central Ohio League Championships in 2001 and 2002.
Abby Petrullo, a 1999 New Philadelphia High School graduate, was a standout volleyball and softball player. She was a three-year letter-winner in volleyball, earning First Team East Central Ohio League and First Team District 5 honors in 1998. She was a four-year letter-winner in softball, earning First Team Eastern District honors in 1999.
Jamal Johnson, a 2014 graduate, was a four-year letter-winner in football and stands sixth all-time in Ohio for career rushing yards with 8,159 yards from scrimmage. He was a finalist for Ohio’s Mr. Football his senior year. He was also a three-year starter for the New Philadelphia boys’ basketball team, helping the Quakers reach the regional final in 2012 and 2013.
SUPPORTER/CONTRIBUTORS
Jeff Mathias graduated from New Philadelphia in 1975 where he lettered for three years in basketball and baseball and one year in golf. He attended Muskingum College, where he played on the men’s basketball team that won the Ohio Athletic Conference in 1977. His contributions to the New Philadelphia High School Athletic Department have been far-reaching since he returned home to begin his career in real estate.
Dave Hurst, a 1956 graduate of New Philadelphia, was the New Philadelphia Quaker Club treasurer for 30-plus years. He also served as president of the Quaker Club in 1972 and held the position of secretary. He was involved with the filming of Quaker football and basketball for many years. He passed away at age 84 on Jan. 11.
Larry Wood, a 1975 graduate of New Philadelphia, played basketball and baseball for the Quakers. As the owner of Wood Electric in New Philadelphia, he has worked passionately to excel youth sports in the community. Many of the athletic projects that New Philadelphia has completed over the years have his extra touch and assistance.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: 2023 New Philadelphia Athletics Hall of Fame to be recognized Feb. 10
