Who got the call? Oakmont Athletic Hall of Fame to induct its 5th class Saturday, Nov. 26

Oakmont Regional High School will hold its fifth Athletic Hall of Fame induction — and first since 2015 — on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. in Alumni Auditorium at the school. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

A selection committee made up of past and present coaches made the final decision on the induction class that will include 14 athletes, two coaches, two teams and one civic contributor.

In order to be selected to the hall of fame, inductees must have made positive contributions to the athletic program at Oakmont. Athletes are required to have been graduates of Oakmont, a varsity letter winner, and out of high school for at least five years, while coaches must have coached at least eight years (in one sport).

Civic contributors were selected from applicants who made a significant, lasting contribution to Oakmont's athletic programs.

Inductees will be awarded an honorary plaque and a permanent admission pass to all Oakmont home athletic events. A plaque with the inductee’s name and photograph will be on permanent display in the Oakmont gym lobby.

Those selected for the 2022 induction are:

Coaches

Bob McGowan

The Spartans longtime field hockey coach, he mentored the team from 1981-2007 and posted a record of 226-140-72. His Spartans qualified for the district tournament 16 consecutive years and won the 1984 district title. He also coached track and football.

Lisa Rodriquenz

A 1992 Oakmont graduate, she returned to her alma mater to coach cheerleading for more than 20 years. She helped lead her squad to multiple league, regional, and state titles as well as a second-place finish at nationals in Florida.

Athletes

Kurt Kublbeck Class of 1990

An outstanding three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball, as a pitcher he helped the 1990 baseball team capture the school’s only district title. He was also a two-time Mid-Wach League All-Star in all three sports.

Todd Bennett, Class of 1992

Another three-sport standout, in football, spring track and ice hockey, he was a state and New England champion in the shot put. He was also a football all-star for the Spartans.

Ryan Carney, Class of 1993

Part of the fabled high-powered line that led Oakmont to a pair of district ice hockey titles in 1992 and 1993. Carney is the second-highest scorer in school history with 69 goals, 148 assists and 217 points in 98 games.

Ted Chase, Class of 1993

Also a member of that Oakmont front line that won a pair of district titles, he is the Spartans’ all-time leading ice hockey scorer with 158 goals, 101 assists and 259 points over the 106 games he played.

Jason Cook, Class of 1993

The third member of the “Three-C’s” line that helped Oakmont ice hockey to a pair of district titles and the state final in 1993. He is third in all-time Spartan scoring with 65 goals, 86 assists and 151 points over 106 games.

Tim O’Day, Class of 1995

A three-sport athlete, he was an all-star football and baseball player. He helped lead the Oakmont football teams to a pair of appearances in the 1993 and 1994 Super Bowls against St. Peter-Marian, playing quarterback his senior year.

Kara Smolinsky, Class of 1999

The second 1,000-point scorer in Oakmont girls basketball history, she finished with a career total 1,103 points. Smolinsky helped lead Oakmont to a pair of district appearances and also participated in spring track.

Kalene (Wotton) Brown, Class of 2000

One of the greatest pitchers in Oakmont softball history, she owns the school record with 20 strikeouts in a game. A winner of 46 out of 60 games in a three-season stretch, she once pitched seven straight shutouts over 56 consecutive innings. She also holds the school record of five no-hitters, four at the varsity level.

Peter Normandin, Class of 2004

A three-time Mid-Wach League and Telegram & Gazette basketball all-star, he scored 1,120 points in his career. He led Oakmont to a pair of district finals appearances, including the program’s first district title in 2003.

Jake Catlin, Class of 2005

A fine three-sport athlete, he was a fine running back for the football team, was a member of the 2004-05 district champion basketball team which made the program’s first appearance in the Division 2 state championship game, and was part of the baseball team that won the 2004 Taddeo Tournament.

Caitlin (Hall) Burleson, Class of 2005

An outstanding three-sport athlete, she was MVP and a league and all-state soccer player, an MVP and Central Mass. all-star in basketball, and a track Super Team member who won a league title in the javelin.

Alex LeBlanc, Class of 2007

An exceptional track star, he was a two-time captain and MVP of the indoor track team where he set school records in the 4x400 relay and hurdling events. In spring track, LeBlanc set the school, league and district record in the pole vault, also tying the state record. He placed second in the event at the New England championships his senior year.

Jesse Hunt, Class of 2009

Remembered as the quarterback who led the Spartans to a comeback win over Gardner on Thanksgiving 2008, he finished with 2,286 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. He was also a member of the Spartans basketball team that captured the Clark Tournament title in 2008 and was a baseball standout.

Courtney Nivala, Class of 2013

The all-time leading scorer in Oakmont lacrosse history with 257 goals, 123 assists and 380 points, she also has the single-game record for points (9 goals, 4 assists). Nivala was also an outstanding defensive soccer player.

Civic Contributor

Heather Billings

Since 2004, Billings has been a continuous presence with various Oakmont booster clubs running the concession stands. She has been particularly involved with the football, basketball, cheering and lacrosse programs.

Teams

The 1973 Football Team

Under legendary hall of fame coach Art Hurd, the Spartans captured the school’s first Super Bowl Championship with a 31-12 win over Mohawk Trail Regional High. In that game, the 9-1 Wachusett League champion Spartans gained 487 total yards as senior tailback Gary Vincent rushed for more than 200 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback Chuck Wyman booted a 22-yard field goal, scored a touchdown and passed for one, while Rick Noseworthy also scored.

The 2010 Ice Hockey Team

Coached by Oakmont hockey alum Ryan Carney, the Spartans captured the Division 3A state championship with 21-1-2 record. They beat Holyoke in the state final, 4-2. Among the team standouts were goalie Aaron Testa, Eric Woodward, Jayson Gauvin, Nick Carter, C.J. Shell, Matt Foley and Steve Amblo.

(Mike Richard can be reached at Rich0725@aol.com. or in writing c/o The Gardner News, 330 Main St. Gardner, MA 01440)

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Oakmont Regional athletic hall of fame announces its fifth class