The Walsh Jesuit Athletics Hall of Fame Committee Will Host Their Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, August 13 at the School
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Walsh Jesuit High School 4550 Wyoga Lake Road P 330.929.4205 Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224-1059 F 330.929.9749 www.walshjesuit.org For Immediate Release: The Walsh Jesuit Athletics Hall of Fame Committee will host their annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, August 13 at the school. The class of 2020 (delayed due to Covid) and 2021 will both be inducted. The Hall of Fame Committee congratulates the following greats, and looks forward to celebrating their accomplishments on the night of August 13. Class of 2020 Doug Kuhlman ’92 Is one of the greatest soccer players in Walsh Jesuit history. He spearheaded a defense that led to a State Championship in 1990, where Doug also made the penalty kick to secure the championship for the Warriors. He also led the team to a State Runner-up finish in 1991. During a stretch in these two seasons, Doug helped Walsh Jesuit soccer go 33 consecutive games without a defeat. For these efforts Doug was named All-State and All-American in 1991. In addition to this Doug also played varsity basketball and was a thrower on the track and field team during his tenure at Walsh Jesuit. After his time at WJ, Doug went on to a successful collegiate soccer career at Villanova University. He currently works as the managing partner in the Cleveland Office of Paradigm Wealth Management. Ryan Smerek ’96 is one of the great throwers in WJ history in track and field. Particularly in the discus where he is at the very top of the record books in several categories, including the 2nd furthest throw in Walsh Jesuit history. For his efforts he was named All-State in 1996. On the hardwood, Ryan is in the top ten in both individual season and career scoring and rebounding lists. He helped lead the 1995-96 basketball team to its best finish in the OHSAA tournament with a trip to the Regional Final. For this, Ryan received All-State recognition. After finishing his career at WJ, he went on to play basketball At Dartmouth College. Ryan is currently a professor at Northwestern University Kristin (May) Horomanski ’05 was a key member of both the soccer and basketball teams at Walsh Jesuit. In her senior year of 2004-05, Kristin helped the Warriors Soccer team win the State Championship in the fall, followed by a State Championship in basketball in the Winter. This followed a trip to the Final Four in soccer during her junior season. Kristin is one of the leading scorers in the history of girls’ soccer and on numerous career lists for basketball. In soccer she received first team All-State and All-American honors following her senior year. She went on to a four-year playing career in soccer at the University of Cincinnati following her time at WJ. John Kissner served as the first boys soccer coach in 1978. He served at the post for 35 years until 2012, during which time he won the first OHSAA state championship in school history during the 1982 season. He also brought home the State Championship in 1990 and 2006 and was state runner-up in 1986, 1987, 1991, 2000, and 2001. He had a stretch of 33 consecutive games without a loss during the 1990-91 seasons. During his tenure Kissner was named Akron Beacon Journal Coach of the Year in 1986, Touchdown Club Coach of the Year in 2000, as well as the National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2008. Walsh Jesuit High School 4550 Wyoga Lake Road P 330.929.4205 Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224-1059 F 330.929.9749 www.walshjesuit.org Class of 2021 Bill Wojno ’71 etched his name into WJ history on the gridiron. As a contributing member of the team’s undefeated season in 1970, Bill continued to succeed on the field. He was voted team captain his senior year along with being awarded All Summit-All District Honors, 1st Team All- District, and 3rd Team All-State. Off the field, he was named a WJHS 10 Outstanding Senior Award Winner. After his 4 years at WJ, Bill continued his involvement with his alma mater by serving on the WJ Board of Directors. Most recently, Bill was selected as the Manresa Award Winner in 2020, WJ’s most regarded award. Bill is a doctor of rheumatology in the area. Josh Zupancic: ’03 is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Walsh Jesuit history. He showed great talent from the start appearing in the state finals all four years at WJ and winning the state championship in 2002. Josh also played a large role with his team winning the state championship in 2000. He took charge by captaining the team his senior year in which he was named team MVP and was recognized as All-American Hon. Mention by the Wrestling USA Magazine. After his career at WJ, Josh attended Stanford University where he was twice named All-American. He coached 5 seasons at Cleveland State and is currently the head coach at Streetsboro high school. Dwayne Jackson ‘05 is one of the great basketball players in WJ history. During his 4 years, Dwayne racked up individual records on the court including graduating as the all-time career scoring leader, and career rebounding leader, as well as finishing 7th in career assists. He was also awarded several recognitions in his WJ career. Dwayne was honored as All-Summit County (1st Team 2004, 2005, All-District (1st Team 2004, 2005), All-NE Ohio (3rd team 2003, 2nd team 2004, 1st team 2005), and All-State (HM 2004, 1st team 2005). After his WJ career, Dwayne went on to play collegiately at Binghamton University. Brianna (Segerson) Brunello ’08 was a dual sport threat during her time in high school, playing both soccer and basketball. In soccer, Brianna was part of the 2006 and 2007 state championship teams including a historic national championship in 2006. She graduated with the record for most shutouts in a season and most shutouts in a career as a goalkeeper. Brianna was named 3rd team All-State, All-American, and Academic All-Ohio in between in the nets. She had similar success in basketball and graduated with many records in WJ history including first in career assists, first in career steals, 4th in career scoring, and 7th in career rebounds. She was also part of the 2005 state championship team and was voted team MVP in her 2006 and 2007 seasons. Pat Ritchie is one of the greatest and most successful coaches in WJ history. In 36 years under his direction in cross-country, WJ won 19 district championships, 8 regional championships, and 2 state championships. Individually, Pat has coached 10 district champions, 3 regional champions, and 20 All-Ohio honorees. On the track, Pat’s teams continued their success with 3 district championships, 16 All-Ohio honors, and a State Championship in the 4 x 800M Relay. Pat was inducted into the Ohio Association of Track and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2013, received the Akron Beacon Journal’s Clem Caraboolad Coach of the Year Award in 2016, and was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. .