2024 Distinguished Alumni inductees for Rose Tree Media School District Ring of Honor
MEDIA, Pa. — A new tradition was introduced at this year’s Penncrest Homecoming Weekend. There was the usual fanfare: a school-wide pep rally, football game, and dance. A select group of Distinguished Alumni were recognized as scholars, humanitarians and tireless community volunteers and were introduced at a school assembly, the pep rally, and later the football game. These 2024 Distinguished Alumni inductees for Rose Tree Media were William O’Donnell, William Turner, Kenny Trusty, and Patrick Meyers.
However, to add to this year’s celebration, fourteen alumni were also inducted into the tenth class of the RTMSD Ring of Honor. Established in 2013, the Ring of Honor recognizes elite Penncrest athletes and coaches who excelled in their sports during their time in Rose Tree Media School District and beyond.
Receiving this accolade were seven male and seven female athletes. Four of them competed at Penn State, two for the University of Delaware. Most of them excelled in multiple sports. One was honored for swimming, one for soccer. Many earned All-Delco or All-League recognition. All of them deserving and all of them instrumental in their team’s successes. It is impressive to see their stats and hear of the experiences they gained through their commitment to their sports… and there are fond memories watching these stellar athletes compete.
As with any event, there is a great deal of work behind the scenes to make these types of celebrations possible. Through the support of the school district, specifically Superintendent Joe Meloche, Penncrest Principal Ed Roth, and Athletic Director Chip Olinger, this year’s Ring of Honor was indeed special. It has been years in the making, somewhat of a ‘labor of love’ for a small committee of those determined to recognize former RTMSD student-athletes. One person instrumental in this process was Phil Damiani, who passed away a few months ago.
Another is retired teacher, Administrator and Coach John Lohn. When hired as an administrator, former Superintendent (the late Hank Nacrelli) gave Lohn a goal: to help build a program recognizing stand-out alums. The Distinguished Alumni Award program has been strong and the district has continued to recognize many former students who have made a difference in a variety of areas.
The Ring of Honor is a newer program, which is why there was a rather large class inducted this year. The committee worked hard to identify those worthy of this distinction and compiled their recommendations. Not only does Lohn know of all of these athletes, there’s a good chance he taught or coached many of them! Lohn also followed the careers of these athletes… he remembers their high school or college stats, can recall how they were recruited, recounts their team’s dynamics, and enjoys sharing stories. Lohn’s dedication to our district is inspiring, as he continues to support these efforts of highlighting Rose Tree Media PRIDE!
Meet the 2024 Penncrest Ring of Honor Inductees:
Posthumous inductee Swimmer Kent Mast, Class of 1961, was the 1st State Champion in the 100 meter Butterfly. Mast later competed at Princeton University.
Lynn Cox, Class of 1974, was Penncrest MVP in 1973 for Field Hockey and Lacrosse in 1974. She was a four year starter and important member of the ‘73 & ‘74 Lacrosse teams, before leading West Chester University Lacrosse to an undefeated 1977 season.
Class of 1971’s Barbara Cunningham-Hutchinson was a 3 sport All-League player at Penncrest in Field Hockey, Basketball and Lacrosse. She was inducted into the Glassboro State HOF as a Field Hockey All-American, Basketball standout and Captain of the Lacrosse team.
She later played on the undefeated 1975 team in the World Championship Women’s US Lacrosse Tour.
Football player Michael Randoph, Class of 1974, led Penncrest in rushing, tackles, interceptions, punt return and kickoff return yardage in 1973. Randolph earned All-Conference, All-Delco and All-American honors, as well as being nominated to the prestigious Pennsylvania Big 33 Team. As a 1977 Captain at the University of Delaware Lambert Cup team, he led the area in interceptions and set the ECAC record with 3 interceptions in a game.
Sharon Duffey, Class of 1974 played Field Hockey, Basketball and Lacrosse at Penncrest. She received a full scholarship to Penn State as a 4 year starter, Captain of the 1978 team and leading scorer all 4 years. Duffey is currently ranked 4th at Penn State in goals and later played on the US Women’s team.
Lynn Thompson-Anderson, Class of 1977, led Penncrest to 3 Central League titles in 1975, 1976 and 1977. She also led Penn State to 3 US Women’s Lacrosse National Championships, accounting for 105 goals and 55 assists in 54 games. She was named to the US National Lacrosse team from 1979-1981.
Class of 1976’s Mike Barbarick led Penncrest to the District Finals and Regional Semifinals as the Soccer Goalkeeper in 1976. He still holds the school record with 11 shutouts in a season, Barbaric was named MVP and set the University of Washington record for Goals Against Average (.44). He played professionally for the Seattle Sounders, San Diego Sockers and Houston Dynamo.
Brian McCutcheon, Class of 1979, was a 3 year starter at Penncrest in Football, Basketball and Track. He earned recognition as 1st Team All-Delco Basketball, 1st team All-Central Punter, 2nd team All-Central Quarterback and 1st team All-Delco in the 200 meter dash. McCutcheon played wide receiver on Delaware University’s football team for 2 years.
Beth Thompson-Dougherty, Class of 1982, received All-League recognition in Lacrosse and Field Hockey at Penncrest, scoring 9 goals on 10 shots in the 1980 lacrosse season. She received a full scholarship and played Lacrosse and Field Hockey at Penn State University, currently 10th all-time in scoring, 3rd in assists and 4th in career Lacrosse points at Penn State where her teams finished 3rd, 3rd and 2nd in the NCAA Lacrosse Championships.
1982 Penncrest grad Jule Thomas Ghana, Class of 1982 was 1st team All-Delco receiver for Football and 1st team All-Delco for Basketball . 1981 All-State Honorable Mention in Basketball, he was a full scholarship Basketball player at Philadelphia Textile University and 2 Time All-Conference selection at Point Guard.
State Champion hurdler Lisa Hunter, Class of 1985, was a 4 time state Medalist and 6 time District Medalist for the 100 and 300 hurdles, receiving honorable mention All-American in the 100 Hurdles. She competed at Penn State for 2 years.
Mike Boettcher, Class of 1987, was an All Central League and All-Southeastern PA Baseball player. He pitched a perfect game in the State Tournament for the Delco All Stars. As a 4 year starter at Villanova University for Baseball, he pitched 9 innings of no hit baseball vs Providence University in an elimination game.
All-Delco Basketball, Track and Volleyball, Amanda Valentine, Class of 1988 was the 1st 1000 point basketball scorer in School History and averaged 19
points and 10 rebounds as a Junior. She attended Rutgers on a full basketball scholarship.
Lanue Johnson, Class of 1989, was a 3 year starter in Football, Basketball and Track. Johnson was 1st team All-Delco Running Back that rushed for 2,316 yards in
his last 2 years at Penncrest. Earning a full scholarship as a running back at the University of Delaware, he is over 2000 yards rushing and 1000 yards receiving with 37 career touchdowns.
Congratulations to the 2024 Penncrest Ring of Honor and Distinguished Alumni inductees!!!
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