Local Athletes Honored in Hall of Fame

The first class in Rockland County Track and Field Hall of Fame was inducted in 2004—now, there are 60 illustrious members with commemorative plaques.

The plaques were showcased at the Sports Place in Blauvelt in 2007-08, then transferred and mounted at the Rockland Community College Field House in June 2009.

Finally, on Dec. 10 of this year, the plaques were formally dedicated at a two-part celebration—an Officials Appreciation Luncheon for the Rockland track officials and a dedication of the Wall of Fame on a wall inside the arena, alongside the track.

Highlighting the luncheon was the presence of 16 Hall of Fame members and three others who were representing their families.

"It's a great turnout, almost one third of the Hall of Famers," noted Nanuet's Jamie Kempton, who has been chairman of the Track and Field Hall of Fame since its inception. "I thought that was a splendid turnout, because of the distances people had to travel. We had about 75 people on hand. I was overjoyed. We had expected about 45."

Luminaries included Mrs. Margaret Teetsel, the widow of Dick Teetsel. She was given the honor of cutting the ribbon to officially dedicate the Wall of Fame. Mrs. Teetsel was joined by her daughter, Jeanne Ursini. Dick Teetsel coached at Albertus Magnus and Haverstraw and was an innovative official, program developer and mentor of 35 years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Nancy Rosenfeld Lewis drove two-and-a-half hours from Moorestown, NJ, near Philadelphia, to attend the ceremony and Jeff Van Wie made the lengthy trip from Chatham, NJ.

Other luminaries included:

• Jim Ashcroft, Spring Valley class of 1964: state champion in the 100-yard dash.
• Tony Harlin, Nanuet 1976: county record-holder in the shot put (66 feet ½ inch) and fifth-place finisher at the 1984 Olympic Trials.
• Nancy Rosenfeld Lewis, Suffern 1983: a three-time individual state champion who held the county record in the 800 (2:09.22) for 25 years.
• Gene Martin, Tappan Zee 1955: state mile champ, state cross country champ and Eastern States cross country titlist.
• Kim McDole, Ramapo 1983: two-time state long jump champion, and holder of the county record (19-9½) for 26 years.
• Todd Sinclair, North Rockland 1980: the state 1,600-meter champ and later a star steeplechaser at the University of Florida.
• Abby Hunte, Ramapo 1989: middle-distance standout at Ramapo and Villanova.
• Dave Billings, Nyack 1972: state two-mile champion and state cross country champ.
• The family of the late Dwight Olivier, a 1981 Nyack graduate, who starred in the triple jump and high hurdles and later excelled at Fairleigh Dickinson.
• Sherry Murphy McGill, Spring Valley 1988: seven-time county champ in the sprints.
• Otto Pearson, Nyack 1977: one of Rockland's premier sprinters.
• Lonnie Smith, Nyack 1975: county record-holder in the triple jump (48-10 ½).
• Lisette Hautau, Tappan Zee 1978: held county distance marks that lasted nearly 30 years.
• Louise Formon D'Agosta, Tappan Zee 1978: first female runner in Rockland to break 2:20 in the 880-yard run.
• Ron Edwards, Nyack: Starred at Nyack High for three years before moving upstate; was a state champion in the high jump.
• Dawn Royster Geronimo, Nyack 1983: a star pentathlete and later a pro basketball player.
• The parents of Ron Barrerra, Suffern 1977: he was a state 800-meter champion.
• Jeff Van Wie, Suffern 1983: still the reigning state record-holder in the 800 meters (1:48.56), and was a Golden West titlist.

Beyond the finish

• The Hall of Fame donated a check of $250 to the Rockland Community College hospitality and tourism club for their efforts in support of the celebration.
• Wendy Gordon, advisor to the RCC hospitality and tourism club, was chiefly responsible for preparing a complimentary spread of food.
• Ashcroft, the former Spring Valley star, a charter member of the hall and subsequent committee member, conceived of the idea for a luncheon  and, with the help of Soreida Vicario, acted as liaison to RCC.
• Dr. Cliff Wood, president, and Dan Keeley, athletic director, were instrumental in making the Rockland Community College Field House a permanent site for the Hall of Fame showcase.