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Chagrin Falls Alumni Association

Keeping Tiger Pride Alive

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Dr. Mario Gerhardt

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Coach

Dr. Mario Gerhardt began the Varsity Boy’s Soccer Team in 1970 and is now in his 46th season as its Head Coach. He is the winningest boys high school soccer coach in Ohio with 504 wins entering the 2015 soccer season. The teams Mario has coached continue to have success in the postseason with one State Runner-Up finish (2003), 5 Final Four trips, 11 District titles, and 26 Sectional championships. His regular season includes 18 conference titles. He has coached 59 Academic All-Ohioans, 32 All-Ohioans, 11 Regional All-Americans, & 1 All-American. 45 of his players continued on to play varsity college soccer. He has also been recognized by his peers by being selected as the Ohio Coach of the Year 3 times, Greater Cleveland Coach of the Year 6 times, and Conference Coach of the Year 10 times. In 2004, he was selected as a NSCAA Regional Coach and was a finalist for National Coach of the Year. Mario has previously been inducted in the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame (1993) & Ohio North Youth Soccer Hall of Fame (2003). He has also been honored for with the NSCAA Robert W. Robinson High School Long-Time Service Award (2009), OSSCA Pinsenschaum Sportsmanship and Ethics Award (2010), and the OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award (1997-1998).

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1971 Boy’s Cross Country Team

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame

Coming off a Runner-Up finish in the 1970 OHSAA State Cross Country Championships in 1970, the boy’s cross country team would end up one place higher in 1971 when they scored 94 to outdistance Coshocton by 9. The finish would be the first team state title for Chagrin Falls. Although John Hurst never took a coaching course, when he arrived at CFHS in 1963, he was “appointed” cross country coach. It didn’t take long for the program to take off. The program was only in its 9th year in 1971, but had a 58-8 record in dual meets and in the previous 7 years in the CVC, Chagrin won 5 league championships and never finished below second. In 1971, the team finished 7-0 in dual meets. Not only did they have a perfect 7-0 dual meet record, they recorded the lowest score a team can accomplish twice, which is 15. That meant the top 5 runners finished 1st – 5th place. In the other meets, they never totaled over 20. They would win 4 large regular season meets that season – Warrensville, Gilmour, Chagrin, & CVC. The JV squad also had a tremendous season going 7 – 0 in dual meets and won three large meets – Gilmour, Chagrin, & CVC. Coach John Hurst ‘52 would later be a Chagrin Falls Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 1995 inductee. Those that earned a varsity letter that season included Glenn Bomback ‘72, Mark Freemantle ‘72, David Hart ‘72, Mark Lodwick ‘72, Dan Miller ‘72 , Dwight Woodward ‘72, John Brandon ‘73, John Jackson ‘73, Todd Gardenier ‘73, Sam Narten ‘73, James Nelan ‘73, Rick Pamer ‘73, and Alan Streater ‘74.

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Harry Smith

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1949

Professional bowling was one of the leading sports in America in the 1960s & 1970s, which is when Harry Smith ‘49 was considered one of the most outstanding bowlers. He began his career in his teens competing throughout Cleveland. He would eventually perform with a team in Detroit followed by a move to St. Louis. Through this time his reputation grew to a point where his competitors called him “Tiger” due to his fierce competitiveness. Harry would go on to win 12 Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) titles and 3 American Bowling Congress (ABC) championships. His play earned him All-American status in 1959-60, 1962-63, and 1964-65. Over his career he bowled 12 sanctioned 300 games and had an 843 series. He would average 199 for 25 ABC tournament appearances. Bowler’s Journal International Magazine selected the 100 best bowlers of the 20th Century and placed Harry 37th on the list. His illustrious career would garner many honors from being a charter member of the PBA Hall of Fame, ABC Hall of Fame, and Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame to name just a few.

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Jimmy Leffler

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1999

Jimmy would finish his Chagrin athletic career with 11 varsity letters [Soccer (2), Football (2), Basketball (3), Baseball (4)] and All-CVC honors in each of the four sports. He would earn 1st Team CVC in Baseball & Football (’97) & 2nd Team in Basketball (’98, ’99) & Soccer (’96). Although he would gain Honorable Mention All-Ohio as Wide Receiver in football (’97), he would garner his greatest success on the baseball field. Jimmy is still the CFHS record holder in Home Runs, RBIs, Doubles and Complete Games. His baseball career continue at Baldwin Wallace College. As a 4-year starter, he was selected for the Outstanding Freshman Award (’00), “Big Stick Award” (‘01) and “Gold Glove Award” (‘03). He would be selected 3-time All Mideast Region, 1st Team All-Conference, & All-Academic Ohio Athletic Conference in Baseball. He is the BW career leader in games (143) & Assists (404), and Season Leader in Assists (128).

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Diana Munz DePetro

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 2000

Diana has been the most decorated Chagrin athlete winning a gold and silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics and a bronze at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. In 2000, Diana was a member on the American record-breaking 800-Meter Freestyle Relay Team, which won the gold & individually won silver in the 400-Meter freestyle. Her bronze medal in 2004 was in the 800-Meter Freestyle. She would participate in her first Olympic Trials in 8th grade at age 13 in the 400 & 800 Meter Freestyle Events. Over the years Diana won 21 national swimming titles and 7 medals in world championships. She was honored with the Kiphuth Award at the 2002 U.S. Spring Nationals as the highest individual women’s scorer. Diana was a 2-time State Champion (’97 & ’98) and Div. I record holder in the 500-yard Freestyle (4:45.54), while swimming for Chagrin.

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Frank Phillips

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Teacher/Coach

Frank taught social studies and served as the Department Chairman during his years at Chagrin Falls High School. During this time he served as the varsity girls basketball head coach and varsity boys golf coach. His teams won a state championship in 1998 and runner-up finish in 1997. Over a period of 23 years, his teams at Chagrin Falls and Vermillion won 348 games. Frank was twice selected the State Coach of the Year in basketball, was a National Coach of the Year finalist and is a member of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In golf, he has coached the boys to multiple top-ten finishes at the state tournament.

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Karis Gibbs

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1992

Karis was not only a dominant tennis player in the conference but at the state level as well. She successfully qualified to the state tournament during all four years and earned the state runner-up title in singles tennis her senior year. Karis earned many honors including being selected the MVP of the CVC three times and to the Plain Dealer All- Greater Cleveland Dream Team. Her achievements continued on in college. While at Miami University of Ohio, she was a Conference Champion in both singles and doubles. She placed at the MAC Conference Tournament in 1994 – 1996.

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Cortney DeGross Bokoch

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1995

Cortney has been one of the most significant members of the storied Chagrin cross country and track teams. Besides being a member of 1991 State Champion Team and 1992 State Runner-up Team in Cross Country, she qualified for states in all 4 years. She earned All-Ohio honors twice and was 1st Team CVC for all 4 years. While in track, she was the CVC champion in the mile, twice all-conference in the 2 mile run and a 3 time all-conference honoree in the 4 by 800 relay.

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Katie Carson

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1998

During her career at Chagrin, Katie achieved so many awards that it is impossible to recount them all here. She was a member of the first girls state championship soccer and basketball teams, All- Ohio in 3 sports, and an All-American selection as goalkeeper. Katie is still the CFHS record holder in the shot put, an event that she participated in all four years in Columbus. In basketball, she scored over 1000 points and was a key player on the 1998 State Championship Team and 1997 State Runner- up Team. It was in soccer that brought the most notoriety to Katie’s athletic skills. A 4-year starter in goal, she still holds the state career record for shutouts at 52 and was selected the Div. II Player in her senior year. Her soccer career continued at Clemson University where she set several school goalkeeping records. In 1999, she led the nation in Div. I collegiate soccer for shutouts. Katie was drafted in the Women United Soccer Association, but her illustrious career was sidelined by injury.

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Debi Shukys Gebler

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1975 – Honorary (Coach)

Debi is being recognized for her significant contributions to tiger pride and Chagrin athletics over many years. Being a member of the first 8th grade cheerleading squad, she not only continued on in high school cheerleading, she has been an assistant coach and varsity head coach. From 1982 – 2005, Debi coached many girls that were selected “All American” and over a dozen continued their cheerleading into college. Throughout the years, she has organized school-wide pep rallies and overseen the decorating of the high school in orange and black. She has also been an integral part of the school system working as a secretary at the various schools.

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Jocelyn Bernard Jablonski

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1987

Jocelyn was a successful 3 sport athlete for the Tigers in track, swimming and volleyball. A 3 year state qualifier in track, she was a 1986 State Qualifier in the 400, 800 & 1600 meter relays & 300 low hurdles. Her time in the 300 low hurdles still stands as the CFHS record. In the pool, Jocelyn qualified for the state swim meet her junior and senior years. She also earned 2 varsity letters in volleyball.

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Bob Dahl

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1987

Bob was a key player during the 1980s for the Tiger football team. He was selected All-Ohio in 1986 and earned a scholarship at the University of Notre Dame. He was a 2 year starter and was named Honorable Mention All-American at Right Tackle in 1990. Bob was selected in the 3rd round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He would later get a starting position for his hometown Cleveland Browns starting 47 games over a 3-year span. He spent his final 2 seasons as an offensive lineman for the Washington Redskins.

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Jim Hoppel

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Coach

A 1961 NCAA Qualifier from Bowling Green State University would come to Chagrin Falls later that year to teach and coach at Chagrin Falls and establish the Tigers as a dominant wrestling program. While at Chagrin, Mr. Hoppel was also on the coaching staff of the football program. Under Hoppel’s guidance the wrestling team won 4 CVC titles in 5 years (’65 – ’67 & ’69). Four individuals made it to the state tournament (Reed Carpenter, Ray Slaybaugh, Warren Wise & Bob Camarato) during an era when there was only one division in wrestling. Over a dozen of his grapplers would go on to compete at Division I colleges. Also under his leadership, the team had a 25 match unbeaten streak which included 22 straight wins and two 10 – 0 seasons(65 – 66 & 66 – 67). During this streak, the Tigers dual events were so popular that not only would there be sellout crowds against our rivals Solon, Kenston and Twinsburg, several of the matches were also televised. After 1969, Coach Hoppel would go on to coach at his alma mater, BGSU, and other schools before helping to revive the nationally recognized St. Edward’s program. Jim has been inducted into the East Liverpool School and BGSU Athletic Halls of Fame and his family, which includes four brothers, has been recognized by the OHSAA for having the largest influence on wrestling during the 1950s.

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Chan Diamond

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1972

Chan was a standout athlete in 4 sports earning 12 varsity letters in his Tiger career. His letters were two in football and basketball, three in track and a remarkable five in baseball. Originally baseball was a summer sport and with the eventual change to a spring sport, it allowed Chan the fortunate opportunity to earn five letters in baseball. The spring season was certainly a busy one for Chan would sometimes compete in both baseball and track on the same day. He would typically have to pass on heights in the pole vault until the game ended or the Tigers were up to bat. At that point he would change uniforms and make a jump. Chan would be a CVC placer in both the long jump and pole vault and finished his senior year with a 6th place in the OHSAA tournament in the pole vault. He would later compete in football and track at Baldwin Wallace College.

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Adam Lechman

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1988

Adam was a two-sport star both at Chagrin and later at Allegheny College. He was a 2-way starter (plus special teams) on the 1987 CVC Championship team that made the 1st ever play-off appearance for the Chagrin Falls football program. He earned CVC and Geauga County 1st team awards as an offensive guard and represented Chagrin Falls as a starting guard in the 1988 East-West All Star game. In wrestling, Adam would place 4th in the OHSAA State Championships at 189 lbs. Besides county and conference awards, he could boast that he was never pinned in his high school career and only allowed 3 back points in his senior season. At Allegheny, Adam was the starting offensive center for the #1 ranked Division III football team that recorded the first ever perfect regular season in school history. During his four years, his teams recorded three conference and one NCAA national championship. In his senior season, he earned 1st Team GTE Academic All-America and 2nd Team Offense North Coast Athletic Conference honors. On the collegiate mat, Adam would place 4th (’89) and 5th (’91) in the NCAA Regional Tournaments and be honored as Allegheny College’s Outstanding Freshman (’89) and Outstanding Student-Athlete (‘91).

Email Us:

If you have an updated address, phone number, or email, then please include that in the message area below.

    Contact Info:

    alumni@chagrinschools.org

    440.247.4387

     


    CFAA Alumni Director:

    Brian McKenna '88

    Office Manager:

    Jana Young ‘82

    Find Us:

    Chagrin Falls Alumni Association

    400 East Washington Street
    Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

    We invite you to join the growing numbers of volunteers who are helping to ensure a bright future for the CFAA and Chagrin Falls Schools. Whether it is through your time or resources, all of us appreciate your generous gifts. To become more involved, contact the Alumni Association. We look forward to your comments, questions, and suggestions. Don’t forget that we appreciate your help in making the CFAA run successfully with the donation of your annual dues of $20 or more.