Championship moments may fade with time, but the accomplishments of Medina County’s standout athletes continue to inspire generations. Since 1985, the Medina County Sports Hall of Fame has served as a lasting tribute to the men and women whose dedication, talent, and perseverance have left a mark on local sports history.
Established through a partnership between the Medina Breakfast Kiwanis Club and The Gazette, the Hall of Fame honors amateur and professional athletes with strong ties to Medina County. To be eligible, athletes must have excelled in competition, graduated from high school at least 10 years prior to induction, and lived in Medina County for a minimum of five years. Past inductees include Matt Tifft, a graduate of Highland, former NASCAR driver, and current dirt track racer; Sherry Gifford Martin, a Medina graduate, former Malone University volleyball player, and Cleveland Volleyball Club coach; and Luke Relay, a Wadsworth graduate and current MLB outfielder and first baseman with the Seattle Mariners.
In addition to the Hall of Fame honorees, each year, outstanding student athletes are awarded places on The Gazette’s prestigious All-Gazette teams, which highlight top performers across a variety of sports. These teams celebrate not only athletic achievement but also the dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship displayed by local students throughout the year.
This year, over 400 people gathered at the Galaxy Restaurant on June 25 to welcome six new Hall of Fame inductees and celebrate the All-Gazette team athletes.
This year's Hall of Fame inductees included Brunswick graduate and basketball player Pat Forsythe, Wadsworth graduate and former basketball-volleyball player Jodi (Johnson) Phillips, Brunswick graduate and former golf state champion Kelly (Moskal) Smith, Wadsworth graduate and former wrestling state champion Noah Baughman, and Medina graduate and former NBA player Jon Teske.
Some of this year's All-Gazette teams included:
Girl's Cross Country Team
- MVP – Maggie Gerschutz (Wadsworth)
- Alexis Warnement (Medina)
- Olivia Keough (Highland)
- Addison Joffre (Medina)
- Ella Dolgowicz (Wadsworth)
- Natalie Buzard (Wadsworth)
- Katie Schuler (Highland)
- Coach of the Year – Zach Humrichouser (Wadsworth)
Boy's Cross Country Team
- MVP –Caleb Neville (Cloverleaf)
- Tommy Strippy (Brunswick)
- Joey D’Aurelio (Medina)
- Dimitry Pshonyak (Buckeye)
- Logan Forbes (Cloverleaf)
- Ty Racin (Wadsworth)
- Conner Rhein (Black River)
- Coach of the Year – Renee Harden (Buckeye)
Girl's Golf Team
- MVP – Elizabeth Coleman (Highland)
- Mirabella Shelton (Highland)
- Quinn Malarkey (Cloverleaf)
- Ellie Gonzalez-Ribble (Brunswick)
- Emma Gonzalez-Ribble (Brunswick)
- Coach of the Year – Mary Becker (Highland)
Boy's Golf Team
- MVP – Trent Riedel (Medina)
- Luca Violi (Buckeye)
- Cam Stafford (Medina)
- Hayden Hoyt (Highland)
- Declan West (Medina)
- Michael Fahey (Wadsworth)
- Coach of the Year – Bob Miller (Buckeye)
Girl's Soccer Team
- MVP – Grace Shondel (Highland)
- Vanessa Zufall (Highland)
- Emma McTigue (Medina)
- Julia King (Buckeye)
- Avalynn Price (Highland)
- Caitlyn Taylor (Medina)
- Hailey Trzaska (Highland)
- Athena Craig (Wadsworth)
- Sydney Atkinson (Medina)
- Hannah Hopek (Cloverleaf)
- Carlie Gunkelman (Buckeye)
- Charlotte Diegidio (Buckeye)
- Coach of the Year – Peter Byrnes (Buckeye)
Boy's Soccer Team
- MVP – Bennett Werthmuller (Medina)
- Owen Beskid (Brunswick)
- Jackson Harvey (Medina)
- Eli Hyde (Brunswick)
- Vincent Gambaccini (Wadsworth)
- Justin Lazzaretti (Wadsworth)
- Tyler Bradbury (Brunswick)
- Brody Gannon (Medina)
- Isaiah Kurtz (Cloverleaf)
- Carson Kwiatkowski (Highland)
- Victor Lazar (Brunswick)
- Cooper Kordura (Medina)
- Coach of the Year – Doug Coreno (Medina)
In addition to the above, the following sports were recognized at the banquet: tennis, bowling, basketball, softball, volleyball, swimming and diving, gymnastics, track and field, lacrosse, wrestling, baseball, and football.
Special Olympic athletes Josh Frye and Pam Wilson were also honored at the event.
More than a celebration of past accomplishments, the Medina County Sports Hall of Fame and The Gazette's All-Gazette teams help preserve the county's rich athletic tradition while inspiring the next generation of competitors. By honoring both legendary athletes and today's rising stars, these recognitions reinforce the values of hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship that define Medina County athletics. As each new class of inductees and All-Gazette honorees is celebrated, their achievements become part of a legacy that will continue to motivate young athletes for years to come. Learn more at MedinaSportsHOF.org.
Student Spotlight: Luca Violi
2026 All-County Boy’s Golf Team
Luca graduated from Buckeye Senior High School in May and is attending Walsh University this fall to continue his education and golf career. A first-time All-Gazette honoree, he was the only boys golfer in Medina County and the first golfer in Buckeye history to qualify for the D1 state championship.
Buckeyes boys golf coach Bob Miller said of Luca to The Gazette: "Luca is a talented golfer, but better yet a stellar student. What trumps all of that is Luca is an phenomenal person. He has a bright future and a lot of great opportunities ahead of him."