The Alpena Sports Hall of Fame announces its nominees for Class of 2022.

The inductees will be announced in February and will be inducted at the Hall of Fame’s annual banquet on May 6 at the APlex.

Ballots will be in the mail today and must be returned by Nov. 5.

DICK STRALEY — AHS 1954

An outstanding multi-sport athlete, Dick earned seven letters at Alpena High in the ’50s, 3 in football, 2 in basketball and 2 in Track. His most noteworthy athletic accomplishments came on the gridiron, where, as the quarterback, he led his team to win the Arrowhead Conference for two consecutive seasons. He played on both sides of the ball in ’53 and ’54, playing safety on defense. His senior year he was All-Conference 1st Team and Honorable Mention All-State. Dick was offered a full scholarship to Wayne State University, recommended by Bob Devaney. When Dick hung up his cleats in 1954, he had compiled one of the best win-loss records for a starting quarterback in AHS history 14-3-1.

JIM KURTZ — AHS 1962

An outstanding athlete and scholar, Jim never played a sport that he didn’t excel in. In high school, he lettered 3 times each in football, basketball and baseball. Jim’s senior year he was football MVP and helped lead AHS to an undefeated basketball season. As a sophomore at Alpena Community College, he led the Lumberjacks, 18-6, to their best season. While at Eastern Michigan University he played football his junior year and started on Eastern’s basketball team his junior and senior years.

JOHN

CUNNINGHAM — AHS 1963

John was a four-year gymnast and golfer (1959-1963) at Alpena High School. Captain of the golf team and school record holder at the time. He was a two-year gymnast at the University of Michigan. In 1968, he started the Plymouth High School gymnastics club and co-founded the Michigan Academy of Gymnastics in 1976. He became the varsity coach at Plymouth Canton High School in 1979 where he remains at the helm today. In 2021, he received the Michigan High School Coaches Association 50+ years of coaching award. John has coached 12 MHSAA State Individual Champions. He has had six State Runner-up teams and has one MHSAA State Championship (2014). John has been the President of the Michigan High School Coaches and Judges Association since 1996 and State Representative to the MHSCA since then. He was President of MHSCA in 2000-01 and again 2018-19. He has been selected Michigan Coach of the Year four times. He was Runner Up National Coach of the Year in 2009, 2012, 2015 and won the award in 2018. John was inducted into the Michigan Gymnastics Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995, the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2001, the National High School Athletic Coaches Association in 2019, and the Inaugural Canton High School Hall of Fame in 2019.

PHIL STRALEY — AHS 1966

Phil was a member of the Alpena Wildcats basketball team in 1965 and 1966 under coach Dick Dennis. In 1965, AHS suffered only one (1) regular season loss enroute to the Regional Finals. In 1966 the team lost in the State Quarter Final game ending the season with a 20-2 record. While attending ACC Phil was on the golf team setting the “low score” record. Phil transferred to Ferris State University and took his clubs with him. Later while Phil served in the US Army he was again on the golf team in the Panama Canal Zone. He has had success on the links, winning the Big Rapids City Open, Alpena City Open (8 times), and Alpena Country Club/River’s Edge Club Championship (14 times). He was Michigan 2008 Tournament Champions runner-up. He also placed in Top 10 at Florida National Tournament of Champions.

TIM HOLSWORTH — AHS 1973

Tim played baseball and boxed as a youngster. His 1-2 punch was felt throughout the state of Michigan when he took to the mound as well as when he stepped into the ring! In 1968, he was on the Huron Shores All-Stars team that won the District Championship. He was the winning pitcher in the Sectional Final win over Midland which advanced the team to the State LL finals. He was a two-time baseball letter winner at AHS.

Tim went undefeated at the Regional Boxing level in Michigan and Wisconsin during his amateur career which was in both the Saginaw and Grand Rapids regions. He won the prestigious Julius Piazza Award in 1975 for the Outstanding Boxer in the Saginaw Region. He won the Outstanding Boxer Award in 1980 at the WI State Finals for the Northern team. In 1975, he won the MI Open Division State Champ Welterweight division to advance to the National Tournament of Champions in Knoxville. It was in Knoxville that Eddie Bridges the MI head coach invited Tim to join the Kalamazoo Boxing Academy which had a pro team consisting of top World contenders like Lt Heavy Vonzeil Johnson and welterweight Floyd Mayweather, Sr. Floyd was a recent National Golden Glove Champion. Tim sparred with Mayweather every chance he got. Tim did fight a couple of notables, one was Brian Brunette whose career climbed to #2 in the world in his division professionally, the other being Tommy “Hit Man” Hearns. The Hearns vs Holsworth bout was the headliner fight in Oct. 1977 at the famed Pullar Stadium in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. In 1976, Tim was extended an invitation to the Mid-East Olympic Trials. He did not attend as he put his studies at Ferris State ahead of boxing.

In October 1995, just shy of 40 years old, Tim entered a Tough Man Contest. He won all 4 of his matches, 1 by KO, and 3 by decision.

LISA GALLAGHER DATEMA–AHS 1980

Lisa starred in basketball and softball, earning 6 letters, 3 in each sport. In 1977 she led the basketball team to Alpena’s first-ever District championship, scoring 15 points. In 1979 she set the single-game scoring record with 28 points over Petoskey and broke the school scoring record of 798 points (in three years). During her career, she held the record for most rebounds. Playing varsity softball as a junior in 1979, she batted.538 with 43 RBIs, played first base and was the only junior to make the Detroit News 1st Team All-State. Lisa was recognized as Captain and Most Valuable Player on both the Basketball and Softball teams her senior year.

KEVIN KONCZAK–AHS 1987

Kevin was captain of the AHS Cross Country team in 1986 & 1987, where his love for distance running began. His list of accomplishments include: Michigan Grand Prix Series Overall Champion (’90s), 2x Upper Peninsula Triathlon Series Overall Champion (’90s), 1989 US Junior Olympics/Cross Country Skiing, 1988 FIS Junio Michigan State XC Ski Champion, 2014 US Standard Duathlon National Champion (M45-49), 2015 US Master’s Duathlete of the Year Honorable Mention, 2015 US Long Course Triathlon National Champion (M45-49), 2015 US Long Course Duathlon National Champion (M45-49), 2018 US Long Course Triathlon National Champion (M45-49), 3x Boulder 10km age group champion, 2015 Rocky Mountain Region Triathlon Champion, 2015 Rocky Mountain Region Duathlon Champion, 2014 US XC Championships Running –Gold Medal Champion Team (Men’s Master’s Team), 2015 US XC Championships Running – Gold Medal Champion Team/defended title (Men’s Master’s Team), 2019 Ranked #1 in the USA (Duathlon) (Men’s 45-49), 19x qualified for Ironman Hawaii World Championship/competed 13 times, 5x Team USA Member (3x Triathlon team & 2x Duathlon Team)

ITU World Championships Results: 1999 Montreal, Canada–35th place Triathlon (M30-34), 2013 Ottawa City, Canada–4th place Duathlon (M45-49), 2016 Oklahoma ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships 7th place (M45-49), 2019 Pontevedra, Spain ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships 7th place and 4th place Duathlon. In addition, he has been USA Triathlon All-American (Triathlon & Duathlon) 20+ times, he was 4th (in the world) at the 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championships (M50-54), took a bronze medal (M50-54) at the 2021 USATF Colorado State 5km ROAD Running Championships, Silver medal (M50-54) at the USATF Colorado State 5km XC Running Championships and last but certainly not least he is the reigning 2022 Colorado State Triathlon Champion for the Men’s 50-54 age group!

BECKY JORE ROMMEL–AHS 1992

Becky left her mark on the basketball court for AHS in the early 90s. With her height, it’s no surprise that she would hold the record for rebounds and blocked shots. Today her record for Most Blocked Shots in a game (12), season (95), and career (175) still stands. She captained the AHS Varsity team in her junior and senior seasons, 1990-1992. AHS was District and Regional Champions 1990-91 and 1991-92. Becky was named All-State Honorable Mention, 1991-92. Becky attended Ferris State University where she played from 1992-1994, she was captain of the team for the 1993-94 season. For the 1995-97 seasons she played for Saginaw Valley State University where she was captain for the 1996-97 season. In the Conference Tournament in 1996-97 SVSU took 3rd place. SVSU made an appearance in the 1996-97 NCAA tournament. She has shared her knowledge and love of the game by coaching JV Girls Basketball at St. Joseph High School in 2021-22. Becky received PAC (Parent Advisory Council) for Outstanding Educator of the Year 2021-22.

BECKY PATZER NUNNELEY–AHS 1994

Becky was a member of the Track, Volleyball and Basketball teams for AHS. She broke 5 Track & Field records which stood for 10 years. Her records included the 200 Meter Run (28.3), 800 Meter Relay (1:52), 1600 Meter Relay (4:21) High Jump (5’2″) and Long Jump (16’3″). Becky was named Female Athlete of the Year–1994.

ERIC MUSZYNSKI–AHS 1998

Eric was a three-year starting point guard and captain of back-to-back MHSAA District Championship teams, 1996-97 and 1997-98. He was All-State Detroit Free Press Honorable Mention 1996-97 and 1997-98. He was All-Region 1st Team, All-Conference (Great Lakes) and 1st Team All Alpena News, and Team MVP, 1996-97. In his senior year, he was again named All-Region 1st Team, Big North 2nd Team All-Conference, 1st Team All Alpena News along with receiving the Coaches Award.

Eric’s name has been etched in the AHS record book. He is currently #16 All-Time in scoring (704 pts/69 games), #7 All-Time Season 3-pointers (44), and #6 All-Time Career 3-pointers (81). He was a member of the Michigan Jr. National Basketball Team in 1997. He qualified for Cross Country State Finals his senior year.

Eric transitioned from player to coach with ease. His list of coaching awards is lengthy–Associated Press Class D State Coach of the Year 2016, Honorable Mention 2017, Second Team 2018. BCAM Region Coach of the Year 2010 and 2015 (nominated 9 other times). Alpena News Coach of the Year 2022 (AND 7 other times). He’s coached his teams to 7, 20-win seasons including 2 regular season undefeated teams. He’s had 7 North Star League Conference Championships, 7 District Championships and 3 Regional Championships. The Hillman Tigers had a 43-game home winning streak and a 57-game NSL winning streak. His 2013-17 teams were 71-1 in the NSL and 52-1 at home. Eric is Hillman’s most successful basketball coach to date. He is a member of the BCAM 100 Win Club and BCAM 200 Win Club!

NATHAN BARDEN–AHS 1999

Nate was a threat on both the basketball court and the baseball field/pitchers’ mound while in high school. In 1999, he was named to the All-State, Class A, 3rd Team for Basketball. Also, in 1999, he was named to the Baseball All-State “Dream Team”, Detroit Free Press Scholar-Athlete of the Year, All-State, 1st Team, Class A, along with USA Today’s Top Baseball Players in high school. Nate was named to the 1998 and 1999 Academic All-State for Basketball and Baseball. His record of 142 blocked shots from the 1998-99 season still stands today! When he graduated in 1999, he also held the record for most strikeouts (131). Because of his success on the court, on the mound, and in the classroom, he was awarded the 1999 Male Athlete of the Year Award. At Grand Valley State University Nate played both basketball and baseball from 1999-2003. He was on the GLIAC All-Academic Team (2001-02). GVSU was the 2003 Division II National Championship Baseball Runner-up. Nate chose his education over invitations from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Minnesota Twins.

MICHELE SUSZEK YATES–AHS 2000

While in high school, Michele was involved in Soccer, Track and Cross Country where she lettered 14 times. Michele was named 2000 Female Athlete of the Year.

In running, Michele is a 2x Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon and a 4x USATF National Team member in the mountain and ultra-trail events representing the US at the World and NACAC Championships. She has completed over 20 marathons, with 9 wins, and still holds numerous course records at the elite level. She is a 4x National Champion in the ultra-trail events and has numerous course records and wins in trail and ultra-races. Michele was also crowned Ms. Figure Colorado in 2008 where she had no less than a top 2 finish in each event she competed in within the year.

PERSONAL RECORDS & NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS:

Marathon PR – 2:38:37, Rock n Roll Seattle Marathon, 2009, Half Marathon PR – 1:17:23, Spirit of the Marathon Columbus OH, 2009, 10k PR – 34:16, Salt Lake City UT, 2009, 2nd Place National Mountain Trail Race 2011, 21st World Mountain Trail Championships Tirana Albania 2011, 5th North American Trail Championships Vancouver BC 2012, 2x National Champion and Record holder 50 Mile Trail 2012 & 2013, National Champion 100k Trail 2013, National Champion and record holder 50k Trail 2013, Overall winner- Indiana Trail 100 Mile, 17:35:18, Course Record, 2013, Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile Champion, 20:16:54, Course Record, 2013, 3rd Place Ultra Run of Champions 100k World Championships 2013, 1st place North Face Endurance Challenge 50 mile , ULTRA RUNNER OF THE YEAR (UROY) – 2013

Podium finishes- Trail Marathon National Champs 2007, 2012, Mountain Bike- “Queen of the Hill” Leadville series TX 2017, Bailey 100 7th place, 2x Leadville mtb finisher 100 mile 23rd place, 2nd Place 100k trail National Champs Bandera TX 2018, MTB- Queen of the Hill Leadville series TX 2018, 1st Place Open division 3rd Place Female overall Bailey 100 MTB 2018 , 9th Female Overall Leadville 50mile MTB 2018, Quad Rock 50 mile 2nd Place Female 2018, Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile 1st Female New Course Record 2018, Quad Rock 50 mile 2nd Place Female 2019, Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile 1st Female NCR 2019

ASHLEY HUNAULT WILLIAMS–AHS 2007

Ashley was a star of the AHS Track & Field team being a 4-year Varsity letter winner. During her tenure at AHS, she set Six (6) school records, all of which still stand today. Her records are in the Long Jump – 19′, High Jump – 5’5″, 100m Dash – 12.2, and 200m Dash – 25.8. She was MVP all four years, while she led the 2006 & 2007 BNC Championship. She was All-State three (3) times. BNC Champion long jump – 2004, 2005, 2006, & 2007. Regional Champion – 2007, Long Jump. Ashley was named 2007 Female Athlete of the Year. She continued competing in Track & Field while attending Western Michigan University on a Full Athletic Scholarship. She was named All-American (2008). Ashley still holds the Indoor and Outdoor Long Jump School Record. She was 6 times Mid-American Conference Champion (2008: 4 x 100m relay, 2009: 4 x 100m relay, 2010: Long Jump indoor and outdoor, 2010: 4x400m outdoor and 2011: Long Jump indoor. Ashley qualified for the 2010 NCAA Championship. She was a member of the 2010 United States Track & Field & Cross Country Coaches Association Division I All-Academic Track & Field Team.

TAYLOR STEPANSKI LAMB–AHS 2012

Taylor was awarded 8 letters for her high school career in Cross Country (4) and Track (4). She held the AHS school record for Cross Country for 7 years. She was a two-time State Qualifier finishing #14 in 2009 at the State Meet. She was Big North Champ in 2009 and 2011. In 2010, Taylor made the 800 Meter Run a dash with a time of 2:15. In 2012, she was #3 All-Time fastest in the 400 Meter Run, 1600 Meter Run and the 3200 Meter Run. She ran a leg on 2 relays, 4 x 400 (3:59.44) and 4 x 800 both#1 All-Time fastest. At the State Championship meets she ran to a 10th place finish in 2009, 9th place in 2011 and 10th place in 2012 in the 800 Meter Run. Her 4 x 400 Relay team placed 4th in 2012 and the 4 x 800 Relay placed 8th in 2012. After graduating she attended Saginaw Valley State University, of course, her track spikes went with her! She again participated in Cross Country and Track while at SVSU. She finished 26th Overall in 2016 at the NCAA Division II Championship. At the NCAA Championship, she was 2nd overall in 2015 and 4th overall in 2016 for 800. In 2017 she was 4th overall in the 1500. She’s held SVSU school records in the following: 800 Meters 2:07.2 (2016), 1500 Meters 4:23.22 (2016), 800 Meters Indoor: 2:07.64 (2015) and the Mile Indoor 4:50.24 (2016). She was awarded the following All American Honors: 2013 (Indoor, Distance Medley Relay 6th), 2015 (Indoor, 800m Run 2nd, Distance Medley Relay 3rd), 2016 (Outdoor, 800 m, First Team, 4th 2:07.9), 2016 (Indoor, 800m Run- First Team, 8th 2:13.13), 2017 (Outdoor, 1500 m, First Team, 4th Place).

CHRISTINA KOLLIEN ROSE–AHS 2013

Christina earned 4 Varsity letters in basketball and 4 more in Track. Christina was team captain (2011-12 & 2012-13), was awarded Most Valuable Defensive Player (2011-12), Team Most Valuable Player (2012-2013), 1st Team All-Conference, BNC (2012-13), Honorable Mention All-State, Detroit Free Press (2012-13). Her accolades in Track were Four years Most Valuable Hurdler (2010-2013), All-Region – 100 m Hurdles (2nd place) – State Qualifier (2012), Team Most Valuable Player (2013), BNC Champion: 100 M Hurdles & 300 m Hurdles (2013), BNC Runner-Up 100 m Dash (2013), Regional Champion: 100 m Hurdles & 300 m Hurdles: State Qualifier both events (2013), finishing 15th at the State Finals. All-State Indoor Track (MITS) – 60m Hurdles. Christina packed her spikes when she moved on to Wayne State University where she was a 4-year member of both the Indoor and Outdoor Track Teams. She was a Six (6) time All-Academic Team (GLIAC) recipient, Two (2) Time COSIDA All-Academic Team, Two (2) Time Provisional Qualifying National Time (60m Hurdles): Indoor – 2014 & 2015, Provisional Qualifying National Time (100 m Hurdles): Outdoor – 2014, Two (2) Time USTFCCCA Scholar-Athlete. Her 60m Hurdles time of 8.74 seconds and her 100m Hurdles time of 14.24 seconds is currently the #2 fastest time in school history.