The New Philadelphia City Schools community is preparing to celebrate the exceptional achievements of its alumni as the New Philadelphia Hall of Fame Committee announces its latest class of inductees.

These distinguished individuals selected for their outstanding contributions and success, will be formally honored during a banquet at the Buckeye Career Center on Saturday, January 17th. The annual induction ceremony serves as the cornerstone event recognizing the legacy of the newest class of inductees for their contributions to New Philadelphia school system throughout their careers, athletics and service.

The celebration kicks off on the hardwood the night before the banquet, as the newly selected Hall of Fame members will receive special recognition during the boys basketball game on Friday, January 16th when the Quakers host Mansfield Senior.

The following are those individuals and the team that will be inducted:

JJ BRINDEL

A 1997 New Philadelphia High School graduate, Brindel excelled as a running back for the New Philadelphia High School Quaker football team. As a three-year letter winner, Brindel amassed a career total of 3,285 rushing yards with 28 touchdowns.  During his sophomore year under Head Coach Phil Mauro, Brindel rushed for a total of 1,324 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He was named to the Division II All-Ohio 2nd Team and All Federal League 2nd Team. He also garnered a spot on the Division II All Eastern District 1st Team.

Brindel rushed for 1,049 yards as a senior and had seven TDs. He was named to the All- Federal League 2nd Team and Division II All Eastern 2nd Team. Brindel was also chosen to participate in the Times-Reporter East West All-Star game and the North-South All-Star game. 

Brindel was awarded a Captain’s Award and the Bill Kidd Most Valuable Player Award at the senior football awards banquet for his contributions and dedication to the Quaker football program.          

JOHN STEPHENSON

Stephenson, a 2010 graduate of New Philadelphia High School was a three-year letter winner in basketball and a four-year letter winner in baseball.

As a sophomore Stephenson was named to the East Central Ohio League 2nd Team and would continue his basketball accolades for the next three years. Under New Philadelphia High School Athletic Hall of Fame Coach Phil Tidrick, Stephenson led the Quakers to a sectional championship in the 2008-2009 season, the first sectional championship since 1995. The Quakers would then battle for a runner-up position in the Eastern District Tournament game. Stephenson was named to the 1st Team East Central Ohio League in 2009 and 2010 and was named 1st Team Eastern District in 2009 and 3rd Team Eastern District in 2010. Stephenson would score in double figures in 41 consecutive games and garner 912 career points with 520 career rebounds.

In baseball Stephenson played for New Philadelphia High School Athletic Hall of Fame Coach Ryan Range and continued his stellar athletic performances. He was named to the ECOL 1st team and the Eastern District 1st Team in 2008, 2009, and 2010. He notched 15 career wins on the mound, striking out 164 batters in 138 innings. He would also be a force for the Quaker hitters with 15 career home runs and 82 runs batted in for a .425 career batting average. In the 2009 regular season game against Meadowbrook, he pitched a near-perfect game and would go on to lead the Quakers to an Eastern District Championship win and a regional semifinal game.

MEGAN RUPE GENEST

Megan Rupe, a 2006 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, accumulated numerous records in both swimming and track and field throughout her four-years at NPHS.

Rupe placed 1st in the district in the 50 freestyle and 2nd Place in the 100 freestyle during her junior year. She would go on to qualify for the state meet and placed 8th in the 50 freestyle and 14th in the 100 freestyle. Rupe’s honors included All-Ohio, ECOL Champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle and highest point scorer for the team. She was named ECOL 2005 Swimmer of the Year.

In her senior year, Rupe continued her award-winning times. She was the ECOL champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle, the 100 butterfly, and was a member of the 200 freestyle relay team. In sectional competition, Rupe continued to dominate with championships in the 50 and 100 freestyle and as a member of the 200 and 400 freestyle medley teams.  

In district competition she was 2nd in the 50 freestyle and 3rd in the 100 freestyle and would qualify for state competition. At the state meet, Rupe swam to a 5th place finish in the 50 freestyle and 8th place in the 100 freestyle. Named an All-Ohio athlete, Rupe holds school records in the 50, 100, and 500 freestyle and as a member of the 200 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay teams.

In track and field Rupe continued her athletic excellence in several events. As an eighth grader she qualified for the track and field nationals in pole vault and as a freshman she placed 1st in pole vault and the 1600 relay in the East Central Ohio League. Rupe placed 2nd in the district pole vault and 7th in regional competition jumping 10’6”. During her sophomore season Rupe had meet records at the Tuscarawas County Classic and Leo Gundy Invitational and was named the ECOL champion in pole vault. She would go on to place 1st at district competition and 3rd at regional competition in pole vault. At the state meet she placed 10th in pole vault and would be selected as an Academic All-Ohio Track and Field recipient.

RACHEL ANDERSON

Rachel Anderson, a 2019 New Philadelphia High School graduate, excelled in basketball, cross country and track. In basketball Anderson played for Coach Tracy Payne as a sophomore. Finishing with a 21-5 record, the team would share an East Central Ohio League championship and go on to win a district championship. Anderson’s junior year was highlighted by a trip to Division IV Final Four where it lost to Toledo Rogers in the semifinal game 62-57. The Lady Quakers would finish the year with a 25-3 record.

As a senior Anderson and the Lady Quakers, under Head Coach Kevin Cornell, would continue their winning ways with an undefeated regular season. The team would defeat Zanesville (55-18) in district semifinals, and Maysville (54-50) for the district championship. In regional semifinals the Lady Quakers defeated Washington Court House 62-40 for a berth in the Elite 8. The Lady Quakers lost to Sheridan 46-48 for a 26-1 final record. Anderson was named to the ECOL 2nd Team, District 5 Honorable Mention and was an AP East District Special Mention. Her senior statistics (23 games) included total field goals of 75-of-165 for 45%, two-point field goals 44-of-85 for 52%, three-point field goals 31-of-80 for 38% and an 85% average for free throws (24-28). She would also represent District 5 in the All-Star Game.            

Anderson would also excel in cross country. Named the ECOL Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2016, Anderson participated in the state cross country meet and finished 11th with a time of 18:42. She was also named an All-Ohioan. In 2017 Anderson was named to the Times-Reporter Best of Tusc Preps and was named as the Female Athlete Performer of the Year. During her junior year, she was again named the ECOL Athlete of the Year and placed 20th in the state meet with a time of 20:19.92. As a senior Anderson placed 33rd in the state cross Country meet with a time of 20:00 and was again named the ECOL Athlete of the Year.

Anderson would also follow with impressive track statistics. Her track records include times of 2:17.92 in the 800 (2019), 5:01.31 in the 1600 (2019) and 11:14.98 in the 3200 (2019). She would place 5th at the 2019 state track meet in the 800 with a time of 2:17.92.

DAVE AUBIHL

A 2002 New Philadelphia High School graduate, Dave Aubihl excelled in football and wrestling. Wrestling at 145 pounds, Aubihl was a four-year letter winner for New Philadelphia High School Athletic Hall of Fame Coach, Jack Nutter. Aubihl holds 14th place in career wins for the Quakers with a .697 winning percentage. He was team captain in 2001 and 2002 and was a three-time East Central Ohio League Champion. Nutter’s team would post a 17-3 season while Aubihl picked up his 100th career win and an ECOL championship. He and teammate Joe Kuhn would advance out of Division II District matches and go on to wrestle at the state wrestling tournament.      

Aubihl’s dominance on the mat is evidenced in his statistics. At the time of his graduation, Abuhl was 2nd in NPHS career pins with 60 and 3rd in career wins with 108. He was also tied for 4th in career wins in a season with 36. He was 3rd in career near point falls with 87 and 5th in career takedowns with 244.

In football Aubihl was named to the ECOL 1st Team and the 1st Team Region 11 in both 2000 and 2001. In 2000 he was an All-Ohio Honorable Mention and in 2001 an All-Ohio Special Mention for Head Coach Bob Zontini’s Quakers who recorded a 5-5 season. 

CONTRIBUTOR: TODD STEELE

Todd Steele graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1990. While in high school he was a two-year letter winner in football under Coach Dan Evans and a letter winner in track and field under Coach Denny Edwards and Coach Joe Pry.  

Steele graduated from Ohio University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Physiology degree with an emphasis in Athletic Training.

Steele served as athletic trainer for 29 years providing expertise and guidance for student athletes in New Philadelphia High School and middle school sports programs. Steele stated that “it has been an honor working under the direction of so many terrific administrators, coaches, and parents at NPCS. It has also been a privilege to have been given such great guidance by our team physician of 32 years, Dr. James Moore, MD as well as Dr. William Belknap II, DC.” In his 29 years as athletic trainer, Steele says he will cherish his time working with the student athletes of NPCS and (recently) with their children.

TEAM: 2018 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL FINAL FOUR TEAM

The 2018 girls’ basketball team captured the East Central Ohio League, sectional, district and regional championship games with an overall record of 25-3. Coached by Tracy Payne and assisted by Andy Dean and Jessica Pridemore, the team would capture the East Central Ohio League title with consistent team play and stellar individual performances. Led by team captains Megan Maurer, Anna Nguyen, and Aaliyah Currence, the Lady Quakers became the first Quaker girls’ basketball team in school history to reach this achievement.

Those 25 wins included two games of 93 and 96 point totals. The two losses, one to Division I Massillon Jackson 47-58 and one to Wooster in a close 73-69 contest were early in the season. After those losses, the Lady Quakers would continue the regular season with a string of 18 straight victories.

In tournament play the Lady Quakers would go on to defeat Beaver Local for the sectional championship 71-36. In the district semifinal game, the Lady Quakers defeated John Glenn in a 49-39 contest. They would go on to beat Carrollton for the district championship 54-38 and River Valley 53-31.

In the regional final game they defeated Sheridan 53-31 and captured the title and a bid to the state Division IV Final Four in the state semifinal game.

Through hard work, dedication, and practice, the team would advance to the state Division IV Final Four where it lost to Toledo Rogers in the semifinal game 62-57. Toledo Rogers would then go on to defeat Gilmour Academy 51-37 in the state Division IV title game.

Members of the Lady Quakers include Rachel Anderson, Bre Robin, Aaliyah Currence, Lily Goodwin, Paige Kaiser, Sabrina Malcolm Flores, Kathleen McEwan, Megan Maurer Zemis, Anne-Marie Monaco, Anna Nguyen, Josie Pry, Julia Ress, and Sarah Stoneman.

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