Bethel Park inducts 6 into Hall of Fame
Six athletes will be inducted into the Bethel Park Athletic Hall of Fame Dec. 16 during halftime of the Hawks versus Peters Township boys’ varsity basketball game. Tip-off is 7:30 PM.
The Class of 2016 includes:
• Troy McKay (Class of 1988-Cross Country and Track)-McKay earned seven varsity letters, leading the cross country team to the 1985 state championship. He also helped the cross country team win back-to-back WPIAL Titles in 1984 and 1985. A four-time PIAA qualifier in cross country and a two-time state qualifier in track, McKay claimed the 1988 WPIAL silver medal in the 1600 meters, while setting the school record for the event. He competed at Division I Arizona State University.
• Rowena Michalke (Class of 1969-Swimming)-Michalke is one of the most decorated swimmers in school history, winning five PIAA gold medals and setting school records in six events. She was a three-time AAU National Junior champion, a national record holder in two events and a two-time All-American. She was ranked in the Top 15 in the World in four different events and participated in the 1968 Olympic Trials. She swam at the Ohio State University.
• Rick Moschel (Class of 1966-Football/Basketball/Baseball/Track)-As a running back, Moschel led the Hawks to an undefeated season in 1964. An anchor at shortstop, he helped the basketball team win 47 games in three seasons. Moschel played football at the University of Virginia.
• Jim Smith (Class of 1949-Basketball/Baseball/Football)-Smith set the single-season scoring record in 1949 and scored the most points scored in a single game while guiding the Hawks to a pair of section titles in basketball. Also a renowned pitcher on the school’s first baseball team, he helped Bethel to win its first section title in 1949. He also tossed a two-hitter in the team’s first-ever playoff game.
• Jennifer Pasternak (Class of 1991-Basketball/Soccer/Softball)-Pasternak earned 11 varsity letters. Most notably were her accomplishments on the basketball court, where she scored 942 career points and was a member of the 1991 all-section and all-WPIAL squads, as well as being named an Almanac MVP. She helped the Girls Basketball Team to win the 1989 Section Title, and played on three playoff teams. Pasternak played basketball at Niagara University.
• Brian Ruscello (Class of 2001-Baseball and Football)-A three-year starter in the middle infield in baseball and a starting running back and defensive back in football, Ruscello was named to the all-state team in baseball and was a two-time member of the all-WPIAL squad. He was named the 2000 All-South Area Baseball Player of the Year. A three-time member of The Almanac’s Diamond Dozen all-star list and a two-time all-Section performer, Ruscello guided the Hawks to back to back section titles in 1999 and 2000. He played baseball at Richmond University.