Voting is now underway for the 2022 class of the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame.

The nominating committee narrowed the list of candidates to 14, including seven FROM last year who missed making the inaugural class to the recently formed Hall of Fame.

This year’s nominees include: (alphabetically), Carl Barger (Major League Baseball executive). Earl Beal Jr. (owner, trainer, executive Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association). Wendee Booher (Chief Logan High School cross country and; basketball, Temple basketball, professional basketball). Thomas Brown (Lewistown High School and college football; high school coach for 42 years). Krista Gingrich White (Lewistown H.S. and Duke basketball). Richard Gingrich (Chief Logan H.S. and Penn State football). Brad Heckert (Chief Logan H.S. and University of Delaware basketball), Joseph Heller (Chief Logan H.S. and University of Virginia wrestling). Kent Houser (Lewistown H.S. football, track, and basketball; high school coach). Kevin Kodish (34 years girls basketball coach). Emily Lepley Shank (Lewistown H.S. and Susquehanna University track). Robert “Buck” McCurry (Lewistown H.S. and Michigan State football). Harold “Junior” Powell (Lewistown H.S. and Penn State football). Ronald Sprecher (high school cross country and track coach for five decades).

Voting members are asked to return their ballots by July 23. Results will be announced in early August. The induction ceremony will formally take place on Sunday, September 25 at the Birch Hill Event Center. The guest speaker for the September celebration will be Lewistown native and NC State All-American wrestler Hayden Hidlay

“We are pleased to have Hayden Hidlay join us as our featured speaker,” said HOF President Tim Searer. “Those attending the Hall of Fame induction will see and hear from more than an exceptional athlete,” Searer continued. “Hayden’s wrestling achievements speak for themselves, but just as important is how he conducted himself along the way.”
“He has exhibited character and maturity beyond his years and the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame is honored that Hayden recognizes the importance of our efforts to pay tribute to the history of Mifflin County athletics by returning home and being part of our second induction event,” Searer concluded. A 2016 graduate of Mifflin County High School and PIAA state wrestling champion at 152 pounds, Hayden moved onto North Carolina State where his accomplishments continued, as he was an eventual five-time All-American, competing at 157 pounds his first four years and at 174 in his final campaign. His 110 collegiate wins has him tied for third in school history, while his 110-11 (.909) win/loss percentage has him second in that category at NC State.

Hayden’s further honors: ACC Wrestler of the Year 2020. ACC Champion (157) in 2018-21, ACC Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year 2020. CoSIDA Academic All-American 2021, NWCA Scholar All-American for the fifth time in his career in 2022, U23 World Team Member.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will first be available to supporting members of the organization, with a limited number of tickets for the general public offered after that. Sales of tickets will be announced within a few weeks.