The Hardin County Sports Hall of Fame has nnounce the 2024 Sports Hall of Fame class of inductees to be enshrined in June 2024: Ron Beaschler, Paige Pees Curlis, Larry Dickinson, Doug Fries, Greg Grimslid, Ken Fish, 2007-2008 Riverdale High School Girls Basketball Team.
RON BEASCHLER
ONU 1986. Completing his 35th season as ONU wrestling coach and Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance. Has compiled a 374-250-4 overall record and 99 - 41 OAC winning percentage of 70.7%. Is the all-time
winningest coach in ONU history. Elected into National Wrestling Coaches HOF in 2008. Has coached 5 National Champions, 2 National Runner-ups, 31 All-Americans, 75 Scholar All-Americans, and 15 Scholar All-American Teams.
Three-time OAC Coach of the Year (1993, 2012 and 2013). Served as the NCAA wrestling secretary rules editor and has served as Weight Management Program liaison to the NCAA Wrestling Committee. Has served 2 years as Chairman of
the Division III NCAA committee. Former President of the NWCA which represents all levels of NCAA wrestling in the United States as well as NWCA executive board of directors.
PAIGE PEES CURLIS
Hardin Northern 1988 and University of Cincinnati 1992. Three sport student-athlete who excelled in volleyball, basketball and track.
Three year letter winner in volleyball. BVC 2nd team and District 8 H.M. while winning HN’s “Best Server” & “Best Offensive Player” and finishing 2nd in Conference and Sectional Champs. All BVC Volleyball (1986-1987), 2nd Team All-Ohio (1986), 1st Team All-Ohio (1987), 1st Team District 8 (1986), 18 - 0 BVC Record (1986-1987). Team MVP (1986-1987); BVC Player of the Year (1987), District 8 Player of the Year (1987). Only loss senior year in volleyball was in District Finals to State Champion, St. Henry. Finished 24-1.
Three year letter winner in basketball. 2nd Team BVC (1986); 2-time 1st Team BVC (1987, 1988); BVC Player of Year (1988); 2nd Team District 8 (1987); 1st Team District 8 (1988); 1,035 career points; Special Mention All-NW Ohio (1987); Leading Scorer in Kenton Times area. Set a Single Game Scoring Record (34) (1987); Leader of team statistics in over 75% of basketball categories.
In track, finished as an All-State podium performer both sophomore and senior years. Won Duo-Century Award and finished Runners-up in 4x400 relay with a record that still stands @ 4:06.2 and 4x100 relay record of 51.11 (1986). 4th place State finisher in 4x200 relay and 8th place State finisher in 4x400 relay (1988).
While at University of Cincinnati from 1988-1991, won 4 varsity letters, named Metro-All Tournament (1990), named 2nd Team All-Great Midwest (1991). Ranks in University of Cincinnati’s top 10 all-time in single matches played (38), Career Assists Per Set (9.3). Career Service Aces (131), and Career Assists (3,851).
DOUG FRIES
Ada High School 1979 and Blufton College 1983. A three sport star for the Bulldogs. Four year letterman in both basketball and baseball and two in cross country during high school. Scored 1,256 career points, 555 points in one season, and single game of 42 points. Averaged 27.7 points senior season. 1st Team All-NWC in 1977 and 1979. Honorable Mention 1978. 1st Team All-Ohio in 1979. During his 4 years in basketball, the team won 3 NWC Championships and one Runner-up finishing with a 38 and 2 overall league mark. In baseball, Doug was a 4 year starter
and MVP both his junior and senior seasons batting .403. 1st Team All-NWC baseball selection both junior and senior seasons. Held scoring records for over 20 years prior to the 3 point line and while only having an 18 game schedule.
Recruited to Wooster College, he was a two year starter and lettermen and led OAC in assists as a freshman, and won the“Outstanding Freshman of Year” basketball award, played one season of baseball for the Scots, and participated in the NCAA III National Tournament. Finished career at Bluffton College winning team MVP, Outstanding Defensive Player, Hon. Mention All Hoosier Buckeye Conference and Academic NAIA All-American.
As a Beaver, lettered two years while playing shortstop and received “Outstanding Senior Athlete Award” for all Bluffton athletes. Presently is the Superintendent at Greenville Schools following a stint at Lincolnview Schools in Van Wert County.
GREG GRIMSLID
ONU 1978. Ada HS Varsity Assistant Football Coach (1979-1989 and 1999-2005). Junior High football coach for 8 seasons. Head Boys and Girls Track Coach (1989-2013); Varsity Assistant Track Coach (1980-1989); Volunteer Assistant Coach (2017-2023); Boys District Track Coach of Year 2013. Coached over 50 qualifiers for State Meet with 23 making the podium, of which six finished 2nd place. Meet manager for NWC Meet for numerous years as well as District Meet manager. Was an OHSAA Varsity Basketball Official for 26 years. Has worked home basketball
games for Ada HS (1990 to present).
Member of ONU football team (1974-1977); 3 year starter and the team’s Defensive MVP as a senior while garnering All-OAC Honorable Mention. Graduate Assistant ONU football during 1st year of Law School 1978. Is the Hardin County Judge presently, a position held since 2005. Inducted into the Ada Schools Hall of Fame in 2023.
KEN FISH
Ridgeway High School 1962 and Bluf ton College 1966. Hardin Northern High School sports statistician and Chemistry, Physics, General Science and Advanced Math instructor (1972-2020) Started his educational career at Bloomville Local Schools with a short stint at Blue Creek/Haviland Wayne Trace prior to becoming a 48 year Polar Bear faculty member.
During his time as an educator at HN, Mr. Fish found time to be a statistician and scoreboard operator, during fall, winter and spring seasons, a position he still maintains within the Polar Bear athletic department even after retirement. Football season he’s a scoreboard operator with 50 years of service totaling more than 250 contests. Winter months, Mr. Fish can be found in the gymnasium as a basketball official scorekeeper with 55 years of using a pencil to the scorebook for more than 1,200 games. In the spring, he still today can be found at HN track meets as an official timer having covered more than 200 meets over a span of 45 years.
LARRY DICKINSON
Ridgeway High School 1959. Earned 12 varsity letters: 4 each in cross country, basketball and baseball. However the hardwood court is where Mr. Dickinson excelled, scoring 1,534 career points. Averaged during his high school playing days: 11 ppg in 1956: 23.1 ppg in 1957, 28.1 ppg in 1958, 23.2 ppg in 1959. Post season honors included being named UPI 1st Team All-Ohio (1958) and was a 3-time Toledo Blade 1st Team selection.
2007-08 RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM (Coach Mary Ann Holderman)
14 - 0 LEAGUE RECORD*
18 - 2 REGULAR SEASON RECORD**
5 - 1 TOURNAMENT RECORD***
23 - 3 OVERALL RECORD****
*Undefeated North Central Conference Champions
**Sectional, District and Regional Champions (Division IV)
***State “Final Four” Appearance, losing in State Semi Final Game
****Most wins in school history: 23
