Section V Wrestling Hall of Fame class includes All-Americans, legendary coaches
Frank Marotta seems to be everywhere and anywhere in Section V high school wrestling, and that is appreciated and often recognized.
The role that spreads one of the widest smiles across his face is, as the person in charge of the Section 5 Wrestling Hall of Fame Banquet. Friends of Section 5 Wrestling created or opened its hall of fame in 1994.
The next class to enter on May 15 brings the number of members to 173 people, who are former coaches, contributors to the sport and wrestlers.
“For me, I’ve been honored so many times, and I appreciate that," Marotta said. "However, I get great enjoyment from getting other people honored. I know it’s important to them. It's important to their families and friends. I enjoy seeing that moment for them.
"A lot of sports have halls of fame. Wrestling should not be second to anybody. It’s a way of our people who have put in an awful lot to make our sport what it is. It is the greatest sport in the world. Look at what wrestlers have to go through on their own.”
Red Fedele's Brook House again is the host of the induction banquet. The restaurant in Greece is where the plaques for the hall of fame members are located.
Tickets are $50 per person and must be paid for by May 1. To buy or for more information, contact Marotta at 585-750-1541 or fmarotta@rochester.rr.com.
"This great country was built by great people," Marotta said. "They may not have been wrestling (or wrestlers), but they had a wrestler's mentality."
Information on how to nominate a person for induction into the Section 5 Wrestling Hall of Fame is further along in this article. Here are this year's class members:
Mike Cronmiller Sr.
Induction is posthumous, passed away in 2019. Captain of the wrestling team at Marshall in the Rochester City School District, who went on to wrestle at Olivet College in Michigan, at the 1964 Olympic Trials and earn a doctorate degree. The late Mr. Cronmiller coached at international meets and at Monroe Community College, where he was a teacher. He started the Rochester Lilac Wrestling Club, plus coached in Section V at East Rochester and Livonia. A member of at least three other halls of fame.
Ken Juergens
Wrestled at Hilton through 1978, then at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was a colonel by the time he retired from the United States Army. Along the way, he coached two winners of the Commander-In-Chief Award competed for among the college sports teams at military academies.
Mike McInally
A high school state champion at Byron-Bergen in 2006, who was a runner-up in his two other appearances at states. Winner of three SuperSectional or state qualifier tournaments and four Section V class titles. A two-time All-American at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) after a pair of runner-up finishes at the NCAA Division III Championships.
Leo Rhodes
A wrestling official for 28 years and counting. He also has served as a key member of the Wrestling Officials Association of Section 5 and the United Sports Board Council, that negotiates contracts for game and contest officials with Section V. The founder of the City-Catholic Wrestling Association and the organization's Hall of Fame.
Dean Salvaggio
Coached teams at Webster Schroeder to 254 wins after he led teams at Greece Olympia. There were two state champions and 22 qualifiers for states overall during his time at Schroeder. A member of the City-Catholic League Wrestling Hall of Fame for his success on the mat at Cardinal Mooney High. Went on to become a three-time All-American at University at Buffalo, including once because he advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships final round.
Matt Sheldon
Coach at Hornell from 1988-2006, when 20 team members advanced to the high school state meet, including one who became a champion. Three teams won Section V class and league titles. Livingston County league and Hornell Hall of Fame member's teams had a record of 146 wins-36 losses-2 ties.
How to nominate for induction
A committee of Friends of Section 5 Wrestling members reviews nominations, consider where in Section V the individual is from - "there is a distribution" the committee wants, Marotta said - and selects the class of six.
Nomination forms are found at armdrag.com or can be received from Marotta.
"Or they can send in a resume," Marotta said. "As long as it gets to me, I present it to the committee."
Another wrestling spotlight
The following teams and individuals in Section V wrestling were recognized during SuperSectionals, the section's state meet qualifier at SUNY Brockport.
Ordiway Memorial Award presented by the Wrestling Officials Association of Section 5 (Outstanding wrestlers): Samson McKissick-Staley (Pittsford/Division I or large schools); Casper Stewart (Attica/Batavia/Division II).
Earl Fuller/Frank Marotta Sportsmanship: Churchville-Chili (Division I or large schools); Caledonia-Mumford (Division II).
Terry Justice Memorial (service to sport): Matt Smith, official
Don DeBadts Friend of Wrestling Memorial: Frank Marotta
James Johnson, a native of the city of Rochester and a graduate from the Rochester City School graduate, has worked as a full-time journalist covering high school sports for the Democrat and Chronicle since 1996. Follow him @jjDandC on Twitter. You can contact him at jamesj@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V Wrestling Hall of Fame announces 6 members of 2024 class
