Seven Newark stars heading into Hall of Fame
The Newark High School Athletic Hall of Fame is adding seven of the best athletes in school history.
David Marzano, Dave Froelich, Michael Black Sr., Natalie (Yost) Prescott, Keith Dillon, Greg Avery and Tana Barrett will be inducted this weekend. Those former Wildcats will be honored between Saturday’s reserve and varsity boys basketball games against Mount Vernon at 5:30 p.m.
Marzano, a 1960 graduate, twice earned Central Ohio League honors in football and basketball, also earning All-Ohio honors his senior season in basketball, leading the Wildcats to an 18-4 record and a district championship. Marzano, who also was an accomplished youth baseball player in Babe Ruth and American Legion organizations and played football at Indiana and Baldwin-Wallace, joins his uncle Al Marzano in the NHS Hall of Fame.
Froelich, a 1963 graduate, was a star baseball player for the Wildcats before attending Ohio State and signing a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. Froelich, who founded and coached the Licking County Athletics to Babe Ruth and American Legion national runner-up finishes, is a big supporter of the NHS baseball program, including awarding an annual scholarship along with his wife Pam.
Black, a 1973 graduate, twice earned COL honors as a running back for the Wildcats and was selected to the North-South and Big 33 All-Star games. Black later assisted coach Hoss Starr in the NHS football program and was active in youth sports.
Dillon, a 2006 graduate, helped the football Wildcats win back-to-back Ohio Capital Conference-Ohio Division championships, earning first-team honors as a senior. On the wrestling mat, Dillon was Licking County champion, team MVP and a Division I state alternate at 189 pounds.
Prescott, a 2006 graduate, was track team MVP for three seasons for the Wildcats, a two-time OCC-Ohio champion and a two-time Division I state qualifier. Prescott, who later starred at Otterbein, holds the NHS records for the 100 (12.33) and 200 (25.6).
Avery, a 2008 graduate, twice earned OCC-Ohio and All-Ohio honors and was named District 11 Player of the Year as a senior, leading the Wildcats to the Division I state championship, totaling 33 points and 11 rebounds in the final against Lakewood St. Edward. Avery, who played collegiately at Western Carolina and Findlay, ranks in the top five in six NHS categories, including third in season scoring (540) and fifth in career scoring (1,131).
Barrett, a 2016 graduate, earned 11 varsity letters for the Wildcats, earning OCC-Ohio honors in volleyball, basketball and track. Before competing at Ohio University, Barrett was a two-time state qualifier in the high jump and an OCC and district champion on the track, and she still holds the NHS record in the 300 hurdles (45.31).
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Seven Newark Wildcats stars heading into Hall of Fame
