INDUCTEE It became apparent very early in his freshman year that Joe Sinkovich was going to be something special. During that first season with head coach Joe Diminick, Sinko would establish new freshman records with his 80 attempts for 418 yards, a 124 yard single-game effort against Blue Mountain and 60 tackles as a starting linebacker. As a sophomore, Joe would become the first sophomore in MCA history to run for 1000 yards in a season with his 1129 yard effort – the 7th best in MCA history at the time. As a senior, Joe would lead a young Tornado team, in Whitey Williams first year as head coach, into the District XI Championship game with Allentown Central Catholic. An injury kept Joe out of the lineup and Big Red would lose by a 27-6 score. Sinkovich has racked up 3,097 rushing yards in his career and had become only the second back in MCA history (Gary Diminick was the first) to surpass 3000 yards. His total still ranks as the 4th best ever at MCA, while his 4,198 all purpose yards puts him in 7th position all time. Joe’s 347 career tackles still ranks 6th on the all-time list. Sinkovich was the first and only player to win the Mike Terry Award as a freshman and is one of only 2 players to win the award on three occasions. Following graduation in 1994, Joey enrolled at Wilkes University to play for head coach Joe DeMelfi. He made an immediate impact as a linebacker and was a four-year starter. He later played for MCA grad Frank Sheptock in 1996 and 1997. He was named to the All Freedom League as a linebacker. After graduating from Wilkes, Joe coached for one year at Wilkes-Barre Coughlin High School before moving on to Delaware Valley College during the 1999 season. He began coaching at Hamburg in 2000 and served as an assistant until 2004. In 2005, he took over the head coaching duties of a team that had won one game in 2004. In his first season the Hawks won 4 games and followed that up with an 8-3 season in 2006 and 7-4 in 2007. Prior to his taking over, the Hawks had not had a winning season in 20 years. He stayed on at Hamburg for 9 years, posting a 48-48 record, the only coach in Hawk history to not have a losing record. His teams made six playoff appearances during his 9 seasons and established new records for points scored in 2006 and again in 2011. Joe stepped down after the 2013 season. He is currently an assistant principal in the West Shore School District while making his home in York with his fiancee Katie Ahrensfield.

INDUCTEE It is hard to believe that it has been 30 years since Margot Guinan McDonnell starred at MCA, both on the track and in the hardwood. She would graduate from Mount Carmel Area in 1985 from one of the most prolific athletic classes in MCA history. It included Frank Bolick, Mike Diminick, Maria Fantanarosa, Jennifer Hutnick, Joanne Menapace, Rob Varano, and Angela Vaughn Farranato already elected to Ed Romance Chapter, and Lisa Balichick Varano, a future hall of famer. Diminick and Fantanarosa are also members of the state Hall of Fame. Margot was an integral part of the revitalization of the girls basketball program in the early 80’s along with new coach Deb Greco Perles, Lisa Balichick Varano, and Maria Fantanarosa. As freshmen, the Lady Tornadoes would go 9-17, but qualified for the open District IV tournament after a brutal year in Division One of the Schuylkill League. They would defeat Selinsgrove and Mifflinburg before losing to Lourdes Regional in the final by a 43-51 score. They would become the first MCA girls team to play in the state tournament and finished 11-19. As sophomores, it was more of the same, again losing in the District IV final to Loyalsock by 1 48-67 margin. The 83-84 season found the Tornadoes hitting their stride and finishing the season with a school-record 26 wins with 11 losses, finishing as the third place team in District IV. With Margot in her fourth year as the starting point guard, the Tornadoes finally overcame the last hurdle when they defeated Middleburg by a 71-70 score and the school’s first ever District IV basketball championship. The girls would earn MCA’s first state playoff win defeating Holy Name before eventually losing to Kutztown in the Eastern ¼ final. Along the way, McDonnell would register 853 assists, becoming the first female to pass the 500 mark. Margot also excelled in track, running the 400, 800, and 1600 meter runs along with the 4 x 400 and 4 x 800 meter relays. Her 4 x 800 meter relay team with Joanne Menapace, Tammy Trione, and Angela Vaughn would establish a new school record on the way to a 4th place medal at the 1985 PIAA state championship meet. The 9:42.8 was also a regional record at the time and was not surpassed at MCA until last season. The 1985 team won its first District IV Championship since 1976 under coaches Steve Lapotsky and Al Santos. Guinan also ran cross country with the Lady Tornadoes and, in the fall of 1984, helped the team to a second place finish in the District IV Championships and an 8th place spot at the PIAA State Championship Cross Country Meet. Margot is a 1989 graduate of Penn State University, with a degree in Labor and Industrial Relations. She began her career in human resources and retail management for Wanamakers Department Store then moved into Technology Sales and Management for several technology firms, including Oracle Corporation. For the past 20 years, Margot has been in IT Sales Management, and is currently owner/partner for BizTech, an Oracle consulting firm based out of King of Prussia, PA, with responsibilities for all aspects of business development, marketing, and sales, including managing Oracle business relationships. Margot lives in Doylestown, PA, with her husband Kevin, a 1983 graduate of Mount Carmel, and her children – son Luke (14 years old) and daughter Logan (11 years old). Margot has been coaching youth and CYO basketball for the past eight years, and supports numerous volunteer programs and foundations, including the Travis Manion Foundation and Basketball Buddies at the YMCA. Margot still runs, plays basketball, and does cross fit to stay active.

INDUCTEE Coming out of small Mount Carmel Catholic High School, Frank Luchnick had no idea as to the part he would play in reviving the football program at then Bloomsburg State Teacher’s College. In 1946, coach John Hoch took over the Huskies and led them to their finest season since 1935 with a 4-3-1 record. It was in 1947 when the move was made to hire Robert B. Redman as head coach. In his first year at the helm, Redman led the team to a 5-2 record, winning their last three games by a 71-19 score. In 1948 the Huskies enjoyed the first undefeated season in school history, going 9-0, burying the opposition 185 points to 19, recording 7 shutouts and tying University of California (Pa) for the mythical Teachers College Conference championship. Frank was a guard on both teams and was named to the Associated Press All-Teacher College football team for 1948. Following the season, Frank and teammate Tom Donan would become the first-ever Bloomsburg players to sign contracts with the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers for the then enormous salary of $3600. The 6’3”, 235 lb Luchnick was to report to the Steeler’s training camp at Alliance College in Cambridge Springs. Other notable Bloom players to sign have been Jahri Evans, Eric Jonassen, Mike Morucci, Bob Tucker, Bob Warner, and Elmer Kreisser. Despite also being recruited by the FBI at the time, he chose to complete his Masters Degree in Education at Bucknell University. He then began a career in education as an Accounting and English Teacher at Pottsville High School. He was assistant football coach under Bud Bostick and assistant track coach under the legendary Carlton “Pete” Sterner. One of his many players was the famous General George Joulwan, Commander in Chief of the United States Southern Command. He later became the Athletic Director at Pottsville and had much input into the completion of the “Mecca” – Martz Hall in Pottsville. After graduation from Mt. Carmel Catholic High School in 1943, Frank enlisted in the Marine Corps during WWII with the amphibious mechanized track landing forces. He spent time in the Asiatic and Pacific arenas and saw considerable action in Okinawa and Ryukyu Islands before his discharge in March of 1946. Frank would pass away in 1997 due to complications of diabetes. During his lifetime, he was the primary caretaker for his mother in Mount Carmel and served on the MOC Church Counsel. He is survived by sisters Rita and Barbara, a most personal friend, Mary Moran of Pottsville, and nieces and nephews in the Millville, PA and NJ areas. He also had a sibling (Sister Harold) who served as a Felician Nun for over 60 years prior to her passing.

INDUCTEE Edward Kupchick is one of those athletes who stood out among his peers and has had to wait a long time to finally be recognized as one of the greats. Edward payed both football and track and field at Kulpmont High School in the late 30’s and early 40’s. He was a three year letterman for coach Mike Terry in 1939, 40, and 41, helping the Wildcats to three consecutive winning seasons following the 1938 State Championship win over Ferndale by a 50-19 score. Heavy graduation losses left folks wondering if the Wildcats were to continue to be competitive. Kupchick and teammates Earl Dallabrida, Stan Maddish, Ed Kaminsky, Walt Jones and Al Barkowski made sure that they were. They won 18 games during the 39-41 period with 15 of them via shutout. They turned a 39-0 defeat at the hands of Mount Carmel in 1940 to a 12-0 victory in 1941 with Edward being an important cog. During the track season, Ed was one of the area’s outstanding weightmen, constantly competing against Mount Carmel’s Frank Zorica. Kupchick was always on the podium whether it was a dual meet, triangular meet or invitational. Kupchick helped Kulpmont to a second place finish in the 1942 District IV Track meet, beating Zorica in both the shot and discus, establishing a new Kulpmont record with a toss of 142’9”, surpassing the previous best by the great Steve Filipowicz. Slippery, rainy, and wet conditions at the state championship saw Ed fall to place as Zorica would go on to win the state championship with a 135 foot throw. Following graduation, Edward was a decorated United States Army veteran who served during World War II in the ETO. He was a member of the DAV and VFW Post #5447 Hall-Burke in Claymont, DE. He resided in Chester before moving to Wilmington, DE in 1965. He finally retired after 30 years of service with the Sun Oil Company. He was the husband of the late Alice (Evans) Kupchick who died in 1966 and Elizabeth (Risso) Kupchick who dies in 2007. Edward died on November 6, 2009 at the age of 86. He is survived by three sons: Edward Jr, Jame, and Thomas and 2 daughters Marianne Kupchick and Diane Mancini, as well as six grandchildren.

INDUCTEE Everyone believes that you have to get your kids involved in athletics at a young age in order to be competitive. Some start as early as 4 and 5 years of age. Walt Gronski can show you that it is never too late to begin your athletic career. Walt didn’t start running until the age of 46 in 1978 and has logged over 73,000 miles training and competing in various races. Sine he began, Walt has run in over 40 marathons – the 26 mile variety – including the world-famous Boston Marathon 15 times. His best time was 3 hours 3 minutes at the age of 56. He finished in the top 4 on 9 different occasions in his 40 marathons. He has not limited his time to marathons as he has run the Nickel City 50 miler in Buffalo, NY winning his age group in 7 hours and 57 minutes in 1983. He would win the USA track and field championship in his age group on 1984, also at the Nickel City. Walt also ran in the Strong Children’s Hospital 150k in 1984 at the University of Rochester and was awarded first place after completing 121k and all other runners had dropped out die to heat exhaustion. He had no incentive to continue with no competition and temperatures over 100 degrees and 87% humidity. Walt did win the Strong Children’s Hospital 24 hour run in 1995, completing 104 miles and finishing first over all age groups. He also won USA track and Field Championship 24 hour run, completing 94 miles and winning his age group in 1997. He also established a US age group record of 4 hours 37 minutes in a 50k in Rochester, NY in 1994. Walt is currently the US age group record holder in the 100k, 100 mi and 24 hr run. Earlier in his career, Walt completed 3 races in 24 hours – winning the 5 mile Bloomfield Run on May 22, 1982 at 8am, taking first in the Williamson 10k in May 22 at 6om and finishing 2nd place in the Human 10k race on May 23, 1982. Gronski also helped to establish a new record in the Run Across America relay from San Francisco to Coney Island in 16 days. Prior to his running days, Walt Bench Pressed 400 pounds and squatted 620 pounds at the age of 24 in the 181 lb class. He recently established the Florida Senior games bench press record in the 165 lb class. Following graduation from Mount Carmel High School in 1949, Walt was an army medical technologist and Korean War veteran with 3 battle stars. He graduated from Ft Sam Houston Medical center and Air Force clinical Laboratory school and spent 37 years at the Genesee Hospital Clinical Labs in Rochester, NY, including 23 as the clinical chemistry supervisor. He and his wife Linda are parents to 3 sons, Robert, John, and Paul, and currently makes his home in Florida.

INDUCTEE Whenever athletics at Mount Carmel Area High School are discussed, coaching legends Joe Jazz Diminick and Gerald Breslin are always included in the discussion. Today’s inductee Angela Farranato has earned her way into the conversation by virtue of her 368 varsity wins in cross country boys, girls cross, and girls track. Diminick remains number one at MCA with his total of 378 (267 football and 11 track) with Mr. B in 3rd with 294 wins (132 track and 162 in cross). Farranato has recorded a 131-53 mark with the boys, 127-65 with the girls and a 110-27 mark with girls track. Farranato’s coaching career began in 1990 as the cross country leader for both girls and boys and proceeded to put up a 12-0 mark and her first Schuylkill Interscholastic League Championship. She followed that up in 1991 with a District XI Championship and 6th place finish at the PIAA Championship meet. Her girls teams would go on to win 6 SIAL Championships before she retired in 2008. She would produce 2 state medalists in Carisa Michalowski and Denise Kijewski. On the boys side, Farranato would produce 9 SIAL Championships on the way to her 131-63 record. Pete Dray also would earn a state medal. Farranato also led the girls track program from 1995 to 2011, racking up 110 wins and only 276 loses. Her teams would be undefeated from 1997-2000, winning 4 SIAL Championships in that period. She would produce a number of state medalists, including Jayme Meredith, Jen Minnig, Becky Morgan, Erica Genaria, Rosa Jarvis, Denise Kijewski, and Meghan VanDoren. Farranato began her running career at MCA, earning 4 letters in cross and 4 in track. As captain of the 1984 cross country team, Angela helped the team to a District IV 2nd place finish and concluded with an 8th place spot in the PIAA State Championship meet. Angela also helped a resurgent track program as a two-year captain to their first District IV Championship since 1976 in 1985. Ang was a District Champion in the 3200 meter run and a 3rd place finisher in the 1500 meter run. She was also a part of the record setting 4 x 800 meter District Championship team along with Margot Guinan, Joanne Menapace, and Tammy Trione. Their 9:48.8 mark gave them a 4th place medal at the PIAA State meet and stood until 2014. Her 11:53 mark in the 3200 meter run stood until 1997. Following her graduation from MCA in 1985, Farranato earned a B.S. in Biology Education from Temple University, her masters from Wilkes University in 2002, and Principal Certification from Indiana University in 2008. She served as a biology instructor at MCA from 1990 until 2008, assistant principal until 2011, before moving on as a principal at Southern Columbia until 2014 and is currently the principal at Oaklyn Elementary in the Shikellamy School District. Angela and her husband Mike are the parents of 4 children: Marissa, a senior at Wilkes University, Dominic, a junior at MCA, Dylan, an 8th grade student and Michael, a 5th grade student.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT On Saturday, December 10, 1994, Mike Boyer, Joel Gonzalo, Corey Hepler, Eric Higgins, Mike Higgins, Shawn Jayman, Joe Scicchitano, and Brett Veach walked off the field at Mansion Park in Altoona as the 1994 PIAA State Football Champions. ON Monday Dec. 12th, that group, along with teammates Jared Bender, Jamie Bressi, Adam Czponis, Ken Pizzoli, Brandon Ulceski, Jeff VanDoren, Jed Gonzalo, Mike Boylan, and Ray Rothermel would defeat Shenandoah Valley by a score of 94 to 49 to give head coach John McKay his 100th victory in his short time at Mount Carmel Area. The 95 team would win the Holiday River Tournament for the second consecutive year with their 50 to 40 victory over Selinsgrove in the final. Gonzalo was named the tournament MVP with Mike Higgins and Hepler also named to all-tournament squad. Although the start seemed very encouraging, it took a while for the Tornadoes to settle on a consistent lineup and for McKay to define their roles. After 14 games, their record stood at 8-6, but were starting to get into basketball shape. After a big 66-56 win over Shamokin, Coach McKay felt they were starting to come around. Hepler and Gonzalo scored 20 points each, Bender 19 and Ulceski 15, in a huge 81-61 win over a very good Lourdes team. The Tornadoes would go 9 and 1 the rest of the way and finish the regular season at 17-7 to qualify for the District XI playoffs. In their opening game, the Tornadoes were led by Jared Bender’s 15 points and Hepler’s 12 and went on to defeat Penn Argyl by an 80-53 score to advance into the semi finals. The Tornadoes would draw the number pne seed from Salisbury, and, in a back and forth contest, were led by Gonzalo’s 24 points, including 5 treys, and Ulceski’s 13, as they outlasted the Falcons by a 58-51 score. The win set up a rematch with the Tornadoes and the Catasauqua Rough Riders in the championship game. This was the same Catasauqua team that was defeated by the Big Red football team three months earlier in the District XI football championship game by a 19-0 score. In the championship game at Martz Hall, the Tornadoes used a defensive switch in the second half to hold off the Roughies by a 62-57 score. Gonzalo led the Tornadoes with 19, including 12 of 14 from the line, followed by Ulceski with 11 and Bressi and Bender with 10 and Hepler with 9. The win included great efforts from VanDoren, Higgins, Veach, and Jayman. It was the second District XI Championship for the Tornadoes, following up their 1991 effort. The Tornadoes would advance into state play and defeated Garnet Valley by a score of 72-60, also at Martz Hall. Gonzalo again paced Big Red with 20 points and 11 assists, followed by Bender with 18 and Ulceski with 14. Bressi dominated the boards with 9 rebounds. In the Eastern quarterfinal, the Tornadoes were defeated by a terrific and experienced Delone Catholic team by a 77-62 score. The Squires dominated the boards by a 44-27 margin and were quicker off the floor. The Tornadoes finished the season with a 13-2 run and ended with a 21-8 record and second District Championship. The 21 wins rank as the second most in MCA history, behind the 27 in 1980. The 1995 Tornadoes “team first” attitude exemplified by it being the only one of MCA’s 7 District Championship teams (5 girls-2 boys) to not have a 1000 point scorer. Following the season, Gonzalo was named to the first team Reading Eagle All Anthracite team with Hepler grabbing a 4th team spot. All in all, the Tornadoes completed an extraordinary run from a late start to a District XI Championship. It would be Coach McKay’s last game after 7 successful seasons at MCA, winning 2 District championships and playing for two others.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT The hall would like to recognize Zack Tocyloski on the achievement of reaching 1000 points during his basketball career at Mount Carmel Area High School. Zack becomes only the 12th player in MCA history to surpass the plateau, joining Tom Vershinski, Al Klokis, Bob Zavarick, Jed Karpinski, Paul Szymanski, Ron Zaleski, Mark Vottero, John Christian, Mike Zosh, Tim Watgo, and Shawn Collier. His record setting performance came in dramatic fashion as he hit a three for this milestone point in a game against Central Columbia. He then deliberately missed a foul shot, got a pass from Lee Amarose after the rebound, and hit a three at the buzzer, giving MCA a 53-52 win over the Blue Jays. Zack has been a three-year starter for Coach Lazicki and has helped the Tornadoes to qualify for the playoffs in all three years. The Tornadoes had wins over Williamson in 2013 and Bloomsburg in 2015. This past year, Zack established a new single season record for three point goals with 84, in addition to, a new single game mark with 7. He surpassed Collier’s mark of 54 back in the 2003 season. His career total of 173 surpasses the 150, also set by Collier. Tocyloski’s totals also helped the team to establish a new record for threes in a season with 145 and threes in a game with 10. His 494 points scored during the 2015 season is the most since Chris McCarthy put up 597 during the 1991 championship season and ranks as the 8th best at MCA. His per game average of 20.583 is the best since McCarthy’s 20.586. He was named to the Heartland Conference all star team in 2014 and 2015. Zack has also been a four year starter for Mount Carmel Area baseball, spending time at shortstop, second base, and occasionally on the mound. He has also completed his core courses at MCA and attends the A.C.E. program at Bloomsburg University. After graduation, he plans to attend Bloomsburg University to major in accounting and hopes to play baseball. He is the son of Sandy Nye of Natalie and Robert Tocyloski of Kulpmont.

RUSS AND JO ANN CESARI SCHOLARSHIP Christian Kelley fits perfectly into the criteria established by Russ and Jo Ann Cesari for their scholarship – an MCA lineman who has distinguished himself in the classroom as well as on the field. He must be accepted into an institution of higher learning. Christian is currently ranked fourth in his class and has received a scholarship to continue his athletic career at Cornell University for coach David Archer. Kelley has been a four-year letterman for coach Carmen Defrancesco, playing at a number of positions including offensive guard, tackle, tight end, fullback, slot receiver, wide receiver, defensive tackle, defensive end, and outside linebacker. He contributed in a number of ways, but he did his best work as a defensive player. He racked up 180 tackles – 75 solo, 105 assisted – with 23 of those for loss. He added 8 quarterback sacks for 40 yards lost, recovered 4 defensive fumbles, had 2 interceptions and 2 pass break ups. He also added 37 receptions for 628 yards and 5 TD’s in his career. For his efforts, he was named honorable mention AA All State by Pennsylvania Football News and PIAA Eastern PA Football.com. He was named to the first team by the Republican Herald and to a number of other area publications. He was awarded the Kiwanis Club Award as this year’s scholar athlete at the annual Rotary Banquet. He has been ranked the 65th player in the state of PA by 24/7 Sports.com and 108th Tight end in the nation by 24/7 Sports.com. Following the 2013 season, Kelley was invited to attend the 2013 Rivals Ultimate 250 Nationwide in Dallas, Texas. He has been recruited by Cornell as an inside linebacker. Christian has also been a two-year letterman with MCA basketball, winning the Scholar Athlete Award following the 2014 season. He has been a major contributor to MCA track, lettering all four years. He would anchor the 4 x 100 relay team, including Nick Troutman, Eric Joraskie, and Elijah Duran to a District gold medal in 2013 with a time of 43.85. He also placed fourth in 2014 running a 15.84 in the 110 meter high hurdles. He has also run an 11.11 100 meter and has thrown the shot. Christian was named to the second team Heartland Conference in the hurdles, 4 x 100 and 100 meters. He was named the Ed Romance Chapter Athlete for August. IN addition to his high rank, Christian is a member of the National Honor Society, National Athletic Honor Society, was named Rotary Student of the Month for September, Elks Student of the Month for March, 2014, and is a member of the Spanish Club, Calculus Club, and Tech Ed Club. He has volunteered his services to the Special Olympics and the Children’s Miracle Network. Kelley, who is the son of Angela and Rob Kelley, will pursue a double major at Cornell in Chemistry and Economics.

MICHAEL FRANCIS MYCHAK TORNADO HERITAGE AWARD Isabella Stellar has been selected as the second-ever winner of the Mychak Tornado Heritage Award given to a student athlete who excels in the classroom, on the playing fields and has shown exceptional pride in representing Mount Carmel Area High School. Ms. Stellar has been chosen by her peers as their class president in both her junior and senior years, in addition to being elected treasurer as a freshman. She has been a four year member of Student Council. Isabella can be seen regularly on WKMC-TV, the shcool’s local news channel, where she is a News Anchor, reporter and writer. She is a member of the National Honor Society and National Athletic Honor Society. She has been an Elks Student of the month in 2013 and 2014 and was chosen the 2014 Homecoming Queen for Mount Carmel Football. She has been a four-year member of the Big Red Marching Band and the Mount Carmel Area Symphonic Band, playing the flute, french horn, and melephone. She is a member of the Senior High Chorus and has participated in a number of MCA Theater Productions including “Grease”, Legally Blonde, and this year’s Bye Bye Birdie. Stellar has volunteered with the Think Big Dance Marathon, Four Diamonds MiniThon, Lions Club Meals on Wheels, Hoops for Heart, school clothes collections and collections for local food banks. She is a member of Holy Angels Church in Kulpmont where she is also a member of the choir, Church Youth Group and is a picnic volunteer. Athletically Izzy has been a four-year letter winner with MCA soccer and a senior captain. She has played almost every position, including striker, mid fielder, defender, and goal keeper when called upon. She has been an essential part of coach Lisa Varano’s Lady Tornado basketball program that has won three consecutive District IV Championships, four consecutive Heartland Division II Championships and one overall Heartland Conference Crown. The 2015 team placed third in District IV and moved on to the state tournament for the 6th consecutive year. The 98 wins in the four-year period mark the most ever for the Lady Tornadoes. Stellar has also earned four varsity letters with MCA track and has been a District IV qualifier in 2012, 2013, 2014 in the javelin and a 2014 qualifier in the shot. She has only recently been named to the Ed Romance Chapter Athlete of the Month for March. Isabella is the daughter of Ed and Shelly Stellar of Kulpmont and is currently enrolled in Bloomsburg University’s ACE Program – college level courses and credits. Her future plans are to attend Temple University and its College of Communications to study Media Communications.