2023 Inductees

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Michelle Miller
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Alexandrea Artise - 2013
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Alexandrea Artise - 2013
Girls Basketball ~ Girls Cross Country ~ Girls Track & Field
Alex graduated in 2013 and was a decorated three sport-athlete at North East High School. She participated in Basketball, Cross Country, and Track & Field. She was a very passionate and determined scholar athlete who excelled in both the classroom and on the court. She was a 4 year starter for the Varsity Girls' basketball team. She continues to hold the All Time Leading Scoring Record with 1454 points and also the All Time Leading Assist Record with 333 Assists. Over her career, she had 1454 points, 898 rebounds, 333 assists, 273 steals, and 76 blocks. Alex received her Varsity Letter for all 4 years. She was 2nd Team All Region her freshman year and 1st Team All Region her sophomore, junior, and senior year. Her junior and senior year she was 1st Team all District. She was also D-10 Player of the Year and 2nd Team All State her senior year. Alex led her team to win the 2013 D-10 Championship, which was the second time in school history. Her senior year her team was 23-4, and overall, they were 77-25. With the multiple tournaments her team played in, she was four-time MVP of Oil City Tournament and Saegertown Tournament as well as All Tournament Team. Alex was a true leader on and off the floor and was nominated for the Leadership Award, MVP, and Most Outstanding in all 4 years.
            Alex also participated in Cross Country and lettered all 4 years. Her freshman year she was 2nd Team All Region, Region 4 Team Champions, Team State Qualifiers, and the MVP of the season. Her sophomore year she was again 2nd Team All Region, Team State Qualifier, and received the Tradition Award. Her junior year she was 1st Team All Region (5th place) and received the Tradition Award. Her senior year she was 1st Team All Region (4th place), an Individual State Qualifier, and Most Outstanding.
            Alex participated in Track & Field her freshman and senior year and she Varsity lettered both years. Her freshman year her team was Region 4 Champions and her 4x4 Relay Team qualified for States. Her Senior year she went out for Javelin for the first time and excelled. She took 2nd at Districts for Javelin and was a State Qualifier (13th place) and her 4x4 Relay Team placed 5th at Districts. She was named Most Valuable Thrower and Most Outstanding her senior year.
            Academically, Alex received other awards as well, including- National Honors Society, Pauline Pacileo Fortuna Scholarship Award 2013, T.J Guthleben Community Service Award 2013, Amelia Earhart Leadership Award 2013
            Following NEHS, Alex received a full ride scholarship to play basketball at Mercyhurst University. She was a 4-year starter and was named the 2016-2017 PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year (1st time in school history). Her senior year, her team made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAAs. Her career statistics include 733 points, 437 rebounds, 188 assists, and 93 steals. Alex received her Bachelors of Science in 2017 and then received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2020 at Daemen College. Alex’s passion for sports, especially basketball, continues. Alex has the pleasure of treating young athletes as well as opportunities of individual coaching for basketball. She will always have a love for the game and uses the principles she has learned from basketball into her everyday life.
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Michelle Miller
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Alex Beardsley 2010
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Alex Beardsley 2010
Alex Beardsley, 2010
Alex is a 2010 graduate of the North East High School and was fortunate to have had the opportunity to run Cross-country and track for the legendary Coach Ted Miller.  
As a North East Grapepicker, Alex was a member of the 2007 Boy’s AA state championship team. In his junior year, Alex led the Grapepickers to a third-place finish at the state meet while finishing fifth overall as an individual. As the captain of the cross-country team his senior year, he led the team to an overall eighth-place finish while as an individual he was third in the state. Rounding out his cross-country career at the North East High School, Alex achieved four state medals, two-time All-State honors, two-time first-team all-district, and still holds the home course cross-country record, 16:00.  
Mike Copper of the Erie Times once wrote at the start of Alex’s senior year that he is easy to pick out on a cross- country course: “The list of entries who sport dreadlocked hair; colorful headbands, and vintage eyeglasses is a list of one.” Alex certainly lived up to the preseason hype in his senior year as he piled up victories in dual meets and invitationals including the prestigious PIAA Foundation Invitational in Hershey. He dominated the Slippery Rock Invitational and set a record at the Blue Devil Invitational meet in Sharpsville.  
Alex also excelled in track for coach Miller and ran numerous events including the 800, 1600, 3200 relay, and the 3200 meter run. On the track Alex would add three more PIAA state level medals, two as a member of the always competitive North East boys 4 X 800 relay and a gold medal as the individual 3200 meter run champion.  
Alex is a graduate of Edinboro University with a degree in Sports Administration and has worked for the last eight years in the craft brewing industry. He resides in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. 
Alex is honored to be part of the North East Hall of Fame family and would like to congratulate all the class of 2023 inductees. His many thanks to his family and his coaches especially coach Ted Miller: “Go get ‘em, tiger!” 
 
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Michelle Miller
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Cuyler Cunningham -- 1993
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Cuyler Cunningham -- 1993
Cuyler Cunningham       
Boys Basketball
Induction Year: 2023
Graduation Year: 1993
 
Cuyler Cunningham was a four-year letter winner in basketball for North East High School from 1989-1993.  Cuyler continued his basketball career at the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated as an Officer in the United States Army in 1998.  While at North East High School, Cuyler broke the previous career scoring record of 1,414 points, ending his career with a total of 1,555.  Averaging double digits in scoring, and rebounding, his scoring title still stands today.  Cuyler started as a freshman and was a multi-year All-county and All-state selection.  He was selected to play on the Keystone State and Western PA All-star AAU teams.  He continues to remain in the Top-10 of all scorers throughout Erie County.   
Upon graduation from North East, Cuyler went on to play at West Point.  After graduation, from West Point Cuyler stayed on as a Graduate Assistant Coach for the Men’s Basketball Program.
After Cuyler’s playing career and his time spent in the military, Cuyler has held numerous executive level leadership jobs for large global and multi-national companies allowing him to work and travel all over the world. 
Cuyler attributes all of his success to the people that pushed him early in his life and push him now to work tirelessly, to be a leader, and to strive for success; which includes all of his teammates, coaches, teachers, his father Craig and all the hours spent together in the gym and driveway, his Mom Ethelynne, his biggest fan and supporter, and most importantly his wife Christine and Colin, Warren, Whitney, Cayleigh, Gavan and Ava.
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Michelle Miller
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Lori Haas -- 1989
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Lori Haas -- 1989
Lori Haas NEHS Graduate-1989
Lori was a four-sport athlete at NEHS. She was a two year varsity starter for basketball earning All County and Most Outstanding player her senior year. She was also a key member of the 1986/87 D10 Championship team, also being inducted into the HOF.   Lori holds the school records for points made in a game (38) and season (563) as well as rebounds in a game (24) and season (384).  She also excelled in softball as a four-year varsity starter, earning Honorable mention All County, 1st Team All County, and Most Outstanding player accolades. Lori also played volleyball and soccer.
Lori had a mix of excellent coaches through her career: (Joe Craig, Richard Gregg & Matt Shesman – Basketball; Carol Fletcher, Sherry Elchynski, Charlie Piotrowski – Softball; and Sherry Elchynski for Volleyball). Each of them had a lasting impact on her success in sports and helped channel her competitive drive. Lori went on to run the Biddy Basketball program for several years and also coached middle school and junior high girls’ basketball for a few years. 
Today, in her 31 years at Erie Insurance, she coaches and mentors Technology analysts.  She credits her professional success to her experiences of being part of many different athletic teams and learning how to build meaningful relationships that drive positive results.
However, her favorite team that she’s ever been a part of, is her family…   Without their love, support, encouragement, and honest (sometimes harsh) advice, she would not be the person she is today.
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Michelle Miller
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Todd Luke
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Todd Luke
Todd Luke was an outstanding pole vaulter for North East High School. Todd started vaulting in 8^th grade and cleared 10 feet, which was outstanding for that age group. After tearing out his ankle and missing his freshman season, he went on to become a two-time state champion in his career. In his Junior year, Todd was the PIAA Indoor State Champion in the Pole Vault and PIAA Outdoor Champion as well. His sophomore, junior, and senior years, he was Erie County champion, District 10 champion, and three-time medal winner in the PIAA State Championships.  At the time of his induction to the hall of fame in 2023, he currently holds the North East High School record for pole vault with a height of 15 feet that he set in 1999.
Todd was a three-year letterman in track and field. Todd also lettered in Diving on the swim team and in Basketball his Senior Year. An interesting and astounding event happened at the ECL track championships Todd’s Senior year. The meet was possible to win by the North East team, but the coaches felt NE was points shy of maybe winning.  Todd stepped up and said he could run the high hurdles. With less than a week’s work on high hurdles, Todd made the finals and finished in second place for the team. 
 
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Michelle Miller
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Sara McClure Weber-- 1999
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Sara McClure Weber-- 1999
Sara McClure Weber was a four-time District 10 qualifier during her time at North East. She was also a part of the 2-time ECL championship swim team in 1997 and 1998.  During her four year high school swimming career, she held two school records.  The 200 medley relay record was broken in 1998 and the 200 freestyle relay record was broken in 1999. Her freshman year, her team named her Rookie of the Year.  To conclude her swim season her senior year, she was named first-team All-County and the Erie Times named her one of the “Spectacular Six” in swimming.  
Mrs. Weber also was involved with the volleyball program for all four years and lettered in the sport for all four years.   She was named Most Outstanding her junior year.  From 1997-99 she had the record for most digs in a career, which numbered 465.  She was a member of the track team for three years.  During track she participated in the district meet for all three of those years.
Mrs. Weber excelled in the classroom, also.  She received an award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement in Physical Education her freshman year.  She was also inducted into the National Honor Society in her sophomore year.  During her junior year, she was inducted into Quill and Scroll.  At the end of her Junior year and start of Senior year she was crowned Apple Queen and had the pleasure of attending the PA Farm Show, where she was able to meet and speak with Governor Ridge.
Mrs. Weber attended Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and during that time was a member of four PSAC championship swim teams. As part of the Lady Eagle Swim Team, Mrs. Weber and her team were recognized by The House of Representatives for having the highest nationwide combined GPA among NCAA women’s swimming teams in Division II and the fourth-highest nationwide combined GPA among all NCAA women’s and men’s swimming teams in all divisions. During her college years, she had the opportunity to work camps at the University of Michigan where she studied under Bob Bowman and Jim Richardson, leaders and great coaches for swimming.  Their philosophies inspired and encouraged her decision to pursue training to swim across Lake Erie.
Mrs. Weber had the distinction of swimming across Lake Erie in 2005 and setting a record, at that time, for the fastest and youngest female swimmer to successfully make the journey across the lake. She was recognized for this accomplishment by receiving a citation from The House of Representatives. 
Mrs. Weber first started her teaching career in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  While she was there, she was able to teach health and physical education.  Her extra-curricular consisted of being an assistant volleyball and swimming coach for the high school.  She also was a volleyball coach for a club in the Bethlehem area and led the Hanover summer swim team to a championship in 2009.  From there she has found her home at Central York in York, Pennsylvania as a health and physical education teacher, providing swim instruction for elementary and high school students.  She has been a coach for Central York aquatics from 2009-2013, HS swim coach for 2010-2012 seasons, HS assistant coach for cross country for six years, and has been involved with the YoungLife program for the past 3 years.
Being an athlete is something that has stayed with Mrs. Weber her whole life.  She has trained and run in a triathlon and multiple half marathons and a full marathon.  Staying healthy and teaching others how to live a healthy and active lifestyle are major life goals for her.  She maintains this active lifestyle with her husband and 2 children through soccer, recreational running, baseball, and any other sport that her children choose to participate in.  Athletics will continue to play a huge part in her life.
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Michelle Miller
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Shirley Bindley Wuenschel-- 1964
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Shirley Bindley Wuenschel-- 1964
Shirley Bindley Wuenschel was an international Paralympics medalist in the 1960s. At age 5, she was stricken with polio, was paralyzed in both legs, and spent nine months in Zem Zem Shriners Hospital. From then on, she operated from leg braces and crutches or a wheelchair, but that didn’t stop her from attending North East schools and exploring the athletics that were available to her. By age 10, she was a proficient swimmer. After graduating from NEHS in 1964 and attending the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Hospital in Johnstown to study accounting, she entered the wheelchair athletics program there. Soon, entered in the Class C division (for individuals paralyzed from the waist down), she won medals and trophies in state, national and international competitions in the early days of Paralympics competition.
In 1965, she entered competitions in Indiana and New York, winning medals in the javelin, the shot put, the 50 yard dash and backstroke swimming. Later that summer, with financial support from North East and the area, she qualified for and competed in the International Paralympics games in London, winning more gold medals (six) than any other athlete—not just from the U.S. but the world. She set a world record for the discus throw with a toss of 49’2”.  Her golds were in the discus, the Indian club throw, the breast stroke (25 meters), the freestyle back stroke (25 meters), the freestyle front swim (25 meters), and an unspecified relay. In addition, in that London competition, she won silvers in the javelin and shot put and two bronze medals in the 60 yard dash and the slalom. Shirley was one of 50 Americans and 360 athletes competing in the games. Beyond the fundraising push from her hometown, Shirley returned to be honored with “Shirley Bindley Day,” a luncheon, and a parade in her honor.
She continued to participate in these sports and won medals in the November 1968 International Paralympics games held in Tel Aviv, Israel.  She won bronze in the javelin, discus, and as a member of the women’s basketball team. She snagged fourth in the backstroke and 6^th in the breaststroke. In November 1969’s International Paralympics held in Buenos Aires, Argentina­­­, Shirley scored two silvers in the pentathlon and on the women’s basketball team and two bronze medals in the 50 meter breast stroke and medley swim as well as two fourth place finishes in the shot put and discus and a fifth in the javelin.  Shirley often gave demonstrations of her techniques and presented slide shows of her international travels and competitions.  She had a long career as a bookkeeper, most recently at the Achievement Center in Erie and died in October 2015.
Thank you to Amanda McGrory, Archivist and Collections Curator of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and to Dick Tefft of the North East Historical Society for contributions. More information was found in the electronic archives of The Erie Times-News and The North East Breeze available at the Blasco and McCord libraries.
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Michelle Miller
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