2017 Inductees

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Becky Berzonski Ogden
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Becky Berzonski Ogden
Becky was an outstanding female golfer for North East High School from 1997-2001 and continued her love of golf by accepting a four-year Athletic Scholarship to play collegiate golf for the University of North Carolina - Wilmington from 2001-2005. At NEHS, she was a four-year letter winner for golf, received MVP honors all four years, and qualified for the District 10 Golf Championships all four years, placing 3rd as a freshman, 2nd as a sophomore, and 1st place her junior and senior years. In turn, she qualified for tournament play all four years for the PIAA State Girls Golf Championship at Penn State's famed Blue & White courses, finishing in 3rd Place individually at the State Championship in 2000. In addition to high school golf, Becky played in numerous local, state, regional, and national junior golf tournaments. She was the overall girls' winner in the 1998 North Coast/Plain Dealer Jr. Golf Tournament; three-time Western New York PGA Junior winner in 1999 and qualified for and played in the Junior World Golf Championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA in 1999. Additionally, during 2000, she won 1st Place in a PGA Jr. Series golf tournament in State College, PA, and won 1st Place in the AJGA Monroe, NC. Locally, Becky was a two-time 1st Place EDWGA (Erie District Women's Golf Association) tournament champion in 1999 & 2002. Becky went on to play golf at Division I ranked University of North Carolina Wilmington, claiming five collegiate wins, (12) Top 5 finishes, and (16) Top 10 finishes. She led the college team to three Big South titles, and she was named to the Big South Conference All-Decade golf team in 2014. In addition, she was a four-time NCAA Regional Championship qualifier and was named the Big South Player of the Year in 2004. Becky was chosen three times as an All-American Scholar by the National Golf Coaches Association. During her senior year at UNCW in 2005, she was the UNCW Chancellors Cup Award recipient for academics/sports. After college, Becky turned professional and played for two years on the LPGA Futures/Symetra tour with one Top 10 finish in 2005 and ranked #1 in putting on the tour in 2006. She was inducted into the Erie Metropolitan chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Now as a mother of two, she is teaching her eldest daughter to play golf.
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Bob Heiden
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Bob Heiden
Bob Heiden was one of the most distinguished athletes to come out of North East High School. He excelled at Football, Basketball, and Track, lettering in each sport for three years. Bob played on the undefeated Erie County Championship football team his junior year. He then took the helm as quarterback his senior year in 1968 and led the Grape Pickers to a Co-County Championship. Bob was a “dual threat” quarterback and an offensive powerhouse on the field. Under his leadership, the Grape Pickers scored a massive 285 points during the regular season. Bob also started as a defensive back his senior year. The Pickers defense only allowed 25 points in nine games, shutting out six teams during that season. Bob set the single-season record for most interceptions (7) that year. He was well known for his play on the field but always credited his teammates for the success of the team. Bob earned 1st Team All-County quarterback during his senior year, was one of four Captains, and played in the “Save an Eye” All-Star game. Bob also started as a guard on the North East basketball team and was known for his long range shooting ability and speed. He helped lead his team to a county championship his junior and senior years. The Grape Pickers made it to the western quarterfinals both years Bob started and advanced to the western finals his senior year. In track, Bob was County Champ in the 180 yard low hurdles and is 2nd all-time with a time of 21.9. He was also on the 880 relay team that was County and District 10 Champions and held the school record until 1998. Unsurprisingly, Bob was voted “most athletic” his senior year of high school and is still considered to be one of the best quarterbacks to ever play at North East High School. He went on to play football at the collegiate level for the University of Pittsburgh and finished his college career at Miami University of Ohio. Bob was recognized as a scholarly athlete at both institutions.
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Bradlee Foerschner Zavala
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Bradlee Foerschner Zavala
Bradlee Foerschner Zavala, a 2005 graduate of North East High School, was a decorated three-sport athlete. Participating in volleyball, basketball, and track and field, she was a passionate scholar-athlete who found her drive and determination on the court or in the throwing circle. Foerschner received many accolades for her athletic achievement, most notably winning the PIAA AA State Championship in the Girls Shot Put in 2004. In addition to her state championship, she was also the District 10 shot put champion, the ECL shot put champion, and first-team All-County in 2003, 2004, and 2005 and finished 13th at the USA Jr. National Championship. She was a recipient of the TJ Guthleben Community Service Award presented by the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and a nominee for the Pauline Pacileo Scholarship. She went on to continue her athletic career at Penn State University, where she competed in the hammer throw and shot put. While at Penn State, Foerschner was a part of one of the most talented track and field teams in Penn State history, a team accomplishing three Big Ten Championships during her time. Foerschner also held records on the volleyball court for many years after her graduation including career assists, season kills and career kills with a 6-2 offense. She received all-county honors for volleyball in 2003 and 2004 and in 2005 received both first-team all-county and first-team all-region honors. Foerschner was voted Most Outstanding Volleyball Player in 2004 and 2005. She was also a 4-year letter winner for the Lady Grape Pickers basketball team, Foerschner was a 3-year varsity starter and helped lead the Lady Pickers to a top playoff finish in 2004. Bradlee Foerschner Zavala continues her athletic involvement in the volleyball community in California and is an avid indoor and beach player. She also coaches volleyball and track and field and is passionate about passing on the lessons learned through sport to younger generations.
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Dickie Russell
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Dickie Russell
Dickie Russell was a three-sport athlete in cross country, basketball, and track at North East High School. His real accomplishments came after leaving NEHS. Dickie served on the Erie Police Force for many years and was well respected by his peers and the Erie Community. He also served for six years in the United States Marine Corp. Dickie became a coach in Erie at St. Lukes and coached girls basketball there for 7 years and compiled an impressive 211-27 won-loss record. He also coached the CYO High School girls to a 44-9 Record. He ended up at Villa Maria High School and coached JV and Varsity teams to an 89-16 record. While there, he coached the team to a Metro Title and District 10 Championship. He also coached for two years at East High School. He coached both Varsity and JV and compiled a won/loss record of 55-23. In those two years at East High school, the Varsity and JV teams were comprised of the same players. Although this was a great record and Dickie was chosen as one of the top coaches of the 20th Century by the Erie Times-News, it was not the record that Dickie was really noted for. With his great communication skills and his caring for students, he was a coach who was interested in teaching his athletes more than basketball. He made a concentrated effort that his athletes be resilient, dedicated, and confident, have morality, be good teammates, and while working hard, maintain good character. In other words, become good people and good citizens! Dickie’s overall winning percentage is .850.
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Eileen Lebold Hogan
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Eileen Lebold Hogan
Eileen was a four-year letter winner in Cross Country and Track at NEHS. In Track and Field, Eileen holds the school record in the 800 at 2:12.88 and was on the 3200 relay team that has the record at 9:16.85. She was the Erie County League Champ in the 400 in 1981 and ECL Champ in the 1600 in 1982. She was ECL Champ and District 10 Champ in the 800 in 1981, 82’, 83’. Eileen was PIAA State medalist in the 800 finishing 2nd in 1981, 82’, 83’. She was on two PIAA medaling 1600 relay teams, 4th in 1982 and 3rd in 1983. She was on three PIAA State medaling 3200 relay teams: 3rd in 1980,2nd in 1982 and State Champions in 1983. In Cross Country, Eileen was The ECL Champion and District 10 Champ in 1982. She led her team with a 7th place finish in the State Meet as the girls won the State Championship in 1982. Eileen finished her high school career with 11 ECL Championships plus one in Cross Country, 7 District 10 Championships, plus one in Cross Country, and 8 State Medals plus one in Cross Country. At Michigan State University, Eileen Competed in Varsity Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track for three years. She ran the 800M, 1500M, 3000M, and 3200 M Relay. Her fastest Mile was 4:58. She received the Spirit Award 2 times and also received the Citizen Athlete Award while attending Michigan State University. Her community involvement includes being a race director for the Greensboro Running Club. She directed the Fun Fourth Festival Road Races for 3 years and Women’s Only 5K road race for 10 years. She served as Grimsley High School Assistant Cross Country Coach for 2 years and Southeast Guilford HS Assistant Cross Country Coach for 9 years.
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Gene Gray
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Gene Gray
Gene was a 4-year letterman in Cross Country and Track at NEHS. He is the school record holder in the 3200 at 9:18.15 and also on the 3200 relay team that holds the school record at 7:51.56. Gene was the Erie County League Champion in the 1600 in 1983. He was ECL Champ and District 10 Champion in the 3200 in 1983. He was a three-time PIAA State Medalist in the 3200: 3rd in 1981, 4th in 1982, and 2nd in 1983. He was part of three State Medalist 3200 relay teams: State Champions in 1981, 3rd place in 1982, and 2nd place in 1983. Gene also has the most State Medals of any NEHS boy with a total of six. In Cross Country, Gene was ECL Champion in 1982 and was 4th at the PIAA State Championships. At the University of Tennessee, Gene had personal bests of 1500M-3:47, 3000M-8:10.30, 3000M Steeplechase-8:42.3, 5000M-14:19. He was the top distance runner for the UT for 1985-86. He was one of 14 NCAA Qualifiers in the 3000M Steeplechase, representing the University of Tennessee. He also qualified for the U.S. Track and Field Championships in 3,000M Steeplechase and competed there at San Jose, CA. At the 1986 SEC Outdoor Championships, Gene was 4th Place in the 3,000M Steeplechase. At 1986 Penn Relays, he was 2nd Place in the 3,000M Steeplechase. He was 3rd in the 3,000M Run at the 1987 SEC Indoor Championships. He was also in the 1987 SEC Outdoor Championships taking 2nd in the 3,000M Steeplechase and 2nd in the 5,000M. He was High point individual scorer for the University of Tennessee Track Team that season. In Cross Country, Gene's personal bests were: 5 Mile-23:55; 10,000M-30:38. He was 11th in the 1986 SEC Cross Country Championships. Gene was also team Captain in 1987. Gene was part of 6 SEC Championship teams while representing the University of Tennessee. He also received a special award called T.A.B (Tough Ass Bastard) coined by the late Stan Huntsman who was head coach from 1983-85.
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Gretchen (Weber) Bukowick
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Gretchen (Weber) Bukowick
Gretchen was a four-year honor roll student and four-year letter winner in Cross Country and Track and Field at NEHS. In track, she is 2nd All-time in the 800 with a time of 2:18.8 and is also 2nd All-time in the 1600 at 5:04.45. She is 3rd All-time in the 3200 at 11:29. In the 1600 meter Run, Gretchen was a three-time Erie County League Champion in 1984, '85, '86 and District 10 Champion also in the 1600 in the same years. In 1600 meter PIAA State Championship competition, Gretchen was 4th in '84, 3rd in '85, and 2nd in '86. In the 3200 meter run, she was ECL Champ and District 10 Champ in 1984. In the 3200 Run, Gretchen was 6th at PIAA States in 83. She was on a 3200 Relay that took silver in 1985. In Cross Country, Gretchen was the ECL Champ in 1983, '84, and '85. She was District 10 Champ in 1985. Gretchen was on the 1982 State Championship team and medaled in 8th place for that team. In the next three years at the State Championships, Gretchen was 8th again in '83, 5th in '84, and 3rd in '85. Gretchen finished her running career at North East with 14 ECL Championships, 11 District 10 Championships, and 10 State Medals. Gretchen attended the University of Virginia where she lettered in Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track for her first 3 years in college. In 1986-87, she was on the Atlantic Coast Conference Honor Roll. After Graduating from UV, Gretchen completed her Master in Philosophy of Education at UMass then, heading to the Peace Corps after graduate school and serving at the Solomon Islands for 2 years
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Heidi Wilson Drapeau
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Heidi Wilson Drapeau
Heidi was a 3-Season Athlete in Cross Country, Basketball, and Track all four years at NEHS. She earned many awards and achievements in her career. In 7th and 8th grade basketball at St. Gregory’s Grade School, Heidi held the season (350) and career (750) record for points. At NEHS, she joined the 1,000 point club and held the school record for steals – season (128)/career (352). She was chosen Brown Thompson News All-Star Team Player of the year in ('92-93). In basketball, she was NEHS Most Outstanding and was also the Erie County League Player of the Year in 1993. She was a member of the 1989 State Champion Cross Country team and a member of the PIAA Runner-Up State team the following year. Heidi excelled in Track. She was number 3 all-time in the 800 (2:19:27), Two times ECL and D-10 Champ (92-93), 5th and 2nd at PIAA States (92-93). In the 1600, she was number 6 all-time at NEHS (5:18.8), ECL Champ ('92-93) and D-10 Champ ('93). Heidi was also a member of the ECL and D-10 1600 and 3200 relays multiple years with PIAA State finishes: 1600 Relay (5th in 93’) and 3200 Relay (3rd in 92’). She received NEHS Most Outstanding twice in Track and Field. Additionally, Heidi received the Ross Morrow Award (1st Team All ECL 4 years in Track – 93), Della Bale Award (1st Team All ECL in CC, Track, and BB – 93), and ECL Flo Hyman Award (for Achievement in Athletics, Academics, Community Service, and promoting Women’s Sports – 92). Heidi’s high school career earned her a scholarship to run Track and Cross Country for Canisius College in Buffalo, where she continued competing for two years, earning 4 letters. Today Heidi continues to run and is actively involved in her children’s youth sports – coaching youth basketball and coaching/mentoring youth Girls on the Run.
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Jack Power
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Jack Power
A three-sport letter-winner in cross country, basketball, and track, Jack was most noted as a middle distance runner. In track, in 1966 Jack was ECL and District 10 Champion in the 880 and went on to place 5th at the State Championship in the 880-yard run. In 1968 he won the 440-yard dash at the County Championship, setting a new record. Running with his teammates, he also won the 2-mile and 1-mile relays, leading the Pickers to their 13th consecutive ECL Championship. He was also a member of the Two Mile relay that was ECL and D-10 Champions in 1967 and '68. Those relay teams took 5th in '67, and the 1968 team was State Champions and set the PIAA State Record, which held for 10 years. Jack continued his career in track and field at the University of Cincinnati, where he participated as a member of the 3200-meter relay team earning Academic All-American status in both 1970 and 1971. After college, he returned to his alma mater to teach English and was appointed head cross country coach in 1973. In his career as the head cross country coach at North East, he led the boys’ teams to a record of 130 wins 21 losses 3 ties. His teams won 12 Erie County Meet championships, 9 District X championships, 1 State Meet Runner up, and 3 State championships in 1982, 1988, and 1989. In 1998 Jack moved to Pawling, New York where he continued teaching and coaching track and cross country. At Pawling, his teams recorded a dual meet record of 52 wins 4 losses and 1 tie. The team also won 12 League Championships, 7 Section I (State Qualifier) Championships, 3 State Meet Runner up titles and a State Championship in 2012. Two of his runners won individual State titles. Jack was awarded Poughkeepsie Journal Coach of the Year numerous times and in 2012 was named Cross Country Coach of the Year in the State of New York.
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Jeff Field
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Jeff Field
Jeff Field graduated from NEHS in 1981. In his freshman year of high school, he participated in Track and field as a distance runner, but sometime during the following year, he threw a softball the entire length of the football field and Coach Ted Miller deemed him as a javelin thrower. Consequently, the following spring, Jeff became a Javelin thrower under Coach Dick Gregg. At the state championships, he won the State AA title and broke the school record in the process. After a disappointing junior year, he enlisted the help of Coach Bob Wall. At the state meet in 1981, on his last throw, he broke the State AA record with a throw of 225 feet. However, another participant edged out Jeff for the gold by a couple of inches. Jeff was a 3-time County League Champ, 2-time District 10 Champion, and a AA State Champion and Silver Medalist. Jeff also ran a leg on the 1600 relay team for the 'Pickers. Jeff was a defensive back and running back for the 1979 Picker football team that shared the ECL championship with Fairview, beating them in the last game of the season. Jeff attended the University of Tennessee on a Track Scholarship. He was a 4-year letterman with the Vols. In 1983, he attained NCAA Division One All American Status with a throw of 256.7 at the National Championships. That distance placed him at No. 3 on the Tennessee All-Time list for the old Javelin. Jeff graduated with honors with a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts/ Technology education and taught for more than 25 years in the Knox County School District, where his students won many Technology Students of America awards, and he was named Student Advisor of the year for the State of Tennessee in 1989.
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Lou Lafuria
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Lou Lafuria
Lou was a three-sport athlete in high school earning 5 All-County honors in football, basketball, and baseball. In football, he was the 1987 MVP and scored the winning touchdown in the Save an Eye game. In basketball, he was voted Most Outstanding in 1987 and was fourth in the Erie County League in scoring, averaging 17 ppg. In baseball, he was voted Most Outstanding in 1985, and he held the career hits record for years and is still in the top 10 in Home Runs. After high school, he briefly played baseball for IUP and was on the Bowling team. As an adult in Bowling, he won the 2010 Erie Amateur tournament and is also the 2009 and 2014 Times-News Open runner-up. He has over twenty 300 games and over ten 800 series. He is also one in a handful of Erie bowlers to ever bowl back-to-back 300 games. He is also a 3 time Coors Light Triad Champion which is the best-combined Golfer/Bowler/Pool shooter in Erie.
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Richard Locke
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Richard Locke
Dick was a 4-year letterman in Wrestling and Track and a 3-year letterman in Football. Dick was All-County in Wrestling (1963, '64, and '65) and Football ('65). In wrestling, Dick was the first three-time Sectional and one-time District Champ in PIAA (AA/AAA), along with Regional Runner-up (AA/AAA) for NEHS. He was also Sectional MVP in his senior year. He wrestled at Clarion University on an athletic scholarship; became injured, and was unable to continue in 1968. One of the greatest satisfactions a person can have is paying back to the sports that have given one so much. Two sons Jack and Jason carried the Locke tradition of wrestling at NEHS. In 1973 Dick was asked by Corky Karsh and Beverly Edelman to start a youth wrestling program through the local YMCA, which became the North East Little Wrestlers. Dick coached the only PJW State champion from North East Little Wrestlers. Dick developed the first Wrestling software package in the mid-80s. This software package was first introduced at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling State Tournament in 1990. Dick was the PJW Tournament Director for four years when held in Erie, PA. Dick was Tournament Director for the North East Invitational Tournament which was started in 1980. He was Tournament Director until 1980 – 1994 and 2000 - 2010. Dick and Cindy, his wife, received the Service and Recognition Award from the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling State organization in March 1996. Dick served as Area VIII co-chairman for PJW State board from the mid ’90s until he resigned his position in 2012. Dick, Jack Stetson, and Dwayne Dye started the Little Gridders program in 1974. Dick, Cindy, and Jack / Judy Stetson started the North East Youth Soccer Program in 1981.
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Tim Malesiewski
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Tim Malesiewski
Tim was an outstanding football player and track performer at NEHS. He was a four-year letterman in both sports. He placed fifth in the State in the shot put his junior year, and was the PIAA State Champion his senior year. Tim set the North East High School shot put record as a junior, and then set the Erie County record as a senior with a throw of 61’3". He was the MVP of the Field at the County meet in 1993 and was a two-time District 10 champion. Tim was a rare combination of size and speed, also contributing to the track team as a sprinter. He ran the 100m dash and was a 4-year member of the 4x100m relay team. In football, he was twice named team captain and was named to the All-County team as both a junior and senior. Tim led the County team to victory in the 1993 Save-An-Eye game, by leading his team in rushing, and scoring the game’s only touchdown. His accomplishments at North East on the football field enabled him to continue his football career in college at Colgate University.
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Tom Daly
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Tom Daly
Tom was a four-year letterman in football and track. He was a contributing member of the undefeated Erie County Champion 1967 football team and also was on the 1968 County Championship football team. Participating in track in the 100-yard dash, Tom was a three-time Erie County League Champion, three-time District 10 Champion, two-time PIAA State medalist (2nd in 1967 and 2nd in '68). In the 220-yard dash, he was a three-time Erie County League Champion, two-time District 10 Champion, two-time PIAA State medalist (3rd in 67’ and 2nd in 68’) and he is the NEHS co-record holder in the 220-yard dash at 22.2. He also was a member of the three-time County champions, two-time District Champions, and one-time State medalist 880 relay team. He was named the Erie County Track Meet Outstanding Athlete in 1967. Tom furthered his education at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a three-year letterman on the track team. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and now is a registered Professional Engineer.
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