Margaretta to induct new hall of famers

CASTALIA — Margaretta High School will induct a new class into its athletic hall of fame prior to Saturday night's home boys basketball game. The Polar Bears' 1991 girls cross country team will be joined in this year's class by Ed Keller and Dana Woodring. The '91 cross country team, coached by Mike Yantz, finished fourth at the state meet — the highest team finish in school history. The Bears were district champions and finished fourth at the regional meet. Margaretta also won invitationals at Perrysburg, Lake and Fostoria before placing second at the Sandusky Bay Conference meet. Members of the team included juniors Marina Ensign, Melanie Knapp, April Ringholz and Angie Sessler; sophomores Andrea Lindsley, Danielle Longnecker, Marlene Parker and Alinor Stephens; and freshmen Leslie Bales, Becky Riggle and Amy Simmons. Keller, a 1992 MHS graduate, set the school shot put record of 52 feet during his senior track & field season. That mark stood for 31 years. Keller, a four-year letterwinner in track and a three-year letterwinner in football, was a first team All-SBC offensive tackle in 1991 and a third team All-Ohio selection. The lifelong resident of the Margaretta school district also participated in powerlifting and won multiple medals in the sport. Woodring had a 40-31-1 record as Margaretta's head football coach from 1979-85. He guided the Polar Bears to SBC championships in 1983 and 1985 and was named Northwest Ohio Football Coach of the Year in 1983. Margaretta posted its first 10-0 regular season in 1985. Woodring worked with the Margaretta Athletic Booster Club to establish the school's first true weight room and weightlifting program. Woodring, who lives in Mansfield, had a 21-year coaching record of 131-82-1 and is the winningest coach in Madison High School history. He had three undefeated teams in his career as well as 10 conference championships and four playoff appearances.