National Trail honors HOF inductees

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NEW PARIS — In between the junior varsity and varsity basketball games on Friday, Dec. 11, National Trail’s 2015 Athletic Hall of Fame was honored.

There were four members – Susan Neanen Zurwell, Travis Miller, Chuck Shingledecker, and Park Pittman – inducted.

Zurwell was a multi-sport athlete and earned eight varsity letters, playing volleyball, basketball, and track and field during her time as a Blazer. She excelled in all of them, but won the 1981 state championship in long jump, becoming the first Trail student to do so.

In basketball, she was selected to the All-Preble County and All-CCC teams, as well as earning the school’s MVP award. In volleyball, her defense was what got her recognized, earning the defensive player of the year during her senior season.

She went on to run track and field at Defiance College and helped the team to two NAIA district championships.

Next on the list was Miller, the current Athletic Director for Tri-County North.

Miller was also a three-sport athlete, earning All-CCC honors in all three sports in his senior season.

His best sport was baseball, where he was named the CCC player of the year and led the Blazers to the regional finals. He had three no-hitters and had a career record of 15-3, with 195 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.19.

Miller went on to play baseball at Kent State, pitching for three seasons, earning All-MAC honors twice and pitcher of the year in 1994. He was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the draft, playing in Major League Baseball for seven seasons and appearing in 203 games.

Shingledecker, a guidance counselor at Trail for 30 years (1972-02) was also inducted for his “meritorious service to National Trail athletics.”

During his time there, he served as an assistant basketball coach for several seasons but is best remembered for his continuous support during his entire career.

He was a long time runner and was often found running side by side with Trail distance runners during their training time.

He very seldom missed a Trail sporting event.

Lastly, Park Pittman was honored. He played several sports, earning varsity letters in cross country, golf, football, basketball, and baseball.

Pittman is best remembered for his prowess in baseball, basketball, and football, earning All-Preble County and All-CCC honors in all three sports.

His best sport, however, was baseball, where he led Trail to back-to-back CCC championships. They also won a district title under him as he earned a career record of 20-2. After he graduated in 1983, he continued to play baseball at Ohio State University and was the school’s top pitcher during his junior season.

He left the team after that season and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins, where he spent six seasons from 1986-92.

(Left to right) Susan Neanen Zurwell, Travis Miller, and Chuck Shingledecker pose with their plaques during the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony at National Trail on Friday, Dec. 11. Park Pittman also received the honor but was unable to attend.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2015/12/web1_HOF.jpg(Left to right) Susan Neanen Zurwell, Travis Miller, and Chuck Shingledecker pose with their plaques during the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony at National Trail on Friday, Dec. 11. Park Pittman also received the honor but was unable to attend.

By Jeremy Erskine

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