Hayden Hidlay Guest Speaker at 2nd MCSHOF Induction Ceremony

LEWISTOWN — Voting is now underway for the 2022 class of the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame. Ballots have been distributed to members, who will choose from a slate of 14 candidates, seven of whom did not make the cut in the Hall of Fame’s inaugural class.

The nominating committee narrowed the list of candidates to 14, including seven of those nominated last year who missed making the inaugural class of the recently formed Hall of Fame.

Voting members are asked to return their ballots by July 23. Results will be announced in early August. The induction ceremony will formally take place on Sept. 25 at the Birch Hill Event Center.

Guest speaker for the September celebration will be Lewistown native Hayden Hidlay, who combined with brother Trent this past spring for a thrilling run in the NCAA national wrestling tournament — Hayden in the 174-pound weight class, Trent at 184.

The brothers both won their quarterfinal matches before Hayden fell to top seed Carter Starocci of Penn State, the eventual national champion. Two-time ACC title winner Trent Hidlay also fell to an eventual national champion, No. 2 Aaron Brooks, also of Penn State.

“We are pleased to have Hayden Hidlay join us as our featured speaker,” Hall President Tim Searer said. “Those attending the Hall of Fame induction will see and hear from more than an exceptional athlete. Hayden’s wrestling achievements speak for themselves, but just as important is how he conducted himself along the way.

“He has exhibited character and maturity beyond his years and the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame is honored that Hayden recognizes the importance of our efforts to pay tribute to the history of Mifflin County athletics by returning home and being part of our second induction event.”

A 2016 graduate of Mifflin County High School and PIAA state wrestling champion at 152 pounds, Hidlay moved on to North Carolina State where his accomplishments continued, becoming the first five-time All-American, competing at 157 pounds his first four years and at 174 in his final campaign. His 110 collegiate wins has him tied for third in school history, while his 110-11 (.909) win/loss percentage has him second in that category at NC State.

Hidlay’s honors include ACC Wrestler of the Year 2020, ACC titles from 2018-2021, ACC Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2020 and CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2021. He was named NWCA Scholar All-American for the fifth time in his career in 2022. He also was a U23 World Team member (70kg) in 2018.

This year’s nominees are:

• Carl Barger, major league baseball executive.

• Earl Beal Jr., owner, trainer and executive, Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association

• Wendee Booher, Chief Logan High School cross country and basketball, Temple basketball and professional basketball player.

• Thomas Brown, Lewistown High School and college football player, and a high school coach for 42 years.

• Krista Gingrich White, Lewistown Area High School and Duke basketball player.

• Richard Gingrich, Chief Logan High School and Penn State football player.

• Brad Heckert, Chief Logan High School and University of Delaware basketball player.

• Joseph Heller, Chief Logan High School and University of Virginia wrestler. He was the county’s first two-time state champion.

• Kent Houser, Lewistown High School football, track and basketball player and high school coach.

• Kevin Kodish, coached girls basketball for 34 years, winning two state titles.

• Emily Lepley Shank, Lewistown Area High School and Susquehanna University track.

• Robert “Buck” McCurry, Lewistown High School and Michigan State football player.

• Harold “Junior” Powell, Lewistown High Sschool and Penn State football player.

• Ronald Sprecher, who coached high school cross country and track five decades.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be available first to supporting members of the organization, with a limited number of tickets for the general public offered after that. Sales of tickets will be announced when they are available.