More than five decades of Ipswich High athletics were represented when 14 individuals and two teams were formally inducted into the Tigers’ Athletic Hall of Fame at the Hellenic Center Friday night.
One of Ipswich’s most well-rounded athletes inducted was Hannah O’Flynn of the Class of 2011. A two-time Salem News Player of the Year in basketball, she was also a tremendous soccer goalkeeper and a state champion in outdoor track for the Tigers. O’Flynn was chosen as The Salem News’ top female athlete of the 21st century and was also All-Decade in girls basketball. After running track at Dartmouth College, she began working for the NBA and is now affiliated with the WNBA.
Another unforgettable hoopster is Amber Smith of the Class of 2009, Ipswich’s all-time leading scorer with 1,819 points plus 1,099 rebounds. A multi-time Cape Ann League and Salem News MVP, Smith was Ipswich’s first-ever McDonald’s All-American nominee and played Division 1 college basketball at Maine.
Christine Heigh Fiore of the Class of 1982 was another incredible two-sport athlete in field hockey and track. She graduated with four school records (hurdles, which she first set as a sophomore, and the 440 and long jump) plus records for points in a career and a season. She was also the top goal scorer for the field hockey team as a senior and ran track at UMass-Lowell.
Wrestler and soccer player Daniel “Bugg” LaRochelle was inducted from the Class of 1972. On the mats, he was a two-time CAL champ, a three-time state place winner, a two-time New England qualifier as well as a New England Junior Champion and a New England AAU Senior Champion. LaRochelle was also the a member of the first-ever IHS varsity soccer team.
Accomplished wrestler Steve Daly from the Class of 1965 got his grappling career started in eighth grade. He went 14-0 as a senior and placed third in the state in addition to numerous other accolades. Daly also played three seasons of football for the Tigers.
From the ‘championship class’ of 1969, Bill Wallace was inducted. He was captain of the 11-1 wrestling team that went to the New England finals and was a four-year grappler. A member of the Class D state championship football team of 1968, he specialized in the monster position at defensive back. Wallace was also part of the first IHS lacrosse programs in 1967-68 and served in the Air Force after graduating.
Also inducted was Joe Stasiuk of the Class of 1984.
In addition to athletes, the Ipswich Hall of Fame inducted several former Tigers under the ‘legends’ banner. One of those was Bob Tobiasz, the valedictorian of the Class of 1963. A four-year letterwinner in cross country, he captained that team and also the basketball team. He was an integral leader on the memorable ’63 hop team that won its last eight games in a row to qualify for the Tech tourney.
Another legend from the Class of 1950 was the late Dora Mavroides, known to her classmates as Teddy. Voted Best Female Athlete in her class, she captained the girls basketball team and also played softball while participating in archery. She and her husband Bill were founding members of the Ipswich High School Sports Boosters, and she was an avid bowler. She also joins her brother, George Geanakos, in the Hall of Fame.
The late David “Dyna” Player of the Class of 1950 goes in under the legends banner for prowess in football and basketball. Voted Class President, he captained the football squad and helped the basketball team go undefeated. A U.S. Army veteran, Player was later an IHS booster and a Little League coach in town.
Another legend is the late Don “Slugger” Burke, Class of 1952. He helped Ipswich to great success in basketball, baseball and football and later played baseball while serving in the Army. After being discharged, he played at the Double-A and Triple-A levels in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system from 1956-58 and helped found the Ipswich Chiefs of the Intertown Twilight League.
Also in the legends category is Rosie Arcisz Sweeney of the Class of 1953. Voted top female athlete in her class, she was an outstanding defender for the basketball team and also played softball while doing archery.
Ned Cooke from the Class of 1964 was also inducted as a legend. A co-captain of the wrestling team as a senior, he helped his team go 11-3 and placed fourth in the state in his weight class. He was has a strong career paying fullback and linebacker on the Tiger football team.
Inducted for Meritorious Service was Ricky Hazen of the Class of 1970. A lifelong football fan, he was the high school team manager during his freshman and sophomore years and also managed the basketball team. Starting in 2007, he served as the spotter in the press box for the football team’s public address announcer and took great pride in being the “Eyes of the Tigers.”
The two teams inducted were the 2003 Tiger boys lacrosse team, which under head coach Glenn Foster won the Division 3 state championship by winning all of its playoff games on the road. After a 2-hour bus ride down to the Cape, they took a 45-minute ferry to Martha’s Vineyard to hang on for a thrilling 6-5 title-clinching win.
The girls 4×400 relay team from 2002 made up of Lindsay Sheffield, Corilynn Smith, Chelsea McCarron and Erica Smith won the New England championship in 3:59.01 and finished ninth at indoor nationals. A Georgetown co-op, these ‘Royal Tigers’ were All-Americans outdoors by running a record 3:55.52 at the Adidas Nationals.