The Peru Gazette

The 2018 Peru Athletic Hall of Fame banquet will be held at Plattsburgh Moose Lodge 2390, 90 Sharron Av, September 29th. The scheduled times are, 6:00 social, and 7:00 dinner @ $30.00 per person. Please get your reservations into Cathy Phillips ASAP. Checks can be sent with the names of individuals attending to Cathy Phillips 4 Vista Drive, Willsboro, NY 12996 Home phone 518-963-7963 Cell 518-572-1235.

Checks made payable to: Peru Athletic Hall of Fame
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The nominees for this year are as follows:

Roland N. “Rollie” McGee 1958, Laura LaHart 1992, Johanna “Evans” Strickland 1998, John Lamar 1987, Matt McCormick 2004

Roland N. “Rollie” McGee
Athlete
1958

Rollie graduated from Peru in 1958 and was a four sport athlete during his four years of high school. He was a co-captain of the soccer team for 3 years. During his senior year the team went unbeaten and he led the team in scoring. That same year Peru beat Ellenburg 2-1 for the championship. Toni Papero asked him to wrestle one night after a basketball game because his 154 pound wrestler was sick. Rollie wrestled from that point on and was co-captain for three years. Rollie was undefeated for 3 years and was on the first wrestling team to win the Section VII championship in 1958 along with winning the 154 pound weight division. Rollie also played basketball his junior and senior year. In baseball he was co-captain for three years and pitched a No Hitter in his senior year. He was 1 of 6 Peru players to hit over .400 that year.

 

John Lamar
Athlete
1987

John Lamar class of 1987 proudly represents the strong character and traits consistent with Peru “Indian” athletics. John’s natural talent and acquired skills, in conjunction with his dedicated work ethic and versatility made him a fierce competitor on any athletic stage. John was a two sport athlete competing in football and wrestling. On the gridiron John staked his claim to fame through his relentless efforts in the trenches of the offensive and defensive lines. He was a two year, two way starter as a stand out offensive and defensive tackle on back to back undefeated teams in of his junior and senior year. John was named team captain as a senior and was a defensive leader on the 1986 team that held opponents to ninety-four points in ten games. Legendary Indian Football Coach Mike Beauvais called the 86 team “his best ever” and refers to John as “one of the finest athletes he has ever coached.” John was named all-CVAC Offensive tackle by the Press Republican and by WIRY. He was also voted by peers as the outstanding lineman. On the wrestling mat John was a force to be reckoned with in many of the middle-weight classes. He was a team captain in his junior and senior years. John’s wrestling accolades are numerous. During his senior year he won five tournaments, was named outstanding wrestler in the sectionals and placed second at the New York State wrestling tournament. His finals match went into overtime for a duration of 9 minutes. All criteria was met by both wrestlers. The final criterion for the decision was the officials’ choice, and he chose Johns opponent. John’s senior record was 32-1 and his career record was 109 and 11.

Laura LaHart
Athlete
1992

Laura graduated from Peru High School in 1992. Laura was a very well-known athlete in the athletic arena at Peru and in Section Seven. Laura exemplified the spirit of true sportsmanship and superior athleticism as early as eighth grade when she was brought up to play varsity soccer. Individuals who watched her play were impressed with her maturity and skills to play at the varsity level in soccer, basketball and track. In soccer Laura played midfield, halfback and front line, as a basketball player she played guard and in track she ran 100m hurdles, 100m, 200m, 400m hurdles, 4×100 and 4×400 relay. An indication of the respect she had by the coaches and players landed her the responsibility of being named captain her junior and senior years in soccer and track.

Laura continued her education at Canton College where she played center half back in soccer and point guard in basketball. In both sports Laura was selected as captain. Laura’s hard work, dedication, tenaciousness, camaraderie, and loyalty to her teammates was a coach’s dream to have as an athlete. Laura would do anything and everything that was asked of, if not more.
Laura currently works at Plattsburgh Primary Care as a Healthy Steps Specialist. This program helps children 0-5 years old become school ready. The goal is to enhance the child’s social and emotional growth. Another title Ms. LaHart holds is a Lactation Specialist. Laura also coordinates the Reach Out and Read Program in Clinton County. Her hard work paid off in 2017 when she was awarded the “Crime Victim Advocacy Award for Clinton County. This award is given by the Office of Child Advocacy and Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.

Last but not least Laura is now certified as a Therapy Dog Specialist. This will allow Laura to work in area hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

Johanna “Evans” Strickland
Athlete
1998

Johanna graduated from Peru in 1998. She presently lives in Columbia, NC. Johanna started running as an 8th grader. She was an outstanding runner placing in several out of section meets. The events she ran were done on a cinder track where she was instrumental in helping the team win several meets. “Some” of her biggest accomplishments were being on the undefeated team in 1993, CVAC all-star team, Section Seven championship team in 1994 where she placed 1st in 3200 m relay, 800m, 3000m, and1600m relay. She also qualified for National Jr. Olympics and placed 3rd. She was selected as team captain from 1995 through 1998, CVAC all-star in 1996 where she set a Section Seven and Peru High School record with a time of 4:07:81 in the 1600m. Johanna was also busy with other extracurricular activities which included member of NHS, NAHS, and Girl Scouts (Gold Award). She was class President for 4 years and graduated with the honor of Salutatorian. Johanna attended the University of South Carolina where she was a member of the Division 1 Cross Country and Track & Field Teams. Graduating with honors, she obtained her BS in Exercise Science and then her MAT in Health Education. Johanna never joined anything where she didn’t excel. She was an extremely dedicated, devoted, hardworking, and extremely gifted leader in school and as an athlete.

Matthew McCormick
Athlete
2004

Matt graduated from Peru High School in 2004. Matt was a four sport athlete at Peru participating in Football, Hockey, Baseball and Track. Matt a three year starter in Football played wide receiver, defensive back, kicker and quarter back. In 2001, as a sophomore, he was a member of the New York State class B Championship team. That year he was named to the CVAC Coaches all-star first team as a defensive back and kicker. In 2002 he was a CVAC Coaches all-star as a first team kicker, wide receiver, and defensive back. 2003 was a great football season for Matt. He was instrumental in winning the Section Seven – Section Ten North Country Class B Super Bowl. One of the greatest games ever played in Peru was against Lansingburgh form Section 2 in the Class B state quarter final game that year. As the quarter back Matt lead his team to a come from behind win in overtime rallying the “Indians” from a 36-14 deficit with 3:57 left to win 43-42. Matt played four years of varsity hockey on the Peru/Saranac team as a starter at offense. During his four years of hockey he was a two time Brad Ott MVP award winner.

Matt played baseball for three years and started at various positions including pitcher. He also participated in track his senior year. Matt presently resides in Del Rio, Texas and is employed with the Federal Government as a Homeland Security Investigations – Special Agent.