By Chris Chaney
Sun staff
The Clermont Northeastern Sports Hall of Fame has selected their Class of 2013 and will induct them along with a special dinner on April 20, 2013 at Clermont Northeastern Middle School.
The seven-person class includes athletes whose careers span 40 years, from Joseph G. Bauer and Dwight “Butch” Mitchell, graduates of 1967 to Daniel Loch, a 2007 graduate. In between were Thomas Craver (1968), William Pell (1987), Daniel D. Parker (1988) and Cindy Yeager (1991).
The dinner that will take place before the induction will open its doors at 6 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. The induction ceremony will commence following the meal. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for children ages 12 and under.
Reservations for tickets must be received by April 13 and can be sent to Clermont Northeastern High School, c/o Barb Kelly, 5327 Hutchinson Road, Batavia, OH 45103. Make checks payable to CNE Sports Hall of Fame. List the names of those who will be in attendance along with your reservation and check.
Chronologically, Joseph G. Bauer and Dwight “Butch” Mitchell are the eldest inductees this year.
Bauer played one year of track, volleyball, baseball and wrestling, two years of basketball and three years of football. While on the Rockets’ football team, Bauer was selected as a co-captain during his senior year and CCL both his junior and senior years.
Mitchell played four years of basketball, three years of baseball and football and one year of track while at CNE. Like Bauer, he was also CCL his senior year.
Graduating one year later, but entering the Hall of Fame in the same year as Bauer and Mitchell is Thomas Craver, class of 1968.
Craver played two years of basketball and wrestling, three years of football and four years of track. Craver was a co-captain of the football team during his senior year and an All-League selection his junior and senior year. He also holds the school record in the shot put.
As a junior wrestler, Craver was the league MVP as a junior and the heavy weight champion. He became only the second junior in CNE’s history to qualify for state. During his senior year on the mat, Craver went 12-2 overall and undefeated in league, placed at districts and regionals and again qualified for state.
Following graduation, Craver attended Marietta College where he started as a freshman.
Daniel D. Parker was a 1988 graduate of CNE and played two years of football and four years of wrestling as a Rocket. Parker won 98 matches during his time at CNE, gaining All-League honors all four years, qualifying for districts and regional three times each.
Parker attended Wright State University where he wrestled for two years. Still active, Parker competes in marathons and triathlons, including the Ironman in 2004 and 2007.
William Pell, a 1987 graduate, played four years of football and wrestling. Pell won 78 matches on varsity and became the first person to go to state twice. He was named All-County in 1987 and 1988.
Cindy Yeager, a 1991 graduate, is being inducted as an athlete and a coach as well as receiving the Rocket Pride Award. Yeager was a cheerleader and volleyball player for four years. She was a captain her senior season and an All-League selection as she set seven school records. As a coach, Yeager has over 100 wins and was named the Coach of the Year three times as she led the team to three league titles.
Finally, the most recent graduate to be inducted is 2007 graduate Daniel Loch. Loch played baseball, football, wrestling and ran track.
Loch’s accolades include being a member of the 2004 district champion track team, a district qualifier in wrestling in 2007, Offensive Player of the Year for the football team in 2005, a captain in 2006 and 2007 as well as finishing second in the city with 1,462 rushing yards his senior season.