NT to honor Stegall, Kerler

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NEW PARIS — The National Trail Athletic Hall of Fame committee will induct two new members this year at the school’s Alumni Banquet on June 18.

Lori Stegall Grant and Fred Kerler have been selected as the 2016 inductees whowill be honored at the banquet.

Stegall is a 1997 graduate who earned 10 varsity letters — four in volleyball, four in softball, and two in basketball. In her senior year, she was named first team All-State in both volleyball and softball, holding the distinction of being the first and only National Trail athlete to be awarded two All-State first-team honors in the same school season. As a junior, she was awarded All-State second team in softball and third team in volleyball. Her senior year in volleyball earned her the District and CCC Player of the Year awards. She accumulated a total of seven All-CCC honors in her career: four in softball and three in volleyball. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, she was class valedictorian, held eight Academic All-CCC honors, was three-time class president, and the school mascot. She currently holds several career school records in volleyball, in good sets and good saves. She is ranked in the top 10 softball statistics, including a career batting average of .450.

Kerler was an administrator for National Trail schools for 20 years, holding several key positions during that time. He served as the high school vice-principle from 1975 to 1980, later became principal at the high school from 1980 to 1982. He was an administrative assistant and athletic director from 1982 to 1990. He switched to elementary principal from 1990 to 1995. Always a consistent supporter of the athletic programs, he could often be seen helping maintain the athletic fields. One major project spearheaded by Kerler was the development of the softball field. Prior to that project, the team played at the Eldorado Park. As athletic director, Fred received permission from the school board to put in a new field at the school, and almost like in the movie The Field of Dreams, he laid out the field and used his own farm equipment to construct the new field. In 1990, the softball field was dedicated as Fred Kerler Field in his honor.

By Oliver Sanders

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Reach Oliver Sanders at 937-683-4062 or at Twitter @osanders_RH

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