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SALEM -- Four individual athletes, one legendary coach, two standout teams, the annual Joe Kelley Spirit of Salem Award winner, and a legacy team inductee 100 years in the making comprise the Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.
The Class of 2026 include the late Coach Earle Bruce (1956-59), football; Mike DeBarr (Class of 1999), football; Tom Jesko Jr. (Class of 2006), boys' basketball; Sarah Brobeck (Class of 2008), track and field; and Matt Weingart (Class of 2016), football. Joining them are the 1979-80 and 1980-81 girls basketball teams as well as this year's Joe Kelley Spirit of Salem Award recipient, Tom Wright (Class of 1966). In addition, the 1926 Football Team will be inducted as a Hall of Fame Legacy Team, commemorating the 100th anniversary of its undefeated season.
The induction dinner and ceremony will be held Thursday, Aug. 27 at Salem High School. Tickets to the dinner and ceremony are open to the public and will cost $35 for adults and $25 for children aged 2-10. Arrangements and reservations can be made through email at shs.athletichof@gmail.com or by phone/text at 330-831-7207 and will be accepted through Aug. 21.
Advertisement opportunities for the program of the induction dinner are also available. For more information, please contact the e-mail address above.
Any family members or connections of the 1926 legacy team being inducted are especially invited to attend the ceremony and to reach out through the email address or phone number above.
All inductees are displayed in the kiosks of the main lobby of the Salem John A. Cabas gymnasium. There is also a Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame Facebook page and a website that can be accessed on the Salem High School athletics webpage. Nominations for the Hall of Fame are accepted from the public each year and can be submitted via email or through the Facebook page.
The following are the career highlights of the 2026 selections, who will also be recognized at halftime of the home opening football game on Friday, Aug. 28 against Canfield.
Coach Earle Bruce
Head Football Coach (1956-59)
Posthumously Inducted
Coach Earle Bruce began his legendary coaching career at Salem High School, accepting his first head coaching position in 1956. In four seasons leading the Quakers, Bruce compiled a 28-9 record, including outstanding campaigns of 9-1 in 1957, 7-2 in 1958, and 8-1 in 1959.
The 1959 team, inducted into the inaugural Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2005, is regarded as one of the greatest teams in school history. The Quakers finished 8-1 overall, outscoring opponents 292-22 while recording seven shutouts. Salem defeated Cleveland Lincoln (42-0), Ravenna (48-0), Canton Timken (32-0), Akron Hoban (6-0), Wellsville (50-0), Boardman (36-8), East Liverpool (20-0), and Girard (58-0). Their lone loss came in Week 4 to Ambridge (Pa.), 14-0. At a time when Ohio had only one football division, Salem finished seventh in the state. Bruce's .757 winning percentage throughout his tenure remains the highest of any football coach in Salem High School history.
Following his successful run at Salem, Bruce became head coach at Sandusky and later Massillon, where he compiled a combined record of 54-3-3 before moving to the collegiate ranks. He coached at the University of Tampa (1972), Iowa State University (1973-78), Ohio State University (1979-87), University of Northern Iowa (1988), and Colorado State University (1989-92).
Bruce succeeded the legendary Woody Hayes as head coach at Ohio State in 1979 and immediately led the Buckeyes to an undefeated regular season, a Big Ten Championship, and a Rose Bowl appearance. He was named National Coach of the Year by both the Football Writers Association of America and the American Football Coaches Association. During his nine seasons at Ohio State, Bruce posted an 81-26-1 record, won or shared four Big Ten championships, guided the Buckeyes to eight bowl games, and finished in the national Top 20 eight times. He was also named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1979.
His remarkable coaching career earned him induction into the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000, the National College Football Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004.
Despite his national success, Bruce never forgot Salem. He attended the Salem High School Class of 1959's 30-year reunion in 1989 and was also a regular attendee at the annual Southwest Florida "Salem Day" gatherings. He made numerous trips back to Reilly Stadium, including "Earle Bruce Night" in 2001, and attended many Quaker football games in the years that followed.
Bruce attended the inaugural Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2005 as coach of the 1959 team and introduced inductee Kirk Lowdermilk '82. In 2013, he returned to Salem as the guest speaker for Salem Regional Medical Center's 100th anniversary celebration, where then Mayor John Berlin proclaimed him an honorary citizen.
In August 2016, Bruce was interviewed at the Salem High School Alumni Association office for the documentary I'm a Buckeye: The Earle Bruce Story, produced by Dave Winham. With financial support from Salem philanthropist Bob Sebo ('54), the film chronicled his coaching career. Several former Salem players were also interviewed, including Frank Copacia ('60), the late Larry DeJane ('60), Fred Phillis ('60), the late Jim "Moe" Meissner ('58, SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2013), and Henry Maxim ('58). Later that year, Bruce received one of Ohio State's highest honors by dotting the "I" with the Ohio State Marching Band.
Coach Earle Bruce passed away on April 20, 2018, at the age of 87. A public viewing of I'm a Buckeye: The Earle Bruce Storywas held on December 2, 2018 in the Salem High School auditorium celebrating the remarkable life and career of a coach whose journey to the College Football Hall of Fame began at Salem High School.
On August 28, 2026, the street in front of Sebo Stadium will officially be dedicated as "Earle Bruce Way," honoring his lasting impact on the Salem community and his extraordinary coaching legacy.
Mike DeBarr
Class of 1999
Football
A three-year varsity starter at wide receiver, Mike DeBarr emerged as one of the most prolific receivers in Salem High School history during an era when the Quakers' offense and the sport of football began to embrace the passing game.
As a junior, DeBarr developed a dynamic connection with quarterback and fellow classmate Lou Angelo (SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2023). In Week 3, he hauled in what was then a school-record 84-yard touchdown reception from Angelo during Salem's 42-20 victory over East Liverpool, eclipsing the previous 80-yard record set by Art Spack on a pass from Larry Early in 1963. Ironically, the record lasted only a month before Angelo connected with junior Matt O'Brien on an 85-yard touchdown pass.
By season's end, DeBarr established a new single-season school record with 614 receiving yards, surpassing the previous mark of 542 set by Rich Huffman (SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2012) in 1985. Junior teammate O'Brien also surpassed Huffman's former record, finishing the 1997 season with 546 receiving yards as Angelo and the Quakers featured the most prolific passing attack in school history.
DeBarr and O'Brien made more history by tying the school's single season record with seven touchdown receptions, matching the mark set by both Steve Strabala ('82) and Corey Belaney ('93, SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2015). DeBarr capped his record-breaking junior campaign by setting yet another school record, finishing with an impressive 24.5 average yards per reception.
Under head coach David Janofa, the Quakers finished 6-4 (3-3 Metro Athletic Conference), marking just the program's sixth winning season since 1961. Salem averaged a school-record 34.2 points per game, surpassing the previous record of 31.2 points per contest established by Coach Earle Bruce's 1957 team.
For his outstanding junior season, DeBarr earned First Team All-NEO Inland District, First Team All-Columbiana County, First Team All-Quad County, First Team All-Area, Second Team All-MAC, and Division II All-Ohio Special Mention honors.
Entering his senior season in 1998, Salem opened with three consecutive victories over West Branch, Marlington, and East Liverpool to earn the No. 7 ranking in the Division II state poll. The ranking tied the highest in school history, matching Coach Earle Bruce's 1959 team, and marked the Quakers' first appearance in the state Top 10 since that memorable season.
Although the Quakers fell to eighth-ranked Niles in Week 4, DeBarr recorded four receptions for 50 yards. The following week, he caught five passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-7 victory over Youngstown Liberty. One week later, against fifth-ranked Poland, DeBarr became the first player in Salem football history to surpass 1,000 career receiving yards after catching seven passes for 67 yards in a 31-19 loss.
In Week 7, DeBarr caught five passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns in a 58-20 victory over Howland, breaking Strabala's career school record with his 12th receiving touchdown. Looking for their first consecutive winning seasons since 1972 and 1973, the Quakers stumbled down the stretch and finished 5-5.DeBarr officially concluded his career as Salem's all-time leader in receiving yards (1,255) and receiving touchdowns (12). Meanwhile, Angelo graduated as the Quakers career leader in passing yards (3,385) and passing touchdowns (30), making the duo the school's most productive quarterback-receiver combination of the 20thcentury.
As a senior, DeBarr was named First Team All-MAC, First Team All-NEO Inland District, and Division II All-Ohio Honorable Mention. He was also selected Offensive Most Valuable Player for Ohio in the 1999 Penn-Ohio All-Star Game.
In addition to football, DeBarr was a two-year varsity baseball starter in the outfield. He earned First Team All-MAC honors as a senior while helping lead Salem to the 1999 Division II District Championship, the first district title in school history. The Quakers finished the season 20-9.
Today, DeBarr continues to make a lasting impact on Salem students both in the classroom and on the field. He teaches English and broadcasting at Salem Junior/Senior High School and, for more than a decade, has helped bring Salem football to life as a co-founder of Six-Four-Three Productions, producing the team's weekly hype videos.
DeBarr has also continued to add to Salem's athletic tradition as the head baseball coach. In 2021, his Quaker team finished 27-4, captured an undefeated Eastern Buckeye Conference league championship, and won the program's first district title since his senior season in 1999. Salem advanced farther than any baseball team in school history, defeating previously unbeaten Canfield, 3-1, in the regional semifinals before falling to eventual Division II state champion Akron Hoban, 4-1, in eight innings of the regional finals.
DeBarr resides in Salem with his wife, Tricia, and their son, Boston.
Tom Jesko Jr.
Class of 2006
Boys Basketball
A three-year varsity starter and two-year team captain, Tom Jesko Jr. played a pivotal role in returning Salem boys basketball to prominence while establishing himself as one of the greatest shooters in program history.
As a junior, Jesko averaged 13.0 points per game and helped lead the Quakers to their first sectional championship since 1990. Despite having no seniors on the roster, Salem finished 10-13, its most successful season since 1997-98. For his efforts, Jesko earned First Team All-Columbiana County, First Team All-Metro Athletic Conference (MAC), and Second Team All-Northeast Inland District honors.
With eight letterwinners returning for the 2005-06 season, head coach Jeff Brink entered his third (and final) season on the Quaker sidelines with high expectations. Led by Jesko, Salem opened the season with a dominant 69-35 victory over United. The 6-foot-3 senior guard wasted no time rewriting the Salem record books, breaking the career three-point record of 83, set by Ryan Zocolo from 1994-96.
Just one game later, Jesko broke another school record, connecting on eight three-pointers against Chaney to surpass the previous mark of seven in a game, set by Landon Heath ('04, SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2017). He finished the night with 30 points and seven rebounds as the Quakers rolled to a 85-63 victory.
Jesko continued his outstanding season with a string of 20-point performances before scoring 17 points in a pivotal 70-45 victory over Struthers. The win secured Salem's first (and only) MAC championship, marking the program's first league title since capturing the Mahoning Valley Conference (MVC) crown in 1985.
During tournament play, Jesko broke the school's single-season three-point record (Zocolo, 51) in a sectional final 44-32 victory over Poland. He would then score 16 points in a 55-50 district semifinal win over Lakeview. Looking to secure Salem's first district title since 1976, Jesko added 13 points in the Quakers historic 57-32 victory over Niles to win the Division II district championship at Boardman. Salem's memorable postseason run came to an end in the regional semifinals with a 63-58 loss to Painesville Harvey, despite Jesko's 21-point performance.
Jesko averaged 16.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game as a senior while leading the Quakers to a 20-4 record. The season marked Salem's best record since 1984-85, only the fourth 20-win season in school history, and its first since 1962. The Quakers captured their first league championship in 21 years, won their first district title in 30 years, and climbed as high as No. 11 in the Division II state rankings, earning their first Associated Press Top 15 ranking since 1985.
For his remarkable senior season, Jesko was named MAC Player of the Year, Columbiana County Co-Player of the Year, Northeast Inland District Player of the Year, and Youngstown Area Player of the Year. He also earned First Team All-MAC, First Team All-Columbiana County, Division II Special Mention All-Ohio honors, and was selected to compete in the Ohio North-South Elite All-Star Game.
Jesko officially finished with a school record 59 three-pointers made in a season and 143 three-pointers made in a career to go along with the eight he made in a single game. He finished his career with 998 points, ranking fourth in school history at the time and currently sixth all-time.
In addition to basketball, Jesko was the quarterback on Salem's 2005 football team that finished 7-3 alongside classmates and future Salem Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Jarin Heath (2023) and Bryan Wright (2019). He also excelled in track and field as a sprinter, helping Salem capture Columbiana County, district, and MAC championships. Jesko was a member of the previous school-record 4×200-meter relay team with Bunk Mull, Josh Lutz, and John Lee, which posted a time of 1:29.97.
Following graduation, Jesko continued his athletic career at Baldwin Wallace University, playing basketball as a freshman before competing in golf during his junior and senior years.
Jesko becomes the third member of his family inducted into the Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame, joining his father, Tom Jesko ('74, Class of 2008), and his sister, Lizzie Jesko-Nemeth ('04, Class of 2017).
Jesko currently works for Actalent and resides in Cincinnati with his wife, Anna Belle, and their three children: Piper, Goldie, and Thomas Anderson Jesko.
Sarah Brobeck
Class of 2008
Track and Field
Sarah Brobeck made Salem High School history as one of the most accomplished female throwers in school history, becoming the first female athlete from Salem to earn a state podium finish in a field event.
A four-year letterwinner in track and field, Brobeck excelled in both the shot put and discus. As a junior in 2007, she placed eighth in the Division II state championship in the shot put with a throw of 37 feet, 9.5 inches, while finishing third in the discus with a school-record throw of 129 feet, 10 inches. Her performance marked the first time a Salem female athlete had placed at the state meet in a field event.
During her senior season, Brobeck won the regional championship in the discus with a throw of 136 feet, 8 inches, captured the Columbiana County championship, and was named the Columbiana County "Field" Female Athlete of the Year. She also held the county record in the discus at the time.
Brobeck continued her success at the 2008 state track meet, finishing third once in the discus with a throw of 143 feet, 11 inches, breaking her own school record. The senior also recorded a personal best mark of 38 feet, 8 inches in the shot put, which ranked second in school history at the time behind only Aubree Horning's record throw of 40 feet, 1.5 inches set in 2004.
In addition to her success in track and field, Brobeck was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball. She earned All-Ohio Honorable Mention recognition as a sophomore, junior, and senior, and was a member of the 2006 and 2007 Salem volleyball teams that were inducted into the Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023. She served as team captain during the 2007 season.
Brobeck was also an outstanding student, graduating as valedictorian of the Salem High School Class of 2008 and earning membership in the National Honor Society.
Following high school, Brobeck continued her track and field career at Wake Forest University, where she was a four-year letterwinner competing in the shot put, discus, weight throw, and javelin. She finished her collegiate career among the top performers in Wake Forest history, recording personal-best marks of 44 feet, 3.5 inches in the indoor shot put, 43 feet, 7.25 inches in the outdoor shot put (fifth in school history), 134 feet, 9 inches in the discus (seventh in school history), 42 feet, 8.75 inches in the weight throw, and 141 feet, 4 inches in the javelin (second in school history).
Her accomplishments extended beyond athletics, as she was named a two-time All-ACC Academic Outdoor Track and Field First Team selection and earned Capital One Academic All-District First Team honors in both 2011 and 2012. In 2012, she was named Wake Forest's ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Brobeck graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in organic chemistry.
Today, Brobeck continues to excel professionally while pursuing advanced training in oral and dental radiology at the University of Washington. Prior to continuing her education, she served as a dentist with the U.S. Indian Health Service in Winslow, Arizona, providing care for the Navajo Tribe.
She resides in Seattle, Washington, with her husband, Ryan Gapp, and their daughter, Daphne, with a second child expected in November.
Matt Weingart
Class of 2016
Football
A three-year varsity starter at quarterback, Matt Weingart helped redefine Salem's passing attack while leading the Quakers to one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Weingart made his varsity debut during the fourth game of his sophomore season against Louisville before earning his first start the following week against Alliance. In that first career start, he immediately made history, setting a new Salem single-game passing record with 361 yards, surpassing the previous mark of 343 yards set in 2003 by Landon Heath (SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2017). He also tied the then school record with five touchdown passes, matching the mark set by Jason Papic in 1993, during a thrilling 60-41 shootout against the Aviators.
Despite the Quakers finishing 3-7 during head coach Ron Johnson's second season, Weingart established himself as one of the most talented young quarterbacks in Salem history. He finished his sophomore campaign with more than 1,500 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes.
As a junior in 2014, Weingart continued to rewrite the record books, setting a new school record with 432 passing yards in a dramatic 37-36 victory in week 9 over Canton South. Trailing 30-14 entering the fourth quarter, the Quakers rallied behind Weingart's arm and leadership. He threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another as Salem completed the comeback. Senior Blake Hochadel and sophomores Jake Humeniuk and Cooper Bezerdei each recorded more than 100 receiving yards in the historic performance.
Although Salem finished 3-7 for the second consecutive season, the victory over Canton South helped build momentum toward the breakthrough season that would follow. Weingart finished his junior year with more than 1,600 passing yards and 13 touchdown passes.
The 2015 season cemented Weingart's legacy. As a senior, he once again threw for more than 1,400 yards and set a school record with 21 touchdown passes in a season, a mark that still currently ranks among the top five in Salem history. More importantly, he guided the 9-1 Quakers to their best regular season record since 1960.
The defining moment came in the regular-season finale against rival West Branch. With Salem trailing 14-7 early in the fourth quarter, Weingart connected with Humeniuk on a 28-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. With 1:36 remaining, he delivered the game-winning 17-yard touchdown pass to fellow senior D.J. Pullie, securing a 21-14 victory and a berth in the Division IV Region 13 state playoffs. Weingart finished the game with 225 passing yards and scored Salem's other touchdown on the ground.
The victory also marked the third playoff appearance in program history, following postseason trips in 2009 and 2010, while simultaneously ending West Branch's hopes of reaching the playoffs. Salem continued its historic run with a 21-6 road victory over Indian Valley in the opening round of the playoffs, earning the program's second playoff win ever. The Quakers' season ended the following week with a loss to Steubenville, 46-7, in Minerva.
Weingart graduated as Salem's all-time leader in career touchdown passes with 53 and finished second in career passing yards with 4,797 yards(5400, Trent Toothman 2008-10 and SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2021). His passing touchdown record at present time ranks third in school history, while his career passing yard total currently ranks fourth.
For his outstanding senior season, Weingart was named First Team Northeastern Buckeye Conference (NBC), First Team All-Region Division IV, and All-Ohio Division IV Special Mention.
Following high school, Weingart earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Mount Union and graduated from medical school at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Heis currently a Family Medicine resident at TriHealth and resides in Cincinnati.
1979-80 Girls Basketball Team
Coming off a 17-3 season and Mahoning Valley Conference (MVC) championship the year before, expectations were high for the 1979-80 Lady Quakers. Under head coach Craig Readshaw, Salem exceeded those expectations, finishing with a 24-2 record, earning a share of the MVC championship, and advancing to the regional finals.
The Lady Quakers opened the season with 19 consecutive victories before falling to defending state champion Struthers, 64-36, in the final regular-season game, ending a 23-game MVC winning streak and sharing the MVC title with the Lady Wildcats. Despite the loss, Salem finished ranked No. 6 in the state in Class AAA (equivalent to today's Division I), marking only the second Top 10 state ranking in program history.
Although Salem (19-1) entered the district tournament as the No. 2 seed behind Cardinal Mooney (21-1), the Lady Quakers used the slight as motivation. After defeating Warren Harding 64-48 and Poland 42-33 in sectional play, Salem advanced to the district semifinals against Fitch. In a thrilling 50-48 victory over the Lady Falcons, junior Tammy Bailey (SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2006) hit a game-winning jumper from the top of the key with six seconds remaining, finishing with a game-high 20 points.
In the district championship game at Hubbard High School, fate allowed Salem to face the top-seeded Lady Cardinals. The Lady Quakers prevailed in dramatic fashion, defeating Mooney 66-62 in overtime to capture the first district championship in school history. Bailey tied the game at 55-55 with 1:20 remaining in regulation before the game was sent to overtime. Trailing 60-57 in the extra frame, Bailey found senior Denise Wood for a basket while being fouled, and Wood converted the free throw to tie the game. Bailey and senior Sue Maher then made key free throws down the stretch to secure the championship. Bailey finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Maher scored 12 points. Junior Diane Ward added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
In the regional tournament at Massillon Perry, Salem edged Canton Central Catholic 55-54 in a dramatic contest. Despite injuries and foul trouble, the Lady Quakers overcame a 16-point deficit. Ward led the comeback with 20 points and nine rebounds, scoring 10 consecutive Salem points after Bailey fouled out with more than six minutes remaining in the game. Junior Lois Miller sealed the victory by going 5-for-5 from the free throw line in the final minutes. Bailey finished with 14 points, while Maher, in spite of leaving the game with an ankle injury, added nine points.
Salem's season came to an end in the regional championship game with a 73-53 loss to undefeated East Cleveland Shaw, who later lost in the state semifinals.
Leading the way in postseason recognition was junior standout Tammy Bailey, who averaged 17 points and 6 assists per game. She was named Columbiana County Player of the Year, Salem News AA-AAA Player of the Year, First Team All-MVC, and earned All-Ohio Special Mention honors.
Head coach Craig Readshaw, assisted by coach Janet Woolf, was named Salem News AA-AAA Coach of the Year and Columbiana County Coach of the Year. Junior Diane Ward earned Salem News AA-AAA First Team honors after averaging 11.7 points and eight rebounds per game, while seniors Sue Maher, Jill Zocolo, and Denise Wood earned Second Team honors. Zocolo also established a school record with 15 assists in a game, a mark that still stands today.
The 1979-80 team set the school record for points in a season, scoring 1,644 points while allowing just 1,188 points. The senior class included Maher, Zocolo, Wood, Anne Jones, Jeanne Kennedy, and Linda Faieta.
1980-81 Girls Basketball Team
Following the success of the previous season, the 1980-81 Lady Quakers entered the year with championship expectations. Returning eight letterwinners and led by senior standout Tammy Bailey, Salem once again established itself among Ohio's elite programs.
The season began with four convincing wins followed by a statement victory over Struthers, a 79-41 revenge win against the team that defeated and shared the Mahoning Valley Conference (MVC) championship with Salem the previous year. Bailey scored 27 points, while sophomore Deb Janofa (SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2015) added 16 points.
The Lady Quakers suffered their first loss of the season in their next game, falling 56-43 to Sharon Kennedy Christian (Pa.) and 6-foot-3 all-state sophomore Andrea Friedley, who later went on to play collegiately at Penn State. Friedley led the way with a near triple-double, recording 20 points, 15 rebounds, and nine blocks.
Salem responded by winning its next three games before falling to MVC rival Canfield, 60-56. The Lady Quakers quickly bounced back, earning victories over Poland and West Branch before defeating Struthers, 52-39. Led by junior guard Marci Paster's 16 points, Salem improved to
11-2 on the season.
Three more wins set up a highly anticipated MVC showdown with Canfield (17-1), which entered the contest undefeated in league play at 10-0. In the battle for conference supremacy, the Lady Quakers fell for the second time to the Cardinals, 53-47, dropping their record to 14-3 overall and 10-2 in the MVC.
Despite settling for second place in conference play, Salem closed the regular season in impressive fashion, winning its final three games, including a victory over defending Class AAA state champion Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. In their final home game, the Lady Quakers capped the regular season with a dominant 77-44 victory over conference rival West Branch, extending their winning streak in the heated rivalry to 10 consecutive games. Senior standouts Tammy Bailey and Diane Ward delivered memorable performances. Bailey scored 33 points to establish a then-school record for points in a game, surpassing the previous mark of 30 points that she shared with teammate Denise Wood from the season before. Ward added a dominant double-double, finishing with 20 points and 16 rebounds.
The Lady Quakers (17-3) entered tournament play as the No. 3 seed in the Hubbard District and opened the postseason with a forfeit victory over Youngstown South due to a teachers' strike. After defeating Warren Western Reserve, 73-44, in the sectional final, Salem once again defeated Cardinal Mooney, 55-43, in a rematch of the previous season's district championship game. Four Lady Quakers scored in double figures, led by Janofa and Bailey with 14 points each, followed by Ward with 12 and Paster with 10
In the district title game, Salem earned its 21stwin by defeating Warren Harding 75-48 to capture its second consecutive district championship. Bailey scored a game-high 27 points, while Paster added 17. Senior Lois Miller played a key defensive role, holding Harding standout Tonya Stubbs to 18 points and 12 rebounds, well below her season averages of 27 points and 21 rebounds per game.
At the regional tournament in Massillon, Salem edged Mentor, 55-54, to advance to the regional championship game for the second consecutive year. Ward led the way with 16 points, followed by Janofa with 13 and Bailey with 12 as the Lady Quakers held off a pesky Cardinals team that briefly took its only lead of the game late in the fourth quarter.
Salem once again faced familiar foe East Cleveland Shaw in the regional championship game. This time around, the Lady Quakers held the lead for much of the contest and remained in front until midway through the fourth quarter. However, they eventually ran out of steam, falling 66-62 to the eventual state runner-up. Ward paced Salem with 19 points, bringing her final career total to 815 points, while Bailey scored 14 in the last game of her remarkable career. Paster added 15 points for the regional runner-up Lady Quakers
Salem finished the season 22-4, surpassing the previous year's team record for points scored with 1,680 points, a mark that remains the program record today.
Bailey capped her career by earning Third Team All-Ohio honors, her second consecutive Columbiana County Player of the Year and Salem News AA-AAA Player of the Year awards, and First Team All-MVC honors. She averaged 21 points and nine rebounds per game as a senior and led the MVC in scoring. Her 496 points in a season remain a Salem record, and her 1,400 career points rank second in program history (1701, Valerie Scott '94 and SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2014).
Ward earned First Team All-Columbiana County and Salem News AA-AAA honors after averaging 14.5 points and nine rebounds per game. Paster (13.5 points per game) and Miller earned Second Team All-County recognition. Head coach Craig Readshaw, assisted by coach Shane Franks, once again earned Salem News AA-AAA Coach of the Year and Columbiana County Coach of the Year.
The senior class included Bailey, Ward, Miller, Jeri Chandler, Mary Lou Perry, and manager Kathy Bowser. Other members of the team included Janofa, juniors Linda Huffman, Nancy Maher, and Marybeth Shivers; sophomore Bianca Penick; and freshman Pam Evans and Debra Swartz.
Tom Wright
Class of 1966
2026 Joe Kelley Spirit of Salem Award Recipient
For more than five decades, Tom Wright has represented the very best of what it means to have the Spirit of Salem. Through coaching, volunteer service, and countless behind-the-scenes contributions, Wright has consistently embodied the values celebrated by the annual Joe Kelley Spirit of Salem Award.
A lifelong supporter of Salem athletics, Wright served as the head boys soccer coach from 1987-2005, compiling an impressive overall record of 167-87-25. Under his leadership, the Quakers enjoyed one of the most successful stretches in program history, including an undefeated regular season in 1992 and a Division I district runner-up finish in 1998. Overall, Wright guided Salem to six district semifinal appearances and four conference runner-up finishes, helping establish a strong foundation for future generations of Quaker soccer players.
Wright has also served as a past president and longtime member of the Salem Youth Soccer League, demonstrating his commitment to developing young athletes and strengthening the community. His contributions to the sport of soccer were recognized with his induction into the Youngstown Area Scholastic Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame in 2021.
His commitment to Salem athletics has extended far beyond the sidelines. Wright served four terms as Salem Athletic Booster Club president and two terms as secretary, dedicating countless hours to supporting student-athletes and athletic programs.
For many years, Wright can be found serving the Quaker community at athletic events as a football ticket seller and basketball usher. His familiar presence, friendly smile, and willingness to help are a constant and valued part of the Salem athletic experience.
Beyond athletics, Wright's impact on Salem has been felt throughout the community. During his over 50 years of service at Grandview Cemetery, he provided summer employment opportunities for countless Salem student-athletes, offering them not only a job but also guidance, mentorship, and a positive example of hard work and dedication.
Wright resides in Salem with his wife, Christine. Together, they enjoy spending time with their three adult children, Jackie Richard, Scott Wright, and Emily Davis, along with their seven grandchildren.
1926 Football Team
Legacy Inductee
One hundred years later, the 1926 Salem football team remains one of the most dominant and historically significant teams to ever represent Salem High School. In recognition of their lasting impact and remarkable achievements, the team is being posthumously honored as a Legacy Inductee into the Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
The 1926 Quakers completed the first undefeated season in school history, finishing with a perfect 10-0 record while outscoring their opponents 239-25. Salem dominated its schedule, earning victories over Louisville (12-0), Akron Garfield (32-0), Akron West (10-6), Struthers (10-6), East Liverpool (25-7), Alliance (15-6), Wellsville (29-0), Leetonia (66-0), East Palestine (19-0), and Lisbon (23-0).
The historic season earned Salem the Columbiana County Championship, the Eastern Ohio Championship, and recognition as one of four teams designated as "state champions" during an era before Ohio established official playoff classifications.
The Quakers were led by a talented group of student athletes who displayed the toughness and versatility that defined early Salem football. Senior co-captains Les Older and Bob Campbell, along with senior Don Mathews, anchored a dominant defense, while Campbell also contributed as a reliable two-way player. Sophomore Edward Sidinger, affectionately known as the "kid" of the team, emerged as the offensive standout, serving as the team's passer, kicker, and a dangerous ball carrier.
Ten of Salem's 16 letterwinners were seniors, including Older, Mathews, Campbell, Pif Harsh, Fred Schuller, Bill Liebschner, Joe Schmid, Gus Jacobson, Mal Rush, and Ab Debnar. The roster also featured juniors Robert Talbot, captain-elect Charles Herbert, and Lowell "Rib" Allen (SHS Athletic HOF Class of 2014), along with sophomores Sidinger, George Konnert, and Jimmy Scullion.
The 1926 Quakers laid the foundation for a proud football tradition that has spanned generations. Their undefeated championship season remains a defining moment in Salem athletics history will never be forgotten.