Utica inducting five into Athletic Hall of Fame
Five former star athletes will be inducted into the Utica Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday before the varsity boys basketball game against Lakewood following a reception in the cafeteria at 6 p.m.
Max Spray, a 1975 graduate, who died in 2006, still holds the program’s shot put record of 51-feet-3.75. At 6-foot-5, Spray also was an outstanding offensive and defensive lineman on the football team.
Alan Varrasso, a 1992 graduate, was a member of the undefeated Buckeye Athletic Conference football team, which made the program’s first playoff appearance in 1991. Varrasso received postseason honors in football and basketball, including being named to the All-Ohio honorable mention list in basketball.
Matt Warthman, a 1993 graduate, played first base and helped guide the baseball team to a 28-2 record and the Division III state final against Coldwater at Ohio State in 1992. Warthman was one of six Utica players named to the All-Ohio team from that state runner-up season.
David Baker Jr., a 1998 graduate, was a state qualifier in both cross country and track, finishing 13th in track and set the school record of 9:46.49 in the 3,200. Baker Jr., Jon Hostasa, Justin Humphrey and Dustin Swartzenberger also broke the record in the 3,200 relay.
Justin Dassylva, a 2010 graduate, was a four-year starter on the basketball team and finished in fifth on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,097 points. Dassylva, who earned Mid-Buckeye Conference, Central District and All-Ohio honors during his career, joins his older brother Jared as a Hall of Famer.