Class of 2012 Biographies

John Burr

John Burr was a three-sport star at Howland High. He earned 8 Varsity Letters as a standout on the Football, Wrestling and Track Teams. He was All-Steel Valley Football player as an offensive guard and defensive tackle for Coach Pierson. He wrestled his senior year in the top weight class under Coach Shivley. He threw the shot put in track. He completed his undergraduate work at Hiram College where he played as a defensive lineman and earned 4 letters. He received second team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference honors as a junior and then as a senior was first team all PAC and an HM Associated Press All-American. He served as Co-Captain of the Hiram Terriers that year and led them to a conference title. He was recently inducted into the Hiram Athletic Hall of Fame. Continuing his education at OSU, he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine there. He worked as a veterinary for 2 years in Connecticut. In Dayton, Ohio he worked with the Jam Pet Food Company in research. He became involved in the Iditarod race in Alaska for several years studying performance and nutrition. He also worked for Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia studying wolves and their nourishment. He resides in the Dayton area with his wife, son and daughter.

Doug Datish

Doug was a standout player on both offense and defense at HHS. He earned 4 football letters. As a co-captain his senior year, he was selected as the Associated Press Division II Co-Defensive Player of the Year and was 1^st team All-Ohio. SuperPrep ranked him the 5^th best offensive lineman in the country. He was an ESPN & USA Today All-American. He also played basketball as a freshman but then decided to concentrate on football. He attended Ohio State on a football scholarship under Coach Tressel. He started on the scout team as an offensive guard (2002), progressed to a starter as a guard (2003), started at left guard then switched to left tackle (2005), and finally became the center (2006). He did not allow any quarterback sacks that year and was 1^st team All-Big Ten. In 2007 he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons. He also was a member of the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans. He graduated in

2005 with a degree in history and enrolled in graduate studies. He is the son of Mike and Susan Datish of Howland. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Karli, also a Howland graduate.

He is the Creator/Producer of the TV show Reaper Outdoors: Survive the Hunt and actively involved in the Wounded Warrior Project as well as St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Mike Datish

Mike was a two-year letter winner in football in ‘71 and ‘72 under the leadership of Coach Pierson, starting at center and defensive end. The 1971 team posted a record of 7-3 and was co-champs in the Trumbull AA League. A record of 8-1-1 followed in 1972, and Mike was a co-captain. He continued He continued his football career at OSU under Coach Hayes from 1973-1976. Team records during those years: Big Ten Co-Champs - ’73, ’74, and ’76; Big Ten Champs - ’75; Rose Bowl - ’74, ‘75’ and ’76. and Orange Bowl – ’77. Mike earned a letter in 1975. He graduated from OSU in 1977 with a BS in Education. He was a Howland Township Firefighter from 1976-2011. Graduating as a paramedic from CCC in 1980, he became one of the original ones for Trumbull Co. He served as such from 1980 to 1992. He is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Firefighters Local 2786. He continued his education receiving an Associate Degree from the U of Akron in Fire Protection Technology. He was President of the Howland Quarterback Club and helped raise funds for the team. He married Sue Prokop in 1978. They have two children, Kristen and Douglas. Both are married. He has 3 grandchildren.

Rich Hlaudy

Rich ran Cross Country and excelled in Track while at HHS. As a pole vaulter, he led a solitary existence dedicating many hours to preparation and practice. Following in his pole vaulting father’s footsteps, he became the best in Howland track history. In his senior year, 1989, he set the school record of 15 ‘ 3” at the prestigious Midwest Meet of Champions. This school record still stands. He was the League Champ, the District Champ (still holds District Record) and Regional Champ that year and remained undefeated in dual meets. He won the Bellaire Relays in 1989 setting a record that stood for 20 years. At the State Track Meet in Columbus, he placed 2^nd which was only the 2^nd time that year that he did not win his event. He attended Miami University to continue his craft then transferred to Malone College in Canton. There, Rich lettered every year and was named an All-American in 1994. After graduating, he became an attorney. He resides in Howland.

Angela Cape Homm

Say “cape” and you think of superheroes unless you are a Howland Girls’ Basketball Fan. Angela Cape Homm earned 4 letters in basketball under Coach Diehl. She currently holds the school records for most points scored in a game with 38 and most rebounds in a game with 27. She held the career records for most points, rebounds, and 2 point field goals. Her 2001 individual honors include: 1^st Team All-State, 5^th in running for Ms. Basketball of Ohio, NE Ohio Player of the Year, Trumbull Co. Player of the Year, MAC Player of the Year. She led the 2001 team to a 22 game win streak, the MAC Championship, and the Regional Semis. Angela also excelled in Track and Field also earning 4 letters in the throwing events for Coach Tominey’s Team. Her parents are Jeff and Regina Cape and her brother is Gregory who also graduated from Howland. She attended the University of Dayton on a basketball scholarship. There her awards include: Team Captain, Team Scholar Athlete, Coach’s Award. She graduated Cum Laude with a Major in Accounting and Finance and earned a MBA receiving numerous academic awards. She is a CPA and works as an auditor. She enjoys assisting with the girls’ basketball skill program for grade 1-3 at Madeira Elementary School. She resides in Cincinnati with her husband, Michael, children Savannah (15 mos.) & Lucy (6 wks.)

Dennis Joy

Dennis was a stand-out golfer for the Tigers under Coach Bruce Boron, and he also played football for Coach Vuchak. In golf he still holds the school record for the low score for 9 holes with a 32. Dennis played golf at Ohio State and after graduation he played on mini tours and participated in numerous tournaments. He then changed careers and moved to New York City to work on Wall Street and became a Vice President at UBS. In 1982 He started a private equity partnership that he continues managing today. This partnership has approximately 50 limited partners of which he is the managing general partner. He has three children: Julien, 27; Genevieve, 24; and Philip, 17.

Jill Martin-Kistler

Jill earned a total of 9 letters as a Howland Athlete. She excelled in soccer, basketball, and track. In soccer playing for Coach Dennis Smith, she set school records in career goals (64) and was named 1^st team all NE Ohio (’86) and 1^st team all-Conference (’87). Jill played for Coaches DeJacimo and Lowers in basketball. Her quickness served her well. She earned HM in the AAA (’87) and 1^st Team Trumbull Co D1 (’88). Finally in track for coaches Tominey and Skovran, Jill set school records: 300 M. low hurdles 47.7; 4 X 400 relay 4:19 - team of Martin, Hesselman, Biggin, Marino; 100 M. hurdles 16.7. In 1988 she was selected All-Conference. She continued her success both on and off the field at Mt. Union. A 4 year letterman in soccer, she set new records: most goals in season – 20 (’88); most goals career – 40 (’88-’91); most assists career – 30 (’88-’91); most points season – 47 (’88); most points career – 110 (’88-’91). Jill graduated from Mt. Union with a BA in Sports Medicine. She works at St. Joseph Health as an Athletic Trainer. Her parents are Terry and Larilee Martin, and her sister is Shari Martin Chambers. Jill is married to Joe Kistler. They have a son, Cole.

Michelle Kriebel

Michelle was named female athlete at HHS in WomenSports Magazine published by Billie Jean King in 1975. Here are the reasons: Basketball 3 years -Varsity, Captain or Co-Captain, high scorer, letter winner, and 2 years MVP, Steel Valley All Star, 17 pts per game average. Track 3 years – Varsity, MVP, letter winner, District Qualifier; 2 yrs. – State Qualifier, and Fitch Tri-State Classic; and Co-Captain Senior year. School Records set: 100 yd dash State Meet 1975; 220 yd dash Sectionals 1977; 440 relay Districts 1977. (record still holds – 50.2 seconds); tied high jump record, and also posted the best long jump. Michelle scored 30 points vs Campbell Memorial her senior year. Michelle, her mother, Kay, brother, Todd, and sister, Rhonda Rushin, reside in the Warren area.

Carter Lewis

Mr. Lewis has been a longtime supporter of the Howland Community, its schools and students. He unselfishly gives of his time and resources to help improve the quality of our schools for our students and student/athletes. Carter has always been there when needed to upgrade the softball field at the park or remove the old press box from the stadium. He chaired the highly successful Howland Tiger Pride Committee and through his leadership and expertise significantly improved our athletic facilities for all sports. Among the numerous boards on which Carter serves is the Howland Community Scholarships Foundation which he helped establish, as well as the Northeast Ohio Adoption Services which had been founded by his sister.

Jim Lowers

In 1971 Jim Lowers received a BS in Mathematics from Westminster College, married his high school sweetheart, Gail, and accepted a position at Howland High School teaching math. Jim later received a Masters Degree in Administration from Youngstown State University. He has been married to Gail for 41 years and retired from teaching in 2007 after 36 years at Howland High. They reside in McDonald. Jim and Gail have two children, Jim (39) and Tonya (32) and one grandchild, Noah (4). The athletic positions that Jim held during his tenure at Howland include: Assistant Football Coach (17 yrs.), Head Softball Coach (8 yrs.), Head Girls Basketball Coach (7yrs.) and 8^th Grade Girls Basketball coach (8 yrs.). Highlights of Jim’s career incude: serving as a member of the football staff that guided the first Howland football team to play in the Regional Tournament, and leading the first softball team to play in a Regional Tournament. Jim also has posted the highest winning percentage of all girls basketball coaches in Howland history at 71%.

Megan Williams Schmidt

As a student/athlete at HHS, Megan was a great competitor, but more than that, a kind person. She received 10 letters – 3 in basketball, 3 in soccer and 4 in track. Some of her basketball honors include: YWCA National Girls and Women in Sports Day Athlete of the Year, Trumbull Co Div I Player of the Year, 1^st Team all-County, 2^nd Team all NE Ohio, All-Ohio Honorable Mention, MVP (Jr & Sr years) Captain (Jr & Sr years), records in career blocked shots and season blocked shots. In Track she was a District Finalist in the 400 m., 800 m. and high jump. She held the school record in the 800 (2:25.1). In Soccer her team was a regional qualifier. Megan played at Cleveland State on a full scholarship for basketball. She won Most Outstanding Player there her junior and senior years. She was awarded Academic Excellence Awards at CSU and in her Conference. Her degree was in Psychology and Communications. She earned a Masters in Education in Sports Management while being a Basketball Assistant Coach there. Megan continued her successful coaching career at IUPUI and the University of Indianapolis (’98-’04). The U of I made the Sweet 16 in the Div II Tourney twice during those years. She is a stay at home mom, married to Joseph Schmidt. They have 4 children, Joseph (7), Morgan (5), Jameson (3), and Jackson (1). The family resides in Indianapolis.

Ray Stevens

Ray was one of the best who ever played baseball for the Tigers. He also was a standout on the basketball team, and he currently holds the school record for the most rebounds in a game with 31. After graduation in 1962, he attended the Ohio State University on a baseball scholarship. Upon leaving OSU, he began a business career in the Dayton, Ohio area while attending Wright State. He became a regional manager for a builder’s supply company. Ray enjoyed playing golf throughout his life. He married Linda Sekula (Call of 1963) in 1966. Their daughter, Hope, is an educator, married with two daughters. His son Brad, also married, is a writer who resides in Los Angeles. His parents were also Howland grads.

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