Three former Hancock County athletes will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at their respective schools. Greenfield-Central wrestling star Rich Gardner and football standout Reece Green will be inducted tonight during the Cougars’ basketball game against Pendleton Heights, while Eastern Hancock baseball ace Gary Sullivan is scheduled to be enshrined Feb. 12. A little more about each inductee:
- Rick Gardner, 1999 Greenfield-Central graduate: The Cougars’ wrestler is best remembered for his two state finals appearances. In his senior season, Gardner captured third place, a year after finishing seventh. He ranks fifth in Greenfield-Central history in single-season winning percentage (95 percent), sixth in career wins (116) and 12th in career pins (48). He finished with a career record of 116-24 and was selected to the all-conference team three times. As a football player, he was named defensive MVP. He was an American Legion Award recipient.
- Reece Green, 2008 Greenfield-Central: The football star is the Cougars’ career leader in tackles (404). He earned four varsity football letters, was selected to the All-Hoosier Heritage Conference team in 2007 and was named team MVP, also in 2007. Green was an Associated Press 4A All-State Defensive Team Honorable Mention. Reece was an American Legion Award recipient. He continued his football career at Marian University, where he became a team captain and was a Crossroads League First-Team All-Conference player.
- Gary Sullivan, 1970 Eastern Hancock graduate: Sullivan is the only pitcher in Royals’ history to toss two no-hitters. “It could be argued Gary is the best pitcher ever at Eastern Hancock,” said Greg Hall, president of the Eastern Hancock Athletic Booster Club. Sullivan also was a two-time all-conference selection in basketball and the starting quarterback of the first-ever Eastern Hancock football team.
— compiled by Jim Ayello
