Osbourn Park inducted 16 more athletes/coaches into their Hall of Fame this past Thursday at Old Hickory.
(Top left to right: Maryellen , Brittany Hyter, Justin McElfish, Aaron J. Trumell, Michael , Lea Shreve Murr
Bottom left to right: Erica Field Fox, Jimmy Greene, Mike DiNuzzo, Richard Dombrowski, Rebecca Nemerow Tillett, Robert Jackson, Breanna Walker)
Coming off the success of last year's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Osbourn Park returned to Old Hickory for the 2022 ceremony. There was no shortage of accolades or achievements as the Class of 2022 was just as impressive as 2021. Osbourn Park Director of Student Activities Keith Laine and his team delivered a great night for all those who attended complete with a Happy Hour, dinner and ceremonies.
"We were able to honor our inaugural class right here in this room last year. By all accounts, it was a huge success and would not have happened without the commitment and dedication to fulfilling our vision of the Hall of Fame. Our trustees have continued their hard work to get us here today. This Hall of Fame is 47 years in the making and shows our current student athletes the foundation of the sports community that they themselves represent."
Last year, Michael Foley was the Master of Ceremonies. Since as he was an inductee this year, Luis Hernandez graciously accepted the opportunity and did a stellar job all night long. Sixteen inductees were added to last year's fifteen, and can physically be honored in Osbourn Park's gym on a touchscreen as you enter. There's a section for Hall of Famers, current athletes and future Hall of Famers as well as a section on Osbourn Park's website.
Maryellen Derenda Cornwell, Class of 2008
Maryellen excelled in multiple sports including basketball, golf, soccer and track. In soccer she was a two-time MVP, three-time All District and two-time All Region. She'd also receiver All State 2nd Team honors in 2008. In basketball she was the 2008 MVP and scored 1,000 career points. As a senior she received the PW Ellis Award and had 19 Varsity Letters. She was also the 2008 Female Athlete of the Year.
After Osbourn Park, Maryellen received her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration on a full scholarship to Radford University, graduating Cum Laude.
While there she made two NCAA tournament appearances and was a voted to the Big South All Tournament Team twice.
Her teams won the Big South championship in 2008 & 2011.
Maryellen now works for Capital One Auto Finance and recently married Andrew Cornwell. They reside in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Her brother, Patrick Derenda, is currently the offensive coordinator for Osbourn football.
Mike DiNuzzo, Class of 2007
Mike was an elite soccer player while at Osbourn Park. He made varsity as a freshman and was voted three-time All District, three-time All Region, two-time All State. He made All Met in 2007.
Mike's teams at OP were District Champions all four years (2004-2007) and Regional Champions in 2005 and 2007. They'd finish as quarter-finalists and runner-up respectively. The State Final loss was the only blemish for the Yellow Jackets that season, one which saw Mike co-captain them.
After he left OP, Mike was a four year starter at William & Mary where he ranked ninth all time in career starts at 86. He was voted captain by his teammates in 2009 and 2010.
He was part of the 2010 CAA Championship team and led them to a NCAA Sweet 16 tournament appearance. They'd finish the season ranked 9th by the NSCAA.
Mike would also receive the President's Award in 2009, citing his sportsmanship and leadership.
DiNuzzo would go on to earn a Masters of Education in Educational Psychology from UVA.
Mike is the Assistant Technical Director at Great Falls Reston Soccer Club, where he oversees all of the U8-12 travel programs. He's been an Instructional Assistant for Special Education with FCPS since 2014.
He currently resides in Bristow with his wife Elizabeth, two dogs and newborn son (8/2/22), Theodore Joseph DiNuzzo.
Richard Dombrowksy, Class of 1998
Richard Dombrowsky was another multi-sport athlete at Osbourn Park. He played baseball, golf and wrestling. He was the initial PW Ellis Award recipient with 12 Varsity Letters, a three-time champion in wrestling, a two-time golf regional qualifier and amassed a 127-26 record in wrestling. After OP, he went to Methodist University where he led them to three Conference titles, three appearances in the NCAA D3 regionals and was a three year captain.
Michael Foley told those in attendance of Dombrowsky's remarkable integrity while playing in a golf tournament at Osbourn Park. His dad was in attendance and keeping score, and put Richard down for a 5 (par). Richard corrected him, having taken a penalty stroke when his club touched the ball prior to his shot. No one would have been the wiser, but Dombrowsky led by example. I was able to catch up with him after the presentation to get his thoughts.
"I'm overwhelmed, elated and privileged to be a part of this. I
can't say enough about how appreciative I am. What a wonderful thing that OP is
doing for us. You think about what it was like back then, you start talking
about people and they’re actually here- some are not…it just gets emotional and
is a privilege to speak about it."
Erica excelled at softball, filling up the trophy case to the brim. She was a two-time MVP, three-time All District, three-time All Region and was 2012 Cardinal District Player of the Year. She was also the News & Messenger Player of the Year, Region Player of the Year, State Player of the Year and first team All State.
After Osbourn Park, Erica was a three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year as catcher. She was voted CAA Rookie of the Year, three-time First Team All CAA. She broke James Madison's single season batting average as a junior with .427 which included 85 hits: 21 doubles and 139 total bases.
Erica left JMU as the all-time career record holder for hits, at bats, doubles, sac flies and put outs. She would be drafted by the USSSA Pride in the third round of the 2016 NPF Draft.
Michael Foley (teacher/coach from 1979-2015)
As one who has done the stats and recaps for Osbourn Park football for the better part of the last seven years, I had the privilege of getting to know Mike Foley quite well. I was able to sit down with him last fall and delve into his journey as a teacher and coach from his days at Fauquier High School up until 2015 at OP.
Foley coached tennis, wrestling, golf, helped as assistant softball coach, was a DECA sponsor and is still the "Voice of the Yellow Jackets". 2022 will be his final season in the booth as he enjoys his retirement which will include plenty of rounds of golf.
After OP, Foley continued supporting the OPHS Booster Club and received the 2018 VHSL Regional Award of Merit for Region 6D. During his speech, Foley had the room lacking in dry eyes, as he weaved through stories and anecdotes of the past forty-three or so years on Euclid Avenue. Multiple times he collected himself, but the room waited with plenty of patience for the longtime Yellow Jacket to continue his speech. I caught up with him afterwards.
"This night touched me quite a bit. When I was getting my speech ready, I felt no nerves. I thought it would be a piece of cake. It just hits you. The memories flow back as you see all the other coaches and athletes. It's not what we live for, but you certainly appreciate it years later."
Jimmy Greene, Class of 1983
While at Osbourn Park, Jimmy put his nose to the grind and left quite a legacy as a wrestler. He was a State qualifier his sophomore year, third in State as a junior at 105 pounds and finally State Champ as a 112 pound senior, defeating the wrestler who beat him the year prior. He was a also a co-captain senior year and amassed a 67-17 record as a wrestler. Foley would also recall the perseverance the underdog Greene would exhibit when some counted him out.
Greene would go on to earn a wrestling scholarship to William & Mary where he'd earn a Bachelor of Sciences in biology. He earned the Iron Indian award while there, wrestling in every match during the 1985-1986 season.
Jimmy would also earn graduate degrees from Duke University and a law degree from George Mason University.
The one thing that really stood out to me is Greene's exuberance. His speech was off the cuff and very natural, really tugging at the heart strings at times.
Bethany and Brittany Hyter, Class of 2008
Bethany Hyter was unable to attend due to the birth of her child, but Bethany accepted them on her behalf. The two were the elite of the elite in indoor and outdoor track during their time at Osbourn Park. Bethany was top three in the nation in Middle Distance and Relays. She was a state champion at the 500 Meter, a two-time indoor track area Athlete of the Year and two-time Cedar Run District Distance Outdoor Athlete of the Year.
After OP, Bethany ran for the University of Arkansas.
Brittany Hyter was top three in the nation, specializing in 100/300 hurdles. She was a 300 Hurdle State Champion, an All-American her senior year, 2006 First Team All Area and 2008 First Team All Met.
After OP, Brittany also attended Arkansas where she ran and was a multi All-American in her respective events. She also competed in the US Olympic trials, one of only three Prince William County athletes to ever do it.
Robert Jackson, Class of 1988
Robert Jackson excelled in basketball and football while at Osbourn Park.
Jackson scored over 1,500 points for the basketball team and was three-time First Team All District, three-time first team All Area, three-time honorable mention All Met and a 1988 McDonald's All American.
After OP, Jackson attended and played for the University of Delaware. He was part of their 1992 North Atlantic Championship team, and appeared in the 1992 NCAA tournament as a thirteen seed versus Cincinnati.
While his accolades were mainly in basketball, Robert admitted during his speech he preferred to play football and only played basketball because one coach refused to let him sit around during the winter doing nothing.
That "coach" was his mother who drove him to all his practices and tryouts, all while balancing work shifts with Jackson wondering how exactly she ever found the time to sleep.
Carl R. Kuhn Jr, coach (1973-1991)
Carl R. Kuhn, Jr. left one heck of a legacy while at Osbourn Park where he coached cross country, football, indoor and outdoor track. He earned OP their first ever State Championship in 1981 in cross-country and were 1982 runner-ups. Under Kuhn they were also two-time District Champs, two-time Region Champs, one-time Distance Champs and one-time Regional Champs.
Carl Kuhn attended The University of Virginia on full scholarship and started at quarterback. He also played running back, defensive back and returned punts. He was a co-captain with Gary Cuozzo (later played as backup quarterback to Johnny Unitas with Colts) and Dave Graham (played offensive tackle with the Eagles). After graduating, he played semi-pro ball for a couple of years in the Continental League.
Predating OPHS, Carl was hired at Osbourn HS in 1973 before the school split into Osbourn and OPHS.
He was also the Northern Virginia Track and Field Coach of the Year in 1980.
Accepting the award for Carl was his daughter and granddaughters. They also received a special framed collage of his time at the University of Virginia:
Justin McElfish, Class of 1998
Justin McElfish was a standout in football and both indoor and outdoor track during his four years at Osbourn Park. He was an All-District defensive end, tight end and fullback. Justin was also an All-Region tight end, All Area defesnive end, tight end, fullback and an All-Met tight end.
In indoor track, Justin garnered shotput distance and regional championships and was fourth in state while earning All State shotput honors.
After high school, McElfish attended Richmond University where he played football and was a three year starter. As a junior year he joined the track team and holds the school record for shotput at 53'3", He would go on to sign as a free agent with the then Redskins. I caught up with Justin after the ceremony.
"I feel overwhelmed. People talk about impostor syndrome- and in this regard, it’s somewhat real. I played high school sports, did pretty well and had a great time. You just try your best, and never think it will amount to something like this. It’s high school, you move on. When you get this call and you get to come back- it makes you reflect on the school and people who meant so much to you.
One of the coolest things is seeing so many people who were the same years we went to OP. Finding out the teachers who meant the most to you meant the most to the others is pretty cool."
Justin also reflected on adversity Osbourn Park faced, yet the faculty never made them feel that way.
"I never won a game at OP. We had a stint my senior year where we won a bunch of games but we had to forfeit them. It wears on you. OP was always the underdog. We only had 1,500 kids back then. We’d compete against schools with 3..4..5,000 kids- and we’re the little school that could. Every person in this room will say that. We fought our asses off because we were always the underdog. Coaches, administrators, teachers didn’t treat you as an underdog. They pushed you until you had this chip on your shoulder that made you say ‘I’ll go up against anybody. I can do anything.’ Later in life you get to college and go up against kids that had dozens of scholarship offers and you just go up against them because you believe in yourself. You might get your butt kicked in the working world, but that chip on your shoulder keeps you pushing back. People in this room have done some amazing things- and it’s incredible to see what they’ve accomplished since high school."
Lea Shreve Murr, Class of 1997
Lea was a star athlete in both soccer and basketball at Osbourn Park. She totaled 87 goals and 43 assists, was three-time All Met, the 1997 All Met Player of the Year and on the Olympic Developmental team all through high school.
The 2022 Hall of Famer recalls one mother who would give the girls soccer team baked goods for each goal a player scored.
Eventually the mother realized she couldn't keep up with the amount of goals Lea scored and the treat incentive program magically vanished.
After OP, Lea played soccer at Clemson University where she had a full scholarship, won an ACC championship, appeared twice in the NCAA Final 8 and joined the Navy after graduation.
Jake Stonko, Class of 2009
Jake was cream of the crop at swimming. He was a captain in 2008-2009, and was a 100 Fly 200 Free state finalist in 2009. He was also runner up in 200 Free and a 2009 All American. Jake would graduate Summa Cum Laude.
After OP, Jake swam at William & Mary and now works with the Department of Defense. He was unable to attend due to work obligations in Japan, but his parents accepted the honor for him. Jake's mother filled the room with her contagious personality, where everyone was in stitches for the majority of her speech. The audience couldn't be happier for how proud of her son she was.
Give her 45 minutes to an hour and a mic on stage anywhere in the country and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Rebecca Nemerow Tillet, Class of 1995
While at OP Rebecca dazzled fans of basketball and soccer. On the field she earned two-time All District honors, was a captain for both sports in 1994-1995, and Female Athlete of the Year in 1995.
After her time at Osbourn Park, Rebecca played basketball at William & Mary where she was captain in 1998-1999. She'd transition to coaching as OP girls' head coach from 2001-2007, then to Forest Park from 2007-2013. Rebecca’s overall record in Prince William County was 166-72. Rebecca led Forest Park to three state tournament appearances, including the 2008 Group AAA State final.
She'd move up to the college coaching ranks in 2014 when she was an assistant coach at the United States Naval Academy until 2018. During her time in Annapolis, she was named Recruiting Coordinator and ultimately Associate Head Coach.
Rebecca would move on to Longwood University later in 201. In her four years there, she achieved a record of 36-19 capped off by a 22-12 mark for the 2021-2022 season. Longwood captured the Big South Conference title and went on to an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. Earlier this year she became the head coach of St. Louis University. I was able to get her thoughts on her induction.
"This is incredible. Just the opportunity to be honored by your high school and a place that gave my family so much means a lot. My dad being in the inaugural class, he more than anyone taught me how to be a coach and follow my life's passion. As a young woman, he told me there were no limits for me."
I asked her how Osbourn Park helped prepare her for a career in coaching.
"I think about those opportunities that we had together in our high school years to form great bonds. Some have lasted until now, and some you see again now and go back to those times as teammates. I just always tried to build a community with a team I'm leading- and learned that at OP."
Aaron J. Trammell, Class of 1997
Aaron was a multi-sport athlete at Osbourn Park, starring in track, basketball and football. He earned All Met honors twice and was a two-time State Champion. He holds the school record in shot put at 62'9" and was a member of the OPHS NJROTC. He was a three-time National qualifier and also an All-American.
His success in track helped him gain attention in football as well. He received letters and some offers from Clemson, Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, UNC, UCONN, Lehigh, Marshall, Delaware, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Syracuse, Penn, Penn State, Florida, Elon, Florida State, and Miami.
Aaron received offers from 2 military schools: The Naval Academy (football), and VMI (track and field), but elected to attend Marshall University in Huntington, WV.
Aaron had a good career at Marshall and graduated on time with a BA in Exercise Science and became a father when his daughter was born 2 days after graduation.
After college Aaron ended up working at a juvenile detention center where he'd meet his wife of 21 years, Nautilus Fitness Center and currently at St. Mary's Medical Center for over two decades. He credits his work ethic and dedication on the field and at home to his parents, Timothy A. Trammell and his late mother Louise C. Trammell. He also gave credit to a number of teachers and coaches: Dan Jones, Thomas Cerul, Al Crow, Mike Feldman, Doug Poppe and Dan Evans, Sr.
"It was a spectacular event. I got a chance to catch up with people I haven’t seen in years. It was a real honor to see the wonderful coaches who helped mold and shape me into the man I am today. We have so much talent in this area, specifically at Osbourn Park high school. My time at OP prepared me well. I did all kinds of sports. My coaches coached me on how to be a good athlete, student, how to work hard and apply that on the field and in the workforce."
Breanna Walker, Class of 2012
She led the Yellow Jackets to (6) District and (5) Northwest Regional Team Championships. Individually she won (13) District and (8) Northwest individual titles. In 2012 she anchored Yellow Jackets’ AAA State Championship 4x200m Relay. She scored 807.75 career points and was Group AAA All-State an astounding (14) times. At the 2012 Cardinal District Outdoor Championship she won the 100m, 200m and 400m Dashes, earning the title of Queen of Sprints, the first to do so in school history. For her efforts she was selected 1st Team All Met, the Washington Post Extra and Potomac News Track Athlete of the Year. She still holds the school record in the 300m Dash at 39.77.
Breanna would go on to Loyola University-Chicago where she'd earn All Missouri Valley Conference honors five times. She graduated in 2016, holding school records in the 60m, 100m, 200m and was a member of their 4 by 100m record squad. She currently lives in Chicago and is a Fellow at the University of Chicago School of Public Policy. She was almost beside words after her induction.
"This was absolutely phenomenal. I never thought I’d be here today- so
to be here with these amazing people is life-changing and finally hit me. It means
something- like finally, it’s real. High school is four years of duration. You’re
going through so much in that time. You’re growing, you’re changing, you’re learning-
you didn’t think it meant something then. But it means something right now, and
you get to share that with a group of people who are equally as incredible. It’s
a blessing, and I never, ever thought I’d be here."
Todd Colas (left) and Kevin Ambrose (right) of OP's first ever State Championship cross country team in 1981.
Returning to watch the 2022 Class was both Todd Colas and Kevin Ambrose, members of OP's first ever State Champions in cross country. Both would give speeches of their own. I spoke to Kevin afterwards.
"It was wonderful. Just a top notch event. It was a nice mix
of coaches, athletes and time periods. Work hard, have fun. I always considered
it a full-time job that I loved. When you reach the highest points, you have to
put a lot of hours in and to put a lot of hours in- you have to love it. You reap
the rewards and it’s the satisfaction of all that time and effort make it worth
it. It wears off, and transitions into college studies and careers.
I
struggle with telling kids, ‘do it now while you can’. Often times you get to a
certain point where you can’t do it anymore. I would love to go back and redo
some of those races, some of those workouts- of course I can’t. I was busy having
fun as a high school kids so I didn’t give everything. I don’t regret it. If I
were to go back, I’d work harder. It was cross country and running that thinned
me down. I love it so much, I never stopped running. What my mom forced me to
do became a love in high school and college."
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Some members of the 2022 class were present at Friday's Homecoming game versus Freedom (South Riding).
left to right: Michael Foley, Justin McElfish, Jimmy Greene, Erica Field Fox, Richard Dombrowsky, Aaron J. Trammell, Breanna Walker
Lastly I was able to stop by and chat with former coach Michael Feldman. Feldman was a former head football coach (1995-2000), head coach of boys/girls track and field (2001-2019, 2022) and an assistant in 1996, 2020 and 2021. Feldman was mentioned in a majority of the inductees' speeches, having had a lasting effect on each one of them in different ways.
"I thought it was
incredible. They are all Hall of Famers. The impact they made on the life of
our school while they were here is absolutely wonderful. I’m at a loss for
words which doesn’t happen often to me. Those were my kids up there tonight. When you’re coaching kids, you’re supposed to bring things out of
kids they didn’t know they had. They all had athletic talent. We had to get
them to believe in their talent and believe in themselves."
Finally I asked about advice he would give current and future coaches.
"I think kids want the same things they’ve always wanted.
They want to be challenged, disciplined and be told they’re tough. You have to
put them in situations where they have to be disciplined, challenged and but also
believe in themselves. You teach them to put the team on their back, even in
individual situations. That’s how you find success. As a coach you have to tap
into that. We never sacrifice the core values of our
program for a trophy. When you build a culture like that, kids will perform at
a higher level."
That last part sums up why Osbourn Park- despite any adversity- has managed to find the level of success they've had and is the foundation for the Osbourn Park Hall of Fame.
See everyone next year to honor more excellence in Osbourn Park athletics.
For more on OP sports, visit their website and follow them on Twitter @OPJackets.
