Avon Lake Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024

The Avon Lake Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce the Class of 2024.

Individual inductees include Christine Chiricosta Dieken, Matt Kostelnik, Mike Flachbart, Laura McClung Plyler, and Jeff Strauch. Also included is the 2011 Avon Lake Shoregal’s volleyball Team.

Bob D’Andrea will receive the Vasiloff Award for his contributions assisting area athletes.

The inductees will be honored at a banquet at the Lorain Brewing Company’s Event Center in Lorain, Ohio on September 28th. The banquet is open to the public. Reservation forms may be found at the Hall’s website (www.avonlakesportshalloffame.org)

Tennis standout Christine was dominant at Avon Lake High and Bowling Green University. As a Shoregal, she was the SWC MVP selection four times and earned All-Ohio recognition. At BG, she was the winningest player in women’s tennis history and the only woman to achieve Academic All-American honors.

Matt was All-Ohio in football at Avon Lake. He then achieved All-OAC and All-American Division 3 accolades at Mount Union University. Mike’s successes in track at ALHS prepared him for continued honors at the University of Akron and ultimately as a five-time member of the US World Bobsled Team, second in the world in two-man bobsled, and US Olympic team member.

Laura excelled at both basketball and volleyball for the Shoregals. In basketball, she was a two-time SWC MVP, Lorain County Player of the Year, All-District, and All-Ohio honorable mention. Her volleyball skills earned her All-County and All-District recognition.

Jeff’s aggressive play on the football field was rewarded as he was recognized as All-County and All-District MVP. These awards led to his selection as All-Ohio. After graduation, he continued to dominate the gridiron at Mount Union where he led the team in rushing in 2004 plus set the single-game scoring record.