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Max Nogay

The dawn of a new year means the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame is about to increase its membership once again.

The first four members of the Class of 2023, representing the decades of the 2000s and the 2010s, have a combined six individual state championships, were part of four team championships and each competed at the Division I level collegiately.

Barnesville’s Jennie Castle and Union Local’s Koel Davia represent the decade of the 2000s, while Magnolia’s Justin Fox and Madonna’s Max Nogay are the selections for the decade of the 2010s.

The 19th annual OVAC Hall of Fame Induction will be held at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling on Saturday, Aug. 12.

The OVAC Hall of Fame, which is sponsored by Robinson Automotive Group, will announce members of the Class of 2023 every two weeks for the next couple of months.

Below is a capsule look at each honoree:

— JENNIE CASTLE, Barnesville (Class of 2001) — This former Shamrock is one of the most decorated middle-distance runners the Ohio Valley has ever produced.

Castle got it done, on the track, primarily in the 800-meter run where she won the 2001 state championship in what was then a state-record time of 2:12.05.

Prior to arriving at the state meet, as a senior, Castle had put together a resume that was basically second to none. She won four consecutive regional championships in the 800 and had placed three times in the state meet at the distance. She was fifth as a freshman and sophomore before winning the bronze as a junior.

In total, Castle was a six-time All-Ohioan on the track. She was also part of two 4×800 teams that scored in the state.

She won 10 Eastern District titles and a like number of OVAC championships. At the conference meet, to help the team to score more points, Castle was also asked to demonstrate her versatility. That’s proven by the fact that when she graduated she held a conference record in six events.

While Castle excelled in the middle distance on the track, she also certainly had the ability to run long distance as she demonstrated during the fall for the Shamrocks’ cross country team.

Castle was an All-Ohioan as a freshman in cross country, placing eighth. She was the first Shamrock finisher at the 1997 Division III state meet and led them to the team championship, She was the district champion in cross country as a sophomore and a four-time All-OVAC performer in cross country.

Along with the state championship, the Shamrocks won four consecutive OVAC team titles during her cross country career.

Castle continued her track career at the University of Akron where she ran personal-best times of 2:06.91 and 4:23.26 in the 800 and 1500, respectively. She was a Mid-American Conference Outdoor champion in 2005 in the 1500 and qualified for the NCAA National Meet. She placed in the MAC meet — either indoor or outdoor — six times and was second-team All-MAC four other times. She also earned Academic All-MAC and All-American accolades.

Castle ran professionally for the Atlanta Track Club

— KOEL DAVIA, Union Local (Class of 2004) — This former Jet etched his name into Ohio wrestling history by pulling off one of the rarest feats possible.

Davia had his hand raised after a state championship match three times, which has only been done by 68 other grapplers in Buckeye State history.

During the 2002 season, Davia, who hadn’t qualified for the state meet as a freshman, reached the championship match and earned his first gold in 59 seconds with a first-period pin.

Davia claimed the OVAC title in 2003 before embarking on his post-season journey, which saw him arrive back in Columbus with a chance to defend his title. He did so with a 4-1 victory over Harrison Central’s Tony Carrothers.

As a senior, Davia was denied in the OVAC title match by OVAC Hall of Famer and eventual Division II state champion Adam Hoppell in one of the best matches contested in conference tournament history.

However, Davia, competing in Division III in the postseason, didn’t dwell on that match. He capped his brilliant career with a 4-2 victory in the state final and put the finishing touches on a 49-2 season.

Davia finished his prep career with an impressive 167-27 career record, which at the time of his graduation was the eighth most in Ohio history. Of his total victories, an astounding 101 came via the pin, which at the time was the eighth most in Ohio history.

Davia was named the 2004 Eastern District and Ohio OVAC Wrestler of the Year.

After being ranked the 99th-best recruit in America, Davia continued his wrestling career at Division I Edinboro University. He competed there for two seasons.

Along with his work on the wrestling mat, Davia was a multi-year letterman in football as a lineman.

He was also a standout in the throwing circles for the Jets’ track team. He had owned the school discus record until it was broken in 2022.

— JUSTIN FOX, Magnolia (Class of 2011) — It didn’t matter if it was on the football or baseball field, this former Blue Eagle just got it done with regularity.

Fox is the winningest quarterback in West Virginia and Ohio Valley history and earned upwards of 18 post-season accolades in football and baseball combined.

In football, Fox played a myriad of positions, but it was at quarterback where he made his presence felt the most. During his senior season, he led the Blue Eagles to their first state championship since 1964 with a perfect 14-0 record and captured the Kennedy Award as the state of West Virginia’s premier prep player.

As a senior, Fox completed 149 of 231 passes for 2,474 yards and 29 touchdowns. He ran for nine additional touchdowns and kicked an astounding 71 PATs. He broke the school record for career passing yards.

He earned First Team All-State in each of his final three years of high school at three different positions. He was honored as a quarterback as a senior, defensive back as a junior and punter as a sophomore. He was thrice named to the All-OVAC squad as well as All-Valley Big School and was named the Ohio Valley HS Football Player of the Year by WTOV-9.

On the baseball field, Fox earned All-State First Team twice, including the captain of the Class AA team as a pitcher. He was also listed as a pitcher after his junior season and as a utility player following his sophomore campaign. He was named All-OVAC three times as well as All-Valley. He guided the Blue Eagles to the OVAC Class 3A title in 2009.

It was baseball that Fox pursued at the collegiate level. He opted to continue his career at West Virginia University where he started 92 games in his Mountaineer career and appeared in 131. He ranked third on the team, as a senior, with a .273 batting average. He earned four letters during his time in Morgantown.

Fox had a brief professional career, playing two years in the Frontier League with Washington, Pa. and Rockford, Ill.

Justin currently resides in Rivesville, W.Va.

— MAX NOGAY, Madonna (Class of 2010) — It didn’t matter what or where this former Blue Don standout played, he did a lot of winning.

Nogay is one of the rare athletes who won multiple team and individual state championships during his prep career as he earned multiple letters and accolades in football, wrestling and baseball.

In football, Nogay played quartrerback for the Blue Dons and led the team to a 21-0 record in that stretch, including a perfect 14-0 season in 2009 which was capped with a Class A state championship. He passed and ran for more than 1,000 yards in that season.

For his efforts, Nogay was named First Team All-State as a defensive back and was named captain of the unit. He was second-team All-State as a junior and honorable mention following his sophomore season. He was also named All-OVAC and All-Valley twice. After his senior season, he was named a prep All-American by MaxPreps.

That football season set the tone for the wrestling season where Nogay became Madonna’s first OVAC Champion at 171 pounds that season. He followed that up by claiming his second state championship. He won the 160-pound title as a junior. He was a four-time state placer and was also named the OVAC West Virginia Wrestler of the Year.

A pitcher and shortstop, Nogay was just as impressive on the baseball diamond. He led the Blue Dons to their first state title in 2010, which followed up their first appearance in the state tournament a season prior. Three times, Nogay was named First Team All-State as an infielder and twice was a captain. He was named All-OVAC three times and twice All-Valley.

Despite his football and wrestling prowess, it was baseball and the chance to play at West Virginia that won out for Nogay. He matriculated to Morgantown and lettered three times as a catcher and designated hitter. He started 52 games and hit five career home runs, including a grand slam. He also posted a .991 fielding percentage in 2012, committing nary an error in 156 chances. He earned both All-Big East and All-Big 12 accolades for his work in the classroom.

Max is currently an assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia and is Environmental Justice Coordinator in Wheeling.

1. 113: D2 #3 Taylor (West Holmes) vs D2 #10 Buchheit (Beaver Local)

2. 150: D2 #4 Spencer (Indian Creek) vs D2 #12 Boyd (Licking Valley)

3. 106: D2 #2 Buckhart (New Lexington) vs D2 #16 Dickerson (Miami Trace)

4: 165: D2 #6 Myers (Indian Valley) vs D2 #13 Rose (New Lexington)

5. 144: D2 #8 Beatty (Indian Valley) vs D2 #14 McCullough (WCH)

TEAM PREDICTIONS
1. Indian Valley

2. Beaver Local

3. Minerva

4. Indian Creek

5. Miami Trace / New Lexington / West Holmes

1. 285: D3 #29 Norman (Caldwell) vs D3 #30 Smith (Fort Frye)

2. 150: D3 #5 Cline (Waterford) vs D3 NR Smith (Huntington Ross)

3. 120: D3 #17 Worthington (Fairfield Union) vs D3 NR Co.Browning (Crooksville)