About this series
Coming up with a short list and then ranking the 10 greatest athletes in the history of each YAIAA high school was a daunting task. For sure, there is no scientific approach. But after two years of interviews, research and roundtable discussions, we are presenting as fair an attempt as possible to create an objective list on a decidedly subjective topic.
OUR CRITERIA: 1. The only accomplishments considered were those achieved while competing in high school varsity athletics. If an athlete earned a college scholarship, that was also factored in. 2. Accomplishments outside the setting of high school varsity sports and accomplishments after high school were not taken into account. 3. Athletes who attended more than one local high school were only evaluated at the school where they had the most varsity success. 4. Female athletes were rated by how they dominated their own sports not how they would fare going head-to-head against male athletes.

Your turn
If you d like to comment or offer a differing opinion on this list, we d love to hear from you. Each Sunday, we ll present your feedback on opinions on page 2 of the York Sunday News sports section - The Rundown. E-mail your thoughts to Sports Editor Chris Otto at cotto@ydr.com or mail them to: Greatest Athletes, c/o Chris Otto, 1891 Loucks Road, York 17408.

Read more
Check out the full series

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Stu Aldinger ('72): The basketball star led the YCIAA in scoring as a senior with a then-league record 532 points. He finished with 1,100 for his career.

Walt Dorsey ('83): He was multiple-event star in track and field, excelling in the high jump, triple jump and high hurdles. He qualified for districts in the triple jump and posted an undefeated dual meet senior season in the high hurdles. "He was the most versatile athlete I ever coached," said Jon Smith, the Spartans' former track coach.

Eva Jansen ('05): The foreign exchange student from Holland was a one-year wonder in track and field. She was a standout in the 100-meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump. She was the YAIAA's Division B athlete of the year.

Nate Weaver ('05): The senior wrestler won a district title in the 275-pound class and then finished third at states. He earned four pins in the PIAA tournament. He also was a good shot put and discus thrower in the spring.

Jeff Wolgamuth ('82): He earned all-league honors as a safety in football (two years) and as a catcher in baseball despite his size - only 5-foot-8 and about 135 pounds. He also was a standout receiver.

ONE TO WATCH

Senior Renee Arey won gold medals in the javelin at the YAIAA championships and at Class AAA districts before taking second at states (137 feet, 10 inches) last spring. She also earned a gold at the league championship meet in the long jump and placed sixth at districts.

OTHER NOTABLE NAMES

George Keiser ('87) made a name for himself by throwing a low-90s fastball and earning multiple all-league honors, earning the interest of Major League Baseball scouts.

John Marchione ('75) was a PIAA wrestling finalist at 98 pounds as a junior and a senior.

Joe Marks ('75) was good at just about everything in track and field, including the long jump, shot put, discus and the quarter-mile. But he was best at the triple jump, where he broke a county record.

Don Matson ('76) was a standout basketball and baseball player who died after graduation in a Navy fighter jet training accident. An athletic scholarship at the school is given in his name.

Scott Seipple ('81), a left-hander, threw a no-hitter vs. Red Lion and received some scouting interest from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rodney Ware ('99) set the YAIAA record for most 3-pointers in a basketball season (83).

Les Wolgamuth ('83) was a cross country state finalist and was known for running to practice from his home in Loganville.