LCHS alumni earn recognition

Lancaster Catholic High School (LCHS) added three new members to its Athletic Hall of Honor on April 1. The Lancaster Catholic Hall of Honor recognizes and celebrates those individuals who, through their participation, guidance, and support, have made outstanding contributions to Lancaster Catholic athletics.

Robert Rhoades, Class of 1964, was recognized for his performance in football, basketball, and track. While attending LCHS, he received nine varsity letters. In football, Rhoades was a starter in football playing wide receiver, defensive back, and punter. He was chosen to play in the Lancaster County East/West All Star Football Game as a wide receiver, earning Lancaster County All Star recognition. In basketball, he was a three-year letter winner and two-year starter in basketball playing guard. In track, Rhoades was a three year letter winner, participating in javelin, broad jump, and high jump. He participated in the PA Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association (PCIAA) state track meet in all three events.

Rhoades attended Kings College with the intention of playing football; however, the school discontinued football his freshman year, so he and other players formed a club team. He was invited to try out for punter for the new American Football League team the Buffalo Bills, but the military draft prevented him from doing so.

John Kunkle, Class of 1969, was recognized for his performance in football, wrestling, and track. While attending LCHS, he was a three-year letter winner and a starter in football playing defensive back and halfback. In his senior year, he was named First Team Tri-County Football League All Star at defensive back/linebacker. He helped lead his Lancaster Catholic teams to an overall record of 18-9-3. In wrestling, Kunkle was a two-year letter winner and compiled a 19-2 overall record as a senior. He also won the 1969 PCIAA State Catholic Wrestling Championship. While running track, Kunkle was a two-year letter winner, running the 880, 1-mile relay, and 2-mile relay. He earned various awards and set a school record in the 2-mile relay.

Kunkle attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), where he was a two-year letter winner in wrestling.

Kyle Smith, Class of 2010, was recognized for his performance in football and track. Smith earned six varsity letters. While playing football, he led his team to the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section III Championship in his sophomore year. During his junior season, he led the team to the L-L League Section III Championship and the AA District III Championship. His senior season, Smith led the team to aforementioned championships and the 2009 PIAA AA State Championship. He earned numerous individual accolades. At the conclusion of his senior season, he held every school passing record as well as three state passing records.

In track, Smith earned three letters, competing in javelin. He won a number of league, district, and state medals and was the All-State selection in track in 2008 and 2009. In 2009 and 2010, he was the Lancaster Newspaper Male Athlete of the Year.

Smith accepted a scholarship to play football and throw javelin at Central Michigan University (CMU). An elbow injury curtailed his football career, but he was able to continue with track. His senior year, he was named NCAA All American in javelin and earned the Mid American Conference Medal of Excellence in track. After graduating from CMU, he attended the University of Virginia (UVA) Law School with one year of eligibility. He threw javelin at UVA for one season, earning a varsity letter and Second Team ACC All Star Honors and being named an NCAA All American.

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