Athletics

HCC inducts six into Hall of Fame

Six individuals were recently inducted into the Hagerstown Community College Athletic Hall of Fame. Athletic Director Amy Sterner presided over the annual event, with an attendance of more than 100.

Inductees of the HCC 23rd Class of the Hall of Fame include Katie (Baker) Carbaugh, Mike Gehr, Penny (Trail) Lipinski, Julie Sanders, Grant Smith, and Devon Wade.

Katie (Baker) Carbaugh, of Hagerstown, played volleyball and softball at HCC, from 1998 to 2000. As a volleyball player, Carbaugh was a first team All-MD JUCO and 1st team All-Region 20 selection; she was also named to the All-Tournament team at the 1999 Region 20 tournament as well as MVP of the 1999 Genesee Tournament. As a freshman, she was part of the 1998 Region 20 Championship team that traveled to Utah for the Division I National Tournament. In 1999, as a sophomore, Carbaugh was voted NJCAA first team All-American. In September 1999, she held the rankings of first in the NJCAA in aces per game and fifth in kills per game. After graduating from HCC, Carbaugh received a volleyball scholarship to UNC-Pembroke. While playing for the Braves, she was named to the All-Tournament team and earned Peach Belt player of the week. In 2001, she also set the record for aces in one season at 80, which she still holds. She currently works as a lead teacher for Washington County Public Schools.

Mike Gehr, of Hagerstown, has been an integral part of the Hawk Booster Club and HCC Foundation for more than 23 years. Starting as a Booster Club member, he has been the Booster Club president, served on the Booster Club executive committee, the HCC Foundation tribute committee since 2001, the tribute sales committee, as well as holding a seat on the HCC Foundation board for the past 11 years. He has always been a strong advocate for HCC student athletes. He is an architect and the vice president of Bushey Feight Morin Architects.

Penny (Trail) Lipinski, of Hancock, played volleyball and basketball at HJC, from 1982 to 1985. During her freshman basketball season, the Lady Hawks finished the season with a record of 21-6. They were MD JUCO Conference Champions and became the first women’s basketball team in HJC history to win Region 20 title. This win earned them a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament. As a member of the basketball team, Lipinski was a first team All-MD JUCO and a first team All-Region 20 selection. She also led the Region in foul shot percentage, at 89 percent during the 1983-84 season. Lipinski holds the school record for most points scored in a single regulation game, at 41. She is also the fifth highest single-season scorer in HCC women’s basketball history, at 501 points. After graduating from HJC, Lipinski continued her academic and athletic career at Alderson Broaddus, where she continued to play basketball. She currently works as a physical education teacher for Washington County Public Schools.

Julie Sanders, of Cascade, was a member of the HJC Track and Field Team from 1985 to 1987. In 1986, she became the school record holder of the shot put, discus, and javelin. She qualified for nationals in discus in 1986 and 1987, as well as indoor nationals for the shot put in 1987. Sanders currently holds the record for discus, 20-pound weight throw and javelin at HCC. In 1987, she qualified for the Penn Relays, in discus, with a throw of 128’ 3”. Sanders was a seven-time first place finisher in Region 20 while at HJC. After HJC she concluded her career at Frostburg State University. While there, she was the school record holder in discus and second highest point scorer in a two-year career. After graduating from Frostburg, she came back to her alma mater, Smithsburg High School, to coach. During her tenure, she coached seven state champions. She is the manager of Sanders Market.

Grant Smith, of Scotland, Pa., was a member of the HCC Track and Field Team from 2010 to 2013. A two-time NJCAA National Champion in shot put, he won the 2013 indoor and outdoor shot put championships, and placed 14th in the discus at the 2013 outdoor championship. With his winning throw of 57’.25” at the 2013 NJCAA outdoor meet, he broke the HJC/HCC outdoor shot put record, which was previously set in 1973. He also holds the HCC indoor shot put record. After graduating from HCC, Smith attended Shippensburg University on a track and field scholarship. While at Shippensburg, he garnered multiple honors including: five-time PSAC shot put champion, PSAC hammer throw champion, PSAC Athlete of the year 2015, MVP of the PSAC Meet, Atlantic Region field Athlete of the Year, four-time NCAA Division II National Qualifier, three-time NCAA Division II All-American, and the first shot put All American in Shippensburg’s history. He is the owner of New Day Strength and Performance, LLC.

Devon Wade, of Chambersburg, Pa., played basketball at HCC from 1996-1998. As a freshman, he was the Player of the Game, scoring 21 points and leading the team in rebounds, as the Hawks defeated the Tunisian National team. He also set the single season record for rebounds his freshman year. His sophomore year, Wade was voted the MVP of the Region 20 basketball tournament where the Hawks upset Allegany College’s perfect season. After HJC, Devon transferred to Cheyney University on a basketball scholarship. During his time playing for the Wolves, Devon earned PSAC second team and third team all-conference honors. After attending Cheyney University, Devon went on to play professionally for 10 years in Israel, Poland, Austria, Argentina, China, and Saudi Arabia. He works as a mental health professional for children.

To learn more about the athletics program at HCC, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/athletics.

(October 17, 2024)