AIDAN POLLARD
Sports Editor
“How do you want to be remembered?”
That’s the question that helped drive Fredonia hall of fame inductee Nick Guarino to becoming the most decorated distance runner Fredonia has ever had.
Guarino is a five-time NCAA Division III national champion.
He has won the indoor and outdoor 800M races, the indoor mile and the outdoor 1500M race on the national stage.
Guarino is one of four individuals and five teams of distinction that were inducted on Saturday.
Inductee Reilly Schwenebraten from the class of 2012 was a Fredonia women’s soccer player who was second team All- America in both 2011 and 2012.
Inductee Sarah Ficarro was a 2013 graduate and diver for the Fredonia swimming and diving program. She was a seven-time All-American in springboard diving.
Inductee Jordan Oye graduated in 2011 and was SUNYAC player of the year as well as first team All-American that same year.
“It feels surreal as I didn’t expect [to be inducted] so soon,” said Guarino. “I am very honored by it. It’s given me a time to reflect back on my career so far and the lessons I’ve learned.”
Guarino also said that he believes the time and effort spent in athletics was “absolutely” worth it for the lessons he learned and that he will be able to apply them to his career moving forward.
The inducted teams of distinction included 1959 men’s soccer, 1972 men’s soccer, 1976-77 men’s track and field, 1993- 94 men’s hockey and 1994-95 men’s hockey.
The inductees joined a group of 129 others in Fredonia’s history who have been selected for induction into the hall of fame.
According to the Fredonia athletics website, the criteria to be inducted into the hall of fame includes having graduated at least ten years prior to the induction.
None of the inductees this year were graduated in 2008 or earlier, highlighting the impact that each of these athletes has had on the Fredonia athletics department.
Each athlete also had to be passed by an 80 percent approval vote from the hall of fame committee.
The committee also looks to see how the potential inductee impacts and performs in his or her professional environment.
The criteria states “The alumnus must have participated in an outstanding manner in athletics or contributed significantly to the athletics program during their time at the University. The nominee must also be of worthy citizenship and a positive role model in his/her professional involvement.”
Current athletes at Fredonia, or anywhere for that matter, can learn a lot of valuable lessons by speaking to or just by watching this year’s inductees.
They are a strong group of incredible athletes who have now been immortalized in the Fredonia mythos and whose actions and accomplishments will not be forgotten.
“As the current [track and field] coach Tom Wilson tells the new freshmen every year, I would ask [current athletes] ‘how do you want to be remembered?’” said Guarino. “It’s important to enjoy your college experience. It’s gone in a flash. However, doing the little things add and make a difference throughout your career.”