EPHRATA SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCES 2022 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

EPHRATA, Wash. -- The Ephrata School District is pleased to announce the five individuals and one team that make up this year’s Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. This recognition honors individuals, teams and coaches that performed exceptionally during their time at Ephrata High School (EHS) and through athletic achievements or contributions brought honor to themselves, EHS and the community.

To be considered for the Hall of Fame, student-athlete nominees must have graduated from Ephrata High School at least five years prior to induction and played varsity sports for at least two years. In addition, they must have achieved one of the following accomplishments: named first team all-conference; named first team all-state; received a top three state medal for any individual sport; named district champion in an individual sport; received a prestigious award (all-American, etc.) or achieved other exceptional performances in a sport.

“In Ephrata, we strive to instill excellence into each of our athletic programs,” said Bryan Johnson, Ephrata High School Athletic Director. “The individuals and teams recognized in our Hall of Fame have had extraordinary achievements in athletics while at EHS. We are extremely proud to call them Tigers.”

2022 Hall of Fame Inductees:

Brandi (Evans) Faith
A 1988 EHS graduate, Faith competed in cross country and track. She is a Washington state track champion in the 1600 meter run, with three top five state finishes, and holds the EHS school record in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. Faith took second in state cross country competitions four times and earned four district championships in cross country during her time in Ephrata. She was a top runner on the EHS 1984, undefeated cross country state championship team. Following high school she went on to compete at the University of Washington.

Troy Zerb
Zerb graduated from EHS in 1987 with three letters in football and baseball. In football, he was named both an all-state and all-conference player, leading the state in touchdowns, with 30, as a senior. Zerb also was a member of the EHS 1986 football state championship team. In baseball, he was also named an all-state and all-conference player and participated in the EHS 1985 and 1987 baseball state championship teams. During his time in Ephata he achieved a .400+ batting average, had 45 extra base hits, stole 62 bases, and was an outstanding defensive 2nd baseman. Following high school, Zerb was a 1987 Major League Baseball draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Greg Metcalf
A 1988 EHS graduate, Metcalf competed in cross country and track, obtaining four letters and three letters, respectively. He was a member of the EHS 1987 cross country state championship team, earning the title of individual state champion. Metcalf finished in the top 10 each of the four years he competed at state cross country. He holds the EHS school record for 1600 meter run in track and won several individual district championships in both sports. Following high school, he went on to compete at the University of Washington (UW) and served as the UW head cross country coach for 21 years and head track coach for 16 years.

Richard Mayer
Mayer graduated from EHS in 1958 with three letters in football and track. He was a standout wingback on the EHS 1957 football team, helping the team with the conference championship as a senior. During his track and field career at EHS, he set several school and meet records in the broad jump, 220/200 meter dash, relay race and hurdles. He placed first at more than 20 track meets in three years.

Jacob Laird
A 2014 EHS graduate, Laird received three letters in football and basketball and four in track & field. In football, he was named as the Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) offensive player of the year as a senior, and named all-state both his junior and senior years. In basketball, Laird received an all-conference, honorable mention recognition. Laird was named a track & field state champion in the discus in 2014, placed third in 2013, was a three time district champ, member of the 2012 state championship team and still holds the EHS school record in the discus. Following high school, he went on to compete at Washington State University in both football and track & field.

1984 Girls Cross Country Team
In 1984, the Girls Cross Country Team brought EHS its very first cross country state championship. The team was undefeated in league and district before taking the state title. They had the third highest all-time margin of victory for state ‘A’ girls with 62 points. The team was coached by Don McFarland, a 2019 EHS Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee. Team members with state placing include:

Brandi Evans (2nd)
Brenda Donehower (6th)
Denise Whallon (14th)
Julie Flint (21st)
Chandra McManus (34th)
Darla Donehower (55th)
Cindy Carpenter (68th)
Kristen Cole (Alternate)

The 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees will be celebrated during a banquet tentatively set for Saturday, October 1. This is the third class of Hall of Fame inductees. The group joins 18 individuals and two teams from prior years. 

The Athletic Hall of Fame is a collaboration between Ephrata High School and the Tiger Boosters club. A board of 13 individuals oversees the Hall of Fame. Nominees must receive a vote of 75 percent of the board members to be inducted. For more information on the EHS Athletic Hall of Fame, please visit www.ephratatigers.com. 

About Ephrata High School:
Ephrata High School sponsors 22 sports programs throughout the academic year.  Located in Ephrata, WA, EHS has an enrollment of more than 800 students in grades 9-12.  For more information about Tiger athletics visit our website at www.ephratatigers.com.

About Ephrata Schools:
Since 1909, Ephrata Schools have provided a quality public education to all students, regardless of ability, race, wealth, language, religion or country of origin. At Ephrata Schools, we exist for kids and learning. We are deeply committed to every child's journey and work hard to ensure that every student graduates ready for career and life. For more information about the Ephrata School District, please visit www.EphrataSchools.org. 

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