On Thursday night at the school’s gym, Hernando High’s Sports Hall of Fame welcomed eight new inductees. The following night, they were honored at halftime of the Leopards’ home football game against Citrus.
LESTER BROWN JR.
A 1974 graduate, Brown was an All-State and All-American selection as a running back and linebacker in football. During his career he set what was at the time a county single-game rushing record of 233 yards and the single-season mark of 1,700 yards.
Also a catcher in baseball, he earned a scholarship in both sports from Albany State College. After a career-ending injury, he went on to graduate from the University of Central Florida and serve in the U.S. Army.
Using his degree in business administration, he held management positions within multiple corporations before his retirement.
RICHARD GANT JR.
A highly successful four-year wrestler, Gant finished his prep career in 1998 with an overall record of 120-16. He placed third and second at the FHSAA Finals, but his crowning achievement was a state championship in 1997. He was an All-American at the 1998 National High School Coaches Association Wrestling Championship.
He received a scholarship from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ari., twice qualifying for the NAIA National Championship during his two seasons competing there.
Married with one child and another on the way, he works as an engineer living in Scottsdale, Ari.
TOM KIRBY
Kirby spent four years starring on the Leopards’ boys golf team, being named a Gatorade National Athlete of the Year when he graduated in 1983.
A four-time All-Gulf Coast Conference performer, he earned a Division I scholarship to USF, where he was a three-time all-conference selection. He also won several titles on the amateur circuit.
He graduated from USF in 1987 with a degree in finance and has held multiple management positions.
BILL LANE
A record-breaking basketball player, Lane graduated in 1966 as the Leopards’ career leader in points and rebounds, leading the 1963-64 team to an undefeated regular season.
He played collegiately at North Florida Junior College and the University of West Florida. After a successful career at both schools, he became a coach and teacher in North Florida, then obtained a master’s degree in business administration from FSU and went into commercial banking and insurance.
BEN MARTUCCI
One of the top distance runners in Hernando history, the 2007 graduate was a state qualifier in both cross country and track and field. He set a school record in the 1,600 meter of 4:17, and was part of two record-setting relays.
He went on to a stellar career at Florida Southern College, where he was the top cross country runner as a junior and senior and set multiple school marks.
Martucci is now head coach for cross country and track and field at Florida Southern, having earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree, collecting conference Coach of the Year honors.
BRENT STENTZ
A pitcher ace during his time with Hernando, the 1993 graduate was an All-State pick as a senior, and made the National All-Star Team.
He was twice drafted by Major League Baseball franchises, by the San Diego Padres out of high school, then in 1995 by the Detroit Tigers after two years pitching at Pasco-Hernando Community College.
Earning numerous awards and accolades throughout his minor league career, he suffered a career-ending injury at the Triple-A level, forcing him to retire and eventually join the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff. He has been a sergeant with the patrol division since 2003.
BRITTANY BELL
Bell was a three-sport standout prior to graduation in 1997, starring for four years in volleyball, basketball and softball.
She was all-conference and all-district as a junior and senior, as an outside hitter in volleyball and shooting guard in basketball. In softball she was a three-time all-conference and all-district pick, as well as an All-State selection as a senior, earning a scholarship in that sport to PHCC
An all-conference and All-State selection at the community college level, she earned another scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. She led the team there in stolen bases and runs scored as a senior.
JASON HEATHERLY
During his cross country and track prep careers, the 1983 graduate set multiple school records. He ran a 3,200 time of 9:33 to set the mark in that race, and a 14:47 to do the same in the 3-mile run.
He was a conference, district and regional champion in track, and All-State selection in both sports, garnering a scholarship from USF. A leg injury suffered during an automobile accident ended his collegiate career.
Follow Chris Bernhardt Jr. on Twitter @cpbernhardtjr.