2007 Inductees

	Top: Chris George, Phil George, Ken Montanari,Sean Knapp   Bottom: Brian Cipollone, Kristin O'Hara-Trn, Cheryl Collins-Gatons, Robert O'Block
Brian Cipollone, class of 1991 Brian Cipollone won the PIAA State Wrestling Championship as a senior and placed second as a junior. His remarkable high school wrestling career record of 87-5 had many highlights, including two WPIAL championships and two section championships. At the conclusion of his senior year, Brain received several local and national awards such as being named an Asics All-American and a USA Wrestling Academic All-American. He was also selected to the Junior World Team which trained and competed in Russia. Cipollone chose to attend Lehigh University where he was a four year starter and amassed over 70 wins. His successes on the NCAA Division 1 stage include placing at several prestigious tournaments, such as the Midlands and the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. He was also a two-time champion of the Sheridan Tournament. Brian received several academic awards and was named the Lehigh Wrestling Scholar-Athlete in 1994. Brian is currently a Vice President at Nomura Securities International in New York, NY and the assistant wrestling coach at the Stevens Institute of Technology. • High school record 87-5 • PIAA State Champion in 1991 and Runner Up in 1990 • 2x WPIAL Champion • 2x Sectional Champion • Won California (Powerade) Tournament • 3x Eastern Area Tournament Champion • Represented Team Pennsylvania in 1991 Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic • Won Challenge of Champions – AAA vs. AA State Champions • 2x Freestyle State Champion • 2x Greco Roman State Champion • Northeast National Regional Freestyle Champion – Outstanding Wrestler • Northeast National Regional Greco Roman Champion – Most Falls Award • Member of Junior World Tour Team • Won Freestyle Tournament in Krasnoyarsk, Russia • Voted to Asics All-American Team • Voted to USA Wrestling 1st Team Academic All-American • 4 year starter at Lehigh University with over 70 wins • 3x EIWA Conference Place Winner • 2x Sheridan Tournament Champion • 2x Midlands Tournament Place Winner • 3rd Place Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational • Lehigh Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year • Placed 4th at 20 & under National Freestyle Championships

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Cheryl Collins-Gatons, class of 1985  An incredibly talented runner, Cheryl Collins-Gatons is one of the few Plum High graduates to compete on the world stage.  While enjoying great academic success in high school and college, Cheryl’s athletic success came later when she turned her running pastime into a competitive endeavor. In 1996, she exploded onto the national running stage by qualifying for the Olympic trials in only her second year of marathoning. She placed second at the National Championship in 1997 with a time of 2 hours and 38 minutes.  Later that year, she traveled to Greece to represent the U.S. in the World Marathon Championship where she was the top American finisher. At the local level, Cheryl placed second in the Pittsburgh Marathon in 1996 and 1998. She still holds several road race records throughout western PA. Lettered 3 years high school track Competed in 1996 & 2000 Olympic Trials in Marathon 1 st American finisher (25th overall) at 1997 World Marathon Championships 2nd place National Championship in 1997 2nd place in Pittsburgh Marathon 1996 & 1998 Holds several course records for local 5k & 10k races Best 10K time of 33:29 Sponsored by Avon running Finalist of Dapper Dan sportswoman of the year

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Christopher George, class of 1984 Chris George is believed to be the only Plum High School baseball player to ever make it to the Major Leagues.  Chris’s talent was well known during his high school years and it earned him a full scholarship to Kent State University. While at Kent State, Chris continued to excel on the mound and set numerous team records. In 1987, George was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round. He worked his way through the Brewers farm system where he was once named Pitcher of the Year. On October 1, 1991, Chris made his Major League debut pitching against the Cleveland Indians. Chris currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife and two children.

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Phil George, class of 1982 Phil George’s pitching dominated the local high school and American Legion baseball scene in the early eighties. His talented drew the attention of many big league scouts and Phil was drafted out of high school in the 12th round by the Kansas City Royals. George pitched in the Royals system for six years. He reached the AA level and held a team record for the least walks per innings pitched. Phil also pitched for the Florida State League in 1984. His baseball career was cut short in 1987 by an injury. Phil currently lives in Penn Hills with his wife and three daughters.

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Sean Knapp, class of 1980 Sean Knapp earned nine varsity letters and was selected the Male Athlete of the Year for his achievements in football, basketball and baseball as a senior at Plum High School. Later, Sean would apply this athleticism to the game of golf and earn a reputation as one of the finest amateur golfers in the nation. Knapp’s name has appeared on the national amateur rankings list for years, reaching as high as fifth. Locally, Sean Knapp’s amateur golf success is unparalleled as he has been named the Western Pennsylvania Golf Associations (WPGA) Player of the Year ten times. He also holds the WPGA record with 28 tournament wins. Knapp has played in the U.S. Amateur eleven times, including a head-to-head match against Tiger Woods in 1995. Sean is a member of the IUP Sports Hall of Fame and the East Boros Hall of Fame.  Knapp is a Vice President at Fuhrer’s Financial Services. He resides in Oakmont with his wife, Suzanne and daughters, Kensey and Taylor. • Lettered 3 times in football, basketball and baseball • All-Conference & All-State in Basketball • All-Conference Football • Vote Athlete of the Year senior year • Played golf and basketball at Indiana University of Pennsylvania • WPGA Player of the Nineties • WPGA Player of the Year 1994-2002 and 2004 • Pennsylvania Golf Association Player of the Year in 2004 • Pennsylvania State Amateur Golf Champion 1997 & 1998 • Pennsylvania Mid-Amateur Golf Champion 1997, 1998 , 2004 • WPGA Golf Champion 1998-2003 (all-time record) • 28 WPGA tournament wins (all-time record) • Inducted into IUP Hall of Fame & East Boros Hall of Fame

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Ken Montanari, class of 1955 As team captain of the football, basketball, and golf teams, Ken Montanari was Plum High School’s Most Valuable Athlete in 1955. His high school accomplishments include 11 varsity letters, All-WPIAL honors in football, and Allegheny Valley All-Star honors in basketball. After graduating second in the class from Plum High School, Ken accepted a football scholarship to University of Pittsburgh. Montanari’s success on the grid iron continued at Pitt where he earned three varsity letters and was named co-captain in his senior year. He was recognized twice as an All-East Conference lineman and played in the Copper Bowl All-Star game and the All-American All-Stars game. Montanari was an Honorable Mention NCAA All-American in 1960. Ken is also a member of the Alle-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame. He and his wife have three sons and reside in Conroe, Texas. • 11 Plum High Varsity letters (4 football, 3 basketball, 4 golf) • Captain of football, basketball, and golf teams • Voted Plum High School Most Valuable Athlete • All-Conference football • All-WPIAL football • Allegheny Valley All-Star basketball • Held Plum record of 36 points in a single basketball game • Earned 3 football letters at the University of Pittsburgh • Co-Captain of 1959 Pitt football team • All-East Conference as a Junior and Senior • Honorable Mention All-American • Selected to Copper Bowl All-Star Game • Selected to All American All-Star Game • Inducted into Alle-Kiski Hall of Fame    Robert O'Block, class of 1961 Robert O’Block was introduced to the game of golf at a young age when he became a caddy at Alcoma Golf Club. As a member of the Plum High Golf Team, he captured two WPIAL Championships and medaled twice at the PIAA Championships. He also won numerous tournaments including the Hearst Trophy in New York and the Anderson Trophy at Alcoma Golf Club. In addition to golf, Robert also played varsity basketball for three years and was the senior class president. Upon graduation form Plum High, he attended Purdue University from 1961 to 1965 on a golf scholarship where he contributed to two Big Ten Team Championships. In 1963, O’Block won the Indianapolis District Championship which featured players from Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. He played in numerous national events including the NCAA Championships, the Western Open, and National Amateur. He missed qualifying for the US Open by one stoke in both 1962 and 1963. Upon graduation, Robert attended Harvard University where he earned an MBA and eventually joined the faculty.  He went on to have a successful career with McKinsey & Company where he consulted businesses throughout the world. He still enjoys golf and is a member of several golf clubs including Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia where he serves on the Master’s Tournament Improvement Committee. He resides in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife, Megan and three teenage sons, where he is currently the Vice Chairman of the Trustees of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. • 2x WPIAL Golf Champion • 2x PIAA Golf Medalist • Won Heart Trophy in New York 1959 • Won Anderson Trophy at Alcoma Golf Club • Won Jaycee Tournament at McKeesport, PA • 3 years varsity basketball • Sr. Class President and Member of National Honors Society • Won 2 Big Ten Team Championships at Purdue University • Won Indianapolis District Golf Championship • Active member the Master’s Tournament Improvements Committee Kristin O’Hara-Trn,  Class of 1989 Kristy O’Hara-Trn was a well rounded athlete and a record breaker at Plum High School. She was a standout in softball and an All-State volleyball player.  However, it was on the basketball court where Kristy reached her greatest heights. At a time when varsity careers only spanned three years, Kristy set a Plum High record of 1,189 points. She also set records with 531 points in a season and 40 points in a single game. After high school, O’Hara-Trn accepted a basketball scholarship from Shippensburg University where she amassed 1,765 career points. During the 1992-93 season, Kristy lead her team in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots. She still holds a school record of 45 points in a single game. Upon graduation, she served as an assistant coach for six seasons and was eventually hired as Shippensburg’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach. In eight seasons with O’Hara-Trn at the helm, the Lady Raiders have had 7 NCAA Div II conference tournament appearances, won 2 PSAC Conference Championships, an East Regional Championship and appeared once in the Final Four. Kristy was twice voted the PSAC West Coach of the Year. In 2003, she was inducted into the university’s athletic hall of fame. Kristy resides in Shippensburg with her husband John and daughter Alyssa.  Basketball 1189 points in three years 531 points in one season 40 points in a single game Pittsburgh Press Fabulous Five Post Gazette All East Team Valley News Dispatch Athlete of the Year Volleyball All-WPIAL 1st team All-State 2nd team 2x team Section Champions College 1765 points, 660 rebounds, 348 assists, 180 steals school record 45 points in a single game 2x All-PSAC 1st Team 2x All-ECAC NCAA Division II All East Region Honorable Mention All-American Coaching 2x PSAC Coach of the Year 2x PSAC Conference Champions 3x PSAC Western Division Champions NCAA East Regional Champions NCAA Final Four Recruited and head coached 20 All-PSAC 1st team selections Career record of 150-82

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