The 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held in the MLWGS gymnasium on Friday, January 19th, showcasing some outstanding representatives of the school’s legacy. The ceremony host was Dr. Bob Lowerre, MLWGS Director.
Inductees included:
The MWHS 1962-63 State Football Champions. The team went undefeated with a 10-0 record and included future Football Hall of Famer Willie Lanier. Mr. Lanier went on to be a star player for the Kansas City Chiefs. Other team starters included Darrell Johnson, Gil Carter, and Robert Rooks.
Sterling Marcell Stokes-Track, MWHS Class of 1969. Mr. Stokes was a 3-year letterman in indoor and outdoor track from 1966-1969. In 1968 he was the State Champion in the mile and held the school record. Sterling went on to become the activities director for Thomas Jefferson HS/Huguenot HS/George Wythe HS, then assistant principal at Binford MS and John F. Kennedy HS for seven years, completing his career as principal of Franklin Military Academy until he retired in 2011.
Tony Leonard – MWHS Football, MWHS Class of 1973. Mr. Leonard began his first year at MWHS in 1969 on the JV team that went undefeated. He played receiver and defensive back but became a return specialist. His punt returns scared tacklers and coaches alike. Tony was a varsity co-captain for each of his final two years at MW. After graduation, Tony played for VUU until he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 4th round of the 1976 draft, where he played for four years.
Kelly Zahalka Storrs – MLWGS Class of 2005 – Swimming. Ms. Storrs set numerous school records while at MLWGS; the 100-yard breaststroke and the 100 individual medley records remain today! She won 2 regional titles during her four years here. Following high school, Kelly attended the US Naval Academy and excelled in the pool and the classroom where she was named Patriot League Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2008 and Patriot League Women’s Swimming Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Kelly brought home 12 Patriot League titles and was inducted into the Naval Academy Athletic Association Hall of Fame 2010 on the 25th Anniversary Patriot League Team in 2016. Kelly graduated from the Academy third in her class and was recognized as the Most Conscientious Woman Leader in the Class of 2009.
Hunter Knight – MLWGS Class of 2010 – Swimming. Mr. Knight earned several accolades and records during his time at MLWGS that still stand today. He is the record holder of five events; the 100 breaststroke, 200 individual medley, and 3 relay records. He was an 11-time Central Region Champion and gathered several top 3 ‘AAA’ [size classification, today we compete in Region 3B] Virginia State Championships and helped lead the men’s team to a 4th place finish in 2009, the highest ever school record in ‘AAA.’ After MW, Hunter attended Duke University where he set multiple records and had multiple top 3 finishes at ACC Championships and represented Duke at the NCAA Championships and at the US Olympic Team Trials in 2012.
