BUTLER TWP — The Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame enshrined its first golfer Friday night.

Now it’s looking for another first.

The 2017 Hall of Fame class — consisting of golfer Jeff Diehl, swimmer Josh Barthlow, sprinter Gwen Murray and gymnastics coach Dave McKinnis — swelled the HOF’s membership to 52 over eight years.

“We’re still looking to induct our first team,” HOF chairperson Brian Slamecka said. “We established that possibility several years ago and we’ve had some great teams come through this school in all sports.

“We still have a number of individual names that have been submitted for consideration and we want more. But we’d love to get some teams nominated as well.”

Golf became the 12th sport represented in the Butler Hall of Fame when Diehl was inducted. He was the 1990 WPIAL and Tam O’Shanter Invitational champion, and 1989 Mid-Atlantic Conference Invitational champion.

“I didn’t know I was the first golfer going in until tonight,” Diehl said moments before Friday’s induction ceremony. “That means a lot to me. I’m sure I won’t be the last.

“We’ve had some good ones here.”

Diehl spoke of how playing high school golf at Butler opened doors for him.

“It was through playing at Butler Country Club that I met the legendary Bob Ford, which led to me working at Oakmont,” he said. “Playing sports can provide contacts that prove beneficial later on.”

Barthlow was grateful for all of the coaching he received as a swimmer growing up in Butler.

“It all starts with Pump (John McLaughlin),” he said. “Then there’s Corrie Jones, Dave Bocci, Amber Schmeider, Sean Belowich ... I’ve been pretty fortunate.”

A former PIAA and WPIAL swimming champion, Barthlow still holds the school record in the 100-yard butterfly and backstroke.

Murray lives in Baltimore, Md., and works as a flight attendant for American Airlines. She was unable to attend the induction ceremony.

Her brother, Tim, accepted the honor on her behalf.

“I know how proud Gwen is to be from Butler,” her brother said. “She is grateful to Coach (Jane) Slamecka for starting some of the female sports here and helping her develop as an athlete.”

Murray played on a section championship volleyball team with the Golden Tornado and was the first Butler High School female athlete to qualify for the PIAA Track and Field Finals. She was the 1976 WPIAL champion and placed fifth at the state meet in the 220-yard dash that year. She was fourth in the PIAA meet in the 220 in 1975.

Murray also Butler’s 880-yard relay team place at the state meet.

McKinnis knew he couldn’t thank all of the gymnasts he coached individually. He guided 65 of them to compete at NCAA Division I or II levels and 11 competed at U.S. military academies.

So the longtime coach thanked people who coached him and helped his career develop along the way.

“I’m talking about people who helped so many sports and athletes succeed at this school,” McKinnis said. “Guys like Ray Miller, Ed Hepe, Paul Uram and Art Bernardi.

“And on the women’s side, Fay Steving, Sue Parisi and Jane Slamecka for helping the girls to compete.”

McKinnis dedicated his Hall of Fame honor to Uram, who died earlier this year.

“I don’t have a career in the sport if not for him,” he said. “And to all of the young gymnasts who I had the chance to work with ... It was a privilege to be your coach.”