BUTLER TWP — The 12th Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame induction class proved similar to the previous 11 — humbled, excited and appreciated.

Danica Snyder Alexander, Nate Snodgrass, Cole Baxter and wrestling coach Scott Stoner officially joined the Hall of Fame during Friday night’s induction ceremony in the high school cafeteria.

A moment of silence for the late Art Bernardi — a long-time Golden Tornado football coach and one of the Hall’s founders — preceded the inductions.

“The records these athletes and coaches have created will inspire and motivate future generations,” said Brian Slamecka, chairperson of the Hall of Fame. “We are all grateful for that.”

Snyder, a 2011 Butler graduate, was a standout cross country and track and field distance runner. She set Tornado records in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, ran a leg of the school record-setting 3,200-meter relay and was MVP of the cross country team.

She set records and was part of consecutive Atlantic 10 cross country championship teams at Duquesne University as well.

“It’s hard to believe, all those years ago, I was in this cafeteria for the first time,” Snyder said. “Being back here brings back so many memories and most of my best ones involve running.

“The work ethic and commitment instilled in me here still exist in me today.”

Snyder was particularly grateful to Butler track coach Mike Seybert and cross country coach Rick Davanzati.

“Those two guys deserve a standing ovation just for putting up with me, and they’ve been influencing young people for years. They’re still doing that today,” she said.

“I’ve had so many incredible teammates along the way, people who feel more like family to me. God, my coaches, teammates, my family ... We all did this together.”

Baxter is Butler’s all-time wrestling wins leader, posting a 160-17 record with the Golden Tornado. He was the Golden Tornado’s first WPIAL champion and went on to a successful mat career at Kent State University.

“My parents talked Coach Stoner into letting me join the elementary (wrestling) program a year early,” Baxter said. “That head start helped me a lot in my early years.

“In college, my parents showed up for all of my matches, whether it was at Ohio State on a Wednesday, Virginia Tech on a Friday ... They would travel for hours just to watch me wrestle for a few minutes.”

Snodgrass did more than score 1,132 points as a Butler point guard in basketball, helping to trigger a run of success the basketball program continues to enjoy. He was valedictorian of his 2012 graduating class.

“Coach (Matt) Clement was always telling me to shoot the ball more,” Snodgrass said. “It only took me two years to listen to him.”

A four-year letterman and two-time team MVP at Butler, Snodgrass went on to play college basketball at Northern Kentucky and Pitt-Johnstown.

“I was fortunate to play with outstanding teammates in high school,” he said. “Vinnie Schmidt, Bobby Swartwout, Cody West, Cody Herald ... All I had to do was get them the ball so they could score. They made my job really easy.

“I appreciate all of the family support I received while playing in high school and college. My brother Austin was a big influence on me growing up. He let me play basketball with he and his friends, kids older than me, and that turned me into a better player.

“Having my picture and plaque go up by the gym where I always played ... I can’t describe what that means to me,” Snodgrass added.

Stoner is in his 30th year as Butler wrestling coach. His 412 wins entering this season ranked first among active WPIAL coaches. He’s coached 35 section champions, 205 WPIAL qualifiers and 11 PIAA qualifiers.

“Coach Stoner has always emphasized work ethic, fitness, health and wellness, and proper decision making,” Slamecka said.

Stoner described his own wrestling career, saying he “has the same passion about it now” as he did as an eighth-grade wrestler.

“I started wrestling in seventh grade and went 1-16 while teammates were winning 25 or 30 matches,” Stoner said. “The struggles made me work harder. In eighth grade, I won the section.

“I came to Slippery Rock University and was eighth on the depth chart. I eventually became a starter and medaled at nationals. I’ve never been afraid of hard work. I try to instill that attitude in our wrestlers.”

Stoner recruits potential wrestlers out of gym class at times. He pulled current junior high coach Don Geibel into the sport that way.

“I remember Donnie saying he’s a basketball player,” Stoner said. “I said, ‘You’re 4-foot-7.’

“I’ve always been grateful for the opportunity here This district gave me my my family, my home, my wife, my boys. I reflect on our hard work in this wrestling program and I feel like we can do much more.”

Stoner became the 11th coach/supporter to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. There are now 58 athletes inducted as well.