BUTLER TWP — Having inducted 59 individual athletes, coaches and administrators spread out over 12 different sports, the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame has already shown its versatility.

The Hall's ninth induction class added to that theme Friday night.

For the first time, Butler enshrined a track and field relay unit and an entire team.

“We felt a need to expand into inducting groups and teams,” Hall of Fame chairperson Brian Slamecka said. “They display camaraderie, strengths and bonds.

“All of our inductees this year set records or attained lofty goals for others to attain.”

Gaining induction into the Butler Area School District Athletic HOF Friday in the high school cafeteria were the Golden Tornado's 2001 record-setting 4x800 meter relay team of Erinn Otterson, John McGee, Kregg Kozik and Adam Voll, Butler's 1998 girls track and field team, and individuals Tyrell Sales, Jamie Smith and the late Jim McElhaney.

Smith, a 1984 Butler graduate and three-sport high school athlete who set numerous records as a quarterback at Geneva College, was unable to attend the ceremony.

McElhaney was a 1982 Butler graduate who set Tornado records in the shot put and discus. He was also a swimmer and all-conference football player.

McElhaney also set records in the discus and javelin at Grove City College. He died in 2014. Jordan McElhaney, one of his daughters, spoke on his behalf.

“He was determined to never lose,” she said. “He gave us that determination and thirst for competition.

“His accomplishments will be remembered forever ... I had the best role model for 21 years of my life.”

Sales broke McElhaney's discus record at Butler. He also scored over 1,000 points in basketball and was an all-state football linebacker.

Sales was a starting linebacker at Penn State, was a team captain for the Nittany Lions his senior year and part of two Big Ten championship teams.

Sales made the trip up from Texas — where he currently lives — to accept his induction.

“This is a tremendous honor, being recognized for my athletic accomplishments,” he said. “A lot of people here have made a tremendous impact on my life and career.”

A prior commitment prevented McGee, a Virginia Beach resident, from making the trip for the ceremony. Otterson, Kozik and Voll were in attendance.

That 4x800 relay still holds the school record of 7 minutes, 39.98 seconds. That time was second in the nation in 2001.

“We're all still great friends. That bond has never broken,” Voll said.

Kozik said that recently-retired coach Rick Schontz “was the first coach to really instill confidence in myself.

“All of our coaches were inspirational. We all had one common goal — to win.”

Otterson said the families of the four relay participants developed into one big family.

“Really, I feel like I have four families here,” he said. “These guys are my brothers. We are humbled and honored to be here. We had such great mentors in high school.”

The 1998 girls track and field team was undefeated, won the WPIAL team championship and was ranked 17th in the nation.

“Everybody on that team ptched in and did what she had to do,” coach Mike Seybert said. “The depth on that team was incredible. We beat North Hills in a meet, 135-6, I remember.”

There were 79 girls on that 1998 team. Approximately 15 were in attendance for the induction.

“They're spread out all over the country now ... California, Texas, Florida ... It's just nice to see some of these girls again,” Seybert said.

Annessa Schnur was the leading point-getter on that team and Liz Eury was the team's Field MVP. Eury also won the state title in the discus that season.

“I'm proud that a female team, in a sport like track and field, is the first team to be inducted into the Butler Hall of Fame,” Schnur said. “That means a lot to us. I'm a teacher here now, so this really means a lot to me.

“Head-to-head, no team in the country could have beaten us. We had more depth than anybody.”

Eury credited the coaches for the team's success.

“They were so dedicated,” she said. “That team was a family and the coaches set that tone for us.

“We were always there, picking somebody up when she needed it. I'll always remember that.”