Chagrin has had a rich history in football dating back to 1898.  However, it will be in 2009 that the Tigers will make its first appearance in the state title game.  First Team All-Ohio quarterback Chris Trinetti would lead Chagrin to a 14-1 record that year with the only loss in the title game.  Chris would garner MVP – Offensive Player of the Year honors by the Cleveland Touchdown Club, Plain Dealer “Grid Iron Hero” and first team honors in both the county and conference that year.  He would finish his years at Chagrin with a 22-5 record as starting quarterback and as the record holder in several categories including career passing touchdowns (44) and career passing yards (3,831).  During the Spring Chris was an accomplished midfielder on the boys lacrosse team.  His 63 goals led the Tigers in scoring his senior year.  Chris would also be honored as three time All-Ohio selection.  After high school Chris would go on to Div. 1AA Davidson College where he earned three letters in football.  He played primarily as a receiver and kick returner before his career was ended by injury and he took on a role as Assistant Offensive Coach.  Chris was recognized on the Pioneer Football League Fall 2011 Academic Honor Roll.  

Megan Takacs was a two sport star at Chagrin earning All-Ohio honors four times in lacrosse and in her senior year in soccer.  While at Chagrin, she was named a first team All-American for three years and was a member of the Great Lakes Team 1 for the Women’s Division’s National Tournament team in her sophomore and junior years.  She led Chagrin in assists in each of her four years and had 221 career goals.  Megan would go on to the University of California Berkeley where she became Cal’s all-time leader in career goals with 148 and her 184 career points rank second.  She was recognized with several player of the week honors and for her academic success as well.  Megan was selected first team All-American as a senior and garnered IWLCA West Region First Team honors and the Player of the Year of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference in both her junior and senior seasons.  She ended her senior season ranked seventh nationally in goals per game.   Her senior season was even more impressive for Megan had to overcome an ACL injury that sidelined her for over half a year. After college Megan was an assistant coach for the University of California squad and went on to play in the 2013 World Cup for Team Canada, which won a silver medal.

Katie Stancik Hanson 2007 enjoyed a stellar career running for the Tigers and at Allegheny College. She earned CVC MVP honors in cross country in 2003 & 2004, while also doing the same in track in 2006. She qualified for the OHSAA State Championship in cross country and track all four years, while being awarded All-Ohio status with her 18th place finish in 2005, which helped her team finish 3rd in the state in cross country. OHSAA All-District and All-Region honors were achieved all four years in both cross sports as well. In her junior year, her 4x800m relay team finished 5th at the OHSAA Indoor Track & Field State Championship Meet, while her senior year they took runner-up honors. In the spring, she ran the anchor leg of the 4x800m relay, which placed each of her four years with a 3rd place finish her senior year. Her classroom success earned her Academic All-Ohio honors in her last three years in both sports. Katie would additionally be recognized with the CVC Sportsmanship Award, Chagrin Falls 12 Sport Award, Plain Dealer Player of the Week, & News-Herald Player of the Week. In the winter, she would be a valuable member of the Lady Tigers Basketball Team. Katie would go on to Allegheny College where she was a 3 sport captain and 1st Team selection to the North Coast Athletic Conference in cross country, indoor track & field, & outdoor track & field. One of the many highlights of her collegiate career was her participation in the 2007 NCAA Division III National Championship in cross country. Recently Katie qualified and completed the 2017 Boston Marathon.

We have had a rich history of runners at Chagrin Falls and that tradition would continue when Chris entered CFHS. He would go on to earn 12 Varsity letters in cross country, hockey, and track. He accumulated many honors including 1st Team CVC all four years in cross country while finishing first in the CVC Invitational his junior year and 2nd place his senior year. On the ice Chris was a 4-year starter where he was selected to the Blue Division All-Star Team and was the team’s leading scorer his senior year. In the spring, Chris’ talents were evident on the track. During his sophomore – senior years in track, he garnered many 1st team All-CVC honors and was selected the CVC MVP in track in his senior year. In the postseason Chris finished 8th in the 1600M in his junior year earning All-Ohio honors and 12th place his senior year. He would take his talents to Butler University, a Division I program in Indiana. He would compete throughout his collegiate career in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track. He was a member of the cross country team that was Horizon League Champions each of his four years and placed 4th at the NCAA Div. 1 Meet in 2004 and 25th in 2005. In indoor track, he earned 1st Place three of the years at the Horizon League Championships in the distance medley. Chris would also set Butler University’s 1000M record and also 4:10.88 mile at the Iowa State Classic. In outdoor track, he won the 1500M at the Horizon League Championships and was a NCAA Regional Qualifier (2005).

Ben was a two-sport star at Chagrin in baseball and soccer. He was converted to goalie for his last two years where he would be selected 3rd Team All-Ohio, 1st Team All Greater Cleveland, and 1st Team CVC. During his senior year, the team finished with only two losses, which were to eventual DIII State Champion Hawken, and DII State Runner-Up Walsh Jesuit in the District Finals. In baseball, Ben holds CFHS baseball career record for runs scored (104) and walks (70) and ranks in the top 5 in four other categories. He also has 3 single season records: Average – .570, Home Runs – 9, & Runs – 55, while also ranking in the top 5 in 5 other single season categories. His 55 runs in 2001 is tied for 8th in Ohio. His impressive play earned him numerous awards from 2nd Team All-Ohio, CVC M.V.P., and to the all-star teams by the Plain Dealer, News Herald and Sun Press in baseball. His senior year, Ben would lead the Tigers to a CVC title and to the regional title game, the furthest the baseball program has made it in postseason play. He would later sign to play for Division 1 Cleveland State Vikings where he would be a four year starter at shortstop. His collegiate honors included being selected to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team (2002), All-Horizon League Championship team (2003), and Horizon League Player of the Week (2004). Additionally, he would receive the Paul O’Dea Scholarship for “the player who best exemplifies the dedication to baseball and sportsmanship as Mr. O’Dea.” Ben was a prospect of the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals before being sidelined from a torn shoulder labrum. However, Ben was still able to recover to be the starting shortstop his senior year.

Jeff has maintained his passion for basketball from his days playing in a packed CFHS gym to coaching over 400-plus victories as boys and girls varsity basketball coach in Pennsylvania. Both in high school and at Dickinson College, he was a two-sport standout. At Chagrin, Jeff captained the 1968-69 basketball team to the CVC crown, which would earn him recognition on the prestigious Plain Dealer Dream Team. He earned all-MAC mention in both sports, and was the recipient of the MacAndrew’s trophy, as the outstanding Dickinson athlete in 1972. Jeff was selected the MVP of the 1972 Sun Coast Classic where he tallied 28 points and 22 rebounds in the championship game versus Brandeis. He is one of two players to average a double-double for their career. Jeff still holds the single season rebounding record at the college. He is also the only Dickinson College basketball player to amass 300 points and 300 rebounds in two different seasons. Since his collegiate days, he has been a varsity head coach for both boys and girls in the state of Pennsylvania. In a nearly 40 year coaching career, he has numerous titles and over 400 victories. He has led teams to district playoff wins in all four classifications – A, AA, AAA, & AAAA.

Lauren has been a phenomenal swimmer at both the high school and collegiate level. She was a 4-time State Champion – 100 Freestyle (2000- 2003) and 2-time winner in the 200 Freestyle (2001, 2002). In both events Lauren set state records. She was also on the state runner-up 200 & 400 Freestyle Relays. Over her high career she was a 7 Time High School All-American – 100 Freestyle (2000 – 03) & 200 Freestyle (2001 – 03). The media took notice by naming her the News Herald Swimmer of the year (2001, 2002) and Plain Dealer Female Winter Athlete of the Year (2001-2002). Lauren would make her mark in college first at Penn State University before finishing at Case Western Reserve University. She would earn NCAA All-American status in 4 events in both 2005 (PSU) & 2007 (CWRU). Overall, Lauren set or still holds multiple records in individual or relays at CFHS (5), PSU (2), & CWRU (5). In addition, she was selected as the CWRU Female Athlete of the Year (2006-2007) and for the Flora Stone Mather Alumnae Award for outstanding academic achievement (2008).

Mr. “Q” not only had a terrific athletic career at CFHS, but he helped to establish the tremendous success of Chagrin athletics over these past 40 years. His passion for children and fitness as a physical education teacher has built the foundation for students to embrace not only sports, but having a strong character. His efforts were not overlooked as he was selected the Teacher of the Year in 1995. Dave took over the girls track program in 1981 and helped build the girls track and field program into the regional and state level program it is today. During Dave’s tenure as coach, school records were set in all 16 girls events, six of which are still on the books. Dave was also the Cross Country Head Coach (1972 – 76) where he took 2 girls’ teams to state. Mr. “Q” has spent his most time in basketball where he has spent 22 years as a coach for teams from 8th Grade to Varsity with 4 undefeated seasons and over 350 wins. As a CFHS student athlete himself, he earned four varsity Letters in his senior year in addition to being named 1st Team All-CVC in Baseball. Dave’s impact on Chagrin students was also made by being a founding member of the Dad’s Club, Co-Commissioner of CAA Softball for 10 years and oversaw Q Sports where over 200 kids would take part every session.

Andrew finished his high school running career as one of the most decorated runners in Chagrin history. He was a state runner-up in the 3200M run (9:32.02) and in cross country in 1989. The latter race produced the 2nd fastest time of all divisions. Andrew would go on to represent Team Ohio in the Mideast Meet of Champions in cross country placing 2nd overall, which qualified him for nationals. At the Kinney National Championships, Andrew would finish 23rd in the country. He would also find the podium with a 4th in the 1600M (4:20.58) and a 6th in the 3200M (9:37.26) in 1990. Andrew’s time of 15:31 for the 5000M race still stands as the school record at Chagrin.

Frank taught social studies and served as the Department Chairman during his years at Chagrin Falls High School. During this time he served as the varsity girls basketball head coach and varsity boys golf coach. His teams won a state championship in 1998 and runner-up finish in 1997. Over a period of 23 years, his teams at Chagrin Falls and Vermillion won 348 games. Frank was twice selected the State Coach of the Year in basketball, was a National Coach of the Year finalist and is a member of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In golf, he has coached the boys to multiple top-ten finishes at the state tournament.

Debi is being recognized for her significant contributions to tiger pride and Chagrin athletics over many years. Being a member of the first 8th grade cheerleading squad, she not only continued on in high school cheerleading, she has been an assistant coach and varsity head coach. From 1982 – 2005, Debi coached many girls that were selected “All American” and over a dozen continued their cheerleading into college. Throughout the years, she has organized school-wide pep rallies and overseen the decorating of the high school in orange and black. She has also been an integral part of the school system working as a secretary at the various schools.

Brooke was a success on the tennis court at Chagrin and during her college years at Kenyon College. She was 1st team all-conference during all of her high school and college years. The highlight of her high school career was a state runner-up finish in her senior year. Brooke was further recognized as the Plain Dealer “Player of the Year.” She was also a 4-year starter on the softball team and had the CVC highest batting average during her senior season (.786). Her tennis career continued at Kenyon where she earned many honors: Div. III All-American in (’02), North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year (’02) and Newcomer of the Year (’99). Brooke is tied for 11th in career singles wins with 70. She finished her collegiate career with a singles record of 70 – 29, a winning percentage of .707. Her doubles career record of 64 – 30 (.681) places her 9th in the Kenyon record books. She also qualified for the NCAA Div. III Tournament in 2000 & ’02 in singles.