A new class of inductees was recently welcomed to the St. John’s Jesuit Hall of Fame. These individuals were selected on the criteria of academic excellence, altruistic spirit, and athletic achievement.
Denny Amrhein `94 led the 1993- 94 varsity basketball season, one of the most exciting in St. John’s Jesuit history, to a city and district championship. That same season, he was named City League and District Player of the Year, and 1st Team All-Ohio. Amrhein is 8th all-time in career scoring at SJJ with 1162 points, 10th all-time in 3 pt. field goal percentage with 46%, 5th all-time in 3 pt. shots made at 115, 8th all-time in free throw percentage with 86%, and 4th all-time in assists at 293.
Andy Babula, former faculty, graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School in 1962 and obtained his degree in education from the University of Toledo. Inspired by his high school math teacher, he accepted his first teaching position at Bedford Junior High. In the Fall of 1968, Babula was hired to teach mathematics at a very new St. John’s High School. He served as an assistant track coach in his first year and worked with Titan legends Joe Czernicki, John Braucher, and Fred Beier. His legacy at SJJ is an impressive 42-year career, and the influence as a no-nonsense teacher and coach he had on thousands of young men.
Dr. Tony Braida `79 has his place in the long-time tradition of excellence in SJJ cross country. There may be no individual who had more success in cross country than Tony Braida. He helped lead the 1976, 1977 and 1978 teams to winning three consecutive Toledo City League championships. Braida is an anesthesiologist at the University of Toledo College of Medicine where he is also an associate professor.
Tom Comes `75 balanced many aspects of student life in his time at St. John’s Jesuit! Voted Outstanding Sophomore in 1973 and the John A. Mescher Outstanding Senior in 1975, Comes was active in student government, served as the yearbook photographer, was involved as a cheerleader, served as student representative for the SJJ Board of Directors, and played three years of Titan baseball as well as four years of Titan wrestling. Comes attended Miami University of Ohio and obtained a degree in marketing. He has since established a successful career in account management and strategic planning for several advertising agencies in and out of Ohio.
Jack Mewhort ‘09 was one of the best high school linemen to ever play at St. John’s Jesuit and in Toledo City League history. His combination of power and tremendous agility made him a true force on the gridiron. Mewhort helped lead Titan teams that amassed a 22-10 record including two games in the state play-offs in his three years starting on the varsity team. He was a two-time 1st Team All-League, two-time 1st Team All-District, and two-time 1st Team All-Ohio player while competing for the Titans. Mewhort went on to play starting left tackle for The Ohio State Buckeyes. In this capacity, he was named 1st Team All-Big Ten and 1st Team All-American. He was named a team captain for the Buckeyes as a senior. Mewhort continued his football career as the Indianapolis Colts’ first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Active for 58 games before injury forced his retirement from the NFL, Mewhort started all 58 games.
1994 State Championship Golf Team
The 1994 golf season was “like a roller coaster, up and down” according to head coach at the time, Larry DuVall. The team came around at the just the right time during the last four weeks of the season capturing the second state title in St. John’s Jesuit history. Coach DuVall’s postseason lineup consisted of Chris Boyd `95, James Brandon `95, Shane Tripp `95, Rick Halker `96, Kevin Kornowa `98, and alternate Ben Schoen `96. The Titans won the Toledo City League Championship by an unprecedented forty-six strokes. In district play, the Titans defeated Perrysburg by five strokes. The season culminated with a win at the State tournament at The Ohio State University. The Titans shot a 316 and a 320 for a two-day total of 636 which was 9 shots better than runner up Cincinnati Turpin.
