Oct 13, 2009
Ravenscroft Football - Generic Graphic
Ravenscroft will induct two new members into its Alumni Association Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 16 during halftime of the Homecoming football game between Ravenscroft and North Raleigh Christian Academy. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.
Matt McGinnis, a 2004 graduate of Ravenscroft, was a member of the 2001, 2002 and 2003 State Championship Swim teams. McGinnis still holds NCISAA State Records in five individual events and two relays. After graduating from Ravenscroft, he swam for the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns set new NCAA, American, U.S. Open, Big 12 Conference, Big 12 meet, Texas Swimming Center and school records in the 800-yard freestyle relay. He ended his collegiate career as a 12-time All-American and six-time honorable mention All-American. While at Texas, he was also a three-time Academic All-Big 12 first-team selection and a member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll, and was named an Academic All-American by ESPN the Magazine. In addition, McGinnis was a member of Team USA's gold-medal winning 800-meter freestyle relay at the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok.
Coach Billy Thorne was the Ravenscroft Aquatics Director, swimming coach, and a physical education teacher from 1980-2005. As a coach, he led the Ravenscroft swim teams to 12 boys State Championships and two girls State Championships. Thorne has coached numerous nationally ranked swimmers and has earned a reputation of commitment to excellence and achievement. He is an ASCA level 5 coach (the highest certification given from the American Swimming Coaches Association) and has been honored as North Carolina's Age Group Coach of the Year three times: in 1989, 1992, and 1993.
The Sports Hall of Fame honors alumni who graduated from Ravenscroft at least five years ago, coaches, and athletic administrators. Those honored are people who have left a lasting impression of achievement and excellence on the Ravenscroft athletic family, and have also demonstrated a consistent respect for and loyalty to the School, good sportsmanship and citizenship character.
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