St. Mary’s Ryken Celebrates Homecoming and Honors Hall of Fame Inductees

 

On October 10, 2025, St. Mary’s Ryken High School welcomed more than 200 alumni and friends back to campus to celebrate Homecoming and the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

This year’s event recognized four outstanding student-athletes, one distinguished coach, and two WCAC championship teams for their remarkable achievements and lasting contributions to SMR athletics.

Following the induction ceremony, guests gathered on the Donnie Williams Center Performance Court for a lively alumni tailgate and celebration, reconnecting with classmates and coaches. The evening concluded with a thrilling Knights victory—defeating Paul VI High School 48–14.

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Inductees:

• Betty Lynn Sterling Armsworthy ’68 - Cheerleading
• Tom O’Shea ’71 - Soccer, Track & Field
• Steven Simpson ’15 - Wrestling
• Drew Willis ’07 - Wrestling
• Gary Willis - Wrestling Coach (1987-2011)
• 2014 Softball Team 
• 2015 Softball Team 

 

The St. Mary's Ryken Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1981 to honor those alumni, coaches and administrators who achieved excellence and distinguished themselves in the schools athletic programs.  Inductees are selected through a nomination process overseen by the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and honored during Homecoming Weekend.

Betty Lynn Sterling Armsworthy '68 - Cheerleading

Betty Lynn Sterling Armsworthy has been a pillar of the St. Mary’s community for decades, leaving a lasting legacy through her commitment to education, school spirit, and faith. A proud graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in 1968, Betty Lynn went on to earn her degree from Towson State College in 1972.

Her love for SMA began early. Betty Lynn was a four-year letter winner as a cheerleader from 1964–68. Her cheerleading began even earlier — she cheered at her very first game in 8th grade while a student at Father Andrew White, S.J. School.

Betty Lynn’s passion for education led her to devote more than 40 years to teaching at Father Andrew White School, where she inspired generations of students. Her dedication and excellence in the classroom earned her top honors, including the 2005 Archdiocese of Washington Teacher of the Year Award and the prestigious Golden Apple Award in 2010. Today, she continues to share her school spirit by cheering on her grandchildren, including Gracen and Parker, both proud SMR students. Her legacy of Knight Pride runs deep, with her children Ryan ’91, Stephen ’98, and Brett ’02 all graduates of St. Mary’s Ryken. Betty Lynn’s life’s work reflects an unwavering commitment to nurturing young hearts and minds while fully embodying the spirit of St. Mary’s Academy and St. Mary’s Ryken.

Tom O'Shea '71 - Soccer & Track and Field

Tom O’Shea, a Class of 1971 graduate of Ryken High School, is celebrated for both his athletic achievements and lifelong dedication to the sport of soccer. At RHS, Tom was a standout athlete on the track and soccer teams. He was the soccer captain in 1970 and 1971, earning All-Southern Maryland Athletic Conference honors both years, and was named to the All-MET team in 1970. He was the school’s all-time leading scorer.

After graduation, Tom attended East Carolina University, where he became a four-year letter winner in soccer and team captain in 1974 and 1975. He remains ECU’s all-time leading goal scorer and points scorer and was an All-Southern Conference honoree in 1973 and 1974.

Beyond his playing career, Tom’s lifelong commitment to coaching, leadership, and education in the sport earned him induction into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame in 2023. He is also the published author of, Focused, Fast & Flexible, a book dedicated to building leadership skills. Tom’s legacy reflects a remarkable blend of athletic excellence, mentorship, and devotion to developing future generations of athletes.

Steven Simpson '15 - Wrestling

Steven Simpson is one of the most decorated wrestlers in St. Mary’s Ryken history. With a career high school record of 245–24, including 157 falls, Steve ranks third on Maryland’s all-time wins list and helped lead SMR to two Maryland Independent Small School Team State Championships (2013, 2015).

He was a four-time Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Champion, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors once, and was a four-time All-American.

In 2015, he became the only wrestler in SMR history to capture a National Prep Championship. He was also a two-time Maryland Independent State Champion, a three-time Beast of the East placer, a St. Albans Champion four times with two Outstanding Wrestler awards, and he earned numerous titles at elite tournaments. His consistency placed him in the top three of Maryland’s combined individual state rankings every year of high school, culminating in a first-place finish in 2015.

He continued his career at Old Dominion University, where he earned 47 Division I wins, led the team in falls as a redshirt freshman, and captured the Franklin & Marshall Open title.

Currently, Steven is the Associate Head Wrestling Coach, Assistant Strength Coach and Academic & Athletic Assistant at St. Mary’s Ryken.

Drew Willis '07 - Wrestling

Drew Willis, Class of 2007, exemplifies excellence on and off the mat. At St. Mary’s Ryken, Drew earned 116 career wrestling wins, served as team captain in 2006 and 2007, and was named the team’s Outstanding Wrestler his senior year. He was a four-time All-WCAC performer a two-time state place winner, and a 2007 National Prep All-American.

Drew was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in cross country, tennis, and lacrosse, and earning All-WCAC honors in cross country in 2006.

Following graduation, Drew attended the United States Naval Academy, where he was a four-year wrestling letter winner. He went on to serve his country as a member of the Navy’s elite SEAL Team 8 and was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism and leadership. Drew’s remarkable journey reflects courage, dedication, and a commitment to excellence that continues to inspire the SMR community.

Drew’s brothers, Brock ‘10, Corey ‘12, and Derek ‘15 are all proud alumni.

Gary Willis - Wrestling Coach (1987-2011)

Gary Willis served as the head wrestling coach at St. Mary’s Ryken from 1987 to 2011, building the foundation for the program’s long-term success. Under his leadership, SMR wrestling achieved several program firsts, including coaching four National Prep All-Americans and guiding the team to its first SMAC Championship in school history.

During his tenure, Coach Willis developed one Maryland State Champion, seven State Placewinners, and one County Wrestler of the Year, helping elevate SMR wrestling to a competitive force in the region. His dedication to his athletes, both on and off the mat, has left a lasting impact on the wrestling community and continues to inspire future Knights.

Gary’s sons, Drew ‘07, Brock ‘10, Corey ‘12, and Derek ‘15, are all proud alumni.

2014 & 2015 Softball Teams - Back to Back WCAC Champions

The 2014 and 2015 St. Mary’s Ryken Softball Teams made history as back-to-back Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Champions, cementing their place as one of the most dominant programs in SMR athletics.

The 2014 team captured the first WCAC softball championship in school history, finishing the season with an impressive 16–3 record. The following year, the 2015 team repeated as WCAC Champions — the first back-to-back titles in SMR history — and posted a remarkable 18–1 record. Together, the two teams combined for an extraordinary 34–4 record over two seasons.

Individual honors highlighted the teams’ success, with Madison Aughinbaugh earning WCAC Player of the Year, All-MET Player of the Year, and Gatorade National Player of the Year recognition. Aughinbaugh and teammate Lindsay Heinze were both named First Team All-WCAC performers.

The 2014 and 2015 softball teams not only brought home championships but also set a new standard of excellence for SMR softball, inspiring future Knights to strive for greatness.

2014 Roster: Madison Auginbaugh, Taylor Bell, Breanna Dodge, Lindsay Heinze, Victoria Hughes, Moriah Hunter, Lindsey Keller, Meghan Kennedy, Savannah Miller, Mackenzie Owens, Kathryn Prebble, Emma Thompson, Gabby Thompson. Coaches: Megan Madsen, Kathy Miller and Jim Sewell.

2015 Roster: Madison Aughinbaugh, Alex Bell, Misty Bell, Jaelyn Gorham, Sydney Guy, Moriah Hunter, Lindsay Heinze, Lindsay Keller, Savannah Miller, Mackenzie Owens, Katie Prebble, Ashley Ramsey, and Emma Thompson. Coaches: Megan Madsen, Kathy Miller and Jim Sewell.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, please contact athletics@smrhs.org.