Ray Palombi
Ray Palombi was one of the top all-around athletes ever to come out of Sharpsville High School.A 1975 graduate, he earned 9 letters in three different sports for the Blue Devils while excelling in every endeavor. In football (1972-74), he twice was named 1st Team All-Mercer County and Northwest Conference running back. His senior season he also earned honors at 1st Team All-Northwest Conference on defense. In track, the speedster led Sharpsville in points in 1973 and 1974.
He held school records in the 440- yard run, 220-yard dash and long jump. He was a District 10 finalist in the 440 in 1973 and 74, while qualifying for the D-10 meet in the mile in 1972. He was a finalist in the 2-mile relay in 1974. In basketball, he played for the Blue Devils in the 1973-74, �74-75 seasons, helping the team to a D-10 championship his senior year. He won the Sharpsville Ambassador Award as top spring sports athlete in 1974.
Ray went on to Clarion University where he played football in 1975, 76 and 77. He was starting running back, kick- and punt- returner on the 1977 undefeated Eagles team that won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference crown and was ranked 6th in the nation. However, he suffered a knee injury in 1977 that required surgery.
He played baseball for Clarion as a senior walkon and started at 2nd base, helping the team finish runner-up in the PSAC Western Division and the earned a win over Pitt that season. He served as junior varsity offensive coach in football at Clarion in 1978.
In youth sports he competed in midget football and baseball, while later was a member of the St. Bart's team from 1974-78 that won multiple Shenango Valley Church Modified-Pitch League championships. He played independent baseball in the Harrisburg area from 1980-88, and later won several tennis championships in New Jersey area leagues since 2000. He is a certified recreational tennis coach with the United States Tennis Association.