Peddie Sports Hall of Fame 2024

During Reunion Weekend, Peddie proudly welcomed a new class of extraordinary athletes into the Peddie Sports Hall of Fame. For more than three decades, the Hall of Fame Committee has celebrated individuals who exemplify the spirit and excellence of Peddie athletics.

PJ Horgan’s tenure at Peddie was defined by his dedication and versatility. He excelled in not just one, but three sports — football, basketball and baseball. A previous Hall of Fame inductee with the 1983 baseball team, Horgan was instrumental in the success of the 1982-83 NJISAA Prep ‘A’ Championship baseball team. “Whenever we walked on the field, I believed we were going to win,” he recalled.

Horgan also played three years of varsity basketball and football, and he competed in winter track during his senior year. His football teammate Rich Rebh ’84 remembered Horgan’s grit and determination, recounting a critical play against Blair that defined their senior year.

When a botched snap threatened a scoring attempt, Horgan’s quick thinking turned the situation into a touchdown, securing a 22-20 victory. This moment of quick decision-making not only secured a win but also inspired his teammates. “That one play was the catalyst of that whole game and defined our entire senior year,” said Rebh.

Reflecting on his time at Peddie, Horgan expressed gratitude for the strong foundation it provided. “Traditional team sports are really the centerpiece for life learning skills,” he said.

Melanie Nicholas ’04 is one of Peddie’s most decorated track and field athletes, holding school records in six individual events and one relay until 2023. Recognized as the best female high jumper in Peddie’s history, Nicholas still holds outdoor records for the 100-meter high hurdles, triple jump, and high jump and is part of the record-holding high jump relay team. Indoors, she retains records in the 50-yard high hurdles, 60-meter high hurdles and high jump.

Nicholas amassed 11 MAPL Championships and 10 state titles, earning four varsity letters in both indoor and outdoor track. She was twice awarded the Robert Lawson Leadership Award and the Outstanding Award for outdoor track. Her coach, Tim Brennan, highlighted her method and adaptability. “She was extremely disciplined and one of the happiest athletes I’ve ever coached,” he said.

At the 2004 National Championships at The Armory in New York City, Nicholas placed f ifth in the high jump, setting a school record of 5-7 that still stands today and earning AllAmerican honors.

Shelley Pearson ’09 has already earned a place in the Peddie Sports Hall of Fame with her teammates from the legendary 2007, 2008 and 2009 Girls Varsity Fours. These crews achieved an undefeated three-year streak in dual competitions, back-to-back Stotesbury Cup victories, two Youth National Championships, and set a course record at the Henley Women’s Regatta in England.

Though rowing is a team sport, Pearson’s individual accomplishments are equally impressive. She earned a seat on the U.S. Junior Women’s National Team Four as a junior, f inishing sixth at the 2008 World Rowing Junior Championships. In 2009, she became a World Champion in the U.S. Junior Women’s Eight. Recruited by Harvard, she rowed in the Radcliffe Varsity Eight and later earned an MBA from Oxford, where she won The Women’s Boat Race in 2015. Pearson represented Bermuda in the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing 16th in the women’s single (1X) and becoming the first Bermudian woman to compete in rowing at the Olympics. “I tried to put Bermuda on the rowing map,” she said.

Pearson credits Peddie for laying the foundation for her success, where she found a supportive environment that nurtured her ambitions. She also holds the school record as part of the 2007 indoor track 4×800-meter relay team.

The 1999 Falcons marked the beginning of Peddie baseball’s most successful era, becoming the first team in school history to win both the Mercer County Championship and the NJISAA Prep ‘A’ Championship in the same season.

The Falcons’ triumphs were a testament to teamwork and resilience. Entering the Mercer County Championship as the fifth seed, they upset the third, second and top seeds to claim victory in an all-prep school final — a rare achievement. Pitching was crucial, with freshman Matt Pustay ’02 and Cam Van der Veer ’99 allowing just seven hits to defeat top-seeded Lawrenceville. Pustay, the tournament MVP, pitched six and one-third innings, while Van der Veer secured the final outs.

Their momentum continued in the NJISAA Prep ‘A’ Championship, where Clay Nixon’s ’99 clutch two-run double and Jung Wi’s ’00 complete game sealed the title, f inishing the season 18-7. The 1999 Falcons set a new standard for Peddie baseball, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire future teams.

The 2013-14 Falcons, led by Head Coach Joe Rulewich and Assistant Coach Matthew Roach, delivered a season that would redefine Peddie basketball, finishing with a 19-4 record and remaining undefeated at home.

Post-graduates Nate Hickman ’14, Bryan Rivers ’14 and George Langberg ’14 led the team to a PSIT Championship, ending a 20-year drought and paving the way for three titles in four years. Their leadership and dedication to the team earned them the respect of their peers and the audience. Rivers secured a 61-59 victory over Wilbraham & Monson with a clutch floater in the lane with just 2.5 seconds left in the title game. Both Rivers and Hickman were named to the All-Tournament team, with Hickman earning MVP honors.

The Falcons also claimed the Mercer Invitational Tournament title, defeating Episcopal High School (Va.) 63-44 in the final. Everson Davis ’15 was named Most Outstanding Player, with Rivers also making the All-Tournament team. Coach Rulewich earned his 100th career win during the season.

This well-balanced and relentless team laid the groundwork for future success, including Peddie’s first MAPL Championship in 2017. Their dynamic play and unwavering commitment to excellence established a lasting legacy in Peddie basketball.

The 2009 Peddie girls basketball team epitomized toughness and excellence, achieving a remarkable 24-2 record and securing the MAPL and NJISAA Prep ‘A’ Championships. This season stands as one of the greatest in Peddie girls basketball history.

The team was led by standout players Lexie Gerson ’09 and Haley Peters ’10, who reached the milestone of 1,000 career points in the same game during the NJISAA Prep ‘A’ semifinals against Lawrenceville — a first for the program — and the team’s dominance was undeniable.

Coach Sean Casey earned his 300th career win that season, and Assistant Coach Eric Gustavson fostered a culture of accountability, hard work and camaraderie. “Things were always done the right way, and there was an expectation that we would all do things the right way,” said Peters.

Despite their success, the team remained humble and focused, balancing seriousness with fun. Their commitment to the team’s goals and their strong sense of unity was a testament to the culture Coach Casey built at Peddie.