Len Chappell, Portage's All-State High School and College All-American Basketball Star.  Leonard Chappell (6'8" - 230 lbs) was Portage's first and only All-State basketball player.  He led the Mustangs to a 21-4 record, and the St. Francis Tournament championship his sophomore year, being named the tourney MVP.  In his junior and senior years, the Mustangs won the West Central League championships and scored victories in the District 6 playoffs.  When he graduated, Len had the second highest point total in the state, next to Wilt Chamberlain.  He set all-time Portage and District records in rebounds, field goals, and scoring; these records have never been matched.  During his high school career (1955-58), he scored a total of 2,240 points, 977 of them his senior year, with an average of 37.5 per game.  At Wake Forest College, Len was named All-American.  Upon graduation, Chappell was the first draft choice of the Syracuse Nationals and went on to play 10 years of pro ball before retiring in the 1970s.  Len was high scorer one year for the New York Knicks and played in the League's All-Star Game.  Team members during Len's high school career were: Harry Etienne, John Maus, Richard Talarigo,  Arnie Calaba, Leslie Zaman, and John Morgan.
 
 
 On August 16, 1972, Portage captured its second straight District 20 American Legion Baseball League title.  The team, however, was eliminated by Claysburg in the first round of intersection play.  Members of the team include: First Row: - Larry McCabe, Bruce Tomaselli, Mike Spaid, Bob Rabatin, Manager Dave McCabe, and Coach Jim Ferraro.  Second row: Rich Spaid, Bob George, Joe Hudak, Tom Burda, Vic Cordek, and Dave Rozansky.  Third rowL Mickey Haschak, bat boy, Scott Weaver, Jeff Fedorko, Ray Kiel, George Alexander, and Bruce Slanoc.

 
Portage Area Junior High basketball coaches Dave McCabe and Gary Yusko flank the Mainline championship- winning junior Mustangs.  Cage captains All Glosser and Jeff Ellis display the trophy which was awarded the squad at the district's winter sports banquet in 1975.
 
 

 
 
 

Tammy Etienne (1974-77) holds school records for the 100 yard dash and the 100 meter hurdles.  In her freshman year, she competed in Junior Olympics where she took first place in the 100 meter hurdles.