Several of the teachers at KHS had true athletic talent when they were in high school.

A couple of these teachers were league champions, and they worked hard on the field.

From qualifying for state meets and breaking records to dropping batons and tackling cheerleaders, these teachers share some of their most memorable moments and some of their most embarrassing moments.

Mr. Chris Torok: math teacher and boys’ assistant track coach

Most Memorable Moment

Mr. Chris Torok’s most memorable moment was when he ran track at Bentley. He placed in the top eight at the state meet for the 400-meter run his senior year.

Most Embarrassing Moment

His most embarrassing moment was when he dropped the baton in the 1600-meter relay his junior year. According to Torok, he messed up the exchange because it was raining.

“There was water in my eyes,” Torok said. “It was rain and tears.”

Favorite Coach

Torok’s favorite coach was his football coach, Mr. Cal TerHaar.

“He had a passion for the game and was a constant motivator,” Torok said.

Mr. Paul Adas: English teacher, boys’ cross country, basketball, and track coach

Most Memorable Moment

Mr. Paul Adas’ most memorable moments occurred on the track at Kearsley. His relay teams broke the 3200-meter, 1600-meter relay, and the high jump Big 9 records at the Big 9 Championship.

Adas also broke Kearsley’s high jump record.

Most Embarrassing Moment

Adas’ most embarrassing moment occurred on the basketball court at Beecher. Adas went up for a windmill dunk but hit the side of the rim and fell on his backside.

“This occurred in front of the Flint Beecher bench and all of their players fell to the ground laughing hysterically,” Adas said.

Favorite Coach

Adas’ favorite coach was Mr. Don Marsh, his track coach.

Not only did Adas have the opportunity to be coached by Marsh, he also coached alongside Marsh.

“I was fortunate to coach under Mr. Marsh as an assistant coach and learned a great deal about coaching track and field,” Adas said.

Marsh is currently an assistant coach at the University of Southern Florida.

Mr. Ed Councilor: history teacher and middle school cross country coach

Most Memorable Moments

Mr. Ed Councilor’s most memorable moments were when he was named All-League and led the league in rebounding for Kearsley basketball his junior year.

His senior year, he was named second team All-State by the Detroit News. His team was also 23-2.

Most Embarrassing Moment

His most embarrassing moment was when he dove for a ball and took out a group of cheerleaders. Once he tried to get up, he realized that a girl’s skirt was covering his face.

Favorite Coach

Councilor’s favorite coach was Mr. Bill Westhouser.

Mr. Matt Binko: math teacher and boys’ junior varsity golf and freshman basketball coach

Most Memorable Moment

Mr. Matt Binko’s most memorable moment was when his Swartz Creek Dragons won the opening game of the basketball district playoffs his senior year on a half-court buzzer beater. His best friend made the shot.

Most Embarrassing Moment

Binko tries to learn from and forget his embarrassing moments.

“When something bad or embarrassing happens on the field or court, those are the kind of moments I try to forget and just move on to the next play,” Binko said.

Favorite Coach

Binko’s favorite coach was Mr. Rory Matter, Swartz Creek basketball coach.

Binko said Matter was the best coach because he knew a great deal about basketball and he knew how to relay that knowledge to players.

Mr. Mike Simms: science teacher and assistant track and field coach

Most Memorable Moment

Mr. Mike Simms’ most memorable moment was when he placed ninth at the Class A state track meet for Kearsley in the discus.

“Basically, I finished ninth, which was one place out of scoring, and as disappointing as that may seem, I competed and I had a good day,” Simms said.

He also said winning a league championship in football was a memorable moment — the team went on to make the state playoffs for the first time in Kearsley history.

Most Embarrassing Moment

When Simms played basketball, he was going for a pass, but saw the defender, so he took the shot instead.

However, the shot was a ‘brick’, it hit the backboard and went straight down, receiving many laughs from the stands.

Favorite Coach

Simms’ favorite coach was his track and field coach, Mr. Ron Johnson.

“He believed in me and expected good things of me on and off the field,” Simms said. “He helped me to see that being a good athlete was not as important as being a good person.”

Simms feels that Johnson was a good mentor.

Mr. Jack Linn: history teacher and middle school football and track coach

Most Memorable Moment

Mr. Jack Linn’s most memorable moments were in football when he scored two game winning touchdowns for Genesee, one being over 50 yards and one being in overtime.

Most Embarrassing Moment

In basketball, one of his most embarrassing moments was when he received an inbounds pass, drove to the basket, and made “the best left-handed pass ever.” It later occurred to him that he was shooting in the wrong basket.

“I heard my mother yell from the stands, ‘Jackie, no,’ ” Linn said. “The second that it took for the ball to go into the basket felt like five minutes.”

Favorite Coach

Linn’s favorite coach was his track and field coach, Mr. Jim Masserang.

Linn saw him as a motivator and a man of integrity.

“I just liked him. He was tough on us, but I always showed up,” Linn said.” I never missed a practice, and I enjoyed him as a coach.”