Ashley Nicola will be part of the Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

Nicola graduated from Jim Thorpe Area High School in 2011 and left behind a four-year career in track and field that earned her four MVP awards.Three of the awards were in track and field (2008, 2010, 2011) and one was in cross country (2009). She was also a three-time PIAA state qualifier in the 400 meter relay, reaching states in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

In 2009, she held the school record in the 100 with a time of 13.22 and in 2010 broke the school record in the 200 with a time of 51.12 — a record that still stands today. In 2010, she was a member of the record-setting Class 2A 400 relay team that won District 11 title, Schuylkill League and state titles. That relay team was inducted into the Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

Nicola also lettered in volleyball in her senior year.

Nicola went on to attend and graduate from Shippensburg University in 2015 and has done counseling and therapeutic work after graduation. She is the daughter of Giovanni Nicola and Victoria Nicola.

In the upcoming weeks, the other 2018 inductees into the Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame will be highlighted. They are Hilary Reis Weinert, Brian “Pip” Rehrig, Ed Hedes, Robert Hodor and the Olympians’ 2012 girls’ basketball team.

The Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame’s 29th Annual Induction Banquet will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Dean Anthony’s Restaurant on 1122 North St. in Jim Thorpe. There is limited seating available (220 maximum). Anyone interested in attending should contact Will Redline (570-325-3073) or Jack Kmetz (570-325-4923) for tickets to the banquet and the induction ceremony. All tickets will be sold in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Tickets will be $35. Children ages 5-through-12 will be admitted for $10.95 and children 5-and-under will be free. Tickets include wine, beer and soda only, all else is a cash bar. Cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and the induction ceremony at 7:15 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided at the end of the awards banquet.

Personalized advertisements for the 2018 banquet program can be purchased for $25, $50, and $100. Contact Redline or Kmetz for more details.