Two members of the Cheltenham High School boys track and field program, John Lewis ’15 and Head Coach Dr. Bob Beale, were inducted into the Pennsylvania High School Track and Field Hall of Fame on May 29th during the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University.

“I’m certainly honored to be inducted,” said Beale. “I know quite a few coaches who are in it and I’m tremendously honored to be in the midst of those individuals.” Beale’s coaching career at Cheltenham has spanned more than three decades.

“It’s definitely a surprise,” said Lewis. “It’s so crazy that Doc and I are getting in at the same time, and that makes it even more of a blessing. I’m really thankful for him because he helped me get to the next level.” Lewis went on to compete for Clemson University and graduated in 2019 with a degree in parks, recreation & tourism management.

As a Panther, Lewis earned the 2015 Pennsylvania Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year, won the 800M titles at the National Junior Olympics, and PIAA, Pennsylvania Track & Field Coaches Association (PTFCA) and National Scholastic Outdoor meets, and set Pennsylvania’s 800M record. A member of numerous indoor relay state champions, Lewis ran Pennsylvania’s fastest 400M in 2015.

Dr. Beale, who has coached numerous successive generations of Cheltenham runners, has one of the more impressive coaching resumes around. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association High School Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2015, Dr. Beale guided the Panthers to the 2014 and 2015 PIAA 3A State Championships, PIAA 3A State Championship runner-up (1986, 1996), District 1 titles in 1986, 2014 and 2015, PTFCA Indoor State titles in 2014 and 2015, PTFCA Indoor State runner up 2010 and 2011 and PTFCA Indoor (2014, 2015) and Outdoor Coach of the Year (2011, 2014, 2015) honors. 

Lewis is currently training under Beale as he continues his track career and is a volunteer coach for Cheltenham.

Photo: Cheltenham School District