Olympic medalist among East Lansing Sports Hall of Fame inductees

An Olympic medalist and a Miss Basketball winner are among those inducted into the East Lansing High School Sports Hall of Fame, which will welcome its first class since 2016.

Olympic sprinters Taylor Mason, Klarissa Bell, Victoria Lipscomb, Jack Piotter, Jeff Smith and the 1973 football team will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during East Lansing’s season-opening football game against Portage Central on August 29.

Manson was a track and field athlete who finished her career in 2017 as the state champion in the 400. She finished her prep career with school records in the 100, 200 and 400 before excelling as a sprinter at the University of Florida, where she earned All-American honors. She won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the mixed 1,600-meter relay.

Bell, a 2010 graduate, was the state’s Miss Basketball winner and finished her career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,627 points. She helped East Lansing win the 2010 state title and finish second in 2008, while helping the program to a 96-8 mark in her four seasons. She went on to play at Michigan State, where she earned All-Big Ten honors.

Lipscomb, a 2009 graduate, was a star in basketball and track, competing in both sports at Oakland University. She was a member of the state runner-up basketball team in 2008 and finished her basketball career with program records in steals, assists and blocks. Lipscomb also holds the school record in the long jump, was on the state championship 800-meter relay in 2008 and 2009, and helped the Trojans to a state title in 2009.

Smith was a successful football and track coach for East Lansing, leading the boys’ track and field program to a state title in 1998 and the football team to a state title in 1991 and second-place finishes in 1983 and 2000. Smith also led East Lansing to a perfect season in 1973 and a No. 2 ranking in the final state poll.

Piotter was a longtime assistant coach for football and baseball, contributing to the Trojans’ success under Smith with a state title and second-place finish.

The 1973 East Lansing team went 9-0 and won the city and league titles, while also winning six games and outscoring their opponents 312-27. They ultimately finished second in the state standings.

Contact Brian Calloway at [email protected]. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.