Zanesville High School

History

The first Zanesville High School was built in downtown North 6th Street 1849 and opened its doors in 1855. In 1908, a new Zanesville High School was built across the street and named Lash High School in honor of Superintendent William D. Lash. The fourth version, was opened on September 9, 1954 on Blue Ave. This land was willed by John McIntire for public park/education. At the time of its opening, the Times Recorder said of the $4 million school, "you have to see it to believe it.". Old Lash High became Hancock Jr High until it was torn down in the early 1980s. From 1908 until the early 1980s ZHS was grades 10-12. From the early 1980s until today ZHS holds grades 9-12. The fifth Zanesville High School opened its doors on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 built on the same land as the old ZHS on Blue Ave.

Student/teacher population

Zanesville High School contains 900 students in grades 9-12.

It has a student/teacher ratio of 18 and 97% of its teachers are fully certified.

The student body is 78% White/Non-Hispanic, 18% Black/Non-Hispanic and 3% multiracial with 1% unspecified.

Clubs and activities

Clubs and activities include: Drama Club, Foreign Language, Ski Club and S.A.D.D. Club. The Latin Club is now defunct. It once functioned as a local chapter of both the Ohio Junior Classical League (OJCL) and National Junior Classical League (NJCL).

Athletics

As members of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the Zanesville Blue Devils sport 14 varsity teams. Most Blue Devil squads compete in Division II, although a few compete in Division I. Zanesville competes in the East Central Ohio League. ZHS sports teams in the following sports: Baseball (Boys), Basketball (Boys and Girls), Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Marching Band, Soccer (Boys and Girls), Softball (Girls), Swimming, Tennis (Boys and Girls), Track, Volleyball (Girls) Wrestling

Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships

Boys' Basketball – 1926, 1955, 1995

The 1995 Zanesville boys' basketball team finished its state championship run with a 26-0 record. As of the 2015-16 season, the Blue Devils are the only Division I team in state history to finish with an unbeaten record. Prior to ZHS, the last team in Ohio's largest class/division to finish undefeated was Akron Central-Hower, which finished 28-0 to claim the Class AAA state title in 1980.

Track and Field

John Simpson, 1968: Shot Put - 60' 7-3/4"

Jon Thomas, 1980: 300 meter Low hurdles - :36.8

Jon Thomas, 1981: 110 meter hurdles - :14.18

Jon Thomas, 1981: 300 meter Low hurdles - :36.45

Ira Wentworth, 1988: 3200 meter - 9:19.46

Ira Wentworth, 1989: 3200 meter - 9:14.24

Erika Goines, 1993: Shot Put - 44' 10-3/4"

Erika Goines, 1994: Shot Put - 44' 11"

Boys' Tennis

Mark Mees, 1978 & 1979

Ty Tucker, 1985

Football

The Zanesville football team is the alma mater of Buster Howe, the state's first Mr. Football Award winner.

Notable alumni

Todd Cerney- rock and country musician, composer and producer

Mark Dantonio - Michigan State University Head Football coach

Dr. Michael H. Grasley - Shell Chemical Company, President and Chief Executive Officer (Lash High School Class of 1955)

Kevin Martin - Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves

Jay Payton - Georgia Institute of Technology, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles

Michele Redman - LPGA Professional