The 2016 class of the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, the 23rd class, will be inducted this October at a banquet in Lincoln.
The class:
ATHLETES
Terrance Badgett, Omaha South (1991)
Led the Packers to the 1990 state basketball championship and averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds as a senior while earning All-Nebraska honors. He lettered at NU for four years.
Charlie Borner Jr., Lincoln High (1964)
Won back-to-back Class A golf titles and led the Links to the team title in 1964. He lettered for three years at NU, qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship three times and played in the U.S. Senior Open.
Michael "Tony" Davis, Tecumseh (1971)
Rushed for more than 5,000 yards for the Indians, including 1,746 yards when he was all-state as a junior and 1,749 as a senior. He was a starter in basketball and a state qualifier in track as a hurdler. He was a catcher on his American Legion state-qualifying baseball team. At NU, he was a running back who was second-team All-Big Eight in 1975. He played six seasons in the NFL and one season in the USFL.
Stacy Jakubowski Longacre, Howells (1981)
Earned 12 varsity letters, leading the Bobcats to six state volleyball and basketball tournaments, including the state volleyball championship in 1981. A two-time Class C state champion in the high jump, she was Class C all-state in basketball and All-Nebraska in volleyball. She was a three-time letterwinner in volleyball at Kearney State College.
Jon McWilliams, Sidney (1952)
Starred in three sports at Sidney, helping the Raiders win the Class B state track title in 1952. He was Class B all-state in football as a senior. He earned All-Big Seven honors playing end at Nebraska and lettered in track before playing for Saskatchewan in the Canadian Football League.
Don Meyer, Wayne (1963)
Began his journey to becoming a college basketball coaching legend by averaging 25.7 points per game a senior at Wayne. A two-year starter in football and basketball and an ace pitcher in baseball at Wayne, he went on to earn All-America honors in basketball at Northern Colorado. He coached David Lipscomb to back-to-back NAIA national titles before finishing his coaching career at Northern State University.
Rick Meyer, Superior (1980)
Set the state record in the discus and played football and basketball. At Houston, he was a three-time All-American who set the NCAA meet record in the discus in 1985. He was selected to participate in the U.S. Olympic Festival seven times, winning the discus in 1986 and was an alternate for the U.S. Olympic team in 1992.
Kevin Ramaekers, Norfolk Catholic (1988)
Won state championships in football, as a heavyweight wrestler and in the shot put -- in which he won two all-class gold medals and set a Class C state record. The All-Nebraska football recruit went on to NU, earning All-Big Eight honors as a defensive tackle.
Sarah Sasse-Kildow, Lincoln High (1998)
Went undefeated in every girls golf tournament her senior year, capped by back-to-back individual state championships. She became NU's first NCAA All-American in golf and won the Big 12 championship in 2003. She played professionally for five years.
Linda Schnitzler-Walker, Battle Creek (1985)
Played a key role in Battle Creek's success in the mid-1980s as she was all-state in basketball on state title teams in 1984 and 1985. She was an all-conference volleyball player and a four-year state qualifier in track. At Wayne State, she set numerous basketball records and was a two-time All-American in track.
Laura Spanheimer-DeChant, Omaha Marian (2001)
Led Marian to back-to-back state titles in cross country and basketball and was a gold medalist at the 2000 state cross country meet. She won eight gold medals at state track and went on to be a four-year starter in basketball at Creighton.
Bill Weber, Lincoln Southeast (1980)
Played in seven state high school state tournaments, plus three more in Legion baseball. Was All-Nebraska in football as a senior while earning all-city honors in football, basketball and baseball. At NU, he started at defensive end for three years, earning All-Big Eight second-team honors in 1984.
COACHES
Jim Barker, Scottsbluff
Has guided the Bearcats to 11 state championships and five runner-up finishes during his 34 years as boys cross country coach. He also coached the girls cross country team to a state runner-up finish and has one state track title during his eight years as head coach.
Randy Carpenter, Lexington
Started Lexington's girls basketball program in 1974, coaching the Minutemaids for 37 years, including two state championships, two runner-up finishes and 13 district championships. He retired with 492 victories.
Charlie Gordon, Lincoln Southeast
Coached baseball for 30 years, guiding the Knights to five state championships and four runner-up finishes. His 1958 team provided the school with its first state championship.
Brad Hildebrandt, Omaha Skutt
Led the SkyHawks to 20 state wrestling championships (17 team, 3 dual) from 1993 to 2015. His teams produced 63 individual state champions.
Pat Hoblyn, Ansley
Coaching volleyball for 40 years, she has accumulated 681 victories, five state championships, one state runner-up finish and 25 Loup Valley Conference titles. Also the head boys and girls track coach, she has led the Warriors to two runner-up finishes at state.
Alan Van Cura, Hastings St. Cecilia
Coached the Hawkettes to six state volleyball titles and 19 district championships. He retired with 830 victories. As the school's girls track coach for 36 years, plus three as boys coach, he led teams to 17 district titles, three state runner-up finishes and the 1980 Class C title.
CONTRIBUTORS
Mike Purdy, Bellevue
The executive director of the state athletic directors association was extensively involved in high school sports in Bellevue as a teacher, coach and administrator.
Jim Tenopir, Lincoln
A two-time executive director of the Nebraska School Activities Association, he also was chief operating officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations and a former administrator at Scottsbluff, McCook and Cambridge.
Jim Paige, Wayne
Officiated football and basketball for 53 years and was a track starter for 35 years. He has worked the triple jump at the state track meet for 30 years.
Great Moment in Nebraska High School Sports
Jeralyn Poe, Lincoln North Star, who in 2014 completed a four-year reign as the state cross country gold medal champion.
Dominant Dynasty
Chadron girls golf, 1981 to 1984. Led by Susan Roll, the Cards won four state titles with the lowest all-class score in three of the four years.
Dominant Dynasty
Papillion-LaVista softball, 1993 to 2014. The Monarchs qualified for the state tournament every year, winning 13 state titles and finishing second four times. The Monarchs won 10 straight state titles from 1995 to 2004.
Ron Gustafson Inspiration Award
Sophie Tate, Columbus. Born with one leg, she took up cheerleading in high school, where she performed stunts including back handsprings.
Fischer Family Award
Jerry and Tina McLain family, Chadron. Standout athletes at Mayville State (N.D.), they moved in 1991 to Chadron, where their six children participated in three sports every year of high school. Sons Joe and Jonn were four-year starters at quarterback for Chadron State College. Jake won all-conference honors in baseball three times at Mayville State, while Jamie and Jasmine helped Chadron qualify for the state tournament in volleyball and basketball.
Golden Anniversary Team
Holdrege basketball and golf, 1967. The Dusters went 23-1 in basketball, losing only to Grand Island, one of eight Class A teams on their schedule. They defeated Schuyler’s “Jolly Green Giants” 66-54 in the state final. In golf, the Dusters shot the lowest single-round Class B score (237) to date while winning the first of back-to-back state titles.
Golden Anniversary Team
Rushville football and wrestling, 1966-67. The Longhorns went 11-0 in football, outscoring opponents 44.5-4.9 per game, and claimed the Class C wrestling title with two individual champions.
Silver Anniversary Team
Bertrand football and basketball, 1991-92. The Vikings went 13-0 in football and 22-1 in basketball to complete a sweep of Class C-2 titles.
Silver Anniversary Team
Lincoln Pius X girls basketball, 1991-92. The Thunderbolts went 25-0 while winning the Class B state title.
The class:
ATHLETES
Terrance Badgett, Omaha South (1991)
Led the Packers to the 1990 state basketball championship and averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds as a senior while earning All-Nebraska honors. He lettered at NU for four years.
Charlie Borner Jr., Lincoln High (1964)
Won back-to-back Class A golf titles and led the Links to the team title in 1964. He lettered for three years at NU, qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship three times and played in the U.S. Senior Open.
Michael "Tony" Davis, Tecumseh (1971)
Rushed for more than 5,000 yards for the Indians, including 1,746 yards when he was all-state as a junior and 1,749 as a senior. He was a starter in basketball and a state qualifier in track as a hurdler. He was a catcher on his American Legion state-qualifying baseball team. At NU, he was a running back who was second-team All-Big Eight in 1975. He played six seasons in the NFL and one season in the USFL.
Stacy Jakubowski Longacre, Howells (1981)
Earned 12 varsity letters, leading the Bobcats to six state volleyball and basketball tournaments, including the state volleyball championship in 1981. A two-time Class C state champion in the high jump, she was Class C all-state in basketball and All-Nebraska in volleyball. She was a three-time letterwinner in volleyball at Kearney State College.
Jon McWilliams, Sidney (1952)
Starred in three sports at Sidney, helping the Raiders win the Class B state track title in 1952. He was Class B all-state in football as a senior. He earned All-Big Seven honors playing end at Nebraska and lettered in track before playing for Saskatchewan in the Canadian Football League.
Don Meyer, Wayne (1963)
Began his journey to becoming a college basketball coaching legend by averaging 25.7 points per game a senior at Wayne. A two-year starter in football and basketball and an ace pitcher in baseball at Wayne, he went on to earn All-America honors in basketball at Northern Colorado. He coached David Lipscomb to back-to-back NAIA national titles before finishing his coaching career at Northern State University.
Rick Meyer, Superior (1980)
Set the state record in the discus and played football and basketball. At Houston, he was a three-time All-American who set the NCAA meet record in the discus in 1985. He was selected to participate in the U.S. Olympic Festival seven times, winning the discus in 1986 and was an alternate for the U.S. Olympic team in 1992.
Kevin Ramaekers, Norfolk Catholic (1988)
Won state championships in football, as a heavyweight wrestler and in the shot put -- in which he won two all-class gold medals and set a Class C state record. The All-Nebraska football recruit went on to NU, earning All-Big Eight honors as a defensive tackle.
Sarah Sasse-Kildow, Lincoln High (1998)
Went undefeated in every girls golf tournament her senior year, capped by back-to-back individual state championships. She became NU's first NCAA All-American in golf and won the Big 12 championship in 2003. She played professionally for five years.
Linda Schnitzler-Walker, Battle Creek (1985)
Played a key role in Battle Creek's success in the mid-1980s as she was all-state in basketball on state title teams in 1984 and 1985. She was an all-conference volleyball player and a four-year state qualifier in track. At Wayne State, she set numerous basketball records and was a two-time All-American in track.
Laura Spanheimer-DeChant, Omaha Marian (2001)
Led Marian to back-to-back state titles in cross country and basketball and was a gold medalist at the 2000 state cross country meet. She won eight gold medals at state track and went on to be a four-year starter in basketball at Creighton.
Bill Weber, Lincoln Southeast (1980)
Played in seven state high school state tournaments, plus three more in Legion baseball. Was All-Nebraska in football as a senior while earning all-city honors in football, basketball and baseball. At NU, he started at defensive end for three years, earning All-Big Eight second-team honors in 1984.
COACHES
Jim Barker, Scottsbluff
Has guided the Bearcats to 11 state championships and five runner-up finishes during his 34 years as boys cross country coach. He also coached the girls cross country team to a state runner-up finish and has one state track title during his eight years as head coach.
Randy Carpenter, Lexington
Started Lexington's girls basketball program in 1974, coaching the Minutemaids for 37 years, including two state championships, two runner-up finishes and 13 district championships. He retired with 492 victories.
Charlie Gordon, Lincoln Southeast
Coached baseball for 30 years, guiding the Knights to five state championships and four runner-up finishes. His 1958 team provided the school with its first state championship.
Brad Hildebrandt, Omaha Skutt
Led the SkyHawks to 20 state wrestling championships (17 team, 3 dual) from 1993 to 2015. His teams produced 63 individual state champions.
Pat Hoblyn, Ansley
Coaching volleyball for 40 years, she has accumulated 681 victories, five state championships, one state runner-up finish and 25 Loup Valley Conference titles. Also the head boys and girls track coach, she has led the Warriors to two runner-up finishes at state.
Alan Van Cura, Hastings St. Cecilia
Coached the Hawkettes to six state volleyball titles and 19 district championships. He retired with 830 victories. As the school's girls track coach for 36 years, plus three as boys coach, he led teams to 17 district titles, three state runner-up finishes and the 1980 Class C title.
CONTRIBUTORS
Mike Purdy, Bellevue
The executive director of the state athletic directors association was extensively involved in high school sports in Bellevue as a teacher, coach and administrator.
Jim Tenopir, Lincoln
A two-time executive director of the Nebraska School Activities Association, he also was chief operating officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations and a former administrator at Scottsbluff, McCook and Cambridge.
Jim Paige, Wayne
Officiated football and basketball for 53 years and was a track starter for 35 years. He has worked the triple jump at the state track meet for 30 years.
Great Moment in Nebraska High School Sports
Jeralyn Poe, Lincoln North Star, who in 2014 completed a four-year reign as the state cross country gold medal champion.
Dominant Dynasty
Chadron girls golf, 1981 to 1984. Led by Susan Roll, the Cards won four state titles with the lowest all-class score in three of the four years.
Dominant Dynasty
Papillion-LaVista softball, 1993 to 2014. The Monarchs qualified for the state tournament every year, winning 13 state titles and finishing second four times. The Monarchs won 10 straight state titles from 1995 to 2004.
Ron Gustafson Inspiration Award
Sophie Tate, Columbus. Born with one leg, she took up cheerleading in high school, where she performed stunts including back handsprings.
Fischer Family Award
Jerry and Tina McLain family, Chadron. Standout athletes at Mayville State (N.D.), they moved in 1991 to Chadron, where their six children participated in three sports every year of high school. Sons Joe and Jonn were four-year starters at quarterback for Chadron State College. Jake won all-conference honors in baseball three times at Mayville State, while Jamie and Jasmine helped Chadron qualify for the state tournament in volleyball and basketball.
Golden Anniversary Team
Holdrege basketball and golf, 1967. The Dusters went 23-1 in basketball, losing only to Grand Island, one of eight Class A teams on their schedule. They defeated Schuyler’s “Jolly Green Giants” 66-54 in the state final. In golf, the Dusters shot the lowest single-round Class B score (237) to date while winning the first of back-to-back state titles.
Golden Anniversary Team
Rushville football and wrestling, 1966-67. The Longhorns went 11-0 in football, outscoring opponents 44.5-4.9 per game, and claimed the Class C wrestling title with two individual champions.
Silver Anniversary Team
Bertrand football and basketball, 1991-92. The Vikings went 13-0 in football and 22-1 in basketball to complete a sweep of Class C-2 titles.
Silver Anniversary Team
Lincoln Pius X girls basketball, 1991-92. The Thunderbolts went 25-0 while winning the Class B state title.
