The Class of 2024 for the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame has been announced. This year's class 12 athletes, five coaches, one contributor and one official. The class will be enshrined on September 29, 2024 at Lincoln East High School.
ATHLETES
Kimera Bartee, Omaha Central (1990)
Was the first Central graduate to play Major League Baseball. A speedy outfielder/second baseman, he batted .455 and stole 24 bases while making the All-Nebraska team as a senior. He played as a freshman on Creighton's 1991 College World Series team, was All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team as a sophomore and spent six years in the major leagues.
Casey Beran, Sargent (1995)
A three-sport star who was all-state in football, he averaged a double-double in basketball and set the school record in the shot put. At Chadron State, Beran was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American defensive end and conference defensive player of the year.
Jackie Brandt, Omaha Benson (1952)
Before winning a Gold Glove playing outfield for the San Francisco Giants, he was second in Intercity League scoring for the Bunnies' football team, a four-year basketball and baseball letter winner, making the All-Intercity team in baseball and was also a hurdler in track. His 12-year career in the major leagues included a spot on the 1961 American League All-Star team.
Reshea Bristol, Omaha Bryan (1996)
Twice named All-Nebraska, she led Bryan to three state basketball tournaments and a state runner-up finish. Also lettered in soccer and track. She was an All-Pac-10 selection at Arizona, setting the program record for steals and finished fifth in career scoring (1,260 points). She had an 11-year professional career in seven countries.
K.K. Houser, Lincoln Southeast (2009)
After a career that included a state title and two All-Nebraska basketball selections, three gold medals in track and Class A second-team all-state honors in softball, she was an All-Big Ten guard at Purdue whose career totals surpassed 1,000 points, 400 assists and 200 steals. She played seven years of pro basketball overseas.
Susan Johnson Hood, North Platte (1987)
An NCAA Division II All-America pitcher at Nebraska-Kearney, she was a three-sport standout at North Platte before softball was a sanctioned sport in high school. She was a three-year starter in volleyball and basketball and a state qualifier in track.
Jennifer Kocsis Frees, Omaha Marian (2006)
One of Nebraska's most decorated swimmers won seven individual golds and seven relay golds out of a possible 16 on four state champion teams and set the state record in the 500-yard freestyle. In college, she earned All-Big Ten honors at Northwestern.
Gina Mancuso-Prososki, Papillion-LaVista (2009)
A three-time All-Nebraska pick, was the 2008 Gatorade National Player of the Year in volleyball and led the Monarchs to the 2008 Class A state championship. She was an All-American in volleyball at Nebraska and her pro career continues today with the Omaha Supernovas.
Quentin Neujahr, Centennial (1989)
The four-year letterman in football, wrestling and track won two state wrestling titles and was All-Nebraska in football. At Kansas State, he started 45 consecutive games at center, earning All-Big Eight and All-America honors before a six-year NFL career.
Dale Ribble, Millard South (1989)
The three-year starter led the Patriots to back-to-back state basketball championships as a junior and senior and was a two-year starting first baseman. In four years and 107 games at Southwest Missouri State, the Bears basketball team made two NCAA Tournament and two NIT appearances.
Mark Traynowicz, Bellevue West (1980)
The All-Nebraska lineman was a state heavyweight wrestling champion and a three-year state qualifier in track. He was an All-America center at Nebraska and received the NCAA's top five student-athlete award. After being the first pick of the second round of the 1984 NFL Draft, he played six years, mostly with the Buffalo Bills.
Tim Wurth, Omaha Burke (1976)
Wurth set Metro Conference scoring records in an All-Nebraska senior season in football and was Metro batting champion as a junior, when Burke won the state baseball title. At NU, he broke the freshman rushing record before earning three varsity letters at I-back.
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COACHES
Doug Goltz, Falls City Sacred Heart
Since 1987, his teams in football, boys basketball and boys and girls track have produced 30 state championships. The only coach in boys basketball with more than 700 wins, including an 11-0 record n state finals, he also has 341 wins in football.
Dave Oman, Grand Island
In a 51-year basketball coaching career that took him to seven public schools, the 2002 World-Herald Coach of the Year racked up 583 wins and Class A state championships at Grand Island and Norfolk -- the last two title teams not from Lincoln or the Metro Conference.
Fred Petito, Millard North
In 41 years coaching football at Millard North and two at Omaha Cathedral, he amassed 285 victories and five Class A championships. He devised a run-oriented offense that became his signature and produced Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Eric Crouch.
Mimi Ramsbottom, Elkhorn South
In a career that includes 27 Top-10 state meet finishes, she steered the Elkhorn South girls golf team to 15 consecutive conference championships from 2003 to 2017 with four state championships and two runner-up finishes in that run.
Mark Watt, Lincoln Southwest
Starting the school's softball program, he coached the Silver Hawks to 15 state tournaments, four state championships and four runner-up finishes. He retired with a Nebraska-best 579 career victories.
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CONTRIBUTOR
Bill Fitzgerald, Fremont
A coach and athletic director at Louisville and Fremont, Fitzgerald was active in the national and Nebraska School Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, the Nebraska School Activities Association, the Nebraska Coaches Association and their governing boards.
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OFFICIAL
Jeff Wolf, Kearney
A basketball official for 39 years and a football referee for 26 seasons, he was selected to work the finals in all 20 state basketball tournaments he officiated. He refereed five state football finals. After retiring, he continues to work as an evaluator and mentor.
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SPECIAL AWARDS
Great Moment in Nebraska High School Sports:
Blair Dixon, Wauneta-Palisade
In 2008, Dixon won the Class D track state runner-up trophy all by herself.
Dominant Dynasty
Scottsbluff cross country (1995-2014: 11 state championships, 4 state runner-up finishes)
Millard North girls gymnastics (1987-1999: 7 state championships, 2 state runner-up finishes)
Ron Gustafson Inspirational Award
Max Parker, former Ashland-Greenwood basketball player
Fischer Family Award
Larry and Sharon Graver, Arlington
Golden Anniversary Team
Lincoln East 1974 mythical state champion football team (10-0)
Silver Anniversary Team
Omaha Gross 1999 Class B state champion volleyball team (31-0)
ATHLETES
Kimera Bartee, Omaha Central (1990)
Was the first Central graduate to play Major League Baseball. A speedy outfielder/second baseman, he batted .455 and stole 24 bases while making the All-Nebraska team as a senior. He played as a freshman on Creighton's 1991 College World Series team, was All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team as a sophomore and spent six years in the major leagues.
Casey Beran, Sargent (1995)
A three-sport star who was all-state in football, he averaged a double-double in basketball and set the school record in the shot put. At Chadron State, Beran was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American defensive end and conference defensive player of the year.
Jackie Brandt, Omaha Benson (1952)
Before winning a Gold Glove playing outfield for the San Francisco Giants, he was second in Intercity League scoring for the Bunnies' football team, a four-year basketball and baseball letter winner, making the All-Intercity team in baseball and was also a hurdler in track. His 12-year career in the major leagues included a spot on the 1961 American League All-Star team.
Reshea Bristol, Omaha Bryan (1996)
Twice named All-Nebraska, she led Bryan to three state basketball tournaments and a state runner-up finish. Also lettered in soccer and track. She was an All-Pac-10 selection at Arizona, setting the program record for steals and finished fifth in career scoring (1,260 points). She had an 11-year professional career in seven countries.
K.K. Houser, Lincoln Southeast (2009)
After a career that included a state title and two All-Nebraska basketball selections, three gold medals in track and Class A second-team all-state honors in softball, she was an All-Big Ten guard at Purdue whose career totals surpassed 1,000 points, 400 assists and 200 steals. She played seven years of pro basketball overseas.
Susan Johnson Hood, North Platte (1987)
An NCAA Division II All-America pitcher at Nebraska-Kearney, she was a three-sport standout at North Platte before softball was a sanctioned sport in high school. She was a three-year starter in volleyball and basketball and a state qualifier in track.
Jennifer Kocsis Frees, Omaha Marian (2006)
One of Nebraska's most decorated swimmers won seven individual golds and seven relay golds out of a possible 16 on four state champion teams and set the state record in the 500-yard freestyle. In college, she earned All-Big Ten honors at Northwestern.
Gina Mancuso-Prososki, Papillion-LaVista (2009)
A three-time All-Nebraska pick, was the 2008 Gatorade National Player of the Year in volleyball and led the Monarchs to the 2008 Class A state championship. She was an All-American in volleyball at Nebraska and her pro career continues today with the Omaha Supernovas.
Quentin Neujahr, Centennial (1989)
The four-year letterman in football, wrestling and track won two state wrestling titles and was All-Nebraska in football. At Kansas State, he started 45 consecutive games at center, earning All-Big Eight and All-America honors before a six-year NFL career.
Dale Ribble, Millard South (1989)
The three-year starter led the Patriots to back-to-back state basketball championships as a junior and senior and was a two-year starting first baseman. In four years and 107 games at Southwest Missouri State, the Bears basketball team made two NCAA Tournament and two NIT appearances.
Mark Traynowicz, Bellevue West (1980)
The All-Nebraska lineman was a state heavyweight wrestling champion and a three-year state qualifier in track. He was an All-America center at Nebraska and received the NCAA's top five student-athlete award. After being the first pick of the second round of the 1984 NFL Draft, he played six years, mostly with the Buffalo Bills.
Tim Wurth, Omaha Burke (1976)
Wurth set Metro Conference scoring records in an All-Nebraska senior season in football and was Metro batting champion as a junior, when Burke won the state baseball title. At NU, he broke the freshman rushing record before earning three varsity letters at I-back.
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COACHES
Doug Goltz, Falls City Sacred Heart
Since 1987, his teams in football, boys basketball and boys and girls track have produced 30 state championships. The only coach in boys basketball with more than 700 wins, including an 11-0 record n state finals, he also has 341 wins in football.
Dave Oman, Grand Island
In a 51-year basketball coaching career that took him to seven public schools, the 2002 World-Herald Coach of the Year racked up 583 wins and Class A state championships at Grand Island and Norfolk -- the last two title teams not from Lincoln or the Metro Conference.
Fred Petito, Millard North
In 41 years coaching football at Millard North and two at Omaha Cathedral, he amassed 285 victories and five Class A championships. He devised a run-oriented offense that became his signature and produced Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Eric Crouch.
Mimi Ramsbottom, Elkhorn South
In a career that includes 27 Top-10 state meet finishes, she steered the Elkhorn South girls golf team to 15 consecutive conference championships from 2003 to 2017 with four state championships and two runner-up finishes in that run.
Mark Watt, Lincoln Southwest
Starting the school's softball program, he coached the Silver Hawks to 15 state tournaments, four state championships and four runner-up finishes. He retired with a Nebraska-best 579 career victories.
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CONTRIBUTOR
Bill Fitzgerald, Fremont
A coach and athletic director at Louisville and Fremont, Fitzgerald was active in the national and Nebraska School Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, the Nebraska School Activities Association, the Nebraska Coaches Association and their governing boards.
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OFFICIAL
Jeff Wolf, Kearney
A basketball official for 39 years and a football referee for 26 seasons, he was selected to work the finals in all 20 state basketball tournaments he officiated. He refereed five state football finals. After retiring, he continues to work as an evaluator and mentor.
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SPECIAL AWARDS
Great Moment in Nebraska High School Sports:
Blair Dixon, Wauneta-Palisade
In 2008, Dixon won the Class D track state runner-up trophy all by herself.
Dominant Dynasty
Scottsbluff cross country (1995-2014: 11 state championships, 4 state runner-up finishes)
Millard North girls gymnastics (1987-1999: 7 state championships, 2 state runner-up finishes)
Ron Gustafson Inspirational Award
Max Parker, former Ashland-Greenwood basketball player
Fischer Family Award
Larry and Sharon Graver, Arlington
Golden Anniversary Team
Lincoln East 1974 mythical state champion football team (10-0)
Silver Anniversary Team
Omaha Gross 1999 Class B state champion volleyball team (31-0)
