The Class of 2025 of the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame has been announced. This year's class includes 12 athletes, five coaches, an official and a contributor.
The class will be honored September 14 at the induction ceremony at Lincoln East High School.
ATHLETES
Shaquil Barrett, Boys Town (2009)
Owner of two Super Bowl rings, with the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, came to Boys Town as a junior and was a state champion wrestler and football standout. He played for Nebraska-Omaha and Colorado State. Was a starter for 85 of his 132 games in the NFL over 10 seasons.
Deverell Biggs, Omaha Central (2010)
The state's consensus boys athlete of the year as a senior started on three Class A basketball championship teams and won two gold medals in the high jump. Played for Nebraska and Texas Southern in Division I and has logged 10 seasons of pro basketball.
Alan Closter, Creighton St. Ludger (1961)
The ace pitcher for the Comets' Class C state champion teams of 1959 and 1961 averaged 20 points on their 1961 state tourney basketball team. A member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic exhibition baseball team, he pitched in the major leagues for three different teams.
Ron Coleman, Omaha North (2010)
A four-time state wrestling champion who was the state's 2009 boys athlete of the year, he set Viking scoring records as a four-year starter in football and qualified for state in the shot put as a senior. He played football for Southeast Missouri State.
Karen Criss, Omaha Marian (2006)
The only winner of eight individual events at the state swimming meet also won four gold medals in relays as Marian won the state team title all four years. She swam collegiately at Louisville and Nebraska.
Chris Dishman, Cozad (1991)
A two-time all-stater, he anchored the line for 1991's Class B state championship team. A state runner-up in wrestling and a state medalist in the discus. He started on the offensive line for Nebraska's 1994 and 1995 national championship teams before playing eight seasons in the NFL.
Ashley Hagemann Ford, Elkhorn (2008)
The righty pitched the Antlers to four straight Class B softball championships, logging 86 victories, 67 shutouts, and 17 no-hitters while setting an all-class record of 50 RBIs as a junior. Also played basketball and medaled in the discus. Had a 75-50 record in four years playing at Nebraska.
Wilburn Hollis, Boys Town (1958)
The four-sport high school standout earned All-America recognition as a quarterback for the Cowboys and at the University of Iowa. In his two seasons at Boys Town was 13-2-2 in football and Class AA champion and runner-up in basketball. Started in baseball and won gold on the mile relay team.
Jordan Hooper, Alliance (2010)
The state's girls athlete of the year in 2010 was a three-sport competitor who led the girls basketball team to four trips to the state tournament, starting with a Class B title in 2007, and was also a state champion long jumper. At Nebraska, she was named All-Big Ten three times and a first-team All-American as a senior while scoring 2,357 points. She played four years in the WNBA.
Chad Meyers, Omaha Gross (1993)
An undefeated state wrestling champion and an all-stater in football and baseball, Meyers set stolen base records at Creighton while making the All-America second team as a senior. Was the Chicago Cubs' rookie of the year in 1999 to start a four-year career in the majors.
Darin Ruf, Omaha Westside (2005)
Played on a state championship team in baseball and a state runner-up squad in basketball while making all-state teams in football and baseball. At Creighton, he started at first base for four years and was the Missouri Valley Conference player of the year as a sophomore. His 12-year professional career included nine years in the majors.
Brooke Schwartz, Gering (1996)
A three-time all-stater in volleyball and basketball medaled five times at the state track meet. She played on three NCAA qualifying teams in women's basketball at Nebraska, where she scored 1,243 points.
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COACHES
Paul Beranek, Ravenna
The Bluejays' boys went to the state basketball tournament nine times in his 25 years as coach (448-241 record), with a golden era of four state championships (with two undefeated teams), a fifth finals berth and three third-place finishes between 2004 and 2012. Also was a track coach for 29 years.
Brad Feeken, Gretna
Back-to-back Class B championships in 2016 and 2017 for the Dragons highlighted a 21-year tenure as boys basketball coach before he passed away from cancer during the 2023-24 season. He had a 353-141 career record and 11 state tournament appearances.
Bob Greco, Omaha Westside
The Warriors qualified for the Class A baseball tournament in 21 of his 26 years, including 17 in a row, as a coach. He led the Warriors to seven state titles and five more finals appearances.
Jake Moore, Omaha Marian
His volleyball teams, over 32 seasons (25 at Lincoln Pius X), have picked up 767 victories, seven state championships, a runner-up finish and 20 state tournament appearances.
Sue Wewel, Fremont
In her 41 years as a head coach in volleyball, 29 were at Fremont Bergan where the Knights qualified for nine state tournaments, made five finals appearances and were champions in 2018. Her career victory total has topped 800.
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CONTRIBUTOR
Jack Tarr, Malcolm
The athletic director at Malcolm High School for 28 years, he has served on multiple state and national committees and directed more than 100 NSAA district events.
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OFFICIAL
Gary Pence, Hickman
He began officiating as a freshman at Doane College and has continued for 51 years, working numerous state basketball tournaments.
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GREAT MOMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Filley winning the 1998 Class D2 state basketball title in their last year before consolidation with Adams.
RON GUSTAFSON INSPIRATION AWARD
Emmett Hassenstab of Omaha Skutt suffered a cervical spine injury days after finishing second in the triple jump at the 2021 state track meet. He recovered to compete the next year at the Cornhusker State Games.
DOMINANT DYNASTY
Columbus Scotus volleyball (1990-2011). The Shamrocks won 14 state championships and finished second six times in those 22 years.
FISCHER FAMILY AWARD
Craig and Marie Kissinger of Glenvil. With sons Brian and Jerald, graduates of Sandy Creek, and grandchildren who have starred at Malcolm and Hastings St. Cecilia, the Kissingers have accumulated multiple all-state honors and gone on to successful collegiate careers.
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY TEAMS
1974-75 Nelson football and boys basketball
1975 Mullen sand greens golf
SILVER ANNIVERSARY TEAMS
2000 Lincoln Southeast football
2000-01 Omaha Marian basketball, swimming and soccer
The class will be honored September 14 at the induction ceremony at Lincoln East High School.
ATHLETES
Shaquil Barrett, Boys Town (2009)
Owner of two Super Bowl rings, with the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, came to Boys Town as a junior and was a state champion wrestler and football standout. He played for Nebraska-Omaha and Colorado State. Was a starter for 85 of his 132 games in the NFL over 10 seasons.
Deverell Biggs, Omaha Central (2010)
The state's consensus boys athlete of the year as a senior started on three Class A basketball championship teams and won two gold medals in the high jump. Played for Nebraska and Texas Southern in Division I and has logged 10 seasons of pro basketball.
Alan Closter, Creighton St. Ludger (1961)
The ace pitcher for the Comets' Class C state champion teams of 1959 and 1961 averaged 20 points on their 1961 state tourney basketball team. A member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic exhibition baseball team, he pitched in the major leagues for three different teams.
Ron Coleman, Omaha North (2010)
A four-time state wrestling champion who was the state's 2009 boys athlete of the year, he set Viking scoring records as a four-year starter in football and qualified for state in the shot put as a senior. He played football for Southeast Missouri State.
Karen Criss, Omaha Marian (2006)
The only winner of eight individual events at the state swimming meet also won four gold medals in relays as Marian won the state team title all four years. She swam collegiately at Louisville and Nebraska.
Chris Dishman, Cozad (1991)
A two-time all-stater, he anchored the line for 1991's Class B state championship team. A state runner-up in wrestling and a state medalist in the discus. He started on the offensive line for Nebraska's 1994 and 1995 national championship teams before playing eight seasons in the NFL.
Ashley Hagemann Ford, Elkhorn (2008)
The righty pitched the Antlers to four straight Class B softball championships, logging 86 victories, 67 shutouts, and 17 no-hitters while setting an all-class record of 50 RBIs as a junior. Also played basketball and medaled in the discus. Had a 75-50 record in four years playing at Nebraska.
Wilburn Hollis, Boys Town (1958)
The four-sport high school standout earned All-America recognition as a quarterback for the Cowboys and at the University of Iowa. In his two seasons at Boys Town was 13-2-2 in football and Class AA champion and runner-up in basketball. Started in baseball and won gold on the mile relay team.
Jordan Hooper, Alliance (2010)
The state's girls athlete of the year in 2010 was a three-sport competitor who led the girls basketball team to four trips to the state tournament, starting with a Class B title in 2007, and was also a state champion long jumper. At Nebraska, she was named All-Big Ten three times and a first-team All-American as a senior while scoring 2,357 points. She played four years in the WNBA.
Chad Meyers, Omaha Gross (1993)
An undefeated state wrestling champion and an all-stater in football and baseball, Meyers set stolen base records at Creighton while making the All-America second team as a senior. Was the Chicago Cubs' rookie of the year in 1999 to start a four-year career in the majors.
Darin Ruf, Omaha Westside (2005)
Played on a state championship team in baseball and a state runner-up squad in basketball while making all-state teams in football and baseball. At Creighton, he started at first base for four years and was the Missouri Valley Conference player of the year as a sophomore. His 12-year professional career included nine years in the majors.
Brooke Schwartz, Gering (1996)
A three-time all-stater in volleyball and basketball medaled five times at the state track meet. She played on three NCAA qualifying teams in women's basketball at Nebraska, where she scored 1,243 points.
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COACHES
Paul Beranek, Ravenna
The Bluejays' boys went to the state basketball tournament nine times in his 25 years as coach (448-241 record), with a golden era of four state championships (with two undefeated teams), a fifth finals berth and three third-place finishes between 2004 and 2012. Also was a track coach for 29 years.
Brad Feeken, Gretna
Back-to-back Class B championships in 2016 and 2017 for the Dragons highlighted a 21-year tenure as boys basketball coach before he passed away from cancer during the 2023-24 season. He had a 353-141 career record and 11 state tournament appearances.
Bob Greco, Omaha Westside
The Warriors qualified for the Class A baseball tournament in 21 of his 26 years, including 17 in a row, as a coach. He led the Warriors to seven state titles and five more finals appearances.
Jake Moore, Omaha Marian
His volleyball teams, over 32 seasons (25 at Lincoln Pius X), have picked up 767 victories, seven state championships, a runner-up finish and 20 state tournament appearances.
Sue Wewel, Fremont
In her 41 years as a head coach in volleyball, 29 were at Fremont Bergan where the Knights qualified for nine state tournaments, made five finals appearances and were champions in 2018. Her career victory total has topped 800.
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CONTRIBUTOR
Jack Tarr, Malcolm
The athletic director at Malcolm High School for 28 years, he has served on multiple state and national committees and directed more than 100 NSAA district events.
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OFFICIAL
Gary Pence, Hickman
He began officiating as a freshman at Doane College and has continued for 51 years, working numerous state basketball tournaments.
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GREAT MOMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Filley winning the 1998 Class D2 state basketball title in their last year before consolidation with Adams.
RON GUSTAFSON INSPIRATION AWARD
Emmett Hassenstab of Omaha Skutt suffered a cervical spine injury days after finishing second in the triple jump at the 2021 state track meet. He recovered to compete the next year at the Cornhusker State Games.
DOMINANT DYNASTY
Columbus Scotus volleyball (1990-2011). The Shamrocks won 14 state championships and finished second six times in those 22 years.
FISCHER FAMILY AWARD
Craig and Marie Kissinger of Glenvil. With sons Brian and Jerald, graduates of Sandy Creek, and grandchildren who have starred at Malcolm and Hastings St. Cecilia, the Kissingers have accumulated multiple all-state honors and gone on to successful collegiate careers.
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY TEAMS
1974-75 Nelson football and boys basketball
1975 Mullen sand greens golf
SILVER ANNIVERSARY TEAMS
2000 Lincoln Southeast football
2000-01 Omaha Marian basketball, swimming and soccer
