Hayes CenterFrom left, Lois, Kent, Kim, Rick and Rocky
Three Generations Of Three-Sport Stars
The family of Richard and Lois May has been contributing to Nebraska’s sports heritage for three generations. Richard was a three sport athlete in high school placing third in the 880 at the 1935 State Track Meet. After high school, he played semipro baseball, officiated high school basketball and coached summer league baseball. Lois was the family’s head cheerleader and chief laundry handler of team uniforms. Sons Kent, Kim, Kent and Rocky picked up the pace during their high school careers, all playing for Hayes Center High School. Their children have continued the three-sport barrage.The background sketches below focus on the four May sons. Their childen’s accomplishments are not presented in detail here only because of space restrictions, not because their efforts were any less than their dads.
Kent May was a three sport athlete at Hays Center , All Conference in football, two time state qualifier in track, set Class C district record in the 440 with a time of 49.7 (The first runner below Class A to break the 50 second barrier which is still a school record) and placed first in the 440 and second in the long jump at State. Attended Kearney State, lettering four years in track. Coached track at Elba, St. Paul, and Wallace. State meet volleyball official and well as state track meet starter for five years. Sons Brent, Todd and daughter Angie are all multiple sport champion athletes.
Kim May, also a three sport athlete, was a member of the 1962 State Champion 8 man football team, three time state qualifier in track, placing second in the 440 in 1962, 3rd in 1963 along with a first in the mile relay and a 4th in the 120 hurdles. He lettered in track at Kearney State and went on to coach at Bennington and Elkhorn where he has had State Champion Boys Track teams. He earned the honor of Track Coach of the Year in 1987. His son Brandon was an outstanding diver and gymnast at Millard North.
Rick May was also a three sport athlete: All Conference and All area in football, All State in basketball, three-year state track qualifier, 440 and 880 winner in 1968 and at that time the first Nebraska boy to do so while leading his Hayes Center team to the Class D State Championship. He still holds the school record in the 800 meters but in good family tradition he has to share it with son Nolan. Rick went on to Kearney State where he lettered in track and cross country. He coached girls track and cross country at North Platte and his teams won two State Championships in cross country, then he returned home where he has coached track for the last 19 years producing two Class D State Championships in girls track. His son Nolan and daughter Rhea were both outstanding three sport athletes for Hayes Center.
Rocky May, of course another three-sport athlete, was member of the 1970 Class D Record 880 relay team, twice bronze medal winner in the 440 at State and member of the Class D State Championship Team. Coached track at Hershey for five years then took over girls track and cross country at North Platte where his 1982 cross country team was Class A State Champions. His son Kyle was a three sport star, started on the 1991 Class D1 State Championship Basketball Team for Maxwell. His daughter Kristin was also a three-sport athlete at Maxwell.
