Tom Heller-Kearney
Athlete Kearney High (Class of 1967) Tom Heller was the epitome of the natural athlete. Name the sport, Heller, the 1967 Athlete of the Year, excelled. Bob Devaney once said he could have played all 22 positions at college football’s highest level. Heller was the first Kearney High football player to rush for 1,000 yards, […]
Alex Gordon-Lincoln Southeast
Athlete Lincoln Southeast (Class of 2002) Before winning multiple Gold Glove Awards and being a World Series hero, Alex Gordon was Nebraska’s Prep Athlete of the Year as a senior at Lincoln Southeast. An all-state and record-setting receiver and defensive back on the football field, he rose to stardom on the baseball diamond where he […]
Rik Bonness-Bellevue
Athlete Bellevue (Class of 1973) A three-sport athlete at Bellevue High School, Rik Bonness shone brightest on the football field where he played center and linebacker, earning all-state honors his senior season and earning a scholarship to play at Nebraska. For the Cornhuskers, Bonness achieved the honor of being the seventh two-time All-American playing center. […]
Jack McCartney-North Platte
Athlete North Platte (Class of 1944) “Bullet” Jack McCartney blended speed, drive and a change of pace that made him one of the most dangerous football players of his time. Tagged as Nebraska’s best high school athlete in his sophomore year, McCartney made a name for himself in track, winning all-class gold medals in the […]
Richard Brown-Omaha South
Athlete Omaha South (Class of 1958) Richard Brown played a crucial role in bringing a championship atmosphere to Omaha South. A four-time state wrestling finalist and three-time champion, he led the Packers to three straight state championships in wrestling. In football, the standout halfback and cornerback helped the Packers win the mythical state championship in […]
Duane Mendlik-Wisner-Pilger
Coach A devotion to the sport of basketball and a pursuit of excellence helped Duane Mendlik put together a career of more than 650 victories ╨ second-highest in Nebraska boys basketball history. A 35-year stint at West Point Central Catholic and a decade at Wisner-Pilger resulted in 15 state-tournament appearances. He coached West Point Central […]
Don “Tot” Holmes-Gothenburg
DON “TOT” HOLMES Contributor As the sports editor of the Tri-City Tribune, Don “Tot” Holmes used his story-telling skills and a fascination for statistics to develop the newspaper into the center of attention in Dawson County and the surrounding area. Focusing on the Southwest and Hi-Line Conferences, Holmes brought attention and notoriety to thousands of […]
2018-Del and Marilyn Stracke Family
Small towns can produce big influence on high school athletics, and the Del and Marilyn Stracke family of Stuart proved that. Three daughters and two sons have played, coached and won on the biggest stages, starting with their youngest daughter, Darcy is the leading scorer in basketball and a Hall of Fame inductee as […]
Football
1933 The iron men of Friend’s undefeated football team.
2018
GREAT MOMENTS- 2018 Football- ” 1933 Friend Football Team.” The remarkable 1933 Friend football team was made up of 11 players played an 11 man schedule and didn’t lose a game.
