John Reta – Lincoln Southeast
Coach. John Reta was the center of swimming in Nebraska for nearly 20 years. Instituting the program at Lincoln Southeast, Reta coached the Knights to eight consecutive boys state swimming championships from 1959 to 1966. His swimmers won 11 individual state titles and set 18 state records. The Knights put together a winning streak of […]
Bobby Reynolds – Grand Island
Athlete–One of the most exciting athletes of all time, this 1949 Grand Island High School graduate showed his natural ability early. While an Islander sophomore, he was already a starter on the fine basketball team there which captured back to back Class A state championships. And in football, the Purple & Gold rolled over all […]
Mark Russell – Broken Bow
Coach Mark Russell’s coaching tenure at Broken Bow lasted nearly 40 years and included nearly every sport. A track coach for 39 seasons, starting in 1947, he led the Indians to the state title in 1959, ’60 and ’61 and a runner-up finish in 1965. As the head football coach for 27 years, he had […]
Johnny Rodgers – Omaha Tech
Athlete. Omaha Tech Class of 1969. High school athlete of the year. 1972 Heisman Trophy Winner. Before he became one of the most exciting players to ever wear the Cornhusker Scarlet and Cream, his exploits on Omaha’s high school football fields was nothing short of legendary. He ran the ball, caught it, returned it. He […]
Max Roper – Lincoln
Official A Lincoln native, Max Roper started officiating basketball in 1923 when one official was enough, despite the work load required by the center jump after each basket. One of the most respected officials of his day, he worked his first state tournament in 1930 and officiated the state tournament each year until 1948. One […]
Dave Rimington – Omaha South
Athlete–One of the most highly regarded college football centers of all time, this 1978 graduate of Omaha South High School began his gridiron career as a youngster in the Pee Wee group also in that locale. He was a 6-3, 220-pound lineman who gained high school all-state honors and led South High to a 7-2-1 […]
Larry Riessland – Pleasanton
ATHLETE Larry Riessland earned a “Mr. Touchdown” label at Pleasanton High School where he scored 80 touchdowns in his career. The running back who set himself apart with his ability to cut while running full speed, scored a national-record nine touchdowns in a single game as a junior, then set a national record with 47 […]
Tom Rathman – Grand Island
Athlete–A 1980 graduate of Grand Island High School, this versatile athlete surprised many at the state track meets by being an excellent high jumper, posting a top personal best of 6’7“ and winning a gold medal as a junior. A running power on the gridiron both in high school and college, he developed into a […]
Herb Reese – Omaha Central
Athlete–Omaha Central High School won the state wrestling team championship during each of the four years this 1947 graduate was in school. He became the first high school wrestler to win state individual championships four straight years–as a 155-pound freshman, next year in the 165-pound class and finishing up his final two years in the […]
