Athlete
Rhonda (McCormick) Perlinger Madrid-Wheatland (1978)
A high school All-American in volleyball, basketball, and track, Rhonda rose from the small school ranks to be the 1978 Nebraska Athlete of the Year. A four-year state meet qualifier in the shot put, she claimed the All-Class Gold Medal as a senior. She led her volleyball team to the state tournament three times, finishing as the state runner-up her sophomore year. In the early years of Title IX, Wheatland played just three basketball games her freshman year and eight her sophomore year. Playing a full schedule her junior year, she averaged 22 points per game. She went on to play volleyball and basketball at Kearney State College her freshman year before pursuing other interests.
