Nora Shepherd- York
Athlete-1994 In a 1600 meter race, Nora shepherd set the pace for the pack. Suffering from asthma, especially on hot and humid days, she emerged as a Junior Olympic Champion, before dominating the 1600, never losing at that distance in high school, Setting a Class B record as a senior, she also set school records […]
Ken and Ryly Jane Hambleton- Lincoln
Contributors Ken Hambleton joined the Lincoln Journal Star sports staff in 1972 and Ryly Jane in 1974, becoming the cornerstones of the newspaper’s high school reporting until their joint retirement in 2017. Ken was the Boys’ Prep Editor from 1982-’85 and Ryly Jane was the Girls’ Sports Editor from 1981-’85. She took over as the […]
Glenwood Einspahr- Hildreth
Athlete-1950 A “basketball ace”-he was All-Class All-State in 1950-Glenwood showed his athletic ability at the 1950 State Track Meet. A one-man team, competing without a coach, he won the 100 and 220 yard dashes and the long jump to score enough points to give Hildreth the Class D team Co-Championship. On the basketball court, Einspahr […]
Robert Rands-Bellevue East
Athlete-2005 Robert Rands carved out a spot in Nebraska sports history by breaking Gale Sayer’s long jump record that had stood for 44 years. But Rands was more than a one-jump wonder. The State’s consensus Athlete of the Year in 2005, he was an outstanding football player who rushed for over 2,650 yards in his […]
2020
Nate Lashley- Mitchell
Athlete (Class of 2001) A two-time state golf champion, leading Mitchell to the Class C1 team title both years, he went on to play for the University of Arizona where he was the Pac-10 runner-up in 2005. He turned professional after graduating from Arizona, winning the PGA’s Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2019. At Mitchell High […]
Jordan Larson- Logan View
Athlete (Class of 2005) On the volleyball court, Jordan Larson killed it. A key player on the U.S. Olympic volleyball teams in 2012 and 2016, Larson earned 12 letters in volleyball, basketball and track at Logan View. An All Class All State selection for three years, Larson earned high school All-American honors. On the basketball […]
Bobby Mills- Grand Island
Contributor Known as “1,000-Yard Guy,” Grand Island’s Bobby Mills has been dedicated to recognizing the accomplishments of the state’s student-athletes. He began pursuing a comprehensive list of Nebraska’s 1,000-yard rushers in 1974 and has published updates to that list every year since. He has devoted time and finances to his passion for high school sports. […]
Sue Ziegler- Lincoln Lutheran
Coach The Warriors’ track coach for 29 years and volleyball coach for 22 years, Sue Ziegler led Lincoln Lutheran to six state championships — two in volleyball, three in girls track and one in boys track — and four state runner-up finishes. She retired as the school’s track and field coach after her girls’ team […]
Norm Manstedt- High Plains
Coach Norm Manstedt’s legendary 50-year career alongside the wrestling mat produced four wrestlers who were three-time state champions. Another 22 times his wrestlers left the state tournament with gold medals. His 1972 Clarks team won the Class D state championship in the third year of the program’s existence, and the 1978 team finished second. Three […]