Roger Mathiesen – Kearney
COACH The architect of the Kearney High School boys track dynasty, Roger Mathiesen’s coaching career has been highlighted by unprecedented accomplishments. From 1993-2014, the Bearcats established a national record of 123 consecutive, regular-season meet victories. In the postseason, Kearney dominated Class A, winning 11 consecutive state championships from 1994 to 2004 a streak that ranked […]
Ruby Miller – Elm Creek
Athlete. High school sports for girls was restricted in 1930 for several decades. Prior to that, the name Ruby Miller caught a lot of conversation on the topic of basketball. Ruby Miller, a 1927 graduate of Elm Creek High School, was one of the best known athletes in the state because her basketball scoring ability […]
Susan Marchese – Omaha Duchesne
Athlete (1978) Susan Marchese became a dominate figure in Nebraska amateur golf, starting with two Class B high school golf championships in 1977-78 and a runner-up in 1976. She helped Duchesne win three consecutive Class B championships. During her collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma, she was the individual runner-up in the Big Eight […]
Jerry Murtaugh – Omaha North
ATHLETE Omaha North’s Jerry Murtaugh appeared on recruiting radar for the nation’s top college football and wrestling programs. An undefeated state wrestling champion at 180 pounds and an All-American linebacker at Nebraska, he set tackle records for the 1970 national champion Cornhuskers. He signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots, but never […]
Jim Mather – Arapahoe
Athlete. The premier Nebraska high school long jumper of the 1930s, Jim Mather was a 1936 graduate of Arapahoe High School in Furnas County. He was years ahead of others in this track & field event and capped his career in 1936 at the state track meet by jumping 23 feet, 4 inches, a record […]
John “Jack” McIntire – Falls City/Peru
Coach. Named The World-Herald’s Nebraska high school coach of the year in 1955 at Falls City and its college coach of the year in 1961 at Peru State. At Falls City from 1946 to 1956, his football teams were 71-17 and his basketball teams were 126-47 and won the 1956 Class A title. At Peru […]
Doug Martin – Farnam
Doug Martin Farnam Official Doug Martins striped shirt and sharp eyes put him on the scene for countless games, including 18 Nebraska state championships–nine in football and nine in basketball. A track coach and administrator, primarily at North Platte High School, Martin developed an officiating career–42 years in football and 38 years in basketball–that took […]
William E. “Bill” Mountford – Red Cloud
Athlete. Mention the name Bill Mountford of Red Cloud to anyone active as a high school track & field athlete in Nebraska after World War II and before the Korean War and the retort would be: “Ah, yes – the great race.” Perhaps the most famous high school race ever run over the red cinders […]
Paul Mohr – Scottsbluff
Athlete. 1950. Paul Mohr led Scottsbluff to the state basketball tournament semifinals in 1950, earning all-state and all-tournament honors. He also earned all-state honors in football and led the Scottsbluff American Legion baseball team to a state runner-up finish, batting .544. In addition, he was a three-year letterman in track. Recruited by the University of […]
Lionel McPhaull – Omaha North
Lionel McPhaull Omaha North Athlete A three sport letterman, McPhaull’s signature sport was track. Twice named the Gatorade Nebraska Track Athlete of the Year, McPhaull was a seven-time gold medalist for Omaha North at the state track championship and set the state record in the 400. One of the greatest individual competitors ever for the […]
