2023-Rachel Balkovec-Skutt Catholic-Omaha
RACHEL BALKOVEC 1ST FEMALE BASEBALL MANAGER IN BASEBALL HISTORY NEW YORK YANKEES MINOR LEAGUE SYSTEM
2022- Blake Cerveny-Burke, Brandon Schutt-Bellevue East
2021-Addie Schiemann- Fremont
Ron Gustafson Award 2021 Originally from Arlington, Addie’s family moved to Fremont so she could swim. In July, 2017, Addie was involved in an ATV accident and her right arm was amputated just above the elbow. Less than three months later, Addie was back in the pool. As a freshman, she swam for a club […]
2020-Megan Wallman-Syracuse
Megan was born premature, weighing only 2 pounds. After overcoming several health issues, including a blood infection, pneumonia, and organ failure, she received a tracheotomy and recovered while in a drug induced coma. At 2 1/2 years of age, she was finally free of wires, tubes, and monitors. She took the words of one of […]
2019- Alex France- Millard North
Alex was diagnosed in his teenage years with Retinitis Pigmentosa, which causes vision impairment. He participated in Cross Country and Track all 4 years of his High School career at Millard North. During his freshman year it became a slight issue and in 2017 his vision became notably worse which caused him to run […]
2018-Sam Schukei-Kenesaw
Sam Schukei, a senior at Kenesaw High School who lost his lower left leg in a lawn mower accident at age three, but is a four-year letterman in football, played basketball and qualified for the state track meet in the discus, setting the school record at that time.
2017-Taleah Williams, Norfolk
Taleah Williams was an honor student at Norfolk High School and in spite of being born without a lower left arm she also excelled in athletics. She held several track records and qualified for the State Meet in 4 events her junior and senior seasons and was All-Conference on the basketball team. She lettered all […]
2016- Sofie Tate Columbus
Sofia Tate began dancing in kindergarten. She was inspired to pursue cheerleading after watching a performance by a University of Arkansas cheerleader on the internet. She cheered for Columbus High School, incorporating athletic feats such as back handsprings into her routine. She is currently a cheerleader at Nebraska Wesleyan, studying communication.
1996: Ron Gustafson Omaha
Fitting, the Hall concluded, was that Mr. Gustafson himself should be the first Inspiration Award Winner. The Hall of Fame’s inspiration award is named after its first recipient. Gustafson nearly died in a tractor accident at age 9 in his hometown of Lyons. He lost an arm and a shoulder and nearly lost a leg. […]
