Hall of Fame

A ripple of anticipation could be felt across Greeley in the fall of 1914. While no one dared to dwell on events spiraling out of control halfway across the world, people closely followed construction of the elegantly appointed county courthouse as it neared completion. At long last, the summer’s harvest had been successfully deposited at the sugar beet factory or shipped out by rail. And over at Greeley High School, the students had finally settled into their beautiful new building, completed in late 1912 (Greeley’s third high school, 1912-1927, built just south of the Meeker Home, occupied most of the block on 9th Avenue between 14th and 15th streets). Early indications were that the current GHS football team would be much improved over last season’s .500 record (2-2-1). As it turned out, Greeley sports fans’ optimism for the entire 1914-15 school year was more than justified because of the Wildcats’ Floyd “The Horse” Rodreick. Floyd, a senior, was already being compared in town to the likes of Harry Balch and Bryant Gladstone from Greeley High’s 1911 State Championship track team.

Yet by the time Floyd graduated the following May, many future Wildcat fans would carefully consider the claim of Rodreick’s teammate Paul Lodwick (GHS class of 1915), who in a 1965 visit to Greeley—while he was the superintendent of Erie School District—asserted that Floyd was the greatest athlete ever at Greeley High. Indeed, Floyd’s senior year might be the envy of any athlete ever to compete at Greeley High School.

Floyd Lester Rodreick (born May 6, 1895) lived in Gill, about 10 miles north of Greeley. In an era before school buses, “The Horse,” according to friends, would ride his bike to school every day. Taking into account the quality of both the roads and bicycles in 1914, just his 20-mile daily commute to and from school likely prepared Rodreick for many of the rigors of athletic competition he would experience during the 1914-15 school year.

Floyd starred as running back for the 1914 Wildcat football team, which earned the school’s first ever Northern Colorado Championship. That fall, the team opened its season by taking the train (the C&S Rattler to Fort Collins) to challenge the Colorado Aggies of Colorado Agricultural College, (Colorado State University). After the 41-7 loss, one Wildcat player purportedly remarked, “Those college boys were much heavier,” and they likely are “one of the best college teams in the Rocky Mountain region.” The experience of competing against a college squad helped prepare the ‘Cats for conference play.

In the weeks that followed, GHS beat Loveland 55-0, Fort Collins 32-0, Eaton 41-0 and Cheyenne 32-6. In the final week of league play, the Wildcats, with The Horse at running back, easily handled Boulder 27-3 to win the Northern Colorado Championship. Yet the season had taken its toll on Rodreick and the GHS gridders. Between injuries, and the fact that during the season many members of the team had contracted typhoid fever, several Wildcats wouldn’t be available to play in a much-anticipated playoff game to determine the state champion.

It would be another seven years before a statewide organization would be created to arrange and supervise a playoff format for high school sports in Colorado (the Colorado High School Activities Association, CHSAA, first appeared in the 1921-22 school year). But with the help and financial support of local businesses, Greeley High School challenged the Southern champions, Denver South High School, to a game to determine the 1914 state football champion.

One last bit of business had to be taken care of before Rodreick and the Wildcats would face Denver South. The contest for bragging rights in Greeley took center stage on November 14, when Greeley High defeated State University Prep (College High), 27-3. The Greeley Tribune-Republican, in its November 16 edition, announced that GHS students, “paraded on the streets of the city this morning, singing songs and giving class and school yells in honor of their football victory.” More importantly, the newspaper said the state championship game would be played in Greeley on Thanksgiving Day, November 26.

That day more than 1,800 fans, many wearing hats made of orange and black paper, showed up at State Teachers College Athletic Field to witness Denver South score only two touchdowns in a very hard-fought 13-0 victory over the Wildcats. John Henderson, covering the game for the Greeley Tribune-Republican, said that while the home team attempted just three forward passes with limited success, Rodreick “showed up strong carrying the football.” Despite The Horse’s efforts, the Wildcats became state runners-up.

Next up for Rodreick, GHS and Wildcat fans, was basketball season—and this time, a state championship—but not without its share of intrigue. The season started well enough with a preseason victory over Cheyenne, 34-25. Then two wins over the Boulder Preps (50-30 and 54-33) and a hard-fought road victory over Longmont, 24-19. The ‘Cats, with Rodreick at guard, would easily defeat Longmont at home later in the season, 35-16. Then followed a close loss to Eaton, with three Wildcats out with injuries. But when, according to Val Nims of the Spud, (the GHS yearbook, begun in the 1909 school year), Greeley High demanded a rematch, Eaton refused. Eaton went on to lose its game with the Fort Collins Aggie Preps, and finally the Aggie Preps lost to Longmont High. Therefore, Greeley High claimed to be the Northern Colorado Champions. Then things got interesting.

At the same time, Wheat Ridge High School was competing against schools in Denver and east of the city. WRHS, which declared itself champion of Denver and East Colorado, also had defeated one team north of Denver during the season (Lafayette). Based on that single victory, Wheat Ridge laid claim to being the state champion.

But Rodreick’s Greeley High Wildcats also had played a team from the Denver area on March 12—Wheat Ridge. The ‘Cats defeated WRHS 42-20. Despite the fact that Wheat Ridge had lost badly to Greeley High, the Denver newspapers still touted WRHS as state champs. At the same time, Trinidad High School, champions of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico, got involved in the squabble. Greeley High had arranged for the team from Trinidad to come to Greeley and play the Wildcats on March 24 and had begun to raise funds to pay for their train trip to Greeley. However, on March 20, Trinidad sent a telegram to leaders at GHS, informing them that Wheat Ridge had defeated Trinidad on its home floor, so they would not need to come to Greeley. The game with Trinidad High School was called off.

As one might imagine, Rodreick, his Wildcat teammates and basketball fans in Greeley, were frustrated. Finally, on March 22, 1915, the Greeley Tribune-Republican declared: As a result of the claim by Wheat Ridge published in the Denver papers, Greeley management has issued a challenge to them for another game to be “played on any neutral floor anytime after this week, the game to definitely decide the state championship that the Greeley boys feel they have more right to claim than the Wheat Ridge team.” Wheat Ridge High and its backers evidently never got back to officials in Greeley and subsequently, The Horse and his Wildcat teammates were declared State Basketball Champions for 1915.

There was no intrigue as to which school and which athlete were the best at track and field in Colorado in the spring of 1915—Floyd Rodreick and the Greeley High Wildcats. Track was, without a doubt, Floyd’s best sport. The ‘Cats, who were the defending state track champs, began their season in February with workouts in the lunchroom of the new high school under the watchful eye of Coach Horner. The promised outdoor track was finally completed at the end of March, and Rodreick and his teammates could practice and compete on a regulation track.

In the first meet of the season, The Horse led the Wildcats to victory by scoring 23 of the 33 team’s points himself. In their second meet, the results were similar, but the ‘Cats and Rodreick had several of their competitions scrubbed due to poor weather in April. The State Track Championships were held in Colorado Springs on May 1. The meet was marred by rain and snow during much of the day, affecting times and distances. Besides a strong Greeley High team, the Colorado Springs High Terrors and the Boulder High Panthers had squads that were considered quite competitive.

Rodreick completely dominated the state meet. He captured first place in the 220-yard dash, the high jump, (5’9.5”), the javelin (152’6”) and the shotput (42’6”). The Horse also was runner-up in the discus. His teammates added seven points to the 26 points he had tallied for the state meet.

Floyd scored more points for the Wildcats by himself than the 2nd place team, (Colorado Springs, 21), scored in total.

It was not an exaggeration to say that The Horse had single handedly won the 1915 state track championship for the Wildcats of Greeley High School. The Greeley Tribune-Republican, covering the meet, echoed that sentiment: “Greeley’s high school track and field team is champions of the state of Colorado, thanks to the phenomenal work of Floyd Roderick (sic).” It was an amazing year for Greeley High’s Senior Class President—two state championships and a state runner-up—but more opportunities lay ahead for Floyd.

Following graduation, Rodreick was invited to compete in the national meet in Chicago on June 11 and 12, 1915. For those lucky few in Greeley who may have had a subscription to the Chicago Tribune, the June 13 sports page reported that Floyd was the national champion in the high jump (5’10”), despite not having been able to train for over a month.

Later that month, The Horse boarded a train for New York to join other Olympic hopefuls in preparing for the 1916 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Unfortunately, for Rodreick and everyone else, the Great War in Europe dominated the world’s attention, and the 1916 Olympic Games were cancelled. Floyd returned to the Greeley area, where he married his high school sweetheart, Francis Williams, in 1916. They raised three children. The Horse purchased a produce business in Eaton in 1926. Years later he sold his part of the business and moved to Dallas, where he lived the rest of his life. Rodreick died in 1965.

Twenty-one games played, nineteen won, (prior to competing for the four-state Inter-Mountain Regional Tournament championship in March), defeating teams from as far away as Salt Lake City, downing marquee squads from Denver and Colorado Springs and vanquishing the “best of the rest” from every corner of Colorado. Sounds like the resume of one of Colorado’s elite basketball teams from the ‘22 season. It is—except that team and its stellar record was actually the Greeley High School basketball team of 1922!

Coach Arnold Jones and the 1921-22 Wildcat hoops team knew there were high expectations of them as they began their fall workouts in November 1921. The previous year’s Wildcat squad had won the state championship, and the 1919-20 GHS team was the Northern Colorado champion. A lot to live up to.

Yet, seniors Joseph (Joe) Enright, Eugene (Wendell) Poague, Sidney Smith, and Dwight Reeder and juniors Jennings King, Theodore (Ted) James, Edward (Ed) James, Reuel Heck, Ernest Ogle and sophomore George (Junior/June) Dauth—the primary players for the ‘Cats that 1921-22 season—would prove more than capable of upholding the legacy left by the previous two basketball squads at Greeley High. Their journey toward the state title, at times though, was as bumpy as Greeley’s then-unpaved streets. Perhaps the 1921-22 Wildcats considered the advice of ‘20s pundit Will Rogers when he said, “The best way out of a difficulty is through it.”

Astute fans of the Northern Conference have always known winning a league title is an arduous task. The 1921-22 Wildcat team experienced the typical ups and downs that accompany a conference schedule. But near the end of league play, the Wildcats found themselves involved in high drama with their heated conference rival, the Boulder High Panthers. GHS’s preseason tilts ended with the ‘Cats going 3-0. All the wins involved local teams, including a lopsided 62-14 victory over Ault.

Once the conference season began, home-and-away contests against Eaton, Windsor, Loveland, Longmont and Boulder proved to be more competitive, with tighter outcomes. In January and early February, the Wildcats escaped cold shooting at Eaton and overcame a deliberate slow-down game with Longmont at home, both narrow victories. The experienced Wildcats played a lively style of ball featuring sharp passes and a balanced offensive attack.

By the second half of conference play, teams began to gear-up their defenses to stop Ed James, Joe Enright and center George Dauth’s offensive output. In mid-February, the ‘Cats made the long trip to Colorado Springs for a Saturday night non-league matchup with a talented and physical Terrors team. The Wildcats returned to Greeley Sunday evening on the short end of a 38-17 score. As the Greeley Tribune-Republican reported the following day, it had been a very physical game, with only eight fouls called, four on each team. Interestingly, Joe Enright had all four of Greeley High’s fouls. Coach Jones, though, attributed the loss to a lack of shooting.

With the conference schedule winding down in late February and the Wildcats only league loss coming against Boulder, news came from Boulder that one of the Panther’s best players was actually going to turn 23 years old in May. As one might imagine, reaction from around the Northern Conference was heated and several interesting events ensued, including folks from Boulder accusing both a Longmont star player and Joe Enright of GHS of also being “too old” to legally compete. (In Enright’s case, it was proven untrue, and soon thereafter, accusations against the LHS player were also withdrawn).

Eventually, league officials met and forced Boulder High to forfeit several conference games, making Greeley High the Northern Conference champions. “On to state!” was the cheer heard at GHS in early March, and the Wildcats and their Greeley fan-base prepared for the first state basketball tournament sanctioned by the recently formed Colorado High School Activities Association.

On March 10 and 11 in Boulder, the ‘Cats ran, rebounded and scored their way through a pressured-packed state tournament, beating all five teams they faced. The Wildcats began by defeating the Western Slope champs—Gunnison—handily, 44-21. Greeley High then eliminated the best two teams from eastern Colorado by overcoming Fowler (26-10) and Yuma (29-16). Next, the Wildcats exacted revenge on the Colorado Springs-area champs by soundly polishing off the Colorado Springs High Terrors 33-20.

In the state finals, the ‘Cats met Pueblo Centennial. In a matchup worthy of its billing, the Greeley Tribune-Republican reported: “Critics declared it the best basketball game on that floor for years.” Greeley forged a ten-point lead early in the game; Pueblo answered with impressive shooting in the second and third periods, tied the game and eventually went ahead 20-18. With time winding down in the 4th quarter, Coach Jones brought Ernest Ogle into the game off the bench. Ogle’s stellar inside play enabled the Wildcats to tie the game and send it into overtime. He scored the only basket in the extra period, the ‘Cats won 22-20, and traveled back to Greeley to celebrate their well-deserved, back-to-back state championships.

For their performances throughout the state tourney, Ed James, Joe Enright and George Dauth were each named to the All-State team. The Greeley Tribune-Republican, in covering the finals, noted that “Coach Jones praised each Wildcat equally. He felt that all gave all they had.” It had indeed been a whole team effort. This resilient Wildcat championship squad, top-to-bottom, featured remarkable young men who would go on to lead impressive lives after graduating from Greeley High School.

The Seniors:

• Joe Enright:
  • Captain, and All-Conference halfback for the 1920 GHS football squad that won the state championship. All-Conference guard on the GHS 1920-21 state championship basketball team. Senior Class President. He graduated from Colorado State Teacher’s College (now the University of Northern Colorado) and taught in the Boulder public school district for many years. He and his wife Lucille had three children. He died in 1983.
• Eugene (Wendell) Poague:
  • Graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1926. He worked for General Motors and in finance during his career. He and his wife Gwendolyn had a daughter. He died in 1957.
• Dwight Reeder:
  • Graduated from Colorado State Teacher’s College. He had a lengthy career in education as a teacher and administrator, working in schools in New Jersey and then Florida, where he and his wife Faye-Blanche retired. He died in 1976.
• Sidney Coleman Smith:
  • Graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in electrical engineering in 1927. He worked for and retired from General Electric Company in New York. He and his wife Lucille Marie were married in Greeley and had a daughter. He died in 1970.

The Juniors:

• Reuel Heck:
  • Graduated from Colorado State Teacher’s College. He coached and taught industrial arts in Greeley and then taught in the Los Angeles area. He also worked for businesses in Los Angeles. He and his wife Ruth had three children. Reuel married his second wife, Laura, in 1973. He died in 1979.
• Ed James:
  • Led the Northern Conference in scoring during his senior basketball season, 1922-23. He played for and won two letters with the University of Colorado basketball team in 1924 and 1925. He graduated from CU Boulder and served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked as a bookkeeper for both the Greeley Coca-Cola Bottling Company and the First National Bank of Greeley. He was also a writer. James was a life-long bachelor. He died in 1993.
• Ted James:
  • Played football for the University of Nebraska and was two years All-Big 6 (became the Big 8 in 1957). He was chosen as center on the All-America Football Team in 1928 and by Knute Rockne for the All-West Team. He played professionally in Pennsylvania (Frankport Yellowjackets). James graduated from NU in 1929 with a degree in business. He coached at Kearney State Teacher’s College (now the University of Nebraska-Kearney) and was the only coach in UNK school history to win championships in four different sports. In 1982 he was inducted into NU Hall-of-Fame at Memorial Stadium. During his multi-decade career in business, he was an executive in several transportation lines from Chicago to Los Angeles. He also became owner-manager of the Hidden Valley Ski Area, Trail Ridge store, and the Grand Lake & Mary’s Lake Lodges. He and his wife Lucille had a daughter. He died in 1999.
• Jennings Jacob King:
  • Graduated from Colorado State Teacher’s College with a master’s degree in science in 1928. He taught in the Greeley public schools (1930-32). Then he taught in the Cheyenne public schools until his retirement in 1973. In his spare time during retirement, he substitute-taught and was a practicing botanist, developing plant species that would grow in Wyoming’s harsh climate. He and his wife Helen were married for 60 years. They had two children. He died in 2003.
• Ernest Lawrence Ogle:
  • Spent much of the 1920s farming with his older brother Arthur in Wyoming. He lived the majority of his life on the Front Range of Colorado, in Pueblo and Loveland. Ogle was a life-long bachelor. He died in 1981.

The Sophomore:

• George Junior/June Dauth:
  • A major contributor to the 1922-23 GHS football and basketball squads that were runners-up in the Northern Conference. In the 1923-24 basketball season, he led the Wildcats as center to a 10-4 record, finishing in second place to Windsor, the eventual state champs. When Windsor accepted an invitation to play in the national basketball tournament in Chicago, which they won, Greeley, (reportedly on Windsor coach Joe Ryan’s recommendation), was invited to the four-state Inter-Mountain Regional Tournament in Salt Lake City. Greeley High won the regional championship, beating Butte, Montana, Rock Springs, Wyoming and Salt Lake City for the title. Dauth was named to the All-Rocky Mountain Team as a center. He played basketball for two seasons for Colorado State Teacher’s College. His CSTC squad won a conference championship in 1926. He was a first lieutenant in the Colorado National Guard and worked with his father at the family grocery store in Greeley. Dauth was a bachelor and died after a sudden illness in 1932.

In his first season as the head coach at tiny Penrose High School, the greatest coach in the history of Colorado high school basketball took his team to play the big boys at Pueblo Central High School. An emergency meeting of the Penrose School board was called to see if they could cancel the game. Why would the new coach, a young fellow by the name of James Baggot, schedule such a mismatch and subject his players to what would surely be total humiliation?

After Penrose returned home with a 36-23 victory, another emergency board meeting was convened. This time they voted to give Coach Baggot a $5 a month raise. “Boosted my salary to $65 a month,” Coach Baggot recalled some years later. The Appleknockers (you read that correctly) went 20-1 that year. A pattern was established, a legend was born. Wherever Jim Baggot went, success followed. His teams were 60-5 from 1937-40 at Fountain High School. He won again at Aurora Central High School from 1940-42. When he arrived at Greeley High School in 1942, the winning continued. The ‘Cats went 12-5 in his first season.

In 1947 Greeley High went 15-5, won a share of the conference title and eventually lost in the state tournament to Pueblo Centennial. In what would become a familiar pattern, the ‘Cats again qualified for the state tournament in 1948 but could not overcome Denver South in the semifinals. In 1950 Coach Baggot’s Wildcats went 16-5 and claimed Greeley High’s first outright Northern Conference championship since 1925. They lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer to Denver West in the state semifinals that year. But by the end of the 1950 season, word was out around the state: The Greeley Wildcats were a basketball force.

Baggot’s teams dominated the Northern Conference throughout the 1950s. After the conference title in 1950, the ‘Cats followed it up with a 15-5 season and another conference title in 1951. In 1953 the Wildcats went 22-1 and won another Northern Conference title. After finishing second in 1954, Baggot’s teams claimed every conference championship for the rest of the decade. During the 1950s, Greeley High School went 169-43 overall, 100-16 in conference.

It finally happened in 1956. “Baggot’s Bandits,” as the Wildcats came to be called—mostly for their tenacious pressing and fast break style—broke through and won the first state championship in the Baggot era, finishing off Denver Manual in a nail biter. Just for good measure, the ‘Cats repeated in 1957. With a relatively new crop of players, Greeley defeated Pueblo Central 55-54. Paul Maloney, the great sports reporter at the Greeley Tribune, called the 1957 state championship game “one of the most exciting games of all time.”

In the mid ‘50s, it became common knowledge that the road to the state championship went through Greeley. Literally. It was about this time that The Jones Company, a Greeley sporting goods store, began buying up to 6,000 to 8,000 state tournament tickets. Everyone knew that Greeley High was going to be playing in the tournament, and if you wanted to watch a tournament game, you needed to drive up to Greeley to get a ticket. It was something of an inconvenience for the rest of the state, but people in Greeley loved it.

In 1958-59 the ‘Cats went 20-1 and claimed another state championship after their 70-48 beatdown of Boulder in the final game. And in 1960, maybe the greatest athletic class in the history of the town followed up their football state championship by running through the Northern Conference before taking down Denver East in a thriller to add the state basketball championship to their trophy case.

In 1962 the ‘Cats stormed through Cherry Creek, Denver East and Denver Manual at the Denver Coliseum to win Coach Baggot’s final state championship. Clearly, Coach Baggot’s wins and his championships were impressive. He was a head coach for 28 years, 22 of those at Greeley High School. His overall coaching record was 422-128. At GHS he was 328-108 for a .749 winning percentage. The ‘Cats won 13 conference titles under his leadership. His teams qualified for the state tournament 16 times, including 13 years in a row. And, of course, the five state titles were unequaled at the time of his retirement.

The numbers alone make a strong case for Coach Baggot to be called the greatest high school basketball coach in the history of the state. But by no means do they tell the whole story. Baggot brought to Greeley that same courage, confidence and creativity he displayed all those years ago in Penrose. And that is what sets him apart. Those who knew him are quick to tell their favorite Baggot stories and share his quirky quotes. They’ll tell you how he was unfailingly positive with his teams, how he would meet students at the front door every morning with a “How’s it going, Champ?” or “Good to see you, High Pockets!”

When his teams were a little out of control, he’d say they were playing like “a rabid fox in a forest fire.” He called any missed shot “just another high pass.” He firmly believed that for a team to win big games, they had to make their “charity pitches.” He was quick to point out that many of his teams were undersized, but that was never an excuse not to excel. “It’s not the size of the ‘Cat in the fight,” he would say, “it’s the size of the fight in the ‘Cat.”

But above all, Jim Baggot was a basketball innovator. Those three years at Fountain High School were remarkable for the tremendous winning percentage. But perhaps more remarkable is that Baggot had his Fountain teams practice one-handed free throws long before Hank Luisetti made it popular at Stanford in the 1940s. Baggot’s signature pressing and fast-break style was born of necessity. His Greeley High teams were usually smaller than the big school teams they needed to defeat to win championships, so Baggot used their speed and quickness to his advantage. His teams ran the court “like their hair was on fire.”

He wanted them to get up 80 shots each game in an era when plodding play was the norm. He became the foremost expert on fast-break basketball. In 1959 Coach Baggot published a book called, Pressing Defense and Fast Break Basketball. Coaches from all over bought the book and would come to Greeley High School to learn from him. The Boston Celtics coach, a man named Red Auerbach, bought three copies. The coach of the Mexican National team spent a month with Baggot in Greeley.

One summer, after Coach Ed Jucker won the NCAA Championship at the University of Cincinnati, he was invited to speak at the Indiana Basketball Coaches’ Clinic. But he was just the warm-up act. The headliner at that clinic was Jim Baggot. Pat Baggot, Coach Baggot’s son, remembers walking into his kitchen to see his dad talking basketball with the great UCLA coach John Wooden. Anyone lucky enough to see film of Baggot’s teams from the 1950s and ‘60s would be amazed at the speed and intensity with which those teams played. Long before the Showtime Lakers made the fast break a weapon, Baggot’s Bandits were winning championships in a way no one had seen before.

Coach Baggot retired from coaching in 1964. He became the District Athletic Director for Greeley Schools and retired from that position in 1972. In 1980 he was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. In 1991 he was inducted into the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame. In 1995 the GHS gym was renamed in his honor. And this year, the greatest high school basketball coach in the history of the state of Colorado will finally be honored at his school, in his gym.

• College: Western State College, BA
• 1936 – Coach, Penrose High School
• 1937 – Coach, Fountain High School
• 1940 – Coach, Aurora Central High School
• 1942 – Coach, Greeley High School (16 state tournament appearances, 13 in a row; ‘56, ‘57, ‘59, ‘60, ‘62 state champions; 328-108 record at GHS (.749 winning percentage)
• 1959 – Published Pressing Defense and Fast Break Basketball
• 1964 - Retired from coaching
• 1972 - Retired as District AD
• 1980 – Inducted into Colorado Sports Hall of Fame
• 1991- Inducted into Colorado High School Athletics Association Hall of Fame
• Wife- Aline, 3 sons
• 1999 - Coach Baggot passed

If as a visitor to Greeley on a Friday night in the autumn of 1959, someone excitedly told you that they were going to see the Model T run, your confusion would be understandable. You might have assumed they were either heading down to 8th Avenue to check out really used cars at Garnsey-Wheeler Ford or perhaps make the trip to the back lot at Ted Nieters Lincoln-Mercury.

But their destination was actually the stadium on the west side of Greeley High School to watch Colorado’s most talented football player at the time—Ted Somerville—score touchdowns, intercept passes and knock down Northern Conference foes for the Wildcats. While Somerville’s nickname, (“Model T,” purportedly given to him by teammates in time for his junior year at GHS), may not have been known by everyone in town that fall, his athletic exploits in football, basketball and baseball were commonplace knowledge to his schoolmates and virtually everyone in Greeley over his previous two years at the “Castle.”

Born (July 6, 1942) and raised in Greeley, Theodore (Ted) Somerville played a crucial role in what some have called the Golden Era of Greeley High School athletics (the 1950s and 1960s). Over his storied three-year career, Ted earned nine varsity letters. He was one of the only sophomores to letter in 1957 on the football team that tied Boulder for the Northern Conference title, and he starred on both the 1958 gridder team that shared the conference championship with Longmont and Loveland and the undefeated 1959 Wildcat football team that won both the conference and state championships.

Model T lettered on the basketball team as a sophomore—a rare feat on Jim Baggot’s squads, which won the Northern Conference each year from 1950-1960 except for the two 2nd place finishes in ’52 and ’54—and shined as a junior and then senior starter when the ‘Cats hoops squads won the state championship in both 1959 and 1960.

Somerville was awarded letters all three years in baseball. Coach Pete D’Amato’s GHS baseball squads, featuring Somerville at shortstop and occasionally at second base (and fellow 2022 Hall of Fame inductee Jim McKay at catcher), won the Northern Conference in 1958, 1959 and 1960 and were state runners up in 1958. It leads one to ponder if any players have ever been involved in more athletic team celebrations at Greeley High than Model T and his teammate Jim McKay. And Ted’s individual accomplishments reflected those of the remarkable Wildcat teams of that era.

As a junior, Somerville played a key role on both offense as a running back and defense as a cornerback for the ‘Cats gridiron squad that finished as conference co-champs. At the conclusion of 1958 football season, Ted was chosen All-Northern Conference, All-State and soon after, was named to both the Sporting News and Wigwam Wiseman of America’s All-America teams-Honorable Mention.

At the conclusion of the basketball season in 1958-59, he celebrated with his Wildcats’ teammates at the Denver Coliseum in March after GHS pounded fellow Northern Conference foe Boulder 70-48 to win the State Championship and finish the year 20-1. Somerville’s tough pressure defense at guard had created key turnovers during the tourney. That spring, the Wildcat baseball team won yet another Northern Conference title.

It's hard to believe Ted’s senior year could top his whirlwind junior year, but it did. The 1959 football season began under the leadership of new coach William “Bud” Davis in August, as he welcomed 74 prospective Wildcat footballers for two weeks of two-a-day drills. No doubt Somerville and his teammates on offense were interested when told that the ‘Cats would be changing to a Split-T formation & Belly series that year. With Jim McKay at quarterback, Manual Ortiz at fullback and Ted and fellow running backs Ralph Cowan, Rick Booth, Don Gettman and Roy Swanson, fans wondered if the offensive changes would bear fruit, but everyone was pleased with the results.

Somerville, (now 6’0,” 173 pounds), scored 15 touchdowns and gained more than 1,200 yards rushing during the year. None of Greeley’s shell-shocked conference opponents could match the ‘Cats offensive output. In defeating Boulder 46-6 in their final conference game, Ted piled up 135 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns and McKay added 115 yards rushing on just five carries. The Wildcats finished the conference season unbeaten, (the last team to do so was Longmont in 1955). About the only glitch for the 1959 Wildcat football squad was its almost unbelievable string of losing every pregame coin toss—nine straight—entering the playoffs!

The Wildcats won their first playoff game, the State semi-finals, against Denver East, 28-13. Somerville rushed for 82 yards on 17 carries. The following week in the state finals, the ‘Cats were again on to the road to Denver, this time to play the Golden High Demons in front of a crowd that The Denver Post estimated to be “over 7,000 chilled fans watching in sub-freezing weather.” In their 25-13 victory over Golden, the Wildcats outgained Golden 350 yards to 127 yards. Ted, the offensive star of the game, gained 198 yards on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns.

Golden Coach Lou Rillos, when asked about Somerville, told The Denver Post, “He’s the only kid we couldn’t handle this year.” The Greeley Tribune’s Paul Maloney reported that Coach-Rillos said one of his best-tacklers, Manuel Archuleta, had told his coach, “Somerville is awful tough to bring down.” Indeed, he was. At the conclusion of the game, both Somerville and Coach Davis were carried off the field in celebration by players and fans.

Post-season honors for the Wildcats and Somerville were abundant. He was awarded the 1959 Thom McAn – The Denver Post Trophy (from 1951-1961 it was co-sponsored by the Thom McAn Shoe Company—since then it has been sponsored by The Denver Post and is known as the Gold Helmet Award), given to the state’s outstanding player-scholar. Ted, who was Senior Class President, maintained a 4.50/5.0 grade point average over three years at Greeley High.

In January, while Ted was busy on the basketball team, he was selected by Scholastic Magazine to the All-America Squad and was again tabbed All-American honorable mention by Wigwam Wiseman of America and the Sporting News. Coaches Baggot and Dale Thompson busily readied the 1959-60 Wildcat hoops team for a difficult defense of both its Northern Conference and State titles. Despite lofty expectations, the ‘Cats lost in one of their first preseason games of the year. Spoiler alert: That would be the only game GHS would lose during the season. Baggot’s finely tuned, pressing defense and fast-break style of play was executed with precision by a veteran squad.

In January at Englewood, the ‘Cats scored 34 points in one period. Later in the season, against Loveland, Ted and his teammates broke the school scoring mark, recording 106 points in a home win. With Jim McKay leading the team in scoring and rebounding, and Model T providing steals and assists, the Wildcats won back-to-back Northern Conference and state titles. After the basketball season, Somerville, McKay and the GHS baseball team once again battled their way through the rugged Northern Conference and tied both Longmont and Englewood for the conference title. Coach D’Amato’s diamond squad then defeated Longmont in the playoffs. Model T batted .400, (22/55), and played sterling defense at shortstop alongside (fellow 2022 HOF inductee), George Tellez at third base.

As the school year wrapped up, Somerville and his family had many decisions to make about his future. Ted had been named All-State in football, basketball and baseball and was All-Northern conference in both football and basketball his senior year. That spring, famed Oklahoma University coach Charles “Bud” Wilkinson traveled to Greeley to recruit both Somerville and McKay. While McKay eventually accepted a scholarship to OU, Ted instead opted for a football scholarship to play at the University of Colorado for coach Sonny Grandelius. Ted chose the Buffs over Stanford, Nebraska and all three service academies because of the strength of CU’s engineering school.

Ted’s football career at the University of Colorado had its share of ups and downs. During his sophomore season, the Buffs went 9-2 and won the Big 8 Conference (their first conference title since 1942), and played Louisiana State University in the 1962 Orange Bowl, losing 25-7. Model T started for the Buffs on offense, (right halfback) and defense (safety) at different points in the season. Unfortunately, 1962 wasn’t a good year for Somerville or the Buffs. The NCAA placed CU on probation, and Ted missed the entire 1962 season due to a torn kidney suffered in the first game of the year against Utah (the Big 8 Conference allowed Ted an extra year of eligibility due to injury hardship).

During those three seasons—1962, 1963 and 1964—the Buffs struggled and went 2-8 each year. In Ted’s last two seasons, CU rebuilt under new coach Eddie Crowder. Somerville, like the Ford Model T, had always been known for his reliability and versatility. He switched to defense after hurting his knee (while scoring a touchdown against Oklahoma State) for most of his senior season. He was named “defender of the week” twice. An article in The Denver Post summed up his coach’s thoughts: “Eddie Crowder thanks his lucky stars that there’s a Somerville in Buffville.”

After graduating from CU, Ted went to work for Mountain Bell (Lumen) for the next 29 years and became a district sales manager in Colorado Springs. He served his community as Chairman of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and President of the Board of the Fine Arts Center. Ted married Linda Harmon, and together they raised two children. He and Linda later divorced. Ted died this past October.

One day in August 1957, James (Jim) McKay, a transfer student from Littleton, walked past the new gym under construction at the corner of 14th Avenue and 16th Street in Greeley. The 6-foot, 158-pound sophomore no doubt looked like many other boys entering the 30-year-old Greeley High School. In fact, few could have predicted that this day would be the “beginning of a beautiful friendship” between Jim and the storied football, basketball and baseball programs at Greeley High School.

Jim’s backstory to that friendship actually began in 1942, the same year that Humphrey Bogart made the famous quip to Paul Henreid in Casablanca (McKay was born in Denver on July 9). His early affection for athletics was nurtured by playing Young America ball. Jim would soon become the first freshman in Littleton High School history to earn both a letter in football and start for the varsity basketball team. Thankfully for Wildcat fans, he moved in 1957 from the Denver area to the family farm outside Greeley.

During his sophomore year (1957-58), Jim’s athletic talents were quickly noticed. He became a regular on offense and defense for Coaches Bob Kula, Pete D’Amato and Dale Thompson on the junior varsity (Bomber) football team, and in basketball, he earned a spot on the varsity starting five (a rare feat for a 10th grader on a Jim Baggot squad).
McKay’s tough, athletic play fit well with the older members of Baggot’s Bandits, who rolled up a 17-3 record (and a fourth successive Northern Conference Championship) for the year. Unfortunately, one of those three losses was to Denver South in the semifinals of the state tournament in March.

Later that spring, McKay played both first base and catcher for Coach D’Amato’s Wildcat baseball team, the defending state champs. The Wildcats successfully defended their Northern Conference championship but could not defend the state title. All in all, not a bad start to the friendship for Jim as he looked forward to next year at the “Castle.”

Like a third-floor classroom at GHS in August, that friendship really began to heat up for McKay during his junior year (1958-59) with the Wildcats. He became the starting quarterback for a football team that won the Northern Conference. Though the football team eventually bowed out in the playoffs, Jim and his fellow ‘Cats had gained playoff experience that would prove invaluable the following year.

There was no bowing out for McKay and the Wildcat basketball team in 1959, as Coach Baggot’s team won the rugged Northern Conference, its only loss of the season to Englewood during league play. The Wildcats dominated the state tournament, avenging their semifinal loss to the 1958 champs, Denver South, by beating the Rebels in the quarterfinals, 74-67. Pueblo Central, in the semifinals, was no match for the Wildcats, falling 85-57. McKay and his fellow Bandits completely dismantled their Northern Conference nemesis, Boulder High, 70-48, in the finals to win the state championship.

When asked by a Greeley Tribune reporter for his assessment of the game, McKay was gracious, “We just had too much for them.” Teammate Ted Somerville (a fellow HOF 2022 inductee) added his prognosis, “If we don’t foul up, we can be back here next year.” Jim led the 1958-59 ‘Cats in rebounding and was the squad’s second-leading scorer. For his efforts, he was named both First Team All-Conference and All-State. The ‘Cats 7th state championship in basketball was no doubt very satisfying for Greeley High fans as they looked forward to the 1959-60 sports year.

On a hot August day in 1959, William “Bud” Davis, the new football coach at GHS, welcomed to fall workouts the now 6-foot, 2-inch, 204-pound McKay, his returning quarterback, and an impressive group of fellow ‘Cats. The 1959 McKay-led Wildcats were one of the most talented teams (the 1929 and 1951 ‘Cats state champ squads would likely agree) ever to represent the Northern Conference. This Wildcats gridiron team produced three All-Americans and seven first- and second-team All-State players. Jim, along with Ted Somerville at running back, ran through gaping holes opened all season long by the left side of the formation, which included several All-Staters: at end, Gary Lucas; at back, Ralph Cowan; at tackle, Doug Anderson; at guard, Ed McDowell and center, Ron Troudt. The ‘Cats lit up scoreboards from Centaurus to Fort Collins that fall. Jim averaged an astounding nine yards a carry and threw only one interception the entire season—none during conference games—as GHS went undefeated in league play.

The Wildcats first playoff game, the state semifinals, was played at Denver Prep Stadium on November 21 against Denver East. A standing-room-only crowd of nearly 10,000 people watched Greeley High gain 325 yards on offense, with McKay leading the way. He had 94 yards rushing on 11 attempts, and Ted Somerville added 82 yards on 17 carries. GHS won the very physical game, 28-13. The following week the ‘Cats again traveled to Denver to play Golden High in the state championship game—a cold, snowy matchup with the Demons. Despite three fumbles lost on the day by Wildcat runners, McKay and Somerville wowed the crowd with their athleticism. Indeed, the worst fumble of the day was the championship trophy, which was dropped and broken during the post-game celebration (the championship hoops trophy in 1959 did not escape unbroken either). Jim was tabbed First Team All-Conference, First Team All-State and awarded All-American-Honorable Mention by Wigwam magazine. Greeley High now had five state football championship trophies.

The Monday following the state championship game, McKay, Somerville and several footballers happily joined their teammates on the hardwood to start the hoops season. Coaches Baggot and Thompson welcomed them, as all hands would be needed to defend both their Northern Conference and State titles. The coaches were counting on the veteran play and double-digit scoring of Somerville, McKay, Pat Reed and Bobby Brown—not to mention the inside work of Dennis Swedlund and Harry Hinzelman and the outside quickness of Bob Bray and junior Ed Tellez. The experienced ‘Cats did not disappoint. It was this team that Baggot likely had in mind years later when a curious onlooker asked the coach: “Why were you guys so good every year?” Baggot answered simply, “We got to scrimmage the state champs every night.”

With GHS’s pressing defense and fast break and McKay leading the team in scoring and rebounding, the Wildcats won the Northern conference again. McKay shined the brightest when it counted the most—the state basketball tournament in March. In the quarterfinals against Trinidad, McKay scored 32 points and had 11 boards in a lopsided 79-57 win. The next night, in the semifinals, the Wildcats played a very athletic Denver Manual squad, which had good big men inside, but the ’Cats won 57-49. McKay’s totals: 17 points, 12 rebounds.

The state championship game was played in front a sold-out Denver Coliseum crowd that had come to watch the Denver Prep league’s premier team—the East Angels battle Greeley’s Wildcats. In what has been called one of the great comebacks in tournament history, the ‘Cats were down 16 points near the midway point of the third period. With Coach Baggot imploring the guards to “steal everything” and encouraging the forwards to “rebound every shot,” the Wildcats came roaring back behind McKay’s 17 points and 14 rebounds and Pat Reed’s 24 points. Greeley High won 66-64 at the buzzer.

McKay had recorded a total of 66 points and 37 rebounds in three nights, a good weekend of work. Yet his humble response to Greeley Tribune reporter Paul Maloney covering the epic comeback was, “This was the greatest team. We had too much ‘bench’ for them.” McKay was again named First Team All-Conference and All-State. That season, Parade magazine also named him to its All-America Team. In his last season as a Wildcat, Jim also helped Coach D’Amato’s ‘Cats baseball team win the Northern Conference title. He led the team in home runs, batted .400 (24/60) and was named First Team All-Conference. The Wildcats lost in the playoffs and Jim’s three-year career at GHS came to a close.

Jim McKay, his family and coaches had some very difficult decisions to make after graduation in the spring of 1960. As he recalls, “I received over 50 scholarship offers.” He eventually chose to play at the University of Oklahoma for Charles “Bud” Wilkinson and the Sooners storied football program, despite other offers, including one from the Los Angeles Dodgers to play pro baseball.

Jim did play semi-pro baseball in the summer of 1960 before leaving for college in Norman, Oklahoma. In his first year on campus, Jim started for OU and was named MVP of the freshman team at quarterback. However, in spring drills in 1961, he injured his shoulder and his football career ended. In 1961 the Dodgers signed Jim to play first base, starting in the Florida League. He performed well at his new position and hit .278 that year. During the off-season, Jim and his high school sweetheart, Judy Mason, were married in Greeley.

Then a tragic event occurred in early 1962. Jim was at spring training with the Dodgers when news came that his wife Judy had been killed in an automobile accident. It was not hard to imagine that Jim’s life and his athletic goals changed. He soon returned to Greeley and began working beside his father running the family cattle business. McKay served his community as president of the Greeley-Centennial Rotary Club and as a member of the Colorado and National Cattlemen’s associations.

In 1964 Jim married Jan Patterson, who also had graduated from GHS in 1960. Together they raised three children. Jim and Jan eventually divorced, and in 2004, McKay moved to Texas and began working as an executive for PepsiCo Inc. Jim retired from PepsiCo in 2018. He currently lives in Tyler, Texas, with his wife Bonnie. Jim stays very busy with his three children, four stepdaughters, 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Having 11 brothers and sisters who called the “Castle” home from the early 1950s through the mid-1970s no doubt had its advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, there’s a good chance that your older siblings were either very good students or athletes, or both. That’s a lot to live up to. On the other hand, you knew where the measuring stick had been left for you, and that encouraged a person to set his sights on achieving even more as a ‘Cat.

Such were the challenges facing George Tellez in the late summer of 1959 as he joined siblings and friends for his sophomore year at Greeley High School. He may have been both excited and a bit nervous. It was true that his older brothers Jerry and Ed had played on superb cross country, basketball and baseball teams for the Wildcats. They no doubt set the bar high for their younger brother.

But three years, eight varsity letters, five conference titles, one state championship (the 1962 State Championship basketball team) and numerous personal honors later (All-Northern Conference and All-State in both basketball and baseball his senior year alone), it’s safe to say that George had forged his own legacy as one of the finest Wildcats ever to pass through the “Castle.”

George Dennis Tellez was born in the Spanish Colony in Greeley on April 27, 1944, one of 12 children in the very competitive and athletic Tellez family. George’s father had been an original member of the famed local baseball team, the Greeley Grays. Two of his older brothers were well known to Greeley High sports fans: Jerry, class of 1958, and Ed, class of 1961. Both were stars on ‘Cats teams and part of three basketball state championships (1957, 1959, 1960) and one baseball state championship (1957).

George’s younger brothers would play for the Wildcats into the mid-1970s. George earned the first of his eight varsity letters at GHS in the fall of 1959 running cross country. Coach Joe Springston’s team finished fourth in the Northern Conference. That winter George and his teammates won 12 straight games for Coach Pete D’Amato on the Bombers sophomore team. That spring in baseball, Tellez made a significant contribution to GHS’s conference championship squad as the Wildcats’ starting third baseman. The ’Cats clawed their way to a 15-5 record, (tying Longmont and Englewood for the conference championship). Besides solid defense,

George also hit .265 (9/34). He learned a lot playing alongside shortstop Ted Somerville (fellow 2022 HOF), catcher Jim McKay (fellow 2022 HOF) and pitcher Jack Capp (8-2). In the fall of 1960, Tellez again lettered on the five-man squad in cross country; George and brother Ed helped the ‘Cats’ win the Aurora cross country meet. GHS placed 2nd in the Northern Conference meet. George, Ed, Frank and Ray Delgado and Bill Duran represented the Wildcats at the
state cross country meet in Boulder in October.

In the 1960-61 basketball season, Coach Baggot had some big shoes to fill from the 1960 state championship squad (only two lettermen returned: seniors Ed Tellez and Gail Johnson). Myron Long and George received considerable playing time as juniors. The inexperienced ‘Cats were a quick study in Baggot’s up-tempo, pressing and fastbreak system and finished second (12-4) in the Northern Conference, one game behind Fort Morgan (13-3).

Greeley, even with a lower seed, got into the state tournament and met Colorado Springs-Palmer in the quarterfinals. The ‘Cats shot only 29.8% for the game and lost 64-57 to the Terrors. On Friday the ‘Cats hustled, pressed and finally edged out Wheat Ridge 59-57 in the second round, and on Saturday, Tellez, playing his final game with brother Ed, won the rubber match game of the season against Fort Morgan, beating Coach Langer’s Maroons 63-58 to win the Consolation Championship. Like the 1958 Wildcats, valuable lessons were learned in a loss at the state tournament—lessons that would not be forgotten by George and his teammates.

Coach D’ Amato and the ‘Cats began the 1961 baseball season and the defense of their Northern Conference title on March 24 against Adams City, winning 6-2. That spring Tellez and his fellow ‘Cats battled both Colorado’s spring weather and their Northern Conference foes. The peskiest of those proved to be the Longmont Trojans, who shut out the Wildcats in their league matchup, 3-0.

At season’s end, both GHS and LHS had identical 7-1 league records and thus became co-champions. Tellez had a stellar season, and he and five other Wildcats were named to the All-Conference team. On May 16, the two teams met in a playoff game in Longmont to determine who would represent the Northern in the state tournament. In a tense well-played game, the Trojans beat the ‘Cats 2-1. George’s senior year brought him three more varsity letters and personal accolades and earned Greeley High one of the most memorable state titles in school history. In the fall, his younger brother Lewis joined George on the cross country team. The GHS runners had an exceptional year. The ‘Cats were able to defend their Aurora Invitational title. With state champion Frank Delgado leading the way the Wildcats won the Northern Conference. At the state meet, Greeley High earned a fourth-place finish.

One of the hallmarks of Jim Baggot’s coaching philosophy was his steadfast belief that in the preseason Greeley should play against teams that were highly competitive and ones that the Wildcats were likely to meet again in March. The 1961-62 ‘Cats opened the basketball season in December by beating Denver East 66-57. The next evening, GHS ran past Denver South 64-48. With their fast break in overdrive, the ‘Cats outscored the Rebels 24-9 in the fourth quarter. The Northern Conference opener against Fort Collins revealed a season-long concern for Coaches Baggot and Dale Thompson—inconsistent scoring. Although Tellez managed 12 points, no other Wildcat hit double
figures, and GHS dropped a 35-29 decision to the Lambkins.

GHS got in a groove in late January and received solid inside play from their big men, Doug Ewald, Phil LeCuyer and Don Taylor. The Wildcats, in a win over Fort Morgan, scored 26 points in the first quarter and 32 in the third. And although the Wildcats had avenged an embarrassing loss (67-42) at home against Longmont by beating the Trojans 41-36 in Longmont, the Northern Conference championship would be decided at Aurora on the last night of conference play. Both teams entered the game with identical 13-2 league records. In front a crowd in Aurora’s gym that the Rocky Mountain News estimated at 3,000, the Wildcats executed their game plan beautifully. The Greeley Tribune claimed the difference was “George Tellez’s defensive efforts that produced the turning point in the game just before the end of the third period.” GHS pulled away to win 62-50 and secure the title. Next up, the state tourney.

The following week at the Denver Coliseum, Greeley High (16-2) met Cherry Creek (14-3) in the quarterfinals. Baggot took Tellez and his fellow ‘Cats down Wednesday to get them used to the “hugeness” of the building. On Thursday, with double-doubles (points-rebounds) from both LeCuyer (18/12) and Ewald (16/12) and 10 points and several assists from Tellez, the Wildcats won comfortably, 59-39.

In the semifinals, the Wildcats met a familiar opponent—Denver East. In what must have seemed like déjà vu for the Angels, they jumped out to a 37-23 first-half lead (they led by 16 points in the 1960 finals vs. the ’Cats), only to see that lead vanish into a 62-62 tie late in the game. George Tellez, who played with four fouls most of the second half, put the Wildcats on his shoulders. He scored 26 points, stole passes and dished out assists. Tied at the end of regulation, free throws from Tellez and Long in overtime put the Wildcats into the state finals with a 75-68 win over the crestfallen Angels.

Tellez and his Greeley High Wildcats played Manual High School for the state championship on Saturday evening at the Denver Coliseum in front of a sold-out crowd, estimated by the Denver papers at nearly 13,000. There were hundreds of angry fans who were turned away by the Denver Fire Marshal, and the Denver Police’s K-9 unit had to be called in to restore order. The much-bigger Thunderbolts team had to contend the entire game with the smaller, faster ‘Cats, who had a penchant for “boxing off the boards.” Greeley built up a sizeable lead by making its first 18 free throws in a row (28/33 for the game). Manual attempted a furious second-half comeback and cut the Wildcats’ lead to 55-53 with less than two minutes to play. But again, timely free throws from Tellez and Long sealed the victory for the ‘Cats.

Among the postgame superlatives, perhaps veteran Denver sports writer Manual Boody best summed up the 1961-62 Wildcats basketball team: “Possibly, other Greeley teams had more talent, but none could match this club in overall hustle.” His teammates insisted that George be the one to cut down the net after their victory. Post-season honors for Tellez included being named All-Conference and All-State.

Baseball season started in good fashion for Tellez and his diamond mates as they took two from Arvada on April 1, 3-1 and 1-0, with George scoring the winning run in the first game and the tying run in game two. Fast forward to May 12 as the ‘Cats edged Sterling 3-2 to win their sixth straight Northern Conference title for Coach D’Amato with a perfect 7-0 mark (a 7-7 tie game with Englewood was later agreed to be a no-contest).

Tellez was named All-Northern Conference. The Wildcats hosted Wasson in the state playoffs at Jackson Field in late May. The ‘Cats lost 6-2 and missed out on a trip to the state finals, and with that, George’s career at Greeley High ended.

After graduation, George and his family had many decisions to make about his future. He accepted a full-ride scholarship to Mesa College to play baseball and basketball. Tellez eventually returned to Greeley and played for the Greeley Grays for a number of seasons. George spent the majority of his work career as a control room operator and supervisor at the film processing division of Kodak near Windsor. George and his first wife Rose had three children. He and Rose later divorced. George then married Linda Vigil, and they raised two sons. George died in 2009.

“No person in the United States shall on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Long overdue and signed into law in 1972, Title IX attempted to address the inequities that existed in America between opportunities for men and women in sports. Yet at Greeley Central High School, someone had been busily working to close that gap since her arrival in 1966. As a then first-year teacher, Sally Stewart was likely too busy to think of herself as a pioneer in the movement.

But in a teaching and coaching career filled with accolades that spanned 34 years, including two generations of Greeley Central Wildcats and countless young lives molded, that’s what many have called Stewart — a pioneer. Greeley was founded, (as the Union Colony in 1870), by a group of pioneers seeking equity in opportunity, a just society and a place to achieve their dreams. It’s indeed fitting that Sally spent her entire career helping students and players at Greeley Central High School realize that legacy.

Like those pioneers in 1870, Sally Stewart moved west to Greeley after growing up in in rural Nebraska, (living in Brandon and graduating from nearby Venango High), to attend Colorado State College, now the University of Northern Colorado. There she participated in the women’s gymnastics program while earning her education degree.

After student teaching at Greeley Central in the spring of 1966, Stewart accepted an offer to teach full-time at Central, earning a starting salary of just over $5,000 a year. She was in charge of teaching all the girl’s physical education classes, (P.E. classes didn’t become co-educational at GCHS until 1978), as well as sponsoring the Girl’s Athletic Association (GAA) and supervising the pep squad.

Prior to the first female sports sanctioned by the Greeley school district beginning in the 1969-70 school year, the only opportunity for women to participate in sports was an intramural-type program and the GAA. As Coach Stewart recalls, “We were only allowed to use the gym at Central from 3:15-4:30 on Monday afternoon.” That meant that the rest of the time the girls would be relegated to practicing in elementary school gyms at nearby Cameron or Jackson.

Those early challenges didn’t dissuade Coach Stewart and the dozens of young women who sought similar opportunities that the men at GCHS had enjoyed for decades. On one Saturday a month, Stewart and the GAA would travel to other high schools in northern Colorado and compete against women who had formed similar groups. They played field hockey, softball, volleyball, basketball and gymnastics. It was a start.

The 1969-70 school year marked a beginning of sorts at the “Castle.” A new principal — Rex Hester, who came to Greeley from Littleton High — proved to be a decade-long advocate of women’s athletics and Coach Stewart’s efforts. That year also saw the Greeley school district offering three girls’ sports teams an opportunity to compete in interscholastic competition: track in the fall, gymnastics in the winter, (swimming would soon be offered in the winter), and tennis in the spring. Sally Stewart was asked to coach all of them.

That first year, one Wildcat athlete eventually qualified for state in both tennis and gymnastics. More importantly, female athletes at Greeley Central could now compete year-round. Track was soon moved to the springtime, along with tennis, and this posed a unique problem for Coach Stewart, since she was the head coach for both teams.

Her initial solution was to allow her student teacher to coach athletes in one sport while she worked with the other sport on alternate practices. On game days, Sally would accompany that particular team and coach it. Fortunately for Stewart, her athletes were both patient and resilient. Eventually though, the school district mandated that a person could only be a head coach in one sport, and Sally was forced to make a choice. Coach Stewart chose gymnastics. Over 20 seasons, much like a determined pioneer, she planted seeds of interest, tended tirelessly to the fundamentals in beam, floor, vault and uneven bars and nurtured each season’s crop of Greeley Central gymnasts.

The result: a Northern Conference powerhouse. At one point, Wildcat gymnastics teams boasted a streak of 34 straight dual-meet victories spanning four seasons where they were either conference or district champions. In all, Stewart-led Wildcat teams won the conference or district championship six times, and twice her Wildcat gymnastic teams finished in the top ten at the state meets.

While winning and championships tell part of the story, Coach Stewart’s long-term investment also was measured in countless real-life lessons learned and opportunities created, future pathways envisioned and a culture of genuine respect and trust instilled for two generations of Wildcat student athletes. Many of those Wildcats would go on to pioneering careers of their own in coaching and teaching because of Coach Stewart’s influence.

One of those is Sharon Peterson (GCHS Class of 1967), who graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, taught and coached at Widefield High School in Colorado Springs, where she started the gymnastics program, and also coached volleyball and track. Peterson also went on to coach at the college level. She said of Stewart, “She was really caring as a teacher. Basically, Sally spent her life in the gym.”

Kyle Hester Lucks (GCHS Class of 1972) graduated from UNC and competed for four seasons on the Bears gymnastics team. Lucks taught and coached in the Greeley area for many years and has high praise for Coach Stewart: “Sally enabled us to be the best we could be. She inspired me to become a teacher and coach.”

Outstanding coaches are usually great teachers. And the best of them adapt to changing times to remain effective. Sally Stewart’s teaching career was marked by innovation. While physical education curricula across much of America simply added health-education requirements in the 1980s, Stewart and her colleagues in the P.E. department, (affectionally known by Wildcats students for decades as the-P.E. Empire), understood that students in the 1980s wanted more.

Coach Stewart was instrumental in initiating and teaching an athletic training class and a very popular tennis-bowling-golf course that enabled P.E. students to gain access to the local bowling alleys and golf courses each semester. In 1985, Stewart was nominated for the Colorado Department of Education’s prestigious Teacher of the Year award. Central’s student-run newspaper, the Highlight, ran an article praising Sally’s nomination. Matt Uyemura (GCHS Class of 1984) aptly summed up Coach Stewart’s teaching and coaching style: “As a role model, she instills dedication, fierce competition and graceful losing in both her gymnastics and her P.E. students.”

In the 1990s, Central students eagerly signed up for the dance classes that Sally led each semester. The Wildcat cheerleading squads that Coach Stewart sponsored during the majority of the decade were among the best Central has ever had. One of the highest compliments a coach can be given at Greeley Central High School is the Coach of the Year award, voted on by the district’s coaching association at the conclusion of each academic year. Sally won that award.

As the 1990s came to a conclusion, so too did Coach Stewart’s significant contributions to students and staff at the “Castle.” In May 2000, Sally retired after 34 years of ground-breaking service to Greeley Central. Accolades continued to find their way to her. Besides being inducted into Greeley School District #6 Coaches’ Hall of Fame, in 2004 Sally was inducted into the highly selective Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame.

One last award that seemed appropriate, considering Stewart’s career, was her selection as a recipient for the University of Northern Colorado’s Trailblazers: Women in Sports Award. A truly amazing career. Yet those who know Sally Stewart the best, realize that she would dismiss too much talk of pioneers and the like faster than a Husker preseason opponent at Memorial Stadium. But perhaps she would agree with a Dolly Parton quote, when it comes to advancing the cause of women in sports: “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another.”

Few schools can boast of a more storied basketball history than Greeley High/Greeley Central High School. From the earliest days of its history, the Wildcat basketball tradition has been bolstered by numerous conference and state champions. Greeley High School won the very first CHSAA state basketball championship in 1922.

During the 1950s and ‘60s, Greeley High School basketball teams played so often in the state tournament that they came to treat the Denver Coliseum, the site of the tournament in those days, as a second home court. Of course, all those championships were fought for and earned by some of the finest prep basketball players ever to play the game in Colorado. Great players, all, but perhaps the most accomplished basketball player ever to don a Wildcat uniform is Tad Boyle, class of 1981.

Tad grew up on Reservoir Road just a few blocks from Greeley Central. As a youngster, he would follow his older brother Hugh (GCHS class of 1975) to the nearby gymnasiums on the college campus, where he honed his skills in pickup games with area high school and college players. By junior high, he had gained a city-wide reputation as a budding basketball star. Junior high games typically lasted twenty-eight minutes, and Boyle averaged more points than the game was long. His talent spawned something of a mini-recruiting battle. It was not uncommon for the bleachers at John Evans Junior High basketball games to be dotted with a collection of hopeful high school
coaches from the area.

Tad ultimately chose Greeley Central, and during his time at the “Castle,” he played baseball, worked on the yearbook staff, was elected to student council, served as senior class president and spoke at graduation. The year-round leadership activities demonstrated his love of Greeley Central and highlighted his well-rounded excellence, but it was during the winter that Tad Boyle became legendary.

As a member of the 1978-79 Wildcat basketball team, coached by Larry Hicks, Tad excelled. In his sophomore season (freshmen were not allowed to play high school basketball in Greeley in 1977), the Wildcats scraped out 10 wins after having won only three games the previous three years, and Tad earned All-Northern Conference honors.

In his junior season, the ‘Cats took off. They hovered in the top ten of the state rankings all season. They claimed Greeley Central’s first conference championship in over a decade when they narrowly defeated Poudre 49-48 behind Boyle’s 26 points in the finals of the Northern Conference tournament at Moby Arena (the ‘Cats pep band welcomed the team back home at 1:30 a.m. with the fight song in the GCHS parking lot). Tad earned the Jim Baggot Award for the most outstanding player in the Northern Conference Tournament. The following week, the Wildcats met Regis High School at McNichols Arena in the first round of the state tournament. GCHS lost a very physical game to the Raiders (50-47) and finished the year 18-5.

Tad’s exceptional talent became apparent during the 1979-80 season. Once again, he was named to the All-Northern Conference team and was a first-team All-State selection. He led the state in scoring, averaging 29.1 points per game, and he set the Greeley Central single-game scoring record when he scored 50 points against Rocky Mountain High School.

As a result, a new recruiting battle was underway. Not a miniature one this time, but a recruiting battle on a national scale, with the finest collegiate basketball coaches turning their attention to Greeley to coax Tad into their schools. Joe B. Hall, the former head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky, knew a little about college basketball. He had led the Kentucky Wildcats to the Final Four three times and won the 1978 NCAA Championship. He was also an assistant for the legendary “Baron,” Adolph Rupp, from 1965 to 1973. During that time, he watched the great “Pistol Pete” Maravich, who played for LSU, one of UK’s Southeastern Conference rivals. Maravich was one of the game’s all-time showmen. He averaged over 40 points per game, and his ball handling and passing skills dazzled crowds wherever he played. After Coach Hall made the trek to Greeley to watch Tad Boyle play, he said, “He reminds me of Pete Maravich.” Lofty praise, no doubt—but not isolated.

Hall was not the only coach to show interest in the Greeley Central forward. Tad received so much recruiting correspondence that the Greeley Central PE teachers set up a special tub in the gym where they would deposit all his recruiting letters so he could peruse them at his convenience. As one of the most highly recruited players in the history of Colorado basketball, Tad was hounded by questions about his future. He dealt with that pressure by simply telling anyone who would listen that he would make a decision after his senior season.

Coach Hicks was more familiar than anyone with Tad’s brilliant offensive skills. He had seen the ’Cats ride Tad’s prolific scoring to 18 wins and a berth in the state tournament the year before. But Hicks knew that if the Wildcats were to have a chance to challenge for the state title in 1981, he would need a total team effort. So at the conclusion of the 1980 season, sensing a historic opportunity for the ‘81 team, Hicks convinced Tad to play better defense, collect more rebounds and create more opportunities for his teammates. It was during his senior season that Tad’s true greatness shone through. Hicks said, “He was unselfish. He was coachable.”

Tad averaged a “mere” 23 points per game during his senior season while being double and triple teamed most nights. He led the Northern Conference in rebounding and the Wildcats in assists and steals. He set the school single-season record for steals (his total of 84 includes only the 18 regular season games, not the playoffs).

He was again named the Northern Conference Player of the Year. He was also chosen as Colorado Player of the Year and named to several All-American teams, most notably, the Converse All-American team. Most importantly, the Wildcats won the 1981 state championship. The 1981 state tournament, held at the Coors Events Center at the University of Colorado, was being been billed by a Denver newspaper as “The Tad Boyle Show.” But Mullen, Cañon City and Broomfield had other ideas, and the road to the championship became a true reflection of the ‘Cats hard-earned team balance.

In the quarterfinals, Mullen’s deliberate, slow-down style held Boyle and the Wildcats to a mere 33 points. Unfortunately, the Mustangs netted only 19 points, and GCHS moved on to face Cañon City in the semifinals. In one of the most exciting state-tournament finishes ever, the Wildcats were down 55-54 with eight seconds to go when Boyle grabbed the last of his game-high 14 rebounds and passed the ball to Dean Miller, who dribbled the length of the court and buried a long jumper to give Central the victory—with Tad’s 33 points playing a big part.

In the state championship game, the unselfishness that Coach Hicks had instilled in his team was on full display. Against Broomfield, which focused on stopping him, Tad scored only nine points but had 13 rebounds and 10 assists (many of which fueled Miller’s game-high 24 points). Tad was just as happy for his teammates to have the spotlight in the biggest game of his high school career. “The 10 assists are as good as 20 points,” he said. “It doesn’t matter to me, as long as we win.”

Once his senior season was over, Tad decided to attend the University of Kansas. At KU he played for some of the most renowned coaches in the game, including Hall of Famer Larry Brown. Boyle was a member of two NCAA Tournament squads (1984 and 1985). He earned varsity letters for four years with the Jayhawks, and as a senior, was elected team captain. In 1985 he graduated with a degree in business administration.

It should come as no surprise that his post-playing career has been successful, as well. Never a stranger to hard work, for six seasons Tad paid his dues, starting as an assistant, then a head high school basketball coach in northern Colorado. Over the next 15 years, Boyle served as an assistant coach at the University of Oregon, the University of Tennessee, Jacksonville State and Wichita State before landing his first head coaching job in 2006 back home in Greeley at the University of Northern Colorado.

In four seasons of hard work, brilliant recruiting and patient mentoring, Boyle took the Bears from a 4-24 record and last place nationally in the end of the year RPI rankings to 25 wins and the Bears’ first-ever D-I post-season appearance in his last season as coach. Shortly after, the University of Colorado asked Tad to be CU’s new head basketball coach—only the 18th coach in the school’s history.

The Buffaloes have achieved national prominence in Tad’s 13 seasons in Boulder. His teams have won Pac-12 championships and played in NCAA tournaments, and this season, he became the winningest coach in the history of CU men’s basketball. Nine of his players have made NBA rosters and 27 former Buffs who played in Coach Boyle’s program have competed professionally overseas. In the summer of 2022, Tad coached the men’s USA Basketball U18 team to a Gold Medal in the FIBA World Championships in Mexico. A common denominator in all his professional stops are the traits he displayed so readily as a Wildcat—the same things he demands of his teams—be
unselfish, be coachable.

A few years ago, a recent iteration of the Greeley Central Wildcats basketball team attended the CU Buffaloes Summer Team Camp in Boulder. As the young Wildcats were making their way down a hall to the main court in the Coors Events Center for a game, they were surprised to run into the future-winningest basketball coach in CU history. The players were even more surprised when Tad belted out the first few lines of the Greeley High/Greeley Central fight song: “Come on you Wildcats, let’s win this game...!” Tad Boyle. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.

Tad and his wife Ann have two sons and a daughter.

In August 2000, Greeley Central High School Principal Mary Lauer stepped to the podium in Baggot Gymnasium and welcomed home the boisterous crowd of more than 1,200 Wildcats. Everyone was glad to finally be back at the “Castle” after having been relocated to “Greeley Central North Campus” (the new school at 71st Avenue that would open in summer 2000 as Northridge High), for a full school year while their beloved home was being remodeled for the first time since the 1970s.

As the all-school assembly progressed beneath the many banners representing state champions from the school’s previous 91 years of winning athletic titles, it’s very likely that one Wildcat in particular noticed there was still room for the banner that she and her fellow cross-country teammates were planning to add to the rafters that fall. Annie Bersagel, the quiet but unquestioned leader of the team, made sure the 5A State Championship banner got into those rafters.

Her performance as the individual state runner-up at the 2000 State Cross-Country meet was crucial to the ‘Cats winning the team title. Annie would add an individual state title in the 1600 meters and a second-place finish in the 3200 meters at the state track meet the following spring to cap an amazing three-year athletic career at GCHS.

And like the other 2022 Hall of Fame inductees, Annie’s contributions to the school were much more than just athletics. She earned Gold G’s for leadership and academics, was named to All-State Choir and was State Academic Decathlon champion. Taken together, it’s no wonder that her jerseys for both GCHS and Wake Forest University are prominently displayed outside the entrance to storied Baggot Gymnasium.

Annie Bersagel was born on March 30, 1983, in West Union, Iowa. She and her brother Paul (GCHS class of 2003) moved with their parents to Greeley from Minnesota (where she had lettered in cross country, Nordic skiing and track as a freshman), just before the start her sophomore year. Over the next three years, teammates as well as coaches would learn that the secret to Bersagel’s success was iron-willed discipline and a work ethic that was then unmatched at the Castle.

In the fall of her sophomore year (1998-99), Annie ran on the varsity cross-country team led by veteran coach Mike “Woody” Wilson. She raced to a third-place finish in the regional meet and qualified for state, a rare feat for a sophomore in the competitive Northern Regionals. In the spring, Bersagel competed in long-distance races and lettered in track. During the summer, it was a common sight to see Annie and her Wildcat teammates Breanne Shupe, Tori Carter, Kaylee Yago and Ashley Martinez running through parks and on trails all over Greeley.

In her junior year (1999-2000), Bersagel and the Wildcat cross-country team turned in a very impressive season, as they placed in the top five in every meet (winning three meets and placing second at regionals) and qualifying as a team for the state meet. Led by Annie’s third-place finish at state, the Wildcats also placed third as a team—their highest place in school history to that point. Annie also was named to the All-Colorado Team after the state meet. That spring, running on the track team coached by Marty Neibauer, Bersagel and her ‘Cats 3200-meter relay team brought home the state championship medal. Annie also was awarded the Greeley Tribune’s MVP award for cross
country for Weld County schools for the second consecutive year (a third would follow in 2000).

Bersagel and her Wildcats’ cross-country teammates saved their best for the fall of 2000. The same team from the previous season—with the addition of Kelly Hertnekey, Colleen Riley and a talented supporting cast of other veteran runners—battled their heated rivals, Fort Collins High, to see who would win meets throughout northern Colorado that autumn. The Wildcats could not overcome FCHS at regionals, and placed second. But a much more serious obstacle than the Lambkins faced GCHS before the state meet the following week. Of the seven Wildcat runners on the state squad, all but Bersagel tested positive for mononucleosis the week of the meet (Annie, who as a habit never shared her water bottle with teammates, tested negative).

On October 28, a cold, windy afternoon at Kent Day High School in Cherry Hills, Bersagel and her determined teammates eyed the three teams favored to win the 5A state title: Arvada West, Arapahoe and Fort Collins. Likewise, their opponents watched for the Wildcats in their striking orange and black jerseys at the starting line. It’s likely that the opponents’ pre-race strategies involved finding and staying near Bersagel and her teammates.

At the last minute, Coach Wilson had the ‘Cats runners change into their all-black jerseys with a white stripe. When the race began, there were no orange and black-clad runners among the dozens at the front of the pack—just runners in black jerseys. The apparel switch, coupled with a tenacious team effort, proved to be a winning combination. Only a single Smoky Hill runner would finish ahead of Bersagel. Her Wildcat teammates followed in close order, and with Kelly Hertnekey’s key time averaged in, Greeley Central, despite tremendous obstacles, had won the 5A State Championship—the school’s first state title since 1981 (see Tad Boyle’s 2022 HOF biography).

When asked by a Greeley Tribune reporter about the race and the ‘Cats three-year quest for a title, Annie, in her usual understated way, said, “We still had plenty go wrong this year; we had some mishaps. But this year we didn’t let them get in our way.” Asked years later for his reaction to the Wildcats’ win and Bersagel’s performance that day, Coach Wilson replied, “That was the highlight of my coaching career—and Annie—the best runner I ever coached.”
In the spring of 2001, her final track season, Annie continued her impressive drive to excel for the ‘Cats. She won the 1600-meter run and was runner-up in the 3200-meter run at the 2000 state track and field championships. Annie set—and still holds—the Greeley/Greeley Central High school records for the 1600 meters and cross country.

In May, Annie, along with several other Wildcat scholars, earned the Gold G for Academics for outstanding career academic achievement. The Gold G for Leadership is reserved for the one person in the school who best embodies the totality of academic excellence, co-curricular involvement and leadership. Voted on by the faculty, it is the most prestigious award at GCHS. Annie won the award. That summer Bersagel and her family had difficult decisions to make about her future. After finishing fifth in the 1500 meters at the 2001 Junior Nationals and earning All-American status, Annie accepted the Graylyn Scholarship to Wake Forest University, where she double majored in political science and economics.

At WFU, Bersagel forged a legacy that future Demon Deacon student athletes would be hard pressed to top (Annie was inducted into the Wake Forest Hall of Fame Class of 2015). In an interview with the school’s student newspaper, Old Gold and Black, her approach to school and athletics became apparent. Bersagel viewed each semester and season as an opportunity improve her knowledge, her times and her concern for others. Annie competed in cross country during the fall (except 2004, when she missed the season with a broken foot), indoor track in late winter and outdoor track in the spring. Her top 12 finish at the Southeast Regionals in the fall of 2001 qualified Annie for the NCAA championships (where she took 57th place).

In spring track in 2002, Bersagel led her Demon Deacons to a first-place finish at the Mountaineer Open and was named ACC Performer of the Week. She took fourth at the ACC Championships and was named to the All-ACC team. In addition, she placed third at the NCAA Southeast Regional and was named to the All-Regional team. She finished 25th overall at the 2002 NCAA Championships. Not a bad freshman year in the ACC. Despite competing in three sports seasons each year, Annie five times earned Academic All-American honors, won the Wake Forest University scholar-athlete of the year award twice and graduated with a double major and academic honors. Over her next three years at WFU, Annie’s talent and work ethic made her a three-time All-American in cross country, a five-time track and field All-American (two indoor and three outdoor), and a three-time ACC champion in multiple events.

She also set three WFU school records. At the conclusion of her illustrious career at Wake Forest, in 2006 Annie was awarded both the NCAA’s prestigious national Woman of the Year Award in recognition of excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership, and the Walter Byers Award as the top National Collegiate Athletic Association female scholar-athlete. After graduating, Bersagel moved to Minnesota and began training with Team USA Minnesota. She won the USA Half Marathon held in Kansas City and placed 10th in the 2006 USA Cross Country Championships. In 2007 Annie left Minnesota and accepted both a Fulbright Scholarship and an NCAA postgraduate scholarship to complete a graduate degree in peace and conflict studies at the University of Oslo (she had interned at the U.S. Embassy in Norway several summers while at WFU and she speaks Norwegian fluently).

In 2011, while attending Stanford Law School, Annie took time to represent the United States in the 2011 Pan American Games, running the 10,000 meters in Guadalajara, Mexico. Her fourth-place finish made her the top American finisher. Bersagel graduated with her law degree from Stanford in 2012 and returned to Oslo to work. Annie also continued to run. In a 2014 interview with Bob Cooper of Runner’s World magazine, she offered this advice, “Combine training and a commute by running to and from work.” Bersagel ran the second-fastest half marathon for a U.S. athlete in 2014 at IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. In 2015, Bersagel won the Düsseldorf Marathon. In 2018, at the U.S. Mountain running championship, she ran well enough to earn a place on Team USA Mountain.

Annie currently lives and works in Oslo, with her husband Øyvind (who also runs) and their daughter.

If you happened to be watching a Greeley Central High football game or track meet at the old District #6 Stadium in the early 1990s, and there was a break in the action, you may have seen a young person dart across the back of the end zone and then just as quickly—whoosh—he was gone. It would no doubt have prompted you to ask, “Who was that? He’s fast!” The likely answer: the principal’s son, Chris Helwick. He was also one of the rising stars in the Greeley recreation department’s summer youth track program.

Fast forward to Helwick’s sophomore year at Greeley Central High School (2000-01). That same young man, wearing orange and black, was running past and jumping higher than virtually all other competitors at the new District #6 Stadium on the western edge of town (opened during 1999-00 school year). Over his storied three-year career as a Wildcat, Helwick proved to be one of the most talented and versatile track and field stars ever to come out of Greeley Central High. He won Northern Conference and Regional championships each of his three seasons (in multiple events his junior and senior years), won state titles in two events his senior season, and set and still holds the Greeley High/Greeley Central school record in three events: high jump, decathlon and javelin.

In soccer Helwick earned three varsity letters and was named All-Northern Conference in both his junior and senior seasons and All-State Honorable Mention and captain his senior year. Known as a defensive stopper, his Wildcat teams reached the 5A state quarterfinals in 2001 and the 4A state semifinals in 2002. It’s little wonder that his jerseys for both GCHS and the University of Tennessee are a permanent fixture outside the entrance to historic Baggot Gymnasium.

Christopher (Chris) Helwick was born on March 18, 1985, in Greeley. Since his early days in Greeley’s youth track and field programs, Chris benefitted from outstanding coaches. Margaret Fox-Hall, then in charge of the city of Greeley’s summer track program; Scott Hall; and his future high school coach at Greeley Central, Marty Neibauer—all took a keen interest in helping the young Helwick. Early on, Chris was primarily interested in running long distance, but his coaches convinced him to try other events, and he quickly grew to appreciate the long jump, high jump and even the hurdles.

By autumn of 2000, when he arrived for his 10th grade year at the newly remodeled “Castle” (the year-long, nearly $30 million facelift included a new music-fine arts-science wing, library and, finally, an elevator), Helwick was no doubt excited to make his mark. That fall he lettered in soccer, and the following spring he earned a spot in the state track meet by winning the high jump in both the 5A Northern Conference and Regional meets. He placed fifth at the 2001 state track meet.

Chris’s junior year at GCHS (2001-02) would prove to be pivotal in his development as a track and field force in Colorado. A growth spurt between his sophomore and junior years meant that Wildcat soccer opponents found it increasingly difficult to get past Helwick’s defense. Despite that, the ‘Cats lost a heartbreaker to Heritage High in the 5A state quarterfinals (2-1). Chris, at the end of his sophomore track season, had added the high hurdles and the 4 x 400-meter relay to his list of events. His stellar high jumping and long jump abilities were already strengths.

But early in the track season, Coach Niebauer sat Chris down and told him it was time for him to strongly consider adding the decathlon to his training. As a former collegiate decathlete himself, Niebauer felt that Helwick had both the mental and physical tools to tackle one of track and field’s most demanding events. He had high praise for Chris’s mental approach to track and field, “Chris was so incredibly coachable, if you asked him to do it, he would, without questioning. He was also quick to pick up techniques.”

That spring Chris learned and then began to compete in the shot, discus and javelin. Helwick once again won the 5A Northern Conference and regional high jump titles and moved up a spot at the state meet (4 th place). According to his coach, the summer of 2002 was a turning point for Helwick’s development as a decathlete. In June Chris traveled to Albuquerque to compete in the Great Southwest Classic Decathlon (an all-star meet featuring some of the best high school track competitors from Texas, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado). Helwick competed extremely well until he failed to clear the opening height of 8 feet in the pole vault. He quickly learned that failing to score any
points in one event can have a significant impact on your ability to win the decathlon. As one might guess, Chris dedicated extra time over the summer learning to pole vault.

In the meantime, he was also busy honing his event repertoire by competing in additional decathlons and combined event championships (USA Track & Field Colorado Jr. Olympic Decathlon, 1st place, and National Jr. Outdoor Championships Decathlon, 7th place, and All-American status).

Helwick’s senior year (2002-03), became a showcase for the hard work and talents he had so carefully developed the previous two years at GCHS. In the fall, the ‘Cats soccer team, with Helwick as captain, turned in perhaps their finest season ever (16-2-1). The Wildcats finished Northern Conference play undefeated. With Chris playing defensive stopper in front of goalie Noah Lenners and behind the offensive punch of Crofton Sacco, Brennen Henery and Luis Vasquez, GCHS moved through the playoffs to the state 4A semifinals, where they bowed to Liberty High
School.

In track, Chris had a tremendous season. He won 4A Northern Conference titles in the high jump, long jump and the 110-meter high hurdles and was crowned Northern Regional champ in the high jump and the pole vault. He was runner-up in the high hurdles. At the state track championships in May, Chris turned in a Rodreick-type effort (see Floyd Rodreick’s 2022 HOF biography). He won the state high jump and pole vault and placed third in the 110-meter high hurdles. Chris told the Spud (Central’s yearbook since 1909), “I thought I might have a good chance to win the high jump, but I never expected to win the pole vault.” Behind Helwick, the ‘Cats finished fifth in state as a team.

Chris was chosen as the Northern Conference Track Athlete of the year, Wildcat track team MVP for the third consecutive year and was picked by a schoolwide vote of coaches as GCHS Male Athlete of the year. Chris and his parents and coaches had some difficult decisions to make about college following his graduation, but first there was some unfinished business—a return trip to the Great Southwest Classic. This time he won the decathlon, turning in one of the best scores in the nation for 2003. After taking 2nd at the USA Track & Field Jr. National meet in California and 6th at the Pan American Jr. World Games in Bridgetown, Barbados, Chris accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Tennessee and compete for new Volunteers’ coach Bill Webb.

In four years at the University of Tennessee, Helwick set the bar—literally—to new heights for future Volunteer student athletes. Each year he competed in both the indoor and outdoor seasons in the Southeastern Conference. Chris was a seven-time All-American (4 indoor seasons, 3 outdoor) and Scholar-Athlete of the Year for UT in 2007. He set and still holds the University of Tennessee record for the heptathlon. Each year at Tennessee, Helwick worked diligently to improve his technique, times and distances.

Scott Hall, long-time collegiate coach (current head coach at High Point University, North Carolina) and lifetime observer of Helwick’s career, recently reflected on his work ethic. “He always came willing to work, worked hard and was always focused on what he needed to accomplish.” Helwick’s four-year decathlon results: for the Indoor SEC Championships, two-time conference champion, a runner-up and a 3rd place. For the Indoor NCAA National Championships, four top ten finishes. At the outdoor SEC Championships, two-time conference champion and twice the runner-up.

At the outdoor NCAA National Championships, three top seven finishes. The decathlon—five events each day over two days—can be as taxing mentally as it is physically. Decathletes must learn to shake off a poor performance in one event and focus on the next. In his sophomore year at the SEC Championships, with three events remaining, Chris trailed LSU’s Alleyne Lett by 324 points. Although the next two events were the pole vault and javelin, two of Helwick’s best, he trailed going into the last event, the 1500 meters. Chris applied that disciplined mental approach and scored a personal-record 7,780 points and edged out Lett (7,550 points) for the SEC title. When asked by Jessica Hopp of The Tennessean how he did it, Chris said, “I just wanted to go event by event. That is the best way to win anyway.” It’s hard to imagine a Tennessee athlete having a better spring than Chris in 2006. At the SEC Championships, he won the decathlon and the pole vault, took 3rd in the javelin and 6th in the high jump. He captured the Commissioner’s Award as the top scoring athlete in the SEC Championships (28.5 points). At the NCAA Championships, he was national runner-up in the decathlon. In 2007, after a stellar career that reflected an impressive balance between academics and athletics (an SEC Conference Academic Honor Roll member for three years and named to ESPN magazine’s Academic All-American Team in 2006 and 2007), Helwick graduated with honors and a degree in economics.

During the next year, Chris competed internationally while training for the Olympic Trials in 2008 (7th place). He claimed a runner-up finish in the Netherlands and became the Pan American Games Decathlon champion in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 2008. Since then, Helwick has continued to be a national force in track and field and the decathlon (Olympic Trials 2012, 5th; 2019 USATF Championships, 9th; 2021 USATF Championships, 9th). After
completing his MBA at High Point University (he was awarded an NCAA post-graduate scholarship) and coaching for several years at Colorado State University, Chris currently lives in Alabama with his fiancée Tarah.

On Monday morning following the 2016 Colorado State Wrestling Tournament, a Greeley Central coach was walking past the school’s wrestling facility when he noticed a lone figure jogging around the mats in the half-darkened room. The coach recognized the wrestler as the freshman who had won the state championship at 120 pounds two nights prior.

The incredulous coach may have wondered how the young man had gotten into the locked room but more likely, why a recent state champion was running laps in an empty gym instead of taking victory laps in the hallways. So he asked the young Wildcat: “What are you doing here?” The young wrestler replied as he jogged past, “I’m not done yet.”

That young man, Andrew “Boo” Alirez, GCHS class of 2019, is the most accomplished wrestler in the storied history of Greeley Central. He was born into a wrestling family. The name Alirez features prominently on the Champions’ Wall in the Greeley Central wrestling room. His father, Andrew Sr. (GCHS class of 1995) was a state champion for the ‘Cats his senior year (2nd as a sophomore, 3rd in both freshman and junior years, a 124-5 career record). His uncle Mike (GCHS class of 1989, 4th place), Boo’s younger brother, Zander (GCHS class of 2021), was state runner-up this past year, as was as his younger brother Mikai, who is currently a junior at Central.

His younger sister Gianna, a sophomore Wildcat, wrestles for the Greeley High Schools unified women’s team. His cousin Zeke, who is the current head wrestling coach at Greeley Central, placed third in the state on two occasions, and his dad’s cousins Adam and Anthony were wrestling legends at the “Castle.”

So it was no surprise when as a youngster, Boo began wrestling in tournaments locally. He quickly progressed to more advanced regional tournaments (Cliff Keen Nationals, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Reno World Championships, Reno, Nevada; Pan Handle Classic, Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas). And it became obvious that Alirez was developing an intense love for the sport. Andrew became a regular at the Top-Notch Sports Academy, organized by his father and offered to Greeley’s young wrestlers.

As a result, during middle school Alirez began to win advanced tournaments like the Mile High in Denver and the McDonogh Duals in Westminster, Maryland. Then in 2014, a man who had moved in just five houses down the street from the Alirez family home began training advanced freestyle wrestlers (All-American Cadets) in Boo’s age group at the Regional Training Center (RTC) in Greeley. It just so happened that this man, Troy Nickerson, was also the new head wrestling coach at the University of Northern Colorado. Fortunately for Alirez, he had wrestled well enough to qualify to train at the RTC while he waited to start classes at the Castle.

One might be tempted to think that Boo was a bit nervous as he arrived at the GCHS in the fall of 2015 amid great expectations. Would the message that adorns both free throw lines in Baggot Gymnasium (The Ghosts Are Watching) be a blessing or a liability for him, despite his wrestling lineage?

It quickly became obvious that Andrew’s extraordinary talent, singular focus and drive to win
would set him on a path to unparalleled Wildcat greatness. Yet there were legitimate questions. How
would he fare against older, more experienced wrestlers? The Northern Conference is generally
unforgiving to freshmen on the league’s varsity mats. As Boo’s freshman year progressed, it became
apparent that such concerns were unwarranted. He went 45-0 his freshman year and claimed the state
title in the 120-pound weight class. While this feat was rare for a freshman in northern Colorado, it
was not unheard of.

As a sophomore, city-wide expectations for Alirez’s second state title seemed to grow exponentially. Some fans worried whether Boo, now wrestling at 126 pounds, could pull it off. Greeley Central’s veteran coach, Eric Penfold, who worked with Andrew during his four years as a Wildcat, was asked recently about Alirez’s approach to wrestling and handling the lofty expectations at GCHS. Penfold said, “Andrew is just wired differently; he has a work ethic second to none. He would come to practice, go over to UNC and workout, and then go lift.”

During his incredible sophomore year, Andrew experienced the only loss of his high school career, competing at the elite Doc Buchanan Invitational in Clovis, California. The night before, GCHS had just won a dual match at Centaurus, and then several ‘Cats and Coach Penfold drove through a near-blizzard to DIA to catch the flight to California. Boo met Jaden Abas from San Diego (the current All-American at 149 pounds, Stanford University) in the semifinals and lost 1-0. The setback served only to motivate Alirez. He finished the season 49-1 and claimed the 126-pound class
state championship. And he wasn’t done yet.

At the outset of his junior year (2017-18), Boo suffered a thumb injury during training and was forced to miss matches in the first half of the season. Although a bit impatient to get going, he recognized that in order to achieve his objectives, he needed to give his body time to fully heal. Again, with his singular focus and the ability to see the big picture, Alirez had made the jump from 126 to 145 pounds for his junior year. He and his coaches knew that he would need to adjust his approach for upcoming opponents. He focused his workouts on weight-lifting and improving his techniques outside of take downs and escapes. Before his return to matches full time in the rugged Northern Conference, Boo traveled once again to the Doc Buchanan Invitational in California. One of the tournament’s most sought-after prizes is the cowboy hat awarded to the tournament’s champions in each weight class. As Coach Penfold tells it, one of the highlights of that season was seeing Andrew in the lobby at Clovis High School, talking with his family on the phone, wearing his GCHS warmup suit and the cowboy hat after winning the championship. Alirez finished the season 26-0 at 145 pounds and claimed his third state championship. And he wasn’t done yet.

Before the 2018-2019 season, only 22 wrestlers in the history of the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament (the first CHSAA state wrestling tournament was held in 1936 at Gunter Hall in Greeley, and won by Greeley High) have won four state championships. And in the nearly 100-year history of Greeley High/Greeley Central High School wrestling, no one had ever done it. Just the opportunity to win four consecutive titles comes rarely; it is a testament to durability, proper diet and training and having the good fortune to avoid injuries.

The four-peat pressure began to build during Boo’s senior season. Pretty much everyone in Greeley, and especially at the Castle, were well aware of the historic opportunity facing Andrew, and so they were paying attention to his every match. As a result of Alirez’s fearsome reputation, opponents would often rearrange their lineups in dual meets and tournaments so their best wrestlers would not have to face a demoralizing defeat at the hands of Greeley Central’s now 152-pound champion.

No matter. Boo, for the third time, won the highly competitive Northern Colorado Christmas Tournament at UNC. Taking on all Northern Conference foes and meeting even stiffer competition at regionals and finally at state, he finished his senior year 33-0 and joined the select group of all-time great Colorado high school wrestlers by winning his fourth state title.

A wonderful photograph captured the moment it sank in for Alirez. In it, Andrew was kneeling on the mat at the Pepsi Center in Denver after completing his final high school match. He held up four fingers, and the smile on his face seemed to indicate a combination of both pride and relief.

Boo had finished his Wildcat wrestling career with an overall record of 153-1. During the last months as a Wildcat and into the summer of 2019, he continued his remarkable career. Alirez was invited to Who’s #1 Dual meet (as a result of being ranked the top 152-pound wrestler in the country) and he won it. He became the Junior Pan American Games champion, runner-up at the 2019 Junior U.S. Open and took third place at the 2019 Junior World Team Trials. Finally, Andrew was awarded the 2019 Junior Hodge Trophy, given to the most dominant high school wrestler in the
nation.

After graduating from Greeley Central, Boo and his family had some difficult decisions to make. As the top ranked 152-pound wrestler in the nation and #1 ranked wrestling prospect in the class of 2019, nearly every major collegiate wrestling program in the country wanted him. Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Nebraska, and Iowa, among others, all competed for an acceptance letter from Andrew. A difficult decision indeed. Boo ended all speculation and announced that he would accept a wrestling scholarship to the University of Northern Colorado to wrestle for Coach Nickerson and the Bears. And, as before, he wasn’t done yet.

Alirez’s incredible wrestling career has continued at UNC. As a freshman in 2019-20, Boo automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships after placing fourth at the Big 12 Championships. He finished his freshman season with a 24-4 record, going 6-1 in dual matches. In 2020-21, as a sophomore, Andrew battled through injuries and earned an at-large invite to the NCAA Tournament and also was named second team Academic All-Big 12. Last season, as a junior, he advanced further than any Bear in the NCAA Tournament since 2010 and became the first Big 12 Champion in UNC history while qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for a third consecutive year.

Alirez finished his junior year with a 24-5 overall record. It is likely that none of Andrew’s success at the collegiate level comes as a surprise to Coach Nickerson. When asked about Boo’s recent progress, he said, “Andrew has always trained hard; he’s the hardest worker in our room. If I were to ask him to run through a wall, he would.”

At the time of this writing, Alirez and his Bears teammates have just returned from one of the premier national meets, the Southern-Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Boo won the 141-pound championship, earned the Most-Pins award and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Wrestler. Alirez also was tabbed as the NCAA’s Wrestler of the Week. As his coach recently said, “Andrew is doing those little things right. His goal is to win a national title.”

He’s not done yet.

During the third week of August 1951, Coach Richard (Dick) Nolan, then in his fourth year as head coach of Greeley High School’s football team, and his staff welcomed 103 Wildcats to fall workouts for the upcoming gridiron season. Out in Hollywood, California, at Capitol Records a song written by Irving Gordon was being recorded by Nat King Cole. By the time the tune—which had a one-word title—was released in October, the ‘Cats were still undefeated, having dispatched arch-rivals Fort Collins and Longmont. And by early December, it is likely that neither Nat King Cole nor Coach

Nolan could have guessed that one particular word would be on folks’ lips in Greeley, Hollywood and beyond. Greeley High, on December 1, defeated the Grand Junction Tigers 34-7, to win the state football championship and top off a remarkable 12-1 season. The 1951 Wildcats were truly UNFORGETTABLE.

In late summer 1951, one could forgive Greeley sports fans for not taking too much notice of the Wildcat football squad’s workouts. By early September, the World Softball Tournament and the Rocky Mountain Baseball League Tournament captured the attention of locals, who flocked to Forbes Field in northwest Greeley. They watched Manager Hal Masini and his Doak Packers (Fresno, California), win back-to-back fast-pitch softball championships by defeating the Long Beach (California), Nitehawks. In an action-packed regional baseball tournament, the Gill Indians, who earlier edged the Milliken Caballeros (6 to 5), and the Wattenburg Bluejays (9 to 8), overcame the Cheyenne Lobos in extra innings (13 to 12), to win the title. Pretty exciting indeed.

Besides, many Greeley High football fans remembered that the ‘Cats were coming off a less-than impressive 5-5 season in 1950 and returned only nine lettermen and four starters, (two backs, two linemen). Experience was certainly in short supply at Wildcat Field, west of the school. After two weeks of practice, questions remained about the Wildcat’s prospects. On the eve of their first game at Fort Morgan, the Greeley Tribune quoted Coach Nolan admitting as much, “the starting team is still problematical.” Yet, astute observers of Northern Conference grid action knew the realities of that 5-5 record.

The Northern Conference dominated Colorado high school football during the 1950s. Seven out of ten championships in the decade were won by a team from the Northern, (Greeley High in 1951 and 1959), and in only two years during the decade was a team from the conference not represented in the finals. Two Wildcats losses in 1950 were to the eventual state champions-Fort Collins High (FCHS also won state titles in 1952 and 1953), and another setback came at Longmont (LHS won state titles in 1954 and 1955). Still, no one was sure how ready Coach Nolan’s ‘Cats were for another tough season. On Friday, Sept. 7, the Greeley faithful returned from Fort Morgan, pleased with the results of the season opener.

Game One: Friday, Sept. 7, at Fort Morgan. GHS-27 FMHS-20. The Fort Morgan High Maroons were a well-respected non-league opponent. Running effectively out of the “T” formation, FMHS scored two first quarter touchdowns. Wildcat senior quarterback Frank Morris (15), provided a much-needed early spark for the ‘Cats on the third play from scrimmage when he scored on a 69-yard reverse. Greeley High’s offense, (employed both double- and single-wing formations), scored twice in the second stanza; Morris hit senior halfback Jerry Winters (20) with a ten-yard TD pass and senior fullback Ted Childers (77), crossed the double-stripe, (as the goal line was often called in the 1950s), from the one-yard line. Sophomore Theo Holland (4), kicked both point-after attempts (PATs), and the Wildcats led 20-14 at halftime. Greeley added a TD in the second half after senior tackle Leo Prothe (88), recovered a fumble deep in FMHS territory. Although Fort Morgan had out rushed the ‘Cats 220 yards to 198, Greeley held on to win 27-20. A good beginning; the Wildcats gained valuable experience under pressure.

Games Two, Three, Four: Friday, Sept. 14, Regis High School-GHS-56 RHS-0, Friday, Sept. 21, Cheyenne High School-GHS-14 CHS-0, Friday, Sept. 28, St. Francis High School-GHS-77 St.FHS-6. Over the next three Fridays in September, the ‘Cats wrapped up the preseason schedule, garnered wins each week, and captured the attention of both Greeley sports fans and opponents throughout the Northern Conference. On Sept. 14, the Regis High School Raiders visited Wildcat Field and returned to Denver after a 56-0 drubbing. The following Friday, Cheyenne High School, a more formidable squad, struggled against the stout Wildcat defense and lost 14-0. On Sept. 28, Greeley High’s Homecoming opponent, the St. Francis High Gremlins (Denver), employed their T, single-wing and Notre Dame Box formations to collect three first downs and 14 yards rushing for the evening. The Wildcats countered with 20 first downs, and 468 rushing yards. 3,000 rowdy Greeley fans witnessed junior fullback Bert Phillips (19), score three touchdowns and Ted Childers, Bryan Hoffner (00), and Theo Holland score two TDs apiece. In all, 33 ‘Cats played in the lopsided 77-6 Wildcat win.

Games Five, Six, Seven, Eight: Friday, Oct. 5, Longmont High School-GHS-28 LHS-13, Friday, Oct. 12, Boulder High School-GHS-26 BHS-0, Friday, Oct. 19, Fort Collins High School-GHS-34 FCHS-26, Tuesday, Oct. 23, Brighton High School-GHS-30 BHS-12. October brought four more GHS victories; three important conference tilts and a rare mid-week non-league game against the Brighton Bulldogs. On Friday, Oct. 5, 1,700 fans at Wildcat Field saw the ‘Cats host Coach Gil Everly’s Longmont Trojans in the conference opener. The Wildcats were riding a four-game win streak, the Trojans three. Greeley’s defense delivered a statement-making performance, limiting Longmont to just 36 yards rushing in the second half. Ted Childers scored two TDs and Ken Meyers (11), and Bob Hoff (2), each added one and Theo Holland hit all 4 PATs. The ‘Cats prevailed 28-13.

The following Friday, Greeley journeyed to Boulder to take on a Panther squad that had dropped several close games. Although the Wildcats were outgained by 60 yards on the ground (BHS-150 GHS-90), they took advantage of three BHS turnovers (two “bitter bobbles—as the Greeley Tribune dubbed fumbles—and an interception). After Frank Morris recovered a fumble at the Panther 19-yard line, he hit junior halfback Phil Rivas (14), with a TD pass. Theo Holland then intercepted a BHS pass at the 20 yard-line and ran it in for another Wildcat score. Rivas scored the final GHS touchdown in the second half on a double-reverse (GHS-26 BHS-0).

The Wildcats each week displayed more poise and were becoming habitually opportunistic on
defense and explosive on offense. GHS would need to hit on all eight cylinders the next Friday, as
they took a six-game-winning streak to Fort Collins to play the defending state champs, (Greeley had
not beaten FCHS since the 1948 season: 25-20).

Once the dust has settled on a truly memorable season, coaches, players and fans often look back to that “turning-point” moment where the season’s fortunes went from pretty good to outstanding. The Greeley Tribune reported that Coach Nolan believed “the moment” occurred with Greeley High trailing Fort Collins 26-6, late in the third quarter. Then “Frank Morris jumped high into the air to intercept a pass and return it 15 yards thru four would-be tacklers.” Nolan maintained, “Right then and there, our kids caught fire.” Although FCHS outgained GHS by 99 rushing yards (261-162), the resilient Wildcats scored two TDs to trail 26-20, with just over five minutes left to play. Then on fourth down, Lloyd Kindsfater (10), broke through the line and blocked a punt that the ‘Cats recovered on the Lambkin 21-yard line. Ted Childers and Frank Morris took over from there, with Morris scoring from seven yards out on a spinner play, Childers added the PAT and Greeley High led 27-26. On the night Childers scored three TDs and hit four PATs and Morris scored two touchdowns; the Wildcats eventually won 34-26.

How special was this victory for Nolan, his staff and the team? The Greeley Tribune, in an Oct. 24 article, quoted Coach Nolan, “In 23 years’ association with football, I’ve never had a bunch of kids that have made me prouder.” John Farr (29), a junior lineman on the ’51 squad, when asked recently about the game offered, “I can still remember mom cheering from the stands that night.” A sign in the Wildcat locker room that season reminded every ‘Cat each day, ‘The Team that Won’t be Beaten Can’t be Beaten.’ It sure seemed that the Wildcats had taken that to heart as they ran past an outmanned Brighton High squad 30-12 in Greeley on the Tuesday following the Fort Collins tilt. GHS’s offense outgained Brighton by more than 200 yards (332-131). The defensive front was especially good against the Bulldogs; Prothe, Kindsfater, Blaue (12), Nordell (55), and Turner stood out.

Heading into November, and with only two conference games remaining, talk about town now centered on a conference championship. By late October, fullback Ted Childers had already broken the Northern Conference scoring record (Four GHS players were in the top six in conference scoring-Childers, Holland, Phillips, Meyers). Only a young Englewood High Pirate team and Greeley’s closest and perhaps oldest Northern nemesis-the Loveland Indians, stood in the way.

Games Nine, Ten, Eleven: Friday, Nov. 2-Englewood Pirates-GHS 77- EHS-0, Friday, Nov. 9-Loveland Indians-LHS 14, GHS-13, Friday, Nov. 16-Northern Conference Playoff-Loveland Indians-GHS 9- LHS-7 Overtime. Only 500 ‘Cats fans took in the game at Wildcat Field on Friday, Nov. 2 against Englewood High’s Pirates. In a lopsided 77-0 win, GHS amassed 492 total yards of offense, EHS managed only 20. Frank Morris scored three TDs. Phil Rivas and Bert Phillips each tallied two. Ken Schneider (31), finished the Wildcat scoring fest in the 4th quarter. One game remained in the conference season, a road tilt against GHS’s toughest Northern Conference opponent over the past 20-plus seasons, the Loveland High Indians (22 years-LHS-17 wins, GHS—3 wins, 2 Ties).

On Friday, Nov. 9, the reality of this rivalry hit the Wildcats squarely in the face. In a fiercely physical game played in front of 3,000 fans, LHS’s star running back, Maurice Leathers, scored the Indian’s two TDs, the ‘Cats countered with two TDs from Ted Childers, but he missed his first PAT attempt and the Indians prevailed 14-13. The Greeley Tribune aptly summed up Friday afternoon’s ambush, “Greeley looked sluggish...the Wildcats were outcharged and outfootballed.” There would be no undefeated league season; there would be a playoff the following Friday at Wildcat Field to determine whether Greeley or Loveland would represent the Northern Conference in the state playoffs. After the final gun, a resolute Coach Nolan summed it up for all, “Loveland at Greeley next Friday.”

The much-anticipated rematch on Nov. 16 in front of an overflow crowd of over 4,000 at Wildcat Field (additional bleachers had been installed at each end of the field allowing a 3,500-person seating capacity), did not disappoint. In 30-degree weather on a windswept, dry field, the teams played another white-knuckle affair. It appeared that a physical Loveland team might prevail again this week; Frank Morris and Jerry Winters had a different outcome in mind.

With the game tied at 0-0 late in the second quarter, Coach Nolan sent in a play from the sideline. In a recent interview with Winters, he recalled, “It was the Wildcat Special (a deep pass), and I told Frank what route I was going to run. He threw it just over the two defenders and I leaned back and caught it in the end zone.” However, the Indians returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to knot the game at 7-7 and it remained tied throughout a tense second half to the end of regulation. According to the overtime rules in 1951, each team took turns snapping the ball with each getting 6 alternating downs, starting on the midfield stripe. Loveland won the coin toss and elected to take the ball first. Both squads chose to the run the ball for their first four plays. Then on the ‘Cats fifth play Morris hit end Allan Turner on a button-hook pass play that gained six yards and proved to be the difference-maker. Discussing the surprise pass play recently, Turner recalled with a smile, “I spoke with one of the Loveland players later on and he said, ‘We didn’t expect you guys to pass.’”

After two more nerve-racking plays, Greeley ended the game with the ball five yards into Loveland territory and was awarded two points and won the game (9-7). The Greeley Tribune heaped praise upon a long list of ‘Cats for the crucial win: tackle Leo Prothe, center Bill Droegmueller (21) and guard Lloyd Kindsfater for their work on the offensive line; Bryan Hoffner, Allan Turner, Wayne Nordell, Vernon Blaue, Ben Murray (18), Ken Schlagel (5) and Dick Schrieber (24), for their defensive play.

A tired but happy Wildcats team awakened the following morning to news from Boulder announcing the All-Northern Conference teams. Five Wildcats were named to the First Team: Kindsfater-Right Guard, Nordell-Right Tackle, Turner-Right End, Morris-Quarterback, and Childers-Fullback. On the Second Team: Prothe-Tackle, Droegmueller-Center, and Rivas-Halfback. Honorable Mention: Blaue-Guard, Schlagel-End, Hoff-Halfback, Meyers-Halfback, and Winters-Halfback. Clearly, the conference’s coaches were impressed with GHS’s season. Next up for
Greeley High and their fans, the Denver East High Angels and the state semi-final playoff game at Jackson Field in Greeley.

Game Twelve: Saturday, Nov. 24-Playoff Game-State Semi-Finals vs Denver East High School Angels-GHS -21 EHS-13. During the week following Greeley High’s big win over Loveland, the Monday Morning Quarterbacks and prognosticators began their analysis of the impending tilt between the Wildcats and EHS. Denver’s Metropolitan League champions were an impressive bunch; they had dominated their league for the past three seasons, were playoff savvy— having lost to Fort Collins by a touchdown in the 1950 state-finals (14-6)—outweighed the ‘Cats by an average of 22 pounds per man on the offensive line, were undefeated and had been a statewide favorite for many since August. Even the Greeley Tribune got into the business of pointing out the potential uphill struggle that Greeley High was facing. It reminded readers that the last time the Wildcats had been in the playoffs—a convincing 1948 semifinal loss to Grand Junction (28-14)—it had followed a grueling Northern Conference slate, not unlike the one just concluded by that year’s ‘Cats. The Tribune went as far as mentioning the possible missing “want-to-play” attitude that could accompany such a weary team (nonetheless, they picked the Wildcats to prevail). While such coverage from a hometown newspaper would seem unlikely today, it may have had encouraged a fox-hole mentality that aided the GHS squad’s preparations for the game.

On Saturday afternoon in front of over 6,000 fans (1,400 EHS students and faculty had arrived in Greeley by train-filling 29 railroad cars), Denver East and their vaunted single-wing offense scored two touchdowns in the first ten minutes of the opening quarter. Then a not-so-tired Wildcat squad took over and scored three touchdowns on methodical drives of 68, 74, and 74 yards, completely dominating the remainder of the contest. The ‘Cats earned three times as many first downs as the Angels and outgained them on the ground by nearly 100 yards. The defense, the Tribune noted, “quickly froze East’s running attack. The Angels bounced back off Greeley’s forward wall like ping
pong balls.” Final score GHS 21, EHS-13.

Perhaps senior guard Vernon Blaue best summed up the contest, “We outplayed East up and down the field.” After the game, the entire Wildcats team was treated to steak dinners at the Faculty Club. Only one obstacle remained between Greeley High and the state title: the Grand Junction Tigers, who had defeated Pueblo Central 21-6 in the other semifinal contest.

Game Thirteen: Saturday, Dec. 1-Playoff Game-State Finals vs. Grand Junction High School Tigers-GHS -34 GJHS-7. It seemed that all eyes and ears in Greeley were focused on the team and their coaches over at the “Castle” during the week of the championship game. Local sports fans learned from the Greeley Tribune that Grand Junction employed the T formation and was coached by Ed Whalley. Mostly though, it touted the Wildcats’ determination, their hustle and the team unity that had carried GHS all season long. As community excitement continued to build, the newspaper informed readers that the 1929 Greeley High state champs (11-0-1, tied Canon City 0-0 in the title game), were planning on a reunion at the game to show their support for the current ‘Cats, and also ran an article featuring Ray Kiley, the quarterback of GHS’s 1924 state champions (who defeated La Junta 35-7). He wished the team well. Lots of build-up to be sure.

But it seemed all was not well on the practice field. Coach Nolan and his top-notch staff of Pete D’Amato (Offensive Line-see 2023 HOF-biography), Bill Savage (Backfield), and Ivan Gilbaugh (B-Team coach and Head Scout), had likely noticed an air of over-confidence permeating the squad. The Wildcats had not looked good in practice Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Nolan, perhaps employing a bit of psychology, hoping to keep his players focused, informed the Tribune, “If we don’t improve, we’ll lose to Grand Junction by two touchdowns. Wednesday’s practice was the poorest offensive display in several weeks.” Nolan also noted that neither Ted Childers (bruised ribs), or Frank Morris (sore shoulder), were at full strength. Therefore, as the Tribune informed its readers, that “Another heavy scrimmage was on tap for Thursday, as Nolan and his aides sought to shake the Wildcats out of their lethargy.” Everyone in Greeley would have to stay tuned until 1:30 Saturday afternoon to find out how the ‘Cats would respond.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, after a parade through downtown Greeley, featuring both the GHS and visiting Grand Junction High marching bands, over 5,000 fans made their way to Jackson Field to watch the big game. Two GJHS fumbles in the first quarter foreshadowed the afternoon’s outcome for the Tigers. Those fumbles recovered by Wayne Nordell and Ken Schneider resulted in Ted Childers and Frank Morris touchdowns, and the rout was on. The Wildcats were clearly the better team and took advantage of additional Grand Junction miscues. GHS needed only one second half TD to secure the one-sided 34-7 victory. Greeley High had earned its fifth state football championship.

With nothing left to debate, well-deserved praise and statewide accolades were heaped upon the Wildcats. In all, 14 ‘Cats were named to the All-State team: First Team: Morris, Childers, Droegmueller and Second Team: Turner, Nordell, Blaue. Honorable Mention: Winters, Meyers, Hoff, Hoffner, Prothe, Schlagel, Phillips, Kindsfater.

A fantastic season for a team that less than four months earlier had been a source of concern for many local sports fans. Greeley eagerly embraced the 42 members and four coaches of the championship squad and became quite proud of these notable young men. Yet, over at GHS, faculty and students were already well aware of the character, intelligence and leadership of these football-playing Wildcats. Bill Droegmueller was president of student body and would earn the prestigious Gold G for leadership in May. Each class president for the 1951-52 school year were ‘Cats
gridders: Jerry Winters-Seniors, Phil Rivas-Juniors, Theo Holland-Sophomores. Likewise, all of the officers of the G-Club, (Ken Schlagel-President, Lloyd Kindsfater-Treasurer, Bob Lee-Secretary). Bryan Hoffner was an FFA officer, Ken Meyers, was voted ‘Best All-Around Cowboy at GHS’ by classmates, Frank Morris was elected president of the Lyre (music) Club. A multi-talented group indeed.

Perhaps the 1951 Wildcats’ most worthy legacy though was that they chose not only to lead by example but also to foster an attitude of genuine respect at the Castle. Gil Carbajal (GHS class of 1954), was asked recently about his memories of the ’51 team. As an incoming sophomore that fall, Gil was surprised at how he was treated, especially by the upper classmen on the football team. “They weren’t arrogant, they didn’t expect a person to get out of their way; they were good guys.” There’s a well-known saying at 1515 14th Avenue: “The Ghosts Are Watching.” And like the state champs from 1924 and 1929, who had been watching closely that December afternoon, the ghosts continued to watch as the 1951 Greeley High football champions made their mark on the future. Although the majority of these Wildcats have now passed on, they led outstanding and successful lives beyond Greeley High School. Many of the 17 seniors, 16 juniors and 5 sophomores would continue to play football, basketball, baseball, and compete in wrestling and track for colleges and universities their while earning degrees. They became engineers, physicians, veterinarians, prominent businessmen, lawyers, award-winning educators and coaches, successful farm and ranch owners, a national rodeo champion, a movie director for the National Cowboy Hall-of-Fame. Several made a career serving their country—an admiral, a recipient of the Silver Star in Vietnam, a naval aviator. And the majority became beloved husbands, fathers, and grandfathers. Yes, the 1951 Wildcats were truly UNFORGETTABLE.

Players: Seniors (17)	Players: Juniors (16)
Vernon Blaue-12-Right Guard	(Edwin) Knowles Anderson-29/34-Tackle
Ted Childers-77-Halfback	Terry Berg-28-End
Bob Croissant-66-Guard	Don Dahlstrom-33-Center
Bill Droegemueller-21-Center	John Farr-29-Right Tackle
Bill Graybill-30-Back	Delbert Hay-3-Back
Bob Hoff-2-Left Halfback	Bob Kindsfater-10-Guard
Bryan Hoffner-00-End	Clarence Kissler-99-Center
Lloyd Kindsfater-10-Left Guard	Dave Moeser-17-Guard
Frank Morris-15-Quarterback	Ben Murray-18-Tackle/Linebacker
Ken Meyers-11-Right Halfback	Larry Nims-22-Halfback/Quarterback
Wayne Nordell-55-Left Tackle	Bert Phillips-19-Halfback
Leonard Prothe-88-Right Tackle	Phil Rivas-14-Halfback
Ken Schlagel-5-Left End	Bob Sandberg-26-End
Ken Schneider-31-Guard	John Torrez-13-Halfback
Darrell Taylor-6-Left End	Jim Van Slyke-25-End/Punter
Allan Turner-16-Right End	Paul Weinhold-1-Halfback
Jerry Winters-20-Halfback
Players: Sophomores	(5) Managers:
Don Briscoe-27-End	(Bruce) Wylie Anderson
Bill Clark-13-Guard	Grant Milne
Don Green-17/23-Halfback/End	Norbert Martin
Theodus Holland-4-Halfback/Quarterback
Dick Schreiber-24-Tackle
Also Pictured in an End of the Season Greeley Tribune Photo:
Dick Fuert
Bruce Hahn
Bob Helton
Frank Simmons
Coaches:
Richard (Dick) Nolan-Head Coach, 1951 was his fourth year as head coach at GHS. His teaching duties included Boys P.E., Algebra, Head Football Coach, G Club Sponsor.
Pete D’Amato-Line Coach. Had been at GHS since 1943. His teaching duties included Vocational Agriculture, Metal Shop, Soph and B Team Basketball Coach, Head Baseball Coach.
Bill Savage-Backfield Coach. His teaching duties included Boys’ PE, World History, Biology.
Ivan Gilbaugh-B Team Coach and Head Scout. His teaching duties included Mechanical Drawing, Head Wrestling and Golf Coach, B.A. (Boys Association-intramural program), Co-sponsor.

 

High school baseball began as a sanctioned sport in Colorado and the Northern Conference in 1949. While some schools around the state may have been behind the curve — so to speak — in embracing this addition to the spring sports season, Greeley High School was not one of them. For over two decades baseball in Greeley had played an integral role in local athletics and the community’s passion for the game crossed both ethnic and racial lines. Local sport fans closely followed manager Alvin Garcia’s perennial powerhouse — the Greeley Grays of the Rocky Mountain League, as well as Coach L. C. “Pete” Butler’s nationally acclaimed Colorado State College of Education teams (from 1949 to 1957, nine straight RMAC Conference titles, five NCAA-District seven titles).

Each spring Greeley’s youngsters vied for a spot on the American Legion and Rocky Grays squads. The ballfields at Island Grove, the Spanish Colony, and beginning in 1948, Carrol Forbes’ diamond, were jammed with players and spectators every summer. The coaches — Garcia of the Grays, Guy Reiff and George Sage of Lasalle’s Legion team, and in particular, Pete D’Amato (see 2023 HOF biography), Greeley’s Legion and GHS’s skipper — worked tirelessly in the summers teaching sound fundamentals and developing the area’s baseball prospects.

Coinciding with the Chinook winds in late February, folks began discussing how the 1957 GHS nine might fare. The ‘Cats had won the Northern Conference title five of those first eight years (1950, 51, 52, 53, 56), and were coming off an impressive 21-3 season as state runners-up-having lost a heart-breaking final to Pueblo Central (7-6). Many wondered how Coach D’Amato would replace 1956 Wildcat pitching aces — Larry Anderson and Frank Carbajal (see 2023 HOF biography), who had combined for eight shutouts. A majority likely agreed the 1957 ‘Cats had plenty of talented athletes returning and as usual would be a gritty bunch. But just how good would they prove to be? The answer: The most successful baseball team ever to represent Greeley High-Greeley Central High. Their 16-1 record and a state championship the proof of that claim.

March 1957 was indeed a good time to be a fan of Wildcat athletics. The GHS basketball team had just finished celebrating its back-to-back state championships at the Denver Coliseum, the ‘Cats tennis team had begun its trek toward winning an eighth straight Northern Conference title (and finished as state runners-up in May), and the baseball team, on Friday, March 29, opened the non-league season by pounding Brighton High 13-0. Sophomore right-hander Jon Melander and lefty Marty Hernandez, two of the four pitchers Coach D’Amato was counting on — along with mainstays Russ Porter (R), and Jerry Tellez (L) — combined for the shutout. The 10 runs the ‘Cats scored in the 4th inning proved costly to the Bulldogs. However, too bad for the Wildcats that March has 31 days.

The following day Greeley High traveled to Denver to take on Cathedral High School in another non-league tilt. Russ Porter recorded eight strikeouts and the ‘Cats scored six runs. Unfortunately, GHS committed six errors, left 10 men on base and Cathedral scored seven runs. It was no doubt a quiet bus ride home, except perhaps for Coach D’Amato and assistants Dale Thompson (see 2023 HOF biography), Reggie Figal and Mel Josephson discussing the uncharacteristic effort they had just witnessed. While no one could have known that this one-run loss would be the last defeat of the 1957 season, everyone on the bus was certainly looking forward to April.

If the old saying; “April showers bring May flowers” is true, that spring should have gone something like, “April showers bring more April showers.” For the first ten days of the month, rain and snow pelted fields and courts throughout the state. D’Amato and his fellow Front Range coaches spent a good deal of time on the telephone trying to salvage as many of their upcoming games as possible. What had been a 22-game schedule, including three double-headers, suddenly became a 14-game season.

The Wildcats eventually began Northern conference play at home on Friday, April 12, against Longmont. The hard throwing right-hander Porter pitched the first of his two, two-hit shutouts in conference play. He struck out 14 Trojan batters enroute to a complete game performance. When asked by the Greeley Tribune how it felt, Russ replied succinctly, “It felt great.” Second baseman Don Martin, first baseman Sam Lopez and speedy outfielder Jerry Tellez (Abe Garcia, GHS class of 1960, recently recalled: “We called Jerry ‘Ricochet Rabbit’ because he was so fast.”). Each of them knocked in runs (RBIs) to seal the victory.

The following Tuesday the ‘Cats travelled to Fort Collins to face the Lambkins. Lefty Jerry Tellez, with his big-breaking curve ball, began on the hill for GHS. The game was tied 3-3 heading into the sixth inning until Wildcat third baseman John Blatnick singled to left to score catcher Don Nuss. Three more ‘Cats’ base-runners crossed the plate in the inning. Centerfielder Doug Frederiksen’s two singles and Martin’s two RBI made the final score 7-3. Porter got the win in relief of Tellez and a noisier bus returned to Greeley.

The following day, Greeley High played a non-league home game against Adams City High School. While the visitors used four pitchers in the game, the Wildcats needed only one: left-hander Marty Hernandez. He struck out four and gave up only two hits on the day. The Greeley Tribune described how Eagle hitters struggled the entire game to adjust to Hernandez, “whose slow, deceptive pitching had Adams City fooled.” Six GHS runs in the 1st inning and a Sam Lopez inside-the-park home run in the 4th , sealed Marty’s 10-1 pitching victory.

On Saturday April 20, GHS traveled back to Denver to play a double-header against Regis High School. In game one — while the ‘Cats defense turned three double-plays behind him — Tellez limited the Raiders to just six hits. Third baseman Blatnick and shortstop Dunn Marteen each had three hits and Lopez, Martin and right fielder Roger Alexander collected two hits apiece in the 16-2 win. Porter pitched the entire second game, allowing only six hits. Buoyed again by clutch fielding from backups-first baseman Leo Soliz, second baseman Ken Miyoshi, and third baseman Alan Brunz — and timely late-inning hitting from Blatnick and Lopez, Porter — and the Wildcats claimed a 6-2 victory.

When asked about the sweep by Greeley Tribune reporter Paul Maloney, Coach D’ Amato said that he was pleased with the ‘Cats defense and that “the boys played their best games of the season.” The following Tuesday, in what became one of the most memorable games of the season, the Wildcats hosted the Englewood Pirates in an important league matchup. Russ Porter again took the hill but got into trouble in the 5th inning, as the GHS defense committed two errors behind him. Tellez came in and relieved Porter, but the ‘Cats were down three runs heading into the bottom of the 6th. Incredibly, Greeley High scored four runs on just one hit before the inning was over. The Pirates committed three errors and hit two ‘Cats batters in the frame. Marteen plated the tying run and left fielder Brad Swanson notched the winning score. The narrow, improbable 6-5 victory would play a large part in the
Wildcats eventual conference championship.

Heading into May, with just the one non-league setback, Greeley High became the team to beat in the Northern Conference. On Friday, May 3, the ‘Cats entertained Sterling High School. The Wildcats started Russ Porter, the Tigers Lyle Wohlers. Porter gave up his lone earned run in the first inning and then settled down to strike out 11 SHS batters. The ‘Cats exploded for nine runs on eight hits in the 3rd inning. Catcher Pat Baggot and Marteen each had three hits on the day, and Blatnick, Frederiksen and Martin added two each in the lopsided 15-1 victory.

The following Saturday, May 11, the ‘Cats traveled to Boulder to play a pivotal conference game against the Panthers. Porter threw a masterpiece. He struck out eight BHS batters in the second of his two-hit shutouts in Northern play. Wildcat hitters collected 10 knocks with Baggot and Swanson getting GHS’ two all-important RBI to seal the 2-0 win. The following Tuesday, May 14, the ‘Cats, needing one more victory to clinch their fifth Northern Conference championship in the past seven seasons, played host to the Loveland Indians. The Wildcats backed starting pitcher Jerry Tellez with an offensive barrage. Dunn Marteen, the star of the game went five-for-five from the platter (as the Greeley Tribune referred to the plate), with four singles and a triple, and six RBIs, pushing his season
batting average to .400. Lopez and Swanson added two hits apiece, and the ‘Cats won 21-1 to repeat as Northern Conference champs (GHS had not dropped a league contest since a 6-2 setback to Englewood High in 1955).

The Wildcats rounded out their weather-shortened season in May, with two additional non-league contests against Cheyenne’s Junior Legion squad, since Wyoming didn’t sponsor prep-baseball (as of 2023, Wyoming and South Dakota are the only two states that still don’t offer organized high school baseball). GHS won both very competitive games. On May 4, Jerry Tellez tallied nine strikeouts and allowed just three hits, as GHS had to come from behind in the 4th inning to tie the game. The Wildcats finally went ahead in the 6th after a Marteen walk and singles from Tellez and Swanson loaded the bases. Don Nuss’s sacrifice bunt scored both Marteen and Swanson and the ‘Cats prevailed 4-2. In a final tune-up before the playoffs on May 18, Marty Hernandez won his third game of the year, allowing just two hits to Cheyenne’s batters, as he Tellez and Porter combined for a 7-2 victory.

On Tuesday, May 21, the Wildcats traveled south to play Wheat Ridge High School, the champions of the Central Suburban League in the opening round of the state playoffs. In a matchup of two of the state’s outstanding pitchers, Greeley’s Porter (5-1) faced off with the Farmers’ Ron Simeone (5-1). But the game’s unquestioned hero was Sam Lopez, who began the day hitting an impressive .413, and had doubled home three runs in the 3rd inning, after fighting off a 1-2 count. He later added a home run (incredibly the only home run by a Wildcat hitter the entire season — although Lopez had an inside-the-park four-bagger earlier in the year). Greeley Tribune reporter Paul Maloney reminded readers that, “Mind you, it wasn’t all Lopez. Masterful clutch pitching by Russ Porter (allowed only seven hits, struck out six and didn’t extend any free passes), sharp infielding and alertness by the Wildcat outfielders both on offense and defense were integral. It was baseball at its best.”

Certainly, the final stanza was, but two Wildcat errors in the sixth inning allowed the Farmers to plate three runs and then Porter gave up three straight singles in the eighth that enabled WRHS to tie the game. Simeone matched Porter’s effort except for a lone, fateful walk in the 9th inning to Lopez. The game was knotted at 4-4 heading into the 9th. Lopez led off the inning, stretching the at-bat to a full count when Simeone missed on the outside corner and Sam drew the walk. After Dunn Marteen lined out to right-center field, and with Brad Swanson at the plate, Sam put the Wildcats on his shoulders. He proceeded to steal second base on the first pitch to Swanson and third base on the next pitch. On the third pitch Swanson hit a hard grounder to shortstop, Lopez broke for home and beat the high throw to score the go-ahead run. The ‘Cats last run came after Rich Rangel was hit by a Simeone pitch and he and Swanson advanced on a passed ball, then Swanson scored on an error. The Wildcats’ final two runs came without a hit; they closed out the Farmers in the bottom of the inning and won 6-4. Next up for GHS; the state semifinals at Jackson Field in Greeley, on Friday, May 24.

During the week leading up to Friday’s matchup with Durango High’s Demons, Greeley fans got to know more about the ‘Cats opponent. DHS. The South-Central League-west division champs were 8-5, and were coached by Ward Lee. Shortstop Wes Hill (.426) and third baseman Thurman Babb (.367) powered the Demon offense. Lee would start a lefty named John Seale with a 6-2 record and respectable 2.25 earned run average (ERA). Coach D’Amato had three outstanding pitchers to choose from. Porter (6-1), Tellez (4-0), and Hernandez (3-0), who had accounted for 13 of the ‘Cats 14 wins on the year. Tellez’s curve ball had been difficult for hitters to judge all season. Porter’s fastball
was equally hard to put into play, and as the Greeley Tribune reminded its readers, he wasn’t afraid to throw it high and tight to batters. Regardless of who pitched for the ‘Cats, their offense was just as impressive. Lopez, hitting 21/49 (.429), Marteen 20/51 (.392), and Blatnick (.333), were each a threat to hit every at bat. D’Amato would start Porter.

Ironically, 1957’s semifinal game on Friday had to be postponed due to heavy rains that soaked Jackson Field and was rescheduled for Saturday morning. Under clearing skies in the 4th inning, the ‘Cats broke through. Déjà vu from Tuesday’s game. Lopez drew a key walk, then Dunn Marteen tripled to score him and Dunn scored on Pat Baggot’s sacrifice bunt. In the 5th, John Blatnick singled, Doug Frederiksen drew a walk, and Don Martin laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Marteen sacrificed Blatnick home, and finally, Baggot’s clutch single brought home Frederiksen and Martin. The Wildcats were comfortably ahead 5-0 when Porter gave up his only two runs in the game in the 6th inning. Porter finished the contest by striking out nine and allowing just two hits to Durango’s batters. GHS won 5-2, but lost the services of second baseman Don Martin who injured his back in the game and would be unavailable for the finals that afternoon.

The much-anticipated state championship game that afternoon pitted the Wildcats against Denver South High’s Rebels (9-1), co-champions of the Denver Prep League (they tied Denver East for the league title and then bested East 9-6 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, May 21). South defeated Colorado Springs (Palmer), 2-0 behind Nick Willhite’s six hit performance in the other state semi-final game. Jerry Tellez would start on the hill for GHS; Willhite a lefty, for South. Both teams breezed through the tense first three innings. Then trouble for the ‘Cats in the 4th inning. With the bases loaded and only one out, South managed two runs.

Coach D’Amato brought Russ Porter in relief of Tellez and the ‘Cats got out of the inning. Still down 2-0 in the 6th , the Wildcats finally broke through with clutch hitting from Sam Lopez, Rich Rangel, (playing second base for Martin) and Brad Swanson. Doug Frederiksen got things started with a single. Porter laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Willhite threw the ball over the first baseman’s head. Lopez then scored Frederiksen on a sacrifice fly to center, and Swanson followed with a single to score Porter. Baggot drew a walk, then Rangel singled to score Swanson. The ‘Cats led 3-2. That was all Porter would need.

In five-and-two-thirds innings of relief, He struck out four, didn’t allow a walk and gave up only two hits, allowing no more Rebels to score. The Wildcats picked up insurance runs in the 8th (two runs) and 9th (two runs), as a result of additional RBI hits from Rangel and Lopez after patient at bats that resulted in walks and sacrifices for several ‘Cats batters. In a recent interview with Rich Rangel, when asked about the Wildcats getting nine hits off of South’s Willhite (who went on to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers), he responded, “We hit him pretty good.” Indeed, they did; final score GHS 7, Denver South 2. Greeley High’s Wildcats were state champs. The Greeley Tribune’s headline
announced it for all Greeley sports fans: “Greeley Cops 1957 AA Baseball Championship.”

After seven conference championships and two heart-wrenching runners-up finishes (1953-lost 3-2 in 11 innings to Denver North and 1956’s 7-6 loss), Greeley High’s Wildcats were finally state champions. The first-place trophy was received by Don Martin, Doug Frederiksen, and Russ Porter. Seven Wildcats were named to the All-Tournament team: Russ Porter-P, Sam Lopez-1B, Dunn Marteen-SS, JohnBlatnick-3B, Brad Swanson-LF, Pat Baggot-C, and Rich Rangel-Utility Player. Two ‘Cats earned All-Tournament Honorable-Mention: Doug Frederiksen-CF, and Don Martin-2B. Three Greeley High players were named All-State for the season by the Denver Post: Russ Porter-P, Sam Lopez-1B, and Brad Swanson-LF. The following week Coach D’Amato, co-captains Don Martin and Doug Frederiksen and the team presented the championship trophy to principal Wendell Wilson in front of an all-school assembly.

For a tradition-laden school that had been winning state championships since 1909, one could assume that another banner while appreciated, celebrated and noted-was not earth shaking. That was not the case with this championship. While GHS had several basketball, tennis, football and track titles, this was the school’s first baseball championship, and it was special. The Wildcats on this team had steadfastly upheld Greeley High’s dominance of Northern Conference baseball (GHS won 19 straight Northern games beginning with the 1955 season), and kept alive a ‘Cats’ record of having never lost a game to Loveland, Sterling or Fort Morgan. And, of course adding another to those four Northern Conference championships in the past six seasons.

These Wildcats, representing the diversity of the community, were a close-knit group that supported each other through thick and thin and set that standard for future GHS diamond squads. Third baseman John Blatnick confirmed this recently when he remarked, “We all helped each other out, everyone got along fine.” They had grown up in Greeley learning to play smart, fundamental baseball and most would stay close to the game for the rest of their lives. Painted on the wall of GCHS’s Thompson locker room today is the adage, “Tradition never graduates,” and the 1957 baseball Wildcats made sure of it.

And like their 1951 football counterparts, once these ‘Cats left GHS, they too made their mark on the future. Many of the seven seniors, 14 juniors and 12 sophomores would continue to play football, basketball, baseball and compete in wrestling for colleges and universities their while earning degrees. Although many have passed on, they led outstanding and successful lives. They became respected businessmen, restaurateurs, government workers, and prominent farm and ranch owners. Several chose to serve their country in the armed forces. Others became award-winning educators and state champion coaches, having lengthy, distinguished careers coaching area teams. Fittingly, some of their sons have also become accomplished coaches in the Greeley area. And as with their 1951 counterparts, most became beloved husbands, fathers and grandfathers. For folks around Greeley in 1957, there was now a new-old saying, “April showers bring May trophies — big shiny ones.”

The Pitchers:	The Catchers:	The Managers:
Russ Porter-Jr.	Pat Baggot-So.	Bill Moore-Jr.
Jerry Tellez-Jr.	Don Nuss-Sr.	George Meissner-So.
Marty Hernandez-Jr.	Richard Koskie-So.	Joe Romero-Sr.
Jon Melander-So.	Don Adams-So.	Gerry Thompson-So.
Marty Bain-Jr.
The Outfielders:		The Infielders:
Roger Alexander-Sr.		Sam Lopez-Jr.
Doug Frederiksen-Sr.		Don Martin-Sr.
Brad Swanson-Jr.		Dunn Marteen-Jr.
Rich Rangel-Jr.		John Blatnick-Jr.
Tom Good-Jr.		Allen Brunz-So.
Walker Miller-Sr.		Ken Miyoshi-Jr.
Clark Swisher-So.		Leo Soliz-Jr.
Dave Martin-So.		Verne Karlin-So.
Bob Nuanez-Jr.		Gerald Folger-So.
		Jerry Ratliff-So.
		Jim Odle-Sr.
The Coaches:
Pete D’Amato: He had been at GHS since 1943. His teaching duties included vocational agriculture, metal shop, sophomore basketball coach, line coach football, head baseball coach. He began the baseball program at GHS in 1949.
Dale Thompson: He had been at GHS since 1952. His teaching duties included algebra, geometry, JV basketball coach, JV football coach, assistant baseball coach.
Reggie ‘Reg’ Figal. Student assistant coach: He coached while completing his B.A. degree at Colorado State College on a football scholarship and went on to teach and coach at Walsenburg and Craig. He then became the principal of Windsor High School from 1966-1982.
Melvin ‘Mel’ Josephson. Student assistant coach: He coached while completing his B.A. degree Colorado State College. A 1953 graduate of GHS and a pitcher for the Wildcats, he went on to teach and coach at Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Casper Wyoming, and then became a principal at East Junior High in Casper.

 

Written by the family of Pete D’Amato

Pete D’Amato was born in February 1918, the third of five children of John and Concetta D’Amato, Italian immigrants who came to the United States in 1889. He was born in the CF&I Company’s iron-ore mining town of Sunrise, Wyoming, where John worked as a laborer on the railroad. In 1928 the D’Amato family moved to Welby, Colorado, north of Denver, to start a vegetable farm. There Pete graduated from Assumption High. He was the first in his family to attend college, at Colorado State College, playing both football and baseball. During his senior year, he joined the Navy, where he spent two years stationed in San Diego. He came back to Greeley to graduate in 1941 with an industrial arts degree. He married Lillian Baird. His first teaching job was in Hugo, Colorado, then he went on to Greeley High in 1943. While working at Greeley High in 1948, he completed his master’s degree from Colorado State College.

In 1949, baseball became a Colorado high school sport. Pete helped organize the Northern Colorado high school baseball league and was Greeley High School’s first and only head baseball coach until he retired in 1969. The Greeley Tribune said: “...Pete’s Boys never had a losing season, compiling a .744 total game-winning percentage, capturing 14 league titles, the State title in 1957, and his teams took second in 1953, 1956 and 1958 ...”

Throughout Pete’s career, fans crowded along the 16th Street fence line to watch the home games. Away games found dozens of cars following the team bus to support the ‘Cats. In town, radios in nearly every business and barbershop were tuned to KFKA, listening to every inning. His teams created a pride of community and were respected and feared by every opposing team. After 20 years of coaching baseball at Greeley High (now Greeley Central) Pete had come to be known and respected throughout Colorado and well beyond. He became known as the “Dean of Colorado High School Baseball Coaches.” He was so renowned by the time of his retirement that it was announced even in the Japan Times.

Pete was known for his innovation in baseball strategy. He expected your best and coached by giving you his best. He was also known for his tough, fair treatment of players. Pete was also known for his strong desire to see his players excel both on and off the field, as well as beyond their high school years. He would spend countless hours trying to make local college coaches such as Pete Butler and Bob Blasi aware of his players’ talents. He also used his extensive people network across the state and beyond to ensure his former players’ success.

In addition, Pete was the Legion Summer League coach for 15 years. During that time, “His teams compiled a .716 winning percentage, with back-to-back-to back State titles in 1963-1964-1965, placing 3rd in the Legion National Region 8 tournament in 1963.” Both these coaching accomplishments were unequaled at the time of his retirement and still are today throughout Colorado high school baseball.

Pete’s commitment to Greeley High athletics went beyond baseball. He was the assistant football coach and line coach from 1947-1966, enjoying well-earned State Championships. He assisted Coach Jim Baggot in basketball as his varsity team scout and the sophomore boys coach from 1943-1968. Pete took great pride working side by side with Baggot, who was inducted into Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. They worked for decades at Greeley High developing the athletic skills of hundreds of young men, many of whom would go on to successful college careers.

Pete was always committed to the community and its youth. He introduced such events as the “King of Swat” program and conducted clinics for community youth. He brought in professional players, coaches and professional scouts to help. He made time for all Greeley youth, making sure everyone had equal access to equipment and instruction of baseball fundamentals.

Furthermore, Pete was the driving force behind the formation of the original Greeley-Evans Little League, with its first field in Evans being named in his honor. He was helped by several key community leaders and the assistance of the City of Greeley. Also, while busy coaching and serving the district, Pete spearheaded the idea of a memorial baseball park. He led the fund drives and organized work parties in the development of Butch Butler Baseball Field in Greeley.

Some of his other community involvement ranged from serving on and as chairman of the Greeley Parks and Recreation board from 1976-1984, post commander of American Legion Post 18, exalted ruler of Elks Lodge, and Elk of the Year in 1966, to the Knights of Columbus and the 40-8 and Last Patrol Veterans associations. Pete retired in June 1978 after serving the Greeley School District for 35 years.

Pete took great pride witnessing Jim Baggot’s induction into Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. It was also a special moment for him to witness Greeley Central High School Athletic Director Greg Riddoch being inducted into the Hall in 2000 and his student Frank Carbajal in 2012. Besides coaching, Pete was an educator. His Weld County District 6 career included:

• Greeley High School industrial arts teacher, 1943-1969.
• Assistant principal, then principal, of Heath Junior High.
• District 6 assistant director of pupil services.

In honor of his commitment to community youth, Pete received the Pop Warner District Service Award for Service to Youth in 1960, and the Jaycee Fitness Award in 1966. Pete served 15 years as chairman of the AAA High School Baseball Committee. His dedication and commitment earned him honors such as Colorado High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1969, induction into the Colorado High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1973, the Colorado Sports Grand Ole Game Hall of Fame in 1977, and the School District 6 Coaches Hall of Fame.

Interestingly, Pete was also made an honorary member of the Colorado High School Baseball Umpires Association in 1984. It was rumored the honor came from the long and sometimes descriptive conversations he conducted with umpires at home plate over 20 years of coaching.

Witnessing his young men not only giving 110% on the field but also playing in higher level sports from college and professional level, as well as The Greeley Grays, was a great source of satisfaction for Pete. Further, seeing them move into adulthood, serving their country, their communities and broadening the minds and spirit of youth through sports and education, were sources of great pride.

Memories of Pete

By Connie (D’Amato) Devereaux

Dad was ahead of his time with wanting to include all kids in his sports programs. He heard about Hispanic kids playing baseball during the day at Forbes Field. He went over several times and watched the kids playing with worn-out equipment. He decided he would provide some equipment for them. Eventually, he brought the kids into his baseball program. Several of the boys were very gifted athletes who went on to success in school academics and athletics.

One time, at a game in Louisville, a fan was yelling nasty insults at the team in Italian. She thought she would not be understood. Dad understood what was being said. In support of his athletes, he gathered his team together, went up into the stands and confronted that person in Italian. The team then left. He took them out to dinner and brought them home. No one was going to treat Pete’s Boys like that!

Dad truly loved his teams. In the summer of 1963, his Legion-Elks baseball team had won the state tournament and traveled to a regional tournament. They then returned home. Butch Butler, a three-star athlete had graduated from Greeley High School that spring. He had gone tubing in Montana and tragically drowned. This was the only time I had ever seen my dad cry. This spurred my dad and a committee of supporters to plan and eventually create Butch Butler Baseball Field—a memorial to one of Pete’s Boys.

By Jerry D’Amato

I played football, baseball and basketball with Dad as my coach. However, there was no extra coaching after practices or at home because he felt it would give me an advantage. He explained he wanted all his players to have the same coaching. However, whenever he needed someone to point out what not to do during practice he used me as an example – that helped me too. He would just tell me later that he knew my parents and they would not be upset with him. He also made sure I earned my playing time so it did not appear he was favoring me.

Our dad was a role model for all his athletes but to us, he was simply Dad.

By Ken D’Amato

Every day after school I would run to the field to watch practice and “run” the bases for infield situation drills with the rest of the team. As batboys, Henry Thompson and I grew up going to every home and away game, even riding the team bus to every away game. Over the years, Dad made sure I “listened and absorbed” strategy. Sadly, he retired in 1969, before my senior year on the varsity, but I was able to be part of post-season squads in 1968-1969. A lifetime of memories.

Recent Stories From Greeley High Players About Coach D’Amato

Compiled by the GHS/GCHS HOF Committee

In an interview last summer, Gil Carbajal (GHS class of ’54) and Abe Garcia (GHS class of ’60) shared many fond memories of Pete D’Amato. Every story seemed to end with a variation of the same line: “Coach D’Amato loved his players to the max; he defended us.”

Coach D’Amato’s football players also had fond memories of their coach. Allan Turner (GHS class of ’52), who played offensive and defensive end for the ‘Cats on the ’49-’51 football teams, remembers D’Amato’s important work from the press box during games during the championship season of 1951, and as the assistant coach for the offensive and defensive lines for the Wildcats.

Dave Droegemueller (GHS class of ’55), played football, wrestled and ran track for the ‘Cats, remembers how Coach D’Amato made the metal shop run smoothly despite some equipment/materials that had likely been around awhile (World War II surplus). He said, “Pete was wonderful.”

Larry Hoffner (GHS class of ’56), offensive and defensive end for the ‘Cats on the ’53-55 teams, had a concise description of his football coach: “Heart of Gold, mean as heck. He gave us good direction.” Larry remembers the ‘Cats homecoming game against Sterling his senior year. “I had a pretty good-game, I think I had 15-16 tackles. After the game Coach D’Amato said, ‘you played a hell of a game.’ That meant a lot to me, because it came from Pete.” Hoffner also played baseball for
D’Amato.

John Blatnick (GHS class of ’58) played football, basketball and baseball for the ‘Cats. During the three years that he played for coach, he remembers D’Amato’s “gravelly voice” and his demanding infield instruction, and the consequences if you failed to meet his expectations. Rich Rangel (GHS class of ’58) played football, basketball, and baseball for the ‘Cats. He told of how Coach D’Amato sent Rich’s game films to the Colorado State College football coaches. Rangel believes that D’Amato’s belief in him and his commitment to advocate for him is why the CSC staff
offered him a football scholarship. Rangel continued, “I liked playing for Coach D’Amato. He taught me discipline. He was very strict and disciplined at times. I really got to know and respect him when I taught woodshop next to Pete’s metal shop for several years (1965-69).”

Rangel was also Pete’s assistant coach for several years. He told a story about when the district leadership, worried about discipline at their junior high school, asked Pete if he would take over as principal at Heath Junior High. Rangel said that D’Amato told them he would take the job at Heath only if they agreed to make Rich Rangel the next head baseball coach at GCHS. (Rangel was GCHS’s head coach for three successful seasons, including Ken D’Amato’s senior season.)

“He was a gentle giant,” Rangel said.

A recent survey of the high school coaching profession found that only 11 percent of coaches last more than 11 years in the occupation. Thirty percent quit after one to two years, and 22 percent last less than a year. Clearly, Wildcat Hall of Fame coach Dale Thompson would have skewed that research toward the high end. Coach Thompson patrolled the sidelines in three sports, football, basketball, and baseball for 20 years, then spent another 10 years coaching Wildcat golfers before his retirement. It’s safe to say that no coach in the history of Greeley High School/Greeley Central High School touched the lives of more Wildcat athletes than Dale Thompson.

Dale Henry Thompson was born on September 8, 1925, in Loveland, Colorado. He attended Loveland High School and graduated in 1943. While at Loveland High, he played football, basketball and baseball. He was an All-State tight end on the 1942 LHS state championship football team. Some of the old-timers in Loveland still believe Thompson was the finest all-around athlete ever to play in that town.

Upon graduation he served in the U.S. Navy in WWII. He was honorably discharged on August 31, 1946, with the rank of radioman first class. After military service, Thompson attended Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1950. He went on to get his master’s degree from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins in 1953.

His first teaching job was at Weldona, where he coached every sport the small school offered. “Getting a job was not a big problem,” Thompson recalled in an interview. “They needed math teachers and coaches. I had two kids on my football team who had never seen a football.” In the same interview, Thompson recalled the time before a game when one of the Weldona football players came to him and asked, “If I intercept a pass, coach, which way do I run with the ball?” Weldona played six-man football, and Friday nights were a football event in the Platte Valley. Thompson made his mark with the buck-lateral series, where, he said, “Almost anything goes.”

In the fall of 1952, a physical education teaching position opened up at an elementary school in Greeley. That job lasted a year, then Thompson moved to Greeley High School to teach math and become an assistant football, basketball and baseball coach, serving under two Hall of Fame coaching legends, Pete D’Amato and Jim Baggot. From 1953 through 1965, Thompson was instrumental in helping to bring five state basketball titles, one state football title and one state baseball title to Greeley High. As the junior varsity coach for Baggot’s program, Thompson’s “Kittens” rarely lost more than a game or two each season. It was understood that Thompson was grooming the next year’s state champions.

In both the 1954-55 and 1957-58 seasons, after some players violated team rules, Coach Baggot dismissed several starters from the varsity squad. Thompson’s JV players stepped in for them, won the Northern Conference and made deep runs in the state tournaments those years. Randy Rouse (GCHS class of ‘67), a long-time Greeley-area basketball coach, played for Thompson. According to Rouse, while Baggot was recognized for being the architect of the highly successful Wildcats’ pressing and fast-break style, “much of Baggot’s success was due to Dale. After playing for Dale, I realized how vital Dale was to Baggot’s success. Baggot was the innovator, but Dale was the guy who made the adjustments that led to much of the success.”

Thompson succeeded Coach Baggot as the head coach of the Wildcats for the 1964-65 season. That same year, Greeley opened up a new high school. In addition to a name change (Greeley High was now known as Greeley Central), Thompson and the other Wildcat coaches had to contend with a new reality: the athletic population — and possibly the talent — in town was now split between two high schools. Nevertheless, in Thompson’s first season as varsity coach, the Wildcats went 14-4, won the Northern Conference Championship and qualified for the state tournament. The ‘Cats defeated Westminster in the opening round but lost in the semifinals to Denver East and finished fourth in the state.

In 1965-66, Thompson’s Wildcats went undefeated in conference play for the first time since 1960 on their way to a 16-2 regular season record. The ‘Cats again qualified for the state tournament, their 18th time in 20 seasons. After a quarterfinal victory over Air Academy, Greeley Central stumbled in the semifinals, finishing fourth in the state.

In 1966-67, the ‘Cats again went undefeated in conference play and set a new school record for scoring by averaging 76.0 points per game. The Wildcats went 16-1 in the regular season, beat Pueblo County 91-60 in the first round of the state tournament but lost to eventual state champion Thomas Jefferson in the semifinals.

In 1967-68, the Wildcats finally lost a Northern Conference game, the regular season finale to Longmont. The loss ended the ‘Cats’ 31-game conference winning streak. Greeley Central rolled through the Northern Conference Tournament, then won a playoff game against the Trojans to head to the state tournament for the 20th time in 22 seasons. At state the ‘Cats beat Regis High 64-63 in the quarterfinals but lost 77-74 to Pueblo Centennial in the semifinals. The Wildcats rebounded to beat Widefield 63-62 in the third-place game on a last second 12-foot shot by Thompson’s son Henry (“Hank”).

The Wildcats claimed the #1 spot in the state’s hoops rankings for four weeks during the 1968-69 season. They finished second in the Northern Conference that year but again won the conference tournament and district tournament on their way to Greeley Central’s “home away from home,” as Thompson called it, the Denver Coliseum and the state tournament. Central lost the tournament opener 82-80 to Widefield but bounced back to win the next two games to claim the consolation championship. The Wildcats finished that season 21-2, both losses by only two points.

The 1969-70 season was notable for a couple of reasons. As had become the custom under Thompson, the ‘Cats finished with a stellar record, and after defeating Broomfield and Longmont in the district playoffs, they advanced to the state tournament at the Denver Coliseum. Additionally, Wildcat forward Hank Thompson was ending his stellar three-year Wildcat career after having set numerous school records (including the single-game scoring record — 45 points against Denver South, and scoring 1,005 points over three seasons). Hank’s 25.1 points per game average helped him earn All-Northern, All-State and All-American (Sunkist Prep) honors his senior year.

Thompson coached the Wildcats for two more seasons, amassing more wins, and directing the ‘Cats’ attack in the same aggressive full-court style that Wildcat fans had become accustomed to for the past 30 years. He retired as Greeley Central’s head basketball coach at the end of the 1971-72 campaign.

Thompson remained the head boys golf coach until his retirement from teaching at GCHS in 1982. He received numerous awards and accolades at the end of his career. Most notably, he was inducted into the Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1984. He was inducted into District 6’s Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1986.

During the 1970s, Thompson was also a highly respected high school football and basketball referee. As a result, he became a Lifetime Honorary Member of both the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials and the Colorado Football Officials Association. In 1985 the Greeley Central student body presented Thompson with the Pride, Class and Dignity Award for his years of service and dedication to the students of Greeley High School/Greeley Central High School.

It is difficult to imagine another educator who had a more profound impact on a school than Dale Thompson had on Greeley High/Greeley Central High School. In his 30-year career at the Castle, he helped build and sustain the greatest basketball program the state has ever seen. His teams reeled off a string of 31 straight victories in the always-tough Northern Conference, and they dominated the conference tournament. Thompson’s Wildcats were a fixture at the Denver Coliseum every year at state tournament time. He coached champions in four different sports, and he was an outstanding teacher. Larry Hoffner (GHS class of ’56-see HOF-2023-biography), recently said about Thompson’s approach to his players: “I felt like Coach understood me. He would give you confidence.”

More importantly, however, was the way the man carried himself. His character shaped the culture of the school in ways that are still evident today. His loyalty to Central was unquestioned. Long-time Wildcat coach Bill Kyger, Thompson’s JV coach for several seasons, said recently, “Dale was offered the head coaching job at Fort Collins High, and he turned them down flat.”

Thompson’s affection for Greeley High/Greeley Central was shared by his wife Dorothy, a nurse at the Greeley Hospital. It was common knowledge around Greeley that for many, many years, parents would find orange Wildcat “souvenirs” in their newborns’ cribs.

In a nod to Thompson’s influence, the boys’ basketball program in 2008 renamed their locker room in his honor. Pictures, quotes and other memorabilia from him adorn the locker room walls. Rouse also had this to say about his former coach: “Dale was easy to play for, a rock-solid kind of guy. And he was a great teacher of the game.”

After his retirement, Thompson stayed close to Greeley Central. He often attended Wildcat practices and almost never missed a game. He mentored young coaches at GCHS and imparted his decades of common-sense knowledge to them. One of his most memorable phrases was, “Coaching is like a hot bath; the longer you're in it, it ain’t so hot.”

But his mantra, the one that was handwritten on his basketball score books and now graces the wall above current Wildcats’ lockers is: “The only game we want to win is the next one.” Thompson died in 2007. He and Dorothy have a daughter, Lynn (GCHS class of 1969), and son, Hank (GCHS class of 1970).

The June 14, 1954, issue of Life magazine featured a picture essay of the dating habits of typical teenage couples in a typical midwestern American community. The magazine chose Greeley (on the advice of Life Denver bureau chief Bill Ogle, who had attended high school here). Life was looking for couples who were “going steady” and found that about 25% of Greeley’s high schoolers fit into that category. If Life’s photographer Carl Iwasaki had looked more closely, perhaps into the 8th Avenue Gym where the Greeley High Wildcats played, he would have seen of a number of Greeley students that were otherwise “spoken for.” They were members of the GHS hoops team and their true love—basketball. There was nothing typical about those ‘Cats, especially their best player: Larry Hoffner.

In March of ‘54, he had just ended his sophomore season starting for the varsity squad; very atypical on a Jim Baggot-coached team (See HOF class of 2022). Over the next two years Hoffner, who many believe to be the most physically gifted GHS basketball player ever, would lead the Wildcats to the Northern Conference title each season, shatter the conference scoring record and play a pivotal role in bringing the state championship to Greeley in 1956. His high school resume included All-Northern, All-State and All-American Honorable-Mention (Parade magazine), as well as All-Northern and All-State in football. Following graduation, he traded Wildcat orange and black for the green and gold of Colorado A &M (Colorado State University in 1957); where he started for the Aggies for three years-as freshmen were not allowed to play on college varsity basketball teams until 1972.

Hoffner earned all-conference honors both his junior and senior seasons and concluded an outstanding career as the West’s team captain in the East-West Shrine All-Star game in 1960. Inducted into the CSU Athletic Hall-of-Fame in 2002, Hoffner is still remembered for his rugged, unselfish play by CSU hoops fans. Hoffner was the player that future Wildcats aspired to be during Greeley High’s “golden era of sports.”

Larry William Hoffner was born on June 8, 1938, in Barnesville, 15 miles northeast of Greeley, and attended grade school in Gill near the family farm. During his seventh-grade year Hoffner’s parents would make the difficult decision to move their three children to the Greeley school district, citing difficulties Gill was having with its school accreditation. Larry attended Meeker Junior High while his older brother Bryan (GHS class of 1952—see 2023 HOF biography-1951) enrolled at Greeley High School for his senior year and played a key role on the Wildcats’ 1951 state football championship team. At Meeker Larry ‘Willie’ played basketball for Coach Jim Miller and was schooled in boxing by Coach Rudy Marich.

During the summers, Hoffner spent long days on the family farm near Gill, working cattle and sugar beets. Between his ninth-grade and sophomore year he grew nearly five and a half inches. He quickly caught the attention of the Wildcat coaching staff after joining the GHS football squad’s workouts in the fall of ‘53. Hoffner lettered on a ‘Cats varsity squad that struggled to an 0-4-1 record in the Northern.

At the outset of the 1953-54 basketball-season Hoffner started on the Kittens (GHS’s junior varsity) for coach Dale Thompson (see 2023 HOF biography). Hoffner’s style of play has been characterized as all-out effort, featuring an unmatched level of tenacity on every possession of the game. When asked recently about that characterization, Hoffner himself added, “I always just considered if there was a loose ball—a garbage ball—it was mine.” During GHS’s game against Fort Collins High, fans in Greeley came to understand the depth of Hoffner’s approach. With six minutes to go in the 2nd quarter and the ‘Cats trailing considerably, Larry recalls, “I was on the end of the varsity bench when Coach Baggot sat me down beside him and said, ‘I’m going to call time out, and you are going into the game. I want you to shoot the ball every time up the floor.’” Larry did and scored on nearly every possession. By halftime the game was tied.

The Lambkins figured out the Wildcat’s strategy and double-and even triple-teamed Hoffner in the second half. During the frantic action that ensued in the 3rd quarter, he was soon taken out and when he asked Baggot why, coach responded, “Larry, you need to go sit down, somebody is going to get hurt out there.”

The Wildcats would go on to win the game and Hoffner became a fixture in the starting lineup from then on. That spring he played backup at second base for Coach Pete D’Amato’s (see 2023 HOF biography) perennial powerhouse Wildcat baseball team.

In the summer of 1954, Hoffner, for one of his county 4-H projects raised five acres of sugar beets (requiring a tremendous amount of time, effort and paperwork for participants). His acres of sugar beets won the statewide 4-H competition: 31.3 tons of beets that produced 9,786 pounds of sugar. Hoffner’s junior year on the GHS football team under new coach Bob Kula didn’t go much better than the previous year. The Wildcats again struggled in the competitive Northern (Longmont won the state title in ’54).

Early in the 1954-55 basketball season, Coach Baggot dismissed a number of varsity players due to training rules violations. The remaining ‘Cats—juniors Hoffner, Gordon Adler, Bob Pratt, Larry Anderson and Frank Carbajal (see HOF 2023 biography) and sophomores Ken Miller and John Blatnick (see 2023 HOF biography-1957)—kept GHS at the top of the Northern standings. Although the Wildcats and rival Englewood High split their series; GHS won at home 60-55 and lost at EHS 61-59, Greeley won the Northern Conference. The still-young Wildcat squad ran up against Manual—the eventual state champs—in the first round of the state tournament, and lost badly. Frank Carbajal recalled (in a 1994 Greeley Tribune article), Coach Baggot’s post-game promise to the ‘Cats, “They will pay through the nose.” Greeley lost to Westminster in the consolation bracket to end their season.

With Hoffner as team co-captain, the Wildcats gridders improved steadily during the 1955 football season, as they finished 5-3-1, and 3-3-1, in the Northern, beating Loveland and Sterling and losing to the eventual state champs Longmont High. Hoffner, a two-way starter, earned All-Northern and first team All-State at offensive end. He, Carbajal and the rest of the seniors looked forward to the much anticipated 1955-56 basketball season.

They had dutifully followed Coach Baggot’s prescription for the off-season: “500 shots a day and anyone can play,” and “Dawn Patrol” —free throws every day at 6:00 a.m. The Wildcats finished 3-3 in non-league action and in January began league play at home against the Sterling Tigers. In an 82-45 blowout win, Hoffner had 25 points. At Longmont, the ‘Cats, down 32-27 at halftime, came roaring back and won 67-49. The Greeley Tribune reported, “raw-boned Larry Hoffner, tough and ornery and wild as a Brahma, banged in 32 points and grabbed 27 rebounds to key the Greeley win.” Englewood remained GHS’s biggest rival; the Wildcats won 72-65 in Greeley (Hoffner: 12 points, 13 rebounds; Anderson, 20 points.)

In late February, the Wildcats hit the road to determine the conference championship at EHS. Playing in front of 3,000 fans in a tense back-and-forth affair, the Pirates tied the game late at 61-61, but a pair of Anderson free throws sealed a 66-63 victory and an unblemished Northern record. Wildcat fans spent the next week making plans for their annual trip to the ‘Cats second home court—the Denver Coliseum.

The Wildcats opened state tourney play by pummeling Colorado Springs Palmer 92-60 (setting a new state tournament scoring record). The next night the ‘Cats had their hands full with a very tall and talented Denver North squad (NHS’s shortest starter was taller than GHS’s tallest player). The Wildcats found themselves down 38-31 at halftime. Baggot, employing his usual psychology, advised the ‘Cats: “We’ve got them right where we want them” and told the team to put the press (the 7-11/7-Up press was a full court press using home bases and relying on players to employ both man-to-man and zone principles—depending on the location of the ball), on the Vikings. With
Anderson, Carbajal and Blatnick at the press’s front and Adler, Pratt, Miller and Hoffner setting traps, the Wildcats tied the contest by the end of the 3rd period.

During the tense final quarter, a combination of the withering ‘Cats press and clutch free throw shooting, enabled the Wildcats to win 69-60 (with 24 points, Hoffner eclipsed former EHS and Iowa State star Don Medsker as the Northern’s all-time scoring leader). Finally, the long-awaited rematch with Manual High’s Thunderbolts for the state championship in front of 12,000 fans. MHS, led by Dennis Boone and Jack Hulstrom, were a formidable opponent. Greeley built a 10-point lead. Manual closed the gap and went ahead 57-55 in the 4th quarter. As the two teams traded baskets down to the wire, once again a tournament game turned on GHS’s accurate free throw shooting. The ‘Cats won 67-64 (Hoffner’s line—30 points, 17 rebounds, 8-8 on free throws). Manual had indeed “paid through the nose,” and Greeley High had its first state hoops championship since 1925. Larry Anderson, Gordon Adler, Frank Carbajal and Larry Hoffner were selected First-Team All-State; Bob Pratt Second-Team.

That spring Hoffner and his family had some big decisions to make regarding his future. Although Princeton, Kansas, Utah and Colorado University had all recruited Hoffner, one of Larry’s career goals was to become a veterinarian. In 1956, there were a mere seven universities that offered vet schools; Hoffner chose Colorado A&M, and would play for legendary Coach Jim Williams. Hoffner quickly earned a league-wide reputation for his intense play and fierce rebounding.

Each season he teamed with former Denver East star Chuck Newcomb to strike fear in Skyline league foes Utah, Brigham Young, Utah State, Wyoming and New Mexico. Their sophomore year the pair were mainly responsible for a trio of Rams’ wins over in-state rivals CU, Air Force and Regis. The following season league coaches selected Hoffner first team All-Conference. Now co-captain for the Rams, he looked ahead to his senior year with high hopes for a league championship.

One of the most memorable games, of the 1959-60 season occurred in late February. The Asian flu was going around campus, Hoffner caught it and was so ill that school medical personnel sent him home to recover. After several days, Hoffner, still sick, returned to practice, prompting someone from the bench to remark, “You look like an anemic earthworm.” The next day-February 27, CSU was involved in another “barn-burner” at arch-rival Wyoming (the previous year behind Hoffner’s 30 points-CSU won 80-74 in overtime). With the game tied at 63-63, Coach Williams called timeout to set up a play for Hoffner. Driving to the hoop with eight seconds remaining, the ‘Pokes’ Clarence “Stretch” Lively fouled Hoffner. Ignoring his fatigue Hoffner stepped to the line and hit the free throw, giving the Rams a 64-63 win and a 9-3 Skyline conference mark.

On the last weekend of league action, CSU traveled to play Montana and Utah. At Missoula, in a 75-59 win, Hoffner, along with teammate Newcomb, became the first two players in Rams history to score more than 1,000 points in a career. CSU lost 87-83 at Utah, despite Hoffner’s 21 points. The Rams finished Skyline play in 3rd place behind Utah and Utah State-their highest finish since 1954. Hoffner concluded the year with 16.8 ppg average and was again picked All-Conference. Hoffner topped off his illustrious career when he was chosen to play for Coach Jack Gardner (U. of Utah), and the West in the East-West Shrine All-Star game on March 26, in Kansas City. Following graduation,
Hoffner played several years in Denver’s highly competitive AAU league: All-Tournament (1960), the league’s Outstanding Offense Award (1963).

He graduated from CSU with a doctorate in veterinary medicine and began his practice in Fort Collins in 1965. He continued to serve his alma-mater. In 1976, Hoffner was named an Honor Alumnus, and in 1983, he was given the Hartshorn Award (for alumni who exemplify extraordinary service to CSU and its academic, athletics, and alumni programs). Hoffner was a well-respected participant in several professional organizations over his nearly 40-year veterinary career. Those included being an honorary member of the Colorado and Wyoming Veterinary Associations, as well as honorary member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. And Larry was also a lifetime member of the American Society of Germans from Russia.

In 2004, Larry sold his vet clinic, and today focuses his energies raising cattle on his ranch near Nunn. George F. Will, the prominent social and sports commentator maintains that “Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.” If this is indeed true, then folks throughout northern Colorado likely think Will’s words apply to Larry Hoffner—he was not a typical Wildcat.

Larry’s family includes his wife Alice, a son-Willy and two daughters Katie Hoffner and Sarah Hoffner Hooper, and he has five grandkids that keep him busy.

By Dennis Taylor (journalist at the Greeley Tribune, 1981-1997, Monterey County Herald, 1997-2016)

The most remarkable fact about Frank Carbajal might be that there really was such a person. On the basketball courts and baseball diamonds around Greeley and beyond, his legacies as both an athlete and coach are genuinely mythical. But Frank Carbajal was no myth.

He was the product of a hardscrabble upbringing as the youngest of 11 siblings in a family that had immigrated to Greeley from Chihuahua, Mexico, to work in the beet fields for the Great Western Sugar Co. The Carbajals slept in a chicken coop on their first night in Greeley. Carbajal evolved with “old school” philosophies, morals and work ethic, and bottomless appreciation for those coaches, teachers, and mentors who shaped him into the person he became.

No Excuses

As an athlete, coach, and person, Carbajal was famously intolerant of excuses. “We tried to use them, but got the same response from him every time: ‘Shoulda, woulda, coulda never made it to the playoffs!” remembered Carbajal’s daughter, Randi Steele, a retired educator. “I got the point: don’t make excuses, just do things right.”

At Greeley High (Class of ’56), Frank Carbajal became an all-state guard on a state championship basketball team coached by Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Famer Jim Baggot. He also was a standout left-handed pitcher on a Wildcats’ baseball team that placed second in the state.

At Trinidad State Junior College in 1957, Carbajal had a 13-0 record on the mound, pitched a no-hitter against Lamar JC and made the junior college All-America team. The Trojans placed fourth at the national junior college tournament.

Captain Carb

He returned to Greeley to enroll at Colorado State Teachers College (which eventually became the University of Northern Colorado), where he captained the basketball team for three seasons, earning All-Rocky Mountain Conference and All-NCAA District 7 honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. He averaged 16.3 points per game and led the Bears in assists all three years. Carbajal led the nation in free-throw percentage (87 percent) for most of his senior year (ultimately finishing seventh).

Fun fact: On Dec. 1, 1959, he and teammate Theo Holland scored 18 points apiece for the Bears in a 106-73 road loss to the Kentucky Wildcats, a team coached by the legendary Adolph Rupp, whose .822 career winning percentage ranks second all-time in NCAA history. (Another fun fact: Carbajal’s 19-year-old wife, Rachel, gave birth to Randi, the first of their four children, just eight days later.)

Carbajal also pitched there for UNC Hall of Fame coach Pete Butler, earning All-Rocky Mountain College honors in 1959 and 1960, helping the Bears to back-to-back appearances in the College World Series.

Years later, the always self-effacing Carbajal would accurately “boast” that he still held the College World Series record for committing two balks in the same inning.

‘Tough Love’

As a coach, Carbajal blended his “no excuses” philosophy with the “tough love” he learned from his own coaches – Baggot, Pete D’Amato, Dale Thompson, Pete Butler, John Bunn and others.

His players were required to follow every team rule to the letter, beginning with a mandate to arrive early. “Carb Time,” as his players called it, meant the gym doors would be locked 15 minutes before practice began. Athletes who showed up late — even by a few seconds – literally found themselves locked out of the gym, which meant they missed practice, and they sat out the next game.

The rule also applied to road trips. Many Carbajal alumni have reminisced ruefully about watching the taillights of the team bus disappear over the horizon if they were a heartbeat tardy. In Carbajal’s memoir, he recounted one such player at Santa Barbara City College. “He came running up as we were pulling out of the parking lot,” the coach recalled. “He kept running after the van, and almost caught us at every light, but every time he got close, we’d drive off.” The player never caught up with the team bus, but somehow, he made his way to the visitors’ gym before the tipoff. “We didn’t let him dress for the game, and we lost by a point,” Carbajal remembered. “But he played really well
the rest of the season, and we won a league title.”

A cardinal sin for Carbajal-coached players was to get outworked on the basketball court by their opponents. Fatigue was an intolerable flaw. “He never cut anybody. He just worked you until you cut yourself. I think we ended up with eight players on the team in my freshman year,” said Jim McCoy, who played for Carbajal at Santa Barbara City from 1985-87. “He had us in such good shape that in the fourth quarter, when other teams were tired and fading out, we were just catching our stride.”

Landing a Job

In December 1961, college degree in hand, Carbajal went looking for his first coaching job, but the hunt wasn’t going well. “Most of my interviews lasted about 10 seconds,” he wrote in his 2011 autobiography, On the Outside Looking In. “Everyone wanted me to be an assistant, and I’d say, ‘I am a head coach.’” He found his opportunity in Moab, Utah, where he coached the high school varsity to a 49-19 record and two conference championships over three seasons.

While in Moab, he frequently crossed the Colorado border to pitch semipro baseball for the Grand Junction Eagles. On one memorable afternoon, Carbajal was the starting pitcher in the first game of a doubleheader, where he beat future Major League Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. Seaver then entered the second game as a reliever, pitching against future Cubs lefty Rich Nye. He picked up the victory in that one, too.

From 1966-68, Carbajal played for the powerhouse Boulder Collegians, whose roster through the years would include future big leaguers Tony Gwynn, Burt Hooten, Joe Carter, Jay Howell and Larry Gura, among others. During his three seasons with the Collegians, the 5’7”, 150-pound Carbajal pitched on back-to-back national semipro championship teams.

63-8 at El Camino

Carbajal’s next coaching post was at El Camino High in California, where his teams went 63-8 in three seasons. His 1967-68 squad went 23-0. He launched his collegiate career at Fresno State, where he coached the university’s junior varsity teams to a 183-37 record.

He moved on to Santa Barbara City College, where he first coach the junior varsity squad, and then, from 1978-88, guided the SBCC varsity to a 195-115 mark over 10 seasons and won Western State Conference championships. Carbajal took the team to the state finals once and produced five All-Americans.

Life Isn’t Always Fair

He coached his son, DeRon, at Santa Barbara — an experience Carbajal later shared with a famous NCAA basketball coach. “My first decision with DeRon was a bad one,” he told NCAA Hall of Famer Gene Keady, head coach at Purdue for 25 years. “I didn’t play him at all, even after he had earned his spot in the rotation again and again. “My second decision was the best one: I didn’t play him at all, even after he had earned his spot in the rotation again and again.” But that was the same decision, observed Keady. “Yes, it was,” Carbajal acknowledged. “Because through it all, I watched him endure, overcome, adapt, battle and never make excuses for being singled out and discriminated against.”

DeRon would go on to become a teacher and a coach himself. The 2023-24 school year was his 38th as an educator. He has coached at the elementary, middle school, high school and college levels, and also worked with NBA players for several years with the Michael Jordan Flight Camp in Santa Barbara.

Ten Straight Playoffs

Carbajal moved on to Cupertino, California, coaching De Anza College to the league playoffs in two of his three seasons. His final stop was Hartnell Junior College in Salinas, where he qualified the Panthers for the league playoffs in 10 straight seasons, compiling a 198-99 record, winning one California Junior College crown, and reaching the tournament finals another season.

In a 2012 interview with sportswriter Irv Moss of the Denver Post, Carbajal credited his mother, Ursula, and father, Sylvestre, for instilling tenacity: “an inner drive that taught me not to give up,” he said.

Compassionate Generosity

A community member named Eti Anderson, father of one of his teammates, bought young Frankie his first baseball glove. Brother-in-law Dan Solis returned from the war with Japan, became a surrogate father, and taught him how to play baseball, basketball and football. His sister Mary spent her waitressing tips to buy young Frankie’s game-day suit and tie after he quit the high school basketball team because he didn’t have the mandatory attire.

Carbajal’s no-nonsense approach to self-discipline was heavily influenced by his own coaches. He never forgot the day Pete Butler, his college baseball coach, made a surprise visit to his dorm room. “He knocked on my door, asked why I wasn’t in class, and when I didn’t have a good answer, he took me to class.”

The Hospital Bill

He learned lessons about compassion from coaches like Greeley High’s Dale Thompson, who showed up at his house to find out why Carbajal had missed the first baseball practice of his senior year, finding his star lefty with a 101-degree fever. “Coach Thompson took me to the hospital, where he and his wife, Dorothy (a nurse), arranged to have my tonsils removed,” he recalled in his autobiography. “And it only occurred to me recently that the Thompsons also must have paid my hospital bill.”

He never forgot a kindness and dedicated himself to paying it forward. “Dad wanted to live his life as a tribute to the amazing teachers, coaches and mentors who had invested in him through the years,” said daughter Randi.

Carbajal accumulated 662 victories during his 44-year coaching career and worked at all levels, including the NBA. He coached nine All-Americans in high school and college. More than 90 percent of his junior college players went on to graduate from four-year schools, and two of them played in the NBA.

‘Something Magical Happens’

“Something magical happens when a daughter sees her father carried off on the shoulders of his teammates ... I definitely knew that my dad was a winner,” Randi said, sharing a childhood memory of one of the national championships her dad won with the Boulder Collegians. “I got that people respected him, that they were drawn to him and that whatever a champion was, my father was it.”

Throughout his long career, Carbajal was a tireless crusader for multiple causes, most frequently involving young people. “Athletics is life on a small scale: It gives kids a chance to learn to face adversity while surrounded by people who love and care about them,” he often said. “When you give young people a chance to do something they’re good at, they can become contributors to their community.”

Equality for Women Athletes

While serving as president of California Community College Coaches, Carbajal was instrumental in combining the women’s and men’s state championships into a single event. “Someday, if my granddaughter wants to play, I want her to have the same opportunities as my grandsons,” he argued.

If Carbajal had a lament, it was that he was never given an opportunity to become a head coach at the NCAA level (despite being a finalist several times) – a disappointment he largely attributed to his Mexican-American heritage and what he saw as a discriminatory nature embedded in the hiring culture. But he never regretted the path he chose. “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” he liked to say. “And you’ll work so hard, you won’t have time to complain.”

Carbajal has been enshrined into the University of Northern Colorado Hall of Fame, California Community College Coaches Hall of Fame, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, and Santa Barbara Court of Champions.

Carbajal passed away on Sept. 29, 2016, at age 78, after a lengthy battle with Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy. He is survived by his wife Cathy Wong, his children, Randi, DeRon, Kirby and Misti, four grandchildren and several siblings. His first wife of 20 years, Rachel Torrez Carbajal, passed away in January 2022.

Three of Carbajal’s four children, and all four of his grandkids, followed his path and became educators and coaches.

Recent Stories From Greeley High Classmates About Frank Carbajal

Compiled by the GHS/GCHS HOF Committee

In a recent interview, Gil Carbajal (GHS class of ‘54) and Abe Garcia (GHS class of ‘60), told the story of Dusty Baker, World Series-winning manager and good friend of Frank Carbajal’s. The story goes that earlier in his career, after Baker had been fired from one of his major league manager jobs, a reporter asked him who he would call after the career setback. Without hesitation, Baker, the all-time winningest African American manager in major league history responded, “My mentor, Frank Carbajal.”

Gil and Abe also like to tell the story of young Carbajal’s best pitches early in his career, his first-rate curve ball and drop ball. The self-deprecating Carbajal would tell them that the drop ball was actually his fastball, he just threw it with such little velocity that it appeared to be a drop ball. Gil and Abe went on to say that they were amazed at how Frank developed his pitches between his sophomore and senior years at Colorado State College. The fastball was no longer mistaken for a drop ball. “Unhittable” was the term Gil used. “He was tenacious, to say the least,” Abe added.

Speaking of tenacity, one of Frank’s teammates, first baseman Sam Lopez, would complain about how his glove hand would hurt so badly after an inning when Frank would need to throw to first to hold a runner. Apparently, Frank was serious about keeping the runner close to the bag.

GHS/GCHS Hall of Famer Larry Hoffner (GHS class of ‘56) shared a story about the ‘56 Wildcats’ comeback in the semifinals against Denver North at the Denver Coliseum. Hoffner believed that, on paper, the North squad was the best in the state tournament that year. And they played like it in the first half against Greeley High. The halftime score was North 38, Greeley 31. During the halftime talk Coach Baggot implored his ‘Cats to put the press on. The Wildcat pressure, supplied mostly by Carbajal and Larry Anderson, was intense and caught the Vikings off guard. Greeley tied the score by the end of the third quarter. During the timeout before the start of the fourth quarter, Coach Baggot told the ‘Cats to call off the press. As they walked back on the court to start the final quarter a few of the Wildcats had a quick conference.

Carbajal asked Hoffner, “Hey Hoffy, do you think we should quit pressing?” “Let’s keep it on ‘em,” replied the ‘Cats’ big man.

The other Wildcats agreed, and Greeley stormed to a 69-60 semifinal victory over North. A smiling Coach Baggot addressed his team after the game. “Well, I’m glad you guys chose not to listen to your coach this time,” he said.

One needs a mere glimpse of the photos lining the walls in the first-floor hallway of the Castle” to understand that this storied building has been home to more than its share of champions. But no athlete’s face appears more often in those iconic black and white team photos than that of Harry Hinzelman. Achieving five state championships over his career at Greeley High, Hinzelman, no doubt, played an integral role in contributing to a “Golden Generation” of Wildcat success. Indeed, in a culture so saturated in athletic greatness, perhaps no single individual was present for more monumental events than he was.

In 1936, with the Nazis exerting their control over nearly every aspect of German society, Dr. Willy Jon Hinzelman made a decision: he would not have his children become Hitler Youth. Instead, he packed up his family and moved to America. Dr. Hinzelman had always loved the mountains, so he steered the family toward the Rockies and settled in Colorado Springs. While in the Springs, Dr. Hinzelman contracted tuberculosis. After passing his medical board exams with a German-English dictionary to help translate, Dr. Hinzelman began practicing medicine as a resident physician and patient at the TB hospital in Colorado Springs.

In 1941, he learned that the town of Greeley was in need of a tuberculosis specialist. Answering the call, Dr. Hinzelman moved the family once again, this time to Greeley. There, Harry, the youngest Hinzelman, was born in January 1942. When he discovered that the town’s new doctor was looking for a place to open his practice, a local businessman, Jim Milne, purchased a house for the Hinzelmans on the corner of 16th Street and 11th Avenue, just across from what was then the Greeley Hospital. Long after the Hinzelmans had repaid Mr. Milne for his generosity, they never forgot that act of kindness from their new community. Perhaps, that helps explain Harry’s fondness for and commitment to the teams of Greeley High School.

As a youngster, Harry was always a little taller than others his age and he moved well. At the age of 10, his athletic interests began to take shape. He watched some of the Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado), tennis players and he was drawn to the sport. Harry’s future doubles partner, Richard Hillway, had moved in from Connecticut, and Richard’s father provided some early coaching. A couple of summer school students at Colorado State College, Clarence Fenn and Chet Kennedy, used to hit balls with Harry and a few other local boys at the old college courts on 19th Street. And some adults in the community, such as Al Burr, also provided instruction.

Those tennis mentors helped Hinzelman hone his tennis skills and fueled his desire to become better at the sport. He began playing in local tournaments. At the age of 12, he boarded a bus and traveled alone to Denver to play in one of the big Colorado tennis tournaments. His height proved advantageous, and Harry was able to build a reputation as a strong serve and volley player. In fact, by the age of 13 he stood 6’3” and often had to bring his birth certificate to tournaments to confirm he was indeed in the proper bracket.

His height attracted the attention of someone else. When the 6’4” Harry Hinzelman walked into Greeley High School as a sophomore, legendary Wildcat basketball coach Jim Baggot immediately took notice. To Baggot, Hinzelman, with his tennis agility and long frame, was just the type of athlete who could dominate the boards, trigger the fast break with pinpoint outlet passes and anchor the back line for the vaunted Wildcat presses. Hinzelman practiced with the varsity and suited up for varsity games as a sophomore. This was not insignificant. Baggot’s Wildcats had won state titles in 1956 and 1957. The 1957-’58 Wildcats carried with them the confidence of defending state champs. They were led by a core of experienced players, now seniors, who were confident they could challenge for Coach Baggot’s third straight title.

But when five seniors were removed from the team midseason for a violation of training rules, Hinzelman and his young teammates were thrown into the spotlight. Daryl Elmore, Jerry Ratliff, Dave “Stix” Brown, Jim McKay and Hinzelman joined remaining starter Pat Baggot, and together they stepped in for the dismissed players. Without missing a beat, they rolled up a 17-3 record and qualified for the state tournament. A loss to eventual champion Denver South in the semifinals was anything but discouraging for the young ‘Cats. In fact, to Hinzelman and his teammates, it was a sign that there were great things to come.

And while the basketball team’s drama-filled season had attracted much attention, Hinzelman started his high school tennis career in the spring by building on his junior-tennis tournament success. He and his partner, Dave Heimke, qualified for the state tournament in doubles, but lost in the semis to eventual state champs Denver East. Hinzelman hadn’t won any hardware yet, but how many sophomores could say that they had played in so many big moments after just one year of high school? His confidence was brimming.

State championship #1

The good people of Greeley had voted to build a new gymnasium for their high school basketball team, as the successes of the previous decade rendered the old 8th Avenue Gym insufficient for the huge crowds that showed up to watch Wildcat games. The junior-heavy 1958-’59 Wildcats opened up their brand-new home full of confidence based on their experience from the previous season. The core of the team that advanced to the semifinals of the 1957 state tournament was back. The newspapers called them “closely knit,” but they were also talented. Hinzelman, Dennis Swedlund and Stix Brown patrolled the paint and protected the back end of the press. Ted Somerville, Pat Baggot, Jim McKay, Jerry Ratliff, Pat Reed, Bob Bray and Doug Anderson pressured out front and ran the floor, and the Wildcats rolled through the Northern Conference on their way to a 17-1 record.

In the quarterfinal game of the state tournament, the Wildcats avenged the previous season’s semi-final loss by dropping Denver South 74-67. In the semis the ‘Cats blitzed Pueblo Central 85-57. And in the championship game, fellow Northern Conference foe Boulder was no match, as Greeley High outclassed the Panthers 70-48. While it is probably inaccurate to say Hinzelman’s first state championship was easy, it’s safe to say very few championships have been won in a more lopsided fashion.

State championship #2

Harry didn’t have much time to celebrate his first state championship. The 1958-’59 season was the last that boys’ tennis was played in the spring. Veteran coach Joe Springston welcomed his two best players to the courts that season, the smooth, shot-making Rich Hillway, and the booming serve and volley man, Hinzelman. Hillway played #1 singles and Hinzelman played #2 singles. In dual matches they would sometimes play doubles together. The Colorado High School Activities Association mandated in 1951that the state tennis tournament would consist of three events, #1 singles, #2 single, and doubles. A player who qualified for the state tournament could choose to play
either singles or doubles (if more than one player from a school qualified) but could only play in one event. That rule endured into the 1960s.

Although Hillway and Hinzelman had played #1 and #2 singles, respectively, all season, they chose to play doubles together in the ‘59 state tournament. It turned out to be a wise choice. Hillway and Hinzelman ran through the doubles’ competition, defeating the Boulder team of Wayne Collins and Ted Pannebaker 6-4, 6-3 in the final. Along the way they amassed 12 team points, good enough for a third-place team finish for the Wildcats. As his junior year came to a close, it became clear that Hinzelman expected to win big every time he put on the orange and black.

State championships #3 and 4

In the autumn of 1959, CHSAA moved boys’ tennis from the spring to the fall. That meant a couple things for Hinzelman. First, even though he and his teammate Hillway would be sharp from their summer tournament competitions, he would not be able to rely on his basketball conditioning as the season began. And, by his own admission, he had spent a little more time watching his buddies from the ‘59 baseball Northern Conference championship team play and a little less time on the practice courts. But also, the new season format afforded Hinzelman and Hillway a unique opportunity. They could become the first, and maybe only, tennis players in the state of Colorado to win two state championships in the same calendar year.

To add to the excitement, Greeley High had just completed construction on new tennis courts just west of Wildcat Gymnasium, so Harry and his teammates could now host home matches on campus. Another change occurred. The ‘Cats tennis team would now be coached by Earl Wells, who stepped in to replace Joe Springston. Boulder High School, the defending Northern Conference tennis champs, were the chief rivals for the Wildcats. But the tennis power in the state was unquestionably Denver East High School. The Angels had won the five previous state championships.

Hillway played #1 singles for the ‘Cats and didn’t lose a set all year. Hinzelman, who played #2 singles again for his senior year, was sharp by tournament time, having practiced against one of the best players in the state all season. The state tournament was held at the University of Colorado courts in Boulder on Friday and Saturday, November 13-14. But snow and cold weather pushed the matches back to Saturday and Sunday. Hillway breezed through the #1 singles bracket, defeating Jeff Robinson of Denver South 6-1, 6-1 in the final. Hinzelman beat Paul Sayers of Denver East in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4 to capture the #2 singles crown. The second individual state championship each for Hillway and Hinzelman was nice, but most impressive was that with their wins, the two Wildcats accrued enough
team points to topple the Denver East dynasty and claim the team state championship for Greeley High School.

State championship #5

Harry wasn’t the only state champion from the fall season to show up for basketball practice in November 1959. The Wildcat football team was fresh off a state championship win over Golden. Early-season Wildcat opponents may have been hopeful that the 1959-’60 Wildcats might get off to a sluggish start while trying to work all those fall state champions into basketball shape. Perennial power Denver East was able to take advantage of the ‘Cats in an early season tilt, defeating Greeley 52-48 in the fourth game of the season. The defeat was the first the ‘Cats had suffered in their new gym. It would be the only blemish as the Wildcats roared into the state tournament with a 17-1 record.

First up for the Wildcats at the Denver Coliseum was the South-Central Region runner up, Trinidad. Jim McKay, coming off a back injury, led GHS with 32 points and Hinzelman contributed 14 rebounds as the ‘Cats brushed aside the Miners 79-57. In the semis, the Wildcats faced the Manual High School Thunderbolts, one of the few schools in the state that could match Greeley High’s basketball tradition. The ‘Cats exploded for 11 points in the first three minutes of the 4th quarter to open up an insurmountable lead in what had been a very tight contest. The final score: Greeley 57, Manual 49. McKay again led the Wildcats in scoring with 17, and Hinzelman was solid on the boards, finishing with 11.

Greeley faced Denver East in the state championship game in front of 12,000 fans at the Denver Coliseum. The Angels, their confidence perhaps buoyed by their earlier defeat of the ‘Cats in December, rushed out to an early lead and looked to be cruising to the championship. East led by as many as 16 points in the first half and held a 57-47 lead with five minutes left in the game. The ‘Cats then mounted a furious comeback in the final minutes employing relentless pressure, hitting clutch shots and dominating the boards. Pat Reed poured in 24 points, Hinzelman added seven key rebounds, and McKay, ever the hero, hit clutch last-minute shots, as the Wildcats clawed back for a storybook 66-64 win. Those who had witnessed the game called it the most exciting final they’d ever seen. It only makes sense that Hinzelman’s final state championship was the most thrilling.

Post GHS

After leaving Greeley High, Hinzelman attended Colorado University in Boulder and graduated with a degree in business. In 1964 he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Anderson. In 1966, he joined the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School and spent two years and nine months in the service. His career took him all over the country: Spokane, Washington; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; South Bend, Indiana; Fountain Valley, California; and finally, back to Denver.

Hinzelman is retired. He and Karen have two sons, Gregg and Kevin, and two grandchildren, Joshua and Jessica.

In the summer of 1977, Star Wars transported Americans to a galaxy far, far away. That same summer, Konnie Mackey prepared to don the orange and black for the first time as she transitioned into her sophomore year at Central. Die-hard fans will remember the ‘70s classic’s subtitle: A New Hope. That, it turned out, was also an apt descriptor for young Mackey, who provided new hope for GCHS women’s athletics during arguably the most accomplished three-sport, three-year run ever by a Lady Wildcat. From 1977 to 1980, the eventual high school All-American excelled at the school-and state-wide levels, racking up nine varsity letters and 16 school records in addition to a state-wide record and several state titles.

Mackey’s six basketball and 10 track school records are an enduring testament to her unique blend of exceptional athletic ability and indefatigable work ethic, and to the laser-focused determination instilled by her supportive, competitive family. Mackey’s rare athleticism propelled her into a storied college career; she earned several track records at both Utah State and Colorado State, where she became a collegiate All-American. Her successes at Central were neither the beginning nor the end of her athletic career, but her legacy lives on at the “Castle”, where she truly distinguished herself as one of the greats.

Konnie Mackey’s life in athletics began soon after her birth on July 24, 1962, at North Colorado Medical Center–just a hundred yards from the Castle. Baby Konnie would go home to Gill, but her family soon moved to Greeley’s Hillside neighborhood. Mackey, like many young American girls, was spellbound watching the incredible gymnasts competing in the 1972 Summer Olympics. She joined Jacque Funk-Pilkington’s gymnastics club and worked with Carolyn Cody on the University of Northern Colorado campus. At Jackson Elementary, her PE teacher Forrest Boggs noticed Konnie’s competitive nature, coaching her to three consecutive victories in the district-wide free throw contest.

Outside of school, Mackey sacrificed a front tooth in the all-important neighborhood pickup games (basketball and football) at Farr Park. In 1964, a new high school opened on 35th Avenue, necessitating strictly enforced attendance boundaries. John Evans Junior High star athlete Mackey broke from the majority of her teammates and moved on to Central instead of Greeley West, joining the mostly former Heath Junior High students there. Her Hillside neighborhood and environs in east Greeley, including nearby Reservoir Road, played a pivotal role in Central athletics in the 1970s and 80s: dynastic sports families like the Boyles, Mackeys, Lechmans and Uyemuras, among others were–thankfully–required to attend to GCHS.

Konnie became the fourth Mackey at the Castle, joining brother Ken (’78), sister Kayleen (’79), and mom Pat, the school secretary. The elder Mackeys excelled in gymnastics, swimming, baseball, cheerleading and track, and were active in Key club, Spud (yearbook), and student council. A smiling Konnie once quipped to the Greeley Tribune’s Dave Curtin, referring to her siblings, “They always tell me they’ve taught me everything I know.” Thus, young Konnie was never in danger of purchasing an elevator pass from a GCHS upperclassman.

In the fall of 1977, Mackey joined veterans Shelley Bormuth, Lori Wells and Kayleen on 2022 Hall of Fame inductee Coach Sally Stewart’s gymnastics team. With Mackey’s excellence on vault, uneven bars and especially floor exercises, the Wildcats won nine meets in September and October, coming second at home to Poudre High on November 4th in the Northern Conference District meet. Three Wildcats—Bormuth (all-around), Wells (vault) and Mackey (floor)—qualified for state. And while she didn’t place, Coach Stewart told the Greeley Tribune, “Konnie had her best performance of the year.” Mackey would soon undergo surgery, recovering in time for the winter basketball season.

Mackey and fellow sophomore Lisa Rupp added much-needed depth to Coach Bill Kyger’s squad, joining three returning starters on the varsity team. After defeating arch-rival Greeley West 32-27, Kyger called Mackey “the sparkplug.” By mid-season she was a regular in the starting lineup. Although Fort Collins High ended the Wildcats’ season in the first round of districts (63-42), with Mackey at guard the ‘Cats team had won five more games than the previous year.

Mackey’s elementary coach Forrest Boggs joined her at GCHS, and they reunited in spring 1978. The sophomore-heavy track team’s goal? A top-five finish in the rugged Northern. Mackey had a huge part in making that goal a reality. She broke and set the school record for the 440-yard dash several times. Mackey anchored the talented 880-yard medley relay (Bormuth, Lea Casseday, Susan Parks), and routinely competed in the 100- and 220-yard dashes, as well as the 880-yard relay. A typical Saturday might include up to nine races plus her field events. To have the strength, stamina and conditioning to accomplish this would have been well beyond the capabilities of most athletes in the state—regardless of grade or gender. When asked recently how Mackey managed this, Coach Boggs offered, “Konnie’s goal was to beat whomever. To do that she would bear down and go harder.”

In the conference meet in May, she qualified for state in four events (100- and 440-yard dashes and the 880 medley and 880-yard relays). At state Mackey finished second in the 440-yard dash behind George Washington’s Sharon Acker. Incredibly, Mackey had shaved over two and a half seconds off of her 440 time since March. The following week Mackey competed in the first Girl’s State Pentathlon at Aurora’s Public School’s Stadium and placed fifth out of 32 competitors with 3,210 points.

In August, Mackey began workouts for the gymnastics season–her last with Kayleen. Konnie and Kayleen finished 1st and 2nd in the all-around at the Loveland Quadrangular. The 1978 Northern District meet was once again held at GCHS on November 2nd. The Wildcats dueled Fort Collins High, eventually losing to the Lambkins 151.9 to 156.4. Konnie captured first place in the floor and also qualified for state in the all-around, uneven bars and vault. She was joined at state by Wildcats Cheryl Murphy (floor) and Kayleen (uneven bars). While none of the ‘Cats placed at state (won by Pueblo Central), they each performed well.

In December, Mackey led the varsity basketball team in scoring three of the first four games and against West, Mackey had 16 points, 12 rebounds and went 10-12 from line in the 35-32 victory. But by February Central’s season-long Achilles heel led to losses to Loveland, Sterling and Niwot: the ‘Cats made only 35 of 84 free throws. In late February the Wildcats, (8-4 and fourth in the league), hosted Poudre in the first round of districts and led 26-23 going into the 4th quarter. Free throw woes resurfaced: the ‘Cats made only 2 of 10 and lost 32-28. GCHS ended the season 11-6. Mackey finished the year in the top 10 in scoring in the Northern (10.9 ppg), and was named first-team All-Conference.

Track season began on March 1st, with Mackey and her 27 ‘Cats teammates eyeing a conference championship. At her first meet March 24 at the Air Force Academy Easter Races, she won the long jump (17’ 6.5”) and took 2nd in the 300-yard dash (37.9). The Wildcats won Loveland’s Sweetheart Invite on March 29th and the Rocky Mountain Triangular on the 31st. Mackey led the way with 1st place finishes in the 100-, 220- and 440-yard dashes and the medley relay in both meets.

In April, at the Valley Invite, Mackey won the 100-, 220- and 880-yard medley relay and placed second in the high jump. On May 12, led by Mackey’s four 1st place finishes (100, 220, conference record 440, 880 medley relay), Greeley Central dominated the Northern Conference track meet. Central’s 101 points far outdistanced second-place Loveland’s 69, as the ‘Cats looked ahead to the state meet the following week at Jefferson County Stadium.

Central’s state championship hopes faltered as the 880-medley relay (Jean Bollinger, Shelley Hubbard, Parks, Mackey), broke the school record with a 1:48.51 but took 5th. The ‘Cats last hope for more points rested upon Mackey as she settled in the blocks for the finals of the 440-yard dash. 57.17 seconds later, she broke the tape as state champion. She finished an astounding 1.45 seconds ahead of the second-place competitor. In the next week’s second annual Girls State Pentathlon in Aurora, Mackey scored 3,735 points, won the prestigious event, and set a new state record (880-2:22.0, 100-11.4, long jump-16’ 11”, shot- 30’ 10”, 100 hurdles-15.18).

That summer of 1979, Mackey worked with Utah State’s Lyle Knudson in a week of specialized workouts at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. She learned to attack both the low and high hurdles, which proved key to her future successes. Mackey also improved her 440 times in AAU regional meets in Westminster, and Tempe, Arizona, and competed in the Junior Olympics in Lincoln, Nebraska, August 10-12.

Two weeks later Mackey was in Central’s gym with her teammates preparing for their 13-meet schedule–which they hoped would end with a Northern Conference title. Greeley’s 1979 squad was loaded with depth and experience and buoyed by talented sophomores Ann Marie Gallagher and Becky Bormuth. But early season team injuries, especially Mackey’s torn arch, were a season-long concern. On October 25, GCHS scored 160 points (for the first time in school history) in their City Dual victory against West, clinching an undefeated season and the coveted conference championship. The win prompted Coach Stewart to tell reporter Peggy Jovene of the GCHS Highlight, “I’ve never been so proud to be a gymnastics coach before.”

At the league meet on Halloween, Central’s 160.05 topped second-place Loveland by five points and qualified the entire team for state. The only individuals to place were Mackey (14th) and Ann Marie (9th) on uneven bars. Ultimately, GCHS finished ninth as a team, the highest state finish in school history.

That winter, the Wildcat hoops team, like the gymnastics squad, benefitted from added depth as juniors Lynette Snidow and Patty Slighter added to the team’s solid inside presence. With Mackey on offense, Central put together an impressive streak of wins in the Northern. As coach Kyger recently offered, “We had the No. 3 play we’d run for her; if it was run right, it was a layup for Konnie.” With just a lone league loss, the Wildcats traveled to Rocky Mountain High School to determine the conference title.

In a classic Northern matchup, Lobos’ standout Mary Danielson hit two free throws with eight seconds left to secure a 63-62 win – despite Mackey’s 16 points. The ‘Cats came in second in both the conference and league tourney and had to travel to Colorado Springs to play a red-hot Harrison High squad in the state playoffs. GCHS lost to the eventual state champs 63-31. Konnie was named to the All-Northern team and selected to represent the conference in the June All-State game.

As she prepared for her final track season, Mackey again began at the Easter Races and placed 2nd in the 300-yard dash, despite being hindered by a broken toe. The Wildcats became the team to beat in the Northern as they experienced stiff competition at the Loveland and Fort Collins invites and the Aurora Relays. Mackey added both the 100- and 330-yard low hurdles to her events and set the school record in both (14.2, 45.02). GCHS qualified six for state at the conference meet, led by Mackey who won three events: 100 and 330 hurdles and the 440-yard dash, and also qualified with the 880-medley relay (with Parks, Syndi Koehler, Hubbard). The following Saturday at Jefferson County Stadium’s rain-soaked track, Mackey again won the 440-yard dash, was runner-up in the 100-yard hurdles by .04, and, with only 12 minutes to recover after the 440, came second in the 330-yard hurdles by a mere .03. The 880-medley relay secured second place also, and the impressive Wildcats placed fifth in state.

Mackey next competed in the third Girls State Pentathlon in Aurora as defending champ. Mackey scored 3,505 points, second only to Aurora Central’s Rhonda Blanford (3,690). That summer Mackey again qualified for the Junior Olympics. In Santa Clara, California, August 15-17, she placed 4th in the 400m hurdles, got second in the 100m hurdles (14.52), and fifth in the 100m dash (12.45) before heading off to Utah State on an athletic scholarship to run for Knudson’s Aggies.

As a freshman during the 1981 season, Mackey set a new Aggies school record in the 100 hurdles (14.3). At the Region 7 Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) championships in Ogden, Utah, in May, Mackey won the 400 hurdles (61.59) and placed 2nd in the 100-meter hurdles (14.74).

She transferred to Colorado State the following year and was once again coached by Forrest Boggs-CSU’s new head track coach. During Mackey’s sophomore season, she broke all of CSU’s records for hurdling. CSU placed 5th in the 1981 AIAW championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Mackey won the 400-meter hurdles (59.3), and was runner-up in the 100-meter hurdles (13.8). She qualified for the national AIAW meet in College Station, Texas, and ran 59.25 – good for 5th place and All-American status.

The following spring, Mackey placed in the top five in both hurdle races at the Kansas Relays. She won the 100- and 400-meter hurdles at the High-Country Athletic Conference meet and earned another trip to the 1983 NCAA meet in Houston, Texas. During her senior spring track season in 1984, Mackey won both the 100 (14.21), and 400-meter hurdles (59.85) at the CSU invite. Once again, she qualified for the NCAA Nationals held in Eugene, Oregon, where she placed 14th in the 400-meter hurdles. Mackey completed her eligibility and graduated in 1985 with a degree in microbiology. Her 58.93 in the 400-meter hurdles remains the 4th fastest time in CSU history.

Mackey moved back to Greeley and worked for noted Greeley veterinarian David Shoemaker at Paws Animal Clinic for 26 years. Along with husband Kevin Jelden, she has remained close to track and field; they were co-head coaches of the very competitive Eaton High School track team for eight seasons (2007-2014).

Konnie and Kevin have three adult children and three grandkids. Over the years her teammates, coaches, the press, and even opponents, have debated just how good of an athlete Mackey is. Jim Benton, longtime sports reporter for the Rocky Mountain News, labeled her “Incredible Konnie.” Sally Stewart called Mackey the “best female athlete Central’s ever seen.” Mark Roggy (GCHS ‘74), successful longtime Greeley football and track coach perhaps summed it up best, telling the Greeley Tribune in May 1983, “Konnie Mackey was the greatest [female] athlete ever in the history of GCHS. That’s a plain and simple fact.”

No doubt many Greeley sports fans believe her to be in a league of her own—though maybe it’s more likely that Mackey is in a galaxy of her own.

“We must dare to be great, and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high
courage.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Roosevelt’s well-documented life story, replete with memorable accomplishments, reflected a life-path of hard work, positivity and continual forward reaching aspirations. He was born October 27, 1858, in Oyster Bay, New York. Greeley Central High Wildcat Tony Mustari was born October 27, 1986, in Greeley. Sharing a birthday with TR is not in itself unique. But in examining how one of the greatest wrestlers ever to come out of Greeley Central High accomplished what he has achieved, one notices similarities between how TR and Mustari approached life’s challenges and opportunities.

Mustari became GCHS’s first three-time state wrestling champion (undefeated in both his junior and senior seasons), Colorado’s first-ever two-time national champion (freestyle 2003 and 2005), an eight-time All-American and holder of multiple state records when he graduated from GCHS in 2005. He then passed on scholarship offers from Missouri and Wisconsin, choosing instead to wrestle for his hometown school, the University of Northern Colorado. And for the past several seasons, Coach Mustari, through diligence and year-round commitment has crafted Eaton High School’s wrestling program into a perennial state power. Through it all, Mustari’s positive approach is still reflected in his patented smile, reminiscent of TR’s own toothy grin.

Mustari’s parents encouraged him to give wrestling a try at age four, and he recently said, “I think it was because I had a ton of energy.” Mustari’s stepfather, Rob Ververs, provided a solid coaching presence for Tony through middle school. Tony flourished in Greeley’s youth programs and by age 10, had progressed to regional competitive tournaments in Denver, Oklahoma and Nevada. The tournaments represented an incredible investment of effort, time and sacrifices by Tony and his family. Beginning in sixth grade Tony traveled to Louisville two times a week to train with Team Excel, run by Steve Knight — a former Iowa State wrestler. The intense, advanced workouts augmented
Mustari’s capabilities. He recalled, “At any given time, there might be five to six state champions training at or near your weight at Team Excel.”

The summer before entering GCHS, Mustari qualified for both the Reno and Fargo national tournaments, which showcased the finest wrestlers in the country. While he didn’t place that summer, Tony no doubt set his sights on those tournaments the following year.

Mustari arrived at the “Castle” in the fall of 2001. During his freshman season, he was mentored by ‘Cats’ standouts: senior Matt Sens and juniors Brandon Risk and Zach Broughton. Coach Joe Banas, then in his fifth year as GCHS’s wrestling coach, led the Wildcats through their final season in the state’s 5A ranks during the decade. Mustari (wrestling at the103-lb. weight class) began his GCHS career on December 2, going 4-0 at the Weld Central Invite by defeating Rocky Mountain’s Dean McCosh in the finals. Mustari then recorded 4th place finishes at both the Greeley Wrestling Invite and the UNC Christmas Tournament, where GCHS earned 6th place as a team.

After the break, Mustari placed 3rd at the Roosevelt Invite. During January and February in league duals, Mustari pinned Chris Trujillo of Thompson Valley and Matt Behrens of Greeley West and decisioned Billy Wright of Loveland High (6-0). At the Fort Collins Invitational, Mustari was the runner-up. Then on February 16, the Wildcats traveled to the 5A Regionals in Grand Junction, where he wrestled well, earning 2nd place to Thornton’s Matt Torrez (7-5) and qualifying for the state meet the following week.

On February 20-22, 2002, Mustari (32-8) wrestled in his first state tournament at the Pepsi Center in Denver. In the preliminary round, he scored a major decision (11-3) over Chatfield’s Nick Arnold. When asked for his reaction to the win by the Greeley Tribune’s Ross Maak, Mustari said, “At the beginning, I was a little shaky. But once I started scoring, I started to loosen up a little bit.” When Maak addressed the notion that the year’s tournament experience could only help in the future, Mustari replied, almost prophetically, “This is great. Now as I come down here as a sophomore, junior and senior, I’ll have found out what it takes to win.”

Mustari lost to Pomona’s Noomis Jones (9-4) and Standley Lake’s Colton Casady (5-4), ending the year at 33-10. Coach Banas had no doubts about Mustari’s attitude toward post-season workouts. “Tony was real committed in season and to the off-season, he was a real hard worker,” he said. Summer consisted of twice-a-week workouts in Louisville, grueling weight room sessions and freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments.

The most prestigious of those tourneys was the USA Wrestling Junior and Cadet National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota. Mustari wrestled three days freestyle, then three days Greco-Roman — nearly 20 matches in total. To earn All-American status, wrestlers had to finish in the top eight. In the Junior Greco-Roman, Mustari was runner-up at 91lbs. to Henry Cejudo of Arizona (13-8). In Cadet Freestyle he pinned Cejudo (1:36), for 3rd place; Mustari’s first two of eight All-American finishes over the next three summers at nationals.

A much stronger and more-savvy Mustari began his sophomore season at the Castle, again at 103lbs. On December 7, he repeated as champion at the Weld Central Invitational (5-0 record). Mustari decisioned Eaton’s Luke Hanna (3-1) to win the Greeley tournament, and an improved ‘Cats squad won the team competition. The 2002 UNC Christmas Tournament, featuring 48 teams, provided a platform for Mustari’s athleticism. He recorded three technical falls and won the tournament.

On January 11, Mustari, at the Roosevelt Invitational, experienced the only loss of his sophomore season (and the last of his high school career), in a match against Roosevelt’s Joe Gonzales (6-3). A gracious Mustari told the Greeley Tribune’s Toby Swisher, “By wrestling him tonight helps me to learn from my mistakes, by wrestling him, it probably makes me a better wrestler.” Although Mustari recently revealed, “We had actually wrestled in practice (at Team Excel), like 60 times.”

Over the following weeks, Mustari won the Pueblo, Poudre, and Thornton Invitationals. On February 15, at the 4A Regionals held at GCHS, Mustari wrestled the first of two of the most exciting matches involving Greeley wrestlers in 2003, when he defeated Ricky Saucedo of Northridge in overtime (7-5). As coach Banas recalled recently, “Prior to the finals match, Tony said ‘I think it’s going to go to overtime tonight.’ I finally just said, ‘Alright you know what to do if that happens.’ He knew it was going to be a war.” It was. Mustari’s takedown in OT proved to be the difference.

Mustari was 35-1 heading into state tournament, where he defeated Montrose’s Taylor Gallegos (17-1), in the quarterfinals, pinned Travis Anderson of Sterling (2:25), in the semifinals, and once again met Saucedo in the finals. This time Mustari defeated Saucedo 4-3 in a double-overtime thriller to win the state title and end the season 39-1. Teammate Zach Broughton also took state, and Brandon Risk earned 3rd place. GCHS finished 6th as a team.

During another summer of hard work, Mustari again made the trip to the National Freestyle and Cadet National Championships in Fargo. Wrestling in the Midwestern summer heat and humidity at 105 lbs., Mustari defeated Matt Steintreger of Minnesota (6-5) to win the Men’s Junior Freestyle national championship.

Entering the 2003-04 season as both a state and national champion, Mustari was likely aware that opponents statewide desperately wanted to defeat him. His lofty goals and seven day-a-week workout schedule would keep them in check.

The Wildcats, now coached by Duff Knott, soon realized what his ‘Cats teammates already knew about Mustari. As Knott recently noted, “Tony is the hardest worker I’ve ever coached in 30 years of coaching wrestling.”

Mustari, who had moved to the112-lb. weight class, again won the Greeley Invite. On December 19-20, at the Old Chicago-Northern Colorado Christmas Tournament, Mustari met Abraham Lincoln High School senior Abe Alvarado in the finals. In one of the most memorable matches of his career, Mustari won a major decision (9-1) over 5A’s eventual three-time state champ. Coach Knott told Greeley Tribune reporter Mandi Torrez that “Mustari pulled off a perfect match.”

On January 10, Mustari, wrestling in the Roosevelt Invitational, once again faced Joe Gonzales. The outcome this time: Mustari recorded a statement-making 17-0 technical fall and was named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. He then won the Poudre Invitational. Mustari, ranked #1 in Colorado and #3 nationally, was invaluable in Wildcat practices. Teammates in GCHS’s wrestling room sought his insights and appreciated the positive advice that he offered. As Knott pointed out, “Tony was like having another coach on the team.”

Mustari was once again Northern Regional champion and sported a 39-0 mark heading to state. He defeated Pueblo County’s-Travis Goss, then Pueblo East’s Matt Basquez in the semifinals (9-0) and Broomfield’s John Ness (8-0) in the finals to finish the season 43-0 and repeat as state champion. Mustari’s back-to-back titles were the first for a GHS/GCHS wrestler since Les Davison in 1943 and 44.

Mustari, for the 2004-05 season moved up to 119 lbs. With nine new wrestlers on Central’s varsity, he and fellow seniors Devin Wolf and Josh Gonzales provided important leadership for the young Wildcats. They would all have the good fortune to be the first GCHS team to wrestle beneath the new Wildcat logo that carefully watched all ‘Cats from the west wall in Baggot Gymnasium.

Mustari, for the third year in a row won the Greeley Invitational, defeating Windsor’s Jon Pattison (10-0)). Then, on December 15, Mustari won his 74th straight match and secured the Mike Rollins MVP Award (given to the outstanding wrestler in the GC/GW match). The following week at the O.C.-N.C. Christmas Tournament, Mustari became the tourney’s first three-time champion. On January 8, he again won the Roosevelt Invitational. It was clear that Mustari and the Wildcats had been circled on many area teams’ calendars as the ‘Cats lost a hotly contested dual against Northridge. On January 29, Mustari won the Thornton Invitational for the third straight year. Next up-the 4A Northern Regionals, where most eyes were on Mustari as he added to one state record while closing in on another.

Since the outset of the season, no one had scored against Mustari in what eventually became a state record 40 straight matches. That mark ended when Fort Morgan’s Chris Bustos scored four points in his regional-final loss to Mustari (10-4). But Mustari, with a win in the quarterfinals, became Colorado’s new record holder for career wins with an amazing 155. Yet, when one considers the sheer number of matches wrestled and the level of the competitors that he had faced over the last three-plus years, it’s more believable. Mustari, along with ‘Cats — Scott Schaeffer, Josh Gonzales, Josh Rangel, and Miguel Valenzuela —qualified for state.

At state, Mustari pinned Pueblo Central’s David Herrera (in 3:11) in the semifinals and met Pueblo South’s Marcus Hernandez in the finals. The match with Hernandez proved to be challenging as he was blind and rules dictated that Mustari had to be in contact with him prior to attempting a move. Despite that, Mustari scored a 12-2 major decision and claimed his third state championship.

He ended the season 43-0 with 106 straight wins and owned a Colorado prep-career wrestling record of 161 wins. When asked about all of this, he told the Greeley Tribune’s Torrez, “I’m on top of the world right now; there’s so much that I wanted to accomplish, and it’s finally done now. I finally got it.”

That spring Mustari was also named the 2005 Colorado Male Athlete of the Year. He and his family sifted through the many offers and made the decision to accept a scholarship to UNC and red-shirt for his freshman year. Mustari’s legacy at GCHS was more than just wrestling titles and records. Mary Lauer, Central’s long-time principal, told the Tribune, “What a joy he has been to have as a student, he’s one of those athletes that is about all the right things. Everyone should get to have kids like Tony Mustari in their school.”

The summer following graduation, Mustari won the national freestyle title, outscoring his opponents 83-0 at the Cadet & Junior Nationals. He was also named outstanding wrestler in the freestyle competition at the 2005 Western Junior Regional.

Mustari wrestled at 125 lbs. during his entire UNC career. As a freshman and sophomore, veteran Bears coach Jack Maughn worked with Mustari. UNC belonged to Western Wrestling Conference (Wyoming, Air Force, U. of Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Utah Valley). His freshman year he earned third-team All-Conference and qualified for the NCAA Division I championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In the 2007-08 season Mustari won the Northern Colorado Old Chicago (named Outstanding Wrestler), Cowboy and Loper Opens and was runner-up at the Oregon Classic. He was undefeated in WWC action, named second-team All-Conference and was runner-up in the NCAA West Regional. His 32-8 record qualified him for the NCAA Division-I tournament in St. Louis, Missouri.

During the 2008-09 season, Mustari compiled a 24-10 record and was again second-team All-WWC and West Regional runner-up. His 0:20 pin was the fastest on the Bears team that season. Before Mustari’s senior year, 2009-10, former Boise State star Ben Cherrington, became UNC’s new head coach. Mustari’s two wins at the 2010 NCAA West Regional in Brookings, South Dakota, (third place), gave him 90 career wins and earned him a place on the top ten all-time wins list in Northern Colorado history. Mustari ended his brilliant career with a 90-42 mark.

After graduating from UNC with a degree in exercise science, Mustari began his coaching career assisting at UNC and GCHS, each for a year and then as Eaton’s assistant for two years before being named head coach. His EHS teams have won the state title three times and have been runners-up three times. Mustari works for Method-Flow Products.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” Wildcat Tony Mustari is quite adept at doing both. He and his wife Shaylee have two children, Owen and Joelle.

Each day, with recess winding down at Shawsheen Elementary the teacher would announce, “Okay, let’s all race to the fence and back.” While some Thunderbirds would have preferred to hear that dodgeball was in the offing, for others like Allie Parks it was an opportunity to run. And she usually won. Fast forward to Heath Middle School’s cross-country meets. If the meet was running long, so to speak, the coaches in charge would combine the remaining boys’ and girls’ races into a single event. Unfortunately, for the majority of those Panthers and their opponents, Allie usually won.

So it came as no surprise to classmates who joined her at the “Castle” in 2007 that Allie Parks would go on to become a two-time state cross country champion, be named All-State in cross country four times, become a two-time All-State track runner in the 3200 meters, and win several conference and regional titles. After Parks graduated from Greeley Central in 2011, she continued to run. First, for the University of Montana, where she would become a four-time All-Big Sky Conference runner and a 12-time Big Sky Conference and one-time All-American academic athlete.

Also, Parks’s Wildcats classmates would be happy to know that she found an opportunity to run for the University of Windsor, Canada, during graduate school. In cross country, she earned All-Ontario University Conference, All-Canadian, as well as being named an Academic All-Canadian. Thank goodness for recess.

Allie Parks was born on June 23, 1993, in Greeley, and grew up in a family of runners. Both of her parents ran in college and became captains of their teams: her mother Lynne for the University of Iowa, and her father Marshall for Augustana College. Every fourth of July, Greeley hosts a community race before the Stampede parade. When Parks was nine years old, she easily won the 12 & Underage group. Her mom said, “Wow Allie, just think how fast you would be if you trained...you know, practiced running.” Her firm response was, “Mom, I already know how to run!” A Parks family vacation tradition was to go on an all-family run as soon as they reached their destination. Any chance
to run together.

In fall 2007 Parks became part of another family of sorts when she joined the ‘Cats’ cross country team, coached by Mike “Woody” Wilson (who had been Allie’s track coach for two years at Heath). The cross-country team at Central had a history of welcoming freshmen — “Freshies” — to the squad. So, after the team’s annual “trip to the mountains,” where the Wildcats camped out, hiked and did odd jobs at Wilson’s Crystal Lakes property, Parks and her fellow newbies felt right at home.

In their first meet in Boulder, the ‘Cats placed second, paced by freshman Janelle Martinez’s third-place finish, with Parks and senior Chanae Nordhoff finishing in the top 15. The Wildcats won the Fort Morgan Invitational, and took second at the competitive Andy Myers Invitational (the Greeley Invitational was renamed in honor of Andy Myers in 1992. Myers, a 1987 graduate of GWHS, was a Northern Conference cross country champion and track star, and a varsity letterman for the U.S. Naval Academy cross country and track teams. He died as a result of an automobile accident in August 1989). In the Northern Regionals at Lyons High School, the Wildcats came in third, with Parks, Martinez and Nordhoff all qualifying for state (Allie and Janelle were named All-Conference, Chanae-2nd team).

The following week at the state meet in Colorado Springs, Martinez (6th)-19:42.4, and Parks (7th)-19:47.5, turned in impressive runs and were the top two freshmen in the state (both named All-State). GCHS finished in third place.

During the spring of 2008, Parks ran the 1600 and 3200 meters on the Wildcat track team for long-time coach Marty Neibauer. The Lady ‘Cats had a very successful year. They took first place at the Fort Morgan and Horizon Invitationals as well as the sixteen-team Northern Conference meet. Central then won the school’s first Girls Regional Championship since the addition of regional meets to the Northern Conference schedule.

In the fall of 2008, Parks, Martinez and the ‘Cats at the Broomfield Invitational placed second and had four runners in the top 20, with Parks coming in 1st, Martinez 6th, Mercedes Davila 12th, and Christina Davila 19th. On September 26, the Lady ‘Cats captured another second-place team finish at the Lobocat Invitational in Fort Collins. In perhaps their best team effort all season, Central won the Andy Myers Invitational. Parks came in first at 19:11. The 2008 regional meet was held in Loveland at Centerra. The Wildcats came in second to Thompson Valley. Parks (4th), Martinez (5th) and Mercedes Davila were all named first team All-Conference; Christina Davila was named to the 2nd team.

At the state meet the following week at Fossil Ridge High School, it was once again the Parks-Martinez show. In what was becoming a theme each season for the two talented Wildcats; they both ran markedly better as the stakes got higher. Allie finished 4th -18:50 in state, and Janelle 9th - 19:17.20. They were the top two placing sophomores in Colorado, and both were again named All-State. Central’s team took fourth overall in the state.

During the 2009 track season, new head coach Scott Brown and his coaching staff of Marty Neibauer, Barb Johnson and Juan Leal led the Wildcats against Colorado’s spring weather and the tough Northern Conference. The ‘Cats qualified 24 boys and girls thinclads for state. At the state meet at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood on May 16, Parks ran a 11:43.02, good enough for 5th in state in the 3200 meters.

Parks and the Wildcats began the 2009 cross country season (after completing the Ottawa Challenge Run in August), at Fossil Ridge High, the site of that year’s state meet. Parks won in 18:48.0, 16 seconds ahead of Greeley West’s Erica Hinchcliffe, the former state champion. Janelle Martinez was fourth. Parks, perhaps foreshadowing November’s state meet, told the Tribune’s Sam Mustari: “I like this course a lot...We run together and Janelle was leading in the first mile...we really supported each other...This is the biggest victory I’ve had.” As a team, the ‘Cats came in second.

On September 12, the ‘Cats took third 3rd place at the St. Vrain Invitational in Lyons and the following week won the Fort Morgan Invitational. The last meet of the season before regionals was the Andy Meyers Invitational in Greeley. Parks, the defending champion of this race, ran a 2009 state-best time of 18:15.0, won the race and tied Central’s school record. Greeley Tribune reporter Scott Rosenberg asked Parks how she was able post the record time. Allie explained, “I can never tell when I’m going to run really well or not. I was feeling kind of tired before the race, but that’s when some of my best races are.” Yet, astute race observers were inclined to believe that if it’s an important race, Parks will be at her best. The Wildcats also got strong performances from Martinez-5th (19:11) and Mercedes Davila-9th (19:49) and won the meet by 10 points over rival Monarch High.

The Wildcats were back at Lyons High for the Northern regionals. Central finished second behind Parks’s regional champion finish. She, Martinez and Mercedes Davila were named All-Conference. Parks was also named the Northern Conference Runner of the Year. The Lady ‘Cats would have to wait an extra week to run at the state meet at FRHS because of a pesky snowstorm that hit the Front Range the following week.

Finally, on November 7, GCHS ran the state finals on the same course they had seen in September. Although the ‘Cats finished in eighth place as a team, Parks won the state individual title in one of the closest finishes in the meet’s history. Coming down the final 50 yards, Parks and Thompson Valley’s Becky Schmitt were next to each after having exchanged the lead several times. In the last 25 yards, Parks pulled away to win in a time of 18:17.40. Martinez finished 8th - 19:05.60, and both Parks and Martinez were now three-time All-State runners. When asked by the Tribune’s Mustari for her reaction, Parks said, “This feels like a dream, it feels like an out-of-body experience.” Coach
Wilson added, “This is a great thing for Allie, she’s very tough and completely into her running...reminds me a lot of Annie Bersagel...who was amazing, never won an individual title though. Parks is the first one I’ve coached in 39 years.”

In the spring of 2010, Parks again ran the 1600 and 3200 meter races for the Wildcats. At the Northern Conference meet, she won the 3200 meters-11:32.69 and the ‘Cats took 3rd as a squad. At the state meet on May 22, after teammate Janelle Martinez turned in a 2:17.27 in the 800 meters and placed 5th, Parks would finish 9th in the 3200 meters. The Lady ‘Cats placed 14th.

As Parks entered her senior year at the Castle, she did so as defending state champion in cross country. The ‘Cats returned all seven of their top runners, so the team was optimistic as they headed into their 10- meet schedule. The first meet at the Arapahoe County fairgrounds was a competitive preview of the state course. The Lady ‘Cats, as a team, finished first with Parks-20:20.0, Martinez-20:36.0, and Mercedes Davila 20:38.0, all turning in top-10 performances. On October 8, the Lady ‘Cats defended their title in the Andy Myers Invitational. Parks finished in 1st- 18:29.0 and GCHS finished second to 5A’s Monarch High. It was the third year that Parks had won the race and told the Greeley Tribune’s Scott Rosenberg, “I love it because everybody from the community is here.... It’s definitely one of the most satisfying races you can win because of all the people.” The following two weeks, the ‘Cats competed in the Northern Conference and Regional meets. Parks won the conference meet and was named NC runner of the Year once again. The Wildcats placed second behind Niwot at regionals, with Parks also taking second place. Central then prepared for state.

The 2010 state meet, held at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, was run on the same course that Parks had managed just a sixth-place finish in the initial meet of the year. As she told the Tribune during the week of the state meet, “This is a very challenging course, and I want to make sure I leave everything on the course. It’s my last race and I don’t want to think I could have done better when it’s over.” Parks was likely a bit nervous about the upcoming race. Yet, her supportive brother, Logan (GCHS class of 2013), had no doubts about the meet on Saturday. He painted “my sister is a 2X state champion,” on the family car the day before the big race.

On October 30, the finals race would be held on a dusty course with more hills than was typical of most meets throughout the season. Central’s squad knew the course would likely reward strength more than speed and kept this in mind as the race began. By the second mile it was apparent that no one was going to be able to keep up with Parks. She broke the tape in 18:58.2, and Denver South’s Sydney Scott finished a very distant second-19:14.52. About Parks, Scott told the Tribune’s Sam Mustari: “She had way too much for me to try and keep up with her...I knew I wasn’t going to be able to catch her.”

Back-to-back state titles; the first runner from any Weld County school ever to accomplish this. The Lady ‘Cats finished in third place. Over four years, this senior class had finished in third place twice, fourth once, and an eighth in state — an impressive string for any era at GCHS. Ever appreciative and humble, Parks explained to the newspapers that over her four-year career, much credit went to Coach Wilson and his staff for creating a welcoming but challenging environment for Parks and her teammates.

The spring of 2011 was Parks last season as a Wildcat as she again led the distance races for Central’s track team. On May 20-21, at the state meet at Lakewood’s Jefferson County Stadium, Parks finished her illustrious Wildcat career in both the 3200 and 1600 meter races. In the 3200, she ran to a 5th place finish-11:28.21.

Following track season, she would be awarded the Gold “G” for academics (one of GCHS’s most prestigious awards), for an outstanding scholastic resume that had included several Advanced Placement courses. Parks’ self-disciplined approach to both running and academics at Central was a trademark. She and her family made the difficult decision regarding college. Parks passed on offers from Kansas and Oregon State, and accepted a scholarship to run for the University of Montana and coach Courtney Babcock. On signing day at GCHS, a rare sight indeed — four Lady Wildcats signed D-I letters of intent for the same sport: Parks-U. of Montana, Janelle Martinez-Oklahoma State and
Mercedes Davila and Darion Roque-UNC. Coach Wilson likely summed it up best when discussing Parks, Martinez and the ‘Cats: “All those girls were so smart; they were just incredible individuals; they just had a thing about them that made them special.”

Parks would run for the Montana’s Grizzlies for four years in a stellar career. During her first two years she ran for the former Canadian Olympian Babcock. As a freshman, at the conference meet at Montana State University, Parks took 2nd in the 3000 meter steeple chase, qualifying for the NCAA regional championships with a time of 10:36. She also placed 5th in the 5000 meters. She would finish 8th at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics in the 3000 meter steeple chase. During her four years at Missoula, Parks would be named a three-time All-Big Sky Conference performer in the steeple chase and was once All-Big Sky in the 5000 meters. Parks, who graduated with a double major in economics and environmental studies, was also chosen 12 times as Academic-All Big sky and a one-time Academic All American.

Parks then completed her master’s degree at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario. While there, she ran cross country and finished 8th in the Ontario University championships and then 21st in the Canadian national championships. Parks was named All-Ontario University Conference, as well as to the All-Canadian Cross Country team. She was also an Academic All-Canadian and chosen the University of Windsor Academic Student Athlete of the Year.

Parks is currently an environmental economist for a water resource company and still lives in Windsor, Ontario. She is married to Jordan Collison, who she met during her freshman year at Montana while he was running for the men’s track and cross country teams. Jordan currently coaches the cross country and track teams at the University of Windsor. And while Parks admitted recently, they go on more walks these days, they also still run—because she definitely knows how.

The great UCLA coach John R. Wooden created his Pyramid of Success to provide a type of road map for those who hope to attain success in any walk of life. While Coach Wooden never knew Wildcat three-time state champion pole vaulter Addy Neibauer, it’s not a stretch to suggest that he had an athlete just like her in mind when he created the Pyramid. Indeed, Neibauer’s Wildcat high school athletic trajectory closely mirrors the progression toward true success that Coach Wooden detailed in his pyramid.

Enthusiasm. “Infuses hard work with inspired power.”

The seeds of eventual success in the pole vault may have been planted in the Neibauer’s backyard when she was very young. Addy’s father, Marty, a former college track star, would hold one of his old vaulting poles and allow Addy to grasp one end. Addy would wait eagerly for her father to plant it in the ground, raise her high in the air and allow her to release it at a height so that she could splash down into a home-made pole-vault pit. The ritual produced ecstatic laughter from young Addy. It was just innocent fun, the kind that fathers provide for their kids every day, but as Marty watched his athletic daughter embrace the thrill of flying as high as she could before releasing the pole, he had to have some inkling that these backyard games might eventually evolve from child’s play to something pretty special for his daughter.

Other flying through the air on her father’s old vaulting pole, nothing about Addy’s early childhood suggested she would eventually choose to follow in her father’s and older brother Nathan’s (GCHS class of 2011), footsteps as a pole vaulter. In fact, Marty was inclined to believe she was going to be a runner, if she chose to pursue track and field at all.

As an eight-year-old, Addy ran a 6:50 mile, and in junior track meets and elementary field days, she would excel in short, middle and long-distance races. But her interests were diverse, and she was successful at just about everything. She danced for a local hip hop dance team and competed in gymnastics. She actually earned her first state title in elementary school when she was a Colorado state champion BMX racer.

Intentness. “The ability to stay the course even when that course is the most difficult.”

Neibauer also excelled at traditional school sports. In addition to track and field, she played volleyball and basketball, but she faced a setback in 8th grade. She suffered from a Pars Fracture — a type of stress fracture of the spine — during basketball that caused her to shut down her sports activity. Her family feared that the injury may have a lasting effect on Neibauer’s ability to pursue athletics in the future.

Initiative. “The ability to act.”

In the fall of 2009 Addy arrived at The Castle. With the kind of gusto atypical for a freshman, Neibauer dove into high school. In her time at Central, she worked on the Highlight, the school newspaper. She organized fundraising events like the GCHS Haunted Dungeon, and, most impressively, began working toward what would end up to be a 4.30 GPA and a #1 class ranking in academics.

The fears about the lingering effects of her back injury proved to be unfounded. Neibauer returned to the basketball court as a freshman at Greeley Central. She played hoops for the ‘Cats as a freshman and sophomore, in addition to running and jumping for the track team. But toward the end of her sophomore year, she focused most of her energy on track and field and began to enjoy great success in that sport.

Condition. “The choice you make makes you become the best you are capable of becoming.”

In her early days as a Wildcat, it was not unusual to see Neibauer training alone in the weight room, running stairs or doing plyometric exercises. She pushed herself relentlessly. The work paid off in May 2011. She had a strong season in the pole vault and established herself as one of the favorites in the event at the Colorado 4A Track and Field Championships. She ran the second leg of the Wildcats’ Medley Relay team, which also qualified for state. The ‘Cats didn’t win any medals in the medley relay, but the pole vault was a different story. Neibauer cleared 10 feet on her first attempt to claim the Class 4A girls pole vault title, edging out teammate Alyson Foust.

The Greeley Tribune’s Sam Mustari asked Neibauer about her work in the finals: “I’m happy that I won, but I wanted to go higher,” she said. “I wanted to go over 11 feet, and I know I can, but I just didn’t do it today. I wasn’t finishing. I wasn’t doing what I needed to do once I was at the top of the vault.” Clearly, her quest for success was a work in progress.

Skill. “You have to know your stuff and that requires a mastery of details.”

As she continued to train through her junior year, the words Neibauer spoke after winning her first state championship were driving her: “I wanted to go higher.” Her coach installed a rope-and-pulley apparatus that hung from the rafters above the balcony in Baggot Gymnasium. It looked a little like a trapeze, and in the off-season before her junior track season, it was not uncommon to see Neibauer strapped in to the trapeze, flying above the balcony, twisting and turning, working to achieve the perfect kinesthetic awareness to gain a few more inches out of her pole vaults. The hard work paid off. Neibauer finished first, or tied for first in the pole vault, at every meet in her junior season. She cleared 12 feet in two regular season events and regularly soared over 12’6” in practice.

Poise. “Don't get rattled, thrown of or unbalanced regardless of the circumstances or situation.”

The state track meet at Jefferson County Stadium that year was a rain-soaked affair. Neibauer qualified in the 100 meter hurdles, the 4 x 100 meter relay and the 800 meter sprint medley relay teams, but her focus was on the pole vault. The weather forced a delay of five hours before the finals of the pole vault could be completed. Undeterred by the weather and the long line of competitors vying for her title, Neibauer patiently passed up vaulting at the lower heights, waiting until the bar was set at 10 feet, 6 inches before she entered the fray. By then, the field had been cut in half, and when she cleared 11’6”, it was over. She was once again on top of the victory stand.

Later, when the Tribune’s Mustari asked for her rection to the victory, a gracious Neibauer made it clear that the victory was nice, but there was more to come. “I would have loved to make 12-2 today and had a shot at 12-6. It’s a little disappointing going just 11-6 but winning another state title is pretty cool.”

Confidence. “The knowledge that your preparation is fully complete and that you are ready for the
competition.”

In her senior track season, Neibauer focused almost exclusively on the pole vault. In addition to
her goal of winning a third state title, she was hoping to clear 13 feet before she graduated. Neibauer
entered the state meet that year as the clear favorite and she approached the competition with the
confidence of a two-time defending champion. She joined the competition at 11’0” with only four
other jumpers left. She cleared the bar easily on her first attempt. The other girls missed at least once
at 12 feet, and when all the competitors failed to clear 12’ 6”, Neibauer had her third state title.

Competitive Greatness. “Having a real love for the hard battle knowing it offers the opportunity to
be at your best when your best is required.”

While she was disappointed in missing in her attempts to clear the elusive 13-foot mark at the state meet, Neibauer relished the battle and summoned her competitive best when she needed it. She told the Tribune’s Kayla Cornett, “That’s the toughest this has been ever since I’ve been here,” she said, alluding to being pushed by the other competitors. “The pressure was a little more intense today than it normally is, so that made it harder. But I think I vaulted well under pressure on my first make at 12. I’m honored that I get to stand on top of the podium again for the third time in my high school career.” As a three-time state champion, Neibauer had achieved what few others could. Her hard work had paid off.

Success. “Success is a peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you
made the effort to become the best you are capable of becoming.”

After graduating from Greeley Central with three All State selections and numerous academic honors, including the Academic Gold G, Neibauer received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where she would compete on the track team. After her freshman year, she transferred to the Colorado School of Mines, where she ran track and earned a degree in biochemistry.

Greeley Timothy

In May and early June of 1921, the Northern Colorado Conference and its rival schools sent dozens of exceptional athletes into the world following
commencement exercises. In Fort Morgan, one of the finest ends ever to hit the gridiron for the Maroons was heading to Colorado University in Boulder.

Fortunately for everyone, Glenn Miller took along his trombone. At Greeley High, several standouts from both the ‘Cats 1920 state football
championship team and 1920-1921 state basketball championship squad graduated on Friday, June 3rd. Local sports fans grudgingly said so long to Royden Banta (All-State basketball), Glenn Jacobs (All-State basketball), Joe James (All-State basketball), and Pat Barry (All-Northern football). But the most difficult goodbye was reserved for Greeley Timothy. He was a Wildcat only for his senior year. But his dominance of both the Northern Conference and state competitions in football, basketball and track had ‘Cats fans pining for one more year of eligibility.

Nevertheless, GHS athletics had provided Timothy a springboard for an astounding career at Colorado State Teachers College (University of Northern
Colorado). His tenure included at least 14 varsity letters in football, basketball, track, baseball, and tennis, with multiple all-conference honors. Timothy’s accomplishments reflected his graceful athleticism, stunning mastery of a multitude of sports, and a well-deserved reputation for sportsmanship.

These hallmarks saw Timothy inducted to both the UNC Athletics Hall of Fame (1994 -inaugural class), and the Colorado Sports HOF (1990). Greeley’s resume has elicited the highest praise from Colorado sports’ most respected figures. Legendary Bears coach L.C. ‘Pete’ Butler (25 consecutive RMAC baseball championships, UNC Athletics HOF-1994, Colorado Sports HOF-1974), aptly summed up Timothy’s abilities when he asserted, “Greeley Timothy was the only man that I ever met who could say, ‘Name your sport and I’ll beat you at it.’” After graduating from CSTC, Timothy’s superb four-decade career as an educator, coach, and competitor in both Colorado and Utah evinced more superlatives.

Greeley Timothy was born on March 15, 1902, the seventh of eight sons, to Hyrum and Rosella Timothy, who had arrived in the area to supervise Great Western’s Greeley sugar plant in 1900. His appellation was purportedly due to his parents saying they had run out of names. Greeley spent his education through sophomore year in the State Teacher’s College (Industrial) school system. Timothy’s athletic prowess enabled him to enroll in St. John’s Military Academy in Salina, Kansas, his junior year (1919-1920). He returned home to Greeley for his senior year (1920-1921), joining a group of gifted athletes at GHS, under the direction of coaches including storied Wildcat coach Arnold D. Jones (2022 - HOF). Greeley’s talents were integral in the ‘Cats state championship runs in football (harrowing) and basketball (dominant).

The Wildcats’ 1920 state football championship season was fraught with peril. Although the ‘Cats would finish the season undefeated, winning the Northern Conference (Boulder, Longmont, Loveland, Ft. Collins, Windsor, Eaton, GHS) was a tussle. Their October 9th trip to Longmont produced only a tense 14-14 tie with the Trojans. On the road again at Boulder High, a seminal moment in GHS’s season: the ‘Cats, late in the game, held the Panthers on four downs inside the one-yard line to secure a 10-7 victory. In a late season road game against Loveland, the Indians had GHS down 7-3 with five minutes left to play. The determined Wildcats scored two TDs in the final hectic minutes to win 17-7. Perhaps the only easy triumph of the season came in a game at Windsor, when Greeley High outscored the Bulldogs (later the Wizards, est. 1923) 112-0. Timothy set a still-standing national record by kicking 16 straight successful drop-kicks for point-after attempts.

Those victories set up the conference championship game against Eaton High at Cranford Field (CSTC campus) on the morning of Saturday, November 20. Defending NC champs Eaton had outscored opponents 94-3 during the conference season. The Greeley Tribune-Republican estimated that 7,000 people witnessed Timothy’s star turn. In the first quarter, he scored on a 20-yard run around end. As both sides struggled to move the ball, three of Timothy’s punts netted 70, 70, and 55 yards. He scored again in the third quarter after end Tom Willis recovered an EHS fumble. Glenn Jacob’s fourth quarter drop-kick sealed Greeley High’s 17-0 win, sending the Wildcats to the state finals.

The 1920 state title game was played on Thanksgiving Day at Cranford Field against Colorado Springs, the defending champions of each one of the previous three state title games. They were undefeated and unscored-upon: 1916 (28-0/Greeley), 1917 (38-0/Ft. Collins), and 1919 (3-0/Eaton), with the 1918 championship preempted by the global influenza epidemic.

While GHS had outscored its opponents 224-34, it was clear the veteran Terrors were playoff-savvy. Thursday afternoon, in front of 5,000 rooters, Timothy once again dominated, scoring a TD and kicking a 46-yard field goal, three PATs, and an 88-yard punt. Greeley High’s premier backfield of Timothy, Jacobs, Barry, and Joe Enright carried the Wildcats to a 24-0 drubbing of the visitors.

GHS ended their year 8-0-1. While NC coaches chose to ignore Timothy for the All-Northern team, statewide observers did not. Joseph Ewing, former Colorado College and Baylor University coach, declared Timothy a “human catapult in football...he stirs the admiration of his friends and excites the envy of his opponents.”

The November 26th Greeley Tribune-Republican noted that Timothy’s season total of 122 points outscored every team in the Northern by himself. According to the Tribune, “Timothy is the most valuable backfield man to his team that the writer has ever seen at any time on any high school team.”

The 1920-1921 Wildcat hoops team provided considerably fewer spikes in blood pressure for the Greeley High faithful. The ‘Cats would end the year with a 20-0 record, winning the first of their back-to-back state championships in 1921 and 1922 (2022 - HOF). Timothy’s exceptional talents fit well within Coach Jones’s system and complemented a talented, veteran squad led by Joe James, Banta, Jacobs, and Enright.

With these hoopsters at the helm, the Wildcats were defending NC champs and had been state runners-up in 1919-1920. During an early January road trip, the ‘Cats beat Sterling High 28-9, and the following day defeated Nebraska’s defending state champs Kimball 31-24. GHS romped through the competitive Northern undefeated, beating runner-up Boulder 28-13 and 39-21. The ‘Cats took time during the middle of the season to ease by Colorado A&M’s frosh 83-8. Timothy, the leading scorer in the conference, was the lone unanimous pick for the All-Northern first team and was joined there by Jacobs, James, and Enright. Greeley High’s faithful again made preparations for the trek to Boulder for the state championships.

The state tournament, held Friday and Saturday March 11th-12th, heralded a grueling two days for the Wildcats. GHS beat Wheat Ridge, Pueblo Central, Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs, Fort Morgan, and Simla to win the state championship. The ‘Cats closest games were a 16-point physical contest over Ft. Morgan (26-10), and a 15-point foul-filled win over Wheat Ridge (43-28). Timothy – the tournament’s leading scorer – and Glenn Jacobs were unanimous picks, joined by Royden Banta on the All-State first team. The following week, GHS traveled by train to play exhibition games against the state champs of Utah (Logan High) and Wyoming (Worland High). Although GHS lost in Salt Lake City, it defeated Worland in Laramie.

Laramie’s local newspaper gushed, “Mr. Timothy is a rather dapper looking individual who appears perfectly harmless until he is discovered in the possession of a basketball... Unless you have watched this Timothy man perform, you haven’t any idea of what basket shooting means.”

In the spring, Greeley wrapped up his GHS career, running the low and high hurdles, pole vaulting and throwing the javelin on the track team. After graduation Timothy was recruited by Coach Ralph Glaze to play football at Lake Forrest College in Illinois for the fall quarter 1921, where he lettered. He returned to Greeley and enrolled at CSTC for the 1922 winter quarter, and remained there until he graduated in August 1926.

Greeley Timothy’s time at CSTC produced outstanding performances in five different sports: football, basketball, track, baseball and tennis. During the 1922-1923 school year, with Timothy at forward, the CSTC hoops team finished 10-3 (their best season to that point). Greeley was the season’s leading scorer for the Teachers. That spring Timothy would also be high-point-scorer in a track meet with Wyoming University, winning three events and placing second in another. Timothy’s sophomore year (1923-1924) was a testament to his unique athletic abilities. He lettered in five sports in one year. In the fall he was elected class president and starred at left halfback for Coach George Cooper’s Teachers – though they struggled to a 2-4-1 record. Their loss to Montana State, however, was notable as CSTC’s first-ever homecoming game, and marked the first appearance of the Bear as the school’s mascot. The student newspaper, The Mirror, reported that Timothy’s punting, kicking and passing were a season-long strength for the
Teachers. Timothy captained the basketball squad, which finished the season 10-5. He led the Bears in scoring with 188 points as they swept two games apiece with Colorado, Wyoming, Colorado A&M, and Regis.

That spring Timothy earned letters in tennis, baseball and track for the Bears. The May 22nd Mirror reported that CSTC’s Timothy and J. B. Lehan won tennis matches against the U of Wyoming in Laramie. The same day, while the Bear track team lost a dual meet at UW, Greeley Timothy won the 220-yard dash and placed second in the pole vault.

It was likely that spring season renowned Greeley High coach Jim Baggot (2022 - HOF) referred to when he claimed, “Greeley [Timothy] once earned three varsity letters on the same weekend, he pitched and played shortstop in the conference baseball tournament, ran over to the track and competed in the low hurdles, and ran over to the tennis courts and won that tournament. It was a two-day tournament, and he was all over the complex.”

Timothy’s five letters were two more than the next closest Bear collected that year.

The 1924-1925 school year marked the CSTC’s initial campaign as a member of the Rocky Mountain Conference. Timothy missed football due to a season-long injury. He returned for a Bears basketball squad that finished in second place behind defending champ Colorado College. Timothy was selected First-Team All-RMC and finished league runner-up in scoring. He met and was coached by John Hancock, the venerable CSTC football and wrestling coach, and UNC (1994 – inaugural class) and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (1969) inductee. Newly arrived from the University of Iowa and embarking on his 40-year coaching career at UNC, Coach Hancock said of Timothy, “Greel’ was the best in the R.M.C. in tennis and basketball and football.”

Yet Timothy’s reputation reflected more than just his physical talents. His sportsmanship and willingness to assist younger athletes in town was well-known. Merle Ogle (GHS ’26), who played on the GHS 1924-1925 state basketball championship team, was a CSTC hoops star and RMC tennis champ. He recalled that his mother watched all of his basketball games at GHS, “except when Greeley Timothy was playing in a college game, and then she watched him play instead.”

When confronted, Merle’s mother replied, “If any of you can be as graceful, as competent and as modest as Greeley Timothy, then I know that you have matured and I will be as proud of you as I am of Greeley Timothy.”

Followed carefully through his career at CSTC and his extensive involvement in the city’s tennis and baseball competitions, Timothy served as a
role model for scores of young Greeleyites during the 1920s.

During summers from 1917-1930, Timothy was active in the northern Colorado tennis scene, in which Greeley was considered a hot-bed for the sport. According to various accounts in the Greeley Tribune-Republican, Timothy won the Northern Colorado singles championship four times and was in the finals another five times. He won the singles title in the Greeley City tournament four times, and reached the finals two other times.

Timothy also played in the Colorado State Open, as well as the Denver City and Intermountain tournaments, against players whose primary sport was tennis. In 1926, Timothy made it to the semi-finals of the Colorado Open and was defeated by Berkeley Bell of Texas, who, at the time, was ranked in the top 10 players in the nation. In 1927, he and J. B. Lehan of Greeley won doubles in the Denver City tournament. Timothy would continue to play tennis at the most competitive levels into the 1930s.

In December 1925, the RMC banned off-season paid officiating. A penalty applied retroactively to games Timothy officiated before CSTC had even joined the league kept him out of the winter and spring sports seasons. Thus, Timothy focused on concluding his academic program.

He and other former GHS standouts took time from their studies that winter to play for local semi-pro team Goodman-Neill, which defeated the Bears varsity squad 34-25. That spring and summer as he concluded his studies, Timothy continued to compete statewide in tennis and baseball. A case study of August 26th, 1926 reflects just how intertwined athletics were in Greeley Timothy’s life. Rich Hillway (GHS ’61), who nominated Timothy for the Colorado Sports HOF in 1989, said in Timothy’s nomination letter: “He graduated from CTC in the morning (with a degree in industrial arts), married his childhood sweetheart Lillian Salberg at noon, and played in The Denver Post baseball tournament that afternoon.”

One could speculate that Lillian likely already understood her groom and his athletic drive perfectly, as the two went on to enjoy 47 years of marriage.

That fall, Timothy began married life as well as his teaching career at Bird City, Kansas. After the 1926-1927 school year, Timothy returned to Colorado. He taught P.E. and coached at Leadville High (Lake County) from 1927 to 1936. His Panther football and basketball teams consistently placed well in the vast West-Central League.

From 1937 to 1943, Greeley, Lillian and their young daughter Nancy lived in Aurora, where he taught at Aurora High, and he got to know the Trojan’s young basketball coach Jim Baggot. In 1943, the Timothys moved to Santa Anna, California, where he taught for three years. Then in 1946, the family moved again to Salt Lake City, to be near his ailing mother Rosella.

From 1946 to 1966, Timothy taught industrial arts at Jordan Junior High and then South High School, where he retired in 1966. During the 1950s and 1960s, he worked on his golf game. He became a near-scratch golfer and won a number of regional tournaments in Utah.

Greeley Timothy passed away in Salt Lake City on September 6th, 1973, survived by his wife, daughter and two granddaughters.

For fans of Greeley High-Greeley Central athletics, it is only natural to speculate about the best athlete ever to graduate from GHS. In a school that has been winning championships and producing outstanding athletes for 115 years, it is perhaps a debate not easily resolved.

Yet Coach Baggot, who knew Colorado’s premier athletes and coached dozens of All-Conference, All-State and All-Americans at GHS over his 22-year career, once declared, “Greeley Timothy was the best Colorado athlete of all-time.” Perhaps Timothy was to Colorado athletics what fellow Class of 1921 graduate Glenn Miller was to Big Band music – exceptional, memorable, incomparable.

The start of the 1953-54 school year made front-page news as more than 4,000 students prepared to return to Greeley’s 10 public schools. Greeley’s academicians shared top billing with the commander-in-chief in the September 1st edition of the Greeley Tribune, which detailed President Eisenhower’s trip from Fraser to his in-laws’ Denver home alongside the first day of school bulletin. More than 177 teachers and their pupils at eight elementary schools, Meeker Junior High, and Greeley High anticipated a year of new challenges and opportunities as they prepared to return to classrooms across town the next morning.

Wildcats’ followers read about three new classes offered at GHS, including advanced biology, photography and an advanced speech class taught by the ever-popular Mrs. Grace Dawson. Perhaps most importantly, those with an A lunch period could expect to spend 30 cents for a meal between 11:57 a.m. and 12:42 p.m., the same as those with B lunch time from 12:16 to 12:57.

Wildcats new and old streamed back into the Castle. Eight new teachers – among them Dale Thompson (HOF class of 2023) – debuted at a gathering presided over by student body president Theo Holland (HOF class of 2023). In fact, numerous future Hall of Famers attended Greeley High’s September 2nd welcome-back assembly. While many awaited winter and spring sports to prove their mettle, fall-sport hopefuls in football and cross country prepared to begin their seasons immediately.

The football team, just 20 months removed from a state title, hoped to wrestle the championship away from Northern Conference rival Fort Collins. They filed in alongside Coach Joe Springston’s cross country runners, six of whom would soon secure Greeley High’s first and only boys’ state championship title. No doubt all ‘Cats athletes on hand vowed to keep Greeley’s streak of yearly state titles intact. GHS’s tennis team and its star Jim Landin brought home the 1952 state title, just five months after the 1951 gridders’ state crown. Fittingly, it would be the hard-working but unheralded GHS cross country squad who delivered the school’s next state championship that fall.

Seniors Manuel Alcaraz, Dallas Oesterle, Keith Boehm and Frank Gonzales, junior Glenn Ruth and talented sophomore Jim Gonzales defeated all-comers from Wyoming to Colorado Springs – including Northern Conference running powerhouses Boulder and Longmont. Coach Springston’s squad accomplished this feat in two months at only three meets, including the state finals on Halloween day – making the 1953 Wildcats thinclads’ accomplishment even more noteworthy.

These six future champions belonged to an era of Wildcat athletic excellence. For much of the 1950s, tennis, golf, and cross country squads in the Northern Conference struggled for their piece of the action alongside the league’s football, basketball and – to a lesser extent – wrestling, baseball and track & field programs.

While track at Fort Collins High and tennis at GHS and Boulder High had for decades commanded state-wide respect, not all sports were embraced equitably throughout schools in the Northern. In fact, it would not be until the 1955-56 school year when the Northern Conference (Englewood, Boulder, Longmont, Loveland, Fort Collins, GHS) expanded to eight teams (adding Fort Morgan and Sterling), that the league would offer cross country on a conference-wide basis. Greeley High’s 1953 schedule of a state-mandated maximum yet paltry three meets was indicative of the challenges in front of Coach Springston and his Wildcat squad that fall while they chased title hopes and respectability.

As the school year commenced, so too did daily workouts for GHS’s 50 cross country squad hopefuls. ‘Cats runners traversed Glenmere Park, the Colorado State College of Education (now UNC), and endless paved and gravel residential streets. The six eventual varsity members were multi-sport athletes in their time at GHS, well-versed in then-traditional sports seasons in which several weeks of difficult workouts preceded contests. They anticipated their first meet in mid-October at Laramie, on the University of Wyoming campus. Besides school work and practices, several diversions helped the GHS harriers pass the time that fall. Some saw Coach Springston in class as well as in practice. In addition to algebra and trigonometry, Coach Springston also taught the recently added driver’s education class, in its seventh year at GHS. In September, he accepted the keys to a new dual-control driver’s ed vehicle from Garnsey and Wheeler Ford. After class, ‘Cats could visit the air-conditioned Sterling Theater, pay 80 cents, and sit through a cartoon and newsreel to see Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, and a young Jack Palance in Shane.

On September 9th , at Island Grove Park, some students undoubtedly oohed and ahead over the 1953 Tournament of Thrills, starring Joie Chitwood and his world champion Auto Daredevils, which included “the shooting of a new Ford sedan from the world’s largest cannon.” Most of those fortunate to own one likely tuned the family television set to Meet Mr. McNulty, with Ray Milland and Greeley’s own Little Theater of the Rockies, and later, Broadway veteran Dorothy June Thompson (née Sanville – GHS class of 1937).

Diversions as well as grueling training under their belts, the ‘Cats competed for the first time alongside high school and college runners at the University of Wyoming in their eight annual invitational cross country meet on Saturday,
October 17 th . While Colorado meets generally allowed five runners to record the top four or five times from each competing school, Wyoming upped these numbers to six or seven runners contributing the top five times. The six Wildcats tore across the two-mile course in a masterful performance, winning with a record-low 22 points (the lowest point total in CC wins). The nearest team was Rock Springs High with 98.

As Monday’s Laramie Republican-Boomerang noted: “The amazing Greeley team had all six of its runners placing in the first eight in the high school race.” The University of Wyoming’s newspaper the Branding Iron listed the ‘Cats impressive stats, including Oesterle’s runner-up finish of 11:18, then Jim Gonzales 3rd at 11:20, Boehm 4th at 11:22, Ruth 6th at 11:31, Alcaraz 7th at 11:34, and Frank Gonzales 8th at 11:36. Quite a day for the Wildcats. The victors then had 10 days to prepare for their next competition.

In the meantime, fellow champion runner and Kansas native Dr. Glenn V. Cunningham visited Greeley High to spur the boys to victory. Cunningham, perhaps America’s most accomplished middle-distance runner ever, spoke to young Wildcats about life’s many possibilities. Glenn had overcome severe burns on his legs, confounding doctors who predicted that he would likely never walk again. He placed 4 th in the 1500-meter run at the 1932 Olympics and won silver in 1936, and from 1934 to 1937 held the world’s record for the mile run. It isn’t hard to imagine how Cunningham’s speech inspired the ‘Cats cross country team during their brief but successful season.

GHS next raced on October 27th in the Northern Conference triangular meet against Boulder and Longmont. The 25 competitors glimpsed the near future, running the same 1.5-mile course on the University of Colorado campus on Tuesday that they would negotiate on Saturday at the state championship.

The meet was propitious; Greeley High dominated the competition, predicting their success later in the week. The Wildcats captured six of the top nine spots. GHS was again led by Dallas Oesterle’s blazing first-place time of 7:24. Keith Boehm followed at 3rd /7:26, then Jim Gonzales 4th /7:27, Manuel Alcaraz and Glenn Ruth tied 6th /7:29, and Frank Gonzales (who had in both Wyoming and Boulder set the early pace for all runners) 9th /7:38. Greeley’s 14 points far out-distanced Boulder High’s 33 and Longmont’s 42. For a fourth year in a row, the ‘Cats won what was
essentially the unofficial conference title meet.

A confident Wildcat team arrived back in Boulder on Saturday for the state championships. Perhaps what made Greeley’s 1953 team so formidable was their wealth of experience. The five upperclassmen on the squad were multi-sport athletes who had enjoyed ample success at GHS. Seniors Frank Gonzales and Manuel Alcaraz were three-sport athletes. Alcaraz played basketball all three years. He started for the 1953-54 Northern Conference runner-up squad under Coach Baggot (HOF class of 2022). He also ran track each season, winning the Northern’s 880-yard title as a sophomore. He would place 3rd in both the Northern Conference and state meets in the 880 the upcoming spring. Gonzales played basketball as a sophomore and junior, and then wrestled his senior season. He played second base
all three years for Coach D’Amato (HOF class of 2023) on Northern Conference champion teams in 1952 and 1953, and on the state runner-up team in 1953. Dallas Oesterle, Keith Boehm and Glenn Ruth were veterans of both the
cross country and track programs, having starred in them during their entire GHS careers. Frank’s younger brother Jim learned from his veteran teammates, and subsequently turned in one of the most notable three-year, three-sport careers of any athlete at GHS during the 1950s.

In the year following their 1953 state championship, returning champions Jim Gonzales and Glenn Ruth would lead the ‘Cats to a state runner-up finish behind Longmont, and in 1955, senior Gonzales alone remained on another state
runner-up cross country squad. In track, as a mile runner, he would place in the top five at state in 1954, become state champion in 1955 (GHS took 4th in state), and become the state runner-up in 1956. In wrestling, Gonzales lettered in both his junior and senior seasons at 133 pounds.

But in his first athletic success at Central, Jim Gonzales lined up on Halloween 1953 alongside four of his soon-to-be state-champion teammates to conquer a dusty, hilly University of Colorado course. Brother and pace-setter Frank stood as alternate under Colorado rules. Greeley High’s five top entrants joined the best runners from Colorado Springs, Denver’s South Suburban and Prep leagues, and their rivals from the Northern at the starting line for the biggest race of the year.

Coach Springston undoubtedly reminded his team that they faced stiff competition for the third High School Activities Association-sponsored state meet alongside 1951 winners Boulder and 1952 victors Denver South. In particular, they had to watch Jim Fitzmorris and Dick Ragains of Colorado Springs, Denver Prep stars Bob Wells (East) and Cecil Thejo (Manual), and Northern foes Bob Pomeroy of Boulder (3rd in state 1952) and Frank Miller of Longmont.

At the starting gun, the Wildcats quickly separated themselves from the pack, led by an outstanding state-runner-up performance from Boehm and Jim Gonzales’ impressive 5th -place finish. They were followed across the finish line
expeditiously by Oesterle, Ruth, and Alcaraz. Greeley High had far out-distanced the competition, winning the state championship with 28 points. Remote second and third place performances followed from Colorado Springs (58 points) and Northern rival Longmont (60 points). Indeed, it was all treats and no tricks as Central added yet another state championship trophy to the case that Halloween.

The Rocky Mountain News reported the next morning that top-eight finishers Boehm and Gonzales were each presented with miniature golden shoes, and that all five of Greeley’s harriers had received medals. Additionally, Coach Springston took possession of the state championship trophy from HSAA officials. Without much fanfare, six under-sung champions brought home yet another piece of hardware to add to the growing collection of 1950s GHS championships.

During the 1950s-60s “Golden Era” of Greeley High/Greeley Central High athletics, Northern Conference championships and state titles were indeed the norm, not the exception. The Greeley Tribune reminded its readers on January 1st, 1954, that GHS had won the Northern Conference championship in six of seven sports in 1953. The article reserved special praise for Coach Springston and the cross-country team.

The Tribune could have also noted that during this era, students at GHS won more Boettcher Scholarships than at any high school in Colorado. In a school filled with athletic and academic overachievers, during a time in which lofty expectations were the norm, Manuel Alcaraz, Keith Boehm, Frank Gonzales, Dallas Oesterle, Glenn Ruth and Jim Gonzales left their indelible mark on GHS’ athletic history, then hit the ground running toward new challenges and opportunities in their bright futures.

Larry Anderson-GHS ’56 Basketball, Baseball

Perhaps once a generation, you come across an athlete who’s good at everything, who always seems to find a way to win. Larry Anderson was that
athlete. Anderson was a little undersized but never overmatched, and he never met a challenge he couldn’t overcome. Whatever he did, he did well, earning him the nickname of “The Little General.”

One of his teammates, Larry Hoffner (HOF class of 2023), the all-everything big man who broke scoring records in basketball as a GHS Wildcat, remembers the summer his coach, Jim Baggot (HOF class of 2022), suggested that Hoffner take up tennis to improve his agility. Anderson was the natural choice to help him do that. Every week, they’d play tennis, and every week Hoffner would lose. He described Anderson as “a natural. He’d set you up. He’d just move me from side to side all the time. And, of course, he always beat me.”

During those summers, Anderson also worked for his father, who ran a wholesale candy business called Greeley Candy & Tobacco. Usually, he spent the mornings putting orders in boxes and loading them into the two company trucks for delivery. Occasionally, young Larry would be asked to drive one of the trucks, frustrating the other drivers, because he was already faster and more efficient than them.

Anderson was only 4’8” in ninth grade, but he grew quickly in high school, both literally and figuratively, and he excelled at everything. “He was always the most intellectual, both on the court and in the classroom,” Hoffner remembered.

As a sophomore, Anderson played the trumpet in Earl Faulkner’s band. He was elected student body president as a junior and attended Boys State that summer. But the athletic arena was where his natural gifts emerged. In high school, Anderson’s best sports were basketball and baseball.

He and his friend Frank Carbajal played on the sophomore team. Anderson attracted the attention of the coaching staff when he and Frank led the sophomores to a win over Coach Dale Thompson’s (HOF class of 2023), JV team in a scrimmage — the first of many athletic successes the two of them would orchestrate.

Anderson’s dad gave young Frank his first baseball glove, which sparked his love of the game. Anderson remembers his father driving Frank down to Trinidad State Junior College after his senior year for a visit. Frank went on to become a basketball and baseball star in college, first at Trinidad, and later at Colorado State College in Greeley. But before that, the two “Mighty Mites,” as they were dubbed by the Greeley Tribune, teamed up to achieve basketball and baseball glory in their years at Greeley High.

The 1955-’56 basketball season was particularly special for Anderson. He called that ‘56 group a “Miracle Team.” Baggot’s Wildcats had come tantalizingly close to a state championship many times before 1955-56, which meant that early expectations for the ‘54-55 ‘Cats were high.

However, a core group of seniors was dismissed from the team just before the league season got underway. As a result, Anderson was one of the juniors asked to step into a starting role. That group of juniors, which included Hoffner and Carbajal, was talented, confident and hungry. They seemed to improve with every game. They clinched the Northern Conference title on the last night of the regular season with a win over Loveland, coupled with a loss by conference nemesis Englewood.

But the ‘Cats had closed out their conference run without Anderson. He tore cartilage in his knee late in the season and was unable to play down the stretch. At the time of his injury, he was the fifth leading scorer in the conference and led the nation in free throw percentage.

The ‘55 Wildcats would be Coach Baggot’s seventh state tournament team in less than a decade, but they bowed out early after losses to eventual
champions Manual in the first round, and then to Westminster.

Even though they didn’t finish on top in the ‘55 tournament, Anderson and his teammates had gained experience and confidence, and they knew what to expect. With a full, healthy team, they believed they could win it all in 1955-56.

The ‘55-’56 “Miracle Team” took a while to get going. The ‘Cats sputtered out of the box to a 3-3 record. The slow start was attributed to a difficult non-conference schedule and to the fact that Anderson’s knee was still tender. He wore a brace early in the season after he tweaked his knee in a collision during the first non-conference game against Denver North.

Once the Northern Conference season got rolling, however, things began to fall into place. The ‘Cats stormed through the conference. The chemistry they had developed during the previous season seemed to feed their swagger. Coach Baggot would play “Sweet Georgia Brown,” the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters, before games to fire up his troops.

At a pep rally early in the season, before the undefeated Ft. Morgan Maroons rolled into town, Anderson was asked to speak to the student body.
“Ft. Morgan is undefeated,” he began. “But they won’t be after tonight.” The students roared their approval, but his coach was less moved by the speech. Even though Anderson’s prediction eventually came true, Coach Baggot advised his star guard to be a little more careful with his comments in the future.

With each win, the excitement around the ‘55-56 Wildcats grew. The Eighth Avenue gymnasium became a cauldron of intensity during home games. During a lull in play when the Wildcats hosted the Englewood Pirates in a pivotal conference matchup, Englewood star Leon Riddle asked Anderson how he got used to playing in such a loud and raucous place. Anderson answered, “That’s just us. That’s Greeley High School.”

The Wildcats went undefeated in conference play and finished as Northern Conference champions for the second year in a row. But they knew the big challenge was ahead, and they readied themselves for another run at the state title. The ‘Cats entered the tournament as the third seed behind Manual and Denver North. But, Anderson recalled, “Coach Baggot instilled confidence in us.

We weren’t nervous at all.”

When Baggot called Hoffner, Carbajal and Anderson together after a team shoot-around before they departed for Denver, he made the tournament strategy clear. He told Carbajal, who had been a super sub for most of the season, that he was going to start in the tournament. The news lifted Carbajal’s spirit and changed the dynamic of the team.

In the tournament, Baggot would lean heavily on his guards’ superior quickness, skill and court awareness. Anderson and Carbajal would spearhead
Baggot’s lethal pressing defense and exciting fast break offense. They didn’t know it yet, but their play would become the talk of the tournament.

The Wildcat faithful didn’t need Coach Baggot to instill confidence in them. That was already the norm for the community. The 1956 state tournament was Greeley High’s eighth in the last 10 years. Anderson recalled how Harold Jones, owner of a local sporting goods store called The Jones Company, bought a large block of state tournament tickets, knowing they’d easily sell to Wildcat fans. It wasn’t uncommon for Greeley High School supporters to make hotel reservations at the Savoy and the Brown Palace for the next year’s state tournament as soon as they checked out when the current state tournament finished.

While the fans and the Pep Club enjoyed the three days and nights in Denver hotels, the team drove back to Greeley each night (although if they won on Saturday, they would stay overnight in Denver). Baggot was famous for his insistence that the boys played better when they slept in their own beds on the nights before games.

The ‘Cats opened the ‘56 state tournament against Colorado Springs and used their overwhelming quickness to set a new tournament scoring record in a 92-60 win. Hoffner led the Wildcats with 28 points, Carbajal had 13 points, validating Baggot’s decision to move him to the starting lineup, and Anderson’s all-around play kept Greeley in control all night, as 10 different Wildcats contributed to the win.

Friday night’s semifinal game against Denver North was not so easy. North had the tallest team in the tournament. Their shortest player was taller than Greeley’s tallest player. But on that Friday night the legend of “Baggot’s Bandits” may have been solidified.

Anderson recalled Baggot telling the team before the game: “If we are down less than 10 at halftime, we will win this game.”

The ‘Cats never doubted their coach. “We played North ‘regularly,’ straight up man to man, the entire first half, and we were behind 38-31 at halftime,” Anderson said. He described the Wildcats in the locker room at the halftime break as calm and resolute. The team had carried out their coach’s plan, so far. They were down only seven.

Anderson remembered Baggot grabbing an orange slice, like everyone else, and sitting down with his players. He told them, “We’ve got them where we want them.

We will win this game.” He then instructed his team to unleash the press. Anderson said the ‘Cats used a pressing defense in the third quarter that they had never used before in a game, so North was caught completely off guard. The strategy called for Anderson and Carbajal to harass and trap North’s ball handlers all over the court, and for the other Wildcats to steal the errant passes the pressure created.

“Don’t steal the ball, steal the pass,” Baggot told them.

North was in disarray. Their players barely got the ball across half court, and by the end of the third quarter, the game was tied. During the break after the third quarter, Baggot told the team to call off the press, but just as the players walked back on the court, Hoffner urged the guards to keep pressing. Anderson and Carbajal were unsure. So Anderson asked Hoffner, “What’re you thinking?”

Hoffner was adamant. “This is how we got the lead; we’re keeping it on.”

The Little General gave it a quick thought, and said simply, “Okay.”

The press kept North off balance for the rest of the game, and the Wildcats advanced to the finals with a memorable 69-60 win.

Greeley’s opponent in the championship game on Saturday night was defending state champion Manual High School. The Thunderbolts had defeated the ‘Cats in the first round of the 1955 state tournament, on their way to the championship. When discussing that ‘56 state championship run recently, Anderson described a moving scene before the Manual game that has stayed with him all these years. On championship Saturday, the final games for each class (C, B, 1A, 2A and so on) were played back-to-back at the Denver Coliseum, starting with the smallest class and finishing with the Class 2A game. The layout at the Coliseum was such that Greeley High School’s locker room was behind the stands, and in order to get to the court, the team had to walk under the bleachers and enter the court behind one of the baskets. As the Wildcats waited to warm up for the
final, there were still a few minutes left in the 1A championship game.

“We came on the court,” Anderson recalled, “and the whole north side stood up and cheered. Greeley was behind us.”

It’s a powerful image that Anderson, a grateful champion, carries with him to this day. The game against Manual was just as intense as the previous night’s semifinal. Manual didn’t collapse against the Wildcat press, but the Wildcats built a slim early advantage. Anderson and Carbajal were tasked with staying close to the Thunderbolt’s All-Star guard, Dennis Boone. The two “Mighty Mites” harassed Boone all night, lightly tapping his elbow when he prepared to shoot. According to Anderson, that threw off Boone’s concentration just a little, and he scored only 11 points on the night.

In the fourth quarter, the defending champions made their comeback, and Manual took a one-point lead. On the next possession, Hoffner remembers flashing to the high post, where he received a pass from Anderson. Hoffner’s man was a step slow to react, and the Greeley big man hit a jump shot that gave the ‘Cats the lead once again.

As he ran back on defense, Hoffner remembered hearing from his point guard. “If you would’ve missed that I would’ve killed you,” Anderson said, only half-jokingly.

As the clock wound down, Anderson and Carbajal went into an impromptu delay game to keep the ball away from Manual. It was so effective that frustrated Manual players just grabbed the Wildcat guards. The ‘Cats converted their free throws down the stretch and came away with a 67-64 win.
The 1956 Championship was Greeley High School’s first in basketball since 1925, and it was a fitting culmination to the two-year project that began with the previous season. More importantly, in keeping with Anderson’s description of the season as miraculous, the ‘56 win seemed to open the flood gates for more Wildcat championships.

Greeley High School teams, following the template established by Anderson and his teammates, fast-broke and pressed their way to basketball state championships again in ‘57, ‘59, ‘60 and ‘62. The narrative that Greeley High couldn’t quite win the big game and the near-misses of the previous decade were forgotten.

Another miracle season nearly happened in the spring of 1956. The Wildcats baseball team went 21-3 and progressed all the way to the state championship game. Anderson and Carbajal were the main pitchers for the ‘Cats. They combined for eight shutouts that season, with a combination of power and guile that kept opponents off balance. Anderson used a sidearm fastball and curve, as well as a screwball his father taught him. Carbajal’s left-handed fastball became an effective weapon for him that senior year. When Anderson was asked why he and Carbajal were so successful that season, he answered simply, “Frank and I grew up.”

The ‘Cats stormed through the conference season without a loss to claim the Northern Conference title. Anderson went 8-1 on the mound, with 88 strikeouts. Greeley entered the state playoffs as the sportswriters’ presumptive favorite and started well with a 6-5 win over Wheat Ridge in the semifinals. Carbajal pitched the first five innings and Anderson came on in relief to close out the Farmers.

The final game between Greeley and Pueblo Central was to be played on Saturday but got rained out after one inning. The final was then moved to Tuesday afternoon. Anderson went the distance on the mound for the ‘Cats. He scattered nine singles and allowed only one earned run, but errors cost the Wildcats as they lost to the Pueblo squad 7-6.

Anderson was named to the All-Tournament team. He didn’t consider the runner-up finish a failure. In fact, much like the1955 basketball season, when his team laid the groundwork for the ’56 championship, Anderson believed that the experiences of the ‘56 baseball season helped the 1957 Wildcat baseball team win the title the following year. “We showed them the way,” he said.

After graduating from Greeley High, Anderson attended the University of Colorado on a basketball scholarship for longtime Buffaloes coach Sox Walseth. Anderson’s love of the fast break and pressing defense tended to clash with Walseth’s buttoned-down style. He also played on the CU baseball team. After modest success in his first two years at Boulder, Anderson was forced to give up basketball and baseball when a shoulder injury worsened and limited his effectiveness.

He planned to finish up his academic responsibilities, graduate and get on with his life. But the CU golf coach, Les Fowler, needed another player, and he knew of Anderson’s innate athleticism. Fowler asked him if he wanted to give golf a try. Anderson had never really played much golf, but, as usual, he picked it up quickly and became the fifth position player on the Buffaloes’ golf team, earning a varsity letter.

In 1960, at Coach Fowler’s request, Anderson played in the NCAA Golf Tournament. That tournament was memorable, he said, because a young man from Ohio State named Jack Nicklaus was defending his title that year.

After college, Anderson began to play golf more seriously. To no one’s surprise, he excelled. He won four club championships at the Greeley Country Club between 1962 and 1968. In 1968 he also qualified for the National Amateur Tournament. In 1988 he won the Colorado Senior Match Play Championship and was named the Senior Colorado Player of the Year. He qualified for the National Senior Amateur Tournament in 1990 and 1994.

After CU, Anderson enjoyed a successful business career in Greeley. He and his wife, the former Patricia Flood, GHS class of ‘58, were married in 1959. They have two sons, James and Joel, and two daughters, Kelly and Tracey. The Andersons have 13 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. He has since retired and left the Greeley area. He now lives in Alabama.

The decades of the 1950s and ‘60s are sometimes referred to as the Golden Generation of Greeley High School Wildcat athletics. As one walks the first-floor hallway of the Castle or gazes up at the numerous championship banners in the rafters of Baggot Gymnasium, it’s easy to understand how such a description took hold.

But it’s also easy to forget that all the success wasn’t preordained. In fact, prior to the mid ‘50s, Greeley High School had the reputation of being one of those programs that always came close but could never quite win the ultimate prize. That changed in 1956. And that change began with some remarkable athletes — and even more remarkable people. Perhaps no one individual was more responsible for that turn toward championship greatness than Larry Anderson.

Janet Vanderhoof, 1959-1961 Cheer

The NCAA’s season-culminating “One Shining Moment” video perfectly embodies the joy of victory and the agony of defeat. In each year’s iteration, the camera pans to a young fan, heartbroken on the bleachers. Had the reel existed in March 1951, six-year-old Janet Vanderhoof would have been the poster-child for disappointed dreams. The ‘Cats loyal mascot had just watched her brother Clark and his teammates fall to the East High Angels 55-47 in the state AA basketball finals. GHS, co-champions of the rugged Northern Conference (alongside Ft. Collins High), had clawed their way to the championship game, downing Manual 56-37 in the quarter-finals and Denver West in the semifinals 55-52. Coach Jim Baggot’s (HOF class of 2022) weary veteran squad of George LeSatz, Randy Bain, Don Brotherton, Bob Conklin, and Vanderhoof had run out of gas. This memory of hopes dashed no doubt motivated some of Janet’s efforts when she herself donned the orange and black a decade later.

By then, Janet was a junior, and one of the most dedicated and respected ‘Cats on campus: she was in Student and Youth Center councils, Thespians,
National Honor Society, and Girls Association, as well as a finalist for both Homecoming and Prom queen. Janet was one of six Wildcat cheerleaders who were responsible not only for leading the GHS Pep Squad but also for several hundred Greeley High students – including the cheering section - at the Denver Coliseum. There the ‘Cats met Colorado Springs in the quarter-finals of the state basketball tournament in March 1961. Trading her saddle-shoes for tennis shoes, and pom-poms, Janet carried Greeley High’s cheer squad.

Like scores of Greeley girls during the 1950s and 1960s, growing up in the era before Title IX (which became law in 1972) Janet was not merely satisfied with good sideline seats for athletic events. These young women’s motivation to compete in sports was as fervent as the young men in Greeley. But prior to the inauguration of interscholastic women’s sports at the “Castle” in the 1969-1970 school year, avenues for participation for Janet and others were negligible.

The Girls Athletic Association at GHS had for several decades provided limited access to genuine competition for girls. Their infrequent and unfortunately named “play dates” against young women from other schools in the region were hardly on par with the opportunities provided to GHS’s male athletes. Even so, Janet was an active member of GAA. Vanderhoof had, from a young age, sought other opportunities offered through Greeley’s community athletic and dance programs. In the mid-1950s, swimming for the Warnoco Swim Club, she was a state champion diver. Through Warnoco’s “Speed Club” roller-skating group, she also became a national roller-skating champion. Balancing these hard-won athletic
victories and gender-based missed opportunities, Vanderhoof recently said that “Greeley was absolutely the very best place to live while growing up.”

Janet was born in Greeley in 1944, the youngest of four Vanderhoof Wildcats (Laurelynn ’49, Clark ’51, and Judy ’60). She was drawn to athletics at an early age. She learned to swim at age four on the Colorado State College (now University of Northern Colorado) campus, and enrolled at Mrs. Schell’s school of dancing on 8th Avenue, where she learned the fundamentals of tap, ballet, and gymnastics. At Cameron Elementary, she and four classmates (Susan Jessup, Judy Hay, Pat Miller, and Genevieve Ray), began their own cheerleading group, where young Vanderhoof showcased her growing athletic abilities. Eventually Janet, like many of Greeley’s youngsters, was drawn to Warnoco, the iconic sports mecca on Greeley’s northside.

Established in 1948 by Warrack and Helen Norcross in a large Quonset hut-type building, this regionally renowned roller-skating rink and  competition-sized swimming pool drew hundreds of budding local athletes. Under the banner of “Warnoco,” an unconventional moniker chosen in a community contest, Janet and a multitude of other Greeley youngsters enjoyed year-round roller skating and seasonal swimming club meets. Local and state-qualifying competitions held there enabled Greeley’s youngsters to move on to regional and national tournaments. From 1956-59, Janet continued her cheerleading career and was a majorette in the band at Heath Jr. High. After school, through 15 months of intense practice and competitive victories, she also became one of the nation’s premier roller-skaters. Racing for the Warnoco Speed Club, Vanderhoof won the Midwest Regional skating championships in Houston in June 1956. Later that summer, she traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to compete in the American Roller-Skating Speed championships. The Greeley Tribune’s July 31 st edition reported that Janet won and set national records in the 1/6-mile (32.6), and the 440-yard sprint (48.8). Coached by Hank Warner, Greeley’s Warnoco club was home to several national champion speed skaters throughout the 1950s.

In 1958, after winning the regional competition in Des Moines, Iowa, Janet returned to the nationals in both speed and fours (two boy-two girl relays), held in Cleveland that July. Besides competing in singles, pairs, and fours, Janet and many Speed Club skaters took part each year in community performances (follies) at Warnoco. These pageants, choreographed by Jay and Marilyn Norcross, occupied a good deal of the skaters’ spare time during the school year. Summer breaks, too, were a busy time for Vanderhoof, as she swam and dived with Warnoco’s Swim Club. In the summer of 1958, Janet won the state-wide Colorado Diving Championship.

Anyone lucky enough to enter Greeley High in the late 1950s likely realized quickly that the scholastic and athletic bar had been set quite high. In Janet’s sophomore year at GHS (1959-1960), the Wildcats won the state championship in tennis twice (HSAA officials moved it from spring to fall during the year), as well as in football and basketball, and were Northern Conference champions in baseball. In a recent interview with ‘Cats cheerleader Jane Vaegemast (class of ’60), when asked about student-body support during this time she replied matter-of-factly, “School spirit was not a problem, we were winning all the time.”

Janet took careful measure of the leadership upper classmen modeled and paid special attention to Jane and her sister Judy during their senior year at the Castle. And she carefully prepared for her chance to finally become one of GHS’s six cheerleaders during her junior year 1960-61. Springtime tryouts for the following year’s cheer squad were serious business at the Castle during this era. Home economics and clothing teacher Mrs. Merrill was in charge of “school spirit” (cheerleaders, Pom Pons, Banner Girls, Pep Club – all women only). She watched over the stress-inducing, competitive process. As Vaegemast recently recalled, “The squad was composed of six cheerleaders – four seniors and two juniors. Tryouts were held in front of an all-school assembly and students would return to their homerooms to vote for the candidates – only two new incoming seniors and two incoming juniors were chosen. Although the juniors were elected for two years, so they could provide continuity and leadership on the squad for the following school year.

“Once cheerleaders were selected, the Banner Girls group was filled with Wildcats that were enthusiastic, but perhaps lacked a bit of the outgoing, social nature that typically characterized ‘Cats cheerleaders.” The Pom Pons were selected by a faculty committee. As Vagemast observed, “Janet was a cute kid, she sparkled” – and thus, Vanderhoof was selected as a Wildcat cheerleader.

While cheerleading was a highly prized and genuine honor at Greeley High, it was also a tremendous time commitment. Cheerleaders were required to be at all sporting events during the school year, including spring sports. Squad members were not allowed to hold other leadership positions in organizations at GHS. Pep assemblies were a weekly occurrence. When asked about the downside of being on the cheer squad, Vaegemast admitted, “By spring we were pretty tired, and yes, in the cold weather, we couldn’t wear long johns.” But the Wildcat cheer squad never left for a road game without two busloads of Pep Club members, who were dressed in their required uniforms, and ready to echo the cheerleaders’ various cheers.

During Vanderhoof’s junior year, the Wildcat cheer squad led the pep club and student body through another successful fall. Though busy serving in both Youth and Student councils, performing in the fall play The Blue Bird, and taking part in GHS’s homecoming royalty, Janet still bolstered the ‘Cats gridders as they won the Northern Conference, defeating Longmont in a playoff. They fell to Lakewood, the eventual state champs, in the semifinals. Janet and her comrades cheered as tennis star Rich Hillway notched another state title, leading GHS to a state runner-up finish. And they were behind Frank Delgado, who led the cross-country team to a NC runner-up finish.

Winter saw Vanderhoof assist GAA with the annual Sox Stomp. She enthusiastically joined the school’s newest club, Modern Dance. The cheerleaders helped Coach Don Gorman’s wrestlers and Coach Baggot’s hoopsters finish the season as league runners-up. Mickey Seery took state at 138 pounds, and for the 12th year in a row, the GHS basketballers qualified for the state tourney, where they won the state consolation championship. For each of those trips throughout the Northern, and even to Denver, Vanderhoof’s squad rallied the ‘Cats faithful. In the spring, Janet would be inducted into National Honor Society, perform in the school musical Encore, and be nominated for Prom Queen, all the while supporting the ‘Cats baseball and track teams. In addition to their cheering duties, ‘Cats cheerleaders also at various times throughout the 1961 season were asked to keep score or time events.

Janet wrapped up her senior year at MacArthur High during a brief sojourn in San Antonio, Texas, and returned to Greeley for her freshman year at CSC in 1962. She arrived in Greeley during the summer, and while waiting for fall classes to begin, resumed her interest in diving. As a former Rocky Mountain Region champion, Vanderhoof reclaimed her status as one of the region’s best A.A.U. divers. She was featured in an August 12 th pictorial article in The Greeley Journal that featured Vanderhoof working with noted Wyoming-Colorado A.A.U. diving coach Jack Blendinger. That autumn, Janet continued to dive for CSC, pledged the Sigma Kappa sorority, and was soon selected to be a member of the Bears cheer squad.

Although the Bears’ cheer team varied in size from year to year, tryouts were always Competitive. According to the 1963-1964 Cache La Poudre yearbook, cheerleading tryouts were held on October 1st and 2nd, with 15 finalists reaching the second day. Candidates were judged on “public composure, personality in cheering, coordination, agility, voice, and their answers to questions about cheering situations which were asked by the judges” The CSC student newspaper The Mirror announced that Janet was selected and then named head cheerleader for the Bears during her sophomore year. Collegiate cheering also entailed serving as an ambassador for the college.

During her junior and senior years, Vanderhoof continued to cheerlead and also took on a leadership role on the Panhellenic Council, a group organized to unite and coordinate the activities of sororities on CSC’s campus. In 1964, Janet was elected to the 17-person committee. During these years, she met fellow Bear Paul Davis. During summers, they were lifeguards together at the new city swimming pool on 23rd Avenue.

In 1967, Janet passed along her final pearls of cheerleading wisdom to younger squad members, took her last dive into the pool at venerable Gunter Hall, and graduated from CSC with an education degree with a teaching emphasis. She and Paul married and moved to Jefferson County to teach, coach and start a family.

Over a 20-year career, Janet taught PE at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Her enthusiasm for and considerable experience in multiple sports enriched hundreds of budding Jeffco student athletes. Paul taught PE and coached boys’ basketball at Green Mountain High. Coach Davis’s Rams won the 1980 AAAA state basketball championship. Janet and Paul’s two young sons, Van and Shay, soaked it all in.

Like a young Greeley High cheer mascot of days gone by, the Davis boys watched and waited for their time to shine at GMHS. Van starred in basketball and baseball, and was All-State in football. He accepted a football scholarship to the University of Kansas. Younger brother Shay was named All-State in both football and basketball, and starred on Coach Bruce Dick’s state champion Rams’ basketball team in 1992. He accepted a scholarship to play football for the University of Colorado. Like their parents, both of the Davis boys also swam. Sadly, Paul did not get to see their stars rise, as he passed away in 1985. Today, Paul and Janet’s grandkids also star for Green Mountain, including a grandson in lacrosse and a granddaughter in soccer.

Thankfully, Janet’s granddaughter never had to think twice about girls’ athletics. When asked recently to reflect on the lack of girls’ athletics during her time at GHS, Janet said, “Given the opportunity girls have now, I think I would have chosen to be on the diving team and play flag football [approved to begin in the fall of 2024], and soccer.” Ironically and happily, Green Mountain’s women’s flag football team played in the state semi-finals this fall.

Still, Vanderhoof was more interested in talking about what an honor it was to be a Greeley High cheerleader – a sentiment echoed by classmate Jane Vaegemast. Vanderhoof cited cheers that Wildcat alumni still chant at class reunions:

“We are the Wildcats, mighty, mighty, Wildcats. Everywhere we go, people want to know who we are, so we tell them: WE ARE THE WILDCATS!”

It is doubtful that anyone who encountered the Vanderhoof-helmed ‘Cats cheerleaders at the many championship matches during that Golden Era of GHS athletics could have failed to recognize her mighty, mighty Wildcats.

Ask a Wildcat alum which athletic team was the greatest in Greeley High School/Greeley Central High School history, and the answer will, no doubt, depend upon the age and graduating class of the respondent. Their answers might include the 1921 basketball team, led by Greeley Timothy (HOF class of 2024), which roared to a 20-0 record and won the state championship. The 1956 Wildcat basketball team included three future Hall of Famers (Carbajal, Hoffner, HOF class of 2023; Anderson, HOF class of 2024) and won the first of Jim Baggot’s (HOF class of 2022), state titles to start his remarkable championship run. The 1959 football team would certainly deserve a mention.

They tore through the Northern Conference, led by some of the best athletes the school has ever seen, on their way to an undefeated season and a state title. Perhaps the finest two-year run in Colorado prep history was achieved by the 1958-59 and 1959-60 Wildcat basketball teams. Baggot’s ‘Cats imposed their will on the state as they lost only twice in two seasons and took back-to-back state championships. Those who saw Coach Larry Hicks’s 1981 Wildcats could certainly make a case for that team. They played stingy defense and rode to a state championship on the play of a strong senior class under the leadership of Tad Boyle (HOF class of 2022), amassing a 20-1 record. Some might even argue for the Cinderella 2000 Girls Cross Country state champions, or the 2005 Boys Golf Team.

But no discussion of the greatest Wildcats team ever would be complete without including the 1966 Wildcat Boys Tennis team. The ‘Cats thoroughly dominated everyone they faced that season, going on a state championship run while maintaining one of the longest winning streaks of any sport in the history of Colorado high school competition. Greeley Central tennis won conference championships in both 1965 and 1966, then again in ‘67 and ‘68. By the end of the 1968 tennis season, the Wildcats had won 28 Northern League duals in a row—a streak dating back to the beginning of the ‘65 season. The ‘66 Wildcats overcame adversity with hard work, determination and talent to win the state championship.

The arc of success for the ‘66 Greeley Central tennis team may have begun with the school’s first state tennis championship back in 1952. The great Jim Landin led the ‘Cats to the title in such memorable fashion that the award for the most outstanding tennis player in the Colorado High School State Tennis Tournament was named for him. Landin’s tennis acumen left an impression on young Richard Hillway, who learned the game from Landin, then went on to become the finest tennis player Greeley has ever produced. In addition to winning individual and team state
championships for Greeley High in 1959 and ‘60, Hillway matriculated to the University of Colorado, where he won the Big Eight singles championship and was named the Outstanding Senior Athlete for CU in 1965, the only tennis player ever to receive the honor.

Upon completion of a successful athletic and academic career, Hillway made a name for himself in the Colorado high school tennis community by transforming Cherry Creek and Cheyenne Mountain high schools into Colorado tennis
powers. Hillway started his coaching career in the 1960s as the tennis program director for the Greeley Recreation Department. He coached, taught and directly influenced more than 100 young Greeley tennis players every summer, giving them guidance in tennis techniques and strategy. Hillway would set up dual matches with other community rec programs in the area and encouraged his charges to play in summer tournaments around the state, often arranging transportation and providing scouting reports. Among his summer pupils was a group of Greeley High students who would form the core of the greatest stretch of success in the school’s tennis history. Rick Wallace, and Mark Stewart, GCHS class of ‘67; Randy Elgin, class of ’68; and Rick Moore, class of ’69—all benefitted from Hillway’s summer tutelage during the mid-60s.

Back then, conference tennis championships were determined by which team won the most dual, or head-to-head matches, against each of the other schools in the conference. In a dual match, five players, rated No. 1 through No. 5, would play singles, and four players would play two doubles matches. Whichever team won most of the seven matches was the winner of the dual match.

In September 1964, Longmont High defeated Greeley Central 4-3 in the last Northern Conference dual meet of the season. It was the last conference meet the Wildcats would lose for another four seasons. Through most of that stretch, Earl Wells, a quiet, studious Distributive Education and Psychology teacher at Greeley Central, was the head tennis coach. Wells’s demeanor was such that he never felt compelled to mention he had played tennis at Ohio State University in his college days. His Wildcat tennis team responded well to his understated leadership style.

In the autumn of 1964, sophomore Rick Wallace joined Wells’s varsity tennis team. Wallace was no stranger to statewide tennis competition, having been part of Hillway’s program for several summers. He got his first taste of the Colorado High School State Tennis Tournament that season. He and his partner, Jim Ericsson, qualified for state after winning the district doubles tournament. Ericsson and Wallace finished fourth at state that year after losing 6-4, 6-4 to the team from Hinkley High School in the third-place match. That small taste of success may have been the precursor for what was to come.

In the 1965 season, Wallace was joined on the Wildcat varsity by fellow juniors Mark Stewart and Wally Clayton, and the athletic and energetic sophomore Randy Elgin, all veterans of Hillway’s summer program. Through most of that ‘65 season, in dual matches, Wallace played No.1 singles, senior Phil Yeddis played No. 2 singles, Clayton played No. 3 singles, Elgin played No. 4 singles and Stewart played No. 5 singles. The Wildcats began their remarkable streak of Northern Conference dominance that season, and they claimed Greeley Central’s first conference tennis title since 1957.

In the 1960s, schools could enter only four players in post-season play. Each school entered a No. 1 singles player, a No. 2 singles player, and one doubles team into district tournaments. The top three finishers in each bracket from the district tournaments qualified for state. Additionally, each team earned points for every win—four for each singles win and three for each doubles win—all of which counted toward the team title. In the 1965 district tournament, Wells shuffled his lineup a little, moving Stewart to No. 1 singles, Wallace to No. 2 singles, and Elgin and Yeddis into the doubles competition. Stewart competed well at his new spot, finally losing in the semifinal round. Wallace won the district at No. 2 singles, qualifying for the state tournament a second time, now as a singles player. Elgin and Yeddis also won the district tournament to qualify for state. The ‘Cats who qualified for state in ‘65 acquitted themselves well, and although they didn’t win it all, everyone in the program was excited about the future of GCHS tennis. Hillway, in particular, saw the potential. As part of his plan for the ‘66 season, he made all the Wildcats who hadn’t qualified for state in ‘65 attend the tournament and get a feel for competition on that level.

The summer of ’66 was particularly productive for Hillway’s summer program. He welcomed more than 130 youngsters onto the courts at Greeley Central and Heath Junior High. They practiced for as long as eight hours on some days. Over the course of the summer, the Greeley kids traveled around the area for tennis competitions. Wallace, Stewart, Elgin, and Moore advanced deep into competitive statewide tournaments in both singles and doubles. Hillway arranged dual meets between his Greeley Rec players and players from similar programs in Fort Collins, Cheyenne and Boulder, where the Greeley players fared very well.

But in July, Greeley Central Coach Wells suffered a heart attack and would be sidelined for most of the ’66 season. His loss was a setback, but the Wildcat players and their summer coach remained undeterred in their preparations. When the fall season began, the ‘Cats practiced relentlessly, often designing and running their own sessions. Wells’s assistant, Don Gorman, became head coach on a temporary basis. His priority was making sure the ’66 ‘Cats were in top physical condition. After the players had completed their tennis workouts for the day, Coach Gorman had them running sprints in the halls. Hillway, now a graduate student at CU, drove regularly from Boulder to Greeley to drill the Wildcats in tennis fundamentals and strategy. He arranged scrimmages against the best programs in the Denver area to prepare the ‘Cats for the more polished players he knew they’d face in the state tournament. Hillway’s plan was to use the ‘Cats’ superior athleticism and conditioning to their advantage. He knew the Denver players played on better courts, had access to superior equipment and tougher competition. But the Greeley kids, all multi-sport athletes, had grown up watching and playing for the great Wildcat basketball teams of coaches Jim Baggot
and Dale Thompson (HOF class of 2023). They were naturally aggressive and relied on speed and quickness to continually apply pressure on opponents. Hillway instructed the ‘Cats to attack the net, utilize their superior athleticism and keep the pressure on.

The players bought into his strategy. In the first match of the ‘66 season, the Wildcats lost a tough 4-3 non-conference dual to defending state champion George Washington High, a loss they would avenge in a dual later that season. That opening match was the last time the group would taste defeat. The ’66 Cats stormed through the rest of the season, winning 98 of 101 sets and cruising through the Northern Conference without losing even one dual match. Every dual match with a Northern Conference foe ended with the Wildcats on top, 7 to 0. No Wildcat player lost a conference singles match either, and the doubles duos of Wallace and Moore, and Elgin and Stewart, finished the Northern Conference campaign undefeated. In his column called “The Baloney,” Paul Maloney, the great Greeley Tribune sportswriter, called the Wildcats’ ‘66 Northern Conference season “the most outstanding record in Northern Conference dual-meet history.”

Greeley Central entered the district tournament in October as the prohibitive favorites. Wallace finished the conference season undefeated, his third straight campaign without a conference loss, to finish high school 19-0 in conference play. He entered the district tournament as the top seed at No. 1 singles. Moore, also coming off an undefeated singles season, entered as the top seed at No. 2 singles, and the doubles team of Elgin and Stewart rode their undefeated conference season to become the top seed in the district tournament doubles bracket.

If the ‘Cats were burdened by high expectations, they didn’t show it on the Colorado State College tennis courts during the weekend of the district tournament. They cruised through it without losing a set. Wallace defeated Larry Haas from Sterling 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 1 singles final. Moore defeated Darius Baer of Poudre by the same score, 6-2, 6-2. Elgin and Stewart completed the sweep for Greeley Central when they defeated the team of Gill and Rodes from Fort Collins High, 6-0, 6-3. The Wildcats had swept every event and accrued the maximum 33 points in the process, a feat never before accomplished in the Northern District Tennis Tournament.

After the impressive performance at district, Coach Gorman gave the boys a day off from practice. He was reminded of their commitment when he walked out of the building after school that next week. His Wildcats, instead of taking the day off, were out on the courts, sharpening their ground strokes, serves and volleys. Asked about it, Rick Moore spoke for the group when he said there was snow in the forecast that week, and he didn’t want to lose a day of practice to the weather.

All four Wildcats would enter the state tournament the following weekend as serious contenders for individual honors. The team was one of the favorites to capture the team crown, along with George Washington from Denver, with whom the ‘Cats had split dual matches earlier in the season. The only thing, it seemed, that could stop the ‘Cats was Mother Nature. The snow did come, and the start of the state tournament was pushed back. But it only delayed the inevitable.

The 1966 Colorado High School State Tennis Tournament was held on the University of Colorado tennis courts in Boulder. Despite the weather delay, the ‘Cats had not lost their focus. After the first day of the competition, they looked to have the inside track for the team title, having established a formidable total of team points by advancing everyone to the championship brackets.

Rick Wallace described himself as being a little “overly spirited” when he spoke of his on-court demeanor early in his tennis career. His racket, he recalled, had “a lot of frequent flyer miles on it,” because he would often toss it in frustration after a botched shot. In one tournament final, he threw the racket at the fence so hard he missed. It flew over the top and out of the court. After waiting a moment for someone to retrieve it, Rick realized that no one was coming to his rescue. He began the humiliating walk out of the court to retrieve his racket and return to play.

“It was the best thing for me,” he recounted later.

In his semifinal match at the ‘66 state tournament, Wallace defeated Tom McCroskey of Denver East in a grueling two-hour, three-set affair. Then, a couple of hours later in the final, Wallace faced Wayne Leiser of George Washington. It was a tense, back-and-forth match, with Wallace maintaining his composure to fight through 13 match points in the second set and eventually prevail, 6-3, 6-4. His steady, determined performance in the ‘66 final signaled that his tempestuous racket-throwing days were well behind him.

Rick Moore was described by teammates as probably the most gifted tennis player on the team. Over the course of his Greeley Central tennis career, he rarely lost a singles match, competing each year in the state tournament. After GCHS, he enjoyed a stellar career as a four-year letterman for the University of Northern Colorado tennis team. As a freshman at UNC, he was undefeated at the No. 3 singles spot and helped the Bears win a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship. In 1966, Moore’s “cool” play, as described by Russ Porter in the Greeley Tribune, betrayed the fact that he was only a sophomore playing in his first state tournament. Moore, like Wallace, also had to work through three tough sets to overcome his semifinal opponent, Don Gilman of George Washington, by a score of 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. In the final, Moore topped Mark Towne of Thomas Jefferson in another three-set affair, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 to claim the individual state title at No. 2 singles.

Mark Stewart described his partner, Randy Elgin, as “the best athlete on the team, and the quickest person I ever saw. He was always at the net, putting pressure on opponents. He never seemed to get upset.”

The two players complemented each other perfectly throughout the tournament. They fought past the team of David and Evans from Littleton 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the semis. The Wildcats doubles team then needed every ounce of their athleticism, composure and chemistry as they battled to overcome Rockwell and Stern from Denver East—and the elements—in the final. That finals match may have been the only time Elgin displayed even a little concern, according to Stewart. He remembers that in the championship match, both teams struggled to hold serve when they looked into the sun, but the ‘Cats finally broke through and finished with a 6-3, 7-5 victory.

Dorothy Eccles, writing in The Denver Post, called the Wildcats’ 33-point performance in the ‘66 state tournament “overpowering.” No team had swept through the tournament with the maximum-possible team point total since 1957. She described the ‘Cats as “well coached and staunchly supported.” According to the sports writer, the ‘66 Wildcat tennis team showed “exceptional basic fundamentals, practical skills, careful net play and esprit de corp,” all the necessary ingredients for a successful prep tennis campaign.

It was an accurate depiction of a group of individuals who had worked relentlessly on the court to accomplish everything they could in a season. Eccles’ assessment, while accurate, was not quite complete. The Wildcat tennis players were, of course, supremely talented and motivated. However, it wasn’t possible to fully describe in a brief news article the calm and steady presence of the experienced Wells, the tenacity and humility of the interim coach, Gorman, who stepped in at a time of necessity, and the brilliance of the once and future tennis genius, Hillway, who
volunteered his time and expertise so that the young Wildcats could achieve lasting greatness. It truly was a special group—and an engaging story.

When the good people of Greeley opened their Greeley Tribune each morning in the mid 1960s, they could expect to see headlines about national upheaval and unpredictability. Students of history know the decade of the ‘60s was famous for its change and volatility. The political and cultural climate of the times created an air of uncertainty. But if the residents of Greeley wanted to seek out stability and predictability, they only needed to turn a few more pages in their Tribunes to the sports section. There they read all about the paragons of certainty and predictability. There they read about the accomplishments of perhaps the finest athletic team ever to come from their fair city—the 1966 Greeley Central High School Wildcat tennis team.

Patty Slighter, 1978-1981 Basketball

One evening in summer 1980, while walking through a darkened Butler-Hancock gymnasium—well after the day’s basketball camp had
concluded—Coach Fred Litzenberger heard the unmistakable sound of a basketball bouncing. “Coach Litz,” as he was affectionately known during his nearly 50-year career as a college basketball coach, naturally went to investigate. He found someone practicing her shooting, aided only by the glimmer of a security light. It was Greeley Central’s Patty Slighter. Coach Litz, impressed with the Wildcat’s work ethic, added another gem to his collection of memorable quotes. He began telling his summer basketball campers, “Great players are willing to shoot with the lights out, not just shoot the lights out.”

Litz eventually discovered what every other coach knew who had worked with Patty Slighter during her combined seven-year career at GCHS and the University of Colorado: that she was perhaps the hardest-working, most team-conscious and motivated player ever to wear a Wildcats or Buffs uniform. From 1978-81 at GCHS, Slighter was All-Northern and All-State. During a four-year career at CU, she earned Big-Eight records and co-captained the Lady Buffs.

Coach Litz eventually asked Slighter to help with his future basketball camps. However, had he met her just two summers earlier, he might not have
extended that invitation. As Slighter entered Greeley Central High in late August 1978, basketball wasn’t on her radar. She didn’t play ball while she was at Heath Jr. High. But, as luck would have it, she had Bill Kyger for geometry. Kyger was also Coach Kyger, the women’s basketball coach at Greeley Central. He wasn’t likely to overlook a 6’ 1” sophomore in his classroom. Kyger tried to nudge her into playing. But Patty described herself as “painfully shy” back then and said she was reluctant to try out for the ‘Cats team.

She had become friends with fellow sophomore, Lynette Snidow, who talked Slighter into trying out by advising her: “Only play for three weeks until I make friends, then you can quit.”

Slighter recently said, “I may have Lynette Snidow to thank for my college scholarship.”

Three weeks passed, and Slighter’s learning curve was a steep one. Kyger admitted that he had to show Slighter how to shoot a right-handed layup during her first night of practice. But he also pointed out: “She worked hard, picked up techniques after one explanation and then never had to have them explained again.”

Snidow and Slighter subbed in for each other so often in practice that they became known as the “PJ & LK Connection” (Patty’s middle name is Joan,
Lynnette’s is Kay).

In an early season game, Kyger barked, “Slighter, get in there for Snidow.” So, as she had done in practice many times, she ran onto the court to let Lynette know. Unfortunately, she did not notify the scorer or the referee first.

As Slighter recalled 46 years later, “My first play as a high school basketball player was a technical foul.”

Nevertheless, Slighter quickly picked up the game’s nuances, as well as its fundamentals. Her progress was hastened by practicing against GCHS stalwarts like Konnie Mackey (HOF class of 2023), Pam Wiederkehr, Thelma Moser, Diane Leffler and Lisa Rupp.

By season’s end, Slighter even managed to play some for the ‘Cats varsity squad (highlighted by her breakout 11 points in Central’s 51-24 thumping of Skyline). Her 1978-79 varsity line read: 14 games, averaging 1.8 points per game, with 58 rebounds, earning her a varsity letter. Not bad for a newcomer to the game.

In the spring, Slighter joined 27 teammates and Coach Forrest Boggs on the ‘Cats track and field team. The squad included Kayleen and Konnie Mackey, Shelley Hubbard, Jean Bollinger, Susan Parks and her friend, Lynette Snidow. Slighter added competitive depth to a team packed with talent that would run away with the Northern Conference title in May. As Boggs recently noted, “Her [Slighter’s] versatility and her attitude toward supporting the team were her greatest strengths. The team got better because of her.” He added that Slighter could run any event, from the 100m to the 800m, and relays as well. In May, she watched as her older brother Tim graduated from the “Castle.”

In summer 1979, Slighter eagerly took part in the Colorado State University basketball camp as a day-camper, where she commuted to Fort Collins from Greeley. When the camp was over, she was voted Outstanding Camper by her fellow hoopsters. Camp officials remarked that they couldn’t recall a day-camper ever winning the award.

Over the next few summers, in what would become a common sight for people living in Greeley’s Cranford and Glenmere neighborhoods, Slighter—basketball in hand—would head toward Gunter Hall or Butler-Hancock gym to play pickup games against anyone she could find.

In the fall of her junior year, Slighter ran cross country for Coach Boggs, but she admitted that she did it mainly to stay in shape for basketball. The 1979-80 ‘Cats basketball team was loaded with talent, experience and height. On what may have been the best women’s team—talent-wise—ever to play for Greeley Central, Slighter’s name, by mid-season, was typed in capital letters on Northern Conference scouting reports. Her 244 (11.1 per game) rebounds led the conference. Konnie Mackey has said, “Patty really started to blossom, figuring out how to use her height her junior season. She was learning how to rebound the ball and get it to the outlet so that we could fastbreak.”

Slighter also had the highest field-goal percentage for the ‘Cats, at 44%.

Greeley Central, led by the explosive play of Mackey outside and an inside game that featured Slighter, Syndi Koehler, Rupp and Snidow, hit their stride in December and January. During that stretch, Slighter averaged nearly 16 points per game against league foes Sterling, Thompson Valley and Skyline. By early February, the Wildcats were headed for a showdown with Rocky Mountain for the conference championship.

In the clash of the two titans on February 8, Greeley lost a heart-breaker, 63-62, at the Lobos gym and would have to settle for being the league runners-up, as well as Northern tourney runners-up. That meant that the Lady ‘Cats would have to travel to Colorado Springs to face a talented Harrison High School team.

On March 13 in a Greeley Tribune article, Kyger, while optimistic about the ‘Cats prospects, warned, “We’re down to the final 16 teams in the state, and at this point, everybody is good.” Unfortunately for Greeley Central, they couldn’t contain Panthers’ forward Lolita Curtis (20 points) and lost 63-31 to the eventual state runners-up (Thornton beat HHS 53-48 in the finals). The Wildcats finished the season 16-6. Mackey and Rupp were named First-Team All-Northern and Slighter and Koehler received Honorable Mention honors.

That spring and summer, Slighter would once again run track and continue to improve her game in the University of Northern Colorado’s gyms. She mastered an effective 15-foot jump shot to complement her already solid inside game.

The place to be in the winter of 1980-81, Slighter’s senior season, was the GCHS gymnasium. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams ended the season with a collective record of 41 wins against just five losses. Both would win the Northern Conference championship and state championships: the men’s team as State Champions (21-1), the women as State Consolation Champions (19-4).

And what Wildcats’ star Tad Boyle (HOF class of 2022), had meant as a player to Coach Larry Hicks’s squad, Slighter was to the Lady Wildcats. She would again lead the Northern Conference in rebounding—and along with Koehler, LaDonna Middaugh and Snidow, who provided double-digit scoring on most nights—the Wildcats became a formidable obstacle for conference teams.

Their season opening 42-41 loss at Boulder High (GCHS went 1-9 at the free throw line), didn’t faze Slighter’s senior-led team. They reeled off a 10-game winning streak, scoring an average of 50-plus points per game, and at the same time featured a stingy defense. By season’s end, the 1980-81 Lady Wildcats had set a school record that likely still stands today: over their 23-game schedule, they held opponents to an average of just 39.9 points.

Despite a single league loss to Northern nemesis Rocky Mountain, the Lady ‘Cats clinched the conference championship in a late-February pounding of Loveland, 64-46. Tom Conklin, reporting for the student newspaper, the Highlight, noted that Slighter’s 24-point performance boosted the ‘Cats record to 15-2 and led Kyger to say, “If we can just play as well as we did against Loveland, then we should do all right in the conference tournament.”

Playing in front of their hometown fans at UNC, the Wildcats reached the finals against Niwot, a team they had beaten 61-27 in January. But the ‘Cats allowed Cougars’ star Kristie Flores to score 18 points and missed several crucial free throws in the last two minutes. Despite another 24-point effort, Slighter’s 17-foot jumper from the corner was disallowed at the final buzzer, and Greeley Central lost 48-47 (Kyger, Snidow and Slighter all agree—43 years later—that the shot was made before the final buzzer). Greeley Central would open state tournament play the following week at Pomona High against the Pueblo County Hornets (15-2).

The Greeley faithful had a difficult decision to make the week of the state tourneys—follow the Lady ‘Cats to Denver, or the men’s team to Boulder for the quarter-final games. In what was undoubtedly one of the great moments in GCHS’ proud basketball history, the faculty, students and community packed Central’s parking lot to cheer as the team buses headed out together to seek the state titles.

The Wildcats were matched up against tall, physical Southern League champs, Pueblo County. Slighter, Middaugh and Koehler would all get into early foul trouble, as the officiating at state proved tighter than the rough and tumble Northern Conference. With Slighter sitting out much of the second and third quarters, Snidow and guards Peggy Archuleta and Sandi Garcia carried the ‘Cats, as Central erased a 7-point deficit to go ahead 39-37 with six minutes left. However, Slighter fouled out, and the Wildcats shot just 26% (17-65) on the night to lose 53-41. An analytical Coach Kyger told the Greeley Tribune’s Rick Preiss, “We took a few bad shots, but we missed so many easy ones.”

The Lady Wildcats next met the pre-tournament favorite Brighton Bulldogs (19-3), who had been upset by Fruita in their quarter-final game. Angry after their disappointing loss, the ‘Cats played their best game of the season. Led by Slighter’s 25 points, and with four Wildcats scoring in double-figures, they soundly defeated Brighton 69-57.

On Saturday, Central wrapped up the best season finish ever recorded by a Wildcat women’s team at the Castle since 1975, when they overwhelmed Coronado High in the state consolation finals, 64-41. Slighter and Snidow were selected to the All-State Tournament team. Slighter, a unanimous All-Northern First Team selection (joined by Syndi Koehler), had averaged 16.5 points and 13.1 rebounds per game in the 1980-81 season, and set or broken six school basketball records during her Wildcat career. That spring Slighter and her parents, Al and Kay, had difficult decisions to make regarding her basketball future.

She had scholarship offers from Nebraska and Oregon State, as well as other out-of-state schools, but she wanted to play close enough to home for her folks to see her games. She also had been recruited by Sox Walseth, the beloved CU coach, so Slighter became a Lady Buff. Walseth had this to say about his prized freshman recruit in the Buffs’ 1981-82 press guide, “We have a need for a strong physical player inside, so she will fit in very well. She is not intimidated to play inside, and she gets good position for rebounds and in posting up.” He concluded by calling Slighter “an excellent collegiate prospect.”

Coach Walseth’s predictions would turn out to be spot on. Playing alongside six returning letter-winners, Slighter quickly realized just how competitive Big Eight basketball was. In the middle of her freshman season, in an interview with Greeley Tribune reporter Sam Mustari, she admitted, “I guess you could say that I’m the low freshman on the totem pole. Actually, coming here (to CU) was a pretty big jump for me. You have to remember I was coming from a team that was the consolation champion in a state tournament to a team that was nationally ranked.”

Yet Slighter’s upbeat nature emerged as she told Mustari, “My confidence is getting better and better all the time. I kind of see myself as a part of a nucleus for the future, I’m hoping for more playing time next year ...”

Slighter, during the 1982-83 season, was the Lady Buffs “sixth-man.” They finished 21-8, and 3rd in the Big-Eight Tourney. She had played an integral role in extending the Buffaloes’ home-court winning streak to 51 games under Walseth, who retired at the end of the season. In April, CU announced its new head coach: a 27-year-old former coach from the University of Cincinnati, Ceal Barry.

The 1983-84 season brought new expectations, new recruits and a new coaching staff. As Coach Barry reflected recently, “We were trying to get the
program off the ground (recruiting-wise). I saw Patty as a leader and a bridge.” That summer while Barry busily finished bringing six new recruits into the program, Slighter stayed true to her summer workout regime in Greeley. Her daily schedule: 8:00 to noon, work in the yard, eat lunch. Ride her bike or run up to Gunter Hall, lift weights, do drills. Come home, take a nap. Eat dinner. Go back to Gunter or Butler-Hancock and play pick-up games from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Slighter did win the “best conditioned athlete” award at CU when returning to campus that fall (and every following autumn thereafter).

Coach Barry said of her effort, “No one trained harder than Patty. I remember her being very mature; she was a leader. She was soft spoken but had the demeanor to bring people together.”

With no sophomores on the Lady Buffs’ roster for the 1983-84 campaign, Barry planned to rely heavily on Lisa VanGoor (C), Diane Hiemstra (G), Julie
Hoehing (G/F), Aileen Murray (G/F), and Slighter, at power-forward. A season-ending stress fracture in her foot caused VanGoor to miss nearly the entire season, leaving Slighter to play center for the Buffs.

Without its best player, CU struggled to a 10-18 record. However, Slighter led the Lady Buffs in rebounding and both CU and the Big Eight in blocked shots. One memorable night was her season-high 25-point effort against in-state rival CSU. Still, everyone was looking forward to a healthier 1984-85 season.

Buffs Co-Captains Aileen Murray and Patty Slighter were no doubt excited for their senior season. Two of the Buffs best players were returning from
injuries—Lisa VanGoor and Kris Holwerda—and the team already had a year to learn Coach Barry’s system. But as any coach will say: “Every other team also has another year under their belts.” Thus, the 1984-85 Lady Buffs would continue to experience growing pains and finished the year with just six wins. Undoubtedly, the captain wished for a better turn as her Buffs’ career concluded. Yet Slighter had played four years for two CU Hall-of-Fame coaches (Walseth in 2002, Barry in 2010), and played alongside a three-time finalist for the NCAA’s Player-of-the-Year —Lisa VanGoor.

Years pass, perspectives change. But for coaches and teammates, certain memories remain constant. They never forget those players who unselfishly
elevated the team above their own interests. Such is case with every player and coach interviewed for this story. Ceal Barry: “Patty was a team player all the way.” Bill Kyger: “[She] always had a good attitude, good teammate.” Konnie Mackey: “Patty was a good teammate, never complained.” Forrest Boggs: “Patty was a one-in-a-million because she was always there for the team, always pleasant. You don’t have a team without a Patty Slighter.” Lynette Snidow: “Patty was always very even keeled, consistent, a team player.”

All-Conference, All-state, even 51-game winning streaks and shot-blocking records pale in comparison to such comments from teammates and coaches. After graduating from CU, Slighter moved to Atlanta. She took the Merit Test for the State of Georgia and became a case worker for child and family services. She advanced to director of Food Stamps for Dekalb County and eventually headed a team that brought a new computer system online to improve food distribution for Georgia. Her latest job was implementation coordinator for another new data system for the state.

Slighter moved back to Greeley for several years to care for her parents, Al and Kay, who both passed in 2019. She has four Curly-Coated Retrievers—Rooney, Jetson, Tisdale and Bahnavi—that occupy much of her time these days.

Shannon Mihaltan: ’98-1995-1998-Track and Field

Baseball coaches describe truly gifted athletes as “five-tool players,” basketball coaches refer to them as having the “X-factor,” soccer and volleyball
coaches often opt for the word “elite.” How, then, should one refer to that rare track and field athlete who wins multiple races and events at the conference and regional levels in both high school and college, and then goes on to win the same events at the state and national collegiate level?

Shannon Mihaltan, Greeley Central class of 1998, was a track athlete who enjoyed that kind of success—both at the high school and collegiate levels. And even though her coaches and teammates choose different words to describe her nearly unmatched success, they all make the same point: Shannon Mihaltan was just better at everything than everyone else. During her three-year career as a Wildcat, Mihaltan would earn All-Northern Conference in track and field every season. Her junior year (1997), she qualified for state in three events before placing in the top eight in both the 100m and 300m hurdles. Her senior season (1998), Mihaltan won conference and regional championships in four events and was state champion in the triple jump (where she set a school record) and state runner-up in both the 300m hurdles and the long jump. Mihaltan’s high school efforts set the stage for a collegiate career was even more impressive.

At Hastings College from 1998-2002, Mihaltan became a national champion in three different events and was named an All-American 10 times. She set 14 school records (12 in individual events), and won the Most Outstanding Performer award at the NAIA National Indoor Meet in 2001. That same year Mihaltan received the NAIA’s prestigious national award—the A.O. Duer Award—given to one junior athlete who best exemplifies character, playing ability and scholarship. In 2002, after completing a successful senior campaign, Mihaltan graduated from Hastings with a 3.98 GPA. In 2010, she was inducted into the Hastings College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Born in Glenwood Springs in 1980, Mihaltan and her family moved to Greeley, where she attended District 6 schools for her entire K-12 education. She played volleyball and participated in track while at Heath Junior High and then entered Greeley Central in the autumn of 1995. Mihaltan played volleyball for the Wildcats during the final season of revered coach Kathy Switzer’s head coaching career (14 years, 250-92 record, six state tournament teams). During the winter, Mihaltan and a select group of ‘Cats tracksters trained extensively for the upcoming season. They competed in indoor meets at Colorado State University and at the competitive Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho, under the direction of Wildcats track coach Sasson Sharify. In the spring—on a small but enthusiastic girls’ track squad that included Amy Valencia, Nichole Hamilton, Liz Mendoza, Lauren Davis, Jenny DeKrey and Ivy Sample—Mihaltan stood out. She won a spot in the regional finals in the 300m hurdles, although she took a fall during the race that caused her to miss qualifying for state. Still, she had earned her first varsity letter and was named All-Northern Conference.

During the 1996-97 school year, Mihaltan started on the varsity volleyball team for new ‘Cats coach Jill Reynolds. After volleyball, she again spent the winter months conditioning and competing in indoor meets to prepare for the upcoming spring track season. She also played on a club volleyball team twice a week to improve her fundamentals. Longtime Central coach Mike “Woody” Wilson (then in his 25th year of coaching at GCHS), took over the reins of the 1997 track team.

Wilson, speaking with the Greeley Tribune’s Tom Fasano during the track season preview, said about Mihaltan’s off-season preparations: “She hasn’t missed a practice since December 1st .” In the weight room, “she does what you tell her. She’s just a good athlete. I do see some big things from her.”

That spring Mihaltan proved that Wilson’s foresight was 20-20. She ran the 100m and 300m hurdles, the mile relay and competed in the triple jump. She no doubt benefitted each day from competing against senior teammate Hamilton, who had been state runner-up in the triple jump in1996. In May, at the 5A regional track meet in Fort Collins, Mihaltan qualified for state in three events. Along with Hamilton, DeKrey and Davis, she took third in the 800m medley relay and also qualified in both the 100m and 300m hurdles. The Central women’s team claimed 4th place at regionals. The following week at the state track championships Mihaltan placed 7th in the 100m hurdles and 8th in the 300m hurdles.

Mihaltan’s senior year, 1997-98, began with her final volleyball season. The ‘Cats squad relied on her leadership and competitive focus. Although Central would struggle to find wins, she led the team in kills shots with 50, and serves for aces. Mihaltan earned All-Northern Conference honorable mention. Then she spent the winter in the weight room and traveled through snowy conditions to Pocatello’s Holt Arena for another Simplot meet, along with ‘Cats teammates Sample, Brianna Shupe and Annie Bersagel (HOF class of 2022). Mihaltan and Sample also devised an impromptu hurdling circuit through the “Castle’s” second-floor hallway that mimicked a 55m course. However, as Sample said recently, “After the last hurdle, you had to quickly decide whether to run downstairs to the first-floor landing or choose to climb the third-floor stairs.” All of them were looking forward to track and field season.

They would be working with a third GCHS head coach in as many years—Marty Neibauer. In the high school track preview in late March, the Tribune’s Sam Mustari reported that the ‘Cats first-year head coach intended to rely on seniors to lead the 1998 women’s squad. Coach Neibauer said, “Our definite strength on the girls’ team will be Mihaltan. She’s going to be a state contender in a lot of events.” In a later interview, Neibauer confided that he knew Mihaltan was “good for at least 40 points in every meet.”

Greeley sports fans would have to wait until the following Saturday to find out how Mihaltan did in the season’s first big meet—the competitive University of Northern Colorado Invitational. In the meantime, Wildcats, old and new, had plenty to cheer about. On March 21, Cats’ swimmer Brooks Masterson won the state 5A 200m freestyle championship, becoming only the second GCHS swimmer to win a state title. Two days later, Carol Pasternak, GCHS ’69, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary as producer of “A Story of Healing.” On March 28, Wildcat hoops stars Tom Evans and Amy Valencia were each named to the First Team 5A All-Northern Conference team.

Finally, on Sunday, March 29, the Tribune reported that Wildcat Mihaltan had taken three second places (in the 100m and 300m hurdles and the triple jump), and a third place (long jump) at the UNC Invitational. That early season meet proved to be a harbinger of Mihaltan’s spring. She added numerous first-place finishes during meets throughout April.

As Neibauer recalls, “The ‘98 women’s team was definitely led by Mihaltan and Sample. Shannon really blossomed that spring—a tribute to her hard work.”

The 5A regional meet in May was run in soggy conditions at Fort Collins’ Rocky Mountain High School. The weather didn’t bother Mihaltan in either the running or field events. Leading her ‘Cats to another fourth-place team finish, she won the regional title in all four of her events—100m and 300m hurdles, the triple and long jumps.

Neibauer told the Tribune’s Ken Hamrick: “Shannon had a fantastic tournament. She had personal bests in two events, and she was close to getting
personal bests in her other two events.”

Mihaltan had indeed set herself up for a busy week at the state championships. She would be joined there by Central shot-putter Sharise Gettman
and the 3200m relay team of Allison Ross, Valencia, Bersagel and Shupe. The following week’s state meet was held over two days at the U.S. Air
Force Academy. On Friday, Mihaltan experienced both the highs and lows that often accompany state competition. She took a bad spill near the end of a preliminary heat in the 100m hurdles, managed to get up, but missed the finals by 0.01 of a second. Earlier, her first attempt in the triple jump finals—over 37 feet—had assured her the state title. But following the hurdles mishap, Mihaltan opted to take her remaining jumps and boosted her distance to 38 feet, 6.75 inches.

She told the Rocky Mountain News’ Scott Stocker: “The 38-footer today was a personal best, big-time.” (Although she also mentioned she regretted a scratch that cost her a 39-foot-plus jump).

On Saturday, Mihaltan secured two runner-up finishes in the 300m hurdles and the long jump, completing the best finals for a Wildcat thinclad since Konnie Mackey’s (HOF class of 2023) 1980 finals performance.

Reflecting on her amazing weekend, Mihaltan told the Tribune’s David Falter: “I don’t really know if I want it to be over...setting that school record (in
the triple jump)—that’s what I’ll remember most.”

In late May at the GCHS Athletics Award Ceremony, she received the season MVP awards for both volleyball and women’s track. At graduation,
Mihaltan and her senior classmates gifted Central the iconic watercolor of the Castle and the Spirit of Willie, by famed Greeley artist Colette (McLaughlin) Pitcher. Mihaltan’s parents, Peter and Bernice, were undoubtedly excited when she accepted a volleyball and track scholarship to Hastings College in Nebraska. Mihaltan traded the orange and black of Greeley Central for that of the Hastings College Broncos, who competed in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Throughout her freshman and sophomore years, Mihaltan played on the Broncos volleyball team. After her fall season, she immediately began workouts for the winter indoor-track season.

Ivy Sample, GCHS ‘99, who followed in Mihaltan’s footsteps to Hastings on a volleyball and track scholarship, summarized the two former Wildcats’
wintertime daily training regime: “6:00 a.m., weightlifting, go to classes, eat lunch. From 1:00-2:00 p.m., work on specialty events. Track practice from 3:00-5:00.”

Their workouts and the indoor season lasted from December through early March. Hastings faced stiff competition within the GPAC. Midland, Dakota
Wesleyan, Concordia, and especially Doane, challenged the Broncos every year for the league’s indoor track title. Mihaltan earned All-American status twice during her freshman year.

The success she experienced in the 2000 indoor season (during her sophomore year) reflected her hard work. At the GPAC league meet, she won the
long jump and the 60-yard hurdles, was the runner-up in the triple jump, and placed third in both the 60-yard and 300-yard dashes. She shared GPAC co-MVP honors with Wendy Brouillette of Doane. She then gained All-American status in the hurdles and the long jump and led the Broncos to a fifth-place finish in the NAIA Indoor National meet in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Following a week off, Mihaltan began the spring outdoor track and field season, which continued through May. During her freshman and sophomore years, while competing in three sports and working a part-time job, she maintained a near-perfect 4.0 GPA at Hastings.

Each year she was fortunate to work with Hasting’s legendary track and field coach, Scott Davis. He was impressed with Mihaltan’s work ethic. In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald’s Marjie Ducey, Davis said, “She’s just one of those organized, responsible, dedicated-type individuals. Plus, she wants to win real bad.”

When asked recently about the key to Mihaltan’s disciplined approach, Sample offered a more concise answer: “Scholastically and athletically, she’s
always been driven.”

Mihaltan herself was even more concise. In an interview with Ben Clark of the Hastings student newspaper, The Collegian, she said: “Whenever I’m assigned homework, I don’t waste time. I just do it.”

During her junior (2000-01) and senior (2001-02) years, outside of classwork, Mihaltan focused on track and field. Having extra time in the fall to
prepare for the indoor season allowed her to concentrate on technique in her jumping events and in the hurdles. Her 2001 indoor season would become the envy of any collegiate athlete at any level. Held again in Johnson City, Tennessee, the NAIA’s Indoor National meet was dominated by Mihaltan. She won the pentathlon (3,550 points), the 55m hurdles (8.18) and took third in both the long and triple jumps. She led the Broncos to a fifth-place finish while breaking three school records (55m hurdles, 8.15; long jump, 19 feet, 2.5 inches; pentathlon, 3,550 points). She was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Performer.

Coach Davis told the Hastings Collegian’s Jeffrey Gautreaux, “As good a day as she had at the conference meet, she was twice as good at nationals.... We’ve had All-Americans before, but we’ve never had somebody be the Athlete of the Meet.”

Mihaltan continued her astounding year during the outdoor season. At the GPAC Series, held at Concordia, she won the 100m hurdles, 100m dash, the long and triple jumps. In the Broncos’ last tune-up before the GPAC conference meet, Mihaltan again won four events, adding the 400m hurdles to her portfolio. When asked recently about the difference between the 300m hurdles in high school and the 400m hurdles in college, she confirmed, “Yeah, there is a big difference. The 400 is a tough race.”

That spring Mihaltan would bring the NAIA’s most prestigious award to Hastings College. She won the A.O. Duer Award, given to the nation’s junior
athlete who best exemplifies character, playing ability and scholarship.

During Mihaltan’s senior year, she completed her student teaching requirements and prepared her resume for a career as an elementary school teacher. Her final indoor track season, while not as successful as her junior campaign, had several high points. At nationals in Tennessee, despite fighting a stomach virus, she won a third national title. Her triple jump of 41 feet, 2.5 inches was nearly a foot farther than the second-place jump. She was unable to defend her pentathlon title, finishing as the runner-up. Mihaltan entered the meet with the top national time in the 55m hurdles. However, she struck the final hurdle with her leg, fell and finished last in her heat. As Coach Davis noted, she had never fallen in a hurdle race at Hastings until that day.

A swollen knee from the fall also affected her performance in the long jump finals. While most athletes would gladly take a national title and a runner-up finish, Mihaltan was likely disappointed with her performance. As she wrapped up her last outdoor track season in May 2002, Mihaltan prepared to compete at the national meet in Olathe, Kansas. She qualified in four events: the long and triple jumps, the 400m hurdles and the 1600m relay.

In an interview with Tony Boone of the Hastings Tribune, Mihaltan admitted, “At this point, it hasn’t really hit me yet that this is it for my college career...it’s nationals and it’s exciting.”

Coach Davis told Boone why fans should be excited, “She’s one of the best all-around athletes that the NAIA has seen.”

After graduating from Hastings, Mihaltan taught for a year in Lincoln, Nebraska, then moved to Texas to continue training for a possible career in track
and field. Her college coach, Scott Davis, had also relocated to Texas. She took a one-year position as a graduate assistant at UT Arlington to train.
But she eventually concentrated on her teaching career. In 2010, Mihaltan was inducted into the Hastings College Athletic Hall of Fame. She is currently in her 21st year of teaching elementary schoolers.

She married Kevin Brown, and they have a daughter, Amiah, who is a freshman in college (playing soccer), and a son Kohen, a junior in high school
(football, track, baseball). They live in Waxahachie, Texas.

It is often difficult to put an exceptional athlete’s statistics into perspective. Mihaltan was a state champion, three-time national champion in three different events, and a 10-time All-American, with 14 collegiate records.

In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald’s Marjie Ducey, her coach at Hastings, Scott Davis, said: “Shannon is just arguably the best student-athlete in the country. She’s probably the most versatile athlete I’ve ever seen anywhere.”

But maybe her dear friend and teammate since high school days, Ivy Sample—who competed with and against Mihaltan for eight years—provided the best summary of her colleague’s success: “I got used to coming in second,” she said.

2005 Greeley Central Golf Team

From 2003-2009, the Greeley Wildcat golf teams won seven conference championships, two regional championships, and a state championship. Such was the Wildcats’ dominance during that stretch that after one league match the Thompson Valley Eagles team played so well that they broke their long-standing school record for lowest team score of all time. A sports reporter for the Loveland Reporter-Herald asked one Thompson Valley golfer what it felt like to break such a prestigious record. The player humbly responded that it felt pretty good, but, he added, “we still lost to Greeley Central by 10 strokes.” Another time, at a varsity and JV tournament hosted by Sterling High School, a coach from a rival team said, as he watched the Wildcat golfers unload their equipment in the parking lot in preparation for the tournament, “Well, great ... Central’s here. Who’s going to get second?” Perhaps, not so surprisingly in retrospect, the answer to that question was the Greeley Central junior varsity squad, who soundly beat every other varsity team in the field that day. The 2005 Greeley Central Golf team put together their state championship run right in the middle of those dominant Wildcat golf years. The ‘05 team was loaded with talent and put together many memorable individual and team performances.

The team was led by the younger ‘Cats. Freshman Nick Umholtz and sophomore Brandon Tomasovich were known for their loose and fun-loving attitudes. But every member of that team was a tough competitor. Practices were full of playful trash talk and no-holds-barred competition while players pushed each other to be the absolute best on the course. The season became less about beating other teams and more about beating their
‘Cats’ teammates. That competitiveness among teammates would ultimately bring them a state championship.

Ironically, that magical state championship run almost didn’t happen. When the 2005 state tournament began, the Wildcats would not have been considered the favorites. In fact, it was only by a fluke of scheduling, or maybe something else, that the Central golf team even qualified for the tournament. Greeley Central was the host of the 2005 district tournament, to be held at Boomerang Golf Links in Greeley. Twenty-four teams were originally scheduled to participate in the tournament. The Colorado Activities Association rules stipulated that one-tenth of the number of schools participating in a given regional tournament qualified for the state golf tournament, which meant that the top two teams would go to state (2.4 rounded down equals 2). Longtime Wildcat head baseball, head football, and then golf coach, John Johnson, believed that the regional tournament was the most stressful two days of the season. After all, one or two bad holes and the whole season could be over. Additionally, the regional field was full of strong teams and “J.J.” believed that hosting the tournament on their home course would increase the pressure on his ‘Cats. The story goes that J.J. called the golf coach at Wray High School to encourage him to bring his team to the regional tournament. The Wray coach had decided not to attend the tournament as his was a first-year program and he did not believe his golfers were quite good enough to compete at that level yet.

“Oh no, you have to come,” J.J. implored. “It’s not just about qualifying for state, it’s about giving your kids the experience.”

Now, maybe J.J. really was concerned about the quality of the educational experience for the Wray golfers. But those who know him can imagine that wry, half smile on J.J.’s face as he convinced the Wray coach what was best for him. At any rate, Wray did show up at Boomerang, making the tournament field twenty-five and now allowing three teams from the regional to qualify for state. J.J.’s Wildcats didn’t play their best golf at the regional tournament, but they did take third in the pressure-filled regional. They were on their way to state.

Because J.J. believed that regionals were the most stressful part of any season he also felt that the state tournament was always more enjoyable and less pressure-packed. After the stress of the regional tournament was over, the talented ‘Cats approached the state tournament with modest expectations and a relaxed attitude. Other, more experienced teams, like Kent Denver, Colorado Academy, and Pueblo West all had designs on winning the state tournament. But ultimately, they would succumb to the pressure.

The week leading up to the tournament was filled with light-hearted, competitive practices. The Cats continued their hijinks at the team hotel in Denver. The night before the tournament started, players practiced their putts along the long hotel hallway. Taylor Ramaekers said they put a glass at the end of the 200-foot-long hall to see who could sink the most preposterous putt. How many phone calls were made to the front desk, Coach Johnson and Coach Rohnke never knew. Most people don’t think of golf as a demanding sport, but it can be hard on high schoolers. To expect 14- to 18-year-old boys to stay focused, calm and relaxed for a five-hour round of golf is nearly impossible. And when a golfer is carrying big pressure and expectations, the walk along the course can seem like a death march. The Greeley Central golfers had felt that pressure the year before, when they
thought they had a great shot to win the title in 2004. But the pressure got to them and they didn’t fare well. Ironically, it was their third-place finish in the 2005 regional golf tournament that removed the stress. That loss allowed the Wildcats’ immense talent, skill and competitive nature to shine without the burden of high expectations.

The 2005 state golf tournament was held at Wellshire Golf Course in Denver. The course was not the longest they had played and had some tricky
angles, even a few overhead power lines, that had to be taken into consideration. The two-day tournament would require golfers to think through every shot, not just launch their drives down the fairway. The winning team would be the team that had the best and most consistent short game.

Because of their third-place finish at the regional tournament, the Cats were among the earliest at state to tee off. Freshman Nick Umholtz and senior Taylor Ramaekers got off to great starts, finishing with scores of 71 and 73 respectively. Sophomore Brandon Tomasovich wasn’t quite up to his usual high standards but shot a respectable 75. Senior Grant Suggs struggled in his round to finish with a 78. As the last Wildcat golfer finished, team members felt they had played okay, but no one thought they had played their best. However, since Greeley Central was the first complete team to finish, Coach Rohnke joked, “Hey, we’re in first place.”

One of the parents hosted a barbeque while the team waited for scores from other teams to come in. After the next team completed its round, the joke continued: “Hey, we’re still in first place.” Finally, the favored teams began to finish, and: “Hey, we’re still in first place,” was no longer a joke. When the final team completed its round, the mood amongst the Wildcats took a serious turn as Coach Johnson said, “Well, boys, we are in first place.” These Wildcats had never been in first place after a first round before. The team standings after round one of the 2005 state tournament had the Wildcats shooting a team total of 219, two shots better than Pueblo West and five shots better than Kent Denver. As dinner started, no one quite knew how to feel. But it didn’t take long to get back to some horseplay in the hotel pool.

The next morning at breakfast, the mood was quiet again. It may have been fatigue from exploits in the pool. Either way, Larry Hicks, Greeley Central state champion basketball coach and a friend to Coach Johnson, got everyone in the right frame of mind when he exclaimed, “Why not us? Why shouldn’t we win this?”

Senior Grant Suggs took that to heart. Frustrated with his 78 the previous day, Grant’s competitive fire was burning. He said that “We were most
competitive amongst each other.” He didn’t like finishing with the highest score among his teammates in round one. His score meant that he would be first on the course in the next round. He couldn’t wait to get started.

After the round, Coach Johnson said, “(Grant) led us off and gave us confidence. He made the turn and we saw he was birdying some holes. The other kids saw that. Then they felt like everything was okay, and we didn’t have to start pressing.”

In total, Grant birdied five holes in the second round. Some of the golfers recently recalled that Grant’s strong start ignited their own competitive fire. The pressure of the tournament was gone. It became just another competitive practice round. They didn’t want to be shown up by fellow Wildcats. Grant finished with an even-par 72. Good enough for a 19th place finish.

Senior Taylor Rameakers was forced to scramble from tee to green on day two. But his putter was on fire as he sank five putts of over 20 feet. Taylor finished with a 75 on day two and a 13th place finish overall. Brandon Tomasovich was steady as could be on the second day.

“I putted a lot better and hit a lot better shots. I didn’t put myself in stupid spots,” he would say after the round.

He shot an even-par round of 72 to finish tied for 9th place. That top-10 finish earned Brandon a spot on the All-State team.

Freshman Nick Umholtz was an incredibly talented 14-year-old golfer. His skill was made more amazing by the fact that he had only started golfing two years before. His parents would drop him off at Highland Hills Golf course on their way to work in the morning. They bought him a range pass and a junior golf pass. Most days during his summers, he spent the day hitting hundreds of golf balls or playing a round or two of golf with his buddy and fellow Wildcat, Jordan Burgess. Nick learned the game at the speed of light. But entering his first state golf tournament, he didn’t have as much experience as many of the other favorites — favorites that included a son of a PGA golfer. After the first round, Nick was tied for third, despite shooting an astounding one over par. His lack of major tournament experience worked to his favor. The players in front of him began feeling the pressure and came back to him in the second round. Nick just kept making pars and finished his second round with another 71. As a team, the Wildcats had not only kept their lead from the first round but extended it, dominating second-place Kent Denver by nine strokes. The Wildcats had just won their first-ever state golf championship!

But there was still work left to do. Nick had finished tied with two other golfers for the individual championship. Nick was about to take part in the longest playoff in Colorado history. Paul Berry of Steamboat Springs bowed out after the first playoff hole. That left Nick and Teddy Karlinski of Aspen High School. They would continue to battle for five more holes. The signature moment of the playoff came on the 5th playoff hole when Nick needed to make a 15-foot put to continue the match. He hit the stroke with confidence, and when it dropped in the cup, he let out a victorious yell. On hole #6, Nick would complete the double championship when he parred the hole while Kalinski bogeyed.

The team was now in full celebration mode. Everyone took turns posing with the championship trophy. The victorious ride back to Greeley was quiet.
Exhaustion had overcome the adrenaline. But everyone had a smile on their faces, knowing they had done something no other Wildcat golf team had done. Later that winter, during a boys’ basketball game, the team was honored with championship rings and the ultimate honor of a championship banner in the rafters of Baggot Gym.

“I never thought I’d even make it to state, let alone, win it,” Taylor Ramaekers said.

Nick Umholtz loved the team chemistry the entire season. “We were a close group of guys who just wanted to have fun.”

Coach Johnson summed up the 2005 Wildcat golf team: “Everything had to be lined up, and we played so well the last two days... like destiny.”

Other members of the 2005 team who received a varsity letter were Parker Edens, Jordan Burgess, Sam Mossberg and Drew Barnett.

2005 State Golf Tournament

• Nick Umholtz (71, 71) 1st , won individual title after a six-hole playoff. At the time, it was the longest playoff in tournament history.
• Brandon Tomasovich , 9th (75, 72)
• Taylor Ramaekers,13th (73, 75)
• Grant Suggs, 19th (78, 72)

Team scores:

• Greeley Central – 434
• Kent Denver — 443
• Pueblo West — 449

Three members of this team still hold the top three lowest stroke averages in school history:

• Nick Umholtz: 70.6
• Brandon Tomasovich: 71.46
• Parker Edens: 72.15

Other accolades from this team:

• Coach John Johnson (“JJ”) — Named Rocky Mountain News 2005 Coach of the Year
• Coach Kevin Rohnke — Selected GCHS Coaches’ 2005-06 Assistant Coach of the Year (including assisting boys’ basketball to 2006 Final Four)
• Nick Umholtz— Four-time All-State (first Wildcat since Larry Eaton in 1949 to win an individual state title), four-time All-Conference, two-time Regional Champion, Individual State Champion, four State appearances
• Brandon Tomasovich — Three-time All-Conference, 2005 All-State, (2004. ) Regional Champion, three State appearances
• Grant Suggs—All-Conference, three State appearances
• Taylor Ramaekers — All-Conference