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Wall of fame a little more crowded
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Written by Cullen Tillberg
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Friday, 16 February 2007
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Six of West’s most talented athletes were awarded for their skill by getting inducted into the West High School “Wall of Fame” on at halftime during a basketball game on Jan. 5.
The six athletes inducted were Glenn Klepsteen from 1980, Dave Juehring from 1982, Hershel Oliver from 1985, Erik Rogers from 1995, Tracy Paustian from 2001, and Justin Brauer from 2006. There are currently 77 athletes on the Wall of Fame along with the three field hockey, four girls track, two synchronized swimming, one volleyball, two football, two softball, five baseball, two basketball, and four co-ed cheerleading state championship teams.
“Every single one of those athletes on the Wall of Fame earned their spot,” said athletics director Jeff Nance. “In order to get inducted an athlete must be either a state champion or No. 1 team All-State.”
Klepsteen was inducted as the discus state champion with a throw of 163 feet and three inches. He was also noted as being active in track, art club, and martial arts club.
Juehring was inducted as the shot put and discus state champion. It is noted that he was also a High School All-American, shot put and discus champion at the Drake Relays, Indoor National Shot Put Champion, and Keebler International Discus Champion.
Oliver was inducted in as the shot put state champion in 1985 with a throw of 59 feet and 11 inches.
Rogers was inducted in as the shot put and discus state champion in 1995. He had a shot put throw of 57 feet and 11 3/4 inches, and a discus throw of 171 feet. He also was a three year letter winner in track, city champion, full scholarship winner in track and football at Western Illinois University, MVP of ’95 Shriners Football All-Star game, All Elite Team in football, All State in football, and finalist for Athlete of the Year.
Paustian was inducted in as first Team All State Girls Basketball in 2001. She was a four year varsity letter winner, MAC Conference first team, MAC Conference All Academic, All Metro first and second team, Newspaper Association first team All State, IGCA first and second team All State, IGCA 4A SE District Team, All Tournament Team, MAC Conference Player of the Year, MAC Conference first team, and played four years at Iowa State University.
Brauer was inducted as Super Team Baseball. He also received All MAC Honorable Mention, IHSBCA All District first team, INA All State third team, All MAC first team, INA All State second team, All District first team, All MAC All Academic, and was a finalist in Athlete of the Year.
This was actually the first ceremony for the Wall of Fame. Before Nance became athletics director at West there weren’t ceremonies for the new inductees, just their picture on the wall. That’s all changed. Now not only is West honoring their new inductees with a special ceremony, but they are also recognizing the other members of the Wall of Fame by honoring each one at half time of each home game.
The Wall of Fame is located in the hallway by the girls locker room.
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