Athletics Hall of Fame inducts 20

The Odessa Athletics Hall of Fame inducted its inaugural class of 20 members at the 80th high school reunion that took place June 18 in the Odessa Community Center.

Each inductee was presented with a wooden plaque bearing a replica of the metal plates that are mounted in the new display case in the high school gymnasium. Those accepting the plaques on their own behalf were Corky Kiehn, Al Fink, Leslie Weber Fink, Jon Evavold, Jesse Hardt, Ken Scherr, Jon Heimbigner, Forey Walter, Jerry Walker, Paul Horak and Myrna Heimbigner Wolsborn.

Accepting on behalf of the late Bill Zagelow were his widow Vivian Zagelow and his brother Bob Zagelow. Marlene Kramer accepted for her late husband Myron Kramer. Myrna Wolsborn also accepted for her late husband Tom Wolsborn, and Forey Walter accepted the plaque for his late father Leon Walter. Scott Kramer and his young son Parker accepted the plaque for the late Ryan Floch on behalf of Ryan's parents Clay and Jewel Floch who were unable to attend due to a family emergency. Barry Heimbigner and Jon Heimbigner received the plaque issued to their late father Jonah Heimbigner, and Bill Weber did the same for his late father Jerry Weber. JD Birge accepted the award for his late sister Fran Birge. Julie Carlson Kistler was unable to attend, so her plaque was delivered to her in Spokane by Jon Heimbigner.

The visiting alumni who were able to get to the gym to see the display case were not disappointed. Alumnus Rob Hopp had hand-crafted the hardwood display case, donating his time and expertise to assemble the materials purchased by the hall of fame committee. The metal plates in the display case and on the plaques awarded to the inductees were created by graphic designer Zachariah Duncan and trophy manager Frank Gilby of Wildrose Graphics in Spokane, a company that Jon Heimbigner has worked with many times in the past in setting up halls of fame for various organizations.