Ceremony to be held this Saturday, June 18
+ Due to the heat and humidity, this Saturday event has been moved to the air-conditioned social hall at the Alliance Missionary Church. Starting time remains 6 p.m.
A new class is set to be inducted into the Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) Athletic Hall of Fame this Saturday, June 18.
The Class of 2016 includes:
+ Athletes – Harold Steinhauser, Keith “Head” Hanson, Mary Penner Jim Sneer and the 1980 Minnesota State Class C Football Runners-up (coaches, Marty Skow, John Weir and Tom Doyscher; team members, Kurt Hildebrandt, Tom Steinhauser, Randy Wall, Mike Werner, J. P. Skow, Dean A. Peters, Frank Wallert, Tim Goertzen, Randy Dirks, Rick Firme, Mike Hildebrandt, Matt Steinkamp, Mark Courts, Mike Steinkamp, Phil Harder, Dan Molitor, Tim Dunkelberger, Tom Quiring, Frank Herman, Doug Wellman, Scott Strenge, Wes Riihl, Brad Kirk, Wayne Gohr, Greg Wellman, Brad Hanson, Keith Harder, Jon Dick, Randy Junker, Keith Hanson, DeWayne Wallert, Scott Barber, Dean Kremmin, Ernie Herman, Doug Scurr and Tim Stoesz; team student managers Eddie Berger and John Lindquist).
+ Contributors – Dr. Steve and Judy Harder and Jim and Sue Sneer
Induction ceremonies will be held during the Saturday of Pow Wow weekend in the Mountain Lake Public School’s elementary gymnasium (social room of Alliance Missionary Church). The social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by the banquet meal at 6:30 p.m. and the ceremony at 7 p.m. .
Below are thumbnail sketches of the Class of 2016 inductees:
Keith “Head” Hanson is being inaugurated into the MLHS Athletic Hall of Fame as an athlete. The 1981 MLHs grad is pictured above in his graduation photo At MLHS, he was a multi-sport athlete, competing in football, wrestling and track and field. He was named to the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) All-State Football Team, and was a Heavyweight Runner-up at the MSHSL State Wrestling Tournament. He went on to play football and wrestle for Augustana College (today, Augustana University) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While there, he was the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division II Heavyweight Champion in Wrestling in 1984-1985, named Academic All-Conference in 1983-1984, named a NCAA Division II All-American in 1984-1985 and was elected to the Augustana Athletic Hall of Fame.
Mary Penner, also a 1981 MLHS graduated, appearing above in her graduation photo, is also entering the Hall of Fame as an athlete. She was an outstanding multi-sport athlete in cross country, girls basketball and track and field. She was the leader of the Lakers’ 1980 District and Region Cross Country championships, earning a 5th-place individual finish in the MSHSL State Girls Cross Country Meet. In spring 1981, she placed 7th in the 1600-meter run at the MSHSL State Track Meet. During her high school career in track and field, she set a school record in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:18. On the basketball hardcourt, she was a “lock-down” defensive standout.
Harold Steinhauser, above in his 1954 MLHS graduation photo, is being inducted into the Hall of Fame as an athlete. He was an all-around athlete competing in football, boys basketball, baseball and track and field. He was the leading scorer and captain of the 1954 boys basketball team and was an outstanding pitcher for the baseball team.
Pictured above in his 1955 MLHS graduation photo, Jim Sneer was an all-around athlete competing in football, boys basketball, baseball and track and field.
The athletes of the 1980 MLHS football team began the season with high expectations. They finished the season with an 11-2 record. With a ball-control running offense – and a “bend-but-don’t-break defense,” they began the season with four quality wins (12-0 over Fulda), 14-8 over Springfield, 12-0 over Truman and 27-8 over Madelia). After a three-point (6-9) overtime (OT) loss to Granada-Huntley, they finished off the season with four more wins over Sherburn (48-6), Trimont (22-6), Lake Crystal (14-13) and Winnebago. In tournament action, they shut out Storden-Jeffers and Tyler in the first two rounds. In the state semi-finals, they defeated Harmony 13-7 in a thrilling OT victory. In the MSHSL State Class “C” Football Championship Game at Willmar, they lost 20-7 to a strong Bird Island-Lake Lillian team led by quarterback Barry Wohler.
Dr. Steve and Judy Harder are entering the MLHS Athletic Hall of Fame as contributors. They have been long-time supporters of MLHs and the many activities and program offered by the school. Judy was a school board member for many years and promoted new and exciting situations for all levels of student involvement. Over the years, Dr. Steve and Judy have made very generous financial contributions to the athletic program and the school. The renovation of Munson Field (track, football field and baseball and softball diamonds) is most noteworthy. Their children, Esther, Nathan and Tim, all participated in numerous sports and activities while attending MLHS.
Jim and Sue Sneer are also entering the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2016 as contributors. They have been life-long supporters and friends of MLHS, as well as the athlete program and other school activities. Generous financial contributions to the athletic facilities at Munson Field include to the football field, track and baseball and softball diamonds. Stuart and Jenny, their son and daughter, took part in various activity programs as student-athletes while attending MLHS. In fact, Jenny Sneer Johnson entered the MLHS Athletic Hall of Fame with the Class of 2013.
Current MLHS Athletic Hall of Fame members include:
Class of 2004
+ Athletes – 1939 Minnesota State Championship boys basketball team (Walt Rempel, Albert “Butch” Steinle, Ruben Epp, Clarence Ewert, Henry Epp, Willard Rempel, Lloyd Olfert and Harry Franz), Sam Wall, Ray Wall, Maynard Meyers, Lee Loewen, Jim Heinitz and Karla (Gohr) Wendt.
+ Coaches – Burt Munson, Blaine Klingsporn and Marion Bunge.
+ Contributor – Gordie Neufeld.
Class of 2005
+ Athletes – Alden Stoesz, Don Reimer, John Schultz and Eileen (Gohr) Augustin.
+ Coach – Marty Skow.
+ Contributor – Bob Schroeder.
Class of 2007
+ Athletes – Marvin Paskey, Jerry Enns and Susie (Hildebrandt) Carlson.
+ Contributor – Bradley Behrends.
Class of 2009
+ Athletes – Noel Rahn, Pete Franz, Virgil Goertzen and Tammy Olson.
Class of 2011
+ Athletes – 1951 undefeated MLHS Laker football team (coaches Burt Munson, Robert Gettler and Blaine Klingsporn; team members Jim Sneer, Robert Friesen, Larry Gosen, Russell Friesen, Erwin Duerksen, Lee Loewen, Bruce Pope, Arnie Peters, Joe Ramsbacher, Willie Krahn, Dennis Rahn, David Baerg, Allen Basinger, Don Wilkins, Harold Steinhauser, Gaylord Hiebert, Glen Harder, George Gohr, Wennis Franz, Paul Hayek, LeRoy Wiebe, Ronnie Stoesz, Jack Redekop, Maynard Meyers, Jim Lohrenz, Pete Franz and John Basinger and team student managers Carl Wolf, Duane Martens and Leonard Weston), Dawn Friesen and Dennis Lohrenz.
+ Athlete/Coach/Contributor – Willie Krahn.
+ Coach – John Weir.
Class of 2013
+ Athletes – Jennifer “Jenny” (Sneer) Johnson, Charles “Chuck” Loewen, Scott Behrends and Michael Werner.
+ Coach – Paul Metcalf.
In addition, a MLHS Athletic Hall of Fame Facebook page has been created, administrated by Eileen (Gohr) Augustin.
Tickets are $10 apiece and may be purchased from Hall of Fame committee members Eileen Augustin, Paul Metcalf, John Weir, John Schultz, Willie Krahn, Shawn Naas and Karla (Gohr) Wendt – or at the door the night of the event.