Hall of Fame Members
Members of the Class of 2024 include:
Jadda Buckley- Jadda finished her high school career with 1,146 points (ranking her 4th in the history of MCHS girls’ basketball), 374 assists, and 259 steals. She led the Mason City girls’ basketball team three consecutive state tournament appearances where she was a member of the All-Tournament team her senior year. Jadda was a four-time All-Conference and All-State selection being named first team All-State her last two years. She was the Des Moines Register Player of the year, three-time Globe Gazette player of the year, and a member of the National Honor Society. She continued her playing career at Iowa State University where she finished sixth in ISU history with 456 assists and 20th in school history in scoring 1,196 points. She was inducted into the IGHSAU Basketball Hall of Fame in March of 2023.
Bob Horner- Bob revitalized the boys’ basketball program at Mason City High School and was head basketball coach for 17 years. Bob’s teams won 5 conferences championships and made 5 state tournament appearances with the 1996 & 1997 teams being crowned state champions. Bob was a “player’s coach” and had a number of his former players go on to play college basketball as a result of having a great experience playing for Coach Horner. During his time at MCHS, Bob also served as head coach in both baseball and softball, as well as assistant football coach. He is a member of the Upper Iowa University Hall of Fame as well as the Iowa High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.
John Oertel – John was the quarterback on the 1965 Mason City High School football team that went undefeated that season. It’s the only football team in the history of MCHS that has gone undefeated. John was First Team All-Conference and All-State his senior year. He also was a two-year starter on the Mohawk Basketball team. After high school, John attended NIACC where he was named All-Conference quarterback and also started in basketball for the Trojans. He finished his playing days at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. After college, John played semi-pro football with the Cedar Rapids Raiders where he was named first team All-American and was National Coach of the Year. In 2008, he was inducted into the Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame. After his playing days, John was head football coach at Cedar Rapids Prairie where he led the Hawks to a state championship in 1981. He also coached woman’s basketball at NIACC from 1984-2011 and finished his career at NIACC with 444 wins.
Dr. Anthony W Pappas – Dr. Pappas played both basketball and baseball during his high school years at MCHS. The 1971 team finished 3rd in the state tournament and the 1972 team finished 4th. In 1972, he was named to the All-Tournament Team as well as First Team All- State. In baseball, Dr. Pappas played on the 1972 Spring and Summer state championship teams. That year he was also named Scholastic Coach Honorable Mention All-American. Dr. Pappas was a teacher/coach/administrator for a total of 47 years- 44 of those years at West High School in Waterloo. During that time, he received many honors and awards. These honors include being a recipient of the 2011 Morgan Wooten Lifetime Achievement Award- Naismith Hall of Fame, 2016 Golden Player of Distinction Award by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, 2015 National Federation High School Girls Basketball coach of the year, and National High School Athletic Coaches Association Finalist for National Coach of the year 2017.
Jake Peter- Jake led the baseball team to back-to-back state baseball tournaments. He was First Team All-State in both 2010 and 2011 as well as being named 2011 Super Team All-State Team as a shortstop. He was the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association Player of the Year in 2011. Jake is the career record holder in hits rbi’s, home runs, runs, doubles, saves as well as single season record holder in home runs. He played college baseball at Creighton University and continued his playing career professionally in both the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers farm organizations.
Members of the Class of 2023 include:
Barry Alvarez-Football Coach- Barry came to Mason City High School in 1976 as a physical education instructor and head football coach. He and his staff built a solid football program during his three years at MCHS winning the football state championship in 1978. Barry went on to be an assistant football coach at the University of Iowa as well as Notre Dame. He was named head football coach at the University of Wisconsin in 1990 where he became Wisconsin’s all-time winning football with an overall record of 119-74-4. Barry was named Athletic Director in 2004. Wisconsin enjoyed remarkable success during Barry’s tenure as head of the athletic department winning 16 national team titles and 74 regular season tournament championships. Barry retired as Athletic Director at Wisconsin on June 30th, 2021.
George Baird - 1925 – George was a member of the mile relay team which were state championships in both 1924 and 1925. He also was state champion in the 440-yard dash his senior year. George went on to run track at the University of Iowa where he helped the Hawkeyes to six first place finishes in the Big Ten - twice in the 440-yard dash and four times in the mile relay. In the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, George won a gold medal as part of the mile relay as well as setting a world record. The next week in London his relay team set another world record.
Phil Johnson-Community Member- Phil, his wife Carol and three children- Lance, Todd, and Amy moved to Mason City in 1977. Throughout the years, Phil has been very active in promoting Mason City High School athletics. He was a member of the Mohawk Booster Club for a number of years, originator and Tournament Director of the Hardees Youth Basketball Tournament for five years as well as originator and Tournament Director of the Mohawk Alumni Basketball Classic for twenty-five years. Most recently Phil was chairperson of “The Future Is Now” capital campaign where he was instrumental in helping to raise over a million dollars for the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for the new athletic facilities at Mason City High School.
Scott Raridon, Sr - 1979- Scott played center on the Mohawk basketball team as well as a being a starter on both offense and defense on the 1978 state championship football team. As a senior Scott was a member of the Elite Offensive Team as well as first-team All-State by both the Des Moines Register and the Iowa Daily Press Association. After high school, Scott played football at the University of Nebraska where he was a three-year letter winner, named first team All-Big Eight his senior year as well as Honorable Mention All American. Scott was drafted in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL and was the top draft pick of the Philadelphia State of the USFL.
1956 Baseball Team- The 1956 baseball team won the state championship by defeating Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson 2-1 in the championship game. The team was coached by Elmer Starr and finished the season with a perfect 16-0 record. The Des Moines Register referred to the teams as “a bunch of defensive dandies.” Members of the team include: Jon Butler, Ike Chamberlin, Allan DeWitt, Tom Dutcher, Gordon Fleckenstein, James Hahn, Vince Hanson, Gary Kavars, Tom Lewis, Jim Stillwell, Chuck Utter, Jerry Williams, Marlin Wolf, Bob Woodhouse, and Jerry Wubben.
Members of the Class of 2022 include:
Barry Brandt- Barry attended MCHS from 1972, 1973 and 1974. Barry has held the 800 meter run School Record time set at 1:54.4 in 1974. Barry was awarded 7 Varsity Letters for Varsity athletic competition. 3 Letters earned on the Track team and 2 letters each on the Basketball and Cross Country teams. Barry ran on both the 1973 and 1973 Boys State Cross Country teams. Barry was named to the All State 800 meter team 3 times. Barry earned a total of 52 medals be competing on the Track and Cross Country teams. Barry joined the Iowa Honor Roll in the 800 meter run by recording 1 of 10 fastest times in Iowa history.
Dan Delaney- Dan was the Athletic Director at Mason City High School for 21 years. During that time, he won many awards and was very much respected throughout the state for his leadership of the athletic program at MCHS. Several of his big awards include being named the District Athletic Director of the year in 1995, State Athletic Director of the year in 2001, National High School Coaches Association finalist for Athletic Director of the year in 2005, and Athletic Director of the year through the Wrestling coaches Association in 2006.
Dave Long- Track and cross-country coach 1969-1982. Dave had four state championship cross-country teams and never had a team finish lower than 11th place in state meets. Dave coached over thirty individuals and relay state champions and six track and cross-country athletes who went onto become University All-Americans. Honors received include being named Iowa Track and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame. He served as president of the Iowa Track Coaches Association and was on the State Track Advisory Board for sixteen years.
1942 Football Team- This team went undefeated with a record of 8 wins and 1 tie. The tie game was with Lindblom High School, the public schools champion in Chicago. The Mohawks outscored their opponents 247-39 and were led by the first-time all-state players. "With brilliance and power, the Mohawk juggernaut reigns supreme as one of the greatest of Mohawk football teams."
1972 Baseball Team- The 1972 baseball team were both Spring and Summer State Champions. Winning both the Spring and State Tournaments has happened only one other time in the history of Iowa Baseball. This team allowed one run in six tournaments while qualifying for state and allowed for a total of two runs in three games in the 72 State Baseball Tournaments. All this was accomplished when all baseball teams were in one class.
Members of the Class of 2021 include:
Nicole (Carroll) Bechstein - Graduation Year 2004 - Nicole was a four-time qualifier at both the state track meet and the Drake Relays. She broke three outdoor school records that still stand today (long jump, 400 hurdles, and a member of the shuttle hurdle relay). Nicole broke three indoor records that still stand today (60m hurdles, long jump, and a member of the shuttle hurdle relay). She broke two CIML Iowa Conference records (100 m hurdles and as a member of the shuttle hurdle relay team). She was a member of the 2003 shuttle hurdle relay team that broke the all-time Iowa record that had stood since 1979. Nicole was the first and only athlete in Mohawk girls track and field history to medal in four events at the state meet. She was also an outstanding softball player, as well as a football and basketball cheerleader.
Bob Okerstrom - Graduation year 1957 - Bob came to Mason City High School his junior year. Bob lettered in track, football, and basketball both his junior and senior years. IN track, he established school records in both the high and low hurdles and the football throw. His high hurdle time of 14.6 tied the state record. He lost only four hurdle races as a junior. As a senior he was undefeated in both the high and low hurdles. He was state champion in both and won the highs at the Drake Relays. He also threw the shot, the discus, and ran on many of the relay teams. Mohawk track coach Bill Moore call Bob "one of the best athletes I've ever seen."
Mark Salz - Graduation year 1979 - Mark was a two-year started in football and was a member of the 1978 state championship football team. He was named first-team All State his senior year as well as Outstanding Defensive Player in the Big 8 Conference. He was also won the Best Defensive Player of the Year award by the Des Moines Register. Mark was also a two-year letter winner in wrestling and qualified for state as a heavyweight his senior year.
Michael Thorpe - Graduation Year 1975 - Michael was a two-year starter in both basketball and football. He was All-Conference in basketball both years. He was 2nd Team All-State in basketball that year, as well as being named All American in both basketball and the discus throw. Michael was an outstanding track athlete in the discus, where he won three varsity letters and was conference championship all three years. Michael was both state champion and Drake Relays champion in the discus his senior year. He held the school record in both 1974 and 1975.
2003 Shuttle Hurdle Relay Team - The 2003 shuttle hurdle relay team broke every record and were champions in all the meets they competed in that year. The relay team set a Mason City school record, were CIML Iowa Conference champions and set a record, were District champions set a record, Class 3A (large school) state champions and set a record, and were Drake Relays champions and set a record. They were the first team to break 1:01.00 in the shuttle hurdle relay. The relay team ran an all-time Iowa best record of 1:00.80 in the Drake Relays final.
Members of the 2003 shuttle hurdle relay team included Nicole (Carroll) Bechstein, Danielle Hill,. Andrea (Sellers) Velzke, and Kayla (Sautter) Wilson.
Members of the Class of 2020 include:
Dick Adams - Dick earned ten varsity letters (four in track, three in both football and basketball), First Team All State in both football and basketball Junior and Senior years. Dick anchored the sprint and mile relay teams both Junior and Senior years.
Jennifer (Welch) Farrell - Competed in twelve state meets in three different sports - track, gymnastics, and diving. Jennifer was second all-around at state gymnastics, while placing first in balance beam. Jennifer was a member of the record setting shuttle hurdle relay team. Jennifer placed second in diving at the state swim meet and was named High School All American in diving.
Dick Garth - Dick was head varsity boys basketball coach at Mason City High School for sixteen years. Dick coached All State players and his teams made four state tournament appearances. Dick was a golf coach a number of years and had many outstanding individuals and golf teams.
Eldean Matheson - Eldean was head football coach at Mason City High School for 9 years. Eldean was a very successful coach and one of the most respected in the state. He was an assistant track coach that assisted in coaching two state champions in the discus, 1 of which being Scott Crowell, the national record holder in the discus for a number of years.
The 1965 Football Team - One of only two undefeated football teams in the history of Mason City High School. The coaches were Bill Moore, Dick Garth, and Paul Strathman.
Members of the Class of 2019 include:
Tim Fleming - Tim Fleming was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from Wahlert Catholic High School where he was a stand-out baseball player for the Golden Eagles.
Tim joined the team at KGLO in Mason City in 1977 and has been with that station ever since. He has broadcasted literally hundreds of Mohawk football, basketball, softball, and baseball games. Tim is a terrific ambassador for Mohawk athletics in the community, throughout North Iowa, and around the state.
Tim has received numerous honors and awards during his broadcasting career. Tim is a member of the NIACC Hall of Fame as well as the Iowa High School Athletic Association News Media Hall of Fame.
Tim is Operations Manager and Sports Director at KGLO Radio. He and his wife, Suzanne, have three adult children all living in Mason City.
Jean Gordon - Graduation year - 1991. Jean was a leader in the girls swimming and diving team during her high school years. She was the team's highest individual finisher at the state meet and the only person to capture an individual championship. Jean's highlights include: member of three-time state champion for girls swimming team and team runner-up her senior year, school record holder in 100 fly for twenty-two years, and, at the time, holder of four school pool records.
After high school, Jean attended the University of Kansas and continued her swimming career. She was a member of two Big Eight championship teams in 1992 and 1993.
Jean lives in Arvada, Colorado, leading the tourism and marketing efforts for the community.
Bill Moore - Football and Track Coach - Bill was a football and track coach at Mason City High School. His 1965 Mohawk football team went undefeated and is the only football team to go undefeated in the history of Mason City High School.
As track coach, Bill started the Mohawk Relays and one relay race is now named in his honor.
Bill was inducted into the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1968 and the Iowa Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 1972.
Bill passed away in 2011 at the age of 97.
Brian Randall - Graduation Year - 1978. Brian was an outstanding multi-sport athlete at Mason City High School. He received ten varsity letters in five different sports: football, basketball, track, baseball, and golf.
Brian played varsity basketball beginning his sophomore year, first team on offense and defense in football, was the team punter, had the school record in the high jump at one time (participated in the Drake Relays) and ran the 110 high hurdles, was on the Mohawk golf team and finished fourth at State his senior year, and in baseball he pitched a no-hitter as a sophomore, led the team in batting average his junior year, and helped his team qualify for the state tournament his senior year.
1987, 1988, & 1989 State Champion Swimming Teams
1987 Girls Swimming Team - State Champions - The Mohawk girls swim team accomplished goals this season by capturing the first girls swim team State Championship title at MCHS and going undefeated throughout the season.
Mason City edged runner-up, West Des Moines Valley, 166.5 - 153. The squad placed in nine out of eleven events.
District Coach of the year, Steve Hugo, said, "The whole team thing was what we were shooting for. Most people don't realize the intensity that the girls went through."
1988 Girls Swimming Team - State Champions - "Great" summed up the season for the girls swimming this year as they enjoyed another State Championship. The girls captured their second straight title with 211 1/2 team points. Northern University High came in a distant second with 147 points.
1989 Girls Swimming Team - State Champions - The Mason City Mohawks won their third consecutive girls State Swimming Championship with a total of 183 points. West Des Moines Valley finished in second place with 172 points and Cedar Rapids Kennedy in third with 159 points.
Team Members: Jill Borchardt (1987 & 1988), Penny Daskalos (1987), Becky Delaney (1987), Lisa Ekborg (1987), Aimee Forsman (1987), Carrie Forsman (1988 & 1989), Sherri Funnell (1988 & 1989), Stephanie Gilabreath (1988 & 1989), Jean Gordon (1987, 1988 & 1989), Tonya Gustafson (1988), Sandy Gehrls (1989), Kristie Hauge (1987, 1988 & 1989), Jenni Kline (1988), Teresa Kuhn (1988), Tara Lenius (1987, 1988 & 1989), Mary McCuskey (1987 & 1988), Dallas Nelson (1988 & 1989), Deb Ray (1987), Julie Reinhardt (1987), Kay Reinhardt (1987, 1988 & 1989), Kristin Rhodes (1989 & 1988) Lori Rosacker (1987 & 1988), Tami Ruppel (1987 & 1988), Greta Stahl (1988 & 1989), Nicky Stoyles (1988 & 1989), Kellie Sullivan (1989), Jennifer Toelke (1987, 1988 & 1989), Katie Tomke (1987, 1988 & 1989), Amy Vigars (1987), Christy Wasicek (1988 & 1989), Melissa Wattnem (1987), Jennifer Welch (1987), Jennifer Willier (1988), Sarah Woodhouse (1988 & 1989).
Head Coach: Steve Hugo
Assistant Coaches: Doug Campbell and Betty Ruppel
Members of the Class of 2018 include:
Lester Belding - Graduation year – 1917. Lester was an All-Star football player at Mason City High School from 1914-1917. After High School he enrolled at the University of Iowa where he was considered one of the nation’s premier collegiate pass catchers of his era. He was a three-time All-Big Ten conference selection and was the first football player at the University of Iowa to be named All-American. After graduation from Iowa, Lester has an outstanding coaching career and was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 1963. Lester died of a heart attack in 1965 at age 64 and was posthumously inducted into the University of Iowa Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
Willis Colville – Long-time Mohawk swim coach- Willis was a teacher-coach in the Mason City School District for thirty-one years. He was the Mohawks first swimming coach, starting the boys program in 1963 and the girls program in 1971. During his tenure, his teams won numerous conference and district titles, two state championships, and three of his swimmers were named All-American.
He was named to manage the Mason City Municipal Swimming Pool in 1969 and in 1972 started the Mohawk Swim Club. Willis was installed into the Iowa High School Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987. He was a past chairman of the Iowa AAU Association, two-time coach of the year, and served on the Mason City Park and Recreation board for six years.
Jack Cookman - Graduation year – 1947. Jack excelled in three sports at Mason City High School. He was a two-year letter winner in football and basketball, and three years in baseball which was his first love. His junior year, he completed a pitching record of 16-1 and won two state tournament games as the Mohawks won the state championship. Jack’s senior year, the Mohawks were state tournament runner-up.
After high school, Jack signed a professional baseball contract with the New York Yankees. Jack continued to play professional for the next three years until a back injury forced his retirement.
Lori Nolte - Graduation year – 1978. Lori participated in girls’ basketball as well as cross country and track during her high school days. Mason City High School inaugurated the girls’ cross country program Lori’s senior year. She competed in three individual meets, the District and State meet and was the individual champion in each of these meets. Lori continued her running career at Central College and was a four-time letter winner in cross country and three-time letter winner in track, setting the schools’ record in the two-mile. She won or shared MVP honors three times for Central cross country teams and was instrumental in Central College winning their first NCAA Division III Women’s Team Championship.
After graduation from Central, Lori continued her education at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden and Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 2007, Lori accepted a position with Cook Medical and was recently promoted to director of Regulatory Affairs and has a team of sixty employees as they obtain material device approval and registrations globally.
1949 & 1959 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING TEAMS
1949 STATE CHAMPS!
How was it done? Mason City had 2 state champions Dean Shunkwiler and Ken Meacham, 2 runners-up Bill Oglesby and Snip Nalan, and Jack Squires took third place. The Mason City team won with 19 points followed by Cresco and East waterloo who wach had 16 points.
Team members included: Larry Helm, Dean Shunkwiler, Dean Leaman, Jack Squires, Norvard Nalan, Duane Arnold, Kenneth Meacham, Jack Leaman, Jim Bandau, Richard Macer, Gene Motter, Robert Utter, John Beery, Jerry Dolter, Jerry Frost, Don Caldwell, Tony Kallas, Bill Oglesby, Marion Hoff, Eldon DeVary, Donald Klang, Stanley Seidel, Dale Bartusek, Donovan McDonough, John Rueber, and Ernest Krieger.
1950 STATE CHAMPS!
Champs for the second year in a row. The 1950 Mohawk wrestling team pulled off an almost impossible feat in capturing their second state championship in as many years.
The grapplers had a good season record- 8 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie. Five wrestlers advanced to the state finals and all placed. Doug Oglesby and Ken Meacham copped state championships, Dean Shunkwiler and Snip Nalan took second, and Dale Bartusek grabbed third.
Returning lettermen included: Jim Brandau, Ernest Kreiger, Bill Oglesby, Eldon DeVary, Duane Arnold, Ken Meacham, Dean Leaman, Dean Shunkwiler, Snip Nalan, Larry Helm, Gus Zaharides and Deal Bartusek.
Members of the Class of 2017 include:
Eddie Anderson - Graduation year – 1918. Eddie participated in football junior and senior year, he played end. His Senior year Mohawks won the State Championship outscoring opponents 536-7 with nine shut-outs and one tie. During College he played football at Norte Dame under legendary coach Knute Rockne. The team record the last three years was 28-1 and he was Captain of the team his senior year. After college he played for the Rochester (NY) Jeffersons and the Chicago Cardinals. Later he coached at Columbia College (now Loras College in Dubuque), DePaul University, Holy Cross and the University of Iowa where he had a College coaching record of 201-128-15. He became a Medical doctor specializing in Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat as well as Urology, practicing medicine in the morning and coached in the afternoon.
Ron Angell - Graduation year – 1976. Ron had an average 26.6 points per game as a senior, scoring 53 points against Cedar Falls. He was a Two-time All-Big East Conference and as a senior was part of the First Team All-State. During college he played two years at NIACC. He averaged 11 points per game in the first year and 22 points per game in the second year as well as being named the Third-Team All-American second year. He also had an outstanding career at Drake University. He is a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and a member of NIACC Hall of Fame.
Tom Caughlan - Graduation year – 1997. Tom had a National Record in Ages 13-14 youth boys 3000m run – 9.08.86. During High School he came in 11th place on the 1600m run at National Scholastic Outdoor Championship – 1997 – 4.13.79. He had two State Championship wins in 1996 – 800m with a time of 1.56.35 and a member of the Sprint Medley relay and in 1997 – 1600m run – 4.15.85. He had three Drake Relay Championships; 1995 – 1600m and 3200m – received Outstanding High School Mak Athlete Award, 1996 – 1600m, and 1997 – 1600m. At the University Colorado, in 1997, he was a Varsity letter-winner and member of 3rd place team at NCAA National Championships. During the years of 1998-2001, he was a three-time varsity letter-winner – placing 15th individually at Big Ten Championships and 2nd place Big Ten Championships and 5th place team at NCAA National Championships at University of Michigan
Norvard “Snip” Nalan - Graduation year – 1950. Snip wrestled 105/112 and was State runner-up twice to the same wrestler. He was a fan favorite due to aggressiveness and tenacity. He wrestled at the University of Michigan and was a two-time NCAA Championship and three-time Big Ten Champion. He was named Big Ten Outstanding Wrestler in 1953 and was named Captain and undefeated in 1954. He is a member of the NCCA Executive Coaches Association, as well as second-chair of the National High School Coaches Association. He is a long-time college and high school wresting official and Chair of the National High School Wrestling Coaches Association. He Coached at Postville, IA and Grand Rapids, MN High Schools, as well as Drake University. He is a member of the Helms Hall of Fame, State of Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, both the Iowa and Minnesota High School Athletic Hall of Fame and Grand Rapids All Sports Hall of Fame.
1978 State Champion Football Team!
- Won the Big Eight Conference Championship
- Lost one game that season – in triple overtime to Fort Dodge
- Avenged that loss in the State Semi-finals winning 33-6
- Won championship game over Dubuque Hempstead 15-13
- Outscored their opponents 360-137
- Had ten players named All-Big Eight Conference, eight first team and two second team
- Had five players named All State
Team Members: Dave Aspenson, Chris Behm, Troy Blodgett, Greg Boyle, Mike Boyle, Mike Braughton, Chris Carlisle, Dave Chavez, Adam Church, Mike Clough, Alan Copenhaver, Rod Logan, Ted Fountas, Phil Furleigh, Steve Gaiper, Dave Griffith, Jeff Herrera, Scott Hudson, Scott Huff, Ken Jorgenson, John Judge, Craig Julsen, Todd Kephart, Greg Lewis, Dave Killpack, Dion King, Jim McDougle, Jeff Mclaughlin, Mark McManigal, Mike Mentink, Joel Mikkalson, Steve Nielsen, Jack Odegaard, Bryan Ones, Clark Oswald, Scott Otten, Kevin Percival, Randy Pierce, Sam Porter, Marlyn Pruisman, Scott Raridon, Jim Reynolds, Michael Ridgeway, Paul Quintero, Mark Salz, Mike Schoborg, Mike Sorenson, Dave Stork, Jay Stoyles, Scott Swenson, Steve Walsh, Scott Watson, Dave Wilson, Doug Wiltsie, Mark Wright, and Kurt Zirbel. Mark Everding and Dan Pries, Managers.
Head Coach: Barry Alvarez
Assistant Coaches: Scott Backer, Mike Cardin, and Ed Lenius
Members of the Class of 2016 include:
Kristy Frieden - Graduation year - 1982. Kristy was a member of the girl's swim team all four years in high school. As a sophomore, Kristy won the Conference District and State swimming meets in the 100 breaststroke. She set a state meet record of 1:10.33 and was the first Mohawk girl's state swim champion. As a junior, Kristy again won the Conference, District and State swim meets in the 100 breaststroke and again broke the State meet record by swimming a 1:10.04. As a senior she was again the state champion in the breaststroke. Kristy held the school record in the breaststroke for twenty-two years. Kristy lives in Phoenix, Arizona where she is a social worker in the psychiatric unit at St. Luke's Hospital.
Judge Grimsley - Coached basketball at Mason City High School from 1925-1943. During that time, the Mohawks had a record of 343 wins and 108 losses - a winning percentage of 76% and only had one losing season. They went to state nine times and won state championships in 1935, 1940 and 1943. The 1940 team was undefeated for the year and won 32 consecutive games. The 1943 Mohawks were also undefeated and had a record of 32-0. Judge also was the Mohawks football coach from 1941-1943. The 1942-43 team won the mythical state championship based on the final AP poll and went undefeated outscoring their opponents 233-25. The last game of the season was a benefit game against the Chicago City Champion, Lindbloom High School, and ended in a 14-14 tie. Judge passed away in 1953 and is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in Mason City.
Duane Jewell - Graduation year - 1947. Duane excelled in three sports - football, basketball and baseball. In football, Duane was an outstanding quarterback and defensive back. In basketball, he was named First Team All-State his senior year as well as selected by the Big Seven coaches to be the Honorary Captain. In baseball, the Mohawks won the State Championship in 1946. and Duane was named to the All Tournament team as a third baseman. Duane retired from the Mason City Police Department after forty-four years of service and lives in Mason City.
Dennis Shaffer - Graduation year - 1971. The 6' 3" guard led the Mohawks to the state tournament in 1970 and 1971. In his senior year, he led the state in scoring averaging 29.5 points a game. That same year, Dennis led the state tournament in scoring and was named Captain of the All Tournament team. Today, Dennis is owner of Dennis Shaffer Painting in Newport Beach, California. Dennis' company has painted Kobe Bryant's house as well as the homes of a number of celebrities throughout Southern California.
Elmer Starr - Elmer holds nearly every coaching record in Mason City baseball history. He coached more than 1,000 games between high school and legion. Elmer coached baseball at Mason City High School from 1947-1972 finishing with an overall record of 449-148. His team won state championships in 1956 and 1972 and was state runner-up on three occasions. In his final year as head baseball coach of the Mohawks in 1972, he led teams to both the spring and summer state championships. Elmer passed away in 1998.
Members of the Class of 2015 include:
Tim Krieger - Graduation year - 1984. Tim was a three-time state wrestling champion at Mason City High School. He won 83 of his final 84 matches including his last 59. Tim's career record at MCHS was103-6-2 and was named the Globe Gazette's Athlete of the Century for 2000. After high school, Tim continued his wrestling career at Iowa State University where he won two NCAA titles and four Big Eight Conference titles. He finished with a record of 116-3-2. Tim is CEO of Krieger Enterprises and lives in the Twin Cities.
Joe Lillard - Graduation year - 1927. Joe was a two time All-State in both football and basketball. In track, he was state champion in the high jump, long jump, shot put, and discus as well as ran the first leg in the mile relay. After high school, Joe played college football at the University of Oregon as well as in the NFL with the Chicago Cardinals. He was also an original member of the basketball team that became known as the Harlem Globetrotters. After his playing days, Joe lived in Queens, New York and passed away in 1978.
Erin (Richards) Taylor - Graduation year - 1998. Erin averaged more than 20 points per game during her high school basketball career and was First Team All-State all four years. She finished her prep career with 1,826 points and 756 rebounds. After high school, Erin went on to play at Drake University where she scored 1,334 points and finished her career with the best shooting percentage in both three-pointers and free throws in school history. Erin, her husband Brent, and step-daughters Madison and Lauren live in Waxhaw, North Carolina where Erin is a District Manager with Federated Insurance.
Bill Woodhouse - Graduation year - 1955. Bill ran on the varsity track team as a freshman. He began turning heads immediately across the nation. Bill competed mostly in the 100 yard and 200 yard events as well as in the 440 and 880 yard relays. By his senior year, he was one of the most feared short-distance runners in the nation. That year, Bill tied the national scholastic record of 9.4 seconds in the 100-yard dash held by the great Jessie Owens. After high school, Bill attended Abilene Christian University where he became the eighth sprinter ever to run the 100-yard dash in 9.3 seconds. He concluded his running career with a gold medal in the 1959 Pan American Games. Bill's family consists of his wife Mary Jo and their two children Bill and Melissa as well as four grandchildren. He was an agent for over 50 years with State Farm Insurance and lived in Corpus Christi, Texas. Bill passed away in January of 2014.
1996 & 1997 Boys Basketball Teams - The 1996 and 1997 Boys Basketball teams were the talk of the town as well as the entire state as the Mohawks won back to back state championships. The 1996 team finished the season with a 22-1 record and won the title game with a 58-50 win over Iowa City West. The following season, the Mohawks topped Sioux City West in the championship game 85-74 and finished the season 23-0. They were ranked 16th nationally by the USA Today.
Team members include: Alex Bair (1997), Matt Bartell (1996 & 1997), John Boedeker (1996), Mike Brody (1996), Tony Cahalan (1996), Brock Cookman (1997), Cory Davids (1996), Bryan Dieke (1996), Shawn Elsbury (1996), Neil Garlock (1996 & 1997), Raymond Garza (1997), Brant Harriman (1996 & 1997), Steve Heston (1996), Mike King (196 & 1997), Matt Kloberdanz (1997), Steve Locher (1996), Ben Logan (1996 & 1997), Matt Lunning (1997), Daren Mairs (1996 & 1997), Mike McLaughlin (1996), Dean Oliver (1996 & 1997), Bryan Paul (1996), Dustin Peterson (1997), Mike Peterson (1996 & 1997), Turgay Shalinski (1997), Alan Shriver (1996), Phil Shriver (1997), Jeremy Tevis (1997), Van Tompkins (1996), Pete Warren (1997), Brandon Yezek (1996 & 1997), Jermaine Brinson, mgr. (1996), Jason Cody, mgr. (1996 & 1997) and Beth Martin, mgr. (1996 & 1997). Coaches - Bob Horner, Dave Ciccetti and Jed Vorba.
Members of the Class of 2014 include:
Bernie Bennett - Graduation year - 1949. Bernie was an outstanding all-around athlete who participated in football, basketball and baseball. Bernie was a two-time All-State selection in football, first team All-State in basketball and was an outstanding catcher in baseball - hitting .498 as a senior. Baseball did not have All-State teams. He passed away in July of 2014.
Scott Crowell - Graduation year - 1978. Scott broke the state record in the discus with a toss of 207' 8". That throw also broke the national record by 2 feet. Scott won two Drake Relay titles and won back to back state titles his junior and senior years. Scott and his wife Laura have four daughters: Lindsay, chelsea, Katelyn and Danielle. He is the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota.
Jeff Horner - Graduation year - 2002. Jeff was an outsanding all-around athlete who particpated in football, basketball, baseball and track earning 4 varsity letters in both football and basketball. Jeff led the Mohawks to two state tournament appearances, was named Iowa's Mr. Basketball in 2002, and is second all-time in Iowa for assists, and was named a Parade All-American. As a senior he was selected to the Class 4-A Elite football team. Jeff and his wife Lindsay, and daughter Sienna Bree live in Grand Forks, North Dakota where he is the Assistant Basketball Coach at the University of North Dakota.
Steve Hugo - Graduation year - 1976. Steve swam to three individual titles as a Mohawk and was a member of the 1975 State Championship team. He is long-time swim coach of both the girls and boys swim teams at Mason City High School. Steve has led teams to a combined five state titles and has coached numerous individual state champions. Steve and his wife Nancy, have three children: Bobbie, Zane and Charlie.
Mark Johnson - Graduation year - 1973. Mark won four straight cross country state titles and two - 2 mile state titles in track and field. He was also a Drake Relays champion where he set the state record in the 2 mile. Mark and his wife Mary, have one daughter, Kate, and live in East Amherst, New York. He is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Independent Health in Buffalo, New York.
Eddie Kline - Graduation year - 1953. Eddie carved his way into Mason City history by winning three state wrestling titles during a time when freshmen weren't allowed to compete at the varsity level and there was only one class in wrestling. Eddie lost his first match as a sophomore, but went undefeated the remainder of his high school career. Eddie retired in 1994 after 38 years as a custodian at Mason City High School. Eddie and his wife Sherrill have 4 children: Bob, D.J, Angel, Adam, and 9 grandchildren.
Dean Oliver - Graduation year - 1997. Dean was a four-year starter in basketball and named to the All-State team for 3 years. Dean led the Mohawks to three state tournament appearances and two state championships in basketball. He was named Iowa's Mr. Basketball in 1997. Dean and his wife Sarah have two children, Isaiah and Isabella. Dean is Assistant Basketball Coach at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.
Tom Randall - Graduation year - 1974. Tom was first team All-State football offensive lineman in 1973. He was named third team All-State in basketball in 1974. Tom was a member of the Mohawks State Basketball Tournament team his senior year. That same year he led the conference in both scoring and rebounding. Tom and his wife Michelle have two daughters, Tanya and Tara, and live in Ames, Iowa where Tom is the owner/manager of the Tom Randall Real Estate Team.
Howard Stoecker - Graduation year - 1936. Howard was first team All-State in basketball both his junior and senior years in high school. He was a member of the State Championship basketball team in 1935. Howard was third team All-State in football in 1934 and a first team selection in 1935. Howard passed away in 2004.
1943 Boys Basketball Team - The Mohawks finished 30-0 that season defeating Webster City 39-21 in the State Championship game. Team members included: Dick Bruns, Paul Bruns, Bill Cawley, Robert Church, Robert Dutcher, Lawrence "Fats" Day, Loran "PeeWee" Day, John Holmen, Lloyd Klein, Robert Miller, Gus Pappas, Jack Rees, Kenneth Whitney (manager), Bud Suter (assistant coach) and Judge Grimsley (coach).