Iowa Association of Track Coaches Hall of Fame

There are really not that many people who can say they raced against the great Jim Ryun. There are fewer that can say they held their own, in a race against Jim Ryun. There are even fewer who can say they raced against Jim Ryun, held their own against Jim Ryun, were a college teammate…

2022 Inductee As we all know, outstanding high school athletes don’t always make outstanding coaches. But those that do, do so because they are able to translate the knowledge they acquired from their own successes to athletes who often go on to be successful as well. Mark Smith is a perfect example of what I…

Stan Norenberg was a football and track athlete at the University of Northern Iowa. He graduated in 1957 and moved to Adel, Iowa to teach and coach football and track. He coached and taught for 10 years and then became the high school administrator at Adel for the next 25 years. Stan spent his entire…

He was a two time high school state qualifier in the high jump and a 17 time letter winner at Sidney High School, graduating in 1966. He went on to Tarkio College and earned four Varsity letters in basketball before graduating in 1970. But it is as a track official that we honor Mike Stanley…

Al was born and raised in the state of Nebraska. In Nemaha High School he played Football, Basket ball and competed in Track and Field finishing 2nd in the State Meet, in the Discus, his senior year. He attended Peru State College where he was an All Conference tackle his junior and senior years. Upon…

Note: Sara was inducted at the same time as cherished teammates Blaire (Dinsdale) Puls and Brooke (Dinsdale) Schupbach. This induction speech is also displayed under their names. When it comes to high school track teams in small-town Iowa, we have been blessed to watch some very good ones. Many times, these teams win titles with…

Aaron Stockstell had a pretty good start in track and field, breaking the Iowa City elementary long jump record, held by fellow Hall of Famer Tim Dwight, by jumping 15’ 6” in 5th grade. He jumped 17 feet in 6th grade but didn’t compete again until open enrolling to Mid Prairie in 8th grade. Once…

Dave Graduated from Belmond High School in 1960, Participating in football, basketball and track. Belmond won the Class A State Indoor and Outdoor high school track titles in 1960 and he won two events and placed in two other events. Went on to the University of Northern Iowa graduating with a BA – 1965 and…

Rolfe (Athlete) 1991 Sara grew up with four brothers on a poultry farm near Rolfe. She was introduced to running at an early age when she and her brothers set sawhorses around the chicken house and practiced running at night as a means of recreation. The fact that Rolfe did not have a a track…

If you attend any major high school or college track and field meet in the state of Iowa, chances are, Tim Sweet will be working at least one of the throwing events. Tim, who lives just west of Des Moines in DeSoto, spent 47 years on the road as a healthcare textiles salesman, retiring in…

Attended Valley High School, located in Valley Junction, before it became West Des Moines. Charlie earned 12 letters in Basketball, Football, and Track & Field. Track & Field was his favorite and he specialized in the 440 dash. While in high School he ran the third fastest time ever by an Iowa boy in :50.0….

Fred was one of Davenport’s most decorated track and field athletes and an outstanding track and field athlete and 1938 team captain for the University of Iowa. Fred’s high school career:1934: 3rd State Indoor 440 (52.6) and the 3rd place mile relay team that ran 3:35.71935-36: 100yd. dash (10.1), 440 Relay (43.7) – Drake Relays…

When the IATC decided to name an award after Laverne Kloster, one of its founding members, it was decided that this award would be one based on service; Commitment to our sport. Tim Thomas made a commitment to our sport as an outstanding distance runner in his hometown of Huntertown, Indiana in the mid 60’s…

Randy broke the school record in the 100 meter dash….the first time he ran it!He placed in the Top 3 in the Drake Relays 100 meter final four times, winning it twice. He was a 7 time state champion; winning four 100 meter titles, two gold medals in the 200 and one in the 400….

Terry Thompson was born and raised in Humboldt, Iowa and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1978 where he earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track. He was on of the top sprinters in class 3A finishing 3rd and 5th in the 100m dash at the state meet and qualifying in the 100 at…

Brian competed at Manly High School. The High Jump was his specialty from the start. 1978 – High School Freshman – jumped 5′ 10″ 1979 – High School Sophomore – jumped 6′ 5″ – school record – qualified for the Drake Relays, but could not compete due to injuries. 1980 – High School Junior –…

Cross Country and Track and Field have played a significant role in Joe Toot’s life dating back to his years as a student athlete at Nevada High School. Joe was active in student government, cross country, basketball and track while a Nevada Cub, graduating in 1966. As a member of the track team, Joe was…

2021 IATO Hall of Fame There is no written rule that says you had to have been a good athlete to become a good official. Don’t get me wrong, having been an athlete in the sport in which you are officiating will be a benefit in understanding some of the nuances of that sport, but…

Chuck Van Hecke, was born and raised in Beresford, SD. During his high school career he participated in football, basketball, and baseball. He received Honorable Mention Allstate in football, All Conference in basketball, and was an All-District Catcher in baseball. After graduation from high school, Chuck attended the University of South Dakota receiving his Bachelor…

Rock Valley HS/Iowa State 2021 Hall of Fame Oh, to be a state or Drake Relays champion, or to be named All State or Athlete of the Year or even a college All American.  These are, seemingly, among every young Iowa athlete’s dreams. In the late 1980’s, Rock Valley High School in Rock Valley, Iowa…

Bob VanderLinden was born in Eddyville, Iowa, and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1947. During his high school career he participated in football, basketball, and track. He earned All-Conference and All-State honors in football. After graduation Bob attended Central College receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1951. He was an All-Conference performer in…

Paullete (Mitchell) Villereal was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was the youngest of eight children of Henry and Georgia Mitchell. She attended school in the Council Bluff graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1992. Paulette had an outstanding high school career. She was undefeated in the shot put during the outdoor season her…

2023 Inductee Gerald “Diz” Vincent started his high school career in Council Bluffs before moving to Ottumwa as a sophomore.  Diz was not only Iowa’s first High School individual boys state Cross Country Champion, he was also our first 2X champion: winning the 1.75 mile race in 1922 in 10:12 and 100 years ago, in…

He was known primarily as a basketball player during his days at Highmore High School and Southern State College in his native state of South Dakota. While in Grad school at South Dakota State, he was on the Jack rabbits track and cross country coaching staff. After SDSU he coached track and cross country at…

Dick Wagner has been associated with athletics for a long time. Dick has officiated softball, boys and girls basketball as well as track and cross country. He has started state track meets and umpired state championship games. A past president of the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association, served as a clinician at the IGHSAU rules meetings…

Chris was born on August 1, 1965, in Davenport, Iowa. He attended Davenport Central High School graduating in 1984. He participated in basketball and track & field while in high school. Chris’s high school career was outstanding and included the following accomplishments. He was a three time Long Jump Champion setting a state record for…

Jerry Walker began officiating track and field at the University of Iowa by working the Big 10 Indoor at the request of Coach Cretzmeyer. He was assigned umpiring duty and called a violation on an outstanding runner (eventually an Olympian) from Illinois! The young man promised never to return to Iowa City again, and Jerry…

John represents Track and Field on a superior level, both as a coach and active participant. In High School at Centerville from 1952 to 1956. State Champ in the Long Jump – both indoors and outdoors Drake Relays Long Jump Champion Won or placed in twelve event at the State indoor or outdoor meets. At…

Dick was born on October 23, 1950, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He attended Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, graduating in 1969, participating in football, wrestling, and golf while in high school. He graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with a Bachelors Degree in Biology and Physical Education in 1973 participating in football, track…

Dick was born on October 23, 1950, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He attended Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, graduating in 1969, participating in football, wrestling, and golf while in high school. He graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with a Bachelors Degree in Biology and Physical Education in 1973 participating in football, track…

Cornie Wassink was raised near Sioux Center, Iowa and graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1969. While in high school, he was active in football, baseball, basketball, and track, as well as 4-H and FFA. Cornie graduated from Northwestern College, lettering in football, wrestling, and track. He was an All-American Offensive tackle in 1972….

John was one of sixteen members of the Spirit Lake High School graduating class of 1914. His high school annual called him the top athlete in the high school during his senior school year, 1913-1914. He took part in football, basketball and track. He later would become the most successful coach in the 20th century…

Glenn Wehrkamp was born on a farm in Page County, Iowa. He went to Linn Point country school through 8th grade and attended Clarinda High School, from 1941-1945, where he lettered in basketball, track and baseball. He attended Clarinda Junior College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwest Missouri State College where…

L. D. Weldon was the multi-events coach of coaches. Weldon’s teams won 11 conference titles, either Heart of America or Missouri Athletic Union, and did well in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics meets. His speciality, though, was shaping do-everything athletes into champions. He began his track career winning 12 college letters in various sports, some…

Dr. Ken Weller has a resume unmatched by many.Ken is a 1948 graduate of Hope College in Holland, Michigan. While there he competed in football and track and field. He later became a faculty member at Hope and was a member of the football coaching staff, coaching among others, Ron Schipper, who later became a…

Attended High School in Tipton, Iowa. He attended Northeast Missouri State University and was named Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities All-American Track & Field Teams twice. He was also a three time All-American Cross Country runner. Ron compiled 77 wins in Boy’s Cross Country, 120 wins in Girls’ Cross Country, and 93 wins…