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Second Lakin Athletics Hall of Fame Class Announced:

Three individuals, one legendary coach, one undefeated team, and one contributor are among the second class of inductees into the newly formed Lakin Athletics Hall of Fame.

For the second year in a row, the Lakin Athletics Hall of Fame Committee evaluated more than 50 former student-athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors before narrowing the final ballot to approximately 15 nominees in the four major categories: student-athlete, coach, team, or contributor.

Inductees include: Diane Vann Swartzendruber, Megan McClain, Nathan Reed, Keith O'connor, 1962 Football Team, and The Agency

“Once again, I think the committee did an excellent job over several months of evaluating and eventually voting. This second class is a representative of the exceptional student-athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors we’ve seen at Lakin for many years,” Nate Schmitt, Lakin High School Principal, said in announcing the class. “We couldn’t be happier with this group, and we think we still have many, many deserving people who will be considered for induction in the coming years.”

“Lakin has a rich history of students, staff, and teams performing at high levels while representing our school and our community,'' Schmitt said. “The Lakin Athletics Hall of Fame is another way in which exceptional members of the Lakin Bronc family are recognized for their accomplishments. Congratulations to all of the inductees.” 

The second induction ceremony will take place on April 29, 2023 at The Stampede in the MS gymnasium. 

In addition to Schmitt, the Committee was composed of Kim Lohman, Bret Hendrix, Jacy Holloway, Kenny Waechter and Roy Busheck. 

For more information, contact Nate Schmitt at nate.schmitt@usd215.org.

Diane Vann Swartzendruber

Lakin High School

1964-1968

Although Title IX had not yet been introduced, that didn't mean that women were not competing. At the time, womens' sports at Lakin were on the intramural level and although Lakin did not have a women's track team, that didn't stop one young lady from trying to reach her goals in the sport. Diane Vann joined the Topeka Cosmos track club in 1966, and was a member through 1969, traveling across the country chasing an Olympic dream.

Some Highlights:

Records held during career:

50 yard low hurdles at 1966 Fort Hays Girls Track and Field Meet.

Set 1967 Missouri Valley AAU Championships record in 80 meter hurdles in a time of 11.5. Member of record-setting 440 yard relay team.

Set meet records in the 80 meter hurdles, the 200 meter hurdles and ran the opening leg of record-setting 440 yard relay at the Homesteader's AAU Meet in Beatrice Nebraska.

Was named the Missouri Valley AAU Outstanding Female Athlete in 1967. 

Awarded the 1968 Presidential Physical Fitness Award

In April of 1968 was named Outstanding Young Girl Athlete at Lakin Quarterback Club Banquet. Medal was forwarded to Lakin from US Olympian Ralph Boston, a 3 time Olympic long jump medal winner. Ralph was the first athlete to jump 27 feet in the long jump.

Named Outstanding Woman at Homesteader's AAU Meet in Beatrice Nebraska, 6/22/68

1968 Womens' National AAU Meet in Denver Colorado. Was selected to compete in the 1968 US Olympic Trials in Walnut California which is outside Los Angeles.

1968 US Olympic Trials: Ran 11.5 in the 80 meter hurdles, just missing a spot on the US Olympic team by .10 of a second.

While at Lakin High School was active in the National Honor Society. Was an LHS cheerleader. Marching band drum majorette. Was a member of the LHS orchestra and vocal choir.

After graduating, attended Fort Hays State University. At the time Fort Hays State did not have a women's track program. Was a cheerleader for Tigers Athletics.

Was named Miss Garden City  in 1970 and was 3rd runner-up in the 1970 Miss Kansas Pageant.

Personal Notes:

Married 37 years to husband James

2 step-daughters, Shawna and Stephanie. 2 grandsons Bryson and Conner.

Retired from banking and the oil and gas industry.

Currently President of D. Marie Resources, Inc.

Quilt artist and teacher

Precept Bible Leader

Living in Edmond Oklahoma

 

Megan McClain

Lakin High School

2000-2004

3 sport athlete Cross Country, Basketball, Track

Cross Country Highlights

HPL All-League – 2000 3rd, 2001 3rd, 2002 7th, 2003 8th

2001 Regional Runner-up

All State – 2000 8th, 2001 13th

Basketball Highlights

Member of 2004 Sub State Champions, State Qualifier

2004 HPL honorable mention

Scored 111 points in her career

Track Highlights

HPL Champion

100 meter – 2001, 2002 (meet record), 2003

200 meter – 2001, 2002, 2003 (meet record)

300 meter hurdles – 2001 (meet record), 2002, 2003

4x100 meter relay – 2002, 2003

HPL Team Champions 2002

Regional Champion

100 meter – 2002, 2003

200 meter – 2001, 2002, 2003

300 meter hurdles – 2001, 2002, 2003 

4x100 meter relay – 2002, 2003

100 meter runner-up 2001

State Champion

100 meter – 2002, 2003

200 meter – 2001, 2002, 2003

300 meter hurdles – 2001 (State record), 2002, 2003

4x100 meter relay - 2003

100 meter State runner-up 2001

Team 3A State Champions 2002, 2003

Missed 2004 track season due to knee injury in State basketball game.

                                                        

Nathan Reed

Lakin High School

1992-1996

3 sport athlete Football, Basketball, Track

Football Highlights

1995 HPL 1st team running back, defensive back, and returner

1995 3A State honorable mention

Basketball Highlights

HPL Season Champions 1995,1996

HPL Tournament Champions 1996

SCIT All-Tournament Team

HPL 1st team

Track Highlights

HPL Champion

100 meters – 1996

200 meters – 1996 

300 meter hurdles – 1995

Long Jump – 1994, 1995, 1996

Relays – 4x100 1993,  4x400  1993

HPL Team Champions - 1993, 1995, 1996

Regional Champion

100 meters - 1996

200 meters – 1996

400 meters - 1996

Long Jump – 1994 (school record), 1995, 1996

4x100 meter relay – 1993 

4x400 meter relay – 1993

State Champion

Long Jump – 1994, 1995

1996 long jump runner-up

1993 runner-up 4x100 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay

 

1962 Football Team

Undefeated Season

Lakin's first undefeated football team. Finished 8-0. Averaged 33.8 points per game while allowing just 3.3 points per game. Shut out their opponents 5 out of the 8 games.

After not even being mentioned as a dark-horse in the Hi-Plains League, Lakin set the tone for the season, defeating league-favorite Syracuse 7-0. The first of 3 straight shutouts to start the season.

The 40 man squad was coached by Keith O'Connor and assisted by Bill Sharpe and Cliff Burrows.

The Broncs were led by 6 All-HPL selections: Mike Erickson 1st team center, Bob Schulz 1st team guard, Dennis Clark 1st team tackle, Don Dahl 1st team end. Ernie Ochoa 2nd team running back and Fred Anschutz 2nd team quarterback. Schulz at tackle, Dahl at end, and Bill Urie at running back were named 2nd team on the Topeka Daily Capital All-Southwest Team. Erickson at center and Clark at Fullback were named honorable mention.

Lakin finished the season as the number 3 ranked team by the Topeka Daily Capital. The Kansas City Star stated that the two best teams in western Kansas were Phillipsburg and Lakin.  

In a quote in the Lakin Independent, Coach O'Connor called this team “the best he had ever coached” and that included an undefeated team he coached at Downs that finished the 1948 season as the top-ranked team in Kansas. The state of Kansas did not have a playoff system during the early years.

Also a side note to the 1962 season, the first night game at Lakin was played on October 31.

Top Row: Bill Shelden, Jack Lucas, Jack Johnson, Neil Warden, Ron McClain, Dick Cummins, Jim Cole, Fourth Row: Tony Perez, John Sauer, Tim Edwards, Tom Wright, Joe Wilkens, Ted Buckholt, David Hoppas, Steve Williams  Third Row: Bill Sharpe, Francis Moore, Rick Lucas, Trent Warden, Dave Vincent, Bill Vincent, Charles McVey, Brad Welch, G.L. Johnson, Alan Bemis  Second Row: Cliff Burrows, Eddie Gonzales, Rex Puckett, Steve Sim, Jim Kisel, Don Dahl, Fred Anschutz, Mike Erickson, Harold Urie  Keith O’Connor  Front Row: Darrell Holden, Dennis McVey, Dennis Clark, Bill Urie, Larry Bloyd, Bob Schulz, Robert Green, Jerry Hoffman and Ernie Ochoa

Coach

Keith O'Connor

Football 1953-1967 

Basketball 1953-1957

Track 1954-1968

Hired in 1953 as football coach and driver's education instructor.

Coached football from 1953 to 1967.

Led Lakin to their first HPL title in 1957, the first of 5 HPL titles, 5 HPL runner-ups. Coached 1962 team that went 8-0 and finished 3rd in Topeka Daily Capital final rankings. A team that Coach O' Connor called the best team he ever coached. At the time Kansas did not have a playoff system for football.

Finished with a 89-43-10 record at Lakin.

Coached basketball from 1953 to 1957 and finished with a 32-50 record. Coached in 1st game played in the new LHS gym on January 6, 1956. A 52-50 overtime win over Johnson.

Lakin became a track power in western Kansas with Coach O'Connor at the helm.

Lakin won 14 straight HPL track titles from 1955-1968.

2 regional champions. 5 regional runners-up and 2 regional 3rd place finishes.

1958 State runner-up. Team won every meet and finished 2nd at the State meet, losing by 2 points.

1964 State 3rd place team finish.

Lakin won 44 regular season meets

In 1968 served on KSHSAA special committee on new school classifications.

 

The Agency

Contributor

As a hometown insurance provider for over 50 years, The Agency takes great pride in its community, schools, and youth. 

The Agency staff is made up of former Lakin High School students and athletes. They have a great appreciation for what Lakin Schools have done to help them become who they are today. 

For this, The Agency enjoys being able to support the students, athletes, teachers, and staff of not only USD 215, but the Hi Plains League as a whole.

The Agency helps support the direction and vision of Lakin Schools, and the Hi Plains League. When possible, The Agency relishes their ability to lend a hand, or step in and help with projects. They were able to do this in 2020 when they were provided with the opportunity to help sponsor the Hi Plains League Tournament by supporting the coaches and athletes, as well as coordinating the hospitality room. 

The committee wants to thank The Agency and welcome them into the Lakin Athletics Hall of Fame.