Athletes, teams honored at banquet

A total of 11 individuals and four teams were inducted last Saturday night to the Whitehall High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Among the teams that were honored at the second annual ceremony in front of a packed house at the high school was the 1997 state runner up volleyball team.

Hall of Fame Board member Shane Shaw said 100 percent of the team made it to the ceremony. The team was inducted by head coach Brent Mabbot, who discussed working with the girls from the time they were in seventh grade. He said he told them if you play the way I want you to, you would play for a state championship. They did and he was right. The team finished 34-3, losing in a four and a half hour state title game to Glasgow.

The 1940 Whitehall High School "Red Raiders" football team was also inducted into the hall. Chairman Mike Hedegaard said they were one of only two teams in Whitehall history to finish a season undefeated.

Longtime basketball coach Hiney P. Lund was inducted by former player Gene Lutey, who played on the final team he coached. Lutey said Lund was not only a great coach, but was a great educator that did a lot for the community. His 1950 boys basketball team and 1940 football team are both members of the Whitehall Hall of Fame. His 1950 basketball team finished second at state.

A three sport star and 1997 graduate, Trenna Loomis was inducted by her brother Jim Loomis. She was a state champion in the long jump, a five-time state medal winner, and had a total of 14 district, and 13 divisional medals.

Erv Hedegaard was inducted to the hall by his son Mike. Erv served as a longtime photographer of many of the high school teams, and has given generous amounts of his time to both the athletic programs and Whitehall community.

Rick Shaw was posthumously inducted into the hall by former coach Chuck Ansley. Shaw averaged over 21.5 point per game during his career. He was the leading scorer in the district for his junior and senior seasons.

The 1976 girls basketball team was inducted by "team mom" Ginny Kelly. The Lady Trojans went 14-0 during the conference season, and after losing in the first round up of the state tournament to Outlook, would bounce back to finish in third place.

Peggy Patacini was a member of the 1976 girls basketball team, and was also inducted as an individual member by her son Michael Eggen. She was the first Lady Trojan to earn four letters in basketball. She was first team all state and all-conference during her senior year in basketball, and also had an amazing track career where she would finish third at state in two hurdles events and later qualify for the junior Olympics.

Assistant coach John Stratton inducted the 1980 wrestling team. The team finished second at state, just losing out to Thompson Falls. Frank Sholey and T.J. Nelson both won state titles for the team coached by hall of fame member Jim Loomis.

One of the most dominant wrestlers in Whitehall history, T.J. Nelson was inducted into the hall by Shane Shaw. Nelson was a two time state champion, a four time state medalist, and pinned all four of his opponents at state during his senior year. He would later go on to wrestle at the University of Montana.

A 10-time sports letterman, Mike Hedegaard was inducted by his father Erv. Mike was a two time state champion, and also finished one year in third place. He finished his career with a 99-17-1 record. He was named "outstanding athlete" during his senior year. He also competed in football, track, and baseball.

A 1986 graduate and one of the best track athletes in Whitehall history, Darby Jones was inducted into the hall by Shane Shaw. He still holds a district, divisional, and a state record. During his senior year, he recorded the 11th best high jump in the nation and won the state title. He won eight district medals, six divisional medals, and two state medals. He also starred in basketball and football.

The 1984 state runner up wrestling team was inducted by head Coach Tom Wheeler. The team had a 10-1 dual record, and won the divisional championship. They had six divisional champions. Roger Sacry won the state title at 145 pounds for the team who finished second at state to Cut Bank.

A member of the 1984 team, Roger Sacry was inducted to the hall by Wheeler. Sacry was a 10-time letterman, won two state wrestling titles, and three divisional titles.

He placed three years at state, and was also a key contributor to the football and track teams. He was also member of the 1982 hall of fame football team.

Mark Joy was inducted into the hall by his father John Joy. He was a ten-time letterman, and wrestled for the state title three times.

He won the title his senor season with a perfect record. He was also a four-time letterman in cross-country and a key member of the track team.

A 1995 graduate, Nathan Reiff was a 12-time letterman and won the state title in wrestling his junior and senior seasons.

He went undefeated his senior season. He was all conference in football and qualified for state track.