Les Lammers
Les Lammers, a native of Winthrop, in northeast Iowa, Les is a 1960 graduate of Westmar College. After college, he entered the Army National Guard and served as a Medic during the time of active duty and during his reserve years. His first coaching and teaching job was at Ledyard where he started the girls’ track program. During those years, the 440 yards was considered a run and the basketball throw was part of the field events.
Les moved on to Pocahontas in 1964 to teach Business Education and coach girls’ basketball and track. He coached several fine teams at the school in both basketball and track. Les also served as Athletic Director at Pocahontas and helped organize and direct the class C boys’ state track meet, which was held in Pocahontas for several years. In the 1970’s, Les moved on to Estherville where once again, he started the girls’ basketball program and coached girls’ track.
In 25 years of coaching basketball, he guided Estherville to 7 Lake’s Conference titles, two state tournament births and a state championship in 1982. Les finished with a 35-year coaching record of 473 wins and 265 losses. Les began his track starting career in 1979 and continues on to this day. He has started many Invitational, District and Cross Country meets. He started the Girls’ State Track meet on three occasions.
He was one of the original IATO board members when the organization was formed in 2000. Les now spends many hours fishing on Big Spirit Lake where he and his wife Janet have a cabin. They enjoy spending many hours with their six children and 18 grandchildren.
Doug Lane
Doug Lane was raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1968. He participated in many activities in high school. He lettered in football, basketball, and track. It was Track and Field where he excelled.
He won three indoor and three outdoor state titles in the Shot Put. He was not able to compete as a freshman since he was still considered to be in Junior High. He was a three time High School All-American. He set the State Record with a throw of 70″ 11.5″ as a senior. This record still stands today. It still is in the top ten for the Shot Put in the country for High School as well. Doug set 5 national records during his career (three indoors and two outdoors). He was the second person to throw over 70 feet in high school and the third person to throw over 70 feet with either the 12 lb or 16lb shot. After high school, Doug enrolled in the University of Southern California. He again excelled in track and field, being named an NCAA All-American in 1971 & 1972. In 19772, Doug won the PAC 10 Conference title and the NCAA title. He still holds the school record of 66′ 11.25″.
Doug earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology. He also has a Master of Business Administration Degree with an emphasis in Finance. Doug resides in Malibu, California where he serves as President and CEO of Vialogy Corporation located in Pasadena, California.
Jane Lange
The public eagerly watched as Iowa High School Girl’s athletics came into their own in the 1970’s, especially in track and field. Fans and the media responded by attending meets and becoming very interested in the achievements of these fine athletes; many of which are still among the leaders on our All Time lists. One of the prominent performers of that time was Jane Lange, from Davenport West High School. God gifted Jane with talent, mental toughness and a supportive family. Jane Lange was ahead of her time and seemed to have 2 or 3 best events. One advantage Jane had over her high school competition was that she supplemented the girls’ workout by running with her brother and the boy’s track team that was coached by her father, Don. Through this extra work she developed a strong base which helped her run at her fullest potential nearly every time out. Jane was very competitive at all distances she ran. At the 1977 Conference meet she won the 100, 200 and 400, although her coach, Dale Fogle, preferred to use her as the anchor on relay teams that seemed to be loaded in such a way, as to see just how much ground Jane could make up on her opponents! Jane led the West High Falcons to the state team title in 1976; it was her junior season and the final year for a single class state meet. Earlier in the meet, Jane anchored the Sprint Medley team to gold but the’76 team victory came down to the 4×4. Jane was the anchor and got the baton in 4th place, well in back of the leaders. She was still in 4th with 220 yards to go. She ran her best quarter of the meet and passed the leader in the final yards to win the race and the team title by 1 point over Oelwein.
In her senior season of 1977, the state meet was separated in to 3 classes. Jane had a superb meet, winning the 440 yard dash with the fastest time of the 3 finals, and anchored the Sprint Medley and 4×4 relays to wins for the second year in a row. Earlier that season, West ran 3:53.2 in the 4×4 which still stands at #6 on the All Time List.
In the summer of 1977 Jane ran with the Southeast Iowa Track Club at the USATFF Nationals. It gave her a rare opportunity to run what would become her signature event, the 800 meters. Jane finished 6th in the final and earned All American honors with her Iowa All Time best of 2:08.95. Her mark stood as the best ever for an Iowa high school girl for 29 years, until broken by the Dinsdale twins in 2006.
Jane spent her college years at Iowa State University where she continued to excel at the middle distances. In her freshman season, she pulled a hamstring just before the Drake Relays and tore it again anchoring the 4 x 800 meter relay to the Big 8 title. Her sophomore year, she led off the Cyclones 4 x 8 team that finished 4th at the AIAW Nationals.
The remainder of Jane’s collegiate career was inhibited by numerous stress fractures. But Iowa high school track fans will never forget the girl from Davenport West, who could run most anything, but will go down in history as one of the best ever at 800 meters.
Bud Legg
It was the love for athletics he developed during his years as a student at Anita High School that has led Bud Legg to a Hall of Fame career as a teacher, coach, official and an administrator both at the high school level and with the Iowa High School Athletic Association.Sydney (Pounds) Leach
Sydney was born at the KI Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette, Michigan to Sid and Diana Pounds on January 19, 1975. She attended Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Iowa. She ran for coaches Deb Anderson and Joel Kruckenberg, whom she gives credit for her high school success.
Sydney’s high school career was outstanding and included the following accomplishments. She won almost every cross country race, 800, 1500, and 3000 meter runs that she competed. She won district titles in cross country, 1500 and 3000 meters all four years of her high school career. She also won five individual state titles (two in cross country and three in the 3000 meter run) and was a member of a 4 X800 meter Relay championship team. She also finished as the Class 2-A runner-up in cross country in 1989 as a freshmen in high school and finished fourth in Class 1-A her junior season. During her career at Gilbert, Sydney’s team also enjoyed a tremendous amount of success as well. They were the Class 2-A State Champions in 1989, runner-ups in 1990 in 2-A , and 1991 in 1-A and finished fourth in 1-A in 1992. It wasn’t any different in Track as her teams placed in the top 10 all four years, winning the State Title in 1992, and finishing as the runner-up in 1991. They were third in 1990 and eighth in 1993.
Sydney continued her career at Iowa State University. While at ISU, Sydney continued to accumulate accomplishments in both cross country and track and field. During her sophomore season she led her team to a runner-up finish in the Big Eight and co-champions of the NCAA District 5 meet. She placed 3rd in 1995 and 12th in 1996 at the Big 8 Cross Country Championships. She was the top finisher for Iowa State in the NCAA Cross Country meet in 1996. Sydney earned Academic All-American honors in 1995 & 1996. On the track Sydney became ISU’s first ever Big 12 Champion when she won the 5000 meters, setting a school record with the time of 16:54 at the Big 12 Indoor meet. She was voted the outstanding Big 12 performer for Iowa State. Sydney placed in the 5th in both the Big 8 Indoor and Outdoor Championships in 1995. She placed 8th in 3000 meter run at the Big 8 Indoor Championships in 1995 and 5th in both the Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
Sydney continues to train and run local track meets and road races for the Wisconsin Track Club. She completed her first Marathon in January of 2001.
Sydney received her degree from Iowa State University in 1998 in chemical engineering, and went on to attend medical school at the University of Wisconsin.
She is currently completing her residency at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan. After graduating from Iowa State, she married Shane Leach a former Muscatine and Iowa State middle-distance standout. Shane is employed as an engineer for General Motors. They enjoy running together in their free time with the dog, Prefontaine.
Robert E. Lee
Attended Lake City Community High School and the University of Northern Iowa. He competed in Track & field as a sprinter. Bob coached at Garnavillo from 1971 to 1980, where his Cross Country teams won three State Championships, once State runners-up and four third place finishes. Robert’s team was runner-up in the State Mile Team Race in 1971 and won the event in 1972. He coached seven runners in the “Top Ten” at state. In 1981, Robert took the journey to Northern University High School at Cedar Falls. He is the Head Boy’s Cross Country and Track & Field Coach. His teams have been very successful. In Cross Country his team have won two State Meet titles, Runners-up three times, District Champions five times, District Runners-up three times and Conference Champions seven times. He has coached eight runners in the “Top Ten” at the State Meet and two State Meet Champions. Track & Field has also been very successfull under Robert’s direction. His teams have won five State Titles, and finished Runners-up twice. His teams have won nine District Titles, and eleven plus NICL Conference Titles. Robert has coached three Drake Relays Champions, eighteen State individual and relay Champions and seventy District individual and relay Champions. IATC Regional Cross Country Coach of the Year – 9 times IATC Regional Track & Field Coach of the Year – 7 times IATC State Cross Country Coach of the Year – 2 times IATC State Track & Field Coach of the Year – 5 times Nominated by the Iowa Athletic Coaches Association to the National High School Athletic Coaches Association as Iowa’s Boy’s Coach of the Year in 1988 and again in 1992, and as Iowa’s Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1997. He has served the Iowa Association of Track Coaches as a District Representative, Vice-President, and President. Bob is married to Cheren and they have no children. His children are his children each spring and fall season. He is an avid Skydiver – having made over 1000 jumps since starting in 1986.
Charles “Chuck” Liston
After graduating from Central Dallas High School in Minburn, Charles “Chuck” Liston moved on to Ellsworth Junior College, then Drake University, where he received his degree in Elementary Education.Then it was off to the Army and a 2 year stint in Viet Nam. Chuck, who was destined to be a leader, was honored with 2 Purple Hearts for his service in Viet Nam. Upon returning home it was off to Mankato State where he received his Masters Degree in Elementary Administration and then Iowa State, earning a Specialist Degree in Public Higher Administration.
In and around earning degrees and fighting for our freedom, Chuck worked as an upper Elementary teacher, teaching Social Studies, Science and P.E.
He spent a few years as an Elementary Principal then finished his career in Education spending the last 13 years as a Superintendent.
Chuck loves to work with and around kids. It is this passion, combined with his leadership skills that led him to become a track meet starter/referee in 1978 after starting in our sport as a timer and picker in 1973.
Chuck works predominantly in Central and East Central Iowa. He was a starter at Boys District track meets from 1985-2004. In 1990 he began working at the State meet as a volunteer Umpire. Since 2004 he has been one of the starters at our state track meet.
Chuck has worked at NCAA Division 1 meets as an Umpire, and was honored to be selected as one of 2 starters for the Division 3 Indoor Championships.
Chuck is married to Linda. They have one son Todd who is the Director of Transportation for the Des Moines Public School System.
Kevin Little
Attended Ankeny high School graduating in 1986. Kevin participated in Track & Field in elementary school because everyone else did also. He was a late develpoer, not finding success until his seanior year. He was a two time State Champion in the 200 in meet record time of :21.5. He also won the 100 title as a Senior. It was during Kevins Freshman year at Drake that Coach Bob Ehrhart realized he had something a more than just another sprinter. Kevin’s College accomplishments – 4 time Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Champion in the 200 4 time Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Champion in the 200 3rd at the NCAA Indoor Championships his junior season 4th at the NCAA Indoor Championships his senior season 2nd at the NCAA Outdoor Championships his junior season 5th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships his senior season Iowa AAU Amateur Athlete of the Year – 1989 Drake Relays Most Valuable Performer – 1989 becoming Drake’s first athlete to win two event at the Drake Relays. Winning the 200 in :20.59 and two hours later, the 400 in :46.75. Drake University Athlete of the Year – 1989 Missouri Valley Conference Medallion Award for Academic and Athletic Excellence – 1990 Kansas Relays Outstanding Male Athlete – 1990 Ranked 6th nationally as a junior
Post Graduate accomplishments – 6th place 200 World University Games, Duisburg, Germany – 1989 Bronze Medalist 200 World Indoor Championships, Budapest, Hungery – 1989 Silver Medalist 200 US Olympic Festival, Minneapolis, Minnesota – 1990 Silver Medalist 200 Pan American Games, Havana, Cuba – 1991 Member 4×200 relay that set an American Indoor Record in Glasgow, Scotland – 1991 Bronze Medalist 200 World Indoor Championships, Toronto, Canada – 1993 Gold Medalist sprint Medley Relay World Indoor Championships, Toronto, Canada – 1993 Second place 200 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships – 1995 Bronze Medalist 200 US Olympic Festival, Colorado Springs, Colorado – 1995 World Outdoor Championship Team, Gateborg, Sweden – 1995
Kevein has said, “I occasionally wonder why me? Why was I gifted with this talent?”
Chuck Locke
By the time Chuck Locke graduated from Davis County High School in 1977, he had made his mark as one of the top all around athletes in the state. Locke earned 16 varsity letters for the Mustangs and was an all conference pitcher in baseball, all state in basketball, was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl and won 5 state championships in track and field.It was through track and field that Chuck Locke would meet up with fellow Hall of Famer, Davis County head coach, Dennis Anderson and Mustangs throws coach, Stan Huggins. These men would become very influential in Chuck’s development and passion for our sport.
His high school career best in the shot put was 63’ 8 ¾”, and some 38 years later that still ranks as #7 all time on the Iowa high school list. In 1977, Chuck won both the shot at 62’ 9 ¾” and the discus at 178’ 3”. These performances were the best of all classes at the state meet that year.
Locke won the shot put at the 1976 Drake Relays. At the 1977 Relays he was a member of the “Kings of the Ring” trio, made up of himself, Jeff DeVilder of BGM and Steve Settle of Nevada. These young men all threw the shot over 60 feet that day, marking the first and only time 3 Iowa high school shot putters threw over 60 feet in the same competition.
After graduating from Davis County, Chuck went on to compete at Iowa State for 2 seasons, earning All Big 8 honors, both indoors and out.
He would go on to transfer to the University of Tennessee where he had his greatest success as a collegian. Competing on 4 SEC Championship teams and the Vols were perennial NCAA title contenders. Chuck was a valuable contributor winning 2 SEC titles and 2 All American honors in the shot put and an All SEC and All American honor in the discus. He still holds the Tennessee shot put record with his collegiate PR of 64-1.
In 1982, his senior season at Tennessee, Chuck asked USATF Hall of Fame coach Stan Huntsman if he could “go home” to compete at the Drake Relays. Chuck’s mother, Margaret, had died from colon cancer the Tuesday prior to the Relays. On the Saturday of the competition, Big Chuck Locke entered the ring with all of the strength and composure he could muster; throwing what was then was a collegiate PR of 63’ 3”, good enough for a 3rd place finish and a smile on the face of his father, Art.
Also in 1982, Chuck made the finals at the USA championships and was one of 8 shot putters selected to represent the USA at the Olympics Sports Festival.
Chuck graduated with honors and a degree in Business Administration from Tennessee in 1982. He won the Pritchett Award, given to the most dedicated track and field team member and was also awarded for having the highest GPA on the team.
Chuck Locke is currently the Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for PathGroup, a national healthcare company based in Nashville. He has stayed close to our sport by officiating at area meets and volunteering as the throws coach at his son’s high school. He has coached 3 Tennessee state champions in the shot put and numerous other state place winners.
Chuck and Kim, his wife of 31 years have 2 sons.
Dave Long
A group of track coaches got together in 1969 to discuss the possibility of creating an Iowa track coaches association. Hall of fame members Bill Bergen and Fred Shadle were joined that day by one of today’s Hall of Fame inductees Dave Long, and the IATC was born.Dave followed Bergen and Shadle as heads of the IATC, serving as President in 1971.
Dave Long coached high school track and cross country in Iowa for 22 years. His career began in 1961 at Sheffield. He moved on to Clear Lake in 1964 and then spent 1969 through 1982 at Mason City.
It was at Mason City that Dave took his coaching abilities to the next level. His Cross Country teams produced 4 state cross country team titles, along with 5 individual crowns.
In track and field he coached over 30 individuals or relay teams to state meet gold. Among the standouts he mentored were fellow Hall of Famers Scott Crowell a state champion and record holder in the discus who went on to be an NCAA champion at Iowa State and Mark Johnson who won 4 state Cross Country titles along with setting the 2 mile run record at the Drake Relays.
Dave was selected as state track and field coach of the year by his peers, was a member of the Drake Relays High School jury for 6 years and served for 16 years on the Track and Field Advisory Board.
When he decided it was time hang up the stop watch, Dave knew he wanted to continue his career in education. A career that has spanned 47 years to date.
Dave left Mason City to become a high school superintendent in California. He held the position of a District Superintendent for 10 years, and then was the Riverside County Superintendent for 9 years. He once was selected by the California Department of Education as Superintendent of the year. His next stop was as California Secretary of Education where he served under Governor Schwarzenegger for 2 years.
Although his career as a superintendent and Secretary of Education has ended, Dave is still involved in education as he now owns and facilitates his own educational consulting firm in Sacramento.
He was born in Lake City, grew up in Belmond, he got his BA at UNI, his Masters at Truman State and his Ph.D at Iowa State. Although he has been transplanted to the West Coast, he will forever be an Iowa Boy at heart.
Fran Long
Not all outstanding athletes make outstanding coaches or officials when their days of competing are over. Fran Long, is one who is an exception to the rule. While at Irwin High School Fran qualified to the state track meet in 11 events, was a three time state champion and set the Class C meet record for the chute start 220 yard dash, running 22.0 which converts to 21.9. After high school, Fran took his talents to Iowa State where he became an all Big 8 performer, an NCAA qualifier, a team captain and a school record holder in the 400.Fort Dodge high school, in 1971, was Fran’s next stop and he has been a high school science teacher there ever since. He coached track at Fort Dodge until 1980. He has officiated football, basketball and track for over 40 years and has kept especially close to track and field working as a starter and referee for over 37 years. In his officiating career Fran has started over 25 state qualifying meets and 10 state championship meets and works over 45 track and field and cross country meets per year.
Fran was selected the Girls track and field official of the year by the NFHS in 2004, their Boys Cross Country official of the year in 2006 and their Boys Track and Field official of the year in 2013. The Iowa Association of Track Officials selected Fran as its Cross Country official of the year in 2006, the boy’s track and field official of the year in 2011 and the girl’s track and field official of the year in 2013.
John Lowry
John Lowry served as a registered official with the ISHAA for 33 years, beginning back in the year of 1971. His long list of achievements include: 15 appearances in the State Football Playoffs, including 5 title games 5 appearances in the State Basketball Tournament – being chosen for one title game and 4 consolation games In track John was a starter at 20 boys state track meets Served 8 years as an umpire Had over 16 years of service as an official at the girls state track meet. John also started officiating volleyball in 1995. He has officiated at 3 State Volleyball Tournaments. Moreover, John has actively recruited new officials in football, basketball, and track. He was one of the founding individuals of the Iowa Association of Track Officials. He was a track rules presenter for the IHSAA & IGHSAU for the last five years. John earned many awards, here a just a few of them: John was named into the IHSAA Officials Hall of Fame in 1992 IATO Official of the Year Boys Track in 2000 Iowa NFO Award for Girls Track and Field 2001-2002 National Contributor of the Year for Section IV in 2002. John was a registered official in three sports ~ holding a superior rating in all three that being the highest ranking any official can attain. John was also a certified official with USATF, holding a Masters rating. John officiated at two NCAA Division 1 Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country meets at Iowa State University in 2000 and at the University of Northern Iowa in 2004 were he served as the chief clerk. He was a starter at the Dickinson Relays in 2003 & 2004. John also officiated at many collegiate meets, including meets at: ISU, UNI, and MVC, Iowa Conference Championships. He also worked the USATF Jr. Olympics John was an umpire and a clerk at the Drake Relays since 1999. John passed away on March 28, 2004, the day after working 3 days at the Dickenson Relays doing what he loved to do, officiating track and working with the athletes. We are happy to have John’s family here for his induction, His wife Barbara, Daughter Brenda and son Gerald. Accepting for John is his son Gerald.
Mike Mahon
Mike Mahon has an extensive background in track and field on all levels.
It is not only for his national and worldwide accomplishments that we honor him today, but also for the love and compassion he has for our great sports of track and cross country and the Iowans who compete in them.
He is regarded as one of the foremost track and field media relations people anywhere working at NCAA Championships, USA and World Championships as well as the Olympics. Upon graduating from Dowling Catholic in 1972 Mike headed to the University of South Dakota. At his alma mater is where it all started. He was sports information director from 1977-88 and served as media coordinator for the 1988 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships at the DakotaDome. He spent 22 years as the sports information director at Drake University before retiring in December of 2010. Mahon had extensive involvement in the Drake Relays, serving as media coordinator and was chairman of the 1996 Drake Relays executive committee. In 2011 Mahon was inducted into the Drake Relays Wall of Honor. He was local media coordinator for the 2010 and 2012 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as well as the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held in Des Moines.
He served as USOC press officer for the 1991, 1999, 2003, and 2011 Pan American Games as well as USOC press officer at four U.S. Olympic Festivals in track and field.
In 2006 Mike Mahon became the first sports information director ever to receive the Sam Skinner Award from the Track & Field Writers of America; given to anyone (coach, meet promoter in track and field) who has shown exemplary cooperation with the media. He has served as statistics producer for ESPN’s coverage of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as well as the SEC Indoor Championships. He also has served as press box coordinator for the Iowa Boys and Girls State High School Track & Field Championships since 1989.
“Mike Mahon is one of those SID’s who have helped define the excellence of this profession. His contribution to collegiate athletics and to the Olympics set a standard that all of us try to measure up to,” stated former United States Olympic Committee Media Services director Bob Condron.
Mahon worked at a myriad of NCAA Championships having served at 27 NCAA Basketball Tournaments, including three NCAA Final Fours; as well as numerous NCAA Track and Field and Cross Country Championships.
He was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame in 1995, and in 2003 received the 25-year CoSIDA Distinguished Service Award. Mahon received the Lifetime Achievement Award by CoSIDA in 2012. He was inducted into the University of South Dakota Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
Ron Maxson
Ron Maxson was an outstanding athlete at Fayette High School, graduating in 1962. He participated in football, baseball and was a three-time state meet qualifier in track and field.
It seems athletics, particularly track and field have always been a part of Ron’s life.
Ron graduated from Upper Iowa in 1967, was in the Army from 1968-1970, and received his Master’s Degree from the University of Wyoming in 1976.
Ron taught and coached at West Liberty High School for 31 years. He was the Head Boys track and field coach for all his 31 years there, winning 10 Eastern Iowa Hawkeye Conference team titles. During his time as head coach the Comets won 8 individual state meet titles and had many Drake Relays place winners.
Although technically retired, Ron is still coaching. He has coached Junior High football for 45 years and Junior High basketball for 43. During his career as a junior high basketball coach, Ron has learned all too well, that winning isn’t everything.
Upon retiring from teaching in 2000, Ron became very active in the IATO and started officiating both track and field and cross country.
Ron has officiated many meets at all levels, including the Iowa high school state championships, Division 1, 2 and 3 college championships.; Drake Relays and Kansas Relays; Big 10, Big 12 and Iowa Conference meets and currently serves as the Head Umpire for University of Iowa home meets.
Ron and his wife Mary, also a retired educator, still reside in West Liberty where Ron hosts a rather competitive IATO golf tournament each summer.
They have two sons. Mark of Iowa City and Kent, of Nairobi, Kenya.
LeRoy McCuen
Our next athlete inductee to the Hall of Fame, LeRoy McCuen, is from Corning, IA. He graduated in 1977 from Corning High School. Here are some of his high school accomplishments. LeRoy won eight state individual titles in his high school career. His team won three straight championships from 1975 to 1977. He won his first individual title in 1975 in the high jump. In 1976 he won four individual titles in the long jump, high jump, 120 yard high hurdles, and 180 yard low hurdles. In 1977, he repeated as the individual champion in both hurdle races and the long jump. LeRoy scored 88 points over his four year career which was one of the best ever in Iowa High School history. He set the state record in the long jump in 1977 with a jump of 22′ 7.5″. LeRoy’s all time best performances were 6’7″ in the high jump, 14.5 in the 120 yard HH, 19.5 in the 180 yd LH as well as his state record in the long jump. He participated in other events during the regular season and helped set meet and school records in the 220, 440 and mile relay.
Basketball was LeRoy’s other love and he was a member of the 1976 Corning High School team that finished as the state runner-up. LeRoy opted to work on the family farm after high school. He came from a very close knit family and went to work in the family business.
In 1979 he married Debbie Johannes. They have raised three children. Brooke, who attends the University of Iowa, Blaire a senior at Corning High School, and Brant Alan a seventh grader. LeRoy has helped coach his children in basketball, volleyball, and track. He has enjoyed watching them achieve their goals, and knowing he has helped them along the way.
Charles “MAC” McGaffin
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Was the Boy’s State Track Meet Referee for 15 years. Was assistant starter at the Girl’s State Track Meet 2 years. Was the High School Referee at Drake Relays several times. Was on the Drake Relay High School Jury and Selection Committee for 20 years. Coached Track for 25 years Coached two State Championship Teams – 1 Indoor Track and 1 Cross Country. Coached Football for 18 years with a record of 108 wins, 38 loses, and 8 ties. Two of the seasons were undefeated. HONORS: Inducted into the Iowa Athletic Directors Hall of Fame. Inducted into the Iowa Association of Track Coaches (IATC) Hall of Fame. Inducted into the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Received the Bernie Saggau Award of Merit. Selected by the Iowa High School Association of Athletic Directors (IHSADA) as the Athletic Director of the year in 1976 And 1977. Received a plaque from the Iowa Association of Track Officials (IATO) for 47 years of active service as a Track Official in 2000. The Winterset High School Football Field is named McGAFFIN FIELD, that is a GREAT Honor. Chuck is married to wife, Vi, and they have two grown children, daughter, Kris and son, Andy.
Larry McHone
He was raised on a dairy and row crop farm near Durant, graduating from high school in 1959 with thoughts of moving back to Cedar County and taking over the operation.Larry did his graduate work at Iowa State in Plant and Animal Genetics. It was this graduate work that led him to start his own company: McHone Seed Company. His company was located in Gilbert and specialized in popcorn seed. Larry owned the company for 37 years. When he married Marty, his bride of 29 years, she joined him as a partner in the business. When Marty lost her battle to ovarian cancer in 2002, Larry sold the business and “took his show” on the road.
Larry has traveled the United States and several foreign countries to judge Dairy Cattle; to help others grow seed corn or to officiate track and field competition.
He is in charge of the World Dairy Expo Ethics Committee in Madison, Wisconsin as well as doing the same for The Royal Canadian Winter Fair in Toronto, Canada.
He has been involved with the Iowa Games since its inception. As a Cross Country official Larry has started 48 different conference meets and 32 district and/or regional meets. He has been one of the starters for the state meet since 1984.
In Track and Field, Larry has carried a Superior rating for 26 years. He has started over 100 conference meets, 31 girls’ regional meets, 36 boys’ district meets and 22 state meets.
Larry has been a member of the Drake Relays Committee for 9 years and a Drake Relays official for 11. He has also worked the Relays as a starter and currently serves as a University/College Referee.
He has been an official for Iowa State University in many capacities over the years and has worked 7 NCAA Outdoor championships and 2 indoors. Larry has been involved with USATF as a Master Official since 1981. USATF has taken him to 27 states and 2 foreign countries. He has worked 5 US Championship meets and1 Olympic Trials.
Larry is very proud to have worked local and state USATF youth meets for more than 40 years, and when available he will be at every Special Olympics event he can get to.
Larry is the proud father of 3 children. Nick lives in Wisconsin and is the Vice President of TREK Bicycle Company. He and his wife Jill have 2 children. Shannon is an Environmentalist and JH Cross Country coach in Massachusetts and has 3 children. Molly and husband James are high school teachers in Virginia and have 2 children. Molly is also a high school track coach.
Gordon McKinstrey
Born and raised in Milford, Iowa. While in High School he received All-Conference honors in Football and Basketball. He was also named All Northwest Iowa in Football. Graduated from Buena Vista College. Track & Field coaching accomplishments – State Championship in 1973. State Runners-up in 1972. Many individual and relay champions and conference crowns. He has served as secretary and treasurer of the Northwest Iowa Coaches and Officials Organization. A member of the State Track & Field Advisory Committee. Member of the Track Coaches Board and received the Buena Vista Alumni Coaches Award for Football and Track & Field. Gordon and his wife, Kathy have raised two sons and one daughter, all great athletes.
Pat Meehan – 2023 Inductee
Good coaches not only win games, meets and matches, they nurture young people to become good athletes and better people, and often have such a positive effect that some of those young people want to become coaches when they grow up.
That’s how it went for Pat Meehan.
He had the opportunity to compete for, and learn from, two Hall of Fame coaches, Ken Fearing at Anamosa High School and Dan McClimon at Loras College.
Meehan was an outstanding high school athlete, placing 3rd at state Cross country, and in Track and Field he helped lead the team to a state runner-up finish in 1965. He earned state meet medals in Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field while competing for the Blue Raiders.
While at Loras, he ran varsity track for the Duhawks, competing in the mile and half mile and was a Co-Captain in Cross Country.
After graduating from Loras in 1969, Pat joined the Peace Corp and was assigned to the small West African country of Ghana, as a Regional Track and Field and Cross Country Coach, leading the Cross Country team to a national title.
After his Peace Corps experience, he was accepted into Grad School at UNI and worked with the Panthers Cross Country and Track and Field teams. After UNI he taught Social Studies for 3 years at Sacred Heart in Waterloo. At the start of the 80-81 school year, Pat landed in Delhi, Iowa for what would be a long and successful teaching and coaching career at Maquoketa Valley.
Pat started both the Boys and Girls Cross Country programs in 1982 and was the head coach of both for 19 seasons, while also serving as the Head girls Track and Field Coach for 18. That is 56 seasons as a Head Coach for the Wildcats. When he wasn’t the Head Coach, Meehan was a paid or volunteer assistant for his favorite sports, bringing his total number seasons of coaching service to Maquoketa Valley, to an astounding 102.
In Track and Field, he coached Girl’s state champs in the Shot Put and 4×4 and Boys in the 400M Dash and 800M Run. Donna Wheeler’s win the Shot Put in 1985, made her the first individual state champion in any sport at Maquoketa Valley.
Meehan coached Cross Country teams qualified to state 10 times in all. Winning the 1A Girls team title in 1988. That was Maquoketa Valley’s first ever team title in any sport.
Pat and Margie, his wife of 35 years, reside in Hopkinton. They have two sons, Chris who lives in Minnesota and Sam who resides in Texas, and they are proud Grandparents to four Grandchildren.
Ashley (Miller) Carreon – Inducted 2017
I have been writing the bio’s for IATC and IATO Hall of Fame inductions for quite some time now. If any of you have done any writing at all, you know that there are times when the words come easy to you and everything flows together so smooth and it sounds so good.
Then there are times that no matter how hard you try, the right words seem so hard to come up with.
The problem with writing a fitting bio for our next inductee, is where in the heck do you start?
When said inductee has won more state track titles than any Iowa prep EVER….. or when said inductee finished in the top 5 at state cross country all 4 years, winning 2 individual titles….. or when said inductee led her team to 4 consecutive state cross country and 4 consecutive state track and field team titles; it forces you to work as hard to come up with the correct words to describe her unbelievable career, as she did, to solidify herself as the most decorated prep in Iowa High School track and field history. Regardless of era… Regardless of gender… Period.
Ashley Miller is the epitome of what a true champion is.
She gained her love of track and field by tagging along with her Dad, Darren, at the age of 11 or 12, to the Drake Relays and State track meet while Darren took pictures for the Tipton Conservative.
After witnessing great athletes perform, Ashley was determined to be a track and field champion for Tipton High School one day. A 15-time state champion in fact.
Among her track titles, 4 came in the open 800 and 4 more in the DMR, when everyone sitting in Drake Stadium hoped she would get the stick at least 50 meters behind.
After winning the 800, as a freshman, she knew she had a target on her back, but wasn’t about to let people think she was “some freshman phenom who would just fizzle out”.
The term “fizzle out” is not in Ashley Miller’s vocabulary.
Miller’s best team memories were the car rides home after winning state team titles, and the Tipton Tigers were fortunate enough to have eight of those during her career.
Ashley said, “These were some of the best moments to bond, celebrate, and decompress from the season with my teammates and coaches. Hopefully the community of Tipton still recalls these memories with the same level of fondness I do”.
The Drake Relays was her favorite high school meet because she got to see where she ranked among all the state’s best. She fared pretty well, winning 3 Drake 800 titles, but they didn’t come easy racing against the likes of Katie Flood, Ellen Ries and the Dinsdale twins, who would go on to be Ashley’s college teammates.
After high school, Miller earned a full-ride scholarship to compete at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While at UNL, she competed in cross country and as a middle distance specialist for the Cornhuskers track and field team. Her go-to event became the 1500 meters, where she was a two-time conference champion, 1 each in the Big 12 and the Big 10.
In addition to winning 5 conference titles, Ashley was a 3 time All American, Olympic Trials qualifier, Nebraska MVP, Big 10 Medal of Honor recipient and Nebraska’s Female Student Athlete of the Year.
Track and Field has taken Ashley to many wonderful places and many of her close friends have some sort of running connection. Her husband Jazz was also a collegiate runner and the two have a become a dynamic duo in road racing in Oklahoma and around the Midwest.
Ashley works in Norman, Oklahoma as a registered dietitian specializing in weight loss and pre/post-operative counseling for weight loss surgery patients.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with extreme pleasure, that I introduce to you 2017 IATC Hall of Fame inductee, Iowa’s only 15 timer, Ashley Miller-Carreon.
Floyd Miller
Paullete (Mitchell) Villereal
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 entire career. She did not even participate in track & field in junior high, but threw 37′ on her third day of practice. She was the premiere thrower during her high school career. Here are some of her accomplishments. She was a four time State Shot Put Champion, and a Drake Relays Champion. Paulette holds the all-time Iowa best throw of 53′ 3.5″, Indoor State record of 48′ 2.5″ and the Drake Relays record of 50′ 4.75″. She won the Drake Relays Discus title in 1992 setting the record in that event as well. Paulette’s achievements were recognized by the following honors: Gerry Cooley Award for High School Girls at the Drake relays in 1992, Central Region Gatorade Track & Field Athlete Award in 1992, Iowa Female Athlete of the Year (twice), listed fifth on the USA All-Time Girls Shot Put List and Inducted into the IHSAU Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1998. Paulette continued her career at the University of Nebraska. She was a 10-time All-American and nine-time Big Eight Champion. She was a three time conference champion in the Shot Put as well as three Drake relays titles. She took up the hammer throw as a junior and won the Big Eight title in 1996. She broke the American record in the hammer with a throw of 199′ and place seventh nationally. She graduated in December of 1996 with a degree in Child Development. She participated in the Olympic trials in 1992 and 1996 placing 11th and 10th respectfully. Paulette is married and lives in Omaha.
Bob Mudd
Bob Mudd was born in Ames, Iowa to Barbara and the late Robert Mudd. He was raised in Ames and graduated from Ames High School, where he competed in cross country and track. He continued his education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He ran cross country and track in college. Upon his graduation from Wartburg in 1975, Bob took his first and only teaching job at North Linn High School.
In 1976, He started the cross country program. During his tenure at North Linn, the cross country program has become one of the premier programs in the state. Bob has won one state title and had seven runner-up finishes. His teams have finished in the top ten 23 times and in the top four 15 times. Bob has coached four individual state champions in cross country and twenty-three all state performers. His girls’ team currently has qualified for the state cross country meet the last seventeen years in a row. Bob was the head boys’ track coach for 25 years and the last five years he has served as an assistant girls’ track coach. During his tenure, he coached seven teams to top five finishes with the girls’ winning one state championship and being the runner-up one time. He has coached 15 state champions in individual and relay events. Bob has coached two Drake Relay Champions and two athletes, which held State Meet records. Bob and his wife Terri have four children; Rob, Brian, Jodi, and Jenni.
Tyler Mulder
Unity Christian/University of Northern Iowa 2021 IATC Hall of Fame
As we all know the state of Iowa has produced countless track and field athletes over the years who competed, with a great deal of success at a very high level.
From sprinters to hurdlers. From middle distance runners to distance runners. From throwers to jumpers. Former Unity Christian prep, Tyler Mulder, accumulated as many outstanding accolades, as anyone, over a long and successful career.
In high school Mulder was a 3-time 2A finalist in the 800 meters and finished his high school career in 2005 by winning the state title in a then 2A meet record of 1:54.97 plus anchoring the Unity Christian 1600 medley to gold, setting yet another state meet record.
After graduating from high school, Tyler took his talents to UNI and had a remarkable career. He was the 2008 NCAA indoor 800 champion, an eight-time All-American as well as an 11-time Missouri Valley Conference champion.
He still holds UNI outdoor school records in the 800 Meters, 4×400 meter relay and Sprint Medley Relay, and indoor records in the 1,000 Meters and Distance Medley Relay.
After a stellar collegiate career, Tyler had the chance to run for the Nike Oregon Track Club in Eugene, Oregon. With the 800 being his primary event, he placed 4th in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Trials. In 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013, he was a USA Championships finalist, in addition to getting 4th in the 2011 Pan Am games. He also ran the 800 leg of the American Record setting indoor Distance Medley relay in 2010. His personal bests are 1:44.34 in the 800M, 3:42.53 in the 1,500M, 3:57.37 in the mile and is one of just five former Iowa preps to break 4:00.
Tyler received his degree in exercise science along with a coaching minor, from UNI in 2009. He worked with UNI Track and Field from 2015 to 2016 as a volunteer coach and for the past 5 years has been the Head Track and Field and Cross Country Coach at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo. Coach Mulder was recently named the Junior College Division 2 Midwest Region Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.
Tyler is married to former UNI Track standout Kara Yahn and they have 2 children, Vinny and Ivy.
