2005 Year in Review

2005 Morrison High School Hall of Fame

1983-1984 Wrestling Team and those who accepted for members who were unable to attend.

Ron Wiersema and wife Louise

Children of Marvin Achterhof

Don and Joanie Smith accept for Barb Smith

Dave Schroeder and his grandson.

The talents and efforts of the Morrison High staff, students, parents, boosters, and community have created a high school program that is rich in facilities and tradition. The school offers competition that challenges Morrison students to achieve athletic excellence and to mature and develop as responsible individuals. They are very proud of the student athletes and all their accomplishments.

Dave Zuidema and Luanne Wieneke handed out the awards and congratulated the recipients.

Team Induction

The team induction this year was the 1983-84 Wrestling Team. They were the 1984 TRAC-8 Champions with a record of 7-0. Four of the members of this team qualified for the State tournament. They were: Gordy Grams, Denny VanderVinne, Bart Ottens and Tom Zuidema. Grams at 112 placed second, VanderVinne at 126 placed fourth, Ottens at 132 placed fourth, and Tom Zuidema at 155, did not place. The grapplers ran up some very impressive individual statistics. Tom Zuidema compiled a 37-2 record with 20 pins. His four-year total was 99 wins. He held the school record with 48 career pins (since broken). Bart Ottens finished with a 35-4 record, his four-year total was 88 wins. Denny VanderVinne finished with a 30-9 record, and his four-year total was 82 wins. Gordy Grams finished with a 38-5 record, and his four-year total stands at 117 wins 33 losses and a draw. Todd Wilkens at 145 had a season mark of 32 wins and six losses.

Complete members of the team were: Mike Weeks, Marty Weeks, Gordy Grams, Brett Ottens, Jeff Smith, Jeff Wiersema, Mark Blasdell, Vance Heald, Tom Zuidema, Bart Ottens, Denny VanderVinne, Todd Wilkens, Joe Driscoll, Jeff Stralow, Mark Recker, Bob McDonnell, Dan Runion, Gary Gibbs, Brian Schipper, Joel Zickert Dan Kuehl, Randy McGowan, Buddy Reeds, Dwayne Davis, Shann Heald and Brad VanderSchaaf.

Coaches were Dan Drosopoulos and Glen Peterson.

The wrestling cheerleaders for this team were: Nicci Renkes, Melisa Schaefer, Jessica Jenkins, Teri VanderVinne, Laura Morris and Alayna Recker.

Individual Inductees

The individuals who were inducted into the 2005 Hall of Fame were:

Ron Wiersema – Friend of Morrison Athletics – 1965

Ron Wiersema has given a tremendous amount of time and energy to ensure Morrison High School athletic contests run smoothly and efficiently.

After graduation from Morrison High School, 1965, Ron entered the Air Force and served fours years. After his military obligation, Ron married his sweetheart, now lovely wife Louise. They reside in Morrison and raised two children, a daughter, Melissa, and a son Lance.

In the early 80’s, Ron was asked to fill in on the football chain gang for the last half of a game. He did not have to be asked again. Ron has worked over 22 years, approximately 215 football games, and he continues to head the chain gang today. He has also helped fill in for junior tackle football games.

Ron has worked the time clock over 25 years for both boys and girls junior high basketball games. He has worked 21 years as the timekeeper for Morrison High School. He stated his most memorable games were in the 1992 Regionals, when Nick Kemmer hit the game winning shot at the buzzer to beat Milledgeville that enabled Morrison to go on to win the Regional Crown. And, the 1967 Basketball game, when Morrison upset powerful Fulton on a last second tip-in to win a Regional Championship. Ron has also worked Boys Frosh-J.V. basketball games for 15 years, and has filled in to help with high school girls’ games at all levels.

Ron has served the school working security for many tournaments and contests too. Ron was selected to the “Shoot the Bull Hall of Fame” in 2001 for his work with Morrison High. Ron has enjoyed his volunteer work at MHS, he has insured that all aspects connected with Morrison events are completed in a first class manner. The high school and junior high school are indebted and thankful of the work and efforts given by our “Friend of Athletics” Ron Wiersema.

Marvin Achterhof– 1939

Marv Achterhof was one of the finest track athletes to come out of Morrison High School during its early athletic period. Marv played end on the 1938 football team, and played forward on the 1938 and 1939 basketball teams. The 1939 team won the West End Conference Basketball Championship. Marv proved to be a steady performer, and point scorer for the Mallet team.

Marv’s sport of choice was track, where he excelled. In 1938 and 1939, he was the Mallets top field-weight point scorer, and helped them to a second place Rock River Valley Conference finish both years. At the Rock River Valley Conference meet in 1939, Marv broke Morrison’s and the conference discus record with a heave of 129.5 feet. He finished third in the shot put, and was part of the 880-relay team that set a new school record with a run of 138.5.

At the West End Conference Meet, Marv won the shot, 40’10”, and discus. Morrison’s team finished second at the Whiteside County meet won by Sterling. Marv won the shot put, 40’20” and finished second in the discus. The Sectional Track meet of 1939 was dominated by Rock Island, Marv failed to qualify for State in either the shot or discus.

Barb Smith – 1982

Barb Smith excelled in all her athletic endeavors. She was a combination of quickness and very aggressive play. She played on girls teams’ looked upon as the golden age of “Fillies” athletics. Barb was a varsity volleyball starter for three years. Her 1979, and 1980 team finished third and second respectively in the rugged TRAC-8 Conference. However, the 1981 volleyball team, 18-2 overall and 14-0, claimed TRAC-8 and Regional Championships. Barb was chosen First Team All-Conference, TRAC-8, both her junior and senior year, and she attained All-Area Honors her senior year. Basketball was her sport of choice, and Barb was a three-year varsity starter. She is the only one of a few Fillies to make it to the “Sweet Sixteen” three years in a row and the “Elite Eight” two of those three years. Her three-year team record stands at 62 wins and 18 losses, with two TRAC-8 Conference Championships. She was selected to the TRAC-8 All-Conference teams in 1981 and 1982. She also attained All-Area Honors in 1982. Barb’s Filly basketball records include: Career Scoring – 5th, 842 points; 4th in field goals made, 325; 4th in career free throws attempted and made, 344-192; and 4th in career rebounds, 521. Single season records include: 9th in points scored, 368; 5th in free throws attempted, 143 and made 83.

Barb parlayed her skills and aggressive play, along with her very fine high school career to enjoy an outstanding college career at Augustana College. She helped the Lady Vikings enjoy successes on the basketball court for four years. Today, Barb lives in Rogersville, Missouri.

Dave Schroeder – 1965

Dave Schroeder was an outstanding three-sport athlete. He was a combination of quickness and finesse. He eventually won seven varsity letters during his MHS career. In his football career, Dave played both ways, offensively, he was a bruising runner, as a defender he was a punishing defensive back.

Dave mentioned a memorable moment was his sophomore team going undefeated in 1962, plus his 1963 varsity team going undefeated, and winning the Illowa All-Conference Championship. Dave was selected to Illowa All-Conference team his senior year. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry, scored eight touchdowns, and gained 144 yards in one game.

Dave’s sport of choice was basketball. He became Morrison High School’s second 1,000-point career scorer. His 1,055 points rank him 10th all time in the MHS record books. His senior year, Dave set a school record with 20 consecutive free throws. His best game saw him score 34 points against Amboy. Dave was selected to the Illowa All-Conference basketball team. Dave stated his most memorable basketball moment was winning the 1964 Regional.

Dave took his basketball talent to Clinton Community College and then Black Hills State University. Dave recalled the highlight of his college career was his senior year, a three week road trip playing schools in North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and flying to Anchorage, Alaska for three games.

As a member of the MHS track team, Dave’s 1964 team won the Illowa Conference Championship. It was Morrison’s 7th consecutive varsity Illowa Championship. Dave excelled in the hurdles. His time of 21.9 in the 180 low hurdles came close to the MHS record.

Dave now joins his son Jared in the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Jared was an Olympic swimmer. Dave and wife Sonia, have two other children, Derrick and Erica. Dave and Sonia still reside in Morrison. Dave, after 32 years, retired from 3M Company. For more photos see Hall of Fame

by  Editor, theCity1.com
September 12, 2005