Austin High School will induct six graduates into the Austin High School athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of the Packer girls basketball game against Faribault in Ove Berven Gym Jan. 22.

On Jan. 23, there will be a Hall of Fame luncheon at St. Olaf Lutheran Church at 12:30 p.m.

This year’s inductees are Bill Spahn, Jim Lee, Douglas Haugen, Wade Christensen, Tony Bednar and Brooke Gentzler.

Bill Spahn, Class of 1960

Bill played football, ran track and swam. He earned one football letter playing for the 1959 Big 9 Champs and his 1960 800-relay team won the District title.

Bill was an outstanding swimmer. The three-year captain was a two-time Big 9 Champion in the 100 free. He represented AHS at State in1959 placing fifth in the 100-freestyle and was on the sixth place medley relay team. His placements improved in the 1960 state meet, where he took fourth in the 100-freestyle and was on the fourth place medley relay team.

Bill set AHS pool records in these events and other events as well and he swam for Texas Tech University after graduating from AHS. He captained the Red Raiders his senior year.

After a successful career coaching club-level teams, Bill was named Head Men’s Swimming Coach at the University of Kansas. He led the team to two Big 8 titles. Bill left KU in 1981 to become head coach at the University of New Mexico. Over his 24-year career as Lobos coach, he led the Lobos to one WAC title and to two runner-up finishes. He was named WAC Coach of the Year four times.

Bill coached Tom Jager, a medal-winning member of the 1992 US Olympic Team who held American and World records in the 50 freestyle.

Bill and his wife live in Tennessee today. They have three children.

Jim Lee, Class of 1970

Jim earned eight varsity letters, four in gymnastics and four in track.

Although Jim was a skilled gymnast, his unique ability and courage to pole vault set him apart. He began setting AHS pole vault records as a freshman. By the time he was a junior in 1969, Jim was chasing the then state record of 14’ having cleared 13’10” at the Burnsville Relays. Jim broke the state record at the District II track meet with a vault of 14’ 3 1/4.”

In his senior year, he cleared 14’ 7 1/2” and at the 1970 District II track meet he had a vault of 15’ 1/4.” That vault set a new state record.

Jim earned a track scholarship to the University of Minnesota. He pushed the 16’ barrier with the Gophers, clearing it multiple times in practice. Jim held the Gopher indoor record of 15’ 11” and the Gopher outdoor record of 15’ 6” before injury ended his career.

Jim lives in New Mexico. He and his wife have four children and three grandchildren. He is founder and CEO of Orthopedic Specialties, Inc., a company that designs and fabricates artificial limbs and braces for disabled children and adults.

Douglas Haugen, Class of 1975

Doug was a three-sport athlete. He played football, basketball and baseball.

Doug was a two-year starter for the Packer football team. He earned All-Conference Honors his senior year.

Similarly, Doug was a two-year starter for the basketball team. He was the team’s Nat Goudy Award winner his senior year. Doug also earned the baseball team’s Nat Goudy Award his senior year. In addition, he received All-Big 9 Conference honors.

Doug played one year of baseball at the University of Utah. and he lives in California today.

Wade Christensen, Class of 1987

Wade played basketball, football and ran track earning six varsity letters. He cap-

tained the basketball team and led the team in scoring and assists.

Wade’s outstanding play earned first-team All-Conference honors. He was the team’s Nat Goudy Award Winner his senior year.

A two-year starter for the Packer football team, Wade also enjoyed a successful track career. His track relay team won two conference titles and one region title. Wade was a member of the sprint medley relay team that ran to a fifth place finish at state.

After graduating with distinction, Wade played basketball at Luther.

He earned an MBA from the University of Colorado and today is the Regional Manager of plant facilities for Harcros Chemical Company. He lives in Colorado with his wife and two sons. He coaches a variety of youth sports.

Tony Bednar, Class of 1991

Tony was a three-sport athlete and he earned a total of 10 varsity letters. Although his football career was cut short by a knee injury, Tony was still able to earn six varsity letters in swimming, three in baseball and one in football.

Tony was a three-time All-Conference swimmer. In 1991 he was the Big 9 and Section 1 Champion in the 50 freestyle and he set a school record in that event. He also anchored the school record setting Section 1 champion 200 medley relay and 200 free relay teams. His 50 freestyle record stood for 24 years and the 200 medley relay record still stands today. Tony participated in the state Swimming Meet in 1990 and1991 earning All-State honors in 1991.

The two-time captain was also a two-time AHS swim team statistical leader and Nat Goudy Award winner his senior year. Tony was the KAAL TV Sports Prep of the week in 1991 and a three-time KAUS radio athlete of the week, 1989-1991.

Tony pitched and played infield for the Packer varsity baseball team his sophomore year and started at second base his junior and senior years. In 1990 his team won the Big 9 and Region 1AA titles and finished 2nd at State. Tony once hit for the cycle and he led the team in home runs and RBIs in 1990.

Tony was a two-time All-Conference honorable mention and a1990 Austin Daily Herald All-Area baseball team selection.

Tony was also a talented singer and excellent student. He was a member of the AHS Concert Choir and select singing group, the Austinaires. He earned the prestigious AAA award for in 1991 for outstanding achievement in Academics, Arts and Athletics.

Tony graduated from Mankato State University in 1996 and became a Certified Public Accountant shortly thereafter. He is currently a Senior Vice President at Merrill Corporation in St. Paul. Tony and his wife Tina live in Cottage Grove and have two children.

Brooke Gentzler, Class of 2000

AHS softball coach Todd Waterbury called Brooke a “special athlete.” She was an excellent volleyball and softball player earning three letters in each sport. Brooke was two-time All-Big 9 selection in volleyball. She led the Packers in several statistical categories and could dominate games at times as a spiking middle hitter, known as “The Hammer.”

Brook’s softball career was equally stellar. She was not only the Packer statistical leader in most every key offensive category but she was also the team’s emotional leader as well. The first baseman powered the Packers to two State Softball Tournaments.

Among the state leaders in RBIs, Brooke also led the Packers in put-outs and had a career fielding average of over .990. Brooke finished her junior and senior years with a slew of team records and post-season honors: All-Conference, All-Section, All-State and, as a senior, co-team MVP.

Brooke continued her softball career at St. Cloud State University. She was a four-year starter for the Huskies at first base and, like she did at AHS, became one the program’s all-time statistical leaders. She was a four-time All-North Central Conference selection, a two-time All-NCC Academic Team honoree, a member of 2003 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II All-American First Team and the SCSU Senior Athlete of the Year.

At the end of her career, Brooke was the only DII player drafted by the New England Riptide of the National Professional Fastpitch Softball League. As a nuclear medicine major, she had already committed to a required internship and declined the offer.

Brooke has a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management and is currently the supervisor of Nuclear Medicine at Mayo Clinic-Rochester.