Center High School names Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

South KC Perspective

By John Sharp

The Center High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct four new individual members and one team as its induction class of 2024 at a free event beginning with a social hour and light meal at 6 p.m. followed by the induction ceremony at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Center High School, 8715 Holmes Rd.

Persons wishing to attend should go online to Athletic Hall of Fame Center High School and click on New Hall of Fame Members – To be inducted April 27, 2024, to register so there is enough food for everyone. 

Honorees, who are chosen by current Hall of Fame members can include student athletes, coaches, administrators, school personnel and boosters/supporters.  Criteria for selection include outstanding athletic accomplishments during high school & beyond, having a significant impact on the lives of Center student athletes and/or demonstrating the best of Yellowjacket spirit.

This year’s inductees are:

Wendy Jacobson, 1987 graduate, played on the Center girls basketball, track & field and volleyball teams and later played on the University of Missouri – Columbia track & field team.  

Jacobson holds Center records in discus & shot put, was track & field team co-captain in 1987 & volleyball team captain in 1986 and was Missouri Class 4A shot put state champion in 1986.

Janice Mackay, 1982 graduate, played on the Center girls basketball and softball teams and later played on the University of Oklahoma softball team.

She was softball team captain in 1982 and holds Center records in doubles and triples.

Aletha Penn, 1994 graduate, played on the Center girls basketball team and was team captain from 1991 to 1994.  She later played basketball at Florida State University and was co-captain from 1995 to 1997.

She was Center’s head girls basketball coach from 2003 to 2004.

Dalton Presley, 2011 graduate, played on the Center football, track & field and wrestling teams and was football team captain in 2010 and state champion in the heavyweight division in wrestling in 2011.

He played football at MidAmerica Nazarene University and later was a wrestler and wrestling team captain at Briar Cliff University.

The 1993 boys soccer team was state runner-up and conference, district & sectional champions.  Players were Jasen Barnes, Mark Biggs, Adam Brown, James Buford, Troy Cason, Michael Coleman, Carlos Coelho, Steve Deily, Bryan Gibbs, Jon Goldberg, Matt Grimes, Curtis Leiker, Paul Lillis, Travis McCoy, Jason Nichols, Bert Shipman, Eric Slocum, Pete Smothers and Ryan Vaughan. 

Ed Fritz was head coach.  Bruce Rehmer was assistant coach.  Jessica Brooks was manager.