Candidates

Mike Alesch has been nominated for his achievements in Men’s Volleyball. Mike was part of the inaugural Men’s Volleyball team at Larkin High School in 1999. Mike’s significant contributions help Larkin to an impressive 32-6 record in 2000. A standout player, Mike earned numerous accolades, including: Upstate 8 All-Conference (2000); Chicago Sun-Times 3rd Team All-State (2000) and Chicago Tribune All-State Special Mention (2000). Mike’s name is etched in IHSA record books for his exceptional defensive and offensive performances: #1 in IHSA history for blocks in a season (326) and career (531); Single-match blocking records (#3, 22 blocks), (#5, 18 blocks) and (#9, 15 blocks); Season kills record: (#15, 526).

Mike continued his volleyball career at Loyola University Chicago, playing four years of NCAA Division I volleyball. The team finished in the top 15 national rankings in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Mike also earned accolades in college, including: 1st Team All MIVA conference (2004) and MIVA All-Tournament Team (2003, 2004). Mike is etched in Loyola Men’s Volleyball records: #3 in Aces in a season (53) and #6 in Kills in a season (477). NCAA Record: #18 in NCAA history for 53 aces in a season (2000-2010 30-point scoring era).

Cindy Bryniarski is nominated for golf. Bryniarski has won more than 25 club championships in Arizona, Colorado, and Illinois. She has set course records at four courses in Sun City West and another in Durango, CO. She has been the senior amateur champion in Colorado and Arizona. Cindy qualified for the round of 64 at the USGA Senior Amateur Championship from 2008-2010 and for the USGA Senior Amateur Championship in 2007-2010. She was a medalist in the 2007 Arizona qualifier and a co-medalist in 2008. In 2011, Bryniarski was co-medalist and runner-up in the Senior Division of Arizona Women’s State Match Play and took 2nd place in the Arizona Senior Championship.

Glen Dallman (Elgin High Class of 1961) coached wrestling for 25 years. At Stillman Valley High School, Glen compiled a record of 129-54-1, winning two conference titles and finishing third in the state in 1974. His teams produced 13 state qualifiers, 11 place winners, and four state champions. During his tenure at Byron High School, Dallman had a 181-77-4 record with five conference titles and three Elite 8 finishes. During that time, Glen coached 29 state qualifiers, 10 state medalists, and four state champions. He has also served as a wrestling official, on the IWCOA Executive Board and the IHSA Wrestling Board. Dallman was inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame (1990) and the Byron High School Hall of Fame (2015) and received the Byron High School 25th Anniversary Recognition Award.

Cassie Dumoulin was a National Junior College Athletic Association Third Team (2011) and Second Team (2012) All-American basketball player at Elgin Community College.  After being a three-sport athlete at Hampshire High, Cassie set the all-time scoring record at ECC for women’s basketball with 1393 points (since broken).  She was an All-Region 1st team selection as well as making the Region IV All-Tournament Team both years.

In addition, Dumoulin was the Illinois Skyway Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference both years.  She averaged 22.0 and 22.1 points per game which led to her being named WBCA Junior College Honorable Mention All-American each season.  Cassie received the Lea Plarski Award (top award given by the NJCAA) in 2012.  She received an athletic scholarship to the University of Illinois where she played one year.  Dumoulin was inducted into the Illinois Skyway Conference Hall of Fame in 2019.

Dayvon Ellis (Larkin High Class of 2006) has been nominated for basketball. Dayvon played on the Larkin varsity team for three years and currently ranks 2nd all-time in scoring with 1621 points. Ellis was an Associated Press All-State honorable mention and Illinois Basketball Association 3rd Team All-State member his senior year when he averaged 19.6 points per game with 5.8 rebounds, five assists and three steals. In addition, he was the Upstate 8 Conference Player of the Year, Courier News (second time) and Daily Herald Player of the Year and All-Area 1st Team for the second time. During his time on the varsity, Larkin won three regional championships, one sectional title and one Upstate 8 championship.

Dayvon played two years at Kaskaskia Junior College, during which time he was an All Great Rivers Athletic Conference and All-Region selection in 2008 when he averaged 15.3 points and 3.8 assists per game while leading the Blue Devils to a 23-8 record. Ellis competed for Eastern Kentucky his final two seasons where he averaged 4.1 and 5.1 ppg and was regarded as a great defender.

Becky (Elk) Golas, has been nominated for her achievements in soccer.  As a four-year varsity starter at Larkin High (1995 – 1999), Becky was a four time Upstate 8 All-Conference and All-Area selection.  During her senior year she scored 15 goals and had 16 assists, for which Elk was selected by the Daily Herald as an All-Area Co-Captain.

Becky became a three time All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference First Team selection while playing at Bemidji State University, setting then school records (since broken) for career and single season goals, assists, and points for a career and a single season points.  She led the team in goals each of her three seasons and was honored with the Bemidji Women’s Sports Foundation Award as College Sports Woman of the Year in 2001.  Elk was an inaugural member of the Bemidji State University Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004.

Elaine Bogda Gordon was perhaps the last great female speed skater from Chicago between the World Wars. Her 21‑year competitive career (1933–1953) produced a Silver Skates championship, national indoor and outdoor titles, and induction into the Amateur Skating Union Hall of Fame.

After moving to Elgin in 1953, she launched a celebrated coaching career, guiding 12 skaters to national championships—including Barbara Lockhart, who represented Team USA at the 1960 and 1964 Winter Olympics. Elaine remained a beloved fixture in Elgin’s skating community until her passing in 2003.

Jennifer Green (LHS 1974) has been nominated as an all-around athlete. Jennifer was a trailblazer in women’s sports at Larkin where she played field hockey and basketball in addition to running track. It was as a runner in track that she excelled. Green was the first woman in School District U-46 to participate in the girls state track meet (1973) where she finished 4th in the mile finals.

Jennifer attended Bowdoin College (Maine) in 1976. She was a member of the first Women’s Cross Country Team, and “she was our best runner.” She won five events during the season, then ran in the first New England Small College Athletic Conference Women’s Cross-Country Championship meet, where she finished second in 1978. She also played on the field hockey and lacrosse teams. As a one semester exchange program student, Jennifer also competed on the rowing team while enrolled at Mt. Holyoke College. She was a member of the crew team that competed in the National Women’s Regatta in 1977, which was the second year of the program. She was an all-around athlete ahead of her time before women’s sports became part of the sports landscape.

Erwin “Moose” Graf (Elgin High Class of 1935) has been nominated for basketball. Erwin led the basketball team in scoring in both his junior and senior seasons when the team recorded records of 15-4 and 20-3. As part of the “Elgin Towers,” he helped the Maroons to a co-Big Six Conference championship in 1934-35, leading the conference in scoring for the second consecutive year. Erwin was All-Conference both years, set the Big Six Conference record for scoring as a junior and received Honorable Mention All-State that same year. Graf was also named All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State in football his senior season.

Erwin lettered three years in basketball at Marquette University where he shared leading scorer honors his junior season, was co-captain his senior season and selected Second Team All-American. Graf played two seasons in the National Basketball League (predecessor to the NBA) for the Sheboygan Red Skins and served as an assistant coach when his career was ended by a compound fracture of the leg.

Tom Hayes (EHS Class of 1979) quarterbacked the Elgin High football team to an undefeated regular season in 1977 with a 9-0 record and an overall record of 10-1.

Then Tom attended Truman State University where he received Associated Press Little All-America honors three times. In addition, Hayes was the first player in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference history to be named All-Conference First Team three times. He was also named MIAA Conference Most Valuable Player three times as he quarterbacked two MIAA championship teams. At that time, Tom set Truman State career records in passing yards, total offense, passing attempts and completions, and passing completion percentage. He also set records for a season in passing attempts and completions, passing yards and total offense. He was inducted into the Truman State University Hall of Fame in 1996.

A 1978 Larkin High graduate, Hofstetter was named the Larkin High Athlete of the Year in 1978 for his achievements in track and football (all-conference and all-area). Scott was a three year letterman in track, during which he accumulated the most points (546) all-time at the school. In addition, he set school records in the low hurdles and high hurdles and served as the anchor on the record setting mile relay team. Hofstetter won a total of 12 conference and county titles. These titles included the indoor conference long jump and the Kane County title in the triple jump as a sophomore.

At the district meet, he finished fourth in the long jump. In his junior year, Scott won the conference long jump and was part of the conference and county champion mile relay team, which qualified the team to compete in the state finals. As a senior, Scott was conference champion in the indoor and outdoor long jump, 120 yard high hurdles, 330 yard low hurdles and the mile relay. At the district meet, he won the long jump and finished second in the low hurdles, the high hurdles and the mile relay. Thus, he qualified for all four events at the state meet. At the state competition, Scott was semi-finalist in the high hurdles and finished 12th in the mile relay. He attended Iowa State University where he played football as a walk-on for two years. Later, Hofstetter played two years of semi-pro football with the Colorado Cougars.

Eric Krantz has been added to the 2025 ESHOF ballot for his achievements in speedskating. In 1998, Eric was the youngest male to ever qualify for the United States Olympic Speedskating team trials. That year he was 14th in the 500 meter and 19th in the 1000 meter.

Krantz won the Men’s Junior Title at the U. S. Sprint Speedskating championships in 2001. In addition, he finished in 3rd place at the U.S. Junior World Team trials to earn a place on the team, and won a bronze medal in the 500 Meter race at the World Junior Speedskating Championships in the Netherlands. Furthermore, Eric set records (since broken) in the U. S. Junior American Sprints in the 2 X 500 meter and the 2 X 1000 meter.

He finished 7th in the Senior Division 1000 meter at the U. S. Olympic Speedskating team trials, as well as 7th place overall in the U. S. Speedskating Championship Sprints.

Dennis Manic was a three year varsity baseball player for Elgin. He was an All-Conference selection (1970) and Most Valuable Player of the team when he hit .385 and led Elgin to district and sectional titles before finishing 3rd in the state finals. Manic was named to the All-State 4th Team by the Rockford Morning Star. He had previously been the youngest member and starter of the 1966 Elgin VFW Teener League National Champion All-Star Team. Dennis was also an Upstate 8 All-Conference fullback, All-Area Honorable Mention and Team Most Valuable Player in football.

He continued his football career at the University of Wisconsin. Initially a running back, Manic shifted to offensive guard where he started in 1972 and 1973. During that time, he was instrumental in blocking for two 1000 yard running backs.

Tom Meaney’s football coaching career spanned more than three decades and left a lasting mark on the Elgin area. He began coaching at Elgin High School in 1985, where he spent 13 years coaching football, basketball, and baseball. After starting as a sophomore football coach under Jim Hoffman, Meaney was promoted to varsity defensive coordinator following the sudden passing of Coach Gary Everett—a role he held with distinction under Head Coaches Stephens and Rice until 1997. He began as an assistant coach at Elgin High School from 1984 to 1998 before joining Bartlett High School’s staff and ultimately taking the helm as varsity head coach from 2003 to 2015.

During his 12-year head coaching tenure, Meaney compiled an 80–53 record (.602), led Bartlett to 10 playoff appearances, and captured four Upstate Eight Conference titles. His 2008 squad reached the IHSA Final Four with a school-record 12 wins. Meaney was known for his attention to detail, tireless scouting, and commitment to preparation—embodying the philosophy that “little things make big things happen.”

Donald Palochko has been nominated for football and coaching.  Don was the starting tackle on Larkin’s 1972 football team that went 7-2.  He was named first team All-Conference in the Upstate 8 and earned a football scholarship to Northern Illinois.  At NIU, Don was a three-year starter, earning three varsity letters in football.  He was named All-Mid-American Conference Second Team at offensive guard and Co-Most Valuable Player his senior season (1976).  Palochko was the defensive coordinator at Mooseheart High School from 1988-2000 and the team’s assistant head coach and offensive coordinator from 2004-2014.  During that time, Mooseheart had a record of 122-103 and participated in the IHSA playoffs 8 times.

Bryan Pelka (Elgin Academy Class of 2005) is nominated for his accomplishments in swimming. As a high school athlete, Bryan swam independently and competed in the sectionals in 2004 and 2005. He qualified for state competition in the 500-yard freestyle and finished 20th in 2005. That spring, he earned a gold medal at the Illinois Senior State Championships in the 1650 short course yards freestyle. At Carthage College, Pelka was a four-year varsity swimmer. He set school records in the 200 fly, 1000 freestyle, and 1650 freestyle in 2006 and 2007. In addition, Bryan was the CCIW Conference champion in the 500 freestyle once and the 1650 freestyle twice, setting the meet record in the 1650. He was named All-Conference three times and served as team captain. At the national level, Bryan qualified for the NCAA national meet all four years and finished 14th and 12th in the mile and had provisional “B” times in the 1650 freestyle for two consecutive years. He was All-American Honorable Mention twice in the 1650 freestyle and three time Academic All-American.

Michael Pokorny has been nominated and approved for tennis.  Mike was a three-year #1 singles varsity tennis player for Elgin.  He was the Most Valuable Player on the team all three years during which time he was conference runner-up in 1972 and 1973 followed by a conference championship in 1974.  In addition, Pokorny was the District champion all three years and finished 9th in the state his senior year.  At Northern Illinois (1974-75), he was the #3 singles player and the #1 freshman in the MAC.  He defeated the #3 and #4 singles conference champs that year, as well as the #3 singles Division champion.  Mike was the #1 singles and state ranked #1 while at Elgin Community College (1976-77) and ranked #3 in the state as part of a doubles team. He won the conference and sectional championship in #1 singles, was part of the conference champion doubles team and was named team MVP and Skyway Conference MVP.

In local play, Pokorny was the city Champion (singles and doubles) over 20 times.  He won the Northern Illinois Tennis Association championship four times.  During that time, he was NITA’s #1 Under 18 singles player in 1974, #1 Men’s singles in 1975, #1 ranked doubles (with brother Max) in 1975 and represented NITA in the Junior Davis Cup as #1 singles from 1974-1977.  Playing mixed doubles, Mike finished in 2nd place (with Cheryl Pokorny) in the 1976 Illinois State Indoor Championships.

Nancy (Petersen) Regul is nominated for gymnastics.  Nancy was a four-year varsity member of the Elgin/Larkin coop gymnastics team which won five major invitationals, two regionals and qualified for sectionals three times.  Individually, Nancy placed in the top three in 138 events entered, of which she had 56 first place finishes.  She represented the team at the IHSGCA Mixed Pairs meet in 1999 and 2000, finishing in 7th place her junior year and 3rd place her senior year.  In addition, Petersen was one of six girls chosen to represent Illinois at the National High School Gymnastics Championships in Madison WI in 2000.  In state competition, Nancy was 12th in floor exercise (freshman), tied for 11th in vaulting (sophomore), qualified in the vault and tied for 20th in floor exercise (junior) and tied for 17th in floor exercise (senior).

As an individual and part of an event team, she helped break 15 school records.  At the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Petersen was a member of four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and three National Collegiate Gymnastics Association championship teams.  She received All-Conference honors each year, finishing 6th on the vault (2001), 3rd on the vault (2002), 4th on the vault and 4th (tie) on the balance beam (2003), and 5th on the vault and 2nd in floor exercise (2004).  In addition, Nancy received NCGA All-American honors by finishing tied for 4th in floor exercise (2002), 5th in floor exercise (2003), and 5th in vault (2004).  She was an Academic All-American in 2004.

Ashley Scheffler (Burlington Central Class of 2010), has been nominated for her accomplishments in softball. Ashley was a four year varsity softball infielder, during which she was a unanimous All-Big Northern Conference selection in 2009 and 2010, as well as being named All Area 1st Team by the Daily Herald and Courier News. In addition, Scheffler received All-State 3rd Team honors both years, was Team Most Valuable Player and the Senior All-Star Game MVP in 2010. She also received the Distinguished Athlete Award by the U. S. Marine Corps her senior year. Ashley led the team with a .475 batting average, a .548 on base percentage and 39 hits in 2010. In her junior year, she batted .400 with an OBP of .474 when Central took 3rd place in the Class 3A state tournament. As the shortstop at Elgin Community College, Scheffler was 1st Team All-Conference and All-Region 1st Team for two years and a member of the All-Tournament Team in 2011. She finished her college career at McKendree University (DII) playing third base for two years. She made the All Tournament Team in 2015 and was the “Top Offensive Player” for McKendree when she led the team in hitting (.354), OBP (.396), hits (51) and stolen bases (21).

Chris Schultz is nominated for baseball.  Chris was a two-year varsity pitcher and 1st baseman at Elgin where he set the school record for home runs with 11 while hitting .455 with 41 runs batted in and a slugging percentage of .848 during his senior year.  For his outstanding season, Schultz was a unanimous All-Upstate 8 Conference selection and named to the Daily Herald and Courier News All-Area teams.  Since he was also All-Conference and Upstate 8 MVP as a golfer, Chris was chosen as Elgin High Athlete of the Year.  He played two years at Elgin Community College, batting .378 and .450 and driving in 67 runs as ECC advanced to the NJCAA World Series both years with Chris being named NJCAA All-Region 2nd Team (2007).

At Purdue University North Central, Schultz played first base and center field.  He hit .445 both years with a total of 22 home runs and 109 runs batted in.  He set school records for a season in batting average, home runs, runs batted in, triples, total bases, hits, runs and slugging percentage.  For his achievements, Schultz was twice named to the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference First Team, the CCAC Player of the Year (2009), and a NAIA First Team All-American (the first in school history for any sport) He was inducted into the Purdue North Central Hall of Fame in 2013.  Chris finished his career playing one year with the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League (2010).

Richard “Punjab” Simonsen (Elgin High Class of 1950) was an all-around athlete at Elgin lettering in football twice, basketball twice, wrestling once and track three times. At 6’5” Simonsen played offensive and defensive lineman as a junior, then was switched to offensive fullback as a senior. He set the Big 8 Conference scoring record with 73 points, rushing over 1000 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns for the 8-2 team. Punjab was named All-State at defensive tackle by the Champaign News-Gazette. In track, he competed in state finals competition in the shot put. Richard was recruited by over 150 colleges, including every Big 10 school and Notre Dame. He chose the University of Florida and played offensive tackle and defensive lineman as a freshman. Simonsen then joined the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War and played four years of service football, then accepted a scholarship at Brigham Young University. Later, he was a member of the Chicago Bears taxi squad.

Martin Skok, Sr. was the owner-developer of the “ELGIN PISTON PIN SPECIAL” race car that raced at the Indianapolis 500 in 1926-1928, 1936-1941, 1946, and 1953, finishing as high as fourth place on three occasions. In 1953, the car was driven by Jim Rathmann in La Carrera Panamericana (The Pan American), a nine stage, five-day race that traversed Mexico (widely considered the most dangerous event of its day). As the owner of Elgin Industries, Skok was a constant developer, fabricator, and rebuilder of new and improved engine parts, which greatly advanced the car engines used in all of the major races, especially the piston pin. This innovation was critical to the success of many drivers, such as ESHOF inductee Ken Barnhart.

Because of his innovating, Skok became a known leader in the racing community. In 1933, AAA Indy race teams accepted the invitation to come to the Elgin Road Race (part of Chicago’s World Fair), which was scheduled as the only road race in the United States. After the funds for the cash prize disappeared, Skok financed the event. In the early 1950’s. Skok partnered with Dick Doan Chevrolet to build and promote a stock car in a variety of races. This led to a business relationship with Andy Granatelli, who was to become one of the best-known engine builders, team owners and promoters in racing.

Tony Soskich is nominated for his achievements in basketball.  A three-year varsity starter, Tony set the Larkin career scoring record (since broken) with 1319 points, doing most of his scoring with long range jump shots prior to the three point shooting line.  He was two time All-Conference and All-Area 1st Team selections and was All-State 2nd team his senior season when he averaged 24.5 ppg and led the state in free throw shooting percentage (over 94%).  Soskich attended Penn State on a basketball scholarship and lettered four years.  He was awarded the Penn State Coaches Award (1991) for the player who best exemplifies Nittany Lion traditions for positive team attitude.

Ron Ultes was a standout baseball player at Elgin and the University of Illinois.  He led the Maroons in hitting for three consecutive years, batting .403 his senior season and helping lead the Maroons to the state finals, one of two Elgin baseball teams to advance that far.  While EHS lost in the semi-finals to state champion Peoria Manual, Ultes was named to the state all-tournament team.  Ron played three years at Illinois, helping the Illini to co-Big 10 titles in 1952 and 1953.  He was All-Big 10 second team and NCAA District third team his junior year when he led the team in batting average and was pursued by the Boston Braves.  He was captain on the team his senior year and led the team in doubles, home runs, and runs scored.

Ultes then played semi-professional baseball in South Dakota for three years and the Fort Bliss Falcons in the Texas League, winning the Texas Semi-Pro and Southwestern Semi-Pro championships.  Ron was named to an all-tournament team as a left fielder and played for a team of All-Stars in Texas against a touring team of Major Leaguers that included Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ernie Banks.  He declined an offer to play for the Chicago White Sox organization.

A dominant force on the local handball scene, Jon Van Wambeke claimed an unmatched 14 Class A singles titles in the City of Elgin Handball Championships between 1965 and 1978, including a streak of 10 consecutive wins. He first captured the Class B title in 1964 and became the youngest-ever Class A champion just one year later. In doubles play, Van Wambeke added 8 City of Elgin titles and multiple YMCA tournament wins to his resume. A fierce competitor known for his consistency and power, he was once described by fellow Hall of Famer George Childs as “the best player I have ever played against and seen in Elgin.”

As a junior, Fred Versluys averaged 15.5 ppg and led the Upstate Eight Conference in rebounding with 12 per game. In his senior season, Fred averaged 18 ppg and again led the conference in rebounding. Fred was All-Conference and Most Valuable Player at Larkin both years, while being named All-Area 2nd Team as a junior and All-Area 1st Team his senior season. He played varsity basketball four years at Judson College, where he led the conference in rebounding his freshman year and was NAIA 1st Team. His top scoring average was 13.9 ppg in his junior year. Versluys also played four years of baseball at Judson and was named most valuable player on offense and to the NIIC All-Conference Team his senior year.

Alex Wahl (LHS 2010) has been nominated for football. In his senior year, Alex was first team all-conference and Daily Herald and Courier News all-area linebacker.

At Upper Iowa University (D-II), he set the school single season record with 127 tackles in his junior year and was named to the Northern Sun All-Conference 1st team, the Region 3 AIII Super Region 2nd team and the Beyond Sports Network NCAA D-II All-American 3rd team. In his senior season, Wahl set the school record for most tackles for a loss. He was again named to the All-Conference 1st team.

In addition, Alex was selected for the Region 3 All-Super Region 1st team and the AFCA 25 man All-American 1st team, the only player in Upper Iowa history to receive this honor. He finished his career with 313 tackles (2nd in school history), 13 quarterback sacks (3rd) and 53 tackles for a loss (school record).

Britney Whitehead (Larkin High Class of 2009) is a 2025 Eastern Illinois University Hall of Fame inductee for cross country and track & field. She was a member of eight different Ohio Valley Conference championship teams in cross country (2012), indoor track (three times), and outdoor track (four times). Britney was a six-time first team All-OVC selection in indoor and outdoor track while earning first team All-OVC honors in cross country. She qualified for the NCAA West Regional in the steeplechase twice after winning the conference steeplechase championship.

Britney holds the school record in both the 1,500 meter run and steeplechase events and ranks in the top five in four other events between cross country and indoor track. At Larkin High, Britney competed in cross country and track at the varsity level all four years. She was the Upstate 8 Conference Female Athlete of the Year in 2009 when she set school records in the mile (5:17) and the 800 meter (2:16) and qualified for the state track meet in the 800.