SALUTE TO SPECIAL TEAMS

Ben Gerleman (1997 and 1996 state tourneys) dribbles against Trevor Connor (2005 and 2006 state tourneys).

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A lot of memories from the pinnacle of Creston High School athletics were revisited Saturday night. Representatives of the school’s four state championship teams were introduced, and alumni girls and boys basketball games entertained a crowd that nearly filled the CHS gym north side bleachers, with the newly-unveiled team champion photographs perched behind them on the gymnasium wall. A chili cookoff contest, putt-putt golf exhibition and silent auction for Panther memorabilia were also part of the evening organized by Creston Activities Booster Club leaders Stacy Wood and Tosha Neitzel. Honored were the 1939 boys basketball team coached by Harold Hopkins that defeated Diagonal in the state championship game, 25-20; the 1967 girls golf team coached by Dennis Kaupp, which was also the school’s first female golf squad; the 1997 boys basketball team coached by Mike Gerleman that school-record 25-1 record with fan support that also generated the Class 3A sportsmanship award; and the 2007 wrestling team coached by Darrell Frain that claimed both the individual tournament and dual meet titles in Class 2A, with the highest point total (112) ever by a southwest Iowa team in Class 2A. That remarkable wrestling team, which has team members competing collegiately in wrestling or football, was frequently reminded of the high standards of achievement set by the 1997 basketball team, whose large picture adorned the gym’s west wall for several years. Saturday night, several members of both squads were brought together in the same gym where their legends were built. “It was great to see the 97 state championship team and our guys with them,” Frain said, “and to see their pictures up there. I used them for an example many, many times. I said they’ve got something that we want. You have to work at that level.” And that level of basketball, which produced an 85-point scoring average during the 1996-97 season, was still evident in the alumni game. When members of that team were on the floor together, their smooth flow in working together a dozen years ago came to life. (For the record, the “old guys” defeated a team of recent graduates, 51-44, in a game that wasn’t decided until Brian Gerleman’s long 3-pointer sealed it for the veteran crew.) “It was pretty neat to see those guys out there playing again,” coach Mike Gerleman said. “You talk about flashback memories. Just to see them out there, some of the moves they used. Like (Kyle) McCann opening the game with a three, just as smooth as silk. They had a knack. They loved the game and they were fun to coach and be around.” McCann and Ben Gerleman, named 1997 all-tournament co-captains and first team all-state, appreciated the event. “It’s a good way to get back and see people,” said Gerleman, now coach at George-Little Rock where his team won the 2006 Class 1A state championship. “For displaced people like me and Kyle in Council Bluffs now, you don’t get to see people very often.” McCann said he hopes the ceremony is just the tip of the iceberg for Creston athletics. “It’s good to have lots of sports represented,” said McCann, now an attorney. “Hopefully it’s something that will continue. The more banners, the better.” Representing the 1967 golf squad was Lynn Sandeman, now an academic adviser at Iowa State University. Introduced on behalf of the 1939 basketball team was Cheri Davis of Creston, daughter of center Joe Healey. —————— Larry Peterson can be reached at 782-2141, ext. 232 or lpeterson@crestonnews.com