ST. JOSEPH, MO. – The Central High Athletics Department is excited to announce the 2016 Hall of Fame induction class. This year’s class includes: Heath Dudley – Basketball; LaRon Henderson – Football / Track; Taira Roth – Basketball / Golf; Katie Wenger – Track and the 1976 Central Basketball Team. The Induction ceremony is scheduled at halftime of the Varsity Football game vs Liberty North on Friday, September 30, 2016 at Central High School.
Ms. Taira Roth – Class of 2000
While at Central, Ms. Roth excelled in both basketball and golf. Taira was a 3-year letter winner on the Indians Basketball team where she received All-City honors her senior year and was selected to the Benton Invitational all-tournament team. She also excelled on the golf team for four years, placing 7th individually in 1998 and 6th in 1999 at the state championships. Taira went on to become a two sport athlete at Missouri Western State University playing on the women’s basketball team and as a member of the first golf team in Western history. Taira is currently the Director of Corporate Operations for the Hillyard Companies.
Mr. Heath Dudley – Class of 1987
While at Central, Mr. Dudley shined in basketball. Heath was a sharp shooting guard/forward that received All-City, All-District, All-Metro and first team All-State honors in 1987. After graduation, Heath went on to play basketball at MWSU, where he became Western’s all time leader in games played, three-point field goals made and finished his career ranked sixth in scoring. Following the 1987-88 season, Dudley was named Honorable Mention All-CSIC. Heath is a member of the Griffons 1989-90 basketball team that was inducted into the Missouri Western Hall of Fame in 2011. Currently, Heath works in quality assurance for Boehringer Ingelheim and resides in St. Joseph with his wife Maureen and daughter Breanna.
Mr. Laron Henderson – Class of 1987
While at Central, Mr. Henderson, considered by some the greatest running back, if not football player, to ever wear an Indian uniform, possessed unbelievable quick moves and speed that meant the end zone was never far away. LaRon received All-City, All-District, and first team All-State honors in 1987. During his varsity career the Tribe compiled a 19-2 record and a trip to the state playoffs. LaRon also place first in the state long jump earning All-City, All-District and All-State honors in Track. After high school, Laron went on to be one of the University of Nebraska Omaha’s greatest rushers. Henderson became UNO’s all-time leading rusher during his career from 1987 to 1990. He finished with 2,720 yards, putting him at the top of the school’s rushing chart (he is now third). His best game came during his last game with the Mavericks, a then school-record 233-yard performance against South Dakota State in 1990. He was named to the all-North Central Conference team three times in his career. Currently, LaRon is a certified teacher with more than 20 years ‘experience working with students from Elementary to College. His career path has allowed him to work with individuals in prisons, schools, athletic programs, and churches. He is the author of “You Are Somebody”, a leadership development curriculum for young men, and Co-Founder of Prepared Performance, a fitness and leadership development program for athletes. LaRon is married to his wife Heather and the proud father of Noni (21) and Justus (18). He is currently the Director of Program Quality for Collective for Youth and High School track coach in Omaha, Nebraska.
Ms. Kate Wenger – Class of 2006
While at Central, Ms. Wenger, arguably the greatest women’s track athlete in Central history, set school records in the 100 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles, triple jump and 4 x 400 relay. She was named All-State 10 times, won 13 city titles, 10 conference championships, 9 district titles, 4 sectional titles and in 2006, she won the Missouri State Championship in the 100 hurdles. During her career at Central, Kate was awarded the Scholar Athlete Award, was a Drug Free Superstar and was the Spartan Award recipient for best female athlete, an awarded given to the top male and female athletes in the senior class. She received the Ronnie Chase Award, given to the mot dedicated track athlete who exemplifies honesty, respect, loyalty, and unselfishness for their team and teammates. Long after the race is over, character endures. Kate was the first recipient of this award, and it is now named the Katie Wenger Award. Hurdles coach, Barry Reynolds said, “one of the greatest pleasures of my professional life has been the pleasure of coaching Katie Wenger for four years.” Upon graduation, Kate attended the University of Missouri on a track scholarship.
Class of 1976 Basketball Team
The Class of 1976 basketball team compiled a 22-5 season record—proving to be one of the most successful teams in Central High School history. Before falling to eventual state champion Kansas City Center in the state quarterfinals, the ’76 Indians (coached by Gary Sprague and Jim Perry) finished 2nd in the LeBlond Holiday Tournament, captured the St. Joseph City Championship, the District Championship and Regional Championship. During the 1975-76 campaign, the Indians achieved a number 4 state ranking while winning 10 games in a row from January 2 – February 22. Central scored 1859 total points, a 68.8 points per game average on the year, toping the century mark twice during the season.
The 1975-76 Central Hall of Fame Basketball Team:
#50/51 Forward Isaac Blakley
#10/11 Guard James Brewer
#34/35 Forward Bill Malotte
#12/13 Guard Dave Troester
#20/21 Guard Bryant Webster
#22/23 Forward Mark Mazurkewycz – 1977 All-City / Central Wyoming College
#40/41 Guard Dan Humphreys – 1976 Spartan Award, 3 sport athlete
#24/25 Forward Terry Garner – 4 sport athlete, 1977 Spartan Award
#44/45 Forward Kenny Brown
#42/43 Forward Rick Norton – It’s all about Family, wife Brenda, kids Nick and Shelby
#52/53 Forward Mark Frye – “the enforcer”, 1976 Spartan Award / 2 sport athlete
#30/31 Guard Greg Miller – All City and All District, 1976 Spartan Award / 3 sport athlete
#14/15 Guard Dan May – 2X All-City and 2X All-District
#54/55 Center Kevin Cartwright – 2X All-City, 2X All-District and 1st Team All-State / 1976 Spartan Award
— Central High School Press Release —
CLASS 5 DISTRICT 8
