Hall of Pride

Wayne Cafferty

 During his tenure at Colo-NESCO Wayne was a business and PE teacher as well as a coach for multiple sports, where he created a very successful girls basketball program. Wayne currently lives in Ames, Iowa. Some of Wayne's accomplishment during his tenure at Colo-NESCO include; 8 girls basketball Iowa Star Conference Championships, 5 girls basketball Heart of Iowa Conference championships, 5 girls basketball state tournament appearances, 2002 girls basketball state tournament runner up, a member of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union hall of fame, Ames Tribune coach of the year in 1996/2000/2002/2005/2013, and multiple conference and all district coach of the year awards. Wayne ended his girls basketball coaching career with 549 wins which puts him as the all time winningest girls basketball coach at Colo-NESCO as well as the all time winningest coach of all sports at Colo-NESCO.

Inducted in 2023

Jeremy Dewitt

Jeremy is a 1991 Colo-NESCO graduate and is currently living in Friendship Tennessee. Jeremey was also a high level, 4 sport athlete at Colo-NESCO during his tenure. Some of his accomplishments include: Ames Tribune 1st team basketball in 1990-91, All state honorable mention INA in basketball in 1989 and 1990, 3rd team all state basketball Des Moines Register in 1990-91, appearance in the Dr. Pepper All Star basketball game in 1990-91, 2nd team Ames Tribune for football in 1988 and 1st team football in 1989, 3rd team Des Moines Register all state for football in 1989. 2nd team all district for baseball in 1990, and honorable mention all state for baseball in 1990. Jeremy also finished 9th place in 1990 in the 4x800 relay and was a state qualifier with the 4x800 relay team in 1991. Jeremy was also a starter for the 1990 basketball state champion team.

Inducted in 2023

Kathy Hovick

Kathy taught business and PE, was the athletic director, and the head softball coach at Colo-NESCO. Some of Kathy's highlights over her tenure at Colo-NESCO were 1988 MIC softball champions, 1992 Heart of Iowa conference softball champions, five time Tri-County softball tournament champions, Kiwanis softball tournament champions (regarded as one of the best tournaments in the state at that time), the IACA softball district coach of the year in 1989, Mid Iowa Ames Tribune Softball Coach of the year in 1992, 1994, and 1995, and coached in the IACA softball all star games in 1989 and 1996. Kathy ended her coaching career at Colo-NESCO with a 226-113 record making her the all time winningest softball coach at Colo-NESCO. Kathy currently lives in Roland, Iowa and is the middle school athletic director at Roland Story as well as coaching 7th grade boys basketball and 8th grade boys baseball.

Inducted in 2023

Dustin Springer

Dustin is a 1998 graduate of Colo-NESCO and is currently living in Phillipsburg Kansas. Dustin was a high level four sport athlete for Colo-NESCO. Some of his accomplishments during his tenure at Colo-NESCO include;  first team pitcher for Ames Tribune, IBCA central all district team in 1997 & 1998. He was honorable mention all state pitcher in 1997 and honorable mention all state infield in 1998. Dustin was 1st team Ames Tribune All Mid Iowa Team for basketball in 1997-98 and 2nd team all state guard for the Des Moines Register in 1997-98. Dustin was also the 1A honorable mention all state for quarterback in 1997. Dustin qualified for state track in the open 400 meter and 800 meter run. Dustin currently holds the school record for single season home runs and the 800 meter run.  Dustin was academic all state in football, basketball, and baseball. Dustin was also the valedictorian of his class.

Inducted in 2023

Elaine (Kenney) Axmear

Inducted in 2022

Brad Miller

Brad Miller is a proud 1990 graduate of Colo-Nesco High School. He is the son of Doyle and Vickie Miller and the brother of Missy Miller. Brad was active in basketball, baseball and plays/musicals at Colo-Nesco. He was a member of the National Honor Society, on the honor roll numerous times, a 3 time letter-winner in Basketball and a 5 time letter-winner in Baseball. Brad was a first-team All-conference baseball player for three years and was a first-team All-conference basketball player two years.

On the 1990 State Championship basketball team, Brad was selected to the All-Tournament team, was 1st team All-State and was selected to play in the Dr. Pepper All-Star basketball game. Brad and Brian Wildeboer were the 1990 Co-Mid-Iowa basketball players of the year for the Ames Tribune. He is the all-time leading scorer in Colo-Nesco history and had the 13th best all-time scoring total for a season at that time in the State of Iowa in 1990 averaging nearly 29 points per game. That scoring total is now 24th all-time for a single season. He also has the school record with 45 points scored in a game. Brad had 95 3-pointers his senior season which is tied for 12th all-time in the State of Iowa for most 3 pointers in a season. Brad’s 3-point percentage his junior year was 51.2% and it was 53.4% his senior year. Brad was also academic All-state his senior year in basketball.

Brad graduated from Simpson College in Indianola Iowa with a double major in Economics and Management with a specialization in Finance. He was on the Honor Roll and in the investing club. Brad was a four-year varsity basketball player, lettering 2 years and starting 52 consecutive games over his junior/senior years averaging 12 points per game in each season. The 1991-‘92 team made the NCAA tournament and the 1992-’93 team was ranked in the top 20 in the nation. Brad played with Matt Vaske and Brian Wildeboer at Simpson.

Brad went on to graduate with an MBA from the University of Iowa. In 1999, Brad was awarded his Chartered Financial Analyst designation after a three-year intensive study program.

Brad is now a partner/owner in a global investment management firm called Trilogy Global Advisors. Brad has been at this firm or the predecessor firm for 16 years. Trilogy manages over $14 billion in stock market investments. Brad helps to co-manage a $6 billion Emerging Markets fund. Over the last 16 years, Brad has traveled to over 35 different countries to meet with the CEOs/CFOs of the companies they own or are investing in.

Inducted in 2014

Doyle Miller

Coach Miller graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. Coach Miller started teaching Industrial Education at Nesco in 1977 and coached Junior High Boys Basketball. He started coaching High School Boys Basketball at NESCO in the fall of 1984. In the fall of 1987, when Colo and Nesco began sharing, he became the Boys Basketball Coach. Coach Miller coached seven players who made all-state teams. Three of his teams made state tournament appearances — 1986 team was runner-up, 1989 team was runner-up and the 1990 team won the State Championship. The overall record for Colo-Nesco those first three years was 68-7. All three years of those state tournament trips, Nesco and then Colo-Nesco won the sportsmanship award.

Coach Miller was Class A Coach of the Year in 1990 and was selected to coach the Dr. Pepper All-Star game. Coach Miller’s winning percentage at Colo-Nesco and NESCO was 80.5 percent and was nearly 80 percent for his career. Besides boys basketball, Coach Miller coached Cross-country where several individuals and teams made state meet appearances. He also coached Girls’ golf and coached junior high girls’ basketball for a number of years. He was also High School Athletic Director. Coach has many good memories from coaching at Nesco and Colo-Nesco, where he coached and taught many fine young athletes and students.

Coach Miller and his wife, Vickie spend much of their time in Winter Park, Florida where Brad and Missy and their families live. They enjoy spending their free time with their five grandchildren.

Inducted in 2014

Kim (Steed) Reilly

Kim Steed Reilly, a 1992 Colo-Nesco graduate, was recognized as one of Mid-Iowa’s Young Guns her sophomore year of high school and was the Nevada Journal’s 1991 Female Athlete of the Year. She was an outstanding long-distance runner in both Cross Country and Track (1500m and 3000m) throughout her four years of high school. She earned her way to State in all three events all four years and medaled seven times. Kim ended her high school career by winning State and setting a Colo-Nesco High School record in 1992 in the Class 1A 1500m run with a time of 4.50.56. That school record still stands today. Kim enjoyed running, earning eight Varsity letters and receiving All-Conference honors. Kim was also a Drake Relays qualifier. She began running in seventh grade, even though Colo-Nesco did not offer Cross Country in Junior High. Although her greatest accolades came in Cross Country and Track, Kim also was a member of one of the best Girls Basketball teams in school history from 1989-1992.

After high school, Kim went to the University of Iowa. She graduated with a degree in Marketing that took her to Chicago, New York, Paris, and back to Chicago. She currently resides in Chicago with her husband, Greg, and their 3-year-old daughter, Alexa. Kim is a Senior Account Director with Yahoo managing key national accounts for the company.

Kim still enjoys running. She has completed four marathons and qualified for the Boston Marathon three times. Kim is honored to be part of Colo-Nesco’s past, present, and future. She would like to thank her coaches, teammates, and family for all their support and encouragement.

Inducted in 2014

Wendy (Buffington) Stensland

Wendy (Buffington) Stensland is a 1992 graduate of Colo-Nesco. She went to NESCO elementary until 5th grade and then moved to Colo. At the conclusion of 7th grade, she moved to Missouri with her family. They returned to Iowa her sophomore year, just in time for the 1989-1990 basketball season. Throughout high school Wendy was involved in many activities, track, basketball, drama, speech, chorus, art and band, to name a few. Academically, she was a National Honor Society member and received numerous academic achievement awards.

Basketball was her passion. Wendy led the team in rebounds, blocked shots and personal fouls. It seems a tenacious defensive post player was a favorite target for referees. She played on teams at the national AAU tournament, the Iowa All-Star Game and in the Iowa vs Oklahoma All-Star game. Iowa and Oklahoma were the last two states to have six-on-six girls’ basketball.

Wendy received many awards throughout her basketball career: Nevada Journal Athlete of the week, Daily Tribune All-Mid Iowa teams, Iowa Newspaper Association All-State teams, and Girls State Tournament all-tournament team. In addition, she represented the Colo-Nesco girls’ basketball team in the Tournament Queen court at the Girls State Tournament.

After graduation, Wendy moved to Ames to attend Iowa State University and work at the National Animal Disease Center. She is currently the laboratory manager at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She leads a large team of staff in the identification of infectious diseases in animals.

Outside of work, Wendy enjoys volunteering for many different organizations. She has coached youth soccer and basketball, along with helping out at different church and community events. She is also an assistant scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 163 in Slater.

Wendy resides in Kelley, Iowa with her husband, Scott. Between them, they have four children, two boys, Caleb - 20 and John -15 and two girls, Hannah and Holly, both 17. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, gardening, being outside, camping, fishing and spending time in Northern Minnesota.

Inducted in 2014

Matt Vaske

Matt Vaske is a 1989 graduate of Colo-Nesco and a proud native of Zearing.

Matt participated in basketball and baseball for 4 years, and football, 2 years. In basketball, Matt was named First Team All-state, Honorary Captain of the First Team Daily Tribune Mid-Iowa Team, First Team All-Conference his senior year and third-team his junior year. Matt was team captain and MVP of the Colo- Nesco basketball team in 1989. He was named a member of the All-Tournament Team at the 1989 Iowa State Basketball Tournament.

He is the all-time Colo- Nesco record holder in single-season assists, with 264 assists (9.8 per game) in 1989. This ranks Matt as fourth in the Iowa High School Athletic Association of assists in a single season. Also, he is the Colo- Nesco career leader in assists, with 404 assists. Which ranks him in the top 30 for Iowa High School Athletic Association career assists.

He owns the Colo- Nesco single-game record in assists with 17, which also ranks him in the top 15 in the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

In his senior season, he had 10 games of greater than 10 assists with 3 games of more than 15 assists and averaged nearly 17 points per game and 4 steals. With these stats, Matt set a Colo- Nesco single-season record with thirteen double, doubles (scoring and assists) his senior year.

His junior year, Matt averaged 11.5 points per game, 6.4 assists, and 2 steals, despite missing games due to a broken arm injury.

Matt was a member of the 1986 NESCO and 1989 Colo- Nesco teams who were runner-ups in the Class A Iowa High School Basketball State Tournament.

Matt was selected and played in the Iowa Dr. Pepper All-Star game and was awarded Coaches Award of the week. He was also selected as one of the top 12 senior players for the State of Iowa and represented Iowa in the Midwest All-Star Classic against other states.

Matt comes from a talented family of athletes. His father Duane was a star athlete at Bancroft St John’s and brothers John and Ed were memorable basketball players for NESCO.

In a 1988 Mid Tribune article, coach Doyle Miller described Matt as “..an excellent leader with outstanding basketball skills. His ball handling and seeing the open man are his greatest assets.”

Matt graduated from Simpson College earning his degree in education. He was a three year starter and letter winner in basketball. Matt was a Team Captain (1992-1993) and he was awarded Simpson Coaches Award. Matt led Simpson to the College’s most single-season victories in 1992 as well as winning the Iowa Conference that year. Matt helped lead the team to the 1992 NCCA tournament which was only the second time a team in Simpson’s school history that made it to the NCAA tournament. His senior year the team was nationally ranked in the top 20 of Division III schools, which was the first time in Simpson basketball history. He led the Simpson basketball team with assists three years in a row. Matt finished his basketball career in the Simpson College record books, finishing second overall, in career and single-season assists.

Matt is a teacher and coach with the West Des Moines School District. He lives in Norwalk Iowa, with his wife, Lori, and their 17-year-old daughter Kierstin and 14-year-old son, Luke. Matt volunteers in his community, coaching and organizing youth sports. He is also an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church.

Matt still loves the game, playing in the morning twice a week with former Division I college players. Yes, he is the oldest player sometimes by more than 20 years, but he still leads his team in assists.

Inducted in 2014

Brian Wildeboer

Brian Wildeboer is a 1990 graduate of Colo-Nesco and a native of Zearing. While in high school, Brian was involved in band and chorus along with his athletic activities.

In basketball, Brian earned three varsity letters. As a sophomore, Brian was varsity starter and earned all-conference honorable mention and helped his team to the district finals. In his junior year, Brian helped lead his team to a 24-3 record and a state runner-up finish. Brian was selected captain of the all-tournament team and led the state tournament in rebounding. He was named 1st team all-conference, 1st team all-Tribune, and honorable mention all-state by the Iowa Newspaper Assoc. In his senior year, Brian was selected as a captain for the varsity team and helped lead his team to a 25-2 record, in which they finished the season on a 21 game winning streak, and won the 1990 Class A state championship. Brian was again selected as captain of the all-tournament team and was the recipient of the Student-Athlete Achievement Award. Brian’s post-season honors were being selected 2nd team all-state by the Des Moines Register and Iowa Newspaper Assoc., 1st team all-Tribune, and the Tribune Co-Player of the Year. Brian was also selected to play in the Dr. Pepper high school all-star game for Class A and 1A.

Brian was also a 5 year letter winner in baseball, in which he was 1st team all-Tribune and 1st team all-conference his junior year, and a 2 year letter winner in track.

After graduation, Brian attended Simpson College where he received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. At Simpson, Brian was a member of the basketball team his freshman and sophomore years, being a letter winner as a sophomore.

Brian is currently a Financial Analyst at McFarland Clinic. He resides in Ames with his wife, Janet, and two children: Jonathan and Sam.

Brad and his family reside for most of the year in Winter Park, Florida and also part-time in Daytona Beach Shores. Brad’s wife Leah is a golf professional. She was a four-time All-American golfer at Simpson, then played the mini-tour around Central Florida and is now a part-time teaching golf professional at Interlachen Country Club. Brad and Leah’s children are twin 8-year-old girls Amelia and Raelin and 4-year-old son Ethan. They all enjoy playing tennis, golf and basketball together and hanging out at the beach. They are able to spend a significant amount of time in Florida with their very adored Grandpa and Grandma Miller and their Aunt Missy and her family.

Inducted in 2014

Joe Brannen

While at Colo-Nesco, Joe Brannen participated in football, baseball and basketball. Joe was named all-conference in both basketball and 'baseball. In football, Joe was a three-year "starter, starting 27 consecutive games, was a team captain and was named first team all-distnct.

While at Coe College m Cedar Rapids, Joe was a three-year starting quarterback, starting 32 consecutive games. In his time at Coe, Joe helped Coe College win the Iowa Conference Championship two times. His sophomore year, Joe (along with NFL running back Fred Jackson) led Coe to its first NCAA playoff win in school history. He was twice named the first team All-Iowa Conference quarterback, twice named to the NCAA Midwest Region team and selected as the Iowa Conference Most Valuable Player in 2005.

After finishing his playing career at Coe College, he sat at the top of the record books as Coe's leader in career passing yards and completions and also in the top three in TD passes m a career and completion percentage; all records that have since been broken. Joe is currently in the top five in each major passing category at Coe College in career, single season and single game records.

He was selected to represent the USA in the Aztec Bowl, a game that puts the top 44 Division 3 football players against the Mexican National team in Cancun, Mexico. In 2004, Joe was named the Coe College Most Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year. In 2006 Joe was offered a contract to play professional football in Europe. He joined the Eidsvoll 1814's in Norway. In his lone season in Europe, Joe led Eidsvoll to a 12-1 season. He threw for 33 touchdowns and rushed for 13, all while only throwing three interceptions in over 450 pass attempts. Eidsvoll won the Norwegian National Championship and Joe was named the National Championship Player of the Game and was also named the Norwegian Offensive Player of the Year.

After winning their league championship, the 1814's were invited to play in the European Federation of American Football Cup (EFAF Cup), pitting the top teams from all over Europe in a championship playoff. The 1814's made their first berth in franchise history in the EFAF Championship, falling to the Graz Giants from Austria. Although losing the championship game, it was the first time a team from Norway finished with a top-five ranking in Europe, with Eidsvoll finishing ranked number two in all of Europe. While playing in Eidsvoll, Joe was also the head coach of Eidsvoll's high school club team. In four years of existence, the youth team had not won a game. Under Joe's tutelage, they finished with an 8-2 record before falling in the youth national championship game.

Upon completion of his athletic eligibility, Joe was asked to join the Coe College coaching staff as the quarterback coach. Coe went on to win the Iowa Conference Championship again that season, with its quarterback being named first team All-Conference. In 2008, Joe was offered a contract to play for the Iowa Barnstormers of the AFL. Joe spent three seasons with the organization. After falling to an 0-2 start, the Barnstormers inserted Joe into the starting lineup and won their next three games. As a rookie, Joe started 14 games for the Barnstormers, throwing for over 3,500 yards, 56 passing TD's, and also rushed for 14 TD's. That season was highlighted by two wins where Joe threw for eight and nine touchdowns respectively.

In 2011, Joe accepted an opportunity to play arena football in Abilene, Texas for the Abilene Ruff Riders. In the first game of the season, an 88-27 win for the Ruff Riders, Joe accounted for eight touchdowns and was named League Player of the Week. In the following week, Joe suffered a season and ultimately career-ending injury.

After the team slid to last place Joe was offered the head coaching position on an interim basis. The following year, in 2012, Joe was named the head coach of the Abilene Ruff Riders. In his first full season as head coach, Joe led the organization to more wins in the 2012 season than it had in the previous three seasons and narrowly missed making the playoffs for the first time since 2007 by a last second field goal in the last game of the regular season.

After the 2012 season, the Abilene Ruff Riders re-branded and are now known as the Abilene Bombers and play in the Lone Star Football League (LSFL). The Bombers rewarded Joe with a two-year contract extension, keeping him in Abilene through the 2014 season. Joe is currently living in Abilene and is building his roster for the 2013 season, which kicks off training 'camp in early March.

Inducted in 2013

Andrew Gogerty

Andrew Gogerty is a 1993 graduate of Colo-Nesco and a native of Zeanng. At Colo-Nesco, he was a member of the National Honor Society and lettered in band, chorus, jazz band, swing choir, student council and basketball. Andrew was a freshman participant on the 1990 Colo-Nesco Class A State Championship basketball team. He was also an active participant in the Zearing community, working as a bank teller during the summers of 1991-1996 at Security State Bank. Andrew was presented with the "Citizenship Award" by the Zearing Auxiliary Committee in 1993.

Upon graduation, Andrew attended Iowa State University, where he was honored at the end of his freshman year for finishing in the top 2 percent of the Iowa State University freshman class.

He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business (marketing) in 1997 and has been employed by the Sherwin Williams Company as a manager and sales rep for the last 15 years. In 2009, Andrew authored the book "Royal Reign," a 170-page inspirational true story that documents the successes of the NESCO and Colo-Nesco basketball programs during the 1980s and 1990s. The book also documents the merger of the Colo and NESCO school systems and the courageous story of Brian Wildeboer. the All-Stater who battled cancer his senior season, the same year the Royals won the state title.

Andrew resides in Huxley with his wife Jennifer, and three children: Sawyer, 13, Logan, 10, and Amelia, 7.

Inducted in 2013

Mindi (Harrison) Heitland

Mindi (Harrison) Heitland is a 1994 graduate of Colo-Nesco and a native of Zearing. While in high school, Mindi was involved in the National Honor Society, band and speech, and she was senior class president.

In softball, Mindi earned three varsity letters. As a pitcher, Mindi set the school record for most wins in a season (30), best winning percentage (83 percent) and tied the record for strikeouts. Mindi threw two perfect games and five no-hitters, and hit an average of .340 during her career. Mindi was honored sis an" all-conference player in softball, twice being named first-team all-conference and once a second-team all-conference selection. In addition to the all-conference honors, Mindi was also named All-Mid- Iowa, All-District and All-State for the Royals.

In basketball, Mindi was a captain and three-year letter winner. She was named first and second-team all-conference, as well as being selected to All-Mid-Iowa and Honorable Mention All-State teams. Mindi was also a two-year letter winner in volleyball and a three-year letter winner in track and field. She was honored as a second-team all-conference and honorable mention All-Mid Iowa selection in volleyball.

After graduation, Mindi attended Coe College, where she received a bachelor's degree in business administration. At Coe. Mindi was a four-year member of the Softball team as a pitcher and infielder. She was a three-year letter winner for the Kohawks, earning first-team all-conference honors her senior season. Mindi was also a member of the Coe basketball team as a two-year letter winner. Mindi received her master's degree from Drake University and is currently the School-to-Work coordinator at Waukee High School, as well as an adjunct instructor for AIB. She resides in Waukee with her husband, Brent, and two children: Mack, 4, and Turner, 1.

Inducted in 2013

Dave Ellingson

Dave Ellingson,1988 graduate of Colo-Nesco, Dave Ellingson's high school highlights include: rushing for 371 yards in his first game as a tailback and finishing the season with 1,392 yards; being named All-State in the Des Moines Register; being a state champion in the 100 and 200 his senior year and being fourth in the 400 Ellingson attended Central College in Pella, where he was named outstanding freshman in track. As a sophomore, he was an All-American- 4 x 100, national finalist 100 meters. He was also named Central College's most valuable performer.

Now working in the plumbing/mechanical business, Ellingson recently spent a week working on a new Quik Trip that's being built in West Des Moines. He spends most of his time on new homes and remodel jobs in Ames, Nevada, and surrounding communities. He co-owns a small plumbing/mechanical business-Double D Plumbing Inc. He enjoys golfing and the occasional ski trip to Colorado. He also likes old cars like Firebirds and Corvettes.

Inducted in 2012

Jason Erickson

Jason Erickson,1996 graduate of Colo-Nesco Jason graduated with academic honors and was presented the Bernie Saggau Award for exemplifying a patriotic spirit, with strong religious and moral convictions; living. and professing the qualities of honesty, integrity and sportsmanship; and believing that both games and life should be conducted by the rules. He was awarded an Excellence in Academic Achievement award for achieving a 3.2 or higher GPA while running cross country. Erickson lettered all four years of cross country and track and was awarded "Most Valuable" in track in 1994 and 1995.

He was the Outstanding Male Performer of the Bill Fink Relays in 1996. In 1993, Erickson qualified for his first state track meet in the 4x800 relay, with his older brother Brian, Travis Meimann and Andy Krizmarzick. In 1995 and 1996, he qualified for the 1600 and 3200 meter runs, placing fifth and sixth place both years, and ran anchor leg in the 1600 medly.

Erickson said cross country was by far his favorite sport. He went to state in '94, '95 and '96. His best finish was seventh place when he was a senior.

Erickson comments, "There were plenty more highlights in my four years of cross country, but placing in the top 10 at the state meet was by far the best. Of course, this could not be done without the support of my parents, family, friends, teachers and coaches."

In 1999, Erickson got married to his wife, Katie. The couple moved to McCallsburg, where they built their house. On Aug. 3, 2009, they were blessed with a beautiful little girl, Elizabeth, who is now 2 1/2 years old. Erickson presently works at 3M in Ames, where he has been for the last 13 years, and his wife is a nurse. They enjoy camping with family and friends and going on cruises in the winter.

Inducted in 2012

David Robinson

David Robinson, retired teacher and coach at Colo-Nesco, began coaching Little League baseball when he was 16 years old. He graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1973 and served in the Iowa National Guard between 1972 and 1978. His first teaching and coaching position was at Fonda OLGC in 1974, where he taught ninth through 12th grade social studies and P.E., and coached boys' and girls' varsity and JV basketball and baseball. In 1975, he married Liz and taught junior high and coached boys' basketball in Danbury.

Robinson came to Colo in 1979 to teach junior high social studies and English, and coach junior high football, boys' and girls' basketball and track. His wife earned a degree in elementary education at ISU and was hired as an elementary teacher and junior high girls' sports coach. David coached junior high football for eight years, boys basketball for 14 years and track for 31 years. While doing this, he raised four children, all of whom graduated from Colo-NESCO High School.

Inducted in 2012

Myndie Berka

"The first thing that started it all (great memories at Colo-Nesco) was when Myndie Berka made the last second shot against South Hamilton our freshman year," said Missy Miller.

The shot Miller was referring to, and the play long-time fans of Royals basketball will never forget, happened at Nevada High School in the sub-state round of the 1989 girls state bas­ketball tournaments against South Hamilton. Trailing by one point, Berka received the inbounds pass and drove to the basket for the game-winning hoop with one second remaining, sending the Colo-Nesco girls to their first-ever state tournament.

While Berka may be best remembered for that play, it was really her amazing abilities in softball that have shaped her career. Berka threw six no-hitters and 10 one-hit­ters during the 1988 softball season, with a 0.76 ERA. She ranked eighth in the state with 270 strikeouts. Her efforts on the softball diamond, and also on the volleyball and basketball courts, earned her the 1988 Female Athlete of the Year award from the Nevada Journal, the second straight year she won the award. She led her basketball team in scoring every year except her fresh­man year, set school records for wins and strikeouts in softball and also broke many of the school's records in volleyball.

Myndie played softball in college for Iowa State University as a pitcher, where she was a three-time All-Big 8 Academic first-team performer. She is currently the owner of BreakThrough Fastpitch in Tennessee.

Inducted in 2011

Missy Miller

"Just being here reminds me of how fortunate I was to be a Royal, said Missy Miller. "All the great memories I had were made possible because of the girls I played basketball with."

Missy was named "1992 Miss Iowa Basketball," the award given to the state's top female bas­ketball player. She finished her high school career with 3,793 career points; 26th all-time in Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union history, and scored 70 points in a game against West Marshall her junior year.

She was a four-year starter that helped her team to a four-year record of i03-9. The Royals advanced to the state tournaments all four years, finishing as state runner-up once and consolation cham­pion once.

"One of my favorite memories was practice. We played hard and Mr. DeJong made it so much fun...and playing with my teammates - they were my best friends," said Miller.

Missy played college basketball at Creighton, where she was named all-conference honorable mention in 1996. Miller ended her career at Creighton the No. 2 all-time leader in career 3- pointers with 187.

Inducted in 2011

Luke Nessa

Nessa, a 1999 graduate, was a standout high jumper at Colo-Nesco before going on to high jump at the University of Iowa.

Luke's humbleness shone through in a let­ter his parents had prepared for the evening: "Luke has always been a modest person, so we are very pleased to have this opportunity to let others know about some of his accomplishments," remarked Luke's moth­er, Janic.

Nessa was a medal-winner at the Drake Relays, and also was a finalist in the boys' state track meets in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Luke's personal best jump of 6 feet, 8.14" is still a school record, and he still ranks as one of the top ten all-time high jumpers at the University of Iowa.

"It just never ceases to amaze me — the talent that comes out of Colo-Nesco," remarked Kristi Eley, one of the presenters for the evening's occasion. "Whether it's sports or art or academics, it's amazing the talent that comes out of this school, and I'm proud to be a Colo-Nesco parent."

Pride and humbleness, two traits that usually contrast, worked together in perfect harmony during the second annual Hall of Pride night in Colo.

Inducted in 2011

Doug Riese

Of the four inductees in the 2011 Hall of Pride Class, none are more plugged into the sports scene at Colo-Nesco than Riese. Riese currently has three daughters involved in the Colo- Nesco sports program, including his daugh­ter Caitlyn, the starting center as a freshman on the girls' varsity team.

Another humble Royal, Doug cites his "teammates" as his favorite memories along with, "Going in and having three or four guys team up on tackles (on defense), and busting the line open and watching the running back go by you for a touchdown (on offense)."

While Riese was a valuable member of Colo- Nesco's only state championship team in basketball, Doug's forte was on the grid­ iron. He accepted a full scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa to play nose guard after a brilliant high school career.

Doug was selected to the Shrine Bowl and helped lead Colo-Nesco to its first-ever state playoff appearance in 1989. Some of his career highlights include recording a career-high 18 tackles in one game, and another game that included 13 tackles and five sacks. He was a first-team all-state selection in 1989. His collegiate experi­ence at UNI was cut short his sophomore season after he suffered a career-ending back injury.

Inducted in 2011