Class of 2023 WSHS Athletic Hall of Fame:
LARRY MYERS 1962 GRADUATE OF WESSINGTON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
High School
• Sioux Falls Argus Leader Ace of the Week 1962
• Lead Spartan scorer, averaged 20 points per game, shooting 50% from the field
• 1st Spartan named to SD Sportswriters Association Class B HS All-State Team
• 76 points scored in District 21 Tournament Championship, leading in rebound and blocked shots College Dakota Wesleyan University
• 1966 Led SD Intercollegiate Conference in free throws
• Top ten rebounder at DWU
• 1,313 total career points (no three point shot at this time)
• 1966 36 points per game, one of DWU’s highest
• 2 Conference Championships
• 2-time SDIC All-Conference Team
• 1965 NAIA Honorable Mention All-American The Wessington Springs Independent newspaper (1962) wrote: “Larry Myers, outstanding member of the WSHS basketball team has ended his career in a most fitting manner. He was selected as a member of the All-state “B” basketball squad. He has proven his adeptness at handling a basketball all four years. We’re very proud that Larry was chosen “one of the best.”
In a 1962 edition of the Wessington Springs Independent newspaper, Larry said high school was good, but it would be even better if female students were able to play competitive sports. It took a long time, but his vision of girls athletics became a reality across South Dakota.
GLORIA VAVRA 1978 GRADUATE OF WESSINGTON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
High School
• Set school records in Shot Put & Discus
• 1977, 1978 State Track Qualifier
• Member of the 1st girls basketball team, scoring 605 points from 1975-1977 College
• 3 year volleyball starter
• VB - All SDIC Setter
• All District 12 BB honor
• Member of 1980-81 BB team that led the nation in defense
• 2 year Starting pitcher fast pitch in softball; 2 years Track
• 1982 Scholar Athlete, highest GPA among graduating athletes
• Huron University Hall of Fame Inductee 2004 multiple sports Post Collegiate
• Started WS volleyball program in 1990-1991, coached 12 yrs
• 3 District Titles, 1 281 Conference Title
• Career Record 237-158-3, ranked in top 50 all-time in SD
• 2003 Coaches Victory Club for 200 Wins
• 2002 Head basketball coach, District title, 17-4 record
• 1990-2017 coached many Jr High volleyball and basketball teams
• HS volleyball Official 15 years, 3 State tournaments
• 2022 Volleyball Officials Award
• 1990-1996 WS softball coach, 6 State runner-up titles Gloria has been instrumental in setting up the video booth and broadcasting for WS Spartan productions including sports, programs and special events via Channel 382 and online.
DEAN CHRISTENSEN 1974 GRADUATE OF WESSINGTON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
High School
• District Basketball Champions 1972, 1974
• MVP in basketball 1972, 1973, 1974
• 1st Team All State Basketball 1974
• College Coaches Top 10 1974
• KXON Sports Five All area Team 1974
• Career Points: 850; Rebounds 760; Blocked Shots 247
• State Record for Blocked Shots in one game – 20 vs Redfield in Big Four Tourney 1974 College
• 1974-75 Black Hills State University Varsity Basketball
• 1975-1978 Dakota State College Varsity Basketball Post Collegiate
• 1978-1984 Teacher/Coach Hurley, SD
• 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983 Girls’ District Basketball Champions
• 1984-1987 Principal/Coach Polo, SD
• 1987-2004 Superintendent/Coach Emery, SD
• 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993 Girls’ District Basketball Champions
• 1988 Girls’ Region Basketball Champions
• 1988 Girls’ State Basketball Runner-Up
• 2004-2017 Superintendent/Coach Deuel, Clear Lake, SD Dean has 35 years of coaching varsity/junior high girls’ and boys’ basketball, baseball, girls’ track and cross country. He has served 39 years as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. He received the 1997 State of South Dakota Civic Star Award and the 2010-2011 SD State Superintendent of the Year award.
LEE DOUGAN 1976 GRADUATE OF WESSINGTON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
High School Football
• 1972 Outstanding Player Award
• 1973 Most Improved Player Award
• 1974 Most Valuable Player
• 1975 Most Valuable Back
• 1975 Most Valuable Award
• SD Sportswriters Association All-State First A Team Track
• WSHS records for 110M high hurdles, 15.0 & 165M low hurdles, 20.4 and currently still holds 165M record and shares 110M hurdle record
• State competitor 3 years
• 1975 State Track 3rd place in both the 110M and 165M hurdles
• 1976 State Track 2nd place in both the 110M and 165M hurdles
• Broke meet records for high hurdles at Platte Invitational, Conference Meet & Region III Meet and broke low hurdle record at Big Four Track Meet College
• Huron College
• Freshman starter in Football
• Led the team in quarterback sacks
• Played on all special teams Lee Dougan made the All-State First Team with 46 quarterback sacks over 2 years. Many would call him “an animal” on the field.