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Olan was a four-year letter winner in both football and basketball during his high school years. In 1925, he was selected all-state quarterback in football and captained the football and basketball teams. "Bus" attended college first at the University of Nebraska, and then at Nebraska Central College where he was an outstanding athlete, earning all-state and all-conference honors in football. He spent two years teaching and coaching at Clay Center before returning to Central City High School and serving as coach from 1935 through 1941. While in Central City he was head coach in four varsity sports: football, basketball, track, and golf. One of his Bison track teams won a conference championship, and, in 1939, he led the Bison to their first undefeated season in football (8-0-1). He left Central City in the fall of 1941 to be head football coach at McCook Junior College. That fall, McCook was undefeated in football. After Pearl Harbor ended his coaching days in McCook, Olan moved to Maine Township High School District in Park Ridge, Illinois, where he coached football, basketball, and baseball. He retired as athletic director of Maine South High School in 1972. The football field at Maine South was named in his honor.
Jim was a three-year letter winner in football playing fullback on offense, and linebacker on defense. In 1943, he led the team in scoring, was named to the all-conference team, and was selected honorable mention all-state. In track he won 16 medals in the conference including 10 golds, leading the Bison to back-to-back conference championships in 1943 and 1944. At state track meets, McConnell won nine medals, including four first place medals. Two of the four first place medals were also all class gold medals (shot and discus). Jim's throw in the shot put still remains one of the best at Central City after 50 years. After high school he went to the University of Nebraska and became the "Kansas Relays" decathlon champion twice (1949 and 1950) and scored in the Big Seven track meet many times. After graduating from college, Jim was a track coach both on the high school and college level.
Richard was a CCHS letter winner in both football and basketball. He was honored as an all-conference center two years in football. While in high school he was a "stringer" sports writer for the Omaha World-Herald, and during his senior year he was the basketball coach at Hordville because of the shortage of coaches during WWII. After high school Dick became active in sports management. In 1947, at the age of 19, he became the youngest General Manager ever in minor league baseball at Thomasville of the Georgia-Florida League. He was named Minor League Executive of the Year in 1958 while with the Lincoln Chiefs of the Western League. Wagner moved to the big leagues in 1965 with the St. Louis Cardinals as their marketing director. In 1967, he joined the Cincinnati Reds' front office, and helped assemble a dynasty successful both on the field and on the bottom line. During his 17 years with the Big Red Machine, in positions ranging from GM to President and CEO, he was a part of six division titles, four National League pennants, and two World Championships. In 1985, he joined the Houston Astros as President and General Manager; the Astros were division champions in 1986. In 1988, Richard was named Special Assistant to Baseball where he served both the commissioner and the American League President. In February of 1993 he was appointed Assistant to the Chairman of the Major League Baseball Executive Council, the group running baseball in the absence of a commissioner.
Bob was a three-year letterman in football and was selected all-conference (two years) and honorable mention all-state at quarterback. In basketball, he was a three-year letterman and an all-conference selection at guard. Henk played on the Bison teams that won district championships and participated in the state basketball tournaments in 1946 and 1947. In track, he was a four-year letterman with five medals won at the state meet, including state titles in the long jump (two years) and the 100-yard dash. Henk was a big part of the 1946 CCHS track team that won the Class B state championship; the team finished third at state in 1947.
Scholl was a three-year all-conference end in football. He was a three-year starter in basketball, and was voted to the all-conference roundball team three times, also. In track he qualified for the state meet four years, winning eight medals over these four years. He was both the high and low hurdle state champion two consecutive years. He helped Central City to the state track championship in 1951. In 1953, Harold was honored as the "mythical" state pentathlon champion, and was recognized as one of the ten best athletes in the state of Nebraska.
"Tank" was an all-conference football player for the Bison, was named honorable mention all-state his senior year, and was selected to play in the 1960 Shrine Bowl. His .469 batting average led the Central City Midget baseball team to the 1957 state championship; in 1960, Munn was a leader on the CCHS baseball squad that went undefeated and won the state Class B state championship. Munn went on to become a three-time all-conference performer for the Midland College football team, and was named NAIA All-American in football in 1963. In 1964, "Tank" received the Petrow Award as the Outstanding Athlete at Midland. Munn then coached for 28 years, 24 at Falls City High, stringing together 22 consecutive winning dual seasons as a head wrestling coach and amassing a record of 135-51-5. He was the NCA's Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1988, and was named to the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1991.
Joe was a Bison letterman in football, basketball, baseball, and a state qualifier in track. He was the first Class B football player to rush for over 4,000 yards in a career, and his 4,604 yards was the career best (all classes) in the state of Nebraska until 1978. His career rushing mark remains the best all-time in the Central Conference, and in Class B. Geren also holds the CCHS football marks for game rushing, season rushing, career scoring, and season scoring. He was selected to play in the 1961 Shrine Bowl; his son, Craig, played in the Shrine game as well (1987), making them one of the few father-son duos to be named to Shrine teams. Geren also helped lead the Bison to Legion Midget state baseball titles in 1957 and 1958, and to the Class A state baseball championship in 1960. Joe also played on the 1960 CCHS basketball team that won the conference title. Geren held the conference long jump record for many years.
Wilson graduated from Bradshaw High, where he still holds the records in the 100yd and 200yd dashes. Spike was head football coach at CCHS from 1967 through 1978, compiling a record of 73 wins and 40 losses. His 1974 team went 9-1 and was ranked #2 in the state. His 1978 Bison squad went 10-1, qualifying for the state playoffs, and finishing the season ranked #3. At various times during his years at CCHS, "Spike" also served as head golf coach, assistant basketball coach, assistant track coach, and assistant wrestling coach. He ended his stay at Central City as its second athletic director. "Spike" passed the 100-win plateau in high school football coaching. Those who worked with and for "Spike" remember him most as a great motivator.
Mitch was a two-year starter in football, was selected to the all-conference team his senior season, and played in the 1972 Shrine Bowl. He was a two-year starter in basketball and again all-conference. In track he qualified for the state meet in the triple jump. Mitch was a standout in football and baseball for Kearney State College from 1973 to 1977. He was named to the Kodak All-American football team, and earned honorable mention all-American honors in baseball his senior year at KSC after batting .429. Following his final collegiate season, Johnson was selected State College Athlete of the Year by the Lincoln Journal-Star. Mitch was elected to the KSC Hall of Fame.
Dave was a three-year starter in football and a three-year all conference performer. He lettered one year in basketball, and was a legion baseball standout. In 1975-76, Dave was an undefeated state wrestling champion with a record of 31-0. In track, he won four medals at the state meet, including golds in the long jump two consecutive years. He still holds the CCHS records in the long jump and triple jump. After high school he was a three-year letterman at the University of Nebraska in football, earning Academic All-Big Eight honors for the Huskers in 1979 and 1980.
Janice was the first of the outstanding female athletes at Central City after the introduction of athletics for young women in 1972. She lettered in track, basketball, and volleyball from '73 through '76, and strongly contributed to the interest in girls' athletics through her success. She qualified for the state track meet in several events and won four medals, including a gold as a part of the Class B champion 880yd relay team. After more than 15 years, Janice still holds the record at Central City in the long jump and has two of the top four times in the 100 meters all-time at the high school.
Kathy was all-conference in volleyball and a varsity performer in basketball while at CCHS. In track, she won four medals at the state track meet. Kathy still has one of the six fastest times in every running event from the 100M to the 3200M at CCHS. Waggoner ran both indoor and outdoor track at Doane College, becoming an NAIA All-American in both the 600 and 800 meters. She was a cross country all-American, as well. Kathy earned Academic All-American status in both '87 and '88. She was the Doane College Female Athlete of the Year for 1987-88. Kathy was the Governor's Cup 10K Champion in 1990.
Stan was a four-year letterman and star in both football and track. In football, he was honorable mention all-state his senior year at halfback, and was a key member of the team that battled Omaha South to a 0-0 tie on Thanksgiving day, 1929. In track Stan was a multiple metal winner in most meets in the 100 yard dash, 120 yard high hurdles, 220 yard low hurdles, and the broad jump. As a high school athlete, Bice was awarded the prestigious dark blue numerals given by the University of Nebraska for outstanding track performance. He was a two time medal winner at the state track meet in the hurdles, making him Central City's first state track medal winner for the Bison.
George Miller coached the three varsity boys' sports at CCHS from 1945 through 1951. In football he was 33-17-1 with three top ten finishes, 27 all-conference, and four all-state players. In basketball, his teams earned two trips to the state tournament, had two top-ten finishes, and those teams had eight all-conference players. In track, his teams won four Central Eight Conference track championships, and he coached two teams to state championships. Miller attended Havelock High, where he won the state track gold medal in the 100 yard dash. He was also a standout track and football athlete at Nebraska Wesleyan, and was tabbed "one of the shiftiest backs in the conference and perhaps the outstanding individual of the 1930 eleven" by the Wesleyan yearbook writers. He led Wesleyan to the N.C.A.C. football championship in 1931. Miller has held the javelin record at both the high school and college level.
Jeff was a three-year starter in football for the Bison; he was all-conference and all-state twice. He was a key member of the football team that went 9-1, and was ranked #2 in the state in 1974. In basketball, he was a starter for three years, and again a two time all-conference and all-state performer. He still holds CCHS basketball records for single game scoring and rebounding, and career rebounding. He was selected to play in both the Shrine football game and the coaches' all-star basketball game after his senior year. He pitched a perfect game, and several no-hitters for Central City's American Legion baseball team and helped the 1976 team finish third at state. At Hastings College, he played both football and basketball. He earned all-conference and all-district honors as a tight end on the gridiron for the Broncos.
Glenn was an outstanding track athlete at Central City High School; he held the school record in the 880-yd run at the time of his graduation. After leaving CCHS, he attended the University of Nebraska where, during his senior year, he finished 3rd in the Big Six mile, and was captain of the cross-country team and co-captain of the track team. After college he was certified for the 1936 Olympic try-outs, placing 4th in the Olympic Trials in the mile. Glenn was a Marine Corps officer, fighting in both World War II, and the Korean Conflict. While with the Marines, Funk set a number of service and multi-national track records, and was the all-service 440-yard dash champion. Later he became a Marine Corps Distinguished Marksman, and served as the captain of the Marine Corps Rifle Team that won the 1940 championship. Funk eventually rose to the rank of Colonel in the Marines.
Don was a two-year all-conference football player both at linebacker and fullback for CCHS. He was the all-class champion in the discus at the state track meet in 1951, leading the Bison to the Class B State Track Championship that year. Glantz went on to play football for four years at the University of Nebraska. He was an all-conference selection for the Huskers in 1954, and started at tackle in both the 1955 Orange Bowl, and the 1955 Senior Bowl. Don was drafted by the Washington Redskins of the NFL, but played instead for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He started at guard for the 1955 Eskimo team that won the Canadian Grey Cup. Glantz also played football while serving with the US Army in Germany in 1956-57.
Kathy was an outstanding all-around athlete at Central City High, participating in all three sports for four years. She was all-conference both in volleyball and basketball for two years. Holbrook was the CCHS "Outstanding Female Athlete" in 1978; she was the school record holder in the mile when she left school and her time is still on the all-time list. At Doane College, Kathy was an NAIA District 11 and NIAC all-star in both volleyball and basketball; she was the first collegiate woman athlete in Nebraska to receive both all-conference and all-district honors in both basketball and volleyball. Holbrook was voted Doane's "Outstanding Woman Athlete" twice. Kathy set Doane College basketball records for career scoring, single-season and career field goal percentage, single-season and career free throw percentage, career rebounds and blocked shots.
In football he was a three-year starter at end, and captain of the 1921 squad that finished 7-1. The 1921 CCHS annual called him "a man that was known and feared by all opponents...he was rated by many football fans as one of the best ends in the state." He still holds the school record for points in a football game with 48 and field goals in a game with three. In basketball he was a Class B all-state guard in 1921, and led the Central City team to the finals of the state tournament, where the team lost 16-15 to Nebraska City. Raymond was a starter on the high school baseball team during the spring. Crites later served on the local board of education, and the Merrick County Board of Supervisors, and was elected mayor of Central City in 1968.
Matt was all-conference three years, All-Heartland three years (defensive captain of this team his senior year), and all-state twice in football at CCHS. Matt also played in the 1990 Shrine Bowl and was the Defensive Player of the Game. He played on four conference championship teams and played in the state football playoffs all four years of high school, as well. Wibbels still holds the CCHS record for interceptions in a season with 11. In baseball, Matt won the junior legion batting title three of his four years, and successfully stole 63 bases in 64 attempts his last year of legion baseball. He played on the state runner-up legion baseball team of 1991. In track, Matt was a state qualifier twice, and still shares the school record in the 200M dash. Matt was a four-year letterman in basketball. At the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Matt was a four-year starter on the football team, and was a captain his senior year. His last three years he was named to the NCAA Division II Nebraska all-state team. He was 8th in the nation in punt returning his junior year. After graduating from UNK, Matt went on to coach football and track in Colorado.
Christy stands as one of the most decorated athletes in the school's history. She was a letter winner in basketball, but really left her mark in cross country and track. She medaled in three straight cross country championships, and in track she gathered an incredible 13 medals at state meets, including five golds. She won a gold, a bronze and a silver at the '91 state meet, leading the Bison girls track team to the Class B state championship. Her junior year and senior seasons the girls track team finished as state runner-up--Christy grabbed three golds at the state meet in 1993, winning the 400m and 800m, and anchoring the winning 4X400m relay team. She currently holds school records in the 400m, 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and 4X400m relay, and Central Conference records in the 400m and 800m. Christy was named a Mars/Milky Way Athlete of the Year. After graduating from CCHS, Christy was a 4-year letter-winner and standout in both track and cross country at Marquette University. She garnered many honors while competing for Marquette, including being named the track team's MVP (94-95), being selected to two GTE All-Academic teams (95-96 and 96-97), winning the university's student-athlete award in 1997 and being selected to receive the prestigious Robert L. McCahill Award, which is given to a Marquette graduate who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the areas of academics, athletics and leadership. Christy also set numerous school track records while at Marquette.
Larry was an all-conference performer in both football and basketball at CCHS; he was a key member of the 1970-71 basketball team that finished with a 19-2 record and won the conference championship. He was also selected to the state Junior Legion all-tournament baseball team in 1972 (Central City finished as state runner-up that year); Abel once recorded 24 strikeouts in a 9-inning game. At Nebraska Wesleyan, Larry was a three-year letterman in basketball, and was named all-conference in baseball three times. While leading the Plainsmen to three straight NIAC baseball titles, Abel set pitching records for most wins in a season and a career, and for most strikeouts in a season and a career. He finished his years at Wesleyan with a remarkable 2.41 career ERA. In 1983, Abel was named Nebraska Semi-pro Baseball Player of the Year. He also served as a high school basketball official for over 15 years, and was selected to work several state tournaments. Larry Abel was elected to the Nebraska Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
Larry was a four-sport letterman at CCHS. He held the school record in the mile, and placed sixth at state in the event his senior year. He hit .392 for the legion baseball team in 1961. He lettered four years at Nebraska Wesleyan in cross country and track; he was the NIAC two-mile champion, placed fifth in the NCAA three-mile run, and was the school record holder in the two-mile while running for the Plainsmen. Ribble has coached for over 30 years in Nebraska, and has coached seven teams to state championships in boys basketball: Pawnee City ('70 amd '71) and Millard South ('83, '84, '88, '89, and '91). His 1989 team at Millard South has been the only undefeated Class A team in the last 40 years. Larry has been named Coach of the Year by several groups and publications: Metro Confernce ('82, '89, '91, '95); Nebraska Coaches Association ('84, '88, '89); the Omaha World-Herald ('88); and the Lincoln Journal-Star ('89).
Rick participated in four sports at CCHS, and was an all-conference and second-team all-state selection in basketball. His senior year, he led the Bison hoops team to the conference championship. At Kearney State College, Johnson was a four-year letterman, and a member of the team that finished as runner-up in the 1978 NAIA national basketball tournament. After college, Rick coached in high school and later became head men's basketball coach for the Creighton University Bluejays.
Brent was a four-sport athlete while in high school, and an all-conference and all-state tackle for the Bison football team. Brent was selected to play in the 1979 Shrine Bowl after completing a season in which he led the Bison gridders to a #3 state ranking. In wrestling, he was a Class B state champion in the heavyweight class his senior year. In track, Kennedy set a school record in the shot put, and was the first CCHS athlete to exceed 50 feet. He was a first baseman for four teams that qualified for the state legion baseball tournament; he was a member of the midget team that won the state championship in 1976. Kennedy started for the UNK football team his freshman year, but a series of knee injuries ended his football playing career. After college, however, Brent was a European all-service champion in free-style wrestling.
Nicole was a multi-sport star for the Bison, and female athlete of the year at CCHS in 1994. She was an all-conference and all-Heartland volleyball player her senior year and led the Bison to a conference volleyball championship. On the track, Nikki set two school records, and won ten medals at the state track meet, including four gold medals (300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles in '93 and '94; 100 Meter High Hurdles in '94; 4x400 Meter Relay in '93) and one all class gold (100 Meter High Hurdles in '94). Nielsen was a key contributor to the Bison state track championship in 1991 and state runner-up finishes in '92 and '93. She was a four-year letter-winner in track at UNK and is now a high school coach.
Dean "Tree" Gissler (Class of 1971) Dean was all-conference twice in football, and twice in basketball for the Bison, and was a state qualifier (high jump) in track. Gissler tops the charts in both career and single season scoring for Central City basketball, and was selected to play in the 1971 Nebraska high school all-star game. He led the Bison to a conference basketball championship and 19-2 record his senior year. Dean gained an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and played freshman football for the Falcons. Gissler then transferred to the University of Nebraska where he lettered three straight years for the Cornhuskers, and played for both Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne. Dean was drafted in the 11th round of the NFL draft by the Washington Redskins in 1976, and played for the New York Giants in 1977.
Jeff Pullen: (Class of 1973) In football, Jeff was an all-conference, and an all-class all-state performer, and was selected to play in the 1973 Shrine Bowl. He is one of the few athletes in Central City High School history to letter in four sports (football, basketball, wrestling, and track). Jeff was a state qualifier in his only season of wrestling. After high school he attended the University of Nebraska and was a three-year letterman in football, and was also Academic All Big Eight for the Huskers. Pullen was a two-year starter for Nebraska at nose guard, and led the team in sacks (12) as a junior.
Erin Wibbels (Class of 1996) Erin was a four-time district champion in the shot put, and was the conference, district, and state champion in the shot her senior year at CCHS; she is the school record holder in the shot with a throw of 44'4.25". She was all-conference in basketball, and was a second-team all-conference performer on the volleyball team that qualified for state and finished the season 21-6 and ranked #2 in Class C-1. Erin then lettered four years for the University of Nebraska track team, and was Academic All Big Twelve four times for the Huskers. She won eleven Big Twelve medals in the throws and was twice named Husker Power Women's Track and Field Lifter of the Year. Erin was an NCAA national qualifier in the hammer four times, a USA Track and Field Championship qualifier twice, and a qualifier for the 2000 Olympic trials in the hammer throw. She was named a USA Track and Field Jr All-American, and the Russ White Spirit Award Winnerfor NU. Erin was selected as a track captain her senior year, and as a UNL Homecoming queen finalist. She left UNL ranked third on the women's hammer throw all-time list. She now coaches track at the University of Mississippi.
