Hall of Fame Induction is Friday for Owatonna High School

The Owatonna High School Athletic Hall of Fame will grow by five this Friday. After the initiall class of ten in 1995, the hall of fame has added five each year. This year's class brings the total to 115. Plaques of each member are posted outside the high school gym.

Marshall Wright graduated in 1966 after earning eight letters in football, wrestling and baseball. He was an All-State defensive lineman in 1965 and was named All-Conference four times. Wright was Owatonna's junior and senior athlete of the year. He went on to play college football at the University of North Dakota and came back to teach and coach in Owatonna.

Tricia Hoffman graduated in 1993 and earned nine letters in volleyball, basketball, softball and track. She played on the first OHS girls basketball team to go to state in 1992. Hoffman was a five-time All-Conference player. She played college basketball at Luther College and returned to Owatonna to coach the girls basketball team for four years, earning Big Nine and Section Coach of the Year honors in 2014.

Nicole McCann ran her way to 11 letters in cross country and track, landing All-Conference recognition every time. She won seven All-State awards and was a semi-finalist for the Minnesota Runner of the Year honor in 2001. McCann, who is the granddaughter of legendary Owatonna cross country and track coach Ev Berg, graduated in 2004.

Ron Phillips coached Indians and Huskies girls and boys tennis from 1972-1996, taking the girls to state three times with a state runner-up finish in 1992. The boys qualified for state in 1987. His teams won ten Big Nine titles, five each in girls and boys tennis. Phillips was named the Minnesota Tennis Coach of the Year in 1996.

Jim Herzog is being inducted as a community member into the hall of fame for his leadership as an administrator and his continued support of the athletic and fine arts programs at OHS. Herzog was the high school principal for ten years, activities director for six years and assistant principal and assistant athletic director for ten years. Herzog came to Owatonna in 1975.

These inductees will be recognized Friday night at halftime of the football game against Rochester Mayo. On Friday afternoon there will be a reception at the high school at 3PM. All current hall of fame members, along with friends and family of the newest inductees are invited to attend.