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Medford to induct Hall of Fame members

medford hall of fame
By
Johnnie Phillips, Sports Editor

Medford High School is set to induct its class of 2022 on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Owatonna VFW.

The school will honor four individuals – Pat Heger, Zach Keller, Becky Noble and Janice Svenby – along with its 1981 football team.

 

Pat Heger

Heger will be inducted for her long service to Medford High School both as a physical education teacher, coach and volunteer.

Heger was instrumental in coaching some of Medford’s first women’s sports teams after Title IX was implemented, and is still coaching and volunteering in various sports even after her retirement in 2014.

Her resume includes being Medford’s head girls basketball coach from 1974-2004, head volleyball coach from 1974-1996 and head track coach from 1974-2000.

Across the three sports, Heger led her teams to nine Gopher Conference titles.

 

Zach Keller – Class of 2010

A 2010 graduate of Medford, Keller was a jack of all trades in his time as a Tiger.

Winning letters in football, cross-country, wrestling and baseball, Keller also participated in student council, band, choir and FFA.

Some of Keller’s athletic accomplishments include coming in second and third at the state wrestling tournament as an individual while also placing third in state as a member of Medford’s 2009 wrestling team.

Keller was also Medford Student Council President and the Minnesota State Student Council Vice President in 2009, as well as a National Honor Society member and Section 1AAA FFA winner in 2010.

 

Becky Noble – Class of 1997

Aside from an illustrious trap shooting career, Noble is to be recognized for her many involvements in programs around Medford High School during her time as a student-athlete.

Noble won letters in volleyball, basketball and track, while also participating in band, choir, FFA, FLA, yearbook, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 4-H, Girl Scouts and Dairy Princesses.

As a trap shooter, Noble took 16th overall and first female overall in the 2018 World Championship Paratrap in Italy.

Noble has also earned a bronze medal at the National Paratrap Championships in 2019 and been an All-American Chair Shooter in 2020-2021.

 

Janice Svenby – Class of 1960

A member of Medford’s class of 1960, Svenby was a staple in Medford athletics and the community itself her entire life.

As a Tiger, Svenby was a cheerleader as well as being a dairy princess, member of band, student council, class play, GAA, glee club, and the school’s athletic department advisor.

After her years as a Tiger, Svenby was a dedicated fan and won M Club’s Fan of the Year in 1979-80 while also being deemed Wrestling Fan of the Year in 2008-09.

In the community, Svenby volunteered as a wrestling meet announcer and science fair judge, while acting as treasurer for the Medford Township Board.

She was also an election judge, a member of the hospice board, and involved with the Medford and Steele County Historical Society, little theater and hall of fame committee.

Svenby will be honored posthumously.

 

1981 Football Team

The 1981 Medford football team will be recognized for its perfect 13-0 season as Class C state champions.

The Tigers were led by John Gross, whose wife Pat Heger will also be inducted into the hall of fame during the upcoming ceremony.

Medford beat Clarkfield 33-28 in the Class C championship game to complete its perfect season and earn Medford its first football state title.

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