Doctors Gerrish, Likness honored along with athletes Olson, Griess, Kuper and Austin

Six people who left a lasting mark on Watertown High School athletics were honored Saturday to closed out the school's 2023 homecoming week.

Former standout athletes Josh Olson (Class of 2003), Kristin Rector Griess (Class of 1993), Brittany Page Kuper (Class of 2008) and Craig Austin (Class of 1978) and contributors Dr. Clark Likness and Dr. Ed Gerrish were inducted into the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame during a special luncheon and program at the Ramkota Hotel.

The hall, which was started in 1997, now has 79 members.

All of the inductees thanked friends, family, teachers/mentors and anybody else who helped them get into position to receive this honor. All were thankful for being a part of WHS athletics.

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Dr. Clark Likness and Dr. Ed Gerrish

Why They Were Honored — Likness and Gerrish, who played basketball against each other in high and were classmates at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. They not only worked together for many years in Watertown but also spent 35 years as team physicians for WHS athletic teams. They performed free athletic exams for Arrows and other area high school athletes and also provided medical coverage to many across the state by working state tournaments held in Watertown and across the State. Their children were Arrow athletes. They thanked Dr. James Larson for helping teach them the ropes of working with WHS athletes.

Introduced by Doug Schooley, former WHS football coach/athletic director — "First of all, besides providing professional medical care in our community, they also did this for many people across the state," said Schooley. "Of course, our athletes we're probably the ones who received the most benefits from it."

Dr. Gerrish — Gerrish, who was battling laryngitis, spoke only briefly, and said: "It was a whole lot different back then without trainers and athletic surgeons."

Dr. Likness — "Wow! What an experience. It's been our privilege and joy to be part of this group for more than 35 years. Thirty-five years as a volunteer coach for WHS athletics has been just one amazing experience and you could a long time talking about it."

Craig Austin

Why He Was Honored — Austin competed in track and basketball and also played the lead role of Conrad Birdie in the All-School Musical, "Bye-Bye Birdie." Still, football was where he made his mark following in the footsteps of his older brother and former WHS head coach John Austin not only with the Arrows but also at the University of South Dakota. An All-State linebacker in high school, he became a two-time All-North Central Conference linebacker at USD and was drafted in the 10th round of the 1982 National Football League Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

Introduced by his former Arrow head coach Dale McElhany — "Craig followed his older brother John, who was a very good player. No doubt, it was a goal for Craig to be as good as he was."

Austin's Comments — "I loved the sport (football), loved the contact, loved the camaraderie and the way we all bonded together. It was just a good fit.

"The way I got motivated for games was fear. I know it sounds funny, but it was true. The fear of expectations, the fear of not living up to the expectations of the team and myself, it was both ways. And it was aggression and anger. If you pair those two emotions together, fun things can happen."

More: Four former athletes, two physicians to be honored during luncheon scheduled for Saturday

Kristin (Rector) Griess

Why She Was Honored — She was a five-year letter winner in track and a three-year letter winner in basketball and volleyball who was a multi-time place winner in the discus and shot put at state track as well as an All-State in both volleyball and basketball. Rector was a member of the first high school volleyball team in Watertown in the winter of 1992.

Introduced by her Arrow volleyball coach Beth Schutt — "One thing I remembered right away about Kristin was how positive she was and what a great role model she was for her teammates,. She was always putting them first."

Griess' Comments — "There are things that stand out in my mind about the wonderful years I had as an Arrow. The community is just incredible, it's just a family and that's how it always has been.

"We were 0-18 (in our first year of volleyball), but that was probably one of my most favorite athletic seasons. It was fun. We had a great time and we built great friendships."

Brittany (Page) Kuper

Why She Was Honored — A six-time letter winner in track, the standout sprinter earned numerous medals in the state track meet, set three state records and is still part of five WHS school records. She enjoyed similar success at North Dakota State University, running for eight Summit League championship teams (indoor and outdoor) while putting her name on the school's top 10 All-time lists and record book.

Introduced by her former WHS head coach Vic Godfrey — "One thing I really appreciated about Brittany is that most sprinters don't like to run far but she and some other relay runners would come out for cross country they would train with us and run some junior varsity meets. They basically had the courage, aptitude and attitude to come out and run cross country.

"There have been very few sprinters in this state who have the records that Brittany Page has."

Kuper's Comments: "As I thought about what I wanted to say today, it was clear to me what Arrow sports meant and that track and field taught me some very specific things. Track and field taught me how to fight, taught me how to fail and another thing I thought of is that it taught me a lot about the meaning and purpose and life.

"I was the fastest girl in the state (as a freshman) and was known as 'White Lightning.' The next three years of my high school career didn't prove to be as successful all thanks to Jasmyne King of Rapid City Central."

Josh Olson

Why He Was Honored — Olson was a two-year letter winner in football, basketball and track and earned Watertown High School's 2003 Frank Coffey All-Around Male Athlete Award. He played on the Arrows' 2001 state championship football team and earned All-State honors as a wide receiver in 2002. He served as a captain in basketball and football and was a state champion 400-meter dash and an Eastern South Dakota Conference and WHS school record holder in the longer jump in track and field. He later was recruited to play football for John Austin at USD, where he member of Coyote men's track team that won indoor and outdoor conference championships.

Introduced by former WHS athlete and best friend Kirby Schoepp — "Josh has always been a great friend and role model. He is one of the best athletes I have ever seen. The thing that sticks out to me the most is the "captains." Josh was a leader to all of us and we truly appreciated that."

Olson's Comments — "I was very lucky to have shared and been a part of all that success you guys have had in Watertown. We do take pride in that and I know the community supports us well.

"Arrow athletics has a great tradition of being some of the best in the state, so this has been a lot of fun to be back for homecoming and be part of this. I will always be proud to be an Arrows and am truly blessed to be part of this (Hall of Fame) group."

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: WHS Athletic Hall of Fame luncheon held to cap homecoming week