Ranking the top 25 Hirschi athletes of all time

In November 1958, Wichita Falls residents approved a $6 million school bond issue as part of WFISD’s five-year expansion plan.

In 1959, Myrtle Ledford made a significant donation to purchase 44 acres between Maurine Street and Borton Lane in the Ray-Massie Addition to build one of the two new high schools in the city.

The donation was made in the memory of Ledford’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Hirschi, one of the city’s most beloved pioneer couples. And by doing so, Ledford supplied the name of the new school.

Hirschi High School opened its doors in 1962 and immediately began competing in athletics. Jess Stiles, an assistant at Wichita Falls High, was named the program’s first head football coach. He was joined on staff by what are now familiar names like Dub Largin and Bobby Page.

The school colors (blue and red) and mascot (Huskies) were chosen by its students weeks after it officially opened its doors.

It didn’t take long for the Huskies to make their mark athletically. The football team advanced to the state semifinals in 1964, and the baseball team won a regional championship that same season.

And while there has never been a team state title won at Hirschi, the Huskies have knocked on the door numerous times.

More: Ranking the top 25 coaches in Wichita Falls ISD history

The football team was the dominant power in the city, owning winning records against WFHS and Rider in the 1980s. After the worst stretch in WFISD history during most of the 2000s, the Huskies have recently returned to glory on the gridiron, producing several Division I athletes.

The Huskies played in the state semifinals in 2021, losing a heartbreaker to eventual state champion Stephenville.

Most recently, the boys basketball team played for a state championship in 2022, settling for the silver medal.

The track program has produced eight individual state champions with the girls team finishing second in overall points at state in 1992.

As Hirschi enters its final year competing in high school athletics before being transitioned into a junior high, TRN Sports has put together a panel to vote on the top 25 athletes to ever don the Husky name on their uniforms.

A panel of nine current and former members of the local media voted for these rankings: TRN sports writer Jonathan Hull, former TRN sports writer Zach Duncan, TRN sports freelancer and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football writer Cory Hogue, former TRN sports editor Andy Newberry, former TRN sports assistant editor Jeff Milam, KFDX sports director Tobin McDuff, ROHO Sports Network owner Marty McBride, WFHS radio announcer Chris Koetter and WFISD multimedia specialist Chad Johnson.

1. Don King (Class of 1965)

King was Hirschi’s first All-American (1964). He was Hirschi’s only All-American for 50 years. King played at Texas Tech and was inducted into the Red Raiders Hall of Fame in 2008.

A three-year starter at Tech, King was a first-team All-SWC selection playing guard for the Red Raiders in 1968. His senior season he served as team captain and was named team MVP.

2. Daimarqua Foster (Class of 2019)

Foster is a three-time all-state selection who holds several school or WFISD records. He is WFISD's all-time leading rusher with 6,731 career yards, scoring more than 100 touchdowns in the process. In 2017, Foster ran for 3,270 yards and 46 touchdowns setting single-season WFISD records.

He rushed for 580 yards and seven TDs in a victory over Decatur despite not playing most of the fourth quarter. He played collegiately at TCU. He also is in the Hirschi record book as part of the 800-meter relay team in 2018.

3. Marcus Foster (Class of 2013)

Foster is WFISD’s all-time leading scorer on the basketball court with 2,388 points during his four seasons at Hirschi. He’s second all-time at Hirschi in rebounds (910) and first in free-throws made (391), free-throw percentage (.740), 3-pointers made (267) and 3-point percentage (.450). Foster averaged a double-double in his final two seasons with the Huskies, including 27.1 points and 11.3 rebounds as a senior and 24.2 points and 10 rebounds as a junior.

He’s only the second All-American in Hirschi basketball history, joined by Darion Newsome. Foster was the Class 3A TABC Player of the Year as a senior.

He signed with Kansas State out of high school and was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. He transferred to Creighton for his final two seasons and is the only Bluejay in history named first-team All-Big East more than once. Finished his college career with 2,167 points. Foster is currently playing professional basketball in Israel, averaging 20.5 points per game.

4. Cedric Battle (Class of 2015)

With 4,799 career rushing yards, Battle briefly served as WFISD's all-time rushing leader. In 2013, Battle earned All-State honors, and in 2014, Battle was named the AP Offensive Player of the Year.

With 531 yards rushing against Burkburnett he moved into fifth place on the all-time single game rushing list in Texas HS football history. He also scored seven TDs in that game.

In two seasons at Trinity Valley CC, Battle ran for over 1,100 yards and 10 TDs. Battle finished his collegiate career scoring 12 TDs in two seasons at the University of Central Arkansas.

5. Jamarion Carroll (Class of 2023)

Carroll exits Hirschi as one of its most prolific three-sport stars. On the football field, he’s the program’s all-time leading receiver with 108 receptions for 1,965 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also holds the single-season marks with 66 receptions for 1,132 yards and 15 TDs. He was the Red River 22 MVP as a junior.

On the basketball court, Carroll is a two-time Red River 22 member, including Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He was the second-leading scorer on the Hirschi team that played for a state title in 2022.

And then on the track, Carroll ran the anchor leg of Hirschi’s silver-medal winning 400-meter relay team. Carroll will play receiver for SMU this fall.

6. Randy Gatewood (Class of 1991)

Gatewood set several Hirschi single-season records in 1990 when he caught 33 passes for 732 yards and eight TDs. The yardage and TD records stood until 2017. He still holds the record for single-game receptions (nine) and receiving yards (194) against Stephenville in 1990. That game included a 99-yard TD reception.

Gatewood played at UNLV before joining the Arizona Rattlers in the AFL from 1996-2007. He is a three-time All-Arena selection. He was named All-Arena Ironman twice. He was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2012.

In two seasons at UNLV, Gatewood had 128 catches for 1,932 yards and 17 TDs. He still shares a school record with 23 catches in one game. He finished his AFL career with 690 receptions for 9,029 yards and 214 touchdowns.

7. Richard Ross (Class of 2010)

Ross starred on the varsity football, track and basketball teams at Hirschi. He won gold in the high jump at the state track meet in 2010. His junior and senior seasons he averaged double-doubles on the court.

His senior season he averaged 16 points, 15.5 rebounds and six blocks a game. He remains the basketball program’s all-time leading rebounder (1,250) and shot blocker (457).

He played college basketball at Old Dominion, starting 91 of his 128 games played. He finished his ODU career with 981 points, 725 rebounds and 214 blocks. His professional basketball career has spanned six years taking him to Australia, China, Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico and Venezuela.

More: Hirschi narrowly considered District 3-4A Division II favorite over Graham

8. Ronnie Faulkner (Class of 1965)

Faulkner was an all-state quarterback for the Huskies, who led them to the Class 3A state semifinals in 1964 – just the third season of the program’s existence. Faulkner was also a standout basketball player, leading the Huskies in scoring as a junior and senior.

Faulkner was a member of the University of Texas-Arlington’s football team after high school but found his way back to Wichita Falls, eventually becoming WFISD’s athletic director.

9. Roman Turner (Class of 2017)

Turner is arguably the fastest athlete to ever come out of Wichita Falls and has the numbers to back it up. He ran the fastest 100 meters in WFISD history, clocking at a 10.12 (handheld) during a meet in 2017.

Turner was a two-time state track qualifier in the 100 meters, finishing second each time. He also shined on the football field, rushing for 1,607 yards and 20 TDs his senior year.

Turner signed with Texas Southern to run track and was the conference champion in the 60 meters. He transferred to Arkansas his junior season. He finished sixth in the SEC in the 60 meters. His personal best time in the event was a 6.66 and a 10.18 in the 100 meters.

10. Charles Brown (Class of 2015)

Brown was a three-time state track champion, winning the triple jump in 2014 and the triple and long jumps in 2015. He also qualified for state in the high jump. He holds the school records in the long jump (25-0.75), triple jump (50-11.75) and high jump (7-0).

Brown went on to a prolific collegiate career at Texas Tech as a 10-time All-American. He is only the third NCAA athlete and first Big 12 athlete to qualify for the indoor nationals in all three jumping events. Brown is a two-time Big 12 long jump champion.

11. A’marion Peterson (Class of 2023)

Peterson is second on Hirschi’s and WFISD’s all-time leading rusher list, grinding out 5,048 yards on 643 attempts in three seasons as the Huskies’ primary running back. He’s also second with 62 touchdowns.

Peterson signed with USC and has a chance to be part of the Trojans’ rotation at running back as a true freshman.

12. Jared Estus (Class of 2000)

Estus rushed for 1,281 yards and 17 TDs during his senior year for Hirschi football, earning all-state and Red River 22 Offensive Player of the Year.

Estus was a key member of the 1998 Hirschi squad that made a run to the state quarterfinals, rushing for 1,426 yards and 16 TDS on 189 carries. His 8-yards-per-carry average is second for a career in program history.

He was also a track standout and a member of the 1,600- and 400-meter relay teams that still hold the program records.

13. Darion Newsome (Class of 1987)

Newsome was an All-American basketball player for the Huskies and set the program’s career rebounding record (798) at the time. He averaged 27.1 points per game as a senior, scoring 840 total points and securing 465 rebounds.

He’s one of just three WFISD basketball players to be named an All-American, joining Marcus Foster and Bingo Merriex.

14. Lynn Buckmaster (Class of 1990)

Buckmaster is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Hirschi girls basketball program. She totaled 948 points in her career, scoring 575 as a senior.

Buckmaster played two seasons at Midwestern State, setting the single-season scoring record in 1993 with 732 points, averaging 21.5 per game. She shot 44 percent from 3-point range in that season.

15. Angela Reed (Class of 1992)

Reed is a two-time state track champion, winning the 100- and 300-meter hurdles events in 1992. She holds the school record in both events, including a 14.2 in the 100 hurdles and 43.7 in 300 hurdles. She was a member of the 1990 1,600-meter relay that still holds the school record at 3:47.7.

She competed for the Arkansas Razorbacks in college and is the cousin of Roman Turner, who is ninth on this list.

16. Antoinette Reed (Class of 1990)

Reed was a state track qualifier in the long and triple jumps and still holds the Hirschi records in both events, including 20-1 in the long and 38-11.5 in the triple. She was a member of the 1990 1,600-meter relay that still holds the school record at 3:47.7.

She signed with Arkansas out of high school and became an All-American. She also competed at the Olympic Trials and competed professionally for several years.

Reed is the cousin of No. 15 Angela Reed and the mother of No. 9 Roman Turner.

17. Tori Slusher (Class of 2006)

Slusher was Co-MVP of the Red River 22 girls basketball team with Hirschi teammate Ashley Davis. Slusher averaged 11 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, earning all-state, all-region and all-district MVP honors. She led the Lady Huskies to the program’s first regional tournament in 2006.

Slusher signed with Midland College and averaged 11.8 points and 7.5 rebounds as a sophomore. She played her final years of college basketball at Ole Miss.

18. Javen Banks (Class of 2018)

Banks was a three-sport star at Hirschi, shining in football, basketball and track. He didn’t play a full season of varsity football until his senior season. He set every Hirschi single-season receiving record at the time with 43 receptions for 962 yards and 14 TDs.

He was also a second-team all-district cornerback and the only two-way starter on a team that advanced to the Class 4A state quarterfinals. Banks also qualified for the state track meet in three events — the long jump and as a member of the 400 and 800 relay teams. He averaged 11 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game during his senior season on the basketball court.

Banks went on to play football at Texas State, catching 101 passes for 1,645 yards and 20 TDs in five seasons. Banks started his coaching career this summer, back at Hirschi where it all began.

19. Scott Szymanski (Class of 1989)

Szymanski was an all-state performer on the offensive and defensive line for the Huskies. He was named Red River 22 MVP as a senior in 1988. He went on to play a season for Midwestern State, recording seven sacks in 1992.

20. Ezekiel Holmes (Class of 2018)

Holmes was a three-year letterman for the Hirschi football team and four-time letterman for the basketball team. Had a breakout season as a senior on the football field, recording 96 tackles, including 38 for loss, six sacks, two interceptions and two touchdowns.

He averaged double figures scoring as a junior and senior on the basketball team. Holmes signed to play college football at Illinois and made his first start for the Illini in 2022 before a season-ending injury. Holmes maintains a year of eligibility and will be back with the Illini this fall.

21. Jimmy Armstrong (Class of 1987)

Armstrong is arguably the best baseball player in Hirschi history. He holds the program records for career pitching wins (25) and strikeouts (300). He recorded 15 wins and 175 strikeouts in his senior season and once had a 20-strikeout performance in a 10-inning game.

He is one of just two all-state players in program history. Armstrong went on to play at Dallas Baptist and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 32nd round of the 1991 MLB Draft. He pitched for a season with the Idaho Falls Braves in the Pioneer League, holding a 4.33 ERA.

22. Larry Schmoker (Class of 1985)

Schmoker was an all-state center for the Hirschi football team, who was Red River 22 MVP during his senior season. He played in the Oil Bowl after spearheading an impressive offense that led the Huskies to their first playoff win in 20 years.

23. Ashley Davis (Class of 2006)

Davis is one of nine girls basketball players to be named to the Red River 22 team in all four years of high school. As a senior, she averaged 14.8 points per game, leading the Lady Huskies to the program’s first regional tournament appearance.

She was Co-MVP of the Red River 22 team that season. She went on to play at Eastern New Mexico University.

24. Ernest Young (Class of 2022)

Young was a four-year starter for the Hirschi boys basketball team, leading the Huskies to the state championship game in 2022. He holds the Hirschi record for most games played in his career with 135.

Young was a two-time Red River 22 MVP, winning the award as a sophomore and senior. He was an all-state performer in 2022, averaging 21.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.2 steals per game.. Young signed with Cameron out of high school.

25. Reggie Robinson (Class of 1999)

Robinson was an electric runner, who set the career Hirschi rushing record with 2,738 yards in two seasons. He averaged 105.3 yards per game in an offense that split carries among several ball carriers. Robinson rushed for 1,413 yards in 1998 then 1,325 in 1999.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Top 25 Hirschi Husky athletes of all time