MOORHEAD, Minn. – Nine new members are joining Dragons history, as they will be inducted into the Minnesota State University Moorhead Athletics Hall of Fame this fall on Sept. 28.
 
The 2012 class will feature Bob Beeson, Rosalie Hayenga, Emily Hegg, Erika Hohenstein, Tom Moll, Gary Nordlund, Donella Palmer, Greg Staszko, Al Strandberg and the 1972 men's track and field team.  Eight were former student-athletes, a coach who helped spark the future of women's athletics at MSUM and a team in its 40th anniversary of a memorable celebration.
 
“It's a great representation of our athletic department,” said retired sports information director Larry Scott.  “These men and women have distinguished themselves on and off the field. What they contributed as athletes is significant but what they've done beyond their careers at MSUM is also significant.”
 
The 1972 men's track and field team will celebrate the 40th anniversary this year of a first in Dragon history.  The team was the first to win both the Indoor and Outdoor Championships. They launched a legacy by capturing the Northern Intercollegiate Conference Outdoor Track Championships in 1972, the first conference outdoor title under coach Ron Masanz and one of 28 delivered under Masanz' watch.  The squad captured eight first-place finishes on the meet's final day, including both relay races.  They also claimed a third-straight NIC Indoor Title and set six conference records.  The Dragons dispatched three individuals---Pete Lapka, Dale Robley and Dan Woodbury---to the 1972 NAIA National Indoor and five Dragons, including the mile relay team of Greg Staszko, Gary Ascheman, Ray Farwell and Woodbury, and hurdler Bob Jappe to the NAIA National Outdoor.  The lone senior and team captain, Staszko was voted the Dragons' MVP.

The team included: Gary Ascheman, Mike Bauer, Bob Berschied, Dave Bruggeman, Rich Dokken, Larry Ehnert, Ray Farwell, Mark Gehlen, Steve Gerjets, Steve Henchen, Dan Holoien, Scott Horner, Steve Hoium, Bob Jappe, Jerry Johnson, Don Karlgaard, Pete Lapka, Chuck Leach, John Lindstrom, Mark Liptrap, John Marsh, Stu Nelson, John Puffer, Dale Robley, Ken Scarbrough, Tom Schiltgen, Dan Smith, Frank Snyder, Greg Staszko, Andy Stickney, Gary Tapper and Dan Woodbury.
 
Bob Beeson, a graduate of Moorhead High School, served as a letterwinner in both the cross-country and track.  He was crowned an All-American twice after placing 20th at the 1979 NAIA National Cross Country Championships and while finished third in the 1000 meter at the 1979 NAIA National Indoor Championships.  Beeson set the current 1000m MSUM record time of 2:27.43 in that year.  A business major, he was also a two-time All-League cross-country choice and Dragon MVP.
 
Rosalie Hayenga transferred to Moorhead State after two seasons at Worthington Community College and left a big impression on the Dragons' basketball program.  The Worthington, Minn., native was a two-year starter at guard while earning third team NAIA All-American and first team All-NSIC honors as a senior.  Hayenga was a two-time All-NAIA District 13 and All-NSIC pick, and was also voted Dragons' Most Valuable Player in her final season.  She matched the MSU single game record with six 3-point field goals.
 
Emily Hegg joins her older sister Carrie in the Dragon Hall of Fame.  As a member of the fabled Hegg volleyball family, she was a four-year fixture in the Dragon lineup while setting records as the Dragons' career leader in kills (1,788) and attacks (4,784), and was second in career digs (1,807).  The McIntosh, Minn. native was named to the All-NCAA Division II North Central Regional first team in 1997.  She was a three-time All-NSIC and All-NSIC Academic choice.  Hegg was voted the Dragons' Most Valuable Player and received the Palmer Award in 1996 and 1997.
 
Erika Hohenstein was a member of the Dragons track and field team as well as cross-country.  The New Rockford, N.D., native earned All-American honors in 1986 while claiming the NAIA Indoor high jump title.  Hohenstein also placed second at the NAIA Outdoor in 1986 and fourth in 1984 in the high jump.  She still owns the school indoor record for high jump of 5-10 set in 1986.
 
Tom Moll helped MSU capture another NSIC title and advance to the NAIA Division I playoffs in 1991.  At the end of his three-year stint as a Dragons starter, Moll was named the winner of the Ken Herk Award as the team's Best Defensive Back.  The Glyndon, Minn., native earned a spot on the NAIA All-American second team and All-NSIC first team.  Moll matched a Dragon season record with seven pass interceptions and ranked 10th nationally as a sophomore.
 
Gary Nordlund lettered in indoor and outdoor track, and cross country.  The Clearbrook, Minn., native was known for his remarkable long distance career with the Dragons.  Nordlund collected All-American honors for his surprising second place finish in the 10,000 meters at the 1977 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships that helped MSU climb to 10th on the final team standings.  He currently owns the fifth-best mark in the 10,000 meters with a time of 30:31.0.
 
Donella Palmer played a major role in the creation of the women's athletic program at MSU Moorhead.  She launched volleyball as a varsity sport in 1968 while spending 14 seasons as the head coach.  Palmer fashioned four consecutive 20-win seasons including a 20-8 mark in 1976 that included a Minn-Kota Conference title and a third-place finish at the MAIAW state meet.  She also served on the administration side as women's athletic director at Moorhead State.
 
Greg Staszko totaled seven letters in his time at MSU, four in track and three in football.  The graduate of Shanley High School in Fargo, N.D. qualified for the NAIA National Championships as a sophomore and senior.  Staszko was elected track captain of the Dragons as a senior of the fellow Dragons Hall of Fame inductee 1972 track and field team as well as being voted team Most Valuable Player.  He set the Alex Nemzek Hall record in the 300-yard dash. A long-time active supporter of Dragon athletics, Staszko has served as honorary chairman of the Dragon Walk.  Now retired, he was a senior partner in Deloitte and currently resides in San Jose, Calif.
 
Al Strandberg became an instant starter at safety for the Dragons after transferring to MSU from Minnesota, Crookston.  The Strathcona, Minn., native was a cornerstone in the nation's top defense with the Dragons.  The team set a national record with five consecutive shutouts in 1981 and finished the regular season unbeaten at 10-0-1, ranking first in the nation.  Strandberg was an All-NSIC pick that season, as well as being voted the Dragons' top defensive back.  He later signed a professional free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Wranglers of the USFL.
 
The honorees will be recognized at the MSUM Dragon Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, Sept. 28.  A Dragon Social will be held at 4:30 p.m. with the celebration of the Awards Program beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Both will be held at the Comstock Memorial Union Ballroom. The cost is $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
 
If interested in joining the Dragon Athletics Hall of Fame celebration, contact Gloria Riopelle at 218-477-5824 or riopelg@mnstate.edu.  You can also register for the event on www.dragonhomecoming.com.

1972 Men's Track and Field Roster