We would like to congratulate the members of the 2022 Midland Hall of Fame:
Mrs. Pauline Antons: teacher/contributor
Mr. Gary Mohl: athlete (Lost Nation)/administrator
The 1978 state runner up wrestling team and from this team, the 3 individual state champions will be inducted as individuals as well: Matt Schaeffer, Dan Snyder, and Scott Taylor.
Photos were taken by Kim Buchholtz https://photos.app.goo.gl/NcxShXhBCaJqdya79
PAULINE ANTONS – MATH TEACHER/CONTRIBUTOR
Mrs. Pauline Antons was a member of the Midland staff for 26 years, teaching math. She also served the district as a substitute teacher from the age of 65 to 92!
While teaching at Midland, Pauline helped write multiple grants along with being the recipient of multiple awards that brought many items to the district including computers and calculators. In 1988 Pauline received The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by President Ronald Reagan. This included a $7,500 grant and a trip to Washington DC. In 1992, the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics recognized Mrs. Antons with a Friend of Mathematics Award.
In addition to the previously mentioned awards, Mrs. Antons received the Jones County Conservation Teacher Award in 1988 and 1993, in 2008 she received the University of Dubuque Award for Community Service and in 2016 she received the Delta Kappa Gamma Iowa State Achievement Award.
She also served as our representative in the Lime Stone Bluffs, Resource Conservation and Development non-profit corporation. This is a 6 county organization that did things like write grants for assisting Oxford Junction after the 1993 flood.
One of her favorite activities while at Midland was to plan and accompany math and science bus trips to the museums in Chicago. Pauline was involved and is still involved in many community groups. These include Jones County Chapter of Thrivent Insurance, the Onslow Alturian Club, The Jones County Soil and Water District board, and The Jones County Council of Teachers.
Former student Lennie Miller read her information during the ceremony and Midland Activities Director Ryan Steines presented her with her certificate. During the night, the announcer asked all in attendance who had Pauline as a teacher or substitute to stand up and many of the Midland fans got to their feet. She has affected a great many lives, instilling her love of math in others whenever and however she could!
Congratulations Mrs. Antons! You are a shining example of what a Midland Hall of Famer should be!
GARY MOHL – LOST NATION ATHLETE TO MIDLAND ADMINISTRATOR
Unfortunately Gary passed away in August 2022, but his wife Alice and four children, Gregg, Mark, Brenda and Shelly, were able to come accept the Hall of Fame Certificate in his place.
Gary Mohl was a Lost Nation High School graduate. Gary was the 3rd leading scorer in the history of Lost Nation high school scoring 1675 points in is career. He was a member of the all-region and county teams and his senior year was named to the all-state team. Gary holds the record for most points in a season at Lost Nation with 730 points. At the conclusion of his high school career, he received scholarship offers to play at Iowa State and Iowa State Teachers College (which is now UNI).
Gary started his college career at Iowa State but ended up transferring to the Iowa State Teachers College during his freshman year. During his time there, he lead the freshman team in scoring and played for the varsity his sophomore and junior year. He did not play his senior year as he had started a family and was working a job while finishing up his teaching degree.
Gary started his teaching career at Lost Nation in 1967 teaching science and became the principal in 1970 through 1980. Gary taught and was the principal at multiple schools around the state until he returned to Midland in 1993 to be the high school principal until he retired in 2000. During his professional career he received the administrator award from the Iowa Boy’s High School Athletic Association, was named Principal of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa, and was name the Principal of the Year by KCRG.
Gary was a humble leader, he would never talk about his athletic prowess with his students or his family. He would always just tell everyone to do the very best with what they have and to make the most of every opportunity they are given. He was an administrator who lead by example and always stressed the positive of any situation.
High school secretary Mrs. Hansen remembers Gary saying “He would tell you he needed something done but would say ‘don’t hurry’, but I always knew to do it ASAP as he’d ask if it was done the next time he came through the office. Gary was a very well respected principal and was loved by his students. Even those who were in his office because they were in trouble, later came back and thanked him for helping them. He had high energy and high expectations for all who worked with him.”
Congratulations to Gary Mohl on becoming one of our 2022 Hall of Fame Members, and thanks to his family for generously sharing him with our district!
CLASS A RUNNER UP 1978 STATE WRESTLING TEAM
1978 was a special year for Midland wrestling. As the team progressed through their regular season its only dual meet losses came vs Class 2A Solon losing 25-16 and vs State Champion Lisbon in a nail biting 23-21 loss. Not only did the 1978 wrestling team finish as State Runners Up but coach John Byers was named head coach of the year and Arthur Millikin was named assistant coach of the year. Although the 3 State champions carried the team at the State tournament it was an entire team effort that produce an 8 dual meet win season and 6 District qualifiers
Aside from the 2 meet losses the 1978 squad racked up impressive wins.
Lincoln (North Cedar) 56-6 W Anamosa 46-2 W Ed-Co 60-3 W
Northeast 43-8 W Maquoketa 38-19 W North Linn 39-18 W
CR Regis 32-19 W Alburnett 44-11 W which by the way gave coach John Byers his 100 dual meet win.
The 1978 wrestling team finished 2nd at the Monticello Invitational. Won the Letts Invitational (Louisa Muscatine), with an impressive 7 first place finishers, 1 second place finisher and 2 third place finishers. They also Finished 4th at the Hudson Invitational and 3rd at the Midland Invitational (The John Byers)
Congratulations to the 1978 State Runner Up wrestling team on its induction into the Midland Hall of Fame.
SCOTT TAYLOR – 2 TIME STATE WRESTLING CHAMPION
In his senior year Scott Taylor wrestled the 112lb weight class with a dual meet record of 10-0.
Scott was a 2-Time State Champion. In 1977 Scott was State Champion in the 105lb weight class, and 1978 he was once again a State Champion at the 112lb weight class.
In Scott Taylor’s senior year, he won championships at the Falcon Invitational at Louisa Muscatine and the Hudson Invitational
He was Sectionals Champ, and District Champ.
For Scott there is an interesting story that clearly displays his competitive drive to be a champion: In his senior year Scott finished 2nd at the Midland Invitational losing to Lisbon’s Mike LeGrand in the finals. However, in the true fashion of a champion, Scott went on to defeat LeGrand in sectionals and again at districts firmly establishing his place above him never looking back on his way to a second state title.
After high school Scott went on to wrestle for Cornell College with great success.
Congratulations to Scott Taylor for becoming a 2022 Midland Hall of Fame member.
MATT SCHAEFFER – STATE WRESTLING CHAMPION
In his senior year Matt Schaeffer wrestled the 167lb weight class and had a dual meet record of 9-0. That year he won the Monticello Invitational, the Falcon Invitational at Louisa Muscatine and the Midland Invitational.
Matt placed 3rd at the State tournament in 1977 in the 167lb weight class and was State Champion at 167 in 1978.
In 1978 Matt was Sectionals Champ, and pinned his way through Districts.
Matt was a powerful wrestler whose favorite move was the cow catcher if his opponents were not careful. While often out muscling his opponents he was also capable of grinding out wins vs more prudent competition.
As a side note Matt was also known to be faithful to a pair of lucky socks that although may have been a bit worse for wear seemed to do the trick.
Congratulations to Matt Schaefer in becoming one of our newest 2022 Midland Hall of Fame members.
DAN SNYDER – STATE WRESTLING CHAMPION
Dan Snyder who is one of the 3 State Champions of that team was not able to attend the HOF presentation. Please know that Dan’s induction ceremony will take place at a date yet to be announced.