MIDLAND HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS SOUGHT
The Midland Hall of Fame is set up to honor everyone who has made Midland what is it. It will honor not only athletics but fine arts, contributors to Midland, and distinguished graduates. Please understand this will be a Hall of Fame for Midland, not just Midland athletics.
Anyone wishing to nominate an individual or group for the Midland Hall of Fame can do so at any time by completing the nomination form and submitting it to Midland High School, ATTN: Hall of Fame, PO Box 109, Wyoming, IA 52362
The Hall of Fame committee will be getting together each year in November to look over all nominations received. The Hall of Fame inductions will take place at a scheduled event during the following school year. If questions contact the Activities Director at the high school 319-259-5340 x 2420.
PAST RECIPIENTS
2025 – John Meyer, Audrey Smith, Dave Lanpher
2024 – None inducted
2023 – Scott Ahrendsen, Shirley Jones, and Mark Mohl
2022 – Pauline Antons, Gary Mohl, 1978 State Runner Up Wrestling Team and from this team the 3 individual state champions: Matt Schaeffer, Dan Snyder and Scott Taylor
2021 – Phil Coppess, Kirk Park, Shirley Petersen
2020 – Betty Anderson, Jerry Carstens, John Byers, and the 1993-94 Girls Basketball Team
MIDLAND HALL OF FAME 2025
JOHN MEYER – Contributor / Teacher
John Meyer was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame on Friday, February 6th during home basketball games against Calamus-Wheatland.
For more than three decades, John Meyer dedicated his career to Midland students through both academics and activities. From August 1976 to May 2010, he served as a committed English teacher and also taught French from 1976 to 1995. John’s passion for student growth extended far beyond the classroom, as he supported learning by leading spring plays, speech, and supervising the weight room. Generations of students benefited from his high expectations, steady presence, and genuine investment in student success.
Athletics and activities were another cornerstone of Mr. Meyer’s service. John was a familiar and trusted voice as an announcer for football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, and track, and he served as Midland’s official basketball scorekeeper for an impressive 32 years. John’s dedication was formally recognized with several honors, including the Midland Athletic Booster of the Year Award in 1993 and the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Morris D. (Mo) Kelley Award in the spring of 2008, acknowledging exemplary service to students in athletic and activities programs.
Perhaps most memorable was the lasting impact made through unique traditions and personal connections. For more than 15 years, Mr. Meyer took students to the Manchester Trout Hatchery and Backbone State Park for a “Fish Iowa!” experience, blending education, mentorship, and lifelong memories.
“I really appreciate this recogniton A LOT.” John Meyer. Congratulations John on your induction into the 2025 Midland Hall of Fame and thank you for your many contributions to our district and its students.
AUDREY SMITH – Beloved Kindergarten Teacher
Audrey Smith was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame on Friday, February 9, 2026 during the home basketball games against Calamus Wheatland.
Audrey Smith dedicated over 40 years to shaping young lives as a kindergarten teacher, beginning her remarkable career in 1950 at a small rural school in Center Junction, Iowa. Audrey started after about a year of college coursework at what is now the University of Northern Iowa, amid a desperate need for teachers, and she stepped into the classroom despite limited prior experience with children. She later taught in Wyoming and concluded her tenure at Onslow School (part of the Midland Community School District), retiring in 1993. Her educational journey included studies at institutions such as the University of Northern Iowa, Coe College, Marycrest College, the University of Iowa, Dubuque University, and completion at Upper Iowa University.
Audrey will forever be known for her structured, disciplined approach. Audrey firmly believed that children thrive with clear boundaries and respect. She started each year strictly to establish order, then gradually allowed more fun, always ready to restore quiet with a clap or change in lighting. Early lessons came the hard way – learning that kindergarteners don’t always follow textbook examples – teaching her that experience often surpasses textbook psychology. Yet she cherished the little ones deeply, drawn to their unconditional love and eagerness to please, preferring kindergarten over other grades she briefly taught.
Audrey Smith’s goal was that every child felt special and was valued as a unique person. Her induction into the Midland Community School District Hall of Fame honors this legacy of devotion, wisdom gained through decades of nurturing young minds, and the profound difference one dedicated teacher can make in a community.
Congratulations Audrey on your very deserved induction into the Midland Hall of Fame, Class of 2025. Thank you for your guidance to so many kindergarteners over the years.
DAVID LANPHER – Two Time State Track Champion
David Lanpher was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame posthumously on Saturday, January 24, 2026 during the John Byers Wrestling Invitational. Dave graduated in 1972. During high school he had some significant athletic accomplishments:
1970 – 4th place in state in shot put
1971 – State Champion in discus
1971 – Qualified for state wrestling
1972 – State Champion in shot put (indoor and outdoor), 2nd place in discus
He was a 3 year varsity letter winner in football and went to Iowa State University on a football scholarship. He later transferred to the University of Dubuque where he played football, wrestled and participated in track until a knee injury during football ended his athletic career.
Congratulations David on your 2025 Midland Hall of Fame induction.
MIDLAND HALL OF FAME 2023
MARK MOHL – Athlete / Distinguised Graduate
Congratulations Mark Mohl, Athlete/Distinguished Graduate, and our latest inductee into the Midland Hall of Fame. Mark’s father, Gary Mohl, was inducted as a member of the 2022 MHOF during a basketball game.
Mark graduated from Lost Nation High School in 1983. As a student athlete Mark’s basketball career was filled with achievements and accolades. Mark was awarded 1st Team All-Conference four times and was an All-Eastern Iowa Team selectee three times.
In the history of Lost Nation basketball Mark was:
- 2nd in total points scored in a single season with 689
- Scored the most points in a single game with 48
- Career Assist Leader with 368
- 4 time team MVP
- Led the state with a 32.8 points per game average as a senior.
- All-time scoring leader for Lost Nation with 1815 points.
- 2nd team All-State (back when all classes were combined)
In 2012 Mark was inducted into the IHAA Boys’ Basketball HOF. Mark played at Kirkwood Community College for 1 year and led the team in scoring. He was named All-Region his freshman year. Mark then played his next 3 years for Division 2 Morningside College where he remains as one of the top 10 scorers in Morningside history and is now a member of the Morningside
Mark then moved into coaching at Osage High School where he took one team to the State Championship as an assistant and a second to the State Tournament as Head Coach. Mark recorded 440 career wins while at Osage.
In the years since leaving Osage, Mark moved into various coaching positions at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) in Mason City. During his 14 years as head coach at NIACC Mark posted 237 career wins. Currently Mark is the associate head coach for the NIACC Men’s Basketball Program.
SCOTT AHRENDSEN – Student / Athlete / Educator / Coach
Scott Ahrendsen was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame during the 2022-23 school year.
Scott attended Midland Community School for his entire primary and secondary education. It came as a shock to many when they learned that Scott was held back in third grade because he struggled with long division. At the time, no one could have predicted how positive that decision would prove to be – for both Scott and the countless students he would later influence.
Being held back taught Scott a powerful lesson early in life: effort matters. He adopted the mindset of being “All In,” a quality he would carry into everything he did. That determination soon transformed him into an accomplished athlete and an exceptional student. In middle school, Scott was introduced to algebra. Armed with his newfound work ethic, he transitioned from someone who strugged with math to someone who refused to give up until he truly understood a concept intuitively. That passion for problem-solving grew throughout high school and college.
As an athlete, Scott saw varsity football action as a freshman and played both ways on the varsity team for the next three years. By his senior year, he was named 1st Team All-Conference. In wrestling, he was highly competitive, narrowly missing a trip to the state tournament by a single, controversial point. Scott also competed in track for two years with the goal of improving his football performance. He was a serious golfer – his team still holds several low-score records, and they finished in the top five in the state during his era.
A National Honor Society member, Scott graduated from Midland and attended the University of Dubuque. He earned a mathematics major, a physics minor, and a teaching certificate. While at UD, he remained active in wrestling, golf, and student government.
Scott began his teaching career in 1980 at Oxford Junction, where he honed his craft both in the classroom and on the sidelines. Throughout his coaching career he guided teams in softball, girls’ basketball, volleyball (which he helped introduce at OJ), and girls’ golf. At Midland he coached JV football, junior high wrestling, and girls’ golf – leading the 2008 golf teams to a conference championship and a state tournament berth.
In 1990, Scott returned to Midland as a teacher, beginning in the old Bronson building and eventually moving into a brand-new classroom in the current facility. He was among the first to bring computers into the classroom, sparking excitement and opening new pathways for learning. Over the years, Scott taught the children of his own classmates, as well as many of their children.
His own experience of being held back in elementary school gave Scott a rare gift: deep empathy for students who struggled – whether in math or athletics – combined with an unshakable belief in the power of effort. The combination made him an extrordinary mentor, helping generations of students develop their own work ethic and resilience.
Scott Ahrendsen’s contributions to Midland students, athletes, and the entire community are immeasurable, but the success of those he influenced stands as undeniable proof of his lasting impact.
SHIRLEY JONES – Midland Times
Shirley Jones: The Heartbeat of the Midland Community
Shirley was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame posthumously during the 2022-23 school year.
For thirty-three years, Shirley Jones was the Midland Times, the primary source of news and connection for the entire Midland school district and surrounding communiy.
In 1984, Shirley took over the Midland Times, a small but vital weekly newspaper. Every single week for the next 33 years – until early 2017 – she wrote articles, edited copy, laid out pages, and published the paper. Shirley became a familiar figure at school events, especially sporting events, where she could always be spotted with her camera, capturing moments that mattered to students, families, and the community.
As Midland grew with the addition of Lost Nation and Oxford Junction, Shirley’s lens turned toward the students. Shirley covered many school board meetings. She took photographs of games and school performances. Former students still speak movingly about the excitement of rushing to get the latest issue of the Midland Times and seeing themselves or their friends on its pages.
A Midland Alum, Angela Ruley remembered: “That was almost 20 years ago and I can still remember the tingle of excitement of picking up a copy of the Midland Times and seeing pictures and articles about friends and classmates.” To many, Shirley was more than a journalist – she was the beating heart of the Midland community.
MIDLAND HALL OF FAME 2022
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 and further attempts to have a presentation did not work due to conflicts. Congrats Dan!
MIDLAND HALL OF FAME 2021
We would like to congratulate the following inductees to the Midland Hall of Fame Class of 2021!
PHIL COPPESS – Oxford Junction Graduate
Phil Coppess was inducted into the Hall of Fame during the fall of 2021 at a football game. He graduated from Oxford Junction High School in 1972. Phil was a runner! There was a rumor that after track meets the bus would drop him off in Lost Nation and he would run home to OJ. Phil held 5 state individual titles in track and cross country. Phil won the Class C outdoor 2 mile run in 1971 and 1972. He won the Class E one mile and Class D 2 mile in cross country in 1971 and the indoor Class C 2 mile in 1972. He held the state indoor 2 mile record 9:56.9 and 2 mile outdoor run 9:45.1.
His love for running continued into his adult life winning the Drake Marathon and Chicago Marathon (beating Olympic champion, Frank Shorter) and the Huntsville, AL Marathon in 1981. In 1985 he was ranked #1 marathon USA runner by Track & Field News and ran the Twin Cities Marathon where he set a record that stood until 2016 at 2 hr. 10 m 5 sec. He also set course records in the Lincoln Marathon and the Winstone People’s Marthon in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2014 Mr. Coppess was inducted into the Iowa Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame.
We welcome Phil to the Hall of Fame, he has shown other Midland athletes that you can stay competitive for many years and should always give your best. We hope your love of running goes on and on and on…
KIRK PARK – Administrator / Coach / Teacher
Kirk Park was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame during a football game during the 2021 season.
Kirk came to Midland in 1974 and taught business, computers and PE over his 39 years here. He also coached football, boys’ basketball, softball and golf. He became Athletic Director in 1983 and served as Dean of Students for a couple of years.
Kirk’s football teams participated in the Class 1A football playoffs in 1983, 1985 and 1994. As a golf coach he has had state qualifiers two years.
Kirk is currently the boys’ golf coach and officiates in both basketball and softball. He has officiated in the Iowa girls’ state softball tournament for 14 years and the Iowa girls’ state basketball tournament one year.
Kirk was a Class 1A Athletic Director of the Year in 2014 and was inducted into the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Softball Officials Hall of Fame in 2020. Kirk also currently mows all of the athletic fields for Midland.
Thanks for your efforts over these past 47 years Kirk, you have touched a lot of lives here!
SHIRLEY PETERSEN – Contributor / Teacher
Shirley Petersen was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame during a football game during the 2021 season.
Shirley taught in the Midland District for a total of 38 years (5 in Wyoming and 33 in Lost Nation). She retired from teaching in 1994 and has remained active in our community helping others in countless ways. She is 91 years young and still volunteering when needed.
She has been involved with the Zion Lutheran “Piecemakers” for 21 years, making quilts for those in need. She has been involved in the local food pantry and in serving “Sparks” kids supper for the past 9 years. She has volunteered for Community Vacation Bible School for as long as she can remember.
She says her biggest contribution to the Midland School District has been her family. Five children graduated from Midland, 5 of her 8 grandchildren are Midland grads as well. Two great grandchildren are current Midland students with 2 more in the near future.
We thank Shirley for her efforts in the Midland District for all of these years! We love to see her out helping!
MIDLAND HALL OF FAME 2020
JERRY CARSTENS – Teacher / Coach
Jerry Carstens was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame posthumously during a basketball game on January 31, 2020.
Jerry was a long time physical education teacher and coach. He coached girls basketball and is currently the 9th most winning coach in Iowa High School Girls Basketball history at 685 wins against 246 losses. He took teams to the state tournament in 1969, 1970, 1981, 1989, 1992 and 1994. Jerry was inducted into the Iowa Girls Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002. He coached here through the 2004 year. Unfortunately Jerry passed away in October, so to accept the award were his wife Kathy and family members Scott, Barb and Jenna Harms, Brenda Leonard and her daughter Allison. Coach C touched a lot of lives during his time at Midland.
A 6 on 6 exhibition girls basketball game was held on January 31st and we had 14 alumni players come back to play. Tammie Widel Small did a mean imitation of Coach Carstens as coach. Everyone had a great time and no one got hurt. Thanks to Larry Meyer and Kirk Park for officiating the fun! Kathy Carstens enjoyed being surrounded by C’s girls!
1993-1994 GIRLS STATE QUALIFYING BASKETBALL TEAM
The Midland 1993-94 Girls State Qualifying Basketball Team was our final inductee into this inaugural Hall of Fame Class during 2020. They qualified for state under Coach Carstens. This tournament was a historic event for the state of Iowa as it was the first year that the girls state tournament was all 5 on 5 player games. Midland had the honor of playing in the first game of that tournament. The team finished with a 19-5 record and a first round loss at the state tournament to Armstrong-Ringsted 37-32. Unfortunately none of the team members were able to attend. Those on the team included: Julie Knake, Lisa Eganhouse Cantwell, Paula Brady Walsh, Kelly Erickson Ballou, Jessie Paarmann VonBehren, Nancy Tasker Davis, Tamara Ewoldt, Kelly Kleppe Doll, Kristy Loy
All conference honors that year were: 1st Team Kelly Erickson, 2nd Team Paula Brady, Honorable Mention Kristy Loy.
BETTY ANDERSON – School Bus Driver / Chaperone
Betty Anderson was inducted to the Midland Hall of Fame during a basketball game during the 2020 season.
Bettyhas been a long standing member of the Midland School District. Over the years Betty has been involved in so much with the district including driving bus, a regular at many Midland sporting events, chaperoning dances, and so much more. Known as Grandma Betty to most people in the district, Betty has always been willing to help any student in any way she can. To this day, Betty attends many events within the district and we look forward to having her around at our events for many years to come. Betty has contributed to the success of so many athletes, fine arts and general Midland students over the years. Needless to say we surprised Betty and she was a little overcome with emotion. Well deserved, CONGRATS BETTY!
JOHN BYERS – Teacher / Coach
John Byers was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame posthumously during the 2020 basketball season.
John, Mr. B as he was lovingly known, began his teaching career at Marble Rock, Iowa where he introduced the wrestling program to the district. He then came to work at Midland High School where he stayed for over 35 years teaching Industrial Arts and Driver’s Ed as well as coaching football, wrestling, and track. He was a compassionate and giving man who loved his family, students, players, and community. Aside from his many years in the classroom and athletics, he was strong in faith as a Deacon for the Wyoming Presbyterian Church, an EMT for the Wyoming Ambulance along with his wife Mary, and a Centurion of the Mason’s (St. Charles Cornerstone Lodge 141). In 1978 he was honored as the Class “A” Iowa Coach of the Year for Wrestling. In 1992 he was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame. Unfortunately John passed away on November 21, 2016 so his three children were back to accept his award, thanks to Joel, Mimi and Beth for making time to attend! CONGRATS B, we wish you were still here to receive your award!