Memorabilia from GC sports “Golden Era” to be given away this weekend
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GLENWOOD CITY – 1982-2006 was a 25 year period of memorable championship teams at GCHS. During this 25 year period, Glenwood City boys won 54 championships (conference, regional, sectional and two state titles in basketball and track).
Glenwood City had won four conference championships in football prior to this period and three in basketball. Track had won a conference title in 1975, while wrestling won the conference in 1975 and 1980. 1975 was the first season for title 9 taking effect with girls athletics beginning at Glenwood City.
The Winter of 1982 saw a strong senior class of ten boys win the conference in basketball and finish the season with a 17-3 record. The Spring of 1982 was full of snowstorms, the track team ran on a gravel oval around the practice football field or where the current varsity track and football field are located today. The track team was led by “iron man” Jerry Hagen to help win the conference, regional, sectional and state title in Madison at Mannsfield Memorial Stadium. The track team only had six practices outdoors besides participating in cold, wet track meets prior to the conference meet. This state title was the first time Glenwood City was put on the map. The boys track squad went on to win 10 conference titles, 14 regional and five sectional titles along with the state title. During this era 121 Hilltoppers earned their way to state in track with Jerry Hagen being the 400 state champion running a 49.87 for first. Also Eric Klatt was a state champion with a vault of 14 feet, just missing out on 14’ 6 to set a state record at that time in 1993.
The cross country boys and girls teams started up again in 1995. Glenwood City had a cross country team for boys in the 60’s but dropped the sport in 1975, when girls sports came in. Travis Logghe was the first boy to run at state in 1997 and Tammy Hoffman was the first girl in 1999.
The football program won conference titles in 1983, 1984, 1985 and the 1985 squad won the first of three state titles won by the boys football team at GCHS. Conference titles were won in 1994, 1996, and 1997. The 1997 football team was 14-0 in Division 5, bringing home the second gold ball. Once again Glenwood City was on the state radar. The conference was won again in 1998 and again in 2005. The 1998 and 2000 football teams lost to Edgar in close contests to earn a trip to Madison. Edgar walked through their opponents at state to win the championship.
The basketball program won conference titles in 1982, 1983, and 1984. The 1983 squad had to replace all starters and 10 seniors. This squad finished 21-2 and the third trip to the Spooner sectional in the school’s history. The 1959 team and the 1967 squad made the trip to the sectional. Conference titles were earned tin 1988 and 1989. History was made in 1989 with a regional, sectional and second place finish at state. Bringing home the silver ball gave GCHS a new season record for the boys of 26-1. Conference titles were won in 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2006. A record of playing at the sectional five years in a row from 1997-2001 was established. Winning the state title in basketball in 2001 saw Glenwood City bring home the gold ball with a record of 26-1. The 2006 basketball squad made the trip to Madison with a record of 25-0, but lost to Westby 62-60, to finish 25-1. This marked four trips to Madison in boys basketball 1989, 1997, 2001, and 2006.
During this era five conference titles were won in wrestling and three state champions in Dan Goosens, Dave Caress and Frank Kohler. The girls basketball team earned trips to the sectional in 1987 for the first time, again in 1990, 1991, 1992. The 1991 team won the conference, regional and defeated Bloomer at the sectional in Cumberland to earn their way to Madison for the only trip to state. The girls also earned their way to the sectional in 2005 and 2006. Several girls played college basketball after their career at GCHS.
The baseball team made the sectional several times during the “Golden Era”. The highlight was the 1998 baseball team winning the regional and sectional and earning its way to state in summer baseball. Participating in a one class tournament the Hilltoppers had to play Kenosha Bradford with an enrollment of over 2,400 students. Glenwood City once again put the town’s name on the map with a 6-3 win. The 1999 baseball team worked their way back to the state tourney only to lose in the first round in a close contest.
This coming Sunday, November 3 at the Glenwood City Community Center there will be several plaques, pictures and memorabilia to be given away from 1:00 – 3:00. Just come to the community center and take what you want of the track, cross-country, and basketball plaques or pictures.