The Plainview High School Hall of Fame added six to its newest class of 2023 with presentations and announcements held during the Klown Festival, on Saturday, June 3.
Family, friends, coaches and relatives helped celebrate the induction, and heard comments from each inductee.
Anyone wishing to nominate someone for the school’s “Hall of Fame” can find an application on the school’s website, or contact Dr. Darron Arlt to receive one for the committee to review for future award.
Jim Brunke
Jim Brunke was described by the local media as being a “jump shot perfectionist.”
It’s indisputable that he was one of the greatest scorers in Pirate Basketball history as he still possesses the single game scoring record for PHS with 50 points against Madison as a Junior in 1960. Jim averaged over 20 points a game during his career as well as 15 rebounds a game. Jim also excelled on the gridiron as a Quarterback, Defensive Back, and Kicker. He led the Pirates to a 16-4 record as a starting QB. Jim was recruited by several colleges to continue his athletic career playing collegiate football with Huron College starting as Quarterback for the Scalpers.
Roger Wachholtz
Roger Wachholtz was a force on the defensive line.
Offenses had to double team him, which most often still failed to neutralize him. He was instrumental in opening holes for a stable of running backs which helped lead the Pirates to an undefeated season and state Football title in 1973. He was named to the All-State team his senior year. He then led the Pirate BB team to one of their best records in recent years as a powerful player under the basket. Roger continued his football career at Kearney State College and became a 2-time All-American helping the Lopers to a 17-3-1 record and back-to-back top 6 national rankings. Roger was inducted into the University of Nebraska Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
Lori Steuckrath
Lori Stueckrath was a generational volleyball talent and arguably the best volleyball player in PHS history! As a Sophomore in the fall of 1982, she led the Lady Pirates to their lone state tournament berth in school history. Lori developed a lethal overhand serve that girls on the opposite side of the net either couldn’t return or simply got out of the way of. Lori still holds the school record for Ace serves in a career with the 2nd highest total just half of her tally. She was the first 3X Norfolk Daily News Top 12 VB athlete as well as a first team All-State selection. She continued her career at Doane College where she would go on to earn All-American honors. She still holds the record for Kills in a game and season for the Tigers and was a 2003 Doane University Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. Lori Stueckrath is the only PHS athlete to have her jersey number retired.
Kyle Lingenfelter
Kyle Lingenfelter was driven to win!
A deep-seated desire to be the best motivated him to become one of the top 3-sport athletes in PHS history. It didn’t matter whether it was Football, Basketball, or Track, Kyle competed at the highest level and earned 12 varsity letters. Kyle competed in 8 events at the state track meet over 4 years and started varsity for 3 years in Basketball contributing to the state tournament team in 1997. Football is where Kyle really made his mark. A 3x All-Conference and 1st Team All-State running back, Kyle is the all-time record holder for rushing yards in a game and season. He led the Pirates to 30 wins and 4 playoff berths during his HS career. Kyle went on to play football collegiately for Wayne State College starting for 4 years for the Wildcats.
James Poynter
James Poynter was a 3-sport scholar athlete for the Pirates in Football, Wrestling, and Track.
A 2x All-State selection as a lineman, James is one of a select few Pirates to be invited to play in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl. James ended an 8-year drought of state Wrestling medalists for the Pirates. He was the first state medal winner for legendary Coach Dean Boyer and is often credited for putting Plainview back on the Wrestling map in Nebraska. He finished his Senior year with the most wins in a season of any Pirate wrestler up to that time. James would set another all-time record in track by throwing the Shot Put further than any Pirate in history…a record he still holds to this day. He earned a state medal in Track in the Shot Put his senior year. James took his football talents to the University of Nebraska Kearney where he earned All-Conference honors for the Lopers 3 times. James continued his football career playing and coaching for another 11 years in the Arena League.
1979 One Act team
Plainview High School was well known throughout play production circles in the late 1970’s as we qualified for the state contest three years in a row headed to the end of the decade. The third time was the charm as the 1979 One-Act team under the direction of Mrs. Connie Mills won the first State Championship play performance in school history! Their rendition of “American Dream” took the Class ‘B’ title on the campus of Kearney State College and propelled PHS into a perennial state contender into the ‘80’s. The 1979 team, however, remains the standard for play production at PHS.
Larry Wachholtz accepted his brother, Roger’s, award
Jim Brunke
Kyle Lingenfelter
Jim Brunke