Sports Hall of Fame – 2000

2000HFCarleenForler

Carleen Forler

Carleen was selected All-State in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She led her Ram teams to 7 conference championships, 5 state tournaments and 2 state titles. Before graduating from Senior High in 1985, Forler earned 11 Major “D’s”. Carleen was on Conference Champion teams in 1982 and 1984, and led the Rams to State Championship in 1983. In 1985 she was named First Team All-Conference and 7th Team All-State. On Softball she played on 3 Conference Championship teams, 4 State Tournament teams, and a State Championship team in 1985. She was selected 3rd Team All-State in 1983, 2nd in 1985 and 1st Team in 1984 and 1985.


2000HFBretJohannsen

Bret Johanannsen

During his 42 years and as educator and administrator, Mr. Johannsen was described as an educator by profession and lover of sports by passion. A graduate from Senior in 1944, Bret enrolled at the University of Dubuque, where he earned his Education Degree. While there he participated in wrestling, basketball, and track. Upon graduating he went on to teach at Jefferson Jr. High. Later, he was called into duty by the Army for active service in Korea. After leaving the service he went on to teach at Washington Jr. High. He passed away in November, 1996.


2000HFWaltKirk

Walt Kirk

At Senior High School, Walt coached nine basketball teams and golf teams. He led one team to the state championship and by his recollection had three remarkable basketball teams. One of those teams was the 1968 squad which is the only Iowa basketball team to win the Old Mississippi Valley Conference, which then included Illinois schools. He retired from education in 1986.


2000HFErnestPuls

Ernest Puls

Ernest Puls played basketball for Senior High in 1922-25. During his senior year he served as team captain and practically ran the team. For many years, Senior had never beaten a Waterloo school in basketball. In 1925, Earnest practically defeated Waterloo single handedly, 20-15. He was named the “thinking man” captain for Senior’s basketball team. The Des Moines Register awared one of its three “I’s” for sportsmanship in 1925. Mr. Puls was selected Honorable Mention All-State Junior and Senior yeas. No one was known for attending as many games as Ernest Puls. He was known as one of the ultimate Senior Rams!


2000HFJordanSmith

Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith led the rams wrestling team to the Conference Co-Championship in 1969. His team won the Sectional Championships three years straight. Jordan’s individual honors include Sectional and District Championships, in addition to his State Title in 1969. He was also Senior’s outstanding Male athlete. Mr. Smith’s record for his high school career was 56-8. The summer following his senior year, Jordan competed in the Iowa Free Style Championships in Waterloo. He won the 154-pound title.


HF1993laverne(bane)wagner

Laverne “Bane” Wagner

Col. Wagner earned 7 Major “D’s” in three sports at Senior, while also becoming a member of the National Honor Society and playing in the band. He was captain of football, basketball, and track teams his senior year. In 1936, he received All-State Honorable Mention in football. Col. Wagner’s contribution to Senior Ram football lore is his 97-yard interception return for a touchdown against East Waterloo. He graduated from Senior in 1937.