Hutchinson High School’s Wall of Fame continues to grow.
This year, eight new faces ranging from modern leaders to a local legend will be added to the shrine.
Nominations open up in January every two years, and residents can submit the names and accomplishments of athletes, coaches, fans, artists and outstanding graduates. A committee studies the applications, and since 2008 it has selected five to eight new names each time.
Inductees have their photos added to the Wall of Fame in a trophy case outside the HHS gym, along with a plaque highlighting their achievements.
The eight new inductees will be officially recognized at a ceremony prior to the Homecoming football game on Oct. 12. HHS provided the following information on the inductees:
BILL ARNDT — FAN
A 1954 graduate of HHS, Arndt has been a lifelong supporter of all HHS activities. He was an integral part of the senior steak fry from the 1970s to 2015. He has also been a bus driver for the district since 1992.
In addition to watching his three children Glen, Christine and Rochelle participate in different sports and activities, Arndt has been a constant presence at numerous sporting events. He enjoys traveling to away football games to support the Tigers.
Arndt is also active in the community of Hutchinson. He helps at the McLeod County Historical Society, the Kiwanis Club, the Snow Pros and was a founding member of the Drift Riders snowmobile club.
BETH SHIMANSKI — OUTSTANDING ATHLETE/GRADUATE
Shimanski is a 1995 graduate of HHS and was a standout on the Tigersharks swim team. She was the 100-yard backstroke state champion in 1994. She was also a member of a state champion relay team.
After her career at HHS, she went on to swim at the University of Minnesota. While there, she was a four-year letter winner and helped the Gophers win four Big Ten titles from 1995 to 1999. Shimanski then went on to coach at Wayzata High School where she was instrumental in guiding the Trojans to their first girls swimming and diving state championship in 2013.
HEIDI (ROSTBERG) CARLSON — OUTSTANDING ATHLETE/GRADUATE
Carlson graduated from HHS in 1989. While in school, Heidi played basketball and tennis for the Tigers. She was a part of three conference champion basketball teams and played on three state tournament teams. However, it was in tennis where Carlson excelled.
She is the only five-time qualifier for the state tennis tournament, doing so from 8th grade through her senior year. She was named All-Conference five times. She has a career record of 172-18 for Tiger tennis, including an undefeated senior year, where she went 29-0.
Carlson went on to compete at Gustavus Adolphus College where she was a four-time MIAC singles champion and earned a third-place finish in the 1993 NCAA Tournament. Heidi now serves as the assistant coach for the Gusties women’s tennis team.
PAUL LENZ — OUTSTANDING ATHLETE/GRADUATE
Lenz is a 1984 graduate of HHS. He earned nine letters while competing for Hutchinson. He earned four letters in track, three in football and two in hockey. He served as the captain of the 1983 Tiger football state championship team. He also earned a second-place medal in the 4x100 relay at the state track and field meet.
After graduating from Hutchinson, Lenz went on to play football at North Dakota State University. While playing for the Bison, Lenz was a member of the national championship teams in 1985, 1986 and 1987. In 1988, he was named first-team All-American by Football Gazette, first-team All-North Central Conference and MVP defensive lineman in the NCC.
LEONARD LASLEY — COACH/ADVISER
Few names are as recognizable in Hutchinson athletics as Lasley’s. He completed his 51st season as the HHS boys track and field coach in the spring of 2018.
During that time, he had the opportunity to coach several outstanding athletes. Many of Lasley’s athletes qualified for the state meet, including three that went on to win a state title.
Lasley’s impact goes well beyond the field of competition. He was a resource for his athletes to go to when they needed support.
BRUCE ROSENOW — COACH/ADVISER
Rosenow dedicated over 40 years of his life to coaching. His career included coaching at Hector, Dassel-Cokato and Hutchinson. While coaching at HHS, Rosenow was a part of the football, wrestling and baseball programs. Rosenow was an assistant football coach on five state championship teams. He was named the Football Coaches Association assistant coach of the year in 2002.
In wrestling, Rosenow served as both the head coach and an assistant coach. He helped coach 25 individual state qualifiers, including nine place winners and two state champions.
Rosenow has also been an assistant and head coach for the Tiger baseball team. He guided the Tigers to the 2006 Missota Conference championship. The team also qualified for the state tournament that same year.
HARRY SPANNAUS — OUTSTANDING GRADUATE
Spannaus is a 1948 graduate from HHS. While in school, he earned recognition for participation in athletics and fine arts. Harry went on to attend the University of Minnesota. In November 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While serving in Korea and southeast Asia, Harry flew 222 combat missions over hostile territory.
Col. Spannaus was awarded over 40 declarations for distinguished combat flight and exemplary service to his country. These awards include two Legion of Merits, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, the Bronze Star with valor and many other awards and declarations.
Spannaus retired from the Air Force after 26 years of service. He went on to work for Hilliard Oil and Gas and served as vice president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.
LES KOUBA — FINE ARTS
Kouba was born in Hutchinson in February 1917. His talent was recognized early on when, at the age of 11, he sold his first painting. Kouba’s only formal art training came at the Minneapolis-based Art Instruction School.
Kouba is credited for re-designing the Coca-Cola logo as well as creating the Old Dutch windmill on potato chip bags and boxes and the Red Owl grocery store logo. However, it is in the area of wildlife art that Kouba is most widely known.
Kouba is identified as one of the artists responsible for the resurgence of wildlife art in the 1970s. He won the Federal Duck Stamp art contest in 1958 and 1967. He was named the Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year in 1976 and 1977, and he won the Minnesota Waterfowl Stamp competition in 1978.
