INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana High School Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame announced its third class of 2015.

The Hall of Fame was formed to honor athletes, coaches and special contributors who have made an impact on high school swimming and diving in Indiana. The induction ceremony will take place April 18, 2015, at the Primos Banquet South in Indianapolis. A permanent Hall of Fame plaque with the honorees names is on display at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis.

In all, 32 men and women from around the state were chosen for induction with this third class, and seven from the area made the list.

Mark Appenzellar, a 1981 South Bend Riley graduate, was a three-time state champion in the 200 and 500 freestyle races in his sophomore and junior seasons. Appenzellar finished his career with seven top-five finishes in the state finals in the two events.

Jeffrey S. Clark, a 1970 South Bend Adams graduate, gained world notoriety as part of the 100-mile relay team in 1968 that garnered international attention for its accomplishments. Teamed with five other young men, including future state champions and Hall of Fame members Mark Mamula and Dan Harrigan, the relay team swam 176,000 yards (or 7,040 laps of the 25-yard pool). The team demolished the existing world record by nearly four hours. At Adams, he was a member of the 1967 and 1968 Indiana state championship teams and was undefeated in the freestyle events during the dual meet season, city championships, regional championships, and sectional championships for three years. He earned the maximum possible eight individual medals at the Indiana High School State Swimming and Diving Championship from 1967 to 1970. He was a member of the Purdue University record setting 200, 400, and 800 yard free relays and served as a team captain.

Michael Stoller, a 2001 Bremen graduate, was named the 2001 South Bend Tribune Male Athlete of the Year. A four-time High School All-American, Stoller competed in the 2000 Olympic Swimming Trials and achieved historical success at the IHSAA Swimming State Finals. Notable accomplishments were: 50 Free – state record holder and two time state champion, plus current Bremen High School (20.46) and pool (21.51) record holder; 100 Free – 2000 State Champion and current Bremen High School record holder (45.27). Mike was a member of the 200 yard free relay that was a 4-time state finalist and current Bremen High School record holder (1:27.99), and a member of the 400 free relay that was a 3-time state finalist and current Bremen High School record holder (3:12.97). While at the University of Southern California, Stoller was a 1st Team Division 1 All-American and held a school record in the 200 medley relay.

Deborah Thompson, a 1979 Penn graduate, earned four Penn records, eight individual sectional titles as well as two relay titles. Thompson went on to win two state championships in the 200 yard free in 1975 and 1976, becoming the first female to break the 2:00.00 barrier. Deb then swam for Purdue University where she was a member of two record setting relay teams, the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay.

Marie Kruckel taught and coached at South Bend Clay from 1974 to 1982. Kruckel, born in the Bronx, arrived in South Bend in the late 1940s to play baseball with the South Bend Blue Sox. “Kruck” is part of a Women in Baseball display at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY, and also coached softball and swimming during her 38 years at South Bend Clay. During Kruckel’s tenure, her swimming and diving teams finished as runner-up at the state championships four times. She produced six individual state champions and three individual runner-up performances, three relay state champions and seven state records. Marie earned a 123-9-1 dual meet records, winning eight sectional championships in the process.

Bosko Sarenac taught and coached at South Bend Riley from 1957 to 1960. Following a successful career at Michigan State University from 1954-57,including a 1957 Big Ten swim team championship, Bosko began working at Riley in 1957. His first team earned state championship honors in 1958. During his tenure, Sarenac’s teams produced seven individual state champions, five individual runner up and six state records. Two of his relays not only won state titles but also set two records.

Doc Counsilman Award: Karen Leeth, Elkhart Central High School (1968-1994)

Karen Leeth served as the girls’ swimming coach at Elkhart Central High School for 26 years. In addition, she coached the boys’ swimming team for two years and was assistant athletic director for 15 years. Upon her retirement from Elkhart Central in 1994, she had a lifetime coaching record of 366 wins, 27 losses, and 1 tie. During that time her girls’ teams had a 234 dual meet winning streak, which is still a current National Federation of State High School Association national record for consecutive dual meet wins. Her team’s accomplishments include 14 Northern Indiana Conference titles, 19 sectional championships, and six state runner up titles. Karen’s teams produced a total of 16 individual state champions. She was honored as the Sectional Coach of the Year 18 times and State Coach of the Year 9 times.

2015 Indiana High School Swimming And Diving Hall Of Fame
Student Athletes:
Mark Appenzellar, South Bend Riley High School
David Charles Bombar, Munster High School
Jeffrey S. Clark, South Bend Adams High School
Jane Coontz Dugan, Castle High School
Albert Ehlers, Whiting High School
Ryan Fillmann, Muncie Central High School
Jason Gedmin, Munster High School
Holly Humphrey, Crawfordsville High School
Kirsten Johnson Chou, Valparaiso High School
Andrew Brian McVey, Beech Grove High School
Erin Morris Free, Fort Wayne Snider High School
Theodore Nordquist, Gary Mann High School
Curt Reynolds, Warren Central High School
Ty Richardson, Harrison (West Lafayette) High School
Jay Risley, Ben Davis High School
Charlie Schuette, Columbus High School
Dan Schultz, Bedford North Lawrence High School
Nadra Simmons Woerner, Lafayette Jefferson High School
Christine Simmons Simatacolos, Carmel High School
Michael Stoller, Bremen High School
Laura Swander Templin, Center Grove High School
Deborah Thompson, Penn High School
Maurice Woodworth, Lafayette Jefferson High School
Coaches:
Harry (Potsey) Clark, East Chicago Washington High School
Chad Englehart, Homestead High School
Con Keller, Lawrence Central/Warren Central High Schools
Marie Kruckel, South Bend Riley High School
Betty Leibert Lukoshus, Munster High School
Bosko Sarenac, South Bend Riley High School
Awards:
Contributor Award – Larry Zoller, Mt. Vernon High School
Doc Counsilman Award – Karen Leeth, Elkhart Central High School
Hobie Billingsley Award – Dick Brunoehler, Southport and Perry Meridian High Schools