Pius X Inducts Second Class into Athletic Hall of Fame
A beloved coach and teacher, and alumni from 4 different decades were honored as the second class to be inducted into the Pius X athletic Hall of Fame. Held Sunday evening, August 9th, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony capped off a weekend of events which celebrated Pius X’s history, friendships and promising future.
Hosted by the Pius X Booster Club and the Pius X Foundation, the evening reception was attended by more than 200 guests. Tim Aylward ’69, Pius X athletic director, detailed the accomplishments of the inductees and presented each with their Hall of Fame medal.
Don Kelley - Outstanding Coach (1968-2005 • Teacher, Coach) Coach Kelley served as head boys’ basketball coach at Pius X from 1968 to 1980, advancing to the state tournament five times and winning the 1974 state championship en route to a 123-120 record. During this time he also served as head baseball coach, earning a state championship in 1974. He was also an assistant coach on four state championship football teams. Kelley took over as head girls’ basketball coach in 1985 and compiled an astounding 145-19 record, reaching five consecutive state championship games and earning back-to-back state championships in 1991 and 1992.
Kelley earned multiple statewide coaching awards and was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He was instrumental in advancing high school basketball in Nebraska through the development of a Lincoln youth basketball camp originally held at Pius X and the development of the state’s first all-star game. He also taught social studies for 45 years before retiring in 2005. The Governor’s Commission on Education recognized Kelley as the High School Teacher of the Year in 1997.
Chris Wickham – Outstanding Athlete (1964 • Basketball, Baseball) Wickham concluded an exceptional year as captain of the 1964 basketball team that not only earned the first state tournament bid in Pius X history, but also stands as the only basketball team to earn a bid into the Class A state tournament.
Long before the three point line and creating shots off the dribble became integral parts of the game, Wickham brought both long range shooting and advanced ball handling to the gym for Pius X. His 422 points in the 1964 season led the city in scoring and still ranks as the fourth highest season total in program history. Wickham’s 22 ppg still ranks as the second highest scoring average in a season more than 50 years later. Wickham also earned two letters on the Pius X baseball team.
Paul Kastl – Outstanding Athlete (1998 • Football, Wrestling, Baseball) Kastl serves as one of the elite examples of the many exceptional multi-sport athletes that have walked the halls of Pius X. He earned All-City recognition two times and was an All-State and Shrine Bowl selection in football. He still holds the all-time record for most rushing yards per game in school history and sits in the top four in rushing yards in a career, rushing yards in a season, touchdowns in a career, and touchdowns in a season.
Kastl moved on to wrestling season and qualified for the state meet multiple times, winning the 1998 Class A gold medal in the 189 lb. weight class. He spent his spring lettering on the baseball field.
Kastl walked on at the University of Nebraska, earning a football scholarship his junior year. He earned his B.A. in Sociology and moved to Omaha to work for Werner Enterprises as a regional operations manager.
Nikki (Colson) Harrington – Outstanding Athlete (2000 • Volleyball, Basketball) Colson excelled at volleyball throughout high school and college, writing a decorated story along the way. She was the first freshman to earn a starting position for Coach Jake Moore, earning four varsity letters. She was eventually named a four time All-City selection and four time All-State selection, winning three straight State Championship trophies from 1997-1999. She graduated holding Pius X records in assists in a match, season, and career. She also held the record for ace serves in a career.
In addition to her records at Pius X, she graduated as the Nebraska high school record holder in assists for a match and career. Not only were Colson’s teams the first in Pius X history to win gold in volleyball, they never lost a match to a Class B school. Colson led volleyball teams completed a four year record of 113-21. She also lettered in basketball.
Colson continued her playing career at Michigan State University, earning All-Big 10 honors and multiple awards for her accomplishments as a setter. While serving as a three year captain for MSU, Colson set records for assists in a season and career and was twice named MVP of the Spartans. She was named to the Dean’s List and graduated with a degree in Communications from MSU before earning a Master’s in Speech Pathology from the University of Nebraska.
1957 & 1959 Golf – Outstanding Teams (Class B State Champions) Many people may not know that the Catholic High Schools of Lincoln gained statewide notoriety for their golf teams as much as any sport when Pius X first opened its doors. Cathedral High School brought home Class B state championships in golf in 1955 & 1956. Some of those players brought the newly formed Pius X High School its first ever state championship in 1957 by way of Pioneer Golf Course on Friday, May 11, 1957.
The Bill Inbody coached Thunderbolts defeated Omaha Holy Name by nine strokes with a team total of 252. Phil Breitfelder, who won the individual gold medal on the 1956 state championship team, shot an 82 on a rain soaked course to tie for first place. Teammates Charles Burda (83) and Tom Melby (87) rounded out the composite scoring for Pius X with sophomore Jere Carey also competing. The Carey led team would finish 2nd place in the 1958 state tournament.
1959 brought another state championship to Pius X, completing a run of four state golf championships over five years. This time senior Jere Carey would win the individual title at Pioneers Golf Club with a score of 78. The team’s score of 257 defeated Ord by seven strokes. Sophomore Jules VanDersarl (86), senior Tom Yax (93) and junior Joe Herrod (93) rounded out the scoring for Pius X. This title would be the last championship won by Pius X for nearly 15 years, but these first two championships set the bar for the next 60 years of athletic tradition and excellence, culminating in over 130 state championship games and over 70 state championship trophies currently present in the halls of Pius X High School.
Pius X welcomes nominations to the athletic Hall of Fame in four categories: coach, athlete, team and benefactor. Nominations may be submitted online at piusx.net. Nomination deadline is April 15, 2016.
