
Beavers to Honor Title IX Trailblazers As Part of Hall of Fame Event
September 06, 2022 | General
CORVALLIS – Oregon State Athletics will honor a group of Title IX Trailblazers as part of its special Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Nov. 5 at Gill Coliseum.
 
The Beavers announced their Oregon State Athletics 2022 Hall of Fame class in June, This additional group of Trailblazers will be honored as part of the ceremony for their contributions to Oregon State and for paving the way for current and future generations of women's athletes.
 
Please note that rosters for some of the teams listed below are not complete. If you have information on individuals or team members that should be recognized among this group of Trailblazers, please contact Oregon State Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu
 
Oregon State Trailblazers
 
Women's Basketball:
1979 Team – Made AIAW Nationals under the guidance of head coach Aki Hill (Team Members: Lori Brostrom, Betty Collings, Kathy Riel, Jan Martin, Robyn Clark, Carol Menken, Pam Mollet, Cheri Hoppes, Margy Becker, Debbie Meeker, Karen McDonald, Mary Newman, Gwendolyn Hilyard, Mary K. Pace, Carol Ann Weaver, Kathy Vanderstoel, Marsha Rice, Shannon Jakosky, If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
 
1980 Team – NWIT Champions, once again under the guidance of Head Coach, Aki Hill (Team Members: Betty Collings, Carol Menken, Margy Becker, Janet Nicholas, Robyn Sharp, If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
 
Women's Golf:
1975 Team – Finished ninth at Nationals (Team Members: Mary Budke, Rise Alexander, Mary Stockdale, Partty Scharm)
 
Gymnastics:
1979 Team – Placed seventh nationally under Head Coach, Ronald Ludwig; National qualifiers (Team Members:Sharon Low, Mary Berg, Melinda Fehlen, Stacy Jennings, Kris Femling, Mary Ayotte, Carol Holmes, Jill Jory, Laura Shuya, Nancy Holmes, Linda Parker, ast coaches Bryan Lea and Jackie Johnson)
 
Donna Southwick – In 1977, Donna was the first Oregon State gymnastics All-American and the first Beaver women's athlete to receive a scholarship.
              
Jan (Brandt) Boucot – Four-year gymnast and competed on the 1969 team
 
Women's Rowing:
1974 Team – Placed 15th nationally, fourth in the Open Eight and third in the Open Quad, led by Head Coach, Astrid Hancock. (Team Members we can confirm: Coach and coxswain Karen Bluel, coxswain Peggy Meece; Carol Schmit, Jan Brown, Janet McPherson, Mary Werner, Jennifer Hartley, Tarn Bejnar, Bonnie Forserth, Mary Moore, Claudia Earl, Deb Brown, Denise Luckeroth, Candy Wallin and Judy Kitzman. If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
 
1976 Open Pair – Placed fourth nationally
 
1977 Team – Finished 10th nationally (Team Members we can confirm: Sheree Gillaspie, Noreen McGovern Zupan. If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
 
Softball:
1977 Team – Made an appearance in the Women's College World Series, and finished tied for 12th nationally under the guidance of head coach Rayne Brooks (Team Members we can confirm: Melinda Ameele, Dawn Wood, Janet Rathbone, Denise Smail, Taraleen Stymer, Denise Marie Peterson, Yolanda Johnson, Becky Harris, Karen Cosper, Janey Haglund, Nadine Miller, Lynnae Root, Denise Luckeroth, Penny Fischer, Shelly Willis) If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
 
Lori Davis – Earned All-America honors in her one season as a member of the Beavers, making her the first All-American in program history
 
Mary Newman – While being recognized as a Trailblazer, she is also being inducted to the 2022 Hall of Fame Class along with the 1980 and 1981 Softball Teams. Mary lettered for 1978-1981.
 
Women's Swimming:
Belinda Brimhall – Represented Oregon State at Nationals in 1972 and was the first national scorer in Oregon State history in 1973 – placing 39th in the freestyle
 
Shelley Dunnigan – Competed on the 1972 relay team
 
Maureen Kohler – Competed on the 1972 relay team
 
Janet Kern – Competed on the 1972 relay team
 
1974 Relay Team – (Team members: Barbara King, Robyn Richards, Robert Maestre (coach))
 
If you have information on the remaining team members for Women's Swimming, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu
 
Women's Tennis:
Sue Graham – Northwest District Singles Champion in 1967
 
Mary Paczesniak – Placed first in the Pacific Northwest Doubles Championships in 1969 and second in 1970
 
Linda Lewman – Placed first in the Pacific Northwest Doubles Championships in 1969 and second in 1970
Patty Nevue - Played from 1971-74 and coached from 1978-82
 
Cross Country:
Becky Niemi – Joined Myrna Helikson as the first Oregon State runners to make the AIAW National Championships in 1976
 
Myrna Helikson – Joined Becky Niemi as the first Oregon State runners to make the AIAW National Championships in 1976
 
1977 Team – First team to represent Oregon State at AIAW Nationals, finishing 22nd under the guidance of head coach Will Stephens. (Team members: Janet Lovelace, Karen Brown, Candy Hamilton, Kris Trom, Julia Anderson, Jenny Bird, Marty Gossett, Becky Niemi, Marie Star, Sally Neff, Josetta Anderson, Susan Buhler. If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu.)
 
Janet Lovelance – Placed 26th at AIAW Nationals in 1978
 
Track and Field:
1971 Team – Under the leadership of Head Coach Pat Ingram, the 1971 program tied for 10th in the DGWS with nine different athletes scoring (Team members: Cindy Lea Arbelbide, Gay Berry Snyder, Cherry Blaine, Karen D. Botts, Nancy Browning, Debra Kay Carter, Maryrae Evans Thomson, Linda Franklin, Nancy Keeton Barham, Connie Larsen, Sheila Lewellen, Sue Lonsford Erlebach, Gloria Martin Deuell, Penny Haakinson, Jeri Nored, Peggy Robinson Gilder, Stephanie Sceva, Peggy Sandeen, Karen Thompson Umemoto)
 
Linda Franklin – Placed third in the high jump in 1971
Cindy Lea Arbelbide – Placed fourth in the 880 in 1971
 
1971 4x100 Relay Team – Finished fifth (Team members: Jeri Nored, Gay Berry, Sue Lonsford, and Peggy Robinson)
 
Maryrae Evans – Placed fifth in the 440 in 1971
 
Jeri Nored – Took sixth in the long jump in 1971
 
Karen Botts – Finished sixth in discus in 1971
Multi-Sport:
Emily Beard Heard – Was a key contributor to the Beavers' golf, basketball and field hockey teams from 1968-72
 
Coaches:
Jane Farr – Coached field hockey, softball and basketball
 
Lois Pye – Coached cross country and track and field; Helped inaugurate the Oregon Track and Field Championships
 
Velda Brust – Coached tennis
 
Judy Kitzman – Helped guide women's rowing to a 10th-place national finish
 
Cathy Heath – Coached women's tennis and worked tirelessly to implement the mandates of Title IX
 
Will Stephens – Coached track and field
 
Data tracking for women's sports has vastly improved over the last 50 years. While tracking down roster information for the individuals and teams above has been difficult, we appreciate any insight you have on ensuring we obtain contact information to the following student-athlete alums and honor this group of Trailblazers for the legacy they have left on Oregon State Athletics.
 
If you have any information on the above Trailblazers, both individually and team information, please contact Oregon State Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu
 
Oregon State's 2022 Hall of Fame Class can be viewed here.
 
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
 
 
The Beavers announced their Oregon State Athletics 2022 Hall of Fame class in June, This additional group of Trailblazers will be honored as part of the ceremony for their contributions to Oregon State and for paving the way for current and future generations of women's athletes.
Please note that rosters for some of the teams listed below are not complete. If you have information on individuals or team members that should be recognized among this group of Trailblazers, please contact Oregon State Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu
Oregon State Trailblazers
Women's Basketball:
1979 Team – Made AIAW Nationals under the guidance of head coach Aki Hill (Team Members: Lori Brostrom, Betty Collings, Kathy Riel, Jan Martin, Robyn Clark, Carol Menken, Pam Mollet, Cheri Hoppes, Margy Becker, Debbie Meeker, Karen McDonald, Mary Newman, Gwendolyn Hilyard, Mary K. Pace, Carol Ann Weaver, Kathy Vanderstoel, Marsha Rice, Shannon Jakosky, If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
1980 Team – NWIT Champions, once again under the guidance of Head Coach, Aki Hill (Team Members: Betty Collings, Carol Menken, Margy Becker, Janet Nicholas, Robyn Sharp, If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
Women's Golf:
1975 Team – Finished ninth at Nationals (Team Members: Mary Budke, Rise Alexander, Mary Stockdale, Partty Scharm)
Gymnastics:
1979 Team – Placed seventh nationally under Head Coach, Ronald Ludwig; National qualifiers (Team Members:Sharon Low, Mary Berg, Melinda Fehlen, Stacy Jennings, Kris Femling, Mary Ayotte, Carol Holmes, Jill Jory, Laura Shuya, Nancy Holmes, Linda Parker, ast coaches Bryan Lea and Jackie Johnson)
Donna Southwick – In 1977, Donna was the first Oregon State gymnastics All-American and the first Beaver women's athlete to receive a scholarship.
Jan (Brandt) Boucot – Four-year gymnast and competed on the 1969 team
Women's Rowing:
1974 Team – Placed 15th nationally, fourth in the Open Eight and third in the Open Quad, led by Head Coach, Astrid Hancock. (Team Members we can confirm: Coach and coxswain Karen Bluel, coxswain Peggy Meece; Carol Schmit, Jan Brown, Janet McPherson, Mary Werner, Jennifer Hartley, Tarn Bejnar, Bonnie Forserth, Mary Moore, Claudia Earl, Deb Brown, Denise Luckeroth, Candy Wallin and Judy Kitzman. If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
1976 Open Pair – Placed fourth nationally
1977 Team – Finished 10th nationally (Team Members we can confirm: Sheree Gillaspie, Noreen McGovern Zupan. If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
Softball:
1977 Team – Made an appearance in the Women's College World Series, and finished tied for 12th nationally under the guidance of head coach Rayne Brooks (Team Members we can confirm: Melinda Ameele, Dawn Wood, Janet Rathbone, Denise Smail, Taraleen Stymer, Denise Marie Peterson, Yolanda Johnson, Becky Harris, Karen Cosper, Janey Haglund, Nadine Miller, Lynnae Root, Denise Luckeroth, Penny Fischer, Shelly Willis) If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu)
Lori Davis – Earned All-America honors in her one season as a member of the Beavers, making her the first All-American in program history
Mary Newman – While being recognized as a Trailblazer, she is also being inducted to the 2022 Hall of Fame Class along with the 1980 and 1981 Softball Teams. Mary lettered for 1978-1981.
Women's Swimming:
Belinda Brimhall – Represented Oregon State at Nationals in 1972 and was the first national scorer in Oregon State history in 1973 – placing 39th in the freestyle
Shelley Dunnigan – Competed on the 1972 relay team
Maureen Kohler – Competed on the 1972 relay team
Janet Kern – Competed on the 1972 relay team
1974 Relay Team – (Team members: Barbara King, Robyn Richards, Robert Maestre (coach))
If you have information on the remaining team members for Women's Swimming, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu
Women's Tennis:
Sue Graham – Northwest District Singles Champion in 1967
Mary Paczesniak – Placed first in the Pacific Northwest Doubles Championships in 1969 and second in 1970
Linda Lewman – Placed first in the Pacific Northwest Doubles Championships in 1969 and second in 1970
Patty Nevue - Played from 1971-74 and coached from 1978-82
Cross Country:
Becky Niemi – Joined Myrna Helikson as the first Oregon State runners to make the AIAW National Championships in 1976
Myrna Helikson – Joined Becky Niemi as the first Oregon State runners to make the AIAW National Championships in 1976
1977 Team – First team to represent Oregon State at AIAW Nationals, finishing 22nd under the guidance of head coach Will Stephens. (Team members: Janet Lovelace, Karen Brown, Candy Hamilton, Kris Trom, Julia Anderson, Jenny Bird, Marty Gossett, Becky Niemi, Marie Star, Sally Neff, Josetta Anderson, Susan Buhler. If you have information on the remaining team members, please contact OSU Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu.)
Janet Lovelance – Placed 26th at AIAW Nationals in 1978
Track and Field:
1971 Team – Under the leadership of Head Coach Pat Ingram, the 1971 program tied for 10th in the DGWS with nine different athletes scoring (Team members: Cindy Lea Arbelbide, Gay Berry Snyder, Cherry Blaine, Karen D. Botts, Nancy Browning, Debra Kay Carter, Maryrae Evans Thomson, Linda Franklin, Nancy Keeton Barham, Connie Larsen, Sheila Lewellen, Sue Lonsford Erlebach, Gloria Martin Deuell, Penny Haakinson, Jeri Nored, Peggy Robinson Gilder, Stephanie Sceva, Peggy Sandeen, Karen Thompson Umemoto)
Linda Franklin – Placed third in the high jump in 1971
Cindy Lea Arbelbide – Placed fourth in the 880 in 1971
1971 4x100 Relay Team – Finished fifth (Team members: Jeri Nored, Gay Berry, Sue Lonsford, and Peggy Robinson)
Maryrae Evans – Placed fifth in the 440 in 1971
Jeri Nored – Took sixth in the long jump in 1971
Karen Botts – Finished sixth in discus in 1971
Multi-Sport:
Emily Beard Heard – Was a key contributor to the Beavers' golf, basketball and field hockey teams from 1968-72
Coaches:
Jane Farr – Coached field hockey, softball and basketball
Lois Pye – Coached cross country and track and field; Helped inaugurate the Oregon Track and Field Championships
Velda Brust – Coached tennis
Judy Kitzman – Helped guide women's rowing to a 10th-place national finish
Cathy Heath – Coached women's tennis and worked tirelessly to implement the mandates of Title IX
Will Stephens – Coached track and field
Data tracking for women's sports has vastly improved over the last 50 years. While tracking down roster information for the individuals and teams above has been difficult, we appreciate any insight you have on ensuring we obtain contact information to the following student-athlete alums and honor this group of Trailblazers for the legacy they have left on Oregon State Athletics.
If you have any information on the above Trailblazers, both individually and team information, please contact Oregon State Athletics at damgoodtime@oregonstate.edu
Oregon State's 2022 Hall of Fame Class can be viewed here.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
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