2021 LHS Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony postponed till spring

The 2021 Laurel High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony scheduled for tonight at the high school is postponed due to weather and travel concerns. The ceremony is likely to be rescheduled during a spring track meet.

The Outlook will publish full bios of the inductees at that time but the following individuals and teams make up the Class of 2021:

Lysa Fox

A 1984 LHS graduate, Lysa Fox excelled in choir and music and was a Laurelaire all four years of high school, as well as having the lead role in the school play “Anything Goes.” After high school she founded the Venture Theatre in Billings and was Youth Education Director and Artistic Director for 16 years. She has performed as Patsy Cline more than 200 times and is currently the Head of Musical Theatre at Western Illinois University in Macome, Ill.

Richard Helterbran

Rich Helterbran is well known in the Laurel sports community as the timer for football and wrestling since 1977. In the 2000s he started keeping clock for soccer and basketball. He operated the clocks at every Laurel playoff game/match for more than 30 years. In 2008 Helterbran received the Mildred Adams Award from the Montana High School Association. This top honor is awarded to school sup port staff in recognition of their assistance with student activities.

Connie (Kellison) Cole

Connie (Kellison) Cole is a 1978 LHS graduate and a hurdler, sprinter and jumper for the track team. During her senior year at State she won the 100 yard dash and 80 and 110 yard hurdles, as well as taking 2nd in the 220 yard dash and 3rd in the long jump. She still holds the LHS record in the 100m run.

Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson was the LHS track coach from 1972–80 and led the team to State Championships in 1978, 1979 and 1980. His teams also racked up five divisional titles during his tenure. Wilson was Montana Track Coach of the Year in 1979 and 1980. He was also an assistant basketball coach under Don Peterson from 1967–1980.

Mike Wood

Mike Wood, a 1978 LHS grad who passed away in 2000, excelled in track and basketball and was an integral part of the 1978 State Championship track team. He was part of the record–setting mile and 440m relay team and won the 440m run that year as an individual, as well as taking several other top three finishes in the State meet.

1978–80 LHS track teams

The LHS track team won the State meet three consecutive years from 1978 to 1980.

1978

Head coach: Tom Wilson.

Assistant Coaches: Wayne Hackney, Larry Wedel, Rick Ronan, Joe Russell, Gary Pederson.

Athletes: Mike Wood, Tim Russell, Paul Wagner, Tom Russell, Craig Hazen, Brad Dantic.

1979

Head coach: Tom Wilson

Assistant Coaches: Wayne Hackney, Larry Wedel, Rick Ronan, Joe Russell, Gary Pederson.

Athletes: Brad Dantic, Craig Hazen, Jeff Richmond, Steve Rodgers, Chad Bladow, Mark Elsenpeter.

1980

Head coach: Tom Wilson

Assistant Coaches: Wayne Hackney, Larry Wedel, Rick Ronan, Joe Russell, Gary Pederson.

Athletes: Brad Dantic, Craig Hazen, Rich Wallace, Chad Bladow, Kelly Braswell, Richie Helterbran, Monty Hoppell.

Manager: Robert Morrissey.