Olympia High School introduces 2022 Hall of Fame inductees

 

[March 01, 2022] 

Olympia High School acknowledged its 2022 High School Hall of Fame inductees at an Olympia boys basketball game in February.

Among the inductees was the 1998 Contest Play cast. The cast, Jennifer Toliver, Briana Nannen and Robin Morrow, presenting their play "Eleemosynary," won the IHSA Sectional Championship. They placed fifth out of 60 schools in the state competition.

Other's recognized during the event included the 2009 Boys Basketball Team that set and holds several school records, Class of 1983 graduate Bryan Hoffman, Class of 2009 graduate Matt Frahm, and Cross Country coach Mike Neisler, who retired in 2021 after 32 years at Olympia High School.

Bryan Hoffman (Class of 1983-Distinguished Individual/Graduate)

Bryan Hoffman is a 1983 graduate of Olympia High School.

While in high school Bryan was a four year member of the FFA as well as involved in the National Honor Society and Wrestling team. In Bryan’s four years in FFA he had many accomplishments: 1980 FFA Star Greenhand, 1981-1982 Chapter Reporter, 1982-1983 Chapter President. Mr. Hoffman also earned many honors. He was the winner of the Chris Springer Scholarship, Dekalb Award Winner and American Farmer Degree. He was also the National runner up in Sheep Production, which won him a trip to Europe.

After high school, Bryan attended ICC to obtain an associate degree. While attending ICC, Bryan was on the Livestock judging team. He placed second overall in swine at the Kansas City American Royal Livestock show. After ICC, Bryan then transferred to the University of Illinois. While earning his degree in Ag. Econ and minor in Animal Science he worked on the University of Illinois sheep and research farm.

Other accomplishments Bryan has made throughout the years include 10 year 4-H member, member of the state 4-H livestock judging team, Sheep superintendent at McLean county fair for 25 years, 10 years Mclean county show director and Mclean county 4-H foundation member for three years.
 

Mike Neisler (Coach/Sponsor-Outstanding Contribution)

Before Mike Neisler began his contributions to Olympia School District, he attended Girard High School.

While in high school Mike was a letter winner in football and track, as well as being involved in basketball and the school play.

After high school Mr. Neisler attended Judson College where he earned many honors. Some of those being three year Cross Country Letter winner, Most Improved Runner, Most Valuable Runner, Coaches Award and 2 years team captain.

Mr. Neisler started teaching physical education and coaching Cross Country at Olympia High School in 1989.

In Mike's 32 years of coaching cross country he had 26 state qualifying teams (14 girls, 12 boys), three state trophies, 10 Top 10 teams (three boys teams, seven girls teams) in the state, nine individual all state athletes, three conference championships (one girls Corn Belt-two boys-IPC), nine IHSA Regional Championships (five boys, four girls) and seven IHSA Sectional Championships.

Mike retired in 2021, dedicating 32 years to Olympia High School and leaving an everlasting impact.

Matt Frahm (Class of 2009 –Distinguished Individual/Graduate)

Matt Frahm is a 2009 graduate of Olympia High School. While attending Olympia, Matt participated in numerous school activities. He was a member of the National Honor Society, member of the baseball and basketball teams. Matt had many accomplishments in his baseball career. Including leading the team to the 2008 and 2009 state championships. Frahm was the 2009 IHSBCA Player of the year, Wendy's Heisman Finalist, and All State Honors for baseball and basketball in 2008 and 2009.

As a junior Matt was named first team All -State compiling an 11-1 mark with a 2.49 era and 104 strikeouts, while recording a .485 batting average with 39 RBI and a school record of 63 hits. In Matt's senior year he set the schools single season ERA record going 9-1 with a 0.88 ERA and 105 strikeouts. Frahm was also a standout basketball player. He graduated as the school's career scoring leader with 1,440 points. He also led the Spartans to back to back elite eight trips in 2008 & 2009.

After high school, Matt attended Lewis University where he was a member of the baseball team. Matt also received honors while playing baseball in college. He was the 2013 male recipient of the Brother David Delahanty Senior Student Athlete Award (highest GPA) as well as the Capital One Academic All American Baseball Second Team.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Lewis University, Matt went on to sign a professional baseball contract with the Rockford Aviators(2013-2015). After Matt's time with the Rockford Aviators he came back to Oly to be a substitute teacher as well as the JV head basketball coach and varsity assistant coach for 3 years.

Currently Matt now resides in Normal with his wife Mary and two children and is employed as the Youth Sports/Teens Supervisory at Normal Parks and Recreation Department.


1998 Contest Play-(Outstanding Achievement)

Cast members were Jennifer Toliver (as Artie), Briana Nannen (as Dorothea), and Robin Morrow (as Echo). The play, “Eleemosynary”, won the IHSA sectional championship at Lincoln Community High School and placed fifth at the IHSA state final tournament at Millikin University. All five judges at the state contest named Briana to the all-state play cast; both Jennifer and Robin received honorable mention.

IHSA Contest Drama competition makes no separation of entries based on size of school; sixty schools entered the state series that year, making fifth place particularly notable.

Essential to the success of “Eleemosynary” were Fran Walker (costumes) and Eric Abbott (lights). The play was directed by Bill DeLoriea.


2009 Boys Basketball Team-(Outstanding Achievement)

The 2009 boys basketball team set all-time records for Olympia that still stand. The team had many accomplishments during their seasons. The Spartans were Corn Belt Conference Champions, as well as champions of the Olympia Thanksgiving tournament. The Spartans went 4-0 vs Bloomington Central Catholic as well as 2-0 vs. U-high. This 2009 Basketball team also accomplished the most wins in school history with 28 wins. The Spartans also beat the number 2 ranked team in the state, Peoria Christian. The boys went on to win a regional, and a sectional. The 2009 team finished their season at the Super Sectionals with a record of 28-5 that year.

[Michelle Olson
OHMS Activities Director Secretary]