GRAND ISLAND (Neb.) — Another class of Islander History Makers will be honored.

Grand Island Senior High (GISH) has announced the 2025 Inductees to the GISH Athletic Hall of Fame. The class of 2025 marks the seventh class of inductees into the hall.

“I am honored to celebrate the dedication, perseverance, and excellence of these extraordinary individuals who have set a standard of achievement.” Chris Ladwig, GISH Activities Director, said, “As they are inducted into the Hall of Fame, we honor not just their accomplishments, but the legacy they’ve built through their relentless pursuit of greatness. Congratulations to all!  We are excited to welcome back this group of Islanders on January 10th and honor what they have achieved over their careers.”

The inductees will be recognized at halftime of the Grand Island Senior High boys basketball game vs. Fremont on Friday, January 10th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

A brunch honoring the Inductees will also take place on Saturday, January 11th at 10:00 a.m. at Balz Banquet and Reception Hall at 213 N. Sycamore St., Grand Island. Tickets can be purchased for the brunch at the Grand Island Senior High Activities office, at the Friday night basketball game, or Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet2025 - Banquet - Jan 11, 2025. Tickets are $25 apiece.

Congratulations to the Grand Island Senior High Athletic Hall Fame Class of 2025:

  • Johnna (Jeffries) Austin - Female Athlete

  • Kash Kalkowski - Male Athlete

  • Bill Root - Coach

  • 2008 Boys State Championship Baseball Team

  • Larry Rutar - Contributor

(Inductee bios listed below)

– 

JOHNNA (JEFFRIES) AUSTIN - All-Around Athlete

Johnna was an accomplished multi-sport athlete during her athletic career at Grand Island Senior High.  After high school, Johnna went on to compete in both golf and track & field at the University of Wyoming from 2006 to 2010.

Honors for Johnna Include:

  • 12 Varsity Letter Awards during her four years at high school.

  • Five State Track & Field medals and three State Golf individual medals.

  • Member of the 2006 State Runner-Up Track & Field team

  • Member of the 2005 State Golf Championship and the 2006 State Runner-Up Golf Teams.

  • Selected to both the Nebraska Coaches Association All-Star Basketball Team and the All-Heartland Basketball Team (2006).

  • Six letters while at Wyoming, four in women’s Track & Field 

  • Two letters while at Wyoming in Golf.

  • Placed third in the high jump in the Mountain West Conference Championships and qualified for the NCAA Regional Outdoor Championships (2008-09).

  • Holds the third best high jump in Wyoming history.

  • Mountain West All-conference Track & Field Team (2009).

  • Mountain West All-Academic Track and Field Team in both (2009 & 2010).

  • University of Wyoming Most Valuable “Field Event” Athlete (2009).

 

KASH KALKOWSKI - Baseball


Kash was a dominant two-way baseball player in the state of Nebraska, who helped lead the Grand Island Senior High Baseball Team to the school’s first state baseball championship title in 2008.  Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 MLB draft, Kash opted, instead, to play baseball for the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He graduated from UNL with a degree in communications in 2012 and was subsequently selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 2011 MLB draft.

Honors for Kash include: 

  • Gatorade and the Louisville Slugger Player of the Year (2008).

  • Captain of both the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World Herald’s All-State Baseball Teams. 

  • GISH Pitcher:  Compiled a 6-1 record with 3 saves and a 1.51 ERA. He also struck out 65 batters over 55.2 innings ranking him among the state leaders in all four areas.

  • GISH Shortstop:  Hit .460 with 4 home runs, 32 RBI’s, 34 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases.

  • G-I American Legion Home Federal Team:  Compiled a 9-1 pitching record with a 1.51 ERA and 2 no-hitters. He also hit .506 with 10 home runs, 63 RBI’s, 66 runs scored and 17 stolen bases.

  • One of three “true” freshmen to pitch for the Huskers, making 19 appearances in 2009 while averaging nearly a strikeout per inning.

  • Ranked second at UNL in RBI’s, doubles, triples and home runs after hitting a .299 average. In 2012 he hit a career-high .310 with four home runs and 37 RBI’s in 42 games (2011)

  • Selected to the third-teamAll-Big Ten Baseball Team and All-Tournament Team. During this time he hit over .304 average while leading the team in RBI’s (44), doubles (13), triples (3) and home runs (3). This ranked him 3rd in runs scored (40) and fifth in hits (65), while being hit-by-pitch 21 times, tying for the third-most in a single season in UNL school history (Senior season). 

  • Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 MLB draft (opted for college baseball).

  • Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 2011 MLB draft. 

BILL ROOT - Coach


Bill’s volleyball coaching legacy spanned over 4 decades. During that time he developed hundreds of volleyball players and coaches alike in the state of Nebraska. Coach Root took over the Grand Island Senior High Volleyball program in 2000 leading the Islanders from 2000-2019. He has had a tremendous impact on the growth of volleyball in the area and mentored many players who went on to excel in college, including his daughter Brigette who went on to play for the University of Nebraska. 

Honors for Bill include:

  • GILTNER HIGH SCHOOL:  Four state championships and two runner-up finishes from 1980-1999, 

  • GISH:  Eight state tournament appearances. In 2006 and 2007 the Islander Volleyball team finished as state runner-ups.

  • Achieved 700th career win (2017).

  • Honorary Coach for “Volleyball Day” in Nebraska in 2023, during the Husker Volleyball historic record setting attendance event.

  • Nebraska Coaches Association Volleyball Award (2011).

  • Grand Island Independent Girls Coach of the Year in 1985 & 1999.

  • National Federation of State High School Associations Nebraska’s “Coach of the Year” (1996).

  • Nebraska Coaches Association All-Star Volleyball Head Coach in 2008; Assistant Coach in 1991.

2008 GRAND ISLAND BOYS BASEBALL TEAM

The 2008 Spring State Champion Grand Island Islanders. After a 6-10 start, the Islanders rebounded to win their District and qualify as the eighth seed in the State Tournament. After an exciting opening victory against the #1 seed Creighton Prep Bluejays, the Islanders put together victories over higher seeds, Omaha Westside, Millard North, and finally Millard West, winning the deciding final game by a narrow 7-6 score.

Coached by Rick Kissack, the Islanders rode the pitching duo of Kash Kalkowski and Eric Schweiger to victories against Nebraska’s top high school teams. 

LARRY RUTAR - Contributor 


Larry served as a teacher at Walnut Junior High/Middle School for 33 years and coached football for over 30 years.  In 1968, Rutar began his officiating career for the Nebraska School Activities Association officiating in both football and basketball for over twenty years.  Larry began his career as an official starter for Track & Field in 1974. 

Honors for Larry include:

  • Official Track Starter for 50 years, starting over 40,000 races.

  • Started the Central Nebraska Track & Field Championships every year it has been held.

  • Starter at the State Track & Field Championships for 18 of the last 20 years.

  • Started at UNL, UNK and Hastings College.

  • College conference Track Meets Starter including the RMAC, GPAC and MIAA.

  • Awarded the Central Nebraska Track & Field Championships Contributor Award in 2005 and in 2024.

GISH ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2025 INDUCTION BANQUET

DATE:  January 11, 2025

TIME:  11:00 a.m.

VENUE:  Balz Banquet and Reception Hall 

TICKETS:  $25 a piece - Purchase tickets HERE