5 to join BHS hall of fame

Four former Brainerd High School athletes and one former administrator will join the Brainerd Warriors Hall of Fame at the all-sports banquet April 28.

Wade Haapajoki

Category: Athlete

BHS graduate: 1995

Sports at BHS:

Football: Three-year starter, all-conference twice, all-area twice, all-state honorable mention,

Basketball: Three-year starter, all-conference three times, all-area twice, MVP in 1995

Baseball: Two-year starter, all-conference twice, member of two 1995 state championship team, drove in game-winning run in state championship game, all-state honorable mention.

Warriors All-Sports Banquet

When: 6 p.m. April 28

Where: Brainerd High School gym

Tickets: On sale for parents and public in BHS activities office Monday through Friday

Cost: $10

College:

University of Minnesota: Football, 1995, one of four walk-ons to make team, back injury ended career

St. Cloud State University: Played baseball in 1997, back injury ended career after one season

Coaching: Two years assistant baseball coach at SCSU, one year assistant football coach at Pequot Lakes, last eight years assistant football coach in Brainerd, six years assistant boys' basketball coach in Brainerd, last three years assistant girls' basketball coach at Brainerd

Age: 31

Residence: Pillager

Occupation: Special education teacher, Brainerd

Notable: Was 1995 BHS Male Athlete of Year, joins his father Jon Haapajoki and uncle Dave Maras in the hall of fame.

Marni (Lundbohm) George

Category: Athlete

BHS graduate: 2000

Sports at BHS: Earned 15 varsity letters in three sports.

Golf: All-conference four times, member of 1999 state championship and all-state academic teams, MVP twice

Cross country running: MVP in 1997

Nordic skiing: All-conference four times, member of 1998 Section 8 championship team, section runner-up in pursuit in 1999 and champion in 2000, all-state twice, member of all-state academic team, MVP in 2000

College: Walked-on at University of Iowa to play golf, lettered four years, secretary of Iowa Student Athletic Advisor Council two years, member of National Golf Coaches Association Division I All-Scholar team in 2002-03.

Age: 26

Residence: Chicago

Occupation: Systems integration and technology consultant at Accenture in Chicago.

Notable: Warrior Female Athlete of Year in 2000, third n Minnesota State Amateur in 2000, won Minnesota Women's Golf Association State Four Ball in 2001, won MWGA Match Play second flight in 2001.

Sarah (Northway) Maria

Category: Athlete

BHS graduate: 1993

Sports at BHS: Track, tennis, volleyball, basketball

BHS basketball: Three-year starter, all-conference three times, all-conference scholar athlete), all-area selection three times, Minnesota Coaches Association all-state team twice, Associated Press All-State team, 1,000-point scorer, Women's Basketball News Service All-American 1993, Street and Smith All-American honorable mention 1993, Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-American 1993, Miss Minnesota Basketball finalist, Full-Court Press outstate team 1992 and 1993, played on outstate team in Minnesota All-Star Game, first BHS girls' basketball player to sign with Division I school, Member of Minnesota Lakers AAU team that played in final four in 1991, member of Minneapolis CD AAU team that won 18-under state championship and advanced to nationals twice.

College: Lettered at University of Arizona in 1993-94, transferred to UConn, lettered at UConn 1995-96 and 1996-97, national student athlete award winner 1996-97, UConn scholar athlete award winner 1996-97, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 1997-98, member of two Big East Conference regular-season champions, member of two Big East tournament champions, national champions 1995, Final Four 1996, Elite Eight 1997

Age: 32

Residence: Arlington, Va.

Occupation: Attorney (not currently practicing), at home with two children.

Jim Hunt

Category: At-large

Career at BHS: Assistant principal 1972-73, acting principal 1973-74, principal 1974-99.

Age: 66

Residence: Baxter

Today: Retired, works part-time at Madden's West Golf Course in summer, member of Brainerd Sports Boosters Club, member of boosters board of directors, hosts cable TV show produced by Brainerd School District, chair of BHS Distinguished Achievement Hall of Fame Committee.

Reaction to selection: "When (activities director) Todd (Selk) called it was just kind of overwhelming. It's very special for me and my family. I've known about the hall of fame for a number of years. To be put into that group is just humbling."

Dale Jensen

Category: Athlete

BHS graduation year: 1967

Sports at BHS: Football, wrestling, track and field

Wrestling: Second in District 24 tournament as sophomore, champion as junior, didn't wrestle senior year because of broken wrist

Football: Right guard, linebacker, member of WCCO Radio Team of Week

Track and field: Hurdler, ran 220, member of relay, third in 180 low hurdles in district meet

College: At University of Wisconsin-Superior, started two years in football at guard, junior and senior year won conference wrestling titles, as junior was fourth in national tournament at 190 pounds, senior year was sixth in nationals at 177

Age: 59

Residence: Brainerd

Occupation: Paperworker at Wausau Paper

Reaction to selection: "It's quite an honor. I don't know if I'm worthy."

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.