(RMC release)
BILLINGS – Rocky Mountain College is proud to announce that the following individuals and teams will be inducted into the 2018 Rocky Mountain College Clara Klindt Athletic Hall of Fame: RMC graduates Jessica Eliasson-Samuelson, Rachel Warren, Mike Sauvageau, Mikal Jones, Dennis Gerke as well as the 2005 and 2007 men’s ski teams. Additionally, former RMC Athletic Director and former Head Golf Coach Randy Northrop. Dave and Deanna Bothwell will receive the distinguished service to RMC Athletics Bill Woolston Distinguished Service Award.
The Clara Klindt Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on September 7, 2018, at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. Dinner will take place at 6 p.m. with the ceremony at 7 p.m. There is a fee of $50 per plate.
Jessica Eliasson-Samuelson is a 2009 graduate of RMC, where she served as a four-year starter for the volleyball team. Eliasson-Samuelson was a Frontier Conference first team for two years, a 2007-2008 All-Region Northwest, a 2008 All-American third team, a 2008 Tachikara-NAIA All-American HM, and a Frontier Academic All-Conference for three consecutive years.
Rachel Warren, a 2008 graduate of RMC, was a member of the women’s golf team from 2004-2008. Warren tied the College’s record for best individual finish at a national championship in golf as she placed 3rd at the NAIA National Championship. She also was a top 5 in all-time scoring average, a top 2 in most individual wins (career), and a four-time NAIA All-American Selection.
Mike Sauvageau, a 1982 graduate of RMC, was a member of the men’s basketball team in the late 1970’s. Sauvageau was inducted as a MHSA Hall of Fame Basketball Coach. In addition to his many accolades, Sauvageau has accumulated over 700 wins in high school basketball as a coach. Sauvageau founded the Little Wolves, a basketball program for younger students, in an effort to get children engaged in basketball at a young age.
Mikal Jones, a 1997 graduate of RMC, was a starting member of the women’s basketball team from 1992-1996. Since graduating, Jones has contributed to girls’ basketball programs all over the country, including coaching basketball at the high school level in Nevada, Kansas, and Montana. She is currently serving as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Manhattan High School in Manhattan, Mont.
Dennis Gerke, a 1983 graduate of Rocky, served a 35-year career as an educator, administrator, and coach. As a high school coach, Gerke’s teams have won 659 games. Gerke is a member of the Montana Coaches Association Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2009. Gerke and his late father, Harold “Dean” Gerke, who was inducted in 1998, are the only father-son members of the RMC Clara Klindt Athletic Hall of Fame.
The 2005 and 2007 Rocky Mountain College men’s ski teams won the College its first national championships. Each team held the titles of Alpine Ski Racing National Champions in both 2005 and 2007. Members of the 2005 and 2007 Rocky Mountain College men’s ski teams are: Pete Petry, AJ Cronk, Scott Anderson, Erik Willborg, Aaron Civitarese, Jarod Roberts, Kyle Kracht, and Craig Murray.
Randy Northrop served as Rocky Mountain College’s Head Golf Coach from 1998-2012. He also served as Athletic Director for Rocky Mountain College. Under Northrop’s leadership, RMC women’s golf earned 12 consecutive NAIA National Championship appearances, a third place team finish at NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships, and numerous top five and top ten finishes. Northrop was named Coach of the Year in the Frontier Conference multiple times and remains one of the most decorated coaches in RMC history.
Dave and Deanna Bothwell are strong supporters of the College through proven distinguished service to RMC Athletics and the Battlin’ Bears. Each year, the Bothwell’s show support to RMC Athletics in a variety of ways. In the past 3 years, they have expanded their support, to include purchasing gear for the volleyball team and by supporting the Marissa Van Atta Fund.
