Gustavus Set to Induct Eight New Members into Athletics Hall of Fame Posted on August 12th, 2019 by

SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus College Athletics Department has chosen eight individuals for induction into its Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2019 inductees include Luke Benoit `04 (Golf), Molly Biehn Becker `04 (Softball), Mike Gempeler `91 (Hockey), Raman Jayapathy `85 (Tennis), Neil Johnson `04 (Golf), Jackie Luehmann `04 (Track & Field), Angie Peterson Potts `04 (Basketball), and Kristin Petersen Smith `04 (Track & Field).

This group will be honored at the Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet, which will be held in Alumni Hall on Saturday, Oct. 19, following the football game against Hamline University at 1 p.m.

Individuals eligible for induction into the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame are athletes, coaches, and benefactors. Selection of athletes is based on athletic achievements while a student at Gustavus. All eight members of the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2019 will be inducted for their accomplishments as student-athletes.

Luke Benoit, a Faribault, Minn. native, was a three-time All-American and led the men’s golf team to the 2004 national championship where he took second place as an individual. During his senior season, Benoit earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors and was the 2003-04 Gustavus Male Athlete of the Year.

Molly Biehn Becker, a Mankato, Minn. native, was voted the 2002-03 Gustavus Female Athlete of the Year after earning All-America honorable mention and leading the softball team to a MIAC championship. Biehn started all 143 games throughout her career, garnering the 2003 MIAC Player of the Year, two All-Midwest Region, and three All-Conference accolades.

Mike Gempeler, a Madison, Wis. native, was a prolific point-scorer for the men’s hockey squad throughout his career, graduating as the program record holder in season points with 58. He currently ranks second in program history in season points, season assists, and career assists. Gempeler was a three-time All-Conference member and tallied 174 career points in 112 games, ranking seventh and eighth, respectively, in program history.

Raman Jayapathy, a Minot, N.D. native, earned two All-American honors while helping the men’s tennis team win four MIAC championships and the 1982 NCAA championship. Jayapathy finished his career with 139 wins combined between singles and doubles. He took second place at the 1984 NCAA doubles tournament and reached the quarterfinals of the 1985 NCAA singles tournament.

Neil Johnson, a River Falls, Wis. native, garnered All-America honors all four years on the men’s golf squad and helped the Gusties claim the 2004 NCAA championship. Johnson, a four-time All-Conference member, earned CoSIDA Academic All-America his senior year and finished in the top-15 at the NCAA Championships all four years.

Jackie Luehmann, a Lewiston, Minn. native, captured six All-America honors in the shot put from 2001-04. Luehmann still holds school records in both the indoor and outdoor shot put. She was an eight-time MIAC champion, winning the MIAC outdoor shot put all four years, and made All-Conference 14 times in the shot, weight throw, discus, and hammer throw.

Angie Peterson Potts, a Northfield, Minn. native, was voted the 2003-04 Gustavus Female Athlete of the Year after earning the women’s basketball program’s first WBCA All-America honor. Peterson Potts was a two-time All-West Region and three-time All-Conference member, including two MIAC All-Defensive Team accolades. She graduated as the program record holder in season points and season three-pointers made, and guided the Gusties to the 2002-03 MIAC championship.

Kristin Petersen Smith, a Hayfield, Minn. native, won the 2004 NCAA discus championship and took fifth in the discus in 2003, earning two All-America honors. Petersen Smith still holds the school record in the discus and claimed three MIAC titles. She also captured nine All-Conference honors in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw.

The selection of the inductees to the Gustavus Hall of Fame is made by the Gustavus Hall of Fame Board, which is a 10-member group consisting of current athletic administrators, and former coaches and alumni.

 

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