(Audubon) Audubon athletes and coaches gave a lot of good feedback when asked about the most dedicated Wheeler fans. Betty Bowen and Randy Lange each received the most mention, while others brought up were Randy Spies, Ashley Obermeier, Doug and Nicki Olsen, Don Hawkins, Clint Stetzel, and Kyle Kjergaard.
KSOM/KS95.7 Sports was able to connect with Randy Lange who is a fixture at Audubon sporting events, especially football, basketball, and track. “I really enjoy sports and the kids have a lot of passion. We have some great coaches. Audubon has just been very fortunate to have some really great coaches and good athletes that have turned out to be fantastic people.”
Lange is a 1978 Audubon graduate and has been impressed be the entire community’s support of the Wheelers. “You go to some away games and there is hardly anyone there besides the parents. Our kids have never had to face that. We’ve been fortunate to have such good following.”
Lange remembers the late 90’s being particularly fun in basketball. In fact, in 1999 the girls team won the state tournament under head coach Frank Howell while Bob Monahan’s boys team was a state qualifier. “Back in the years when Frank Howell was coaching the gym was always full when Frank Nelsen and Avoca came and Gail Hartigan and Treynor came. It was always so competitive and those were some of my favorite times to watch basketball.”
He doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon, hinting perhaps that high school competition represents sports in their purest form. In addition to the previously mentioned state basketball success, Lange enjoyed the Wheelers ride to the 2016 state volleyball tournament. Making it even sweeter was the fact his daughter in law served as the head coach.
We have a special treat lined up for you tomorrow with Atlantic’s well known superfan gracing the airwaves.
