The West Bend High Schools Athletic Hall of Fame was honored to welcome seven talented individuals to the hall on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Andy Hetebrueg, West Bend West Class of 2005
Bob Holquist, West Bend West Distinguished Contributor and Coach
Katie Jahnke, West Bend East Class of 1996
Joseph Salamone, West Bend East Class of 2020
Katie Schneider Pendowski, West Bend East Class of 1996
Richard Smith, West Bend East Coach
Tony Spaeth, West Bend East Class of 1988, and Coach
Andy Hetebrueg, West Bend West Class of 2005
Baseball and Basketball
Just one highlight of Andy Hetebrueg’s 2005 senior baseball season for the West High School Spartans was throwing a one-hitter in the 2005 state tournament. There were many highlights from that baseball season, including being team MVP, team captain, North Shore Conference Player of the Year, and First Team All-State.
For the Spartan basketball team, Andy was a two-year letter winner, captain, MVP, First Team All-Conference, Academic All-State, and 2005 Washington County Player of the Year. To cap off his high school athletic career, Andy won the Pick Award for the most Outstanding West High School Male Athlete and was valedictorian of his class.
His baseball career continued at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he was a four-year starter and won multiple Horizon League awards.
Bob Holquist, West Bend West Distinguished Contributor and Coach
Not only was Bob Holquist a respected physical education and health teacher in the West Bend School District for 33 years, but he was also a respected coach who positively impacted many students with his dedication to excellence.
In total, Bob coached basketball at various levels for 37 years. He was the West High School varsity boys head coach for nine years and coached West football for 17 years. In retirement from teaching and coaching, Bob continues to serve the students and families of the West Bend School District as the high school fitness center supervisor for the past 15 years.
In total, Bob has been serving the students of the West Bend Schools for 48 years and counting.
Katie Jahnke, West Bend East Class of 1996
Volleyball
While a four-year letterwinner on the East High School volleyball team, Katie Jahnke led the team to not one, but two WIAA State Championships in 1993 and 1995. The team was runner up in 1994.
In addition to being a two-time Wisconsin Little Ten Conference Player of the Year for the Suns, Katie’s volleyball talent was recognized nationally. She was named United States Volleyball Association All-American in 1994 and 1995 and was part of the United States Junior National Team in 1995.
She continued her volleyball career at the University of Nebraska and was recognized at Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year in 1997.
Joseph Salamone, West Bend East Class of 2020
Track and Field and Football
In 2019, Joe Salamone won the WIAA Division 1 state championship in the 110-meter hurdles and placed fifth in the 300 hurdles, becoming just the third track and field state champion for East High School.
Joe’s prolific track and field career at East was cut short when the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For three years, he competed in five events and holds three East school records in hurdle events.
Joe was the North Shore Conference Track Athlete of the Year in 2019 and winner of the Pick Award for the most Outstanding East High School Male Athlete in 2020. He went on to compete in track at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition to track, Joe was a member of the East varsity football team for three years, earning Second Team All Conference honors in 2019.
Katie Schneider Pendowski, West Bend East Class of 1996
Volleyball and Soccer
As a four-year starter on the East High School volleyball team, Katie Schneider Pendowski led the team to amazing success, including two WIAA State Championships.
The East team won the state championships in 1993 and 1995 and was runner up in 1994. In her sophomore, junior, and seniors years, Katie was first or second team all conference, all county, and all state. She was the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference player of the year in 1993. In her senior year, she was team MVP.
Katie attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to star on its volleyball team as well. She was a four-year starter and in 2007 was inducted into the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hall of Fame.
Richard Smith, West Bend East Coach
Track and Field, Football, and Wrestling
Richard Smith’s contributions to East High School were in the classroom as a social studies teacher and athletics. He coached football and wrestling, and was a boys track and field coach for 38 years, 18 of those as head coach.
During Richard’s tenure, the East boys track and field team won 15 Wisconsin Little Ten Conference Championships and three “triple crowns,” which is winning conference indoor, outdoor, and relay championships in the same year. In total, Richard coached 64 total WIAA State Championship qualifiers and 14 state qualifying relays, which is a total of 148 student-athletes.
Richard helped student Trey Roy win nine individual WIAA State Track and Field titles and set state records in the wheelchair division. Richard’s commitment to Trey included becoming a student of the wheelchair events and learning proper training techniques.
Tony Spaeth, West Bend East, Class of 1988 and Coach
Football, Basketball, Track and Field, and Baseball
Tony Speath, a 1988 East High School graduate, was a four-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. As an adult, he coached football and track and field at East, and taught at Badger Middle School.
In football, Tony was the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 1987. In total, he scored 180 points and had 28 touchdowns as an East Sun. He held school records in receptions, receiving yards, most points in a season, most points in a career, and most touchdowns in a career. In all four sports he participated in, Tony led his teams to conference championships, playoffs, and state championship competitions.
Tony walked on to the University of Wisconsin football team where he proceeded to not only earn a scholarship, but also become a four-year letter winner. He played running back, receiver, and kicking holder.
