St. Francis Area Schools had the honor of inducting three graduates and one team to its Athletics and Activities Hall of Fame Sept. 22 during a ceremony at the Carlson/Foley Performing Arts Center.
Joining the Hall were the 1980 Girls Softball team; Dr. Bruce Gleason, class of 1976; Barrett Golyer, class of 1994; and Magdalyn Mae Ewen, class of 2013.
The 1980 softball team was the first St. Francis softball team to advance to the state tournament. The team finished the season with a 14-6 record and featured three members of the Rum River All-Conference Team. Earning all-conference honors that year were Senior Lisa Steele who earned 12 victories on the mound that season; Junior Kim Froemming, a second baseman who led the team with a .474 batting average; and Junior Monica Hallman, a center fielder who had one of the strongest arms in the area and batted .316 for the regular season. Junior Kathy Froemming played shortstop and earned honorable mention all-conference honors after batting .452 for the season.
The Saints earned the 7AA regional championship with wins over Cambridge (7-1); Hibbing (11-8 in 9 innings), and Proctor (6-2). In the state tournament, the Saints opened with a victory over St. Cloud Apollo before falling 10-0 against St. Paul Harding. The team played Wayzata in the third-place game, ultimately falling 11-5 to earn a fourth place finish.
Dr. Bruce Gleason has taught at all levels and aspects of vocal and instrumental music for 42 years, ranging from kindergarten through doctoral students. Gleason is in his 25th year as the senior professor of music at the University of St. Thomas. Additionally, Gleason was a member of the U.S. Army’s band program where he performed for numerous generals, presidents and other dignitaries.
Gleason is also a noted military music historian and has traveled to more than 30 countries on research invitations from military bands around the world. He launched and headed the Owatonna Symphony Orchestra where he served as the artistic director and conductor for five years.
Barrett Golyer was a champion wrestler during his time at St. Francis. Beginning in second grade and continuing through graduation in 1994. During his time as a Saint, Golyer was a four-time state participant. He finished in fourth as a freshman and was a champion as a senior. Addtionally, he earned the junior freestyle state championship in 1993 and 1994. He was voted as the outstanding wrestler for that 1994 tournament.
Following high school, Golyer pursued a degree at the University of Minnesota where he wrestled from 1994-1999. While a member of the Gophers he competed in the 1998 national duals championships and the 1998 and 1999 Big 10 Championships.
Golyer became an assistant wrestling coach in Colorado in 2000 before taking of head coaching duties in 2001. During his time at the helm there he has coached 29 state placers and seven state champions. Golyer was named the 2016 5A wrestling coach of the year in Colorado and was a finalist for the national coach of the year honors.
Magdalyn Mae Ewen was a volleyball player and a state champion shot putter while at St. Francis. She went on to earn a national title throwing discus in college at Arizona State University before taking on the world stage and representing the United States in discus and shot put. She recently won the USATF shot put championship with a throw of 64 feet, 11 inches.