Humboldt State Department of Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2019
ARCATA, Calif.--- The Department of Athletics at Humboldt State University has announced the Hall of Fame Class of 2019. This year’s class includes the 1993-94 Women’s Basketball Team, the 1994 Softball Team, the 2003-04 Men’s Basketball Team and the 2004 Rowing Team. The six individuals to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this February are Chyna Balonick (rowing, 2009-12), Jack Harris (swimming, 1969-71), Mike Karges (wrestling, 1975-77), Katie Lepley (rowing, 2009-12), Jessica Padilla (softball, 2004-06) and Mike Proulx (football, 2008-11). This year’s Humboldt State Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony will take place on February 8, 2020.
The Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will take place on February 8, 2020 in the Kate Buchanan room on the campus of Humboldt State University. The ceremony will begin at 10am with a social hour with brunch and the ceremony to follow.
CHYNA BALONICK (rowing, 2009-12): Balonick was a member of the women’s rowing team that won its first ever NCAA Division II National Championship in 2012. The Lumberjacks also captured the NCRC title in 2012. She was named the 2012 Humboldt State Outstanding Student of the Year. Balonick was a Top 30 finalist for the 2012 NCAA Woman of the Year while earning First All-NCRC honors in 2012 and First Team WIRA honors in 2011.
JACK HARRIS (swimming, 1969-71): Harris was a member of the men’s swimming team from 1969 to 71. He earned All-American honors in 1970 as he finished eighth in the 100-backstroke and 200-backstroke. Then in 1971, Harris earned All-American honors again as he placed third in the 200-backstroke. He was the 1971 Far Western Conference Champion (FWC) in the 200-backstroke and 100-backstroke. Harris broke the conference record in the 200-backstroke in 1971. The year before, Harris was the FWC champion in the 100-backstroke and 200-backstroke. He is the school record holder in the 200-backstroke (2:04.5).
MIKE KARGES (wrestling, 1975-77): Karges is a two-time All-American as he finished second in the nation during the 1976-77 season and sixth in the nation during the 1975-76 season. He also finished second in the conference in 1975-76 and 1976-77. Karges was a member of the Lumberjack wrestling team that finished second in the nation in 1977 and ninth in 1976. HSU captured the conference championship in 1977. He lost only one time in 19 dual matches during the 1976-77 season.
KATIE LEPLEY (rowing, 2009-12): Lepley was a two-time Second Team All-American in 2011 and 2012. She was a First Team All-American honoree in 2010. Lepley was a member of Humboldt State’s first ever National Championship in rowing in 2012. The Lumberjacks captured the NCRC title in 2012 and she was a rower on the varsity-eight. In 2011, HSU finished third in the nation.
JESSICA PADILLA (softball, 2004-06): Padilla was a 2006 All-American and was named to the All-Region Team. Also in 2006, Padilla was National Catcher of the Year as named by Diamond Sports. She earned All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) honors in both 2004 and 2006. She was a First Team selection in 2004 and a Second Team honoree in 2006. Padilla finished her collegiate career third on HSU’s single-season list in home runs for a catcher with 11. She also was a member of three conference championship teams.
MIKE PROULX (football, 2008-11): During his senior season, Proulx was a 2011 All-Region honoree as well as being the GNAC Offensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-GNAC selection. He also was a First Team All-GNAC honoree in 2010 and a Second Team selection in 2009. Proulx finished his collegiate career at HSU as the second all-time leader in passing yards (7,715), second in completions (635), first all-time with five touchdown passes in a game and second all-time career touchdown passes (66). He was a member of the 2011 GNAC Championship Team.
Four Lumberjack teams will also be inducted into the 2020 Humboldt State Department of Athletics Hall of Fame in the 1993-94 Women’s Basketball Team, 1994 Softball Team, 2003-04 Men’s Basketball Team and the 2004 Rowing Team.
1993-94 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM: The Lumberjacks were the first women’s basketball team to win a conference championship as they finished with a 19-9 overall record and a 11-1 record in the NCAC. The .917 winning percentage was the highest conference winning percentage in Humboldt State women’s basketball history.
1994 SOFTBALL TEAM: Humboldt State’s softball team in 1994 was the first to win a regional championship and advance to the National Championships. The Lumberjacks finished second in the nation. They went 50-11 including a 19-5 NCAC record as they captured the conference championship. On their way to the National Championships, Humboldt State defeated UC Davis and Cal State Bakersfield to capture the regional title.