The Carroll College Hall of Fame will grow once again, as Athletic Director Charlie Gross has announced the latest cohort of Fighting Saints to be recognized for their outstanding individual and team achievements.
The group, consisting of five individuals and three teams, will be honored with a formal induction ceremony on Saturday, September 21, a focal point of homecoming weekend festivities.
"The Hall of Fame ceremony is one of the most anticipated events we host each year." said Athletic Director Charlie Gross. "It's always exciting to have the opportunity to recognize some of the greats of Carroll's past. Continuing to add to our talented and robust Athletic Hall of Fame is a great honor, and the Hall of Fame committee and I are looking forward to another great ceremony as part of a terrific homecoming weekend."
Following a year-long nomination process, the Carroll Athletic Hall of Fame committee members gathered this spring to review and vote on all nominations. The 2024 Hall of Fame class consists of five individuals and three teams.
The 2024 inductees are listed below in alphabetical order.
Sean Blomquist (Football) –
One of the most decorated Saints to ever step inside Nelson Stadium, Blomquist was a standout Linebacker from 2011-2014. Two times he was named Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year, twice he was named AFCA NAIA All-American, and twice he finished runner-up for the Cliff Harris Award. A four-year starter, Blomquist tallied 349 total tackles, 54 tackles for loss in his career. In 2014 he finished with 19 TFL's, and ended his collegiate career with eight touchdowns from the defensive side of the ball.
Valerie Feltz (Women's Soccer) –
Feltz is one of the best to ever hit the pitch for the Fighting Saints. Following an outstanding 2007 season, she was named Frontier Conference Player of the Year, becoming the first in program history to earn the honor. A four-year All-Region selection, Feltz was named an Honorable Mention NAIA All-American in both 2004 and 2007. One of the best offensive threats the Saints have ever had, Feltz still appears in the top-10 of many all-time program statistics.
Easton Padden (Track & Field) –
Padden is a true champion of champions. The vaunted pole vaulter is one of the most decorated individual athletes in Carroll history, never finishing outside of the top-five at the NAIA National Championships. From 2013 to 2014, Padden won three-consecutive NAIA titles (Indoor 2013, Outdoor 2013, Indoor 2014) and finished his career with a runner-up finish at the 2014 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship.
Lena (Mortensen) Phelps (Volleyball) –
Phelps is one of the best Carroll spikers in program history. In her career spanning from 2001-04, Phelps earned All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American honors. In her 2004 season, she posted 252 kills on a .179 attack percentage, finishing No. 42 in digs per set en route to Honorable Mention All-American honors
Dustin Rinker (Football) –
Rinker sits atop the mountain of a long list of outstanding Carroll running backs. His 5,379 career rushing yards stands alone as the all-time program record, highlighted by his 1,960-yard rushing season in 2013, another Carroll record. In total, Rinker finished his career with 50 rushing touchdowns, and the two-time AFCA NAIA All-American's name is scattered all across the Carroll record books, with a myriad of game, season, and career marks that have stood the test of time.
1985-86, 1986-87 Women's Basketball Teams –
With Carroll Women's Basketball celebrating 50 years of success, it's only fitting that the 1985-56 and 1986-87 teams will enter the Hall of Fame. The '85-86 team was the first in program history to win 20 games in a season, finishing 20-12 and 11-5 in conference. The team featured three All-Conference players, and an All-District player in Mary Burton. The team only improved in '86-87, finishing with a record of 22-9 and 11-5. Four players were named All-conference, and three seniors (Mary Burton, Gigi Gehrke, and Liz Garrett) are already individual inductees to the Carroll Hall of Fame.
2011 Football Team –
The 2011 Carroll Football team is the last to have played for the NAIA title, where they ultimately finished runner-up, capping one of the most dominant runs in College Football history. The 2001 team finished 13-2 and No. 2 in the Final NAIA Poll. The team led the nation in sacks (42), and was No. 2 in the NAIA for both third down efficiency (50 percent) and pass efficiency (163.7). 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Chance Demarais led the nation in rushing (1805 yds, 128.9 ypg) while wide receiver Matt Ritter led the nation in receiving yards (1286).
This season, Homecoming will take place the week of September 16-22, with nearly every Carroll athletic team hosting a home event. The annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 21 ahead of the Football game against newly-announced Frontier Conference affiliate member, Simpson University (Calif.). More information on Homecoming weekend schedules, activities, and tickets will be available in June.
Be sure to visit www.carrollathletics.com throughout the summer to continue to stay up to date on everything going on in Carroll Athletics.