Guthrie High School Hall of Fame expands with six new members

For the first time since 2001, the Guthrie High School Hall of Fame has six new members.

The Class of 2016 was introduced throughout Homecoming activities on Friday, including the Alumni Assembly, a banquet at the Oklahoma Territorial Sports Museum and during halftime of the high school football game with Lawton Ike.

Inducted into the hall were the 1950 and 1955 Faver High School state championship football teams, Brandi Woodard Scroggins, Kenneth Mitchell, Shannon Young, Mitchell “Iffy” Pierce Jr. and Curtis Jurina.

The Pirate football teams were undefeated and were represented by former players and alumni.

Woodard-Scroggins graduated from GHS in 1997 and was the class valedictorian. Her accolades in sports, include Cross Country All-State all four years from 1993 to 1996, All-State Track for three years in 1995, 96 and 97. In her career, she won five gold medals and her team won 14 regional and conference championships and three state runner-ups.

When ask about her career in Guthrie, Brandi said, “her involvement in GHS athletics aided her through this confusing thing called life. Guthrie taught me the skills to never give up on anything in life. If you want it, you can achieve it. I will forever remain a Bluejay.”

Mitchell was a 1945 graduate and was a three-year letterman in both baseball and basketball during his senior year also known as ‘the war years.’ Despite the Jays not having a coach or uniforms, they still went on to be a state runner-up.

Mitchell owned Jelsma Abstract in Guthrie for many years and has been highly involved in sports through Lions Club and the American Legion for 42 years. Mitchell took groups of men and boys to Major League Baseball games in Kansas City, St. Louis, Houston and Arlington.

Young, a 1996 graduate, was a four-year letterman in Cross Country and Track, but it was cheerleading where he highly excelled and was named as a 1996 All-Stater. He was a three-time National Cheerleaders Association All-American and was the first ever to win both the NCA High School National Championships and the NCA All-Star Title in 1996.

After high school, Shannon attended the University of Nebraska and currently resides in Chicago, where he is the co-owner of ICE All Stars and trains over 1,000 athletes each month, while winning the world championships in 2014.

Young believes his athletic experience at Guthrie shaped his future because of all the unique and impactful teachers and coaches. Young said the insight led him to follow their footsteps, impacting young athlete’s lives.

Pierce, a 1985 graduate, lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track and field. In 1985, Pierce was named to the Oklahoma All-State football team and was a Bally All-American. He was a member of four state runner-up teams in baseball and track and field.

In describing his athletic experience at Guthrie High School, Mitchell said, “all gifts are given, but you have to utilize them. Guthrie allowed me to do just that. I am proud of GHS. It’s the best. To the people of Guthrie, thank you for always loving me.”

Jurina, a 1980 graduate, was a three-year starter on the wrestling team. In 1979, he was a freestyle All-American and in 1980 was an All-State performer with a record of 29-0 as a State Champion.

“it has been an honor and a life changing experience at Guthrie. The character of who I am today as well as the desire of passing it on came from the people of Guthrie. Give all the glory to God,” Jurina said.