For the City Times

Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School has announced its selections for induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame for the year of 2015.

Inductees will be honored prior to the varsity football game between the Red Raiders and the Stevens Point Area Senior High School Panthers on September 25 at the South Wood County Recreation Center. The inductees include James Newman, Charles Martin and Wayne “Skoog” Oestreich.

Newman attended LHS from 1963 to 1967 where he began his athletic career in football. He soon developed a passion for running and joined the cross country and track teams. He earned three letters in cross country and set records in track and field for the mile and 880 yard run as well as the two mile relay.

“It’s an honor,” said Newman. “Just walking down the halls by the field house as many times as I have, seeing some of the people that have been honored with that in the past, Lincoln’s had a great history of athletes…it’s definitely an honor to be considered with all those people.”

Newman began teaching math in the Wisconsin Rapids School District in 1974. He started the girls cross country team in 1977 and coached it for 13 years. He was also a track coach until 1996. In 2002, Newman was inducted into the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Oestreich attended LHS from 1949 to 1953 where he was a multi-sport athlete in football, basketball, baseball and track. According to his induction biography he earned many “sportsman of the week” awards from the WFHR radio sports program and led the Red Raiders in scoring during his junior and senior years.

He was a third baseman, a wide receiver and tight end and a high jumper and hurdler. He finished in fourth place at the state track in field meet during his senior year.

Following high school and college, Oestreich worked in sales for Citgo Petroleum.

Charles Martin began teaching special education and coaching gymnastics at LHS in 1974 recently retiring from his post. He has also been named a Lincoln Teacher of the Year in the past. Martin started the LHS gymnastic team in 1974 as a club sport. It became part of the WIAA the next year. Martin’s gymnastic teams woman the Wisconsin Valley Conference 10 times over the years and he had 10  teams qualify for the state gymnastics meet.

Martin still assists with the LHS girls’ gymnastics team and assists at home meets.

The Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1985 to recognize achievements and contributions of individuals who have been a significant part of the Lincoln High School athletic program. Each year a screening committee selects individuals for induction ceremonies at a Lincoln home football game and places a permanent recognition plaque on display in the hallway of the Lincoln High School field house.

The South Wood County Recreation Center is located at 2711 16th St. S. The Red Raiders take on the Panthers beginning at 7:00 PM. The Hall of Fame induction is prior to the game.