Two to be inducted to Tabor Hall of Fame

Two former Tabor College athletes will be inducted into Tabor?s Athletic Hall of Fame at the annual sports banquet Saturday, May 16 at 6 p.m.

Eugene Friesen

Basketball standout Eugene Friesen and dual-sport athlete Tesha Werth will join the 35 other individuals in the Tabor Hall of Fame.

A four-year letter-winner in basketball, Friesen averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game during his freshman campaign in 1958-59.

He was named the team?s most valuable player his sophomore and junior seasons, averaging 16 points per game as a sophomore and averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds as a junior.

His senior year, he turned in per-game averages of 10 points and eight rebounds.

Friesen graduated in 1962 with a bachelor?s degree in social science. He attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota, where he studied international relations, and later received his master in divinity from Bethel Theological Seminary. In 1988, he studied special education at Mankato State University.

Friesen spent the majority of his career teaching American history, psychology and world religions at Armstrong High School (Minn.). In addition to some other?teaching stints, Friesen pastored New Hope Mennonite Brethren Church (Minn.) from 1980-1985.

He and his wife, Carol, have three children and six grandchildren.

?I am grateful for the recognition that comes from?having?put a 9-inch ball through an 18-inch hoop with some success over 50 years ago,? Friesen said.??I am equally grateful for the camaraderie and support I found in?the?Tabor community that?contributed to what honor also requires, a lifelong?commitment to integrity and?service to others.?

Tesha Worth

Werth played both volleyball and basketball during her three years at Tabor.

She was named most valuable player in both sports and earned Tabor?s Female Athlete of the Year award in 2000-01.

Throughout her volleyball career at Tabor, Werth earned NAIA All-America honorable mention in 2001-02, was a two-time selection to the All-KCAC first team and was named KCAC Player of the Year in 2001-02.

She helped lead the Tabor volleyball team to its first KCAC championship title.

In basketball, Werth earned All-KCAC honorable mention in 2000-01.

Werth graduated from Tabor in 2002 with a bachelor?s degree in social science. She currently serves as an assistant volleyball coach at Tabor and is a church youth sponsor at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church.

She and her husband, Cord, have five children.

?It is an honor to be recognized by Tabor College athletics alongside so many other talented athletes in the Hall of Fame,? Werth said. ?My experience at Tabor was unforgettable as I was blessed with amazing teammates and some outstanding coaches.?

Tabor Athletic Director Rusty Allen spoke to Friesen?s and Werth?s induction.

?Our annual sports banquet seeks to recognize the achievements of our current athletes, coaches and teams, while honoring the outstanding accomplishments of those deemed worthy of going into our Athletic Hall of Fame,? Allen said.??They both demonstrated not only giftedness in competition, but have also made significant positive contributions to their families and communities.?I look forward to honoring them.?

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