Litchfield coach John Carlson and former Renville-Sacred Heart wrestling great John Miller are the latest to be inducted into the West Central Tribune Sports Hall of Fame.
It's been a rewarding year for both inductees. Carlson, the father of Notre Dame tight end by the same name, has proudly watched his son develop into one of the nation's top players. Miller and his father, Ray, were recently inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Carlson has been a highly-successful boys basketball and tennis coach at Litchfield High School. He has coached basketball the past 18 seasons and has amassed over 350 wins. His team's advanced to the state tournament three times and won the Class AA title each time (2000, 2002, 2003). He has coached nine All-State players and was named the Class AA Coach of the Year twice.
"We've had some awfully talented athletes here," said Carlson, in an attempt to deflect the honor. "And the athletes we've had have really focused on the team first. That's why we've had the success we've had."
Carlson has also been a successful tennis coach in his 20 seasons. His team's have earned 14 state tournament berths, including 11 trips in the past 12 seasons.
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But Carlson's success isn't only as a coach. He was a stellar player for Litchfield, scoring 1,055 points in his career. He was all-conference in basketball, football, track and golf. He was a three-year starter on the St. Cloud State basketball team.
"I don't really feel like I deserve the credit for the success the teams have had while I was coach," said Carlson. "But (being selected to teh Hall of Fame) is really an honor."
Miller, a 1985 graduate of Renville-Sacred Heart High School, is the only four-time state wrestling champion from the area, winning in 1982, '83, '84 and '85.
He compiled an impressive 174-12-1 career record, including only one loss in his final four seasons.
"I can't pin it down to one thing that made me successful," he said when quizzed. "I think with anyone that is successful, you have to have that drive. Looking back now, I think I had the will to win. I don't know when or where I got it, but I really wanted to win."
Miller won Two Twelve Conference titles five times and was also an all-conference football player at RSH.
He wrestled for the Minnesota Gophers in 1986 and '87 and went 29-11 before dislocating his elbow. He transferred to South Dakota State and went 29-5 and placed ninth in the nation as a senior.
He will be inducted into the Coaches Association Hall of Fame in April.
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"I'll certainly remember 2006," he remarked.
