KENOSHA, Wis. -- Parkside Athletics is proud to announce the induction of six individuals and one historic team into the Parkside Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. The 2026 Hall of Fame Class includes Karley Mecko, Andy Heller, Jeremy Saffold, Matt Gille, Stacy Esme, Jessica Watychowicz, and the 1976 Men's Track & Field Team.
 
The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 10^th inside the Parkside Student Center Ballroom. Click here to purchase tickets.
 
The 2026 Hall of Fame class celebrates a legacy of excellence across wrestling, baseball, women's soccer, men's basketball, volleyball and both men's and women's cross country and track and field. The honorees have made a lasting impact on Parkside Athletics through competitive success, leadership, and dedication to their teams and the Parkside community.
 
1976 Men's Track and Field
The 1976 men's track and field team put together the best season that the program has seen thus far. Coached by the late Bob Lawson and Vic Godfrey, the team finished 3^rd at the NAIA Indoor meet in Greensboro, NC and fifth at the NAIA Outdoor Championships in Arkadelphia, AR.

At the indoor championships, Jim Heiring set a new NAIA record while winning the two-mile walk. Chris Hansen and John Van Den Brant finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the two-mile walk. Jeff Sitz finished fifth in the long jump, and Pat Burns finished third in the shot put.

At the outdoor meet, Jim Heiring and Chis Hanson finished first and second in the 10,000 meter racewalk, with John Van Den Brant finishing fourth and Al Halbur sixth. Pat Burns also earned points for the Rangers at the outdoor championships with a sixth place finish in the shot put.

Stacy Esme – Volleyball
When you look at Stacy Esme's career numbers, which feature top-ten kills and digs in program history, they are obviously impressive. Then factor in that she put those numbers up in just three seasons and they become even more impressive. Esme was a 1999 All-GLVC athlete as well as an All-Academic Athlete. She is top ten in program history in multiple categories, including kills and digs for her career, but also has multiple single-season top ten marks, including kills (460) and digs (549 in 1998, 519 in 1999).

Matt Gille – Wrestling
Matt Gille earns his spot in the Parkside Hall of Fame after a decorated career with the Rangers. He was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American, with a seventh and two eighth place finishes at the NCAA Division II Championships. He finished his Parkside career with 123 victories, ranking among the top-10 in program history. Additionally, he set the Parkside freshman record with 43 victories during the 2008-09 season. He was a three-time team captain and helped to lead the Rangers to three top-ten national team finishes (5^th – 2010, 9^th – 2011, 6^th – 2012).
 
Andrew Heller – Baseball
Andrew Heller was a two-time All-GLVC player for the Parkside Baseball team. Heller was named All-GLVC First Team in 2007 and All-GLVC Third Team in 2009. He was also a GLVC All-Academic Athlete. His name is located all over the top of the Parkside record books, as he has the 9^th most hits in a single season (65), 10^th most doubles in a single season (15), 3^rd most hits in program history (182) and 6^th most doubles in program history.
 
Karley Mecko – Women's Soccer
Karley Mecko was the leader for the Rangers, on what was the best defensive back line in the country in 2014. Mecko was a 2014 First-Team All-American and Academic All-American. Additionally, she was the 2014 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year and 2014 All-GLVC First Team. Mecko anchored a back line that yielded just six goals during the 2014 season, leading the nation in goals against average (0.265). Her back line posted 16 clean sheets. On the offensive end, Mecko ranked second on the team in goals with eight and points with 18. During Mecko's career the Rangers made four NCAA Tournaments and won the GLVC Championship in 2014.
 
Jeremy Saffold – Men's Basketball
Jeremy Saffold was an all-around great player for the Rangers during his career. The 2012-13 GLVC Player of the Year ranks sixth in program history in scoring with 1,573 points. He also has pulled down the 13^th most rebounds in program history with 522 and the 12^th most 3-pointers made in program history with 143. Additionally, he was a 2013 All-GLVC First Team player and a 2010 All-GLVC Third Team honoree. Saffold played a pivotal role in the 2012-13 season in which the Rangers made their second ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
Jessica Watychowicz – Women's Cross Country / Track & Field
Jessica Watychowicz was a two-time All-American during her time at Parkside, earning the honors in cross country and in the 10,000 meters. She still ranks top-ten in program history in the mile, 1,500 meters, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters. She currently still holds the Parkside record in the 5,000 meters. She was the 2012 GLVC 5,000 meter champion and the 2014 GLVC 10,000 meter champion. After Parkside she kept on earning the accolades, where she was a 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon and 10,000 meter qualifier and was the 2022 Twin Cities Marathon Champion, winning the event by over two minutes.
 
You can keep up with Parkside Athletics at ParksideRangers.com