Trio of former Mavs elected to 2008 Hall of Fame
The UNO Athletic Department inducted three members into its Hall of Fame at a Nov. 5 banquet: (pictured, from left) softball standout Michala Lehotak Cimino, baseball All-American Larry Krehbiel and football All-American Charlie McWhorter. The 33rd class brings to 95 the number of former student-athletes, coaches and administrators in the Hall of Fame.
“As a department, we are very gratified to recognize the achievements of these former student-athletes with induction into our Hall of Fame,” said David Miller, UNO athletic director. “We also look forward to recognizing those student-athletes who are still competing and those people who have made significant contributions to the success of UNO athletics.”
Michala Lehotak Cimino set the benchmarks for success as a hitter and a third baseman and also helped to usher the Mavericks into an era of dominance in softball. During her 1993-94 playing career, she was a two-time all-North Central Conference selection and an all-region pick. She left as the career home run leader and set a school record with 15 homers while batting .342 with 68 runs batted in as a senior. The Mavs were 102-21 during her career, won an NCC title and finished third in the national tournament.
Larry Krehbiel was unbeaten in the first 19 games of his 1963-65 career, finishing with a 24-2 record, tossing 11 shutouts in 25 starts. He earned second-team All-American honors in 1964 and was a first-team selection in 1965. He averaged nearly 10 strikeouts per game, posting records of 8-0, 7-0 and 9-2. As a senior, he helped pitch the team to the championship game of the NAIA tournament.
Charlie McWhorter’s speed and agility helped him pile up 2,161 yards rushing during his 1969-72 career as a running back for the Mavericks under Coach Al Caniglia. He earned first-team All-American honors in 1972 when he set school records with five touchdowns in a game and a 43.2-yard average on kickoff returns, as well as setting the career kickoff return mark with a 28.3-yard average. The Omaha North High School graduate was just the second UNO player surpass 1,000 yards in a season when he ran for 1,018 in 1971.
Other honors
UNO also honored its male and female athletes of the year, Chris Weimer of the baseball team and Leslie Svoboda of the softball team. The athletic department also recognized its corporate citizen of the year, Gary Gates of the Omaha Public Power District; its Maverick Club Man of the Year, “Tata” Machado; and its Distinguished Person of the Year, Linda Bowen.