The Alaska School Activities Association inducted its Alaska High School Hall of Fame Class of 2019 on Sunday.
The Class of 2019 includes three in the athlete category from the Kenai Peninsula; each with outstanding athletic and academic credentials from their years as high school student athletes. Inducted into the ASAA Alaska High School Hall of Fame are: Stacia Rustad, Kenai Central High School; Austin Vanderford, Ninilchik School; and Philip Engebretsen, Homer High School.
Stacia Rustad Austin Vanderford Philip Engebretsen
2019 Alaska High School Hall of Fame: Class of 2019
Athlete
Alev Kelter – Flag Football, Hockey, Soccer – Chugiak
Austin Vanderford – Basketball, Wrestling – Ninilchik
Cody Tanner – Wrestling – Chugiak
Justin Dorn – Soccer – Juneau-Douglas
Philip Engebretsen – Basketball, Football, Wrestling – Homer
Randy Hanson – Cross Country, Wrestling – Bethel
Stacia Rustad – Basketball, Cross Country, Track, Volleyball – Kenai
Coaches
Mike Ashley – Hockey – Anchorage School District
Vic Belleque – Basketball, Volleyball – Dillingham
Lifetime Achievement
Steve Nerland – Anchorage
2019 ASAA High School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Click here to watch
Previously published story (May 2. 2019)
Stacia Rustad Joins Alaska High School Hall of Fame
The Alaska School Activities Association announces the Class of 2019 Alaska High School Hall of Fame.
Stacia Rustad, a four-year stellar athlete at Kenai Central High School from 1989-1992, will be inducted into the Alaska School Activities Association Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at 4:00 p.m., at the Lakefront Anchorage Hotel.
An outstanding cross country runner and track star, Rustad also started for four years on the Kardinals volleyball team and earned All-State selections for basketball, leading Kenai to the ASAA 4A state championship in 1991 and runner-up in 1992. See attached bio for details.
The Hall of Fame was established to identify and honor, in a permanent manner, individuals who exhibited high ethical standards and integrity while achieving excellence in high school athletics and activities, as well as others who have distinguished themselves by virtue of exemplary contributions to the advancement of interscholastic athletics and activities in the State of Alaska.
Stacia Rustad Bio
1992 graduate of Kenai Central High School – A four-year participant in cross-country, volleyball, track & field, Stacia was also a four-year starter on the Kenai Central basketball team.
Stacia was a key component in Kenai Central’s 1991 Basketball State Championship and 1992 State Championship Runner- Up teams. A three time All-Region and two time All-State Selection in basketball, Stacia was named Alaska Daily News Female Athlete of the Year in 1992 and was also recognized by both Converse and USA Today as the 1992 Alaska Player of the Year.
Former Kenai Central Head Girls Basketball Coach, Craig Jung stated this in regards to Stacia, “You might think from all the accomplishments that Stacia was blessed with elite level athletic abilities. Not so. Having less than elite level natural athleticism, Stacia accomplished all these feats by hard work and determination. I have coached athletes with more natural ability than Stacia, but none that have worked harder. She set the standard for her teammates by example and elevated the effort level of all involved.”
Stacia received a basketball scholarship to the University of Maine. While at the University of Maine, Stacia was the 1995 and 1996 Scholar Athlete of the Year. She played on three conference championship teams and twice played in the NCAA Division I National Tournament.
After graduation, Stacia began her teaching career in California, prior to returning to teach and coach at Kenai Central for eight years. During that time she also served as the school’s Athletic Director for seven years. Since 2016, Stacia has served as the Athletic Director at Wasilla High School.
