Duane Olson's mother, Virgina, with son Merle Olson and Daughter, Mary Lou.
An historic event took place in the Big Sandy High School gymnasium Thursday, February 3, 2022. Mr. Kip Ryan of the Montana High School Association was here to make a special presentation commemorating Duane Lee Olson's induction into the MSHA Athletic "Hall of Fame" in January 2020. This presentation was to take place during Big Sandy's Homecoming 2020, but Covid-19 put that plan on hold. With Homecoming 2021 cancelled for the same reason, Mr. Ryan and Big Sandy High School Athletic director Melanie Schwarzbach strived to have schedules align to ensure this important event would take place. The Olson family would like to thank Mr. Ryan and Mrs. Schwarzbach for their continued efforts and for the wonderful program and reception honoring Duane's outstanding athletic achievements. Mrs. Schwarzbach began the program with a warm welcome to the Olson family, introducing Duane's mother Virginia, (now 100 years), her son Merle and wife Joyce, and her daughter Mary Lou and husband Bruce Butcher with their grandson Walter Shoen. An appreciative crowd, including several of Duane's classmates, and fellow team wrestlers, former and present Pioneer wrestling coaches and wrestlers from age 4 up, present high school athletes, staff, relatives and Pioneer fans, as well as a large number of relatives, friends, and classmates able to join on-line due to Mrs. Schwarzbach's efforts, were able to hear highlights of Duane's athletic accomplishments as a Big Sandy Pioneer and later as an Iowa State Cyclone. Next, Mr. Ryan was introduced. He gave a brief summary of the establishment of the MHSA Athletic "Hall of Fame" in 1993, and the procedure of having names submitted for consideration and chosen. Mr. Randy Cline, another long-time wrestling coach, had submitted Duane's name. The Olson family is very grateful for his part in initiating this process. Mr. Ryan presented the beautiful commemorative plaque, marking Duane's induction, to Virginia.
Marla Ray was then introduced. She talked about the Duane Olson Memorial Athletic Scholarship that her husband Jim and she established in 1997 in honor of his best friend Duane's and his 30th anniversary of graduation from high school. From the first recipient, Serena (Merrill) Cator in 1997 to Kade Strutz in 2021, all recipients have met the qualifications to excel in 2 or more sports throughout high school, participating at the State level. This is a high standard, but in honor of Duane, it needs to be.
When Duane graduated from Big Sandy High School, he had claimed three consecutive State titles in wrestling at 145 pounds, mainly under the guidance of Coach Fred Salmonsen, in an All-Class wrestling championship made up of all AA, A, B, and C schools from across Montana. He was awarded the Outstanding Wrestler of the State Tournament his senior year while leading his team to the Team State Championship. Upon his graduation from high school, Duane signed with one of the most prestigious wrestling programs in the nation at Iowa State University. He had a great freshman season on the mat, placing 4th in the Big 8 Conference tournament and 2nd in the Great Plains tournament. In his Sophomore year he wrestled in the NCAA National Wrestling
Tournament where his team took home the NCAA National Title. Unfortunately, Duane's life was cut short by a house fire. But his name is well-remembered among sports-minded people across this state and beyond. In 1996 Dan Gable, Duane's practice partner at Iowa State and subsequent Olympic Gold Medalist in wrestling, flew to Great Falls to make a presentation to Duane's parents, Walter and Virginia Olson, and family, in honor of Duane's impact at Iowa State. In 2000, when a selection of the top 100 athletes in Montana during the 20th century was compiled, Duane's name was on that list for the year 1967. That distinction is remarkable!
Now, with his induction into the MHSA Athletic "Hall of Fame," yet another prestigious honor has been bestowed on this somewhat shy kid from Warrick, Montana, whose first experience with competitive wrestling came on his first day of practice as a Freshman at Big Sandy High. He narrowly missed qualifying for State that year. For the next three years, he never lost a match. Following Marla, Jim Ray made some personal remarks to the family, thanking them for all the wonderful memories he still carries from his many, many days spent at their ranch in the Bears Paw mountains, hunting, fishing, riding horseback, and just hanging out with Duane and Merle and the rest of the family. They had become and remain his second family for which he is thankful every day. Joyce Olson spoke on behalf of her husband Merle's family, thanking everyone for coming, and reiterating the achievements that had led to this ceremony for Duane. She pointed out how Duane lives on through the family using his name for their children's middle names. The Olson family moved from Warrick to Chinook in the late 1980's, where Duane's wrestling legacy continues through his family. His nephew Kyle Butcher was a State placer for Chinook, and his great-nephew Tyler Shoen placed first at the B-C wrestling Divisional this past weekend. Mrs. Schwarzbach concluded the program with a round of thanks for all who attended and invited the crowd to a reception in the concessions area. Many more memories and stories were shared amid laughter and tears. The next time you walk through the concessions area at the High School, please take a look at the Wrestling Wall of Champions and then look for the 1967 Wrestling State Champion Team banner in the gym. There is also an NCAA championship banner for 1969 in Ames, Iowa, that Duane helped to earn.
This first Pioneer induction into the MHSA Athletic "Hall of Fame" was well-deserved, indeed!
