The Salem Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 was inducted on Saturday evening at B.E. Gum Gymnasium. Honored on the evening was standout softball player Amanda (Brendel) Litteken, Track stars Corey Hopkins and Grant Reed, Bowling standout Alex Henseler. Alex was also inducted as part of the 2007-08 Bowling Team this year, longtime sports writer Bruce Hixon, Coach Jim Koehler, 3-sport athlete Justin Helpingstine and 4-sport athlete Scott Murfin. Family, friends, teammates and coaches were on hand to hear stories and thoughts on their time at SCHS.
Amanda Litteken put together one of the most dominant careers by a Salem Lady Wildcat softball player and continued that excellence on to the collegiate level. A 2007 SCHS grad, after her dominant HS career, Amanda started college at Rend Lake and then transferred to the University of Southern Indiana. Despite playing only 3 seasons at USI she finished 2nd all time on the programs career home run list. Litteken is a PE teacher for 5th grade students at Salem District 111.
Corey Hopkins was one of the best jumpers in SCHS history. A 2006 graduate held or was part of 4 outdoor track and field varsity records, one indoor record and two underclassmen marks. He went on to compete in track and field at SIU-E. Corey resides in Maryland Heights, Missouri where he is working as a senior robotic surgical specialist.
Alex Henseler was part of a lot of firsts for the Salem bowling program. One of those is being the first individual from the program to be selected for induction into the Salem Sports HOF> An 08 graduate, Henseler helped the Cats reach the state finals 4 straight years. 3 of those he earned top 10 state medals. He went on to bowl at McKendree University helping them to a top 12 finish at the 2010 Nationals. Alex lives in Salem and is a truck driver for XPO Logistics.
Bruce Hixon’s 35 years in sports media included an 11-year stint as sports editor for the Salem Times Commoner. He began his sports tenure in 1985 at just 17 ears old as a contributing writer at the Olney Daily Mail before being promoted to sports editor in 1990. He then moved to the Salem TC in 1992 where he covered not only SCHS athletics, but all area schools around the county. Bruce currently works at Carlyle Walmart.
Grant Reed is a 2006 SCHGS grad and was a multi-state medalist for the track team as well as the owner of multiple school records. His senior year broke several records and claimed Apollo Conference title in the 300m hurdles and qualified for state in both hurdle events and was 8th in each race. Grant resides in Salem and is a PLC Programmer.
Coach Jim Koehler was part of the SCHS athletics for five decades, whether as a player, assistant coach or head coach. A 1966 graduate of SCHS he was a member of the 1965 football team that went 8-1 and won the NEC. He returned to SCHS in 1976 as a world history teacher and would hold that position for the next 27 years. He also had an 8 year run as the Lady Cats basketball coach winning back to back NEC titles. He also coached softball and football. Jim currently resides in Salem and is still very active in the community.
Justin Helpingstine is a 2007 graduate and was a 3-sport athlete in his time at the school. He made his biggest impact in Track setting 4 records in the 800m. A multiple state qualifier, Helpingstine was also a solid cross country runner as well as basketball. He then continued his track career at EIU. He concluded his education at the University of Illinois. Justin currently resides in Summerville, South Carolina where he serves as a structural engineer.
Scott Murfin was a 4-sport athlete during his time at SCHS. A 2005 graduate, he played baseball and basketball at the collegiate level at Maryville University. Murfin graduated as the all-time SCHS basketball scoring leader. Murfin currently works as a doctor of physical therapy at the Orthopedic Center of Southern Illinois and assistant director of physical rehabilitation center at OCSI. He lives in Pinckneyville.
2007-08 Boys Bowling Team was one for the ages. They helped build the foundation to the dominant program it still is today. Coach Steve Ludwig and assistant Ziggy Tkaczenko saw their Cats go 10-2 in the regular season. They were 2nd at the Herrin Sectional and had a chance for their 2nd straight state title but fell just 121 pins short. However Alex Henseler was the individual state champion with Keith Bumgarner 25th. The team also consisted of Stephen Bryant, Cole Piper, Caleb Branch, Chase Smith, Stephen Riley.
