Mitchell High School Hall of Fame 2026 class celebrates community and legacy

Mitchell High School and the Mitchell Athletic Booster Club will honor four inductees into the MHS Hall of Fame on Sept. 11-12, celebrating contributions to Kernel athletics that span decades. The Class of 2026 includes Dan Carlson, Raven (Morgan) Ellwein, Amelia (Rew) Endres and Lonnie Moody.

The community is invited to an open house on Friday, Sept. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bradley's Pub and Grille, with a formal program at 7 p.m. The inductees will also be recognized at halftime of Saturday's Kernel Bowl football game against Douglas, kicking off at 6 p.m. at Joe Quintal Field.

Who is in the Mitchell High School Hall of Fame Class of 2026?

Each inductee brings a unique story of dedication, achievement and giving back to the Mitchell community.

Dan Carlson: 34 years of service to Kernel athletics

Carlson's connection to Mitchell athletics began in 1992 when he joined the training staff as water boy for the football and basketball teams. A Spirit Lake, Iowa, native, he has served Mitchell athletes for 34 years.

Carlson received the Outstanding Service to MHS award in 2005 and 2010. He also earned the 'Fly Around and Finish' award and a state championship ring after Mitchell's 2016 football team won the state title.

Raven Ellwein: A key player in Mitchell girls basketball history

Ellwein helped the Kernels win Eastern South Dakota Conference and district championships in 1993 while finishing as Class AA state runner-up. The following season, she was part of Mitchell's undefeated 23-0 team that captured ESD, district and Class AA state championships.

MHS returned to the state tournament in 1995 and finished as runner-up again. Ellwein earned academic all-state and Class AA all-tournament team honors that year before continuing her career at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Amelia Endres: One of the most accomplished gymnasts in school history

A 2010 Mitchell graduate, Endres won eight individual state championships and earned all-ESD and all-tournament team honors five times. She won three consecutive state vault titles from 2006-08 before a dominant 2009 state meet where she captured vault, bars, beam, floor and the all-around.

Endres helped MHS win back-to-back state team championships in 2007 and 2008. After graduating early, she competed for Arizona State University from 2010-13, recording career-best scores of 9.85 in vault, bars and beam. She was named ASU scholar athlete of the year in 2013.

She has since given back as an assistant coach, helping the Kernels win state championships in 2014, 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Lonnie Moody: A sprinter and baseball standout

A 2000 Mitchell graduate, Moody excelled in track and field and baseball. He won the 200-meter state championship in 1998 and captured both the 100 and 200-meter titles in 1999. His 10.60 school-record time in the 100 meters still stands at MHS.

Moody helped Mitchell Post 18 win the 1999 South Dakota American Legion state championship. He earned all-state honors, stole 34 bases in both 1998 and 2000, and batted .362 in 1999. He continued playing baseball at Dakota Wesleyan University, earning GPAC honors three times and defensive player of the year honors in 2003 and 2004.

Why do local sports halls of fame matter for community identity?

Honoring athletes and contributors like these does more than celebrate past victories. It strengthens the social fabric of a community by recognizing the people who shaped local institutions and inspired younger generations.

For Mitchell, the Hall of Fame is a reminder that sports are not just about competition. They are about mentorship, service and the bonds that hold a town together.

What does the future hold for Mitchell athletics?

As the Kernels celebrate their past, the community is also looking forward. With coaches like Endres giving back and volunteers like Carlson still involved, Mitchell athletics are building on a strong foundation.

The Kernel Bowl weekend is an opportunity for residents to come together, celebrate shared history and support the next generation of athletes.