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Home : Athletics : Hall of Fame : Class of 2009

Athletic Hall of Fame
Class of 2009

The 4th class of the Wheeling High School Athletic Hall of Fame
was inducted at half-time of the varsity basketball game on Saturday, January 17, 2009.

	Donna Dubbelde - Coach Donna Dubbelde was an integral part in the development of girls' athletics in the Mid Suburban Conference and the State of Illinois. Her contributions to Wheeling High School and girls' athletics are legendary. At Wheeling H.S., Donna was the head girls' basketball coach for 18 years. As the coach, she helped guide her team to a number of regional championships, and helped Wheeling end Fremd's 50 game win streak. Besides coaching basketball, Donna was also the head girls' volleyball coach for eight years, the head girls' track coach for six years, and an assistant coach for tennis, badminton, softball, and track and field. Donna spent 33 years at Wheeling H.S. Her last nine were as the division head for Physical Education, Health, Driver's Education, and Dance. In 1998 she was presented with the Excellence in Education Award. Donna was also inducted into the Illinois Girl's Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998.
	Wendy Lahucik Sanchez - Athletics Wendy Lahucik Sanchez was an outstanding gymnast at Wheeling High School. She competed for Wheeling High School from 1989-1991. Wendy was a ten-time MSL champion, winning the balance beam three times, the vault three times, the floor exercise once, and for three years was the all-around conference champion. Wendy also achieved great success in the I.H.S.A. State series. She was an eleven time regional champion, and a nine time sectional champion. At the 1989 I.H.S.A. State meet, Wendy finished sixth in the vault, third on the beam, and fourth in the all-around. In 1990, she finished second on the vault, third in the all-around, and was the state champion on the balance beam. In 1991, Wendy was third on vault, second on floor exercise, second in the all-around, and won her second consecutive state championship on the balance beam. Her score of 9.875 that year broke the state record on beam. Due to her success, Wendy was honored as the I.H.S.A. Senior Gymnast of the Year.
	Rick Orna - Athletics Rick Orna was the first state champion in the history of Wheeling High School. Rick competed in the sport of boys' gymnastics from 1965-1968. In 1965, Rick was the sophomore conference champion on the still rings. In 1967 he finished fourth at the varsity conference meet. Rick was the varsity conference champion on the still rings in 1968. At the I.H.S.A. state level, Rick finished third in the still rings in 1967. Rick became the first state champion from Wheeling High School in 1968 when he won the I.H.S.A. championship in the still rings. Rick's individual efforts at the 1968 state meet helped Wheeling's team finish fifth in the state. Also in 1968, Rick was named the Wheeling High School Athlete of the Year. Rick's achievements helped set the groundwork for many future successes in Wheeling gymnastics.
	Burt Perlow - Friend of Athletics Burt Perlow defines a friend of athletics. From 1976-2006, Burt was a football coach at Wheeling High School. Most of those years were spent as a volunteer coach. In his 31 years of service to Wheeling, Burt helped coach three conference championship teams, and three I.H.S.A. playoff teams. Burt Perlow, "The Coach", was synonymous with the Wheeling H.S. strength-training program. He was the architect of the first Wheeling Olympic Bar Weight Room. He also introduced the Burly Club and the Iron Worker Club to Wheeling Athletics. Through his efforts, Wheeling football and its strength program reached a great level of success. Burt was an inspiration to generations of Wheeling athletes, and, his commitment to Wheeling H.S. as a volunteer football coach is second to none.
	Jim Whittington - Athletics and Administration Jim Whittington had a long and distinguished career at Wheeling High School. As an athlete, Jim was a standout football and baseball player at Wheeling from 1964-1966. In 1965 Jim was an all-conference football player. He was also the captain of the football team that year, along with being the captain of the baseball team. Jim returned to Wheeling High School in 1970 as a teacher. While on the faculty at Wheeling, Jim coached football for ten years, swimming for seven years, was an athletic trainer, and advised the Letterman Club. Upon leaving the classroom, Jim became an administrator at Wheeling H.S. In his administrative career, Jim helped direct the Hardwood Classic basketball tournament, and he was the Director of Student Activities for Wheeling and for District 214. In 1988, Jim became the Associate Principal at Wheeling High School. Overall, Jim spent 28 years participating in or supporting Wheeling High School Athletics.