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Kennett adds five inductees to Kennett Athletics Hall of Fame
KENNETT, Mo. - Three former standout athletes of the Kennett School and two Kennett track teams that claimed state titles were added to the Kennett Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night.
Matt Shetley, Tanika Macias, Brandi Jackson, the 1933 Kennett High School Track Team, and the 1942 Kennett High School Track Team were recognized as the latest inductees in a ceremony conducted at halftime of the Kennett-Gosnell varsity football game Friday at Metz Cherry Stadium.
“We are proud to get caught up and induct the two state championship track teams and have the representation to accept on behalf of each team,” Kennett athletic director Jim Vaughan said. “As part of the Hall of Fame procedure, a state championship team is an automatic inductee.
“The careers, especially at Kennett, speak for themselves regarding the three individuals who are part of this year’s Hall of Fame class,” Vaughan continued. “Mr. Matt Shetley, Major Tanika Macias, and Brandi Jackson. It was a very pride-filled evening for the inductees and our school district. The Kennett School District would like to extend our congratulations to the Hall of Fame Class of 2019 on a very deserved recognition.”
Matt Shetley (pictured) was inducted into the Kennett Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night at Metz Cherry Stadium in Kennett.
MATT SHETLEY
Shetley is a 1979 graduate of Kennett who was a four-year letterman on the high school golf team.
He qualified for the state golf tournament his sophomore, junior and senior seasons and was selected all-state in 1978. Kennett also won a team district title in 1978 in golf.
Shetley was a letterman in golf at the University of Arkansas in the 1979-1980 season. He later transferred to the University of Missouri where he was a member of the golf team from 1981 to 1984, lettering in 1982.
Shetley was a Missouri Amateur Golf Qualifier from 1979 to 1987.
He volunteered his time as the official basketball scoreboard operator from 1992 to 2015 and still volunteers his time as the football scoreboard operator at Kennett.
He has also served as a member of the Kennett Board of Education since 1997, including 17 years as president.
TANIKA MACIAS
Tanika Macias (pictured) was inducted into the Kennett Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night at Metz Cherry Stadium in Kennett.
Macias is a 1990 graduate of Kennett who enjoyed success in girls basketball, track, and cross country.
She qualified for the state cross country meet in 1989.
She qualified for state in the 4x400 meter relay team in 1988, the 4x200 meter relay team in 1989, the 4x400 meter relay team in 1990, the 800-meter run in 1989 and 1990, and triple jump in 1989 and 1990.
She was named all-conference and all-district in 1988 and 1989 in girls basketball and was a member of the 1987-1988 Hall of Fame squad.
After high school, she continued her basketball career at Central Methodist University where she set the all-time scoring record in the 1993-94 season and the most steals in a game record in 1991-1992. Macias was also named to the NAIA Heart of America All-Conference team in 1990-91 and 1991-92.
After college, she joined the Army and served as a drill sergeant, officer instructor, commander, and served on the Army Staff at the Pentagon. She was deployed multiple times and is a highly decorated combat veteran.
BRANDI JACKSON
Brandi Jackson was inducted into the Kennett Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night at Metz Cherry Stadium in Kennett. Pictured Accepting on Brandi’s behalf is her sister, Elissa Adaway.
Jackson is a 1998 graduate of Kennett who was a standout basketball player.
She helped Kennett win a district championship in the 1996-1997 season when she scored 55 points in the district semifinal game against No. 6 ranked New Madrid County Central and 56 points in the district final against No. 3 ranked Doniphan.
She is currently second all-time in MSHSAA career scoring average at 32.99 points per game.
She remains the leader in MSHSAA single-season scoring average after averaging 43.1 points per game in the 1996-1997 season.
She is also ranked eighth in the high school state record books for most points scored in a game, netting 65 points on Feb. 10, 1997.
1933 Kennett High School Track Team
The 1933 Kennett High School Track Team was inducted into the Kennett Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night at Metz Cherry Stadium. Pictured accepting the plaque on behalf of the 1933 team is the daughter of Arthur “Bub” Sexton, Ms. Judy Sexton James.
The 1933 Kennett High School Track Team coached by Metz Cherry captured the Class B boys state title. Kennett tallied 17 points, finishing one point ahead of Shelbina who placed second with 16 points.
Kennett’s Arthur “Bub” Sexton was the Individual High Point Man of the 1933 state meet, winning the gold medal in discus and shot put.
Kennett also earned a bronze medal in the 440-yard dash and a silver medal in the medley relay.
Kennett finished fourth in the 120-yard high hurdles and 220-yard low hurdles at state.
1942 Kennett High School Track Team
The 1942 Kennett High School Track Team was inducted into the Kennett Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night at Metz Cherry Stadium. Pictured accepting the plaque on behalf of the 1942 team are two standout Kennett track athletes and current Hall of Fame members Mike Hunter (left) and Johnny Dalton (right).
The 1942 Kennett High School Track Team coached by Metz Cherry captured the Class B boys state title.
Kennett accumulated 21 points, tying Mexico for the state championship.
Kennett scored in eight different events.
Kennett’s Floyd Gaultley won a gold medal in the 120-yard high hurdles. Kennett’s Glenn Smith also earned a gold medal in the mile run with a record-breaking time of 4:34.
Smith collected a silver medal in the 880-yard run, Gaultley secured a silver medal in high jump and long jump, and Gevello Pelt took home a silver medal in shot put.
Kennett’s Harry Wilson also placed fourth in the 100-yard dash and 880-yard relay.
Editor's Note: The qualifications to be nominated are as followed:
- A five-year grace period upon the year of accomplishment for a team
- A 10-year grace period upon graduation for an individual
- Outstanding achievement in respective sport (team or individual) during one’s high school career and/or at the next level.
- Accomplished coach, past or present
- Individuals who have given meritorious and dedicated service to the athletic program at Kennett High School.
The following nominations will receive automatic entry into the Hall of Fame:
- State championship team (inducted five years after the year of accomplishment)
- Four-time all-state athlete in a respective sport (inducted 10 years after the year of graduation)
- Olympian (inducted no sooner than 10 years after the year of graduation)
All other nominations not eligible for automatic entry will are reviewed each summer by a nine-member committee that consists of the Booster Club President, a current or former head coach, a current member of the Kennett Hall of Fame, two at-large community representatives who are Kennett alumni that participated in at least one sport at Kennett High School all four years of high school, two current Kennett School employees, the Kennett high school principal, and the Kennett athletic director.