Jeff Schemmel

Schemmel, a member of the Class of 1972, was active as a member of both the Maroon newspaper staff and M-Club. He also participated in drama. He lettered in football, basketball and track and was a co-captain of the track squad. Schemmel was part of five different track records in 1972 — the 800-meter dash, 1:57.8, 1600-meter run, 4:11.2, 3200-meter run, 9:11.2, sprint medley relay, 3:35.0, and the 3200-meter relay, 7:58.0. Three of those records — the 1600- and 3200-meter runs and 3200-meter relays — still stand today. All five of the above-mentioned records still rank Schemmel on the S.D. Track Records Honor Roll. In 1972, Schemmel was the most valuable athlete of the track squad and overall most valuable athlete. He was the first S.D. high school runner to run under four minutes in the mile (converted to 4:11 for 1,600 meters), and also held the state record for the two-mile run (3200 meters) for 20 years. Schemmel won the mile at the '72 State A Track Meet. Also as a Bulldog, Schemmel earned all-state honorable-mention honors in football. In basketball, he was a two-year starter and an all-state honorable-mention selection at guard. Schemmel went on to an outstanding college track career at Kansas State University. He was a five-time Big Eight conference champion in track and field and a four-time All-American. In 1976, he was second in the mile run at the NCAA Div. I Track & Field Meet.