Gilbert Rambo – Athlete/Alumnus  (Class of 1929)
Gilbert Rambo graduated from Wasco High School in 1929, excelling in both basketball and track.  Gib, as he affectionately would be called, continued his education at Cal Poly Junior College and lettered in basketball, track, and baseball.  It was then on to Fresno State where he competed in four years of basketball and track  and three years of football..  As a member of the Fresno State Conference champion mile relay team, Gib had a 440 yard best time of 48.7 seconds, outstanding for day.  Gib graduated from Fresno State in 1937 and eventually was awarded a lifetime pass to all Fresno State athletic events.  In 1940, he was selected to the Fresno State All-Time Basketball Team, and in 1985 was inducted into the Fresno State Athletic Hall of Fame for his outstanding athletic abilities in football, track, and basketball.

In 1938, Gilbert met and married the love of his life, Ruthelaine Farley, and then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II from 1942 until his discharge in 1945.  During his service, Gib was in charge of the Coast Guard’s 11th District K9 Division, and his duty was to use service dogs for the protection of active guardsmen and for patrolling the Pacific Beaches from San Diego to Morro Bay, as well as looking for enemy ships and submarines trying to drop off saboteurs along the Pacific Coast.  After the war ended, Gilbert returned to Fresno where he and his wife established the Rambelaine Kennels.  Because of his expertise with animals, Gib was asked to become Fresno’s first Executive Director for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  Gilbert’s life dedication was the love and protection of all animals, serving the SPCA and the Fresno Humane Society organizations for over 40 years.  Gilbert was “Mr. SPCA” of Fresno. Rambo retired in 2001 at the age of 90 as SPCA Executive Director Emeritus, but continued to make daily trips to his home away from home, the SPCA, before his death on August 31, 2010, at the age of 98.

Gordon “Sam” Skeels – Contributor
Gordon “Sam” Skeels came to Wasco in 1912 and attended Wasco High School, lettering in two varsity sports, track and baseball, before graduating in 1924.  After graduation, Sam went to work for Pacific, Gas, and Electric and also operated a small farm in Wasco.  He married and had a son Gordon and a daughter Sammy, who both attended the Wasco elementary and high schools, and with two more generations of Skeels’ to follow, it gave Sam the opportunity to enjoy watching three generations of family members participate in Wasco High athletic events.  Because Sam was such a great supporter of not only his family, but of all athletes at the high school, the Associated Student Body at Wasco High in the 1970’s selected Sam for the “Best Fan” award.  However, athletics was not the only thing Sam had a passion for, as the outdoors was also a love of his, and he often took his family and friends on hunting and fishing trips.  Sam’s deeply religious nature led him to help countless people, and one example of his generosity was when he allowed one of his son’s friends to stay at his home during his senior year because the parents had moved from Wasco,  helping the student/athlete  to finish his education and athletic career as a Wasco High Tiger.  We are all very proud of the legacy Sam has left as a contributor and supporter of Wasco High athletics.

Gordon Bergthold – Athlete  (Class of 1956)
Gordon Bergthold, a 1956 graduate of Wasco High, played three years on the varsity baseball team as one of the Tigers leading pitchers, earning Most Valuable Player honors his senior year, along with having the highest batting average among the Tigers. Gordon’s senior year saw his Tiger squad get to the Valley championship game before losing.  After graduating, Gordy became a Bakersfield College Renegade for Coach Gerry Collis’s squad, and during his sophomore was an All-Conference pitcher for the Renegades.  Next it was on to the University of Arizona where in his junior year he led his team in Earned Run Average among fourteen pitchers. He ranked second in the nation in ERA, while also earning Honorable Mention All-American honors.

In the summer of 1961, Gordy pitched 17 straight innings for the Wasco Merchants with a Philadelphia Phillies scout in the stands.  The next day he was signed to a minor league contract with the Bakersfield Bears; he played two years in the Phillies’ organization before being activated by the Navy for active duty.  Gordon was twenty-five at the time, and during his Navy experience he pitched batting practice for the Cincinnati Reds Triple “A” team when they were at home in San Diego.  That “AAA” team eventually became the “Big Red Machine” of the Cincinnati Reds, comprised of stars like Johnny Bench and Pete Rose. 

After serving his country as a Navy Corpsman, Gordon declined the Phillies offer to return to baseball in the California League, not wanting to ride the Orange Belt buses. Although both the Dodgers and Giants, who had both moved west and were interested in signing him, the Phillies wouldn’t release him; however, Gordon was finally released at age thirty after free agency was installed. 

Ending his baseball career, Gordon went to work for the Federal Land Bank as an agricultural lender and appraiser. Eventually at age 40 he started Bergthold Ag Services, a full-service company specializing in appraisals and real estate consulting, which he continues to enjoy today at age 71.

Lindsey James – Athlete  (Class of 1967)
Lindsey James, a 1967 graduate of Wasco High, lettered in four varsity sports - football, basketball, baseball, and track.  On the Tiger football squad, Lindsey earned the Most Valuable Player Award during his senior year, as well as being selected South Sequoia All-League in both his junior and senior seasons.  On the basketball court, Coach Jim Parker saw enough athleticism in Lindsey that James was able to earn a starting position on the varsity squad during his freshman year, with All-League Basketball awards to follow during his sophomore, junior, and senior years, a Most Valuable Player Award as a sophomore when James led all of Kern County in scoring with a 26.7 points per game average, and was also a Co-Captain selection in his senior season.  On the baseball field, Lindsey was an integral part of Jack Burtner’s Tiger squad, but he also found time to compete on Andy Darby’s track team, running on the 440 relay, and competing in the long and triple jumps.  Lindsey was  part of the four-man team that still holds the Wasco High 440 yard relay record at 43.3 seconds, as well as being one of the top long jumpers in Wasco High history with a jump of 23’ 7 ½ “.

James continued his athletic career at Bakersfield College as a wingback and was chosen Most Valuable Player in his sophomore year, while also earning All-American honors.  From Bakersfield College, it was on to San Diego State as a two-year starter.  His performance during his two years for the Aztecs was noticed by the National Football League and James was drafted in 1971 by the Atlanta Falcons NFL football team, who in 1972 traded Lindsey to the Miami Dolphins, only to be the last player cut before the season began.  That year Miami went on to a 17-0 record to become the NFL’s first, and still only team to go undefeated and win the Super Bowl.  Lindsey continued to play professional football in the World Football League for Madison-Wisconsin, Winnepeg, and the California Suns, and after retiring from pro football, Lindsey went on to have a successful twenty-seven career for Cox Communications.

Marsheela Harriston – Athlete  (Class of 1989)
Marsheela Harriston, a 1989 graduate of Wasco High, is the first female inductee in the Wasco High Athletic Hall of Fame.  Marsheela was a three-sport athlete, playing volleyball and basketball, and competing on the Lady Tigers’ track team.  On the track squad, Harriston competed in the long and triple jumps, as well as the high jump, and in her senior year, made it to the Valley Championships in both long and triple jumps.  However, it was on the basketball court that Harriston excelled.  Awards were numerous. As a four-year starter on the Lady Tigers’ basketball team, Harriston earned the Most Valuable Player honor all four years.  She was a three-time Kern County Player of the Year, an All-Valley First Team selection during her junior and senior seasons, and was selected to the First Team All-State Team in Division IV after her senior season.  Marsheela’s outstanding basketball talent also led to her being selected before her junior year to play on the USA Women’s Developmental Basketball Team.  With a career total of 1,454 rebounds, Harriston holds the not only the Wasco High rebounding record, but she is still the Central Section Career Rebound record holder after setting the mark twenty-one years ago.   Marsheela also ranks third with 1,689 career point at Wasco High, while leading her teams to four straight South Sequoia League titles and back-to-back Division IV Valley titles in 1988 and ’89.  Her outstanding play in the 1989 Southern California Championship victory sent the Lady Tigers on to the State Championship where they lost a close, exciting game, 43-40, to Anderson High School.  To this day, the 1989 Lady Tigers Girls’ Basketball squad is the only Central Section girls’ team to have reached a State Final game.                                                                                                                              

After graduating, Marsheela received a full scholarship to play for Long Beach State, playing all four years for the Lady 49ers, one of the top teams in the nation.  Staying true to her remarkable rebounding talent, Harriston still stands in fifth place on the Long Beach State All-Time Defensive Rebound list.   

Rodney Wallace – Athlete  (Class of 1977)
Rodney Wallace, a 1977 graduate of Wasco High, was a four-year letterman in tennis and a two-year letterman in both football and basketball, achieving success in all three sports.  During his senior year, Rodney led Kern County in passing yardage, was chosen as Team Captain, 1st Team All-League Quarterback, and named to the Kern County All Area Team, while leading the Tigers to an 8-2 season record.  As a guard on the basketball court during his senior year, Wallace was chosen to the All-League team, as well as selected to play in the Kern County All-Stars game.  Rodney’s tennis skills were evident early in his freshman year when he quickly became a top player for Frank Thiessen’s squad, starting as a singles player all four years, and earning team championships in each of those four years, as well as being named All League two years and MVP team honors on his Tiger squad during his senior season.  His tennis team also made it to the Valley semi-finals two years, and Rodney still holds the record for most singles matches won at Wasco High.  Wallace then went on to play two years of football at Bakersfield College at the quarterback position, before finishing his playing career at Tabor College in Kansas. Success continued at Tabor as Rodney, from his quarterback position, was ranked first in total offense and second in passing in NAIA Division II in 1979, and again first and third in passing in 1980.

After his athletic career ended, Rodney went into education as a teacher and coach, becoming an assistant football coach at Garces and Hanford High Schools, before returning to his alma mater as Wasco High’s Varsity Football Coach from 1986 through 1989.  Rodney took over a   0-9 1986 Tiger team, and in 1989, took the Tigers to the Valley Championship game, losing a close game to Corcoran by a score of 16-13.

Smith “Mac” Ellis – Athlete  (Class of 1956)

Smith “Mac” Ellis graduated from Wasco High in 1956, earning varsity letters in both basketball and track and field.  Mac participated in basketball all four years, the last three as a member of Coach Jack Burtner’s varsity squad.  During his senior year on the basketball court as the Tigers’ center, Ellis was instrumental in leading the Tigers to the South Sequoia Valley Championship, defeating Dinuba 59-47.  Mac also excelled on Andy Darby’s track team as a high jumper throughout his four years, clearing 6’ 2 ½” at the 1956 South Sequoia League meet, and with that leap, setting league, stadium, and Wasco High records.  While at Wasco High, Ellis not only excelled on the athletic field, but he also took an integral part in many activities and clubs. During his senior year, Mac was the Student Executive Council 1st Semester President, the Senior Class Treasurer, Song and Rooters Vice President, and the Christian Living on Campus Club President. 

After graduating from Wasco High, Mac first continued his education and athletic career at Bakersfield College, participating on the Renegade basketball and track teams.  After two years there, it was then on to Colorado State University where he was the Rams starting center on the basketball court, and again competed in tack as well, setting a Colorado State high jump record at 6’ 6 ½”. 

Using his Industrial Arts degree, Mac returned to the local area in Pixley, and with his cousin Charles Ellis, formed a partnership in farming, raising 1,600 hogs, creating Ellis Game Bird Farm, and a Private Pheasant Hunting Club, raising 22,000 pheasants, and creating Ellis Poultry Processing, a business that was awarded the “Administration Award for Excellence” from the United States Small Business Administration.  It was a well-deserved recognition for Ellis, as he led Delano’s industry through his company’s outstanding success in business, and their commitment to meeting the needs of the economy, as one of only seven turkey processing facilities in the state, employing forty-five workers. After an outstanding athletic career, and working for over thirty years at his successful farming, business, and industrial careers, Mac retired in 1994.

Dr. William A. Hagen -Contributor
Dr. William A. Hagen began his medical practice in Wasco in 1958, and from the early 1960’s until 1977, served as the team physician for Wasco High athletes, providing his services by giving athletes physicals before each sport season, taking his customary spot on the sidelines at the home Friday night football games, as well as seeing athletes in his office on 7th Street.  Along with the other local doctors, Hagen rotated shifts at North Kern Hospital where he spent many hours in the emergency room treating athletes for sport injuries, and during the football season, he would open his 7th Street office on Saturday mornings to treat any injuries from the previous night’s game.  Dr. Hagen had a compassionate nature, providing free health care to many, including the nuns at St. John’s School, and because he enjoyed working with teenage athletes, he worked to find the balance between encouraging high performance and encouraging breaks or rests from sports, as well as providing informal counseling at his office to athletes that asked to talk with him.  Besides his medical practice, Hagen found time to give back to the community by serving terms on the Wasco Elementary and the Wasco High School Board of Trustees, as well as the Wasco Planning Commission.  Mostly though, he just practiced medicine, seeing patients, which he thoroughly enjoyed, and in 1989 Dr. Hagen retired after thirty-one years of serving the athletes and community of Wasco.