Three more athletes were recognized at halftime of the SM South vs. SM West varsity basketball game on Jan. 10 in the SMS gymnasium. This was the 5th year that the school honored some of it’s most athletic alumni and now there are 15 athletic legends that will be forever remembered in the Raider Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees were:

Floyd Dorsey (Class of 1974):

Dorsey experienced great success on the football team as a Right Tackle and Defensive End racking up All-State and All-Metro awards. Not only did his team win a State Championship in 1973, but they did it in perfect fashion. The 73’ raider football team was undefeated going into that State Championship game and they were able to top off an unforgettable season with a 28-0 victory over their in-conference rival Shawnee Mission West. Dorsey was considered a leader on the team. He and the Raider Running Back legend, Steve Little, were both vital pieces to what was a very successful rushing attack for SMS.

Along with football, Dorsey competed at the varsity level in both Basketball and Track & Field. In his senior year on the basketball team, his squad remained undefeated until falling to Hutchinson in the State Championship game. On the Track & Field team he added 2 more State Championship to his resume. One in discus his senior year and the other in shot put as a junior.

To top it all off, Dorsey was recognized by the Sports Commision as the High School Athlete of the Year in the Metro area in 1974. On this past Saturday, SMS retired his number (77). Dorsey went on to compete collegiately in football at Kansas State University as a 4 year starter. Dorsey was recognized as a Raider Hall of Famer 40 years after his graduation because he was a winner. Just by looking at his resume, it’s impossible not to appreciate his competitiveness and his ability to win games.

Kristen Gillespie (Class of 2008):

Gillespie showed her athletic dominance mainly as a runner and as a member of the Lady Raider basketball team. On the cross country team she was awarded 1st Team All-Metro twice and was All-State 3 times. As a senior, her team finished 2nd at state.

On the basketball team Gillespie started 3 years under the storied coach, Ron Millard. Her team made a run at State, finishing 4th her sophomore year. Even though Gillespie never shared major success in the postseason as a basketball star, she is still remembered for her tremendous scoring ability. She finished her senior year as the leading scorer in the Sunflower League and was awarded 1st Team All-Metro.

Although Gillespie was absolutely successful in both cross country and basketball, where she shined most was on the Track & Field team. As a Track star Gillespie won 15 State Medals. She was a State Champion in the 800m and was part of a record setting 4 x 800m relay team. At the State Meet, Gillespie competed in the 400m, the 800m, the 4 x 400m relay and the 4 x 800m relay. She put the weight of the team on her back that day but as a group the raiders fell just 3 and a half points short of a State Title. In 2008, Gillespie was awarded Track Athlete of the Year by the KC Star.

Gillespie also had great success as a runner in college as an Arkansas Razorback. She was an All-American all 4 years in Track & Field and successfully broke 2 school records that still stand today. She also set an SEC record for the mile.

Today Gillespie is still running and training to compete in the upcoming 2016 Olympics as a mile runner. Gillespie is an athlete that thrived in high school and her best days may be yet to come. Gillespie was absolutely a deserving inductee and who knows, 2 years from now we may get to watch her represent our school and our country on the biggest stage that an athlete can dream of.

Kurt Anselmi (Class of 1976):

The last inductee of this impressive 2014 class made his name known for his efforts in the swimming pool. Anselmi was remembered as an incredibly hard worker and that may have been because he was forced to compete with another great diver every day at practice named Pat Brettel. Anselmi competed with Brettel day in and day out and worked hard to get out of Brettel’s shadow and was successful in doing so.

As a junior, Anselmi won State and set a school record that still stands today (522.25). That record held the spot as the highest score in the state for 30 years. His senior year he added another State Championship to his list of achievements he is still remembered as a high school sensation not only for his Championships but also for making an appearance in Sports Illustrated.

Anselmi went on to win 2 diving championships at the University of Kansas and was an assistant coach when the the team won a conference title. Today he is a teacher at a grade school in Texas and hopes to instill intangibles that he learned here at South into his own students.

Anselmi was an athlete who was determined and showed that he had what it took to be the best. He earned his way into the record books in the 70’s and he earned his spot in Raider Hall of Fame.

These incredible athletes were honored for making their school proud when they went here and for continuing to do so even after they graduated. Last Friday they were introduced to the crowd by energetic local media star, Metro Sports reporter Dave Stewart, and were no doubt respected by everyone in attendance for everything they’ve been able to achieve while wearing green and gold.