Two individuals and one team to be inducted into O.C. Athletic Hall of Fame

OLIVET, Mich. – Two individuals – Karla Harding and Rick Smith – and the 1971-72 wrestling team will be inducted into the Olivet College Athletic Hall of Fame (AHOF) Oct. 10. The induction ceremony will take place inside The Cutler Event Center, as part of the college’s alumni awards night. They will also be recognized the next day prior to the Homecoming football game vs. Trine (Ind.) University.

Karla Harding ’85 was a four-year letterwinner on both the Comets’ volleyball and softball teams. In volleyball, she was named the team’s Most Valuable Player three times and Most Valuable Defensive Player four times. Harding served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons. In softball, she was the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Player four times and served as the team’s captain during her senior season. As a freshman, Harding helped the Comets win the SMAIAW state championship and advance to the MAIAW regionals. Harding’s fondest memories in both sports were playing with her sister, Ann, who was inducted into the Olivet College AHOF in 2009.

Since graduating from Olivet, Harding has coached baseball and softball to children of all ages. For nine years, she coached her son’s baseball teams, and for the last eight years, she coached her daughter’s softball teams. In 2013, Harding served as the head coach for the All-Star AKL 10U softball team which advanced to the Indiana state tournament and the regional tournament in Louisville, Ky.  Presently, she also serves on the Angola (Ind.) High School softball coaching staff, coaching the junior varsity team.

Rick Smith ’76 was a four-year letterwinner on the football team. Playing defensive back, he was a first-team All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) selection in 1973, 1974 and 1975, and an honorable mention All-MIAA selection in 1972. In 1974, Smith helped the Comets win an outright MIAA Championship for the first time since 1913. He also served as a team captain for three seasons.

Smith remained at Olivet to serve as assistant football coach for one season during the 1976 season. He then started his high school coaching career at Eaton Rapids as assistant varsity football coach, assistant wrestling coach and science teacher from 1977-79.

Smith then became a coach and educator at East Kentwood High School. From 1980-2014, he served as the head wrestling coach. For his accomplishments, Smith was selected as a Michigan Wrestling Association Hall of Fame coach in 2014. He was also a part of the football coaching staff from 1980-2004. In addition, he served as science and social studies teacher for 18 years before becoming the assistant principal for 16 years. Smith retired from the education field on June 30, 2014.

Coached by Jare Klein, the 1971-72 wrestling team was the first Olivet wrestling team to win an MIAA championship. This title began a streak of nine straight conference championships for the Comets. During the season, Olivet went undefeated against league rivals, outscoring their opponents in 160-46. Overall for the season, the Comets posted an 11-3 record, including a perfect 7-0 record at home.

Members of the team were Larry Boyer, Phil Britton, Doug Burland, Bob Coplin, Dave Elliott, Steve Felder, Ken Lollar, David Rice, Tim Sheets, Bob Shegog, Tom Tirb, John Trerice, Arnold Walker, Jim Wencel and Mark Williams. Boyer, Elliott and Felder earned All-MIAA honors. Elliott was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Wrestler, while Boyer was named the Most Improved Wrestler.