KMA Sports Hall of Fame Inductee: Tom Dovel

(Red Oak) -- Each weekday from now until August 26th, KMA Sports will be announcing the inaugural KMA Sports Hall of Fame class. Throughout the 2016-17 sports year, these 20 inductees will have special induction ceremonies, but August is designed for the announcements.

Today's inductee is a four-time state track champion, including a three-time champ in the 440 yard dash. Red Oak graduate Tom Dovel won the event in 1972, 1973 and 1974 and also managed a state title in the 220 yard dash in 1972.

"I had a twin brother (Tim) on the team," Dovel told KMA Sports," and he was a major pushing component for me. And then the other team members would also push me. I looked up to the upperclassmen, and the coaches supported all of my efforts."

Dovel, who is one of only two Iowa prep runners to win the 440 yard dash three times, started his track career at a very young age.

"It was very early," Dovel said of when he started running competitively. "I would say third or fourth grade. I competed where somebody came and put on a track meet, and I thought it was pretty fun."

Not only was it fun, it soon turned into a passion for Dovel, who would go on to run at the University of Nebraska. One of his favorite races, though, was at the state track meet when he and his brother finished first and second in the 440.

"I looked back to see where he was at in the race," Dovel said, "and as we were coming to the finish line he was relatively close. I thought that was pretty exciting that he came in second."

After his Red Oak career, Dovel earned Indoor All-American honors and helped the Huskers capture a Big Eight championship in the 4x440 relay. He will be inducted as part of the KMA Sports inaugural Hall of Fame class at a later date to be determined.

KMA Sports will announce a new inductee each August weekday morning during the 7:50 AM sportscast. Track the Hall of Fame announcements/inductees below:

FALL

Football: Announced August 26th at 7:50 AM

Volleyball: Angie Spangenberg, Red Oak/Harlan (Induction: 9/27)

Boys Cross Country: Ray Graves (Induction: 9/29)

Girls Cross Country: Missy Buttry Rock (Induction: 9/29)

Team: Clarinda Boys Cross Country 1956 State Champions (Induction: 9/6)

WINTER

Boys Basketball: BJ Windhorst (Induction: TBA)

Girls Basketball: Gail Hartigan (Induction: January 2017)

Wrestling: Tyler McGinnis (Induction: December 17th)

Team: 1996-97 Creston Boy's Basketball (Induction: July 2017)

SPRING