Park High School inducted new Hall of Fame members Saturday, Nov. 23.
The event at River Oaks Golf Course and Event Center started with a social gathering at 4:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and induction at 7 p.m. Inducted into the 2024 Hall of Fame were Class of 1973 graduate Peggy (Shannon) Lahr, Class of 1980 graduate Mike Moran, Class of 1984 graduate Greg Gutterman, Class of 2013 graduate Mary (Turitto) Miller, and Coach Mark Sikich.
Established in 2005, the purpose of the Park High School Hall of Fame is “to give special recognition to outstanding athletes, coaches, and community members who have made significant contributions to the athletic program at Park High School.”
The Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is no different. Following is a summary of each inductee and their accomplishments.
Attending Park High in the early 1970s, Peggy (Shannon) Lahr joined gymnastics when it was the only team sport for women, joining in seventh grade. Lahr focused on floor exercise, balance beam and the vault. She also participated in swimming, track, and softball through the Girls Athletic Association, being voted “most athletic” by her senior classmates in 1973. After high school she attended Century College and worked at 3M for 44 years before retiring. She lives in Woodbury with husband Terry.
Next on the Park High Hall of Fame list and coaching for 41 years is Mark Sikich, 36 of which were spent at Park High. Sikich has coached gymnastics, tennis, football, and girls golf over the years.
From 1986 through 2000, the Park High record in the Suburban East Conference was 99-9 under his leadership, with the record from 2001 to 2011 being 69-27. Sikich was also a premier gymnastics coach at Park, the team winning 16 Section 3AA Championships from 1985 to 2014, along with a State Championship in the 2003-2004 season. With several other accomplishments and currently the girls golf coach, Sikich lives in Cottage Grove with his wife Cathy.
Third on the 2024 Park High Hall of Fame list and also a coach, Mike Morgan has contributed to Park as a student-athlete, teacher, and coach. Graduating in 1980 after being voted Most Valuable in 1979, Morgan lettered three times in track, holding the high school record in 800 meters (1:54.36) when he graduated in 1980. He also took third in the spring medley at the 1980 State tournament. A cross country coach at Park High after graduation, Morgan has poured his experience into student lives over the years, with the 2012 track team being state runner up. He lives in Mendota Heights with his wife Theresa.
Next in this year’s Hall of Fame and hailing from the Park High Class of 1984, Greg Gutterman was a multi-sport athlete who played hockey, football, and baseball during his time at Park. Gutterman was the leading rusher for the football team and wanted the “Pioneer Press Player to Watch,” along with being All Conference in hockey. Going on to play Division I at the United States Air Force Academy after graduation from Park, Gutterman is a retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General. He lives in Ohio with his wife Leslie.
Closing out the 2024 Hall of Fame review is Mary (Turitto) Miller. Miller participated in hockey and softball while at Park, totaling 65 goals and 43 assists over her career. Awarded All Conference twice, Miller made All-Metro as well as All-State and was a 2013 Ms. Softball finalist. Alongside athletics she also excelled in the classroom, winning the President Education Award, Washington County Commissioner’s Award, and United States Marine Corps Award. After high school she went on to play softball at Winona State and Indiana State University. In 2014 Winona won the NSIC Championship and in 2015 Indiana won the MVC Championship. A sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol as well as Recruitment Coordinator, Miller lives with her husband Kris and daughter Ashley.
Nomination forms for the Park High Hall of Fame may be found at https://www.parkwolfpack.org/hofforms.