Bulldogs Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Honored at Football Game

The Hampton-Dumont Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was announced and honored during halftime of the Humpton-Dumont-CAL home game versus Clarion-Goldfield-Dows on Friday, September 5. The four inductees for the class of 2025 are: former boys wrestler John Showalter (class of 1969), former boys' basketball player Phil Jorgenson (class of 1979), former girls' basketball player Olivia (Mennen) Layton (class of 1995) and former legendary Bulldogs' wrestling coach Roger Hansen. Each of the four inductees was given a commemorative plaque for their induction. The Bulldog Hall of Fame Committee then presented the 2025 Red and Black Reward to First Bank Hampton, Dave Heuberger and CEO Tyler Heeren for their support and promotion of Bulldog athletics.

John Showalter sadly passed away in November, 2022 and was represented by his wife, Nancy, and his sons Matt, Quin and Drew. Showalter graduated from Hampton High School in 1969 and he earned three letters as a wrestler for the Bulldogs. Showalter was the first two-time North Central Conference (NCC) champion, winning it in 1968 and 1969. In Showalter's junior year, he placed second in the state and helped the team finish fourth in the state. In his senior year, Showalter went 27-1 with the only loss coming in the state finals. Showalter received a full-ride scholarship to Iowa State and wrestled for the Cyclones for all four years. Showalter was a part of three National Championship winning teams at Iowa State.

Phil Jorgenson graduated from Hampton High School in 1979 and earned 12 total letters during his high school career: four in basketball and three in track and cross country. On the basketball court is where Jorgenson really excelled. He started for the Bulldogs for three seasons. He lead the NCC in scoring his junior year and was a unanimous first team all-conference selection. In Jorgenson's senior year, the Bulldogs qualified for the state tournament for the first time in school history and made it all the way to the state championship, finishing as state runner-up. Jorgenson was a unanimous selection to the first team all-conference for the second year in a row, while also being selected to the all-tournament state team, the IDPA all-state second team and the Des Monies Register all-state third team. Jorgenson finished his career with over 1,000 points scored and 319 assists. Jorgenson played college basketball at South Dakota State, starting for the Jackrabbits for three seasons. Jorgenson spoke on what it felt like to be inducted into the Bulldogs Hall of Fame.

"It was very humbling," Jorgenson said. "Both of my coaches were there, and some of my teammates came. That was probably more important than the award itself. It was a great experience. I am a little speechless about it honestly."

Olivia Layton, formerly Mennen, graduated from Hampton-Dumont High School in 1995 and earned 11 letters as a Bulldog, four in basketball and cross country and three in track. Layton made her mark as a basketball player as she was an all-conference selection four times in her career, as well as unanimous first team selections in her junior and senior seasons. During her career, the Bulldogs went 77-16, winning three conference championships and qualifying for the state tournament twice. Layton scored over 2000 points in her career and was selected to the all-state first team in her junior and senior seasons. Layton went on to pay two seasons of college basketball at Waldorf College. Layton was grateful to be inducted into the Bulldogs Hall of Fame.

"I am truly honored to be a part of the Hampton Hall of Fame,' Layton said. "Hampton High School was a great place to grow up and get a solid high school foundation. The support from my past teachers, coaches and the community made it the experience that I treasure."

Roger Hansen graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1949 where he was an outstanding wrestler, qualifying for the state tournament three times. He placed third in the state in his junior year and lost in overtime in the championship his senior year. Hansen served in the Navy during the Korean War, returning to Iowa and enrolling at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) after his stint. Hansen wrestled and lettered at UNI and became head coach of the Bulldogs wrestling team in 1960. The Bulldogs' wrestling program was extremely successful during Hansen's nine-year tenure. The Bulldogs won multiple conference championships during those nine seasons, and he coached the first two individual state champions in school history, Lorrie McLaughlin in 1964 and Tim Dillon in 1967. Hansen retired as head coach in 1969 to become the school's athletic director, a position he held for 19 years.

First Hampton Bank was rewarded the Red and Black Reward for their continuing support of Bulldogs athletics. First Bank HAmpton has been a long-time sponsor of game programs for football, athletic booster clubs and a yearly Quarterback Club game sponsor. First Bank has also donated to special projects that have benefited the athletes and facilities at the schools. Congratulations to First Hampton Bank and the four Bulldogs inducted into the Hampton Hall of Fame.