Yori Headlines Huskers to Earn Hometown Honors

The Ankeny Press Citizen of Ankeny, Ia., has named 1982 graduates Connie Yori and Dennis Gibson the greatest female and male athletes in Ankeny High School history.

Yori, who played on five state championship softball teams and led Ankeny to a six-player state basketball title in 1980, was selected the No. 1 overall athlete by the Press Citizen.

"It's a nice honor," said Yori, who is now the head women's basketball coach at the University of Nebraska. "There have been a lot of great athletes who have come through Ankeny."

Gibson--who played nine seasons in the National Football League--edged out former track star Kevin Little and professional baseball player Todd Sears, a former Nebraska standout, for the No. 2 spot on the overall list. Gibson and Yori are cousins as well as former classmates.

"Our mothers are sisters," Yori said. "We both have large families, and sports were definitely a big part of our upbringing."

The rest of the Press Citizen's Top 10 consists of Karlin Hayes, Mary Yori, Benj Sampson, Nicky Wieben, Erica Junod and Pat Dunsmore. Mary, Connie's older sister, was a softball All-American at Creighton.

Both Yoris rose to stardom under the guidance of legendary Ankeny girls' basketball and softball coach Dick Rasmussen.

"Rass was one of the best coaches in the history of the state, and he knew what it took to win," Yori said. "I was also very fortunate to play on a lot of good teams with a lot of good athletes. You don't win state championships because of one player. I just feel really blessed to have grown up in Ankeny. It was the best place for a female athlete."

Other former and current Huskers on the top 50 in addition to Yori and Todd Sears were former Nebraska softball All-American Jenny Voss (12th) and current Nebraska baseball players Aaron Jarosh (25th) and Jeff Lanning (45th).