Hammel named to DSU athletic hall of fame

Dickinson State Athletics announced their 2023 Blue Hawk Hall of Fame class on Monday. The class consists of six individual athletes and two teams and will be honored this fall.

“We are very excited to announce the selection of the 3 men and 3 women into the Dickinson State Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2023,” said athletic director Pete Stanton. “They range from multiple decades and sports and are all very deserving of this honor. In addition, the 2002 and 2003 Men’s track and field teams were two of the top teams in Blue Hawk history. We look forward to the Hall of Fame celebration in October.”

2023 Hall of Fame Inductees

Chioko (Nakasone) Hammel – Superior, Montana – Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field

Chioko spent five years at Dickinson State competing in cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. She was a two-time All-American during her career and spent her final year as a student assistant for both programs. Hammel graduated from DSU summa cum laude in 2007 with a double major in Biology and Spanish, while minoring in Chemistry. Hammel and her family reside in Ekalaka where she teaches and coaches at Carter County High School.

Christa (Hofland) Enebo – Dickinson, North Dakota – Women’s Track & Field and Basketball

Christa is a Dickinson, ND native and graduated from DSU in 2009 with a degree in Elementary Education, and minors in Coaching and Leadership. She was a member of the Women’s Track and Field team from 2006-2009, as well as the 05/06 Women’s Basketball team. Christa was a two-time NAIA All-American in Track and Field, earned DAC All-Conference honors, and held 4 DSU records (Indoor Shotput, Outdoor Shotput, Weight Throw, and Hammer Throw) for 14 years.

Charles McLouth – Circle, Montana – Football

Charles played football for the Blue Hawks from 1989-1992 and was a two-time NAIA All-American Honorable Mention. He was named NDAC All-Conference in both the ‘91 and ‘92 seasons. McLouth graduated from Dickinson State in 1993 with a degree in Math Education. Originally from Circle, Montana, McLouth now resides in San Mateo, California with his wife, Stacy, and son, Alex.

Jason Ackerman – Glendive, Montana – Men’s Wrestling

Jason, originally from Glendive, Montana wrestled for the Blue Hawks from 1996-2000 and was a three time All-American and wrestled at 197 pounds and heavy weight. He graduated from Dickinson State with a degree in University Studies.

Francisco Rose – Kingston, Jamaica – Men’s Track & Field

Francisco ran track for the Blue Hawks from 2003-2006, helping lead DSU to NAIA National Titles in ’04, ’05, and ’06. He was a multi-time All-American in four different events and was on the 2006 4x400 relay team that set a national record at the NAIA Championships.

Sara Berglund – Hazen, North Dakota – Women’s Golf and Basketball

Sara is from Hazen, ND, and graduated from DSU in 2006 with degrees in Elementary Education and K-12 Physical Education, and a minor in coaching. She was a member of the Women’s Basketball and Golf teams from 2001-2005. Sara was an NAIA All-American in Golf, qualifying for the national meet three times and earned DAC All-Conference honors in both sports. She set records for both 3-point percentage (single season) and 3-pointers made (career) while leading DSU women’s basketball to a pair of national tournaments. She was named Female Athlete of the Year for DSU in 04/05.

2002 Men’s Track & Field

The 2002 team came into the year having finished 6th out of 8 teams in the DAC Conference in 2001. Led by a dynamic group of freshman and several returning lettermen in the field events, the Blue Hawks won their first conference title in track and field since 1969. In doing so, they broke Jamestown College’s 23 year run of winning the NDCAC or DAC conference in men’s track and field. The team would go on to a 5th place finish at the NAIA national meet, the highest ever at that time for a Dickinson State track team. Aaron Cleare would win the first of 4 national championships in the 400 meters and 6 other Blue Hawks were named All-American.

2003 Men’s Track & Field

The 2003 team returned several members of the 2002 team and also added several newcomers that would help Dickinson State become a national power in men’s track and field for the next several years. The 2003 team competed at the national meet in Olathe, Kansas. In this meet the Blue Hawks scored 61 points to garner a national runner-up finish. The team was edged out for the national title by Lindenwood in the last few events by 3 points. Future Olympian Derrick Atkins won a national championship in the 100 meters and 9 other Blue Hawks achieved All-American status. The 2002 and 2003 teams were coached by Pete Stanton.