BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bismarck State College added another proud chapter to its athletics history Thursday night, welcoming a standout group into its Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2026 includes Lars Smeenk in men's cross country and track and field, Spencer Gillund in baseball, Evonne Vaplon in women's cross country and track and field, Jeni Walsh in volleyball coaching, and the 2019 BSC Mystics volleyball team. Together, the group represents decades of excellence, competitive success and lasting service tied to BSC athletics.

Smeenk's accomplishments helped cement his place among the program's elite. He was an NJCAA All-American in 1985, earned All-Region honors in 1984, won the 1985 NJCAA indoor national title in the 1,000 meters at the University of Arkansas in 2:17.09, and set a BSC mile record of 4:18. He also was BSC's top finisher at the NJCAA cross country national meet, placing 39th as the team finished 11th. Vaplon built an equally impressive legacy, earning All-American honors in the discus in 1976 and 1977. In 1977, she won state titles in the shot put, discus and javelin and helped BJC place third as a team at the NJCAA meet in Dodge City, Kansas. Her impact extended well beyond her competitive career through a long run as a throws coach at Concordia College, where she helped mentor athletes including Olympian Kris Kuehl.

Gillund's induction reflects both his production on the field and his connection to the program afterward. The Enderlin native was an NJCAA Third Team All-American in 2017 and a two-time All-Region selection during his baseball career from 2016 to 2018. He continued playing in the Northwoods League and at the University of Mary before returning to BSC as a coach, adding another layer to his contribution. Walsh, meanwhile, guided one of the most successful eras in Mystics volleyball, setting a high standard for the program before later serving as associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator at the University of Mary.

The 2019 Mystics volleyball team also took its place in the spotlight after a season that remains a benchmark for the college. That team finished 31-10 overall and 11-1 in conference, entered the national tournament ranked No. 12, and surged to a fourth-place finish at the NJCAA Division II national tournament, still a program record. BSC reached the national semifinals with postseason wins over Catawba Valley Community College and Fort Scott Community College, powered by key contributors including Becca Nitsch, Cara Haussler, setters Mady Mosolf and Emma Fricke, libero Alie Glasser, and front-row standouts Masy Kuntz and Bailee Otterness.

The induction ceremony began at 6 p.m. in the Bavendick Stateroom inside the National Center of Excellence on the Bismarck State campus. Following the BSC Alumni awards, the Hall of Fame ceremony featured heartfelt tributes from coaches, family members and others who shaped each inductee's journey. Each honoree also shared accepting remarks before receiving Hall of Fame awards from Jason Harris and Dr. Brian Kalk. It was a fitting celebration for a class that reflects the reach of BSC athletics, from national champions and All-Americans to coaches and teams whose influence continues to be felt across the Mystics community.
 

Lars Smeenk

Spencer Gillund

Evonne Vaplon

Jeni Walsh

2019 Volleyball Team

Be sure to visit BSCMystics.com and download the MysticNation app to continue to stay up to date with everything going on in Mystic Athletics.

FOLLOW THE MYSTICS
Facebook: @BSCMystics
Instagram: @gomystics
X: @BSCMystics
YouTube: @GoMystics
#GoMystics