THE 2024 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Katie Starr O'Connor '94

Katie Starr O’Connor ‘94, also known as KT*, had the love of sports instilled in her as a little girl from her father, Kent T Starr, who played every sport and went on to play football at Baylor. 

Katie Starr took on a variety of sports and was a four-year varsity athlete letterman in cross country, track, softball, and basketball, and also played tennis in junior high and cheered. Katie excelled across the board. She ran the 200, 100-meter hurdles, long jump, triple jump, 400, and the 800 relay and set school records in them all.

She made it to state every year in cross country and track and won State Championships in cross country, softball and basketball. Katie was part of a foursome of Harms, Starr, Wheelis and Gilbreath on the basketball team who  “… never lost a home basketball game from junior high through varsity play.” 

Katie was named Vanguard Athlete of the Year in 1994 finishing off her senior year playing 4 sports.

Katie graduated from Texas A&M in 1998 with an Education and English degree, owing her choosing English and graduating with high honors to her education at Vanguard.  She taught 4th grade at BB Owen Elementary in The Colony, Tx. She married her high school sweetheart from Vanguard, Sean O’Connor.  They started dating in high school. They moved to Calgary, Alberta Canada in 1999 where they still currently live with all six of their kids. Sean and Katie have 3 girls and 3 boys all whom have played high level sports. Katie also taught physical education at Christopher Robin Elementary School in Calgary, substituted in the Calgary public system and worked for Elite Wine Company. She has volunteered at church, homeless shelters and raised money for and worked at Casa Hogar, an orphanage in Mexico. Katie and Sean have been fortunate to travel the world with their 6 kids (Anders, SoRelle, Colman, Larkin, Meyer and McCall) but she still calls Waco, Texas “home!”

Rachel Johnson Harris '94

Rachel Johnson Harris ’94 grew up playing sports. It all started for her at age three when her dad, Marc Johnson, a tennis-teaching professional and future Vanguard tennis coaching legend, first put a racquet in her hand. From that point on, she was hooked and spent much of her time on the court with him as her coach and inspiration. 

Rachel competed in United States Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments from age 10 through 18, traveling across the state of Texas and earning multiple singles rankings inside the state’s Top 20.

Her tennis playing career was highlighted by the opportunity to contribute to four of the 16 TAPPS State Championship Tennis Team Titles coached by her dad at Vanguard. A four-time First-Team All-State selection, Rachel won the TAPPS State Doubles Tennis Championship all four years of high school. As a freshman in 1991, she teamed up with senior Felicia Rader Reimer and then partnered with classmate Celeste Rader-Philips to win State their sophomore, junior and senior years (1992, 1993, 1994).

Although tennis was her primary sport, Rachel played as many other sports as she could fit into her schedule, including varsity cross country (1991-1994), varsity track (1991-1994), varsity softball (1992) and junior varsity basketball (1992-1993). In 1993, she was the TAPPS State Individual Champion in the 2-mile run and State Runner Up in the 1-mile run. She helped lead Vanguard to TAPPS State Championship Cross Country team titles in 1992 and 1993.

Vanguard’s 1993 Female Athlete of the Year, Rachel also received Army Reserve Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)/Mars Milky Way High School Award, Fina/Dallas Morning News All-State Scholar-Athlete Team mention and Waco Tribune Herald top athlete recognition as well as Vanguard’s Viking Shield and the Edward J. Knipper Award.

After graduating from Vanguard in 1994, Rachel went on to play tennis at Baylor University, where she studied telecommunications and Spanish. In 1998, she graduated magna cum laude with her bachelor’s degree. She has spent her professional career in communications and currently serves as the Senior Director of Advancement Communications at TCU in Fort Worth. 

She is married to Drew Harris, and they are the proud parents of Grant, Ben and Gracie. Rachel is grateful for her family, friends, teammates, coaches, teachers, administrators and the countless memories and lessons gained through her time in sports. 

Ashley Rasner Sutton '01

Ashley Rasner Sutton’s ’01 journey to becoming a Hall of Fame softball player is a story of passion, perseverance, and unexpected beginnings. At 10 years old, Ashley had no experience when she randomly decided to sign up for softball. She walked onto the field and ended up walking the first ten players. With support from her dad, the two of them worked hard for a solid year, transforming Ashley into a competitive player.

Ashley began her Vanguard journey in 9th grade, transferring from Robinson. She describes her time at Vanguard as life-changing, recalling how it prepared her for college by teaching her how to study effectively. Besides her softball prowess, Ashley was also a cheerleader during her sophomore, junior, and senior years, showcasing her versatility and commitment to athletics.

Over her high school career, Ashley led her team to the state championship three out of four years, with a close loss during her junior year. The summer after that junior year, she traveled with her team, the Centex Rebels, to play in the American Softball Association Class A 18-and-under national tournament, after they won 11 games in a row at one point. 

During the run to state her senior year, Ashley didn’t allow an earned run in the playoffs. When asked about her most memorable moment on the field, Ashley fondly recalls winning during her senior year. It was a bittersweet victory, as it marked both an incredible achievement and the end of a chapter with a team that had become like family.

After leaving Vanguard, Ashley continued her softball career at Roanoke College, where she played for two years and pursued a major in History. Today, Ashley enjoys a quiet life in Riesel, Texas, alongside her husband, Eric Sutton. Together, they are raising their three children while also managing a small farm with chickens. Ashley’s journey from a student with no athletic background to a celebrated Hall of Fame inductee is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and love for the game.

THE 2022 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Joan Davison Barganier Dunkin

Joan, Joni, Davison Barganier (‘80) was born on ThanksgivingDay, November 22, 1962 in  Marlin, Texas. In 1975 Joni’s parents heard of the new school called Vanguard that provided a great education and they decided to have her attend. From that time on, Joni and a group of students from the area commuted from Marlin every day to school. 

Joni’s mother’s love of tennis got her interested in playing. Joni practiced with Patty Flowers, was coached by Lee McLeary and went to Newks Tennis Ranch in the summer. One of her challenges was overcoming her own nerves. Joni’s sister would remember their mother would tell her to try to keep calm. It worked, and junior year she helped the school win its first title as overall winners of the TCIL State Championship. In Joni’s senior year, she continued to improve, playing tournaments all over the state and nation. She later recalled playing Wimbledon champion Zina Garrison and Lori MacNeil, who was the U.S. Open semifinalist and French Open mixed doubles champion.  Joni remembered how fast the balls came over the net, but relished the chance to play top players, her sister recalled. Joni won Vanguard’s first individual state championship for the school her senior year. 

Joni graduated from Vanguard High School in 1980 and earned a scholarship to play college tennis at LSU. Joni went on to graduate from Baylor University with a degree in Sociology. She worked for the Texas Youth Commission and Mexia State School, and also was self employed. Joni passed away at age 56 on February 3, 2019.

Joni had a love of music, was an avid arrowhead hunter and had a gift of being able to make people laugh. She loved tennis and was always proud to have been at Vanguard.

Amber Daniel

Amber Daniel, class of 2000, started playing softball when she was just four years old with her interest growing from watching her dad play and watching Major League Baseball, primarily Texas’ own Nolan Ryan. She came to Vanguard in the eighth grade and soon made her mark. In junior high, her interest expanded to track and basketball. 

As a freshman at Vanguard, Amber made the state track meet and was named newcomer of the year in softball. She was invited to the 1997 Softball Olympic trials. In basketball, Amber’s team won the district championship in 1997, 1998 and 1999. And In softball, Amber helped her team win two state championships in 1998 and 1999, and they made the semi-finals in 2000. From 1997-2000, Amber was named softball First-Team All-District, District MVP, All-State, and Super Centex. Amber was named Vanguard’s Athlete of the Year her senior year (2000.)

Amber overcame the challenges of staying on top of her studies while playing softball year round and earned a scholarship to play at Temple College after Vanguard. At Temple, she was named the North Texas Junior College player of the year, Academic all conference both years, and earned All-American honors. The team won the conference championship in 2002. Amber was third in the nation with 18 home runs, eighth nationally with a .495 batting average and 14th nationally with 61 RBI. She tallied 109 hits on the year with 61 runs scored, 17 doubles, four triples and just 18 strikeouts in 230 at bats.  Amber went on to earn a scholarship to Baylor University where she helped her team receive its first NCAA regional and host bid and earned academic all conference both years. 

After college, Amber worked on her Master’s degree as she coached and was a professor at Eastern New Mexico University for five years. She earned her MS in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sports Administration. Amber then returned to Texas and was an assistant softball coach at Texas State for five years where she helped guide the Bobcats to three conference championships and regional bids. Amber returned to school to achieve her AAS for Physical Therapist Assistant from Blinn College. Amber is dedicated, energetic and works hard to achieve patient goals in both a mental and physical aspect of physical therapy. 

Michelle Wheelis Basden

Michelle Wheelis Basden (‘94) grew up outdoors with a love of sports. She became one of the best athletes to walk the campus of Vanguard. In Michelle Wheelis’ four years in high school she was a major player on six State Championship teams in three different sports.

Her freshman year, she won the State track gold medal in the 400 yard dash. She was a top-five runner on the girls State Cross Country Championship teams of 1992, 1993 and 1994. Michelle’s team won the State Championship in cross country in 1992 and 1993.

Her sophomore year, the Lady Vikings won Vanguard’s first ever State Basketball Championship. Her teams won the TAPPS State titles again her junior and senior years. Her senior year, Vanguard finished 34-1 with its only loss going to the 1994, 5A State Champs. UIL State Champion that year. Michelle was All-State in basketball (1992, 1993, 1994), TAPPS All-Star basketball team (1992, 1993, 1994), 1st Team Waco Tribune-Herald Super Centex basketball player (1993 and 1994) and was an Academic All-Star (1994.)

In softball, Michelle led the Lady Vikings softball team, as the pitcher, to its first State Championship in 1993. They were State runners-up (1994). She was All-State in softball (1993 & 1994).  Michelle was also All-State in golf in 1994, placing 3rd in the State Tournament. Michelle was named Vanguard High School Athlete of the Year in 1991 and 1992. 

Michelle later returned to Vanguard and coached basketball, softball and golf between 2007-2014 and was the Athletic Director from 2008-2011. As athletic director, Michelle oversaw the start of the first competitive Viking volleyball program and the six-man football program and the reinstatement of soccer and the girls’ golf programs. As golf coach, she led the girls’ golf team to the 2013 and 2014 State Championship. 

Michelle graduated from TCU with a BS in Advertising and Public Relations in 1998. She is a Cooper Clinic Certified Personal Trainer and also completed the Surgical Technology program at McLennan Community College in 2011. Michelle currently runs several small businesses, including; 254 Properties LLC, The Heart Of Texas Spelling 2 Communicate Academy, and Waco Yard Greetings. Michelle, her husband Ben Basden, Vanguard graduate ‘00, and her three children, Bryce, Brinkley & Brewer live in Waco.

 Larson Wayman

Larson Wayman (‘10) played multiple sports ever since he can remember. Inspired by his older brother Browning, Larson said: “If my brother was playing sports, then I wanted to be playing sports.” His earliest memories of playing sports were Upward Basketball and pitching machine baseball. He began playing tennis in kindergarten and took that seriously throughout elementary school and into junior high.  

Larson came to Vanguard in the 7th grade, and excelled in basketball, baseball, tennis and cross country. In 2006 and 2007 he made All-State in cross country. In 2008, he and his doubles partner Will Bauer won the state Doubles Championship. Larson said losing in the state championship his junior year was a learning experience, adding extra motivation to win it again in 2010.  

In baseball, Larson’s freshman and sophomore varsity teams, made of mostly underclassmen, won only five or six games each of those years. The experience paid off and they ended up as one of the top teams in the state his junior year, making it to the state semifinals. He was part of the All-State Tournament Baseball team in 2009. 

Larson also excelled in Basketball and was on the All-State Basketball team and named Super Centex Honorable Mention in Basketball in 2010.  

After Vanguard, Larson went on to attend Baylor University. He graduated in 2014 with a BS in Health Science Studies. He played Intramural sports including softball, basketball, flag football, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, tennis and soccer. And he played AAU for Waco Basketball and on Baylor’s Dream Team, the all-male practice squad for the Baylor Women’s basketball team. Larson then received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2018 from the University of Texas School of Dentistry, and after his residency at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry he purchased a private dental practice in Oklahoma City, where he continues to practice.