Midland University is recognizing three individuals and one team as part of its 2023 Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame class.
The Class of 2023 will be inducted during the Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday in the Wikert Event Center.
Inductees include Lynda (Stokes) Hartman ‘89, Eric Vrba ‘10, and Justin Zebolsky ‘09, along with the 2013 Midland volleyball team.
Lynda (Stokes) Hartman ’89 – Hartman was a standout performer for the Warriors’ volleyball squad from 1985-88. A middle blocker from Friend, Hartman was a three-time team MVP for the Warriors and earned All-NIAC honors in 1987 and 1988, along with being named an NAIA Scholar Athlete those same seasons.
She concluded her Midland career by holding 10 school records, including career records for kills, solo blocks, and assisted blocks along with a season record for solo blocks and a single match record for assisted blocks. Lynda earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in accounting. Following graduation, she began a career at Kiewit Corporation and currently serves as an account manager. Lynda and her husband, Ron, live in Bennington and have two adult children – Bailey and Riley.
Eric Vrba ’10 – Vrba was a standout goalkeeper for the Midland soccer team. He was a two-time honorable mention All-GPAC selection in both 2007 and 2009, earning honorable mention NAIA All-American honors following the 2007 campaign.
Vrba helped the Warriors reach their first-ever NAIA National Tournament in 2009, sparking a victory over top-ranked Hastings College in the GPAC championship contest. He is the all-time leader in saves at Midland and ranks second in career shutouts, as well as shutouts and saves for a single season. He was selected as the Petrow Award winner for outstanding male student-athlete at Midland in 2010.
Vrba earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in accounting. A Certified Public Accountant, Eric serves as controller for City+Ventures investment company in Omaha. He and his wife, Betsy, live in Omaha.
Justin Zebolsky ’09 – Zebolsky excelled on the golf course for Midland from 2005-2009, helping guide the Warriors to three straight NAIA National Tournament appearances from 2006-08. Individually, he captured the GPAC tourney titles in both 2007 and 2009 and was named GPAC Golfer of the Year both seasons.
He won four events and was named a second-team NAIA All-American in 2009, as well as being an honorable mention recipient in 2007. Justin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and currently works for Sherwin Williams. He and his wife, Rachel, live in Omaha.
2013 Volleyball Team – This team set the standard for future Warrior teams, earning the program’s first trip to the NAIA National Tournament.
Under the leadership of Coach Paul Giesselmann, the Warriors opened the season with a 22-match win streak on their way to a 37-5 record. After placing second in the GPAC during the regular season, the Warriors took the tournament title, capped with a five-set win over top-seeded Northwestern.
Midland would advance all the way to the quarterfinals in the NAIA Tournament before falling to the eventual champions from Texas-Brownsville, finishing their campaign with a No. 7 national ranking.
Midland had three players earned All-GPAC honors as well as two players being named to the second team of the NAIA All-American team.
Midland is also recognizing its winners of the Bracker and Petrow awards for outstanding female and male athletes.
Bracker Award – Hope Leimbach
Leimbach was the starting setter for the Warriors team that reached the semifinals of the NAIA National Tournament. She was named the NAIA National Setter of the Year in 2022 and earned her second All-American honor. She was a three-time All-GPAC selection and was the 2021 GPAC Player of the Year, as well as being a two-time GPAC Setter of the Year. A 2022 Academic All-American, Leimbach finished her career third in all-time set assists at Midland.
Petrow Award – Dylan Kucera
Kucera ended his Midland career as one of the most decorated track & field athletes in NAIA history.
Kucera was a six-time NAIA National champion (indoor and outdoor) in the shot put and was a 10-time GPAC champion.
He earned 14 NAIA All-American honors in throwing events, as well as being a two-time Academic All-American. Kucera is the school record holder for Midland in both indoor and outdoor shot put, discus, and weight throw.
