Viterbo Athletics Announces 2023 Wall of Fame Class
LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Athletics Department has officially announced its 2023 Wall of Fame Class. Four former athletes will be inducted in an on-campus ceremony on Saturday, September 16. Keegan Bludworth, Danielle Ducklow, Natalie (Geidel) Straus, and Amelia Grahn are being inducted for their outstanding achievements as student-athletes.
Keegan Bludworth (Leesburg, Ga.) - is the Viterbo University record holder for both the outdoor javelin throw (63.32/207'9"), and the indoor heptathlon (4019 points). He collected his first accolade as a sophomore, earning MCC All-Conference, and in his Junior year he added another All-Conference award along with being named the conference Co-Field Athlete of the Year and NAIA All-America. His Senior year, he was again named All-Conference, All-America, and the Viterbo Male Athlete of the Year.
Danielle Ducklow (Tomah, Wis.) – holds the record for the best single-round score in Viterbo history, being the only golfer to ever shoot under par with a -3 in September of 2017. In addition, she holds four more top-ten scores, and five of the top six two-round scores. In her freshman campaign, she posted the seventh best season average (84.0), and only improved every year, averaging 82.2 (3rd all time) as a sophomore, 80.3 as a junior (2nd), and 80.0 as a senior (1st), culminating in a record 82.4 career average. Ducklow accumulated three first-team all-conference nods and an honorable mention in her career.
Natalie (Geidel) Straus (West Bend, Wis.) – completed her decorated career as the V-Hawks all-time leader in blocks (574) and second all-time in kills (2,174), being one of only two players in the 2,000-kill club. She was selected as the conference Newcomer of the Year and first-team all-conference in her rookie season, and followed that with three conference MVP's and Offensive Player of the Year Awards. She collected three more first-team all-conference and three first-team All-America selections. Geidel was twice named the Viterbo Female Athlete of the Year.
Amelia Grahn (Madison, Wis.) – is the Viterbo career leader in assists by far with 5,180. She holds three of the top five single-season assist totals, and is one of five members of the 2,000 assist, 1,000 dig club. Grahn was voted as the conference Setter of the Year twice, first-team All-America twice, second-team All-America once, and first-team all-conference three times. She was named the Viterbo Female Athlete of the Year as both a junior and a senior.
As teammates, Straus and Grahn went 160-19 (.894 winning percentage) for the winningest period in Viterbo volleyball history. During their tenure, the V-Hawks did not lose a single home or conference match, earning four straight regular season and conference tournament titles. On the national stage, they reached three Final Fours and the Sweet 16 round once.
The Wall of Fame ceremony will begin at 5 PM on September 16, with a social hour starting at 4.