'Dockers foundation drives on

Prevailing through uncooperative weather, 24 teams of Ashland Oredockers alumni and supporters blasted and scrambled their way over 18 holes of rain-challenged fairways and greens at the Chequamegon Bay Golf Club on June 22 as part of the Oredockers Foundation golf tournament fundraiser to support school district co-curricular activities. The Bretting Manufacturing Team No. 2, consisting of a powerhouse foursome including Greg Stephenson, Scott Ekstrom, Ricky Bretting, and Derek Erickson, carded an impressive round of 57 to sneak past The Cheeseheads, who finished second after firing a 58. When the golfing action concluded, eyes turned to the Bay Area Civic Center for the Foundation dinner honoring three new inductees into the Ashland Oredockers Athletic Hall of Fame: Marty Pendarvis, Jerry Pratt and David Kontny. The legacy of each is indeed impressive, according to foundation organizers.

Pendarvis (Class of 1976) was a trailblazer in athletics during her high school career as an Oredocker; among the first to make a difference in women’s athletics in Ashland. Excelling in basketball, track, volleyball, and softball, Pendarvis was a superb athlete who has maintained her athletic interests as both an avid golfer and distance runner with times swift enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon. She is an ambassador for the Challenged Athlete Foundation, which gives individuals with physical challenges access to sports. And, as a cancer survivor, her passion has steered major fundraising for Scripps Clinic Cancer Center and Stevens Cancer Center.

Pratt (Class of 1990) earned six varsity letters as an Oredocker but his impact has gone far deeper than the court or field. Pratt was also a standout in math competitions where he was regularly a top 10 finisher at all levels including national competitions. High marks at Ashland High School propelled him to MIT where he earned undergraduate, master, and doctoral degrees as a prelude to becoming one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of robotics.

Kontny (Class of 1979) was a mainstay for the strong Oredocker teams of the late seventies, earning four letters in baseball as a pitcher and outfielder on teams which twice qualified for state. three letters in basketball and two in football for a team which also qualified for the state semifinals game. A multiple time all-conference selection in each sport, After a collegiate career which included stops at UM-Duluth and UW-Superior, Kontny continued to be a driving force for successful basketball teams at both Ashland and Superior High Schools where his teams collected numerous conference championships and deep playoff runs. His overall coaching record is 325-175.