Pierz Healy High School recognized six people who were inducted into the Pioneers Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. They were recognized during halftime of the Pioneers’ homecoming football game against Melrose Friday, Sept. 27.
The 2024 class included Alan Lanners (class of 1986), Ben Zilka (class of 1999), Micheal Weber (class of 2009), Megan Boser (class of 2013), Bridget Zilka (class of 2014) and former coach Craig Johnshoy.
A reception was held after the game in the middle school gym, where memorabilia of the inductees was displayed and the public could visit with the men and women of the hour. Zilka said seeing the awards and news clippings of himself and his peers brought him back to memory lane.
“It brings back memories that sometimes you forget and whatnot,” Zilka said. “It made everything really special.”
Zilka earned letters in football and basketball. He currently holds the school record for season catches at 58 and the career record of 74 catches. He also holds the record in receiving yards, with a grand total of 783. In basketball, he scored 988 points and is currently fifth in all-time rebounding with 502. He enjoyed being in the atmosphere of Pioneers athletics and growing up as an athlete.
“We weren’t always the best team, but I always had fun with all my teammates,” Zilka said. Just being out there with them everyday and learning from them and my coaches.”
Bridget Bednar has a long history with the Pierz Healy High School, as a student, athlete and now coach. After graduating high school, she attended Augsburg College to earn her phy-ed Dape and degree in health. She also earned her Master’s degree at the University of Minnesota-Mankato. Bednar got her first coaching job at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School and eventually moved back to her hometown of Pierz to coach track and volleyball, along with teaching elementary physical education. Although she achieved many accomplishments as a high school athlete, Bednar made many more memories outside of high school, helping others as a coach.
“When I’m thinking about Pierz, I think about the impact I can have on these students and help them achieve their goals,” Bednar said
As a Pioneers athlete, Bednar earned team MVP honors in volleyball, basketball and track. In volleyball, she made all-conference in three consecutive years and made Morrison County Record Player of the Year as a senior. She played college basketball at Augsburg College and was awarded Rookie of the Year as a freshman.
Alan Lanners, who’s the oldest of the new Hall of Fame Class, was also a three-sport athlete, competing in football, wrestling and track. He made all-conference as a lineman, before being moved to fullback in his senior year. With the ball in his hands, Lanners rushed over 1,000 yards. Lanners said his old school looks a lot different from when he was a student.
“We just had a little small school compared to what they have now and that was in the (1980s)” Lanners said.
Lanners wrestled in the 185-pound weight class for most of his career and finished in the top 12 at the state tournament in his junior year. He and the rest of the first 4x400 meter relay team (Marty Dircks, Paul Pryzbilla and Randy Waytashek) set the school record at 3:30.4, which is still current today.
One thing about Pierz Healy High School that hasn’t changed over the years is the abundance of support coming from the town itself. Bednar and Zilka share how the community of Pierz has never stopped showing so much support during their time as Pioneers and after. Whether it’s a sport in the fall, winter or spring, the community makes a great presence at sporting events.
“I see parents who have kids who have graduated already and they’re still showing up to games, watching our sporting events,” Bednar said.
“This town gets behind its athletics here for the high school. It’s kind of surreal how big they support us,” said Zilka
Besides Bednar teaching and coaching in the Pierz school system, Zilka lives in the Pierz area and works at Bob’s Lumber. Lanners lives and farms with his wife Vicki in Little Rock. They have two adult children and nine grandchildren.
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