Baxter 2018 Hall of Famers announced Friday night

BAXTER — School activities resumed Friday, as Jasper County came out its week-long deep freeze just in time for the Baxter Community School District to hold one of its annual traditions — the Baxter Hall of Fame.

Between the Baxter Bolts girls and boys varsity basketball games Friday night, Baxter CSD honored its 2018 hall of fame inductees in a brief, assembly-like award presentation. Among the new inductees include 1976 graduate Steven Brant, 2009 graduate Jordan Maher, 2008 graduate Megan Stratton and the late Harold Stewart.

Brant rushed for more than 1,000 yards during his junior and senior years on the football field for Baxter, as well as earning most valuable honorable mention his junior year as a linebacker. He was also named to the All-Conference team, earned most valuable back and most valuable player all in his senior season.

After high school, Brant participated in amateur boxing until 1984 and club rugby until 1991. He is currently an operation supervisor at Lennox Midwest Regional Distribution in Marshalltown.

“I feel very honored,” Brant said. “It’s great being back in the community and the comradery in particular. It always (brings back memories).”

Maher participated in CMB Raider volleyball, track, basketball and softball all four years of her high school career. She lettered and set several records in each sport from her freshman through senior seasons, including career volleyball records in kills (554) and blocks (349), as well as track records with discus (133 feet three inches) and 100-meter hurdles (15.44).

Maher continued her track career at Simpson College, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies. She currently works as a P.A. in Indianola, where she resides with her husband and daughter.

“I always wanted to go into medicine. I always liked helping people. Throughout college, I found this career and it fit well with me and what I wanted to do,” Maher said.

Stratton, like Maher, was a multi-sport athlete for the CMB Raiders including track and cross country. She held records in the 4x800 relay, 800-, 1,500- and 3,000-meter relays and the distance medley.

Stratton currently resides near Collins while tending to her livestock farm. She pays the bills as an accountant for MaxAg.

Stewart was a varsity football coach for Baxter in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He taught industrial arts in the classroom while starting off as an assistant football coach, after receiving a bachelor of science degree in physical education from Kirksville State Teachers College. He became head coach in 1959. His team went 8-0 that season while giving up just one touchdown and ranking no. 30 in a statewide poll.

Stewart eventually moved to Moberly, Mo., where he was involved in the VFW, rotary club and raised a family that produced 11 grandchildren. He died in 2003.

Stewart’s son, Jeffrey Stewart, received the award Friday night on his father’s behalf. He said he is proud of his dad.

“I couldn’t be prouder,” Stewart said. “It chokes me up talking about him.”

Contact Orrin Shawl at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or oshawl@newtondailynews.com