Sweney, a 1930 graduate, who also excelled in football and track after high school graduation at Illinois College in Jacksonville, set a pole vault record, using an old bamboo pole, of 11 feet, 3 inches, a record that endured for over 40 years. He also played football in high school and at Illinois College.
1991
Paul Sweney Jr
Year of Induction: 1991 | Categories: Football, Individual, Track
Mike Benchoff
Year of Induction: 1991 | Categories: Basketball, Football, Individual, Track
Mike Benchoff was a three sport star while in high school. He was a key defensive back on the 1953 SCHS football team that compiled an 8-1 record and outscored their opponents 348-65. The team capped their season with a 55-13 win over South Seven Conference champion, Mt Vernon.
Benchoff, who is now a trial lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona, is a graduate of Notre Dame and has been honored as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Benchoff was bracketed with Eddie Murray and Phil “Butch” Newport in the backfield during his junior year before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year. As a senior, he was the free safety on the outstanding 1953 team that allowed only 10 touchdowns and recorded three shutouts in their eight victories that included a 19-6 victory over arch rival Centralia.
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