The Panhandle’s proud sporting tradition will once again take center stage this Sunday as Kids, Inc. hosts the 67th Annual Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event, which recognizes the most influential figures and promising young athletes from across the region, will begin at 2 p.m. at the Civic Center Grand Plaza in Amarillo. Admission is free and open to the public.
This year’s event will be a blend of history and hope — honoring the remarkable careers of three local legends while also celebrating dozens of high-achieving student-athletes and coaches from the 2024–2025 academic year. From the wrestling mat to the basketball court and beyond, the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame continues to serve as a living testament to the dedication, perseverance, and excellence that define sports in West Texas.
Three Icons Join Hall of Fame's Esteemed Ranks
Scott Tankersley: A Champion in Every Arena
One of the most inspirational figures in Texas high school sports history, Scott Tankersley is perhaps best known for his remarkable coaching career — but his story begins with overcoming significant adversity. Diagnosed as deaf at a young age, Tankersley refused to let that limit his passion for athletics.
A two-sport athlete at Caprock High School, Tankersley later coached at West Texas Christian (now San Jacinto Christian), where he led the girls’ basketball team to a 1994 TCAL state title and won state championships in both basketball and baseball in 1995 with the boys' team.
His greatest legacy, however, came in wrestling. As the head girls’ wrestling coach at Caprock from 1998–2009, Tankersley guided the Lady Longhorns to seven UIL state titles. He later coached six sports at Bushland High School from 2009–2022, where his teams added five district titles in wrestling and a 62-15 softball record. Since retiring from coaching, Tankersley has served as the pastor of the Amarillo Deaf Church, continuing his lifelong commitment to service and leadership.
Natalie Ritchie-Roberts: The Trailblazing Scorer
Long before girls' basketball was broadcast across major networks, Natalie Ritchie-Roberts was already lighting up the scoreboard and rewriting record books.
A key figure in the dominance of the West Texas Flyers, Ritchie helped her team earn three national championships in the 1990s. Along the way, they toppled teams from larger markets — including three-time wins against a California squad led by future WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi.
At Amarillo High School, Ritchie became the first player in AISD history — male or female — to score more than 2,000 points. Her prolific shooting ability caught national attention, and when she signed with Texas Tech in 1999, legendary Lady Raiders coach Marsha Sharp called her “the best shooting guard in the nation.” She played in 123 games from 2000–2004, solidifying her status as one of the best to ever emerge from the Texas Panhandle.
Austin Johnson: Amarillo’s All-Time Scoring Leader
Few athletes have left as lasting a legacy in the Amarillo sports scene as Austin Johnson, who became a household name while playing for Palo Duro High School in the early 2000s.
By the end of his high school career in 2005, Johnson had scored an astonishing 2,602 points, making him Amarillo ISD’s all-time leading scorer across both boys and girls basketball. He was a three-time District 3-4A MVP, led the Dons to their first state tournament appearance in 44 years, and earned first-team all-state honors twice.
He continued his basketball journey at the University of Oklahoma, scoring 888 points for the Sooners, before launching an international career with professional teams in Switzerland, Lebanon, and Jordan.
Now back home in Amarillo, Johnson has taken his passion for the game to the sidelines. He spent six years as the boys basketball coach at Ascension Academy, where he currently serves as the school’s athletic director.
Celebrating the Present: 2024–2025 Coaches and Athletes of the Year
In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame ceremony will also spotlight the top coaches and student-athletes from the past school year across 11 sports, recognizing outstanding accomplishments at the high school and collegiate levels.
2024–2025 Coaches of the Year:
Baseball: Khris Kelp, Gruver High School
Basketball: Eric Schilling, Nazareth High School
Cross Country: Wes Kirton, Canyon High School
Football: Adam Cummings, West Plains High School
Golf: Kellen Kirkland, Wildorado High School
Soccer: Whitney Bernard, Randall High School
Softball: Brad Elam, Clarendon High School
Tennis: Darby Norman, Randall High School
Track: Corby Maurer, Panhandle High School
Volleyball: Berklee Norris, Vega High School
Wrestling: David Quirino, Randall High School
2024–2025 Athletes of the Year:
Baseball: Clayton Norrell, Amarillo High School
Basketball: Grace Foster, Childress High School / Lubbock Christian University
Cross Country & Track: Addyson Bristow, Canyon High School
Football: Reid Macon, West Plains High School
Golf: Gam Songprasert, West Texas A&M
Soccer: Kyndal McClain, Randall High School
Softball: Ava Sharp, River Road High School
Tennis (Doubles): Kynley Craddock & Dax Betzen, Randall High School
Volleyball: Sidney Soria, Randall High School
Wrestling: Hunter Bogner, Dumas High School
Special Awards and Honors
Several other awards will be presented at the ceremony, recognizing significant moments, contributions, and inspirational stories from the past year:
Dick Risenhoover Memorial Award: Jake Rogers, Canyon High School alumnus and current catcher for the Detroit Tigers
Big Play Award: Jani Contreras & Kyleigh McHugh, Randall High School
Super Team: Randall High School Girls Soccer Team
Dee Henry Inspiration Award: Wyatt Davis, Canadian High School
Special Achievement Award – Armando Lujan, Sunray High School football
Retiring Coaches Honored:
Chris Sumrall, Tascosa High School
Kevin Richardson, West Plains High School
Kolby Otto, Amarillo High School
Joe Stafford, Tascosa High School
Team Achievement: Harlie Brabham & Blayne Robison, San Jacinto Christian Academy
Looking Ahead While Honoring the Past
As Kids, Inc. brings the region together to reflect on its rich sports history and applaud the achievements of its youth, the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame continues to be more than just a recognition—it’s a rallying point for community pride and a platform to inspire future generations.
