Five new members inducted into the OA Athletic Hall of Fame

Five new members were inducted into the Oldenburg Academy Athletic Hall of Fame for 2021. Shown (L to R): Sarah Wilder, Kirsten Ricke, Andy Eckstein, Rosie Oberting and Cathy Hamilton. Oldenburg Academy/Patrick Kolks photo.

The Oldenburg Academy Athletic Department in conjecture with the OASIS Athletic Boosters have inducted their 2021 Ammann-Brinkmoeller Athletic Hall of Fame class on Saturday, December 11 according to this release provided by Oldenburg AD Patrick Kolks.

Due to COVID-19, this event did not take place last year. This year’s class includes: Rosie Oberting (former Athletic Director), Cathy Hamilton (Volleyball Head Coach), Kirsten Ricke (Class of 2015), Andy Eckstein (Class of 2006), and Sarah Wilder (Class of 2015).

Oberting spent 5 years (1983-1988) as the Athletic Director back when OA was known as “Immaculate Conception Academy ” (ICA). She made facility improvements all throughout OA; she upgraded the basketball backboards from a plastic material to the glass backboards; she had volleyball sleeve socket floor anchors installed; and created the first weight room for the young ladies attending the Academy. She initiated fundraisers for new uniforms and equipment.

Hamilton spent 5 years (1983-1988) in various roles at ICA. Her most notable role was being the volleyball coach. She was the head coach of the first volleyball sectional championship in 1986. The following year, 1987, she guided the volleyball team to another sectional championship along with a Top-20 state ranking. She helped AD Rosie Oberteig with a lot of projects behind the scenes during her tenure.

Ricke is a 2015 graduate of Oldenburg Academy. During her time at OA she played basketball, soccer, and track. She was most remembered for her accomplishments on the basketball court. She ranks in the top in numbers categories: 2nd in points (1,102), 1st in assists (250), 1st in steals (313), 1st in free-throws made (229). She holds many single game records, including, steals (10; she accomplished this feat twice), assists (12), free-throws made (14).

Eckstein is a 2006 graduate of Oldenburg Academy. During his time at OA he played baseball, basketball and tennis. He was a 3X sectional champion (2003, 2004, & 2005) in baseball. On the baseball field he is ranked in the top-5 in numerous categories: 5th in career at-bats (282), 2nd in career runs scored (89), 5th in career hits (86), 3rd in slugging pct. (.486), 4th in career doubles (19), 1st in career home runs (10), 2nd in career RBIs (78). In basketball, Eckstein currently ranks 4th in career points scored (846). His brother, Jason Eckstein, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Wilder is a 2015 graduate of Oldenburg Academy. During her time at OA she played tennis and soccer. She was a 2X regional tennis team champion (2012, 2015), an All-State honorable mention (2012-2013), All-State Second TEam (2014), team captain in both tennis and soccer. Wilder ranks #1 in career wins (84). She was selected as an Indiana North-South All-Star (2015). On the soccer field, she was 1st Team All-State (2013), 1st Team All-District (2013), an Indiana North-South All-Star (2013). After Wilder graduated from OA she continued her academic and athletic career at DePauw University. While competing at the collegiate level, Wilder ranked in the Top-16 in NCAA for doubles (2018), in 2018 she was a national qualifier. She was a 4X Tiger pride Honor roll recipient and once named to the NCAC Academic honor roll once.

We thank Mr. Kolks for the hall of fame press release.