Page 143 - ThePhoenix1996-97

SPORTS Director of Alumni Affairs inducted into Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame a stick" and the team had to travel to Howard County and Baltimore County because there were no other Carroll County schools par- ticipating in the sport. She led the team through two unbeaten seasons to become county champions in 1963 and co-county champions in 1964 and the volleyball, speedball, and fieldballteams to state cham- pionships. Sellman also coached the girls' basket- ball team who "were playing to be the best [they] could be." They were county cham- pions from 1949 until 1951, Western Shore champions in 1947, and state champions in 1949. Because there was no Title 9 law at the time, requiring girls to have equal opportu- nity in Sports, the boys basketball team had Sellman Wilson earns first use of the gym. When the girls' team could not find time to practice, bought gymnastics equipment, set it up in the hallway, and began interscholastic gym- All-American nastics. "I never gave up," Sellman said, with a smile. To help buy equipment for the classrooms status and sports teams and to officiate intramural sports, Sellman organized the Varsity Girls WMC freshman Kerry Wilson of Elk Athletic Board. They held different fund ton, MD earned All-America status after raisers, such as selling hot dogs at football finishing sixth in the triple jump in the games and holding an annual carnival. NCAA Division III women's indoor track Sellman ended her career as a coach in and field championship March 8th. 1968, when she was asked to take the posi- Wilson leaped 36 feet, II inches in the tion of vice principal ofWHS, becoming the championship at the University of Wise on- only female high school administrator in the sin-Oshkosh, just an inch and a half be- county. "AI that time, you didn't apply for hind fifth-place finisher Kenya Shipp of the position, you were asked and it was flat- Mount Onion (Ohio) College. Tarniko tering to be asked," Sellman said. While it Patterson of Christopher Newport (VA) was a hard decision, she enjoyed high school University won the event with a leap of 40 aged students and "wanted to take on a chal- feet, one-half inch. lenge." The top six finishers in each event earn As vice principal, Sellman was respon- team points and All-America status. Wil- sible for all of the girls. She became involved son joins 1996 graduate Julie Cox as West- in curriculum and scheduling. "I enjoyed ern Maryland's only two female All- being in a position to help students with ad- Americans in the 13-year history of the justment and academic problems. I have indoor championship. Cox placed third in enjoyed all of the different things I have done the 55-hurdles last year. in the public schools," Sellman said. In addition to her triple-jump exploits, By NIKKI BELANGER will be plaques, pictures, and highlights of Although there were no programs while Wilson placed eighth in the long jump on StaffWrirer each inductee's sports career. she attended high school, Sellman did play March 7. Seeded 12th out of 15 competi- She once dreamed of being a nurse, air- A lifetime resident of Westminster, basketball, volleyball, softball, and partici- tors entering the meet, she covered 17 feet, line stewardess, or biology teacher, but Sellman was the first full-time physical edu- pated in track and field events. WHS had no 3-1/4 inches with her best jump. Patterson Donna Duvall Sellman achieved a differ- cation teacher for girls in Carroll County. gym at the time, so the students went to the was first again with a mark of 18 feet, 2-11 ent dream. She attended WMC from 1941 to 1945, ma- armory during the school day to use the gym 2 inches. On March 26, Sellman, Director of joring in biology, which included courses there. Every year, the area schools also held Wilson did not qualify for the final in Alumni Affairs at Western Maryland Col- such as refereeing and coaching. a "Spring Field Day" when teams from dif- the 55-meter hurdles. In the trials, she was lege, was inducted into the Carroll County About two weeks before school started ferent schools in the county would compete. seventh in her heat with a time of 8.73 sec- Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at in 1945, Sellman was asked to fill a vacancy Sellman still enjoys "recreational" sports onds. The winners of the two heats plus Carroll Community College, celebrating her at WHS and began her career as a physical such as tennis and golf. "My favorite is ball- those hurdlers with the next six fastest 23-year coaching career for girls' sports at education teacher, forever changing the num- room dancing," she admits. times advanced to the final. In the Centennial Conference indoor "I enjoyed being in a position to help students with adjustment and acedemic championship February 21 and 22, Wilson earned co-Outstanding Performer honors problems. I have enjoyed all of the different things I have done in the public after placing third or better in six events. She won the 55 and 4OO-meter dashes and schools. " the long jump, was the runner-up in the 55 hurdles and triple jump, and came in third Donna Sellman in the 200 dash. Her 52-point individual performance played a large role in West- Westminster High School. She is among ber and types of sports available to girls. This year, all five inductees have ties to ern Maryland placing third out of nine five inductees who were added to the hall "Physical education wasn't taken as se- Westminster High School, including Mabel teams. created by the Westminster Rotary Club four riously then," Sellman said. As a result, there Brown Braune who, according to Sellman, Courtesy of Sports Information years ago. was no investment in gyms or other build- was one of her "most outstanding athletes." "I'm surprised," Sellman said about her ings. Despite this, Sellman introduced life- Braune also attended WMC and received a selection. After she was notified of her time sports in girls' physical education cur- Master's Degree as a reading specialist. The Phoenix Sports section re- nomination, Sellman submitted records riculum, such as golf, tennis, fencing, bad- Braune, who played under Sellman on the gretfully admits that an error was highlighting her career and achievements. minton, archery, pistol marksmanship, and basketball, fieldbali, and speedball teams and printed in the last issue. The track The selection committee under the Rotary table tennis. also served on the Girls' Athletic Board, re- and field preview was actually from Club selected five finalists and sent letters She also brought field hockey to Carroll members Sellman as a coach. "She was my to each confirming their induction. At the County public schools in 1954, which was idol. She was very strict and organized, and last year. We apologize for this misunderstanding. hall in Carroll Community College, there an expensive sport because "everyone needs very good," Braune said.