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Trio of Cardinal greats receive Hall of Fame honor

Coon Rapids hall of fame recipients(10/12/2025) The seventh class of honorees was inducted into the Coon Rapids Hall of Fame during a pre-game ceremony at the school’s homecoming festivities on October 10. In just over sixty years of operation, 28 alumni and coaches have now received the honor, which recognizes outstanding achievement and provides an important link between the school’s past and future. 

This year’s honorees include:

Bob Adams, Class of 1979

Bob Adams was a wrestling standout for the Cardinals, whose success followed him to college. He returned to Coon Rapids to continue a tradition of excellence in wrestling as the program's long-time head coach. Highlights include:

  • CRHS wrestling captain and two-time all-state performer

  • 1983 NCAA National Champion, multiple All-American honors, Augsburg College Senior Honor Athlete, and a member of the Augsburg College Athletic Hall of Fame. 

  • Served as Head Wrestling Coach at Coon Rapids High School starting in 1998 and taught World Geography at Coon Rapids Middle School for 25 years. 

  • His Cardinal teams produced seven individual state champions, 37 all-state wrestlers, with 400 dual meet wins and a trip to the Minnesota State High School League state tournament as a team in 2008. 

  • Lifelong commitment to Coon Rapids, which includes leadership with the Mat Bandits booster club and philanthropic supporter of Cardinal wrestling and numerous other athletics and community initiatives. 

Kara Amundson, Class of 2003

Kara Amundson performed at a high level on the court or field and in the classroom in high school and continues that level of excellence, developing student athletes as a high-level college softball coach today. A multi-sports student athlete and team leader in tennis, basketball and softball who earned nine athletic letters, Amundson was a three-year member of the National Honor Society and was named Athena Award winner her senior year.  Highlights include:

  • In Tennis, served as team captain and achieved all-state status, completed at state twice and took home a third place in doubles along with a fourth place team finish. 

  • Served as Basketball captain and three-year letter winner. 

  • In Softball, two-year team captain who was named Most Valuable Player and defensive player of the year for the Cardinals as a catcher. Earned all-conference and all-conference honorable mention honors. 

  • Attended DePaul University and led the Blue Demons softball team to a 20-0 mark conference record in 2007 and NCAA College World Series bids in 2005 and 2007.  

  • Named to the Conference USA Academic Honor Roll in 2005 and  Big East Academic All-Star Honors in 2006 and 2007 while garnering Dean List honors six times. 

  • Numerous conference and tournament honors and NCAA tournament appearances, serving as the head softball coach of Murray State University for 13 years. 

  • Amundson is Murray State softball’s all-time winningest coach, collecting over 300 wins. 

Dani Ortler, Class of 1977

Dani Ortler was a dominant pitcher who served as team captain, leading the Cardinals to their first ever state championship in softball. That success continued at softball’s highest level as Ortler completed a decorated four-year playing career with the University of Minnesota. Highlights include:

  • Ortler’s impact to the University of Minnesota was highlighted with a third-place finish in the 1978 College World Series and the Big 10 Tournament Championship in 1981. 

  • She was named the University of Minnesota’s Female Athlete of the Year. 

  • Her four years of high-level play earned her a spot on the University of Minnesota’s All-Decade Team. 

More information: Read about Hall of Fame members and the nomination process at the Coon Rapids High School website and view photos from the event.