Walton High School has created a Sports Hall of Fame and its inaugural class includes longtime former football coach Ed Dudley.
He’s one of seven people who will be honored next Friday, Jan. 21, between the Raiders’ girls and boys varsity basketball games against Harrison.
Dudley coached the Raiders from 1995-2008 and led them to the school’s first five region titles. He also took Walton to the state semifinals twice, and was twice named the Cobb County Coach of the Year.
The Dudley football field house at Raider Valley is named in his honor. He is currently the head coach at Winder-Barrow High School.
The Sports Hall of Fame started a Twitter account last week to reveal all the honorees:
Lee Anne Case (1983-86)—4-time state champion in cross country; 1986 Georgia high school female athlete of the year; 1985-86 national high school All-American; 2-time Georgia state record holder in 1600m, 3200m runs; 4-time letter-winner at Auburn University.
Holden Fender (Soccer 2008-12)—2012 Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year; member of the U.S. U17, U19, U20 United States men’s national teams; Georgia state champion 2011; 3-time state Final Four participant; Played college at UCLA (2012) and N.C. State and was All-ACC in 2014.
Lee Gower (Head Coach Track & Field and Cross Country 1975-85)—4-time boys state championships; 3-time girls cross country state championships; 9-time cross country region championships; 6-time track and field regional championships; coached 2 girls cross country All-Americans and 19 individual state champions.
Keith Grunewald (1986-90 Baseball): 4-year starter at shortstop; 1990 All-State, All-Region & Tourney MVP; 2-time regional champion; Highest MLB draftee (59th) in Walton HS history at the time; 3-year starter as football quarterback; in 1988 led Cobb in total yards, passing yards and passing TDs; 1989 All-State; 3-year letterman in basketball and 2-year starter, played on Walton’s first region champion in 1989.
Dr. Hugh McLeod (1982-2011): Team Doctor for Walton Athletics for 29 years; founded the Walton Sports Medicine Program; namesake of the Hugh C. McLeod III, MD Sports Medicine Facility at Walton; funded trainer program at Walton.
Alena Palmquist (1980-84 track and field): 9-time Georgia State Champion; held state records in mile and 2-mile run; part of 2-time team state champions in cross country; 3-time Atlanta Track Club Runner of the Year; 5-time All-American.
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