Seven set to enter Rio Grande Athletic Hall of Fame

University of Rio Grande is set to induct the largest group in the history of the school's Athletic Hall of Fame later this month, with seven former standouts making up the Class of 2026.

Jerry Barlow, Kelsey Conkey, Dean Freitag, Brad Schubert, Mike Smith, Kellina Cooper Snyder and Britney Walker will each be recognized on Saturday, Oct. 24, during halftime of the RedStorm's football game against Point (Ga.) University at Jackson High School's Holzer Field at Alumni Stadium in Jackson, Ohio.

In previous years, the athletic Hall's bylaws permitted no more than two and - later four - inductees in any given year. The bylaws were restructured again to allow for as many as seven inductees beginning this year.

Barlow, a 2003 Rio graduate, starred in men's basketball from 2000-2003 after transferring from Presbyterian College.

In his three seasons, Barlow amassed 1,342 points (15.3 ppg) and 557 rebounds (6.3 rpg) and led head coach Earl Thomas' teams in both categories during his junior and senior campaigns.

Barlow shot 49.4 percent from the floor overall, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 81.2 percent from the foul line during his career. Rio Grande combined to go 68-39 over the course of his time at the school.

Conkey, a member of Rio's graduating Class of 2019, led the RedStorm softball team to four NAIA National Tournament appearances during her career and was a four-time First Team All-KIAC/RSC selection.

Conkey, who is currently serving as an assistant coach with the RedStorm softball program, was the River States Conference Pitcher of the Year in both 2017 and 2018 and was also the league's Player of the Year in 2017, helping to earn her an NAIA All-American selection.

In the pitcher's circle, she posted a 74-16 career record with a 1.95 earned run average and 27 career shutouts. At the plate, she batted .316 with 33 home runs, 44 doubles and 170 runs batted in.

Freitag, a 2021 Rio graduate, had a decorated career as a member of the RedStorm's cross country and track & field teams.

Freitag, who is currently an assistant coach with both programs at Rio Grande, was an eight-time national qualifier, a five-time All-American and two-time National Champion. His primary sports were the 3,000- and 5,000-meter racewalk.

Freitag was twice ranked among the top athletes in the world in both races, earning a No. 10 ranking at 3,000 meters and a No. 15 ranking at 5,000 meters.

He also holds the facility record in the 5,000-meter racewalk at both Rio Grande and Indiana Tech University.

Schubert, who graduated from Rio Grande in 1992, ranks sixth on the school's all-time men's basketball scoring list with 1,973 points. He also serves as the school's all-time leader in three-point goals with 286.

Schubert was also an Honorable Mention NAIA All-America and a member of the then-Redmen's NAIA National Tournament team in 1991.

Smith, a 1988 URG grad, was a member of the school's men's basketball program from 1983-87 when the then-Redmen rolled up a combined record of 109-30 and two national tournament appearances.

Smith closed his career with 1,641 points, shooting 57 percent from the floor and 76 percent from the free throw line during his time in a Rio uniform.

He was also named the team's Defensive Player of the Year on three occasions.

Cooper Snyder, who graduated from Rio Grande in 1995, was a member of Rio's track & field program during her time at the school, but gained most of her notoriety in women's volleyball.

In three seasons at Rio Grande, Cooper Snyder - who is the sister of current Rio Grande head coach and Rio Hall of Famer Billina Cooper Donaldson - racked up 1,318 kills and a .304 attack percentage. She ranks in Rio's All-Time Top 10 in all hitting categories.

Cooper Snyder played her senior season at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where she earned National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) All-American honors, before returning to Rio Grande to graduate.

Rio Grande won the Mid-Ohio Conference title in each of her three seasons - seasons in which she earned First Team All-MOC honors.

She was also a regional qualifier in track & field in the long jump, the triple jump and as a member of the 4x200 relay team.

Walker, who earned her degree from Rio Grande in 2008, scored 1,417 points for head coach David Smalley's teams during her career and helped the then-Redwomen to a Top 25 ranking and a national tournament appearance during her senior season.

She was a First Team All-America Mideast Conference pick during her final season and Rio Grande averaged 19.7 wins per season during her time in the program.

Walker ranks 20th on the school's all-time scoring list and is ninth in steals.

Rio takes great pride in awarding outstanding alumni, athletes and former faculty members with various recognition awards. Nominations from alumni and former faculty and staff are encouraged.

Nomination forms for alumni awards, Athletic Hall of Fame and Educators Hall of Fame are available through the resources link on the Alumni Relations webpage. 

For more information on the Hall of Fame nominations, please e-mail alumni@rio.edu.