Mizzou athletics announces star-studded 2019 Hall of Fame class
MU Athletics announced it plans to induct six athletes into its Hall of Fame in 2019.
The class of 2019 will include wrestling’s Tyron Woodley, volleyball’s Molly Taylor (Kreklow), baseball’s Kyle Gibson and Ralph Hochgrebe, swimming and diving’s David Bonuchi and football’s John Clay.
Mizzou will induct its newest Hall of Fame members during a ceremony on Nov. 15 and will honor them during Mizzou’s football game against Florida.
Woodley competed for Mizzou from 2002 to 2005. He was Mizzou’s first ever Big 12 champion and was a two-time All-American that helped Brian Smith start the ascension for the program. Woodley competes in the UFC and was the UFC Welterweight Champion in 2016 by knockout. He has a record of 19-4-1 in mixed martial arts.
Molly Taylor, formerly known as Molly Kreklow before marrying current Mizzou volleyball coach Zach Taylor, played for the Tigers from 2010 to 2013. She played under her aunt and uncle, Wayne and Susan Kreklow. With the Tigers, she was an All-American and helped lead the team to its first SEC title in 2013. She is now the assistant coach for the Mizzou volleyball team.
Gibson played for the Tigers from 2007 to 2009. He currently is a starter for the Minnesota Twins and is in his seventh season in the MLB. Gibson was a Golden Spikes National Player of the Year semi-finalist and a second-team All-American as a junior in 2009.
Hochgrebe played for the Mizzou baseball team from 1957 to 1959. The Missouri native was a team captain and was the first ever second baseman to be named an All-American in program history after hitting .451 in 1959.
Bonuchi was an accomplished diver for the Tigers from 2011 to 2014. During his time with Mizzou, Bonuchi was a 10-time All-American and won three conference championships.
Clay played for the Mizzou football team from 1983 to 1986. Clay dominated on the offensive line and was a three-time first-team All-Big Eight selection. The Missouri native also was a first-time All-American in 1986. Following his time at Mizzou, Clay was a first-round pick by the Los Angeles Raiders and played for the San Diego Chargers.
