Danville High School Hall of Fame
Induction Class of 2022
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Wrestling: 7 year team member (85-91), 6 year letterman (1986-91)
1991 - KHSAA Wrestling State Champion 130 lb, defeating the two-year defending state champion Craig Bertlesen. Senior year record of 34-2 and avenged the 2 losses in the postseason tournaments. KHSAA State Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler; District and Regional Champion (130 lb) and District Most Outstanding Wrestler.
1990 District Champion , Regional 3rd Place (130 lb)
1989, 1990, 1991 Qualifier for State Wrestling Tournament.
Football, Baseball, and Swimming: Football letterman, 2 years, Baseball 1 year, and Swimming 1 year.
1986
AP and Courier Journal All State 1st team Running Back
AP Honorable Mention Linebacker
Co-Captain w Keith Morgan
DHS-Boyle County game MVP (2nd straight yr)
1985
AP and Courier Journal All State 1st Team Running Back
Co-Captain w Doddle Selby
DHS- Boyle Co Game MVP
1984,5,6 All CKC 1st team and Advocate Messenger All-Area Football Team.
1984 Member of 3A State Championship Team
Career Rushing 4.225 Yards Rushing
6,000+ All Purpose Yards Against Boyle
1985 215 Rushing Yds (9 carries, 23.9 y per), 3 TDs Score 42-0 DHS 1986 258 All Purpose Yds, 146 Rushing, 105 Return Yds, Receptions 7, Completed passes 3 for 23 yds, and 3 TDs. Score DHS 40-3.
Size, strength and speed 5'9" 175 pounds
Bench press 350 pounds
40 yard speed 4.5 seconds
Scholarship to Murray State University
Cross Country and Track: Jennie had a pivotal role in the dynasty created by Coach E.G. Plummer in the mid 1980's. They were pioneers in the accomplishments of the Track and X- Country teams listed: State Champions in X-Country in 1982, 1984, 1985, and 3rd Place in 1981 and 1983; State Championships in Track in 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986, and Second Place in 1982. Jennie began running as 8th graders, gradually contributing points in both Track and X-Country events. She was selected to the All-Decade Team for the 1980's, and each was selected to several All-State Teams. She set standards for hard work, dedication, and a team first attitude and thus was a role model and leader for others on their team. Rarely has a school had such talented individuals and her teammates, who dominated their sports for nearly a decade.
Cross Country and Track: Sara had a pivotal role in the dynasty created by Coach E.G. Plummer in the mid 1980's. They were pioneers in the accomplishments of the Track and X- Country teams listed: State Champions in X-Country in 1982, 1984, 1985, and 3rd Place in 1981 and 1983; State Championships in Track in 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986, and Second Place in 1982. Sara began running as 8th graders, gradually contributing points in both Track and X-Country events. She was selected to the All-Decade Team for the 1980's, and each was selected to several All-State Teams. She set standards for hard work, dedication, and a team first attitude and thus was a role model and leader for others on their team. Rarely has a school had such talented individuals and her teammates, who dominated their sports for nearly a decade.
Football: Both were indispensable members of the UNDEFEATED football team of 1958 (OK, one tie, but that was with the fabled Highlands team). They were the offensive guards and defensive linemen, at 165 pounds, small by any standard, even then. They played with fierce intensity and were inspirational for the entire team. Although that team had other talented members, some already in the DHS HOF, all would be the first to admit that their achievements would not have been possible without the efforts and leadership of the Rankins.Jerry was named Most Valuable Lineman in 1958. He also excelled in Track, especially in the 440 which led to a scholarship at Eastern University. After college, Jerry returned to Danville joining his father in the family businesses and volunteered as a Coach in the City Youth Football league. His fabled BLUE TEAM lost a total of only 5 games over 15 seasons and among those he coached, at least 5 became Division I scholarship football players.Billy was Co-Captain of the 1959 team which lost only 2 games. He tragically died at an early age (23) in September of 1966 from accidental electrocution at a local mill where he was a partner. Because of his embodiment of the ultimate effort player, DHS Football awards the Billy Rankin Hustle Award in his honor.Every team has a heart, and for the undefeated team of 1958, that heart resided in these brothers, Billy and Jerry Rankin. The Hall of Fame is honored to have the Rankins take their well-deserved place among its members.
Starter on offensive tackle as Sophomore in 1953. Junior and Senior Years started on both offense and defense. Junior year team was undefeated and untied and the mythical State Champion (1954). On the All-State team both his junior and senior years 1954 & 1955). Co- Captain on the 1955 team and chosen to play in the East-West All-Star game that year. Centre College graduate (1960) and lettered in both football and track . Very successful career in Real Estate in Louisville. Active member of the Board of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.
Football: 3-year starter at Linebacker. Also played as running back and QB.
1997 Co-Captain, Honorable Mention All-State LB, 1st Team All Area LB, 1st Team All District LB; DHS Defensive Player of the Year. Led team in tackles, with Most Tackles in a single game (24) against Lincoln County 1997.
1996 Honorable Mention All-State Linebacker, 1st Team All Area LB and 1st Team All District LB. DHS Coaches Award. Led team in tackles.
1995 Member (starter) on State Semi-Final Team, Honorable Mention All-State.
1994 -- Member of All-State Championship Team
Four-year team record 1994-97: 46 Wins, 6 Losses
Baseball: 5-year member of team, beginning as a 7th grader. Three year starter at 3rd base and pitcher. One Most Improved Player Award (1995), 45th District and 12th Region All-Tournament Team (1996).
Basketball: Two years.
College: Football at Western Kentucky and Campbellsville Universities.
1989-1994 (7th Grade through Senior Year) 1989 Qualified for the KHSAA Swimming State Championship @ age 12, 4 x 50 Freestyle Relay
1990 Qualified in Individual 500 and 200 Freestyle and swam on 2 relay teams. 13 y.o.
1991-1994 Qualified in Individual events every year and advanced to the Consolation (Top 16) or Finals (Top 8) every year. Senior Year was 3rd in the 200 Individual Medley and 5th in the 100 Butterfly.
DHS Record Times (all in Yards): 200 Medley (1:55:79);
100 Butterfly (53:37);
100 Breaststroke (59:71);
500Freestyle (4:48:72);
200Freestyle (1:45:88);
100 Freestyle (48:27);
50 Freestyle (22.;190).
Two of his records still stand today.
University of KY Swim Team 1994-1995: Scholarship Athlete. Team Qualified for SEC Championship 1995. Top 10 ALL Time Swim Team Times in 200 Individual Medley, 100 Breaststroke and 200 Breaststroke.
All State Team 2009 and 2010
Louisville Slugger All American Team 2010
2010 Season: batting average .499 with 3 HRs, 39 stolen bases, 54 runs scored, 9-2 record pitching with .99 ERA. 2009 Season: batting av.408, with 3 HRs and 48 stolen bases (of 52 atmps)
Collegiate Career Morehead State All OVC Freshman Team 2012 with 69 hits, .389 on base %, 23 stolen bases, 48 runs scored. Transferred to Georgetown for remainder of college career. While at Georgetown batting average .300 and ranked in top 5 in country with 47 stolen bases; and a .412 on base %. Second team All-Conference. While there, Georgetown won its first ever Mid-South and Regional Championship in school history and had its second College World Series appearance.