Highland Community College Athletics inducted two long-standing pillars of Scottie softball—Heidi (Carter) Jordan ’00 and Holly (Wilmarth) McMurray ’14 along with the historic 2010 Scottie softball team into the HCC Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday, January 17. The ceremony celebrated decades of competitive excellence, academic achievement and lasting impact on Highland Community College athletics.

Heidi (Carter) Jordan ’00 Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame

Legendary coach and former standout student-athlete recognized for lasting impact on Highland softball

A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, Heidi (Carter) Jordan dedicated nearly two decades to Highland Community College as both an elite student-athlete and one of the most successful head coaches in program history. She served as head softball coach from 2004–2021, following one season as an assistant coach (2003–2004), totaling 18 years of service to HCC.

Jordan compiled a remarkable 575–237 overall record during her 17 seasons as head coach. Her teams captured eight district championships, made eight appearances in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament and posted a dominant 283–83 conference record, earning five KJCCC championships. Eleven of her teams won 30 or more games, including five 40-win seasons, and she was named KJCCC Eastern Division Coach of the Year four times.

Her impact extended well beyond the field. Jordan coached 15 NJCAA All-Americans, 53 All-KJCCC selections, 64 All-Region VI honorees, and 62 NJCAA Academic All-Americans. Additionally, 13 of her teams earned NJCAA All-Academic Team of the Year honors, reflecting her commitment to excellence in the classroom.

Jordan’s Highland legacy began as a player from 1998–2000. She remains the only Lady Scottie to be named All-KJCCC at two positions in the same season, earning honors as both a pitcher and designated hitter in 1999. In just two seasons, she was a four-time All-KJCCC and All-Region VI selection, an unmatched achievement in program history.

Holly (Wilmarth) McMurray ’14 Named to Athletic Hall of Fame

Record-setting athlete, scholar and leader honored

A native of Maryville, Missouri, Holly (Wilmarth) McMurray made Highland history as the first and only two-time NJCAA All-American in Scottie Softball, earning Second Team honors in both her freshman and sophomore seasons. One of the most dominant hitters ever to compete for the Scotties, McMurray set multiple school records, including career and single-season RBIs and triples, while ranking among the top five all-time in numerous offensive categories.

A true two-sport athlete, McMurray also excelled in track and field, qualifying for the NJCAA Indoor National Championships in the pentathlon, triple jump and 60-meter hurdles.

Her excellence carried into the classroom, where she earned three KJCCC All-Academic selections and was named an NJCAA Distinguished Academic All-American, graduating with a 3.83 GPA.

McMurray continued her athletic and academic career at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, earning All-Conference honors, serving as a team captain and being inducted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society. She graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree and later earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arkansas State University in 2020.

Now residing in Castro Valley, California, McMurray works as a geriatric physical therapist and lives with her husband, Brett, and their daughter, Callyn.

2010 Scottie Softball Team Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame

Trailblazing team honored for historic national tournament appearance

The 2010 Scottie softball team was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of a season that forever changed the trajectory of Highland softball. The Scotties finished the year 36–15 overall and 17–9 in KJCCC play, capturing the NJCAA Region VI Division II District E Championship.

That championship earned Highland its first-ever NJCAA Division II National Tournament berth, with the Scotties competing on the national stage in Normal, Illinois.

Coached by Heidi and Scott Jordan ‘00, the team earned multiple individual honors, including:

  • Melissa Pratt – KJCCC Eastern Division First Team All-Conference, Region VI Division II District E First Team, NJCAA Division II Second Team All-American
  • Taylor Nave – KJCCC Eastern Division Second Team All-Conference, Region VI Division II District E First Team
  • Chenxi Jiao – KJCCC Eastern Division Second Team All-Conference, Region VI Division II District E Honorable Mention
  • Cassandra (Pelc) Minner – KJCCC Eastern Division Honorable Mention All-Conference, Region VI Division II District E Honorable Mention

 

Team members included:
Joey (Bunch) Lauts ‘11, Jill (Crouse) Mead ‘11, Chelsea Hutton ‘11, Haley Irvine ‘10, Chenxi Jiao ‘11, Logan Johnson ‘11, Brittaney (Krug) Johnson ‘10, Xing Lu ‘10, Lindsey McGovern ‘10, Taylor Nave ‘11, Cassandra (Pelc) Minner ‘11, Jenny (Polivka) Olson ‘10, Melissa Pratt ‘10, Bailey Ross ‘10, Brelynn (Schloo) Eteaki ‘10, Jennifer (Sirridge) Pierce ‘10, Valerie Smithey ‘10, and Erin (Sobotka) Hall ‘11.

The 2010 Scottie softball team’s accomplishments marked a defining moment in program history, laying the foundation for future national success and a championship culture that continues today.

This ceremony celebrates generations of excellence and the enduring legacy of Highland Community College athletics. Congratulations to all honorees.

About HCC Athletic Hall of Fame

The Highland Community College Athletic Hall of Fame has been established to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement or support for HCC athletics, whether alumni or faculty, in the following areas: athletic achievement, coaching, other noteworthy accomplishments in athletic related areas, and individuals (non-athletes) who have contributed to a sport and brought distinction and honor to Highland Community College. Beginning in 1997, an Athletic Hall of Fame celebration has been held to honor inductees.