Fred Kjer

Fred Kjer was an outstanding track and cross country runner at Wayne State College from 1956 to 1960. Kjer, a native of Allen, Neb., was a four-year letter winner in track and a one-year letter winner in cross country. He won the Nebraska College Conference 440-yard dash his final three years and won the 220-yard dash as a sophomore and senior. In 1959, Kjer placed sixth in the 440-yard dash at the NAIA national meet to earn All-American honors. Kjer, at the time of induction, still held the school record in the 440 (400-meter dash) at 48.36 seconds. From 1960 to 1988, Kjer was a member of the U.S. Air Force. He was a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War where he was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses and 13 Air Medals for his service. Kjer was inducted into the WSC Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 1996.