Submitted photo – Chris Pender

It’s Homecoming week at McKinleyville High School, which means the Panthers will be inducting a new class to the school athletics hall of fame.

This year’s inductees include Chris Pender (class of 2010), Amanda Kunst (2012), and coach Tom Pender (football, wrestling and basketball).

The inductees will be honored at the hall of fame reception on Thursday in the school’s multi-purpose room at 7 p.m.

The induction ceremony will be streamed live on the McKinleyville High School athletics Facebook page.

Chris Pender competed in two sports during his time with the Panthers, participating in football and basketball. 

As starting quarterback on the football team, Chris earned back-to-back All-League selections and was among the state leaders in total yardage his senior year, throwing for over 1,000 yards and rushing for over 800 yards.

In basketball, Chris earned three varsity letters and was a two-time All-League selection, averaging 16.5 points a game over his three varsity seasons.

Chris continued his basketball career in college, playing two seasons at San Jose City College and two seasons at Humboldt State University. 

He was selected as the school’s Scholar Athlete of the Year following his sophomore season in San Jose.

Kunst, meanwhile, competed in three sports at McKinleyville High — volleyball, softball and basketball. 

She was a three-year letter winner in volleyball and earned All-League honors in both her junior and senior seasons, but it was on the basketball court where Kunst had the biggest impact, and during her time with the team the Panthers made a run to the NorCal Division IV Championship game.

Submitted photo – Amanda Kunst

She averaged double figures in scoring in her junior and senior campaigns and established herself as one of the top post players in the area while earning back-to-back All-League selections.

Kunst continued her basketball career at Humboldt State University and was named the Jacks’ most improved player in 2013.

The following season she was a key player in helping the Lumberjacks capture the 2014 CCAA championship.

Kunst was a two-time All-CCAA Second Team selection, leading the Jacks in both scoring and rebounding as a senior.

She was named the Jacks team MVP that year.

Tom Pender, meanwhile, enjoyed a distinguished coaching career over a 30 year period at McKinleyville High.

Submitted photo – Tom Pender

Prior to starting his coaching career, Tom wrestled at Humboldt State University, earning All-American honors.

He began his coaching career at MHS in 1981 after taking over the wrestling program and he held that position until 1990.

During that time, Pender coached multiple All-League champions and two North Coast Section finalists.

Tom also had two stints on the MHS Football coaching staff (1983-1990, 2006-2007), as well two seasons as the head coach of the varsity boys basketball team (2008-09, 2009-10). 

Additionally, he helped to start the first Freestyle Wrestling Club in McKinleyville in the mid-80s.

The three inductees will serve as the Grand Marshals for the Homecoming Parade on Friday at 12:35 p.m. and will be introduced to the crowd prior to the start of Friday night’s football game against Hoopa at 7:15 p.m.