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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
Tanner Omlid, left, hugs his father, Keith, as his mother, Allison, looks on after Omlid signed his National Letter of Intent to play basketball for West Point on Tuesday.
December 14, 2011
INDEPENDENCE -- With more than 100 people in attendance for perhaps Tanner Omlid's biggest moment thus far, Central boys basketball coach Bob McBeth's words rang true.
"It takes a community to raise a cadet, and this community has done well," McBeth said just before Omlid made it official, signing his National Letter of Intent to continue his basketball career for the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
Central High School (1992) and West Point alum Bill Doutt, Polk County commissioner Mike Ainsworth and McBeth all served as guest speakers for the event, held in the Central gymnasium.
Tanner Omlid
But it was clear the focus was on the 6-foot-4 Omlid, who neared tears before signing his commitment with his parents, Keith and Allison, looking over his shoulder.
"I've been in big situations before, but this is probably one of the biggest," Omlid said after about a 10-minute photo session with family, friends and fans.
"It's an honor to be here and have the community support.
"When you look around, there's hundreds of people here, you know there's something special at Central, and I won't forget this for the rest of my life."
Omlid averaged 21.5 points and 10.5 rebounds a game last season, earning first-team Class 4A all-state honors. The senior dropped 35 points in Central's season-opening 61-54 win over La Salle on Dec. 7, and added a game-high 23 in Monday's 53-39 win over Dallas.
"Yeah, it was nice to beat Dallas," he said with a smile. "I've been waiting since the eighth grade."
Omlid holds a 3.94 grade-point average.
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