WUSA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING RECORDS

Wrestling Hall of Fame - 2009 Dave Schultz High School Excellence National Winner Announced

Ohio's David Taylor wins the 2009 Dave Schultz High School Excellence National Award
STILLWATER, Okla. - David Taylor, a high school senior from Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio has been selected as the national winner of the 2009 Dave Schultz High School Excellence National Award presented by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.

The High School Excellence Award is named in honor of Olympic and World Champion Dave Schultz. Each award recipient is evaluated on excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, character, citizenship, and community service.

Taylor was selected from the 49 state winners and five regional winners that were announced two weeks ago.

"I have heard so much about the way Dave Schultz touched everyone's lives in the wrestling community, and to be considered for this great award, let alone win it, is by far the highlight of my high school wrestling career" said Taylor. "Having seen the stone carving in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame over the years, I know he would be proud of my accomplishments and would feel that I too learned "HOW" to wrestle. I will continue to wear a smile and try to be an ambassador to the wrestling community like the incomparable Dave Schultz."

Taylor's high school career record stands at 180-2. He is a four-time state high school champion and in each of the last two years was named Ohio Wrestler of the Year. Taylor was the "Outstanding Wrestler" of the 2009 Ohio State Tournament. He is a Cadet and Junior National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Champion and FILA Junior World Team member. He was also named to the 2008 Asics All-America First Team. He has won championships at the Beast of the East and Ironman high school national tournaments.

His community service activities include being a member and officer of the 4-H Club, where he has won numerous awards including an Ohio State Championship in barrel racing. In addition, he enjoys spending his off-time to "roll around" with youth wrestlers. Taylor is ranked in the top 10 of his graduating class and carries a 4.0 G.P.A. He will be attending Iowa State University next fall.

"The selection committee felt that David combined an impressive balance of excellence in his academic and wrestling credentials while being an active participant in school activities and giving back to his community in the form of community service," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.

Taylor will attend Honors Weekend on June 5 and 6 to personally accept the award. Following is a list of previous award winners:

Dave Schultz High School Excellence National Winners

1996 David Kjeldgaard, Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa
1997 Jeff Knupp, Walsh Jesuit High School, Akron, Ohio
1998 Garrett Lowney, Freedom High School, Appelton, Wisconsin
and Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville High School, Salt Lake City, Utah
1999 Zach Roberson, Blue Valley North West High School, Overland Park, Kansas
2000 Ben Connell, Lugoff-Elgin High School, Lugoff, South Carolina
2001 Steven Mocco, Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey
2002 Teyon Ware, Edmond North High School, Edmond, Oklahoma
2003 C. P. Schlatter, St. Paul Graham High School, Urbana, Ohio
2004 Coleman Scott, Waynesburg High School, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
2005 Troy Nickerson, Chenango Forks High School, Chenango Forks, New York
2006 David Craig, Brandon High School, Brandon, Florida
2007 Zachary Sanders, Wabasha-Kellog High School, Wabasha, Minnesota
2008 Jason Chamberlain, Springville High School, Springville, Utah
Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award Winners Announced for 49 States

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum has selected its 2009 state and regional winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award as part of its Educational Outreach Program. Forty-nine seniors from those states that sponsor high school state wrestling championships have been chosen for the honor.

The High School Excellence Award is named in honor of Olympic and World Champion Dave Schultz. Each award recipient is evaluated on excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, character, citizenship, and community service.

"A graduate of Palo Alto High School and the University of Oklahoma, Dave Schultz was one of the most respected high school, collegiate, and international wrestlers the United States has ever had," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Regarded as a tireless competitor and supreme technician on the mat, Schultz was beloved throughout the world of amateur wrestling for his friendliness and eagerness to lend help or advice to teammates and opponents alike. He was inducted into the sport's Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997.

Since the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award's inception in 1996, the Wrestling Hall of Fame has recognized 579 student-wrestlers. The national award winner will be chosen from the state and regional winners and announced on April 30. The winner will attend Honors Weekend on June 5 and 6 to personally accept the award.

For the third straight year, the High School Excellence program will include a leadership camp for those individuals selected for the award.

"Thanks to a grant from a private foundation, we are pleased to provide the winners of our Dave Schultz Award with the opportunity to attend an all-expense-paid leadership camp from June 15-18 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.," Smith said.

USA Wrestling, the sport's governing body, will host the camp at the Olympic Training Center.
"USA Wrestling is equally excited to join the Hall of Fame in providing a world class program at the Olympic Training Center for the student-athletes chosen to participate in this camp," said Rich Bender, USAW Executive Director. "The camp agenda will include instructional sessions with our freestyle and Greco Roman national coaches and wrestlers, and will also feature presentations on sport psychology, strength and conditioning, nutrition, leadership development and public speaking, all presented by experts in the field."

Part of the foundation's funding criteria requires that, prior to the camp, the award winners speak to youth groups in their communities on the benefits of participating in extra curricular activities like athletics.

Smith said the leadership and public speaking sessions will help student-athletes become more effective in sharing their personal success stories with young people.

"These student-wrestlers are role models in their communities and have an opportunity to influence young people in a very meaningful way. Statistics show that both male and female students are more likely to stay in school, graduate, and become more productive citizens when they are involved in extra curricular activities and after school programs like sports, theater, debate and music."

The five regional winners are:
Northeast Region - Alexander Ekstrom compiled a record of 226-19 in winning four New York State AA high school championships for Palmyra Macedon High School in Palmyra, N.Y. As a senior, he was honored with the "Most Outstanding Wrestler" award while competing in the 135 pound weight class. He is also a freestyle state champion and was a national folkstyle champion in 2008. In addition, he won the Sportsmanship Award for Section V in 2007 and 2008. He serves as a Pee Wee Wrestling Volunteer Coach and Officiates Pee Wee Tournaments. He also received an Internship with the Middle School Physical Education program, where he serves as a motivational speaker to students. Ekstrom also participates in the Palmyra Rotary Club and serves as a mentor for youth in the area. He carries a 3.38 G.P.A. and will be attending the University of Oklahoma next fall as a student-wrestler.

Midwest Region - David Taylor is from Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio. and has a career record of 180-2. He is a four-time state high school champion and in each of the last two years was named Ohio Wrestler of the Year. Taylor was the Outstanding Wrestler of the 2009 state tournament. He is a Cadet and Junior National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Champion and FILA Junior World Team member. He was also named to the 2008 Asics All-America First Team. He has won championships at the Beast of the East and Ironman tournaments. His community service activities include being a member and officer of the 4-H Club, where he has won numerous awards including an Ohio State Championship in barrel racing. In addition, he enjoys spending his off-time to "roll around" with youth wrestlers. Taylor is ranked in the top 10 of his graduating class and carries a 4.0 G.P.A. He will be attending Iowa State University next fall.

Central Region - Dallas Bailey is from Catoosa High School in Catoosa, Okla. With a career record of 132-5, he won four Oklahoma 4A wrestling championships. He was selected to compete in both the Dapper Dan Classic and Dream Team Dual Meets in 2009. In addition, he earned 2008 All-America honors at the USA Wrestling Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D., and was Outstanding Wrestler at the Beat of the East Tournament. As a FILA Cadet, he was a national runner up. He donates his time with the wrestling program at Versus Athletic Training Facility in Tulsa and serves as a mentor for the Boys and Girls Club of Tulsa. In addition, he volunteers to clean up the high school campus, and participates in various church activities. Aside from being a National Honor Society member and Valedictorian of his class, Bailey is president of the Student Council at his school. He carries a 4.18 weighted G.P.A. and will attend Oklahoma State University next fall.

West Region - RJ Pena is from Sprague High School in Salem, Ore. His career record of 160-3 includes 138 pins and three undefeated seasons. Pena is also a four-time state champion, four-time district champion and a two-time Reno Tournament of Champions winner. He was chosen for the U.S. Dream Team in 2009. In 2008, he won USA Wrestling's Junior Freestyle National Championship at 145 lbs. He has also been awarded the Reser's (Tournament of Champion) Student/Athlete award from Sprague High School which deems him "tough and smart." He also competed in high school cross country and placed in the Oregon state meet. He is involved with Athletes in Action, where he participates in Bible studies. He carries a 3.6 G.P.A. and will be attending Oregon State University next fall.

South Region - Eric Grajales compiled an undefeated career record of 217-0 and is a four time district, regional and state winner from Brandon High School in Brandon, Fla. In 2006 and 2008, he won USA Wrestling National Junior Greco-Roman titles and finished third in freestyle in 2008. He also competed on the 2006 and 2007 FILA Junior Greco-Roman World Teams. As a junior, he was selected to the 2008 Asics All-America First Team. As a senior, he competed in the 2009 Dapper Dan Classic and was honored by the St. Petersburg Times as "Wrestler of the Year." The Tampa Bay Sports Commission gave him its "President's Award." He also serves as a counselor for the volunteer youth wrestling program in Brandon. He ranks in the top 10 percent of his class and carries a 4.884 weighted G.P.A. and will be attending the University of Michigan next fall.

2009 Winners by State, Name and School

Alabama / Hayden Countryman/ Prattville High School
Alaska / Nolan McBryde / Chugiak High School
Arizona / Luke Macchiaroli / Corona Del Sol High School
Arkansas / Kyle Coatney/ Bentonville High School
California / David Klingsheim / Liberty Union High School
Colorado / Stryker Lane / Norwood High School
Connecticut / Tim Vallaro / Somers High School
Delaware / Alex Thomas / Sussex Technical High School
Florida / Eric Grajales / Brandon High School
Georgia / Taylor Knapp / Collins Hill High School
Hawaii / Reid Oshiro / Punahou School
Idaho / Kyle Johnshoy / Melba High School
Illinois / Tony Ramos / Glenbard North High School
Indiana / Camden Eppert / Anderson Highland High School
Iowa / Bart Reiter / Don Bosco High School
Kansas / Tyler Caldwell / Goddard High School
Kentucky / Harrison Courtney / Woodford County High School
Louisiana / Johnny Calcote / Archbishop Rummel High School
Maine / Joey Eon / Massabesic High School
Maryland / Andrew Banister / Bishop McNamara High School
Massachusetts / Miguel Guzman / Greater Lawrence High School
Michigan / Brandon Zeerip / Hesperia High School
Minnesota / Kevin Steinhaus / Kerkhoven Murdock Sunburg High School
Missouri / Ryan Mango / Whitfield High School
Montana / Toby Erickson / Helena High School
Nebraska / Michael Klingensmith / Kearney Catholic High School
Nevada / Britain Longmire / Cimarron Memorial High School
New Hampshire / Cody Byrd / Londonderry High School
New Jersey / Ed Ruth / Blair Academy
New Mexico / Max Ortega / Rio Rancho High School
New York / Alexander Ekstrom / Palmyra Macedon High School
North Carolina / Cory Mock / Chapel Hill Senior High School
North Dakota / Evan Gross / Napoleon High School
Ohio / David Taylor / Graham High School
Oklahoma / Dallas Bailey / Catoosa High School
Oregon / RJ Pena / Sprague High School
Pennsylvania / Shane Young / Penn Tafford High School
Rhode Island / Shawn Giblin / Cranston High School West
South Carolina / Eddie Coles / Eastside High School
South Dakota / Tom Davies/ Canton High School
Tennessee / David Graham/ Bradley Central High School
Texas / Erik Spjut / Woodlands High School
Utah / Ethen Lofthouse / Mountain Crest High School
Vermont / Jordan Grey / Essex High School
Virginia / Andrew Clement / Grassfield High School
Washington / Jake Swartz / Auburn High School
West Virginia / Cameron Gallaher / Grafton High School
Wisconsin / Nick Hager / Tomahawk High School
Wyoming / Tyler Cox / Campbell County High School
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Black History Month

STILLWATER, Okla. -- In 1949, two years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, Harold Henson became the first African American athlete to compete in the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Six years earlier, however, he proved his toughness in the military, joining the U.S. Army.
In commemoration of Black History Month and it's new exhibit "Glory Beyond the Sport: Wrestling and the Military," the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum is spotlighting Harold Henson in recognition of his achievements both in wrestling and in service to our country.

Henson, who learned to wrestle at San Diego High School in California, entered the Army in March of 1943, at the height of World War II, and was sent to Germany. There he met and married his wife of 62 years, Illse. At the time, military regulations required that Army personnel who married Germans leave the country.
He left the Army in 1947 and returned to his native state to attend San Diego State University where he earned a spot on the wrestling team and an education degree. His ground-breaking participation in the NCAA Championships was at Ft. Collins, Colorado in 1949. He graduated from San Diego State in 1950.
"There were only two times I experienced racism directly connected to my wrestling career at San Diego," Henson recalled to RevWrestling's Mark Palmer in a 2008 interview. "Two restaurants refused to serve me and my brother. When this happened, our coach immediately took the team out of the restaurant.
"I never ran into any bigotry in all my wrestling experience. I don't recall any opponent forfeiting a match because of my skin color."

After graduation, Henson went back into the Army to serve in the Korean War and earn a Bronze Star for "doing his job.".

He retired as a colonel in 1970 after 26 years of service with the Army Corps of Engineers, earning the Legion of Merit medal.

On February 11, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum will unveil its new book and exhibit Glory Beyond the Sport: Wrestling and the Military.

"Harold Henson's story is just one of many among those who have distinguished themselves in service to our country and on the wrestling mat," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum. "This man is a hero. He was a trailblazer that broke down color barriers and took advantage of the opportunities provided him in sport and the military to get an education and become a leader."
Glory Beyond the Sport will be on display throughout the spring at the Hall of Fame. A traveling version of the exhibit will appear at the 2009 NCAA Wrestling Championships and at the 2009 National Open Wrestling Championships. Those interested in more information about the book should telephone the Hall of Fame at (405) 377-5243 or visit the web site at www.wrestlinghalloffame.org.
Astonishing Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2009 is Announced

STILLWATER, Okla. – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum has announced its Class of 2009 inductees in the categories of Distinguished Member, Outstanding American, Order of Merit, Medal of Courage and Lifetime Achievement for Officials.

The Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors approved the selections at its semi-annual meeting held in Las Vegas the first week of December.

“I want to thank our Board of Governors and the various screening and selection committees involved in the six-month process that determines our honorees for induction,” said Jim Keen Sr., Chairman of the Board of Governors.

Distinguished Members – Pete Blair, Ed Eichelberger, Les Gutches and Dennis Koslowski; Outstanding American – Steve Silver; Order of Merit – Arno Niemand; Medal of Courage – Larry Gibson; and Lifetime Achievement for Officials – Chuck Yagla will be inducted during Honors Weekend in Stillwater, June 5-6, 2009. These eight honorees will mark the 33^rd class since the Hall of Fame began operations in 1976.

The Class of 2009’s Distinguished Members includes a World champion in freestyle, one of just two NCAA champions for the Naval Academy, one of the United States’ first Greco-Roman stars and one of Lehigh’s all-time greats.

When signing an autograph, Edward Baxter Eichelberger always adds “Galatians 6:14” after his signature.

It reads: But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

He was coached by a legend in high school – Billy Martin at Granby High School in Norfolk, Va. – and by another legend in college – Gerald Leeman at Lehigh.

Eichelberger was undefeated his final three years of high school, winning three state titles in Virginia. His career at Lehigh included two NCAA championships and a 55-3-1 record with 37 pins. One of his losses came in the 1954 NCAA finals to Myron Roderick of Oklahoma A&M.

He was named the EIWA Tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler in 1955 and 1956 and the NCAA Tournament’s OW in 1955.

Employed by IBM since 1956, Eichelberger earned his Masters and Ph.D. from Princeton.

As a senior at Granby High School in Norfolk, Va., Blair stood just 5-foot-6 and did no t wrestle on the varsity. He enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 16, and during his recruit training grew an amazing 6 inches. By the time his two years at Bainbridge Prep Academy were done that total was 7.5 inches.

Blair competed at 177 pounds as a freshman and sophomore at the United States Naval Academy and moved up to 191 pounds his final two collegiate seasons where he would win back-to-back NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956. His career record was 57-5 with no losses over his final two seasons for legendary head coach Ray Swartz.

Soon after beating Kenneth Leuer in the 1956 NCAA finals, Blair pinned five opponents in winning a National AAU title. Two weeks later he was the Olympic Trials champion at 192 pounds and would be elected team captain by his freestyle teammates.

An officer in the Navy from 1955 until his retirement in 1974, Blair served on ships and submarines and taught at the Academy.

A two-time Division III national champion at Minnesota-Morris, Koslowski began the transition to Greco-Roman soon after graduating in 1982. One year later, in 1983, Koslowski would win the first of his 7 USAW Greco-Roman titles.

In 1987 at the World Championships in France, Koslowski earned a silver medal at 220 pounds. At the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, the Minneapolis resident would bring home a bronze medal, and four years later at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, the 220-pounder would earn a silver medal. He was the first to win two Greco-Roman Olympic medals for the USA, an achievement only matched by Rulon Gardner.

While at Minnesota-Morris, he was also a three-time All-Conference guard on the football team and is currently the owner of Koslowski Chiropractic, Inc., in the Minneapolis area.

Gutches was the first athlete to win USA Wrestling national titles in all five age group levels – Cadet, Junior, Espoir, University and Senior.

At South Medford High School in Oregon, Gutches won three state titles. He was also a district champion in the 400 meters for the track team.

He was a two-time NCAA champion while at Oregon State, compiling a 134-10 career record. He earned the Outstanding Wrestler award at the 1996 NCAA Championships and the Dan Hodge Trophy that same season. Over his final two collegiate seasons he allowed opponents just one takedown.

Gutches quickly made his mark in freestyle, winning the first of his 5 U.S. Nationals titles in 1996 and also the Olympic Trials title at 180.5 pounds.

In Atlanta, he would finish seventh. However, a year later at the 1997 World Championships in Russia, Gutches would earn a gold medal at 187.25 pounds. He would also earn a bronze medal at the 1999 World Championships.

The 2009 Medal of Courage honoree, Gibson has battled adversity since the age of 12 when he was hit by a drunk driver. After almost two years in the hospital and 13 surgeries his leg was amputated seven inches below the knee.

He participated in both football and wrestling in high school and college, earning four letters and serving as team captain for two years at George Fox College in Oregon.

A life-changing plane crash sent Gibson back to school where he received his teaching degree. He taught history and served as wrestling coach at Omak High School for 16 years.

A club coach since 1972, Gibson was voted Washington’s Coach of the Year in 1991. He was inducted into the Washington State Chapter of the NWHOF in 1995 and received his USA Wrestling Gold Level Coaches Certificate in 1997.

Niemand, the Order of Merit honoree, received the FILA Gold Star in 2008 and has provided leadership gifts for new training facilities at his high school and collegiate alma maters. He has contributed major resources to several elite national and local youth clubs around the country.

He was the pioneer sponsor of USA Wrestling’s Women s National freestyle team through his company, Body Bar Systems. Niemand has also support the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s educational program Building Leaders for Life and the College Sports Council’s advocacy against the consequences of Title IX interpretations on the sport of wrestling.

He is currently writing and publishing the book Miracle on the Mat detailing Cornell College’s road to the 1947 NCAA championship.

Niemand is a graduate of the University of Cornell (Ithaca, N.Y.) and has been a CEO, President and Chairman of Niemand Industries and Body Bar Systems since the 1960s.

The founder and owner of the Steve Silver Company, an import furniture business in Dallas which employs 500 worldwide in five nations, the 2009 Outstanding American honoree has been involved in wrestling throughout his life.

Silver wrestled for Spencerport High School in New York and at the University of Alabama for three years under coach Pat Milkovich. Six of Silver’s seven children, including two daughters, have participated in wrestling.

He founded and coached a youth wrestling club in Forney, Texas, hiring 1988 Olympic gold medalist Kenny Monday to coach the club, now known as Team Monday. Silver is also a big supporter of Bishop Lynch High, a nationally-known program.

Silver has served as Team Leader for the last four U.S. Freestyle Teams including the 2008 Olympics in China where he’s done business for a number of years.

He was named USA Wrestling’s Man of the Year in 2006 for his contributions to the sport.

A two-time NCAA champion for the University of Iowa, Yagla has been an official for 24 years. Also a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, Yagla will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement for Officials.

From 1996-07, Yagla worked the NCAA Tournament and was selected as a championship finals official five times. He’s also officiated six NCAA Division II Championships along with Big Ten (1995-07) and Pac-10 (1997-07) tournaments.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is featuring an exhibit on the 2008 Beijing Olympics from September 3 to October 31, 2008.

STILLWATER, OK - The cover of the USA Wrestling Media Guide for 2007-08 calls Henry Cejudo a "U.S. Freestyle Phenom."

Many have called him the future of American freestyle wrestling.

On August 8 of 2008 the 121-pounder proved a lot of people right.

The 21-year old who now calls Colorado Springs, Colo., home highlights the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's new display looking back at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

A handful of wrestlers and a few members of the American contingent in Beijing have provided the NWHOF with a number of items, including photographs, uniforms, and memorabilia documenting the Olympic experience.

Cejudo, a gold medalist in freestyle at 121 pounds in just his second World-level tournament is the youngest American to win gold. His finals victory against Japan's Tomihiro Matsunaga is well-documented in the display.

"I'm no longer the future, I'm the present," said Cejudo after his gold-medal bout. "This yellow medal hanging around my neck is proof of that. "

After finishing second at the 2006 World Team Trials, the Arizona native won the Trials title in 2007 and won a Pan American Championship gold medal. He beat 2004 Olympic silver medalist Stephan Abas for the 2008 World Team Trials championship.

"I was born and raised in the U.S. and I don't forget that," Cejudo said. "As much as I love my Mexican heritage, I'm American first and foremost. The U.S. is a land of opportunity and you choose your own path."

Two other Americans took a different path to Beijing and returned with bronze medals.
Adam Wheeler, a 27-year old from Lancaster, Calif., was second at the 2005 and 2007 U.S. Team Trials in Greco-Roman. However, he edge d Justin Ruiz, a 2006 World bronze medalist, in Las Vegas to earn his trip to the Olympics at 211.5-pounds.

Wheeler took advantage, bringing home a bronze medal.

"I am very happy for Adam," said Steve Fraser, the U.S. Greco coach. "He has worked hard for many years, especially the last few months. He has a great attitude. He is a wonderful, coachable kid."
The third American to medal was Randi Miller, a 138.75-pounder who earned bronze in women's freestyle.
Miller, from Arlington, Texas, knocked off 2004 Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann at the U.S. Trials. She was not among the top three in 2007.

"This is my first Olympic medal and it may be my last, who knows?" admitted Miller. "Every athlete who comes here is very tough."

Three Americans proved to be tough enough to reach the medal stand at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Those journeys can now be relived inside the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum Honors Weekend

STILLWATER, Okla. – Wrestling dignitaries from across the country will begin arriving in Stillwater throughout this week for the 32nd annual Honors Weekend and Induction Ceremony of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum scheduled for May 30-31, 2008.

“With this event, wrestling gathers to pay tribute to the best and the brightest that this sport has to offer,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the Hall. “We are thrilled to include with our distinguished class of 2008 award winners, the Penn State University wrestling program which celebrates its 100^th anniversary of collegiate competition. The 1953 Nittany Lions, the first east coast team to win an NCAA Division I title, will also be recognized, continuing our commitment to honor not just outstanding individual efforts but also extraordinary teams.”

Four new Distinguished Members and one Outstanding American will be inducted. The class of new Distinguished Americans includes wrestlers: Ricky Bonomo, Mike Houck, Wayne Martin, and Bobby Weaver. Chick fil A executive Dan T. Cathy will be honored as the Outstanding American.

Rounding out the list of awards to be presented, the winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award is Utah’s Justin Chamberlain. Winner of the Order of Merit is Tulsan Richard Small; Blind wrestler Dr. James V. Mastro will receive the Medal of Courage, and the winner of the Lifetime Achievement for Officials is Jerry Wager.

“Unfortunately, Bobby Weaver is ill and will be unable to attend,” Smith said. “We are very disappointed that he won’t be able to join us as we express our admiration for what he has given to our sport, but we send our best wishes to him for a speedy and complete recovery.”

A State Chapter Presidents Conference is scheduled prior to Honors Weekend on Thursday and Friday morning.

“We always get a good number of inductees, board members, and wrestling dignitaries attending each year’s ceremonies,” Smith said. “By including our state chapter presidents, we are rewarding our grass root volunteers for the great job of extending our mission on a state-by-state level.”

Smith said he is expecting visitors from 43 states to come to Stillwater over Honors Weekend, indicative of the Hall’s national appeal.

Honors Weekend officially kicks off Friday evening with a public reception and presentation of plaques at the Hall of Fame and Museum. After the new plaques are revealed, guests will join Penn State wrestlers in a ceremony honoring their program’s rich history.

Saturday morning features an 18-hole golf tournament. Non-golfers can enjoy guest speakers, a fashion show, poker tournament, and club activities like tennis and swimming. Everyone comes together for lunch before an afternoon break.

The evening festivities begin with a pre-banquet reception followed by the black-tie dinner and induction.

On Sunday morning, the weekend may be over for honorees, but for the Board of Governors, the work is just beginning. The board holds one of two annual meetings that morning at the Hampton Inn.

“This is an occasion that makes everyone feel good about the sport and stimulates a camaraderie that inspires people to want to do what they can to help this sport grow,” Smith concludes.

For more information on Honors Weekend contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum at 405-377-5243 or visit our website at www.wrestlinghalloffame.org.

	Lee Roy Smith Executive Director National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum 405 W. Hall of Fame Ave. Stillwater, OK 74075 Phone: (405) 377-5243 Fax: (405) 377-5244 http://www.wrestlinghalloffame.org