Gerry Bakke, Ryan Reid, Luke Schmalz, and Mike Bradley were inducted into the Mound-Westonka Wrestling Hall of Fame. The former Mound-Westonka wrestlers and coach were recognized last Friday at the Leopold Haglund Invitational.
Gerry Bakke – Gerry was a Hall of Fame coach and a legend in the Iowa and Minnesota coaching ranks. His first coaching position was at Nassua, Iowa, where he was honored as the 1978 Iowa Coach of the Year. He and his family moved to Buffalo, MN in 1980, and Gerry led the Bison to seven state tournament appearances, including a third-place finish in 1990, and a fourth-place finish in 1991, when he was honored as the Minnesota Class AA Coach of the Year. After his retirement, he continued to help area teams and served as a senior consultant for Mound Westonka from 2004 to 2011. He returned to help his beloved Bison in 2012 and continued to volunteer until his passing this fall. Gerry was inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association in 1999, and the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018.
Ryan Reid – Ryan was a 2016 graduate of Mound Westonka High School where, where he amassed 139 victories, 5th all-time in Mound Westonka history. He was a five-time section placewinner, four-time state entrant, and two-time state placewinner, earning 6th place as a junior, and earning all-conference and adding a 6th place finish his senior season. Ryan resides in Scottsdale, AZ, and is employed as a market manager.
Luke Schmalz – Luke was a 2015 graduate of Mound Westonka, where he compiled 166 career victories, 3rd all-time in Mound Westonka history. Luke was a five-time section placewinner, two-time state entrant, and was named all-conference five times. Luke is employed as a registered nurse in a cardiovascular care unit and plans to marry his fiance Sarah this spring.
Mike Bradley – Mike was a 1995 graduate of Mound Westonka High School, where compiled 95 career victories. Mike earned all-conference four times and was a state entrant his senior season. Mike has been a member of the Bricklayers union for 26 years and resides in Cokato, MN with his wife, and they have three children and three grandchildren.