Learn about the latest Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association David Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductees. The 2025 Induction Dinner will take place on Saturday, May 17th, in Benson, Minn. Inductees will be Todd Bergeron, Tom Gruhlke, Larry Herm, Patrick Johannes, Steve King, Tom Kuisle, Brian Loeffler, Brad Loeffler, Efrem Novacek, Bruce Olson, Lynn Plumley, Les Plumley, Jacob Volkmann, Bruce Wilson, Al Doty, and Jim Zimmerman.
CLICK HERE for tickets and more information about the Induction Dinner.
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Steve King – Athlete
Steve King attended St. Clair High School, graduating from there in 1989. Steve participated in football and wrestling. He was named to the 1989 All-MN First Team as a linebacker. Steve had a high school wrestling record of 166 wins and 20 losses. (119 of those victories were by fall.) He was a two-time state qualifier, losing in the “blood round” at 155 pounds, which was then the consolation semis because the MSHSL only placed out to four at that time. Steve was crowned the Class A Heavyweight champion in 1989. Steve participated in the MN-Wisconsin All-Star Duels, and he pinned both opponents from Wisconsin. Steve was named to the 1989 ASICS All-American First Team. Steve had several full-ride scholarship offers, and he continued his wrestling at the University of Notre Dame. Steve was a two-time NCAA Division 1 National qualifier there. After Notre Dame dropped its wrestling program, Steve transferred to the University of Michigan. At Michigan, Steve qualified for the National tournament twice. In Steve’s junior year, he became an All-American, earning a 7th-place finish in 1993 at 275 pounds. It is interesting to note that also in Steve’s weight bracket that year were future Olympic Champion Rulon Gardner (4th) and Billy Pierce from the U of M. Steve was denied a second All-American honor his senior year, losing twice in overtime to future All-Americans.
Steve had a lot of success in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. He was a 7-time finalist in Fargo at the Cadet-Junior Freestyle and Greco-Roman Nationals, winning two Freestyle and two Greco-Roman titles. Steve competed in Las Vegas at a major tournament, and he defeated wrestlers from Italy, Mexico, and the Soviet Union en route to a title. Steve developed a vicious headlock and used it en route to this title. Sadly, it was here that Steve broke vertebrae in his neck, and this forced Steve into retirement from international competition.
Steve died due to a heart condition at the age of 32. He will long be remembered for being physically and mentally tough and for being a great competitor.
Brian Loeffler – Athlete
Brian Loeffler attended St. Clair High School. He was the 167 lb. Class A runner-up in 1988. His high school record was 116-46. Brian continued his wrestling at South Dakota State University, where he was a four-time Division II All-American. He placed 8th, 5th, and 6th at 177 pounds and was crowned the Division II National Champion at 190 pounds in 1993. Brian was a North Central Conference champion in 1992 and a runner-up in 1991 and 1993. Brian was a four-time Academic All-American and was awarded an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. He was also named a 1993 CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-American. He was the 1993 South Dakota Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year. His collegiate record was 85-27-4. He is a member of the SDSU Jackrabbit Athletic Hall of Fame. Brian graduated from SDSU in 1993 with a degree in Agronomy and is a farmer in the St. Clair area today. Brian’s wife is Shelly, and they have four kids: Jessica, David, Courtney and Lucas.
Brad Loeffler – Athlete
Brad attended St. Clair High School, graduating from there in 1990. Brad wrestled on the varsity as a 7th grader at 155 pounds. His high school record was 156-26-1. Brad was a four-time state entrant and a three-time state finalist. He competed in the state tournament his freshman year at 167 pounds, was second as a sophomore at 185 pounds, and was crowned 1989 189 lb. Class A State Champion and repeated as State Champion in 1990. Brad was undefeated in his junior and senior seasons and was selected as an ASICS High School All-American in 1990. Brad continued wrestling at South Dakota State University, earning two NCAA Division 2 All-American honors, placing 5th at 275 in 1994 and again in 1995.
Brad passed away in 2015. His wife is Stephanie, and they have three kids: Thomas, Bergan, and Steven.
Patrick Johannes – Athlete
Patrick “Pat” Johannes attended Rocori High School, graduating from there in 1984. He was active in football (All-Conference 2 years as a linebacker, wrestling, and track (he ran the 100-meter dash, the shot put, and discus, and was a member of his 4×100 relay team). Pat achieved a high school career wrestling record of 99-13, was a three-time All-Conference wrestler, and was a three-time Region 8AA champion while wrestling for John Delozier and Jeff Mergen. He was a three-time state qualifier, weighing less than 180 pounds. In 1982, his sophomore year, he was injured and had to drop out of the tournament. He placed third at 185 pounds in 1983 and again in 1984. Pat was selected as Rocori’s Male Senior Athlete of the Year in 1984. Pat continued his wrestling at North Dakota State University, wrestling for the late Bucky Maughan. Pat’s collegiate wrestling record was 112-12. He was a four-time Division 2 All-American. He placed 4th at 167 pounds in 1985, 7th at 177 pounds in 1986, 3rd at 177 pounds in 1987, and 4th at 177 pounds in 1988. He was a member of NDSU’s first-ever national team wrestling title. Pat was a two-time Division 1 National Qualifier, and in 1988, he placed 7th at 177 pounds, earning him All-American honors. Pat competed internationally in Greco-Roman wrestling, and in 1990, he placed 5th in the World Team Trials. In 1991, Pat placed 6th in the World Team Trials and 3rd in the 1991 Granma Cup. In 1992, he placed 6th in the U.S. Nationals and 8th in the Concord Cup. Then, in 1993, he placed sixth in the U.S. Nationals and 5th in the 1993 World Team Trials. Pat was inducted into the Rocori High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997, the NDSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, and again in 2013 (1988 National champs).
Today, Pat and his wife Paula reside in the beautiful town of Fallbrook in Southern California. Until recently, he owned Foothills Consulting Group (IT Consulting-Staffing Company). After 19 years. In August 2022, it was acquired by the Eliassen Group. He continued to transition to the new owners until October 2024. He is currently enjoying golfing, looking to see what life brings in the next step, and working for an IT consulting firm. Pat and Paula are empty-nesters with three adult boys: Jordan, Joe and Parker. Their granddaughter, Delilah, is a true bonus.
Jacob Volkmann – Athlete
Jacob Volkmann graduated from Henning High School, wrestling for the Ottertail Central Bulldogs. He was coached by Head Coach Kevin Anderson. Jacob was a four-time state entrant and earned three Minnesota State titles: 1997 (140 pounds AA), 1998 (145 A), and 1999 (152 A). His high school record was 162-18. Jacob was named Mr. Minnesota wrestler in 1999. Jacob continued his wrestling at the University of Minnesota under Coach J Robinson. Jacob was a four-time National qualifier and a three-time NCAA Division 1 All-American. He placed 4th in 2001 at 174 pounds, 3rd in 2003 at 165 pounds, and 4th in 2004 at 165 pounds. Jacob was a Big 10 Champion in 2004. He was an integral part of the 2001 and 2002 Minnesota National Champion Wrestling teams. His college record was 127-36. In 2008, Jacob won the FILA World Wrestling title at 74 kilos. He finished second in 2009, losing to Ben Askren in the finals. Jacob went to chiropractic school at Northwestern Health Science University, graduating from there in 2008.
Jacob began a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). He ended his MMA and UFC career with an impressive 19-7 record. Jacob continues to give back to the sport he loves. Each summer, he returns to his hometown of Henning and puts on a free OTC wrestling camp for grades K-12.
Today, Jacob resides in Hugo, MN, and is a chiropractor. He has three kids: Sophia, Francis, and Harper.
Al Doty – Pioneer Recipient
Al Doty attended Campbell High School, graduating from there in 1963. Al was a musician in high school (and college), playing the trumpet. There was no wrestling program at his high school. Al continued his studies at the University of Minnesota-Morris, where he had two friends (later roommates) who wrestled (Ron Hains and Lenny Haupert ), and he thought it looked like fun. Leif Lee was the wrestling coach and encouraged Al to give wrestling a try, even though he had no wrestling experience. The very first wrestling match Al ever saw was his own, against NDSU, where he quickly lost to a kid on full scholarship. Al competed at 123 pounds until the end of the season when he dropped down to 115 pounds and won the 1964 Pioneer College Conference title. He lettered all four seasons at UMM.
Upon graduating from Morris with degrees in Political Science, History, and Social Studies, Al went to a year of graduate school at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Al competed in the Canadian Olympic Team Trials in 1968, where he took down the Provincial champion before being pinned. After a year in Manitoba, Al applied for a job in Pierz, where they had just opened a new high school after years of having only a public elementary and junior high school. The new high school continued programs from the old Catholic High School, even though construction hadn’t been completed yet. That meant that wrestling practice was held on the stage as a 7th-hour activity, not after school. Taking time out of that hour to get dressed, do warmups, shower, and catch the bus to go home didn’t leave much actual time to wrestle! They didn’t have great numbers that first year but steadily improved over time after Al lobbied to start an activity bus. The first activity bus was Al’s ‘66 Chevy, where he took home half a dozen wrestlers who wouldn’t have been able to participate without a ride home. His first assistant coach (Michael Toumi) was hired mid-season as a result of a kid practicing arm drags getting thrown off the stage and breaking his arm. Al coached in Pierz from 1968-1986. (18 years total, with winning seasons all of the last 17.) Al’s record was 180-67-5. Several of his wrestlers competed in and placed at the State tournament, including back when there was only one class for the entire state. Al remembers two significant and tough referee calls that cost his wrestlers the match, both in the state tournament-one was a stalemate call with the opponent in a pin hold on his back, and the other was two stall warnings in 3 seconds that tied the match with a defending state champ, after which his wrestler lost in overtime. Al continued to teach until his retirement in 1999. He is proud of the work he did in both teaching and coaching, pleased with how others continued to expand and improve the program, and especially proud of the accomplishments of his wrestlers on the mat and afterward. Today, Al resides in Royalton with his wife, Donna. They have two kids and five grandchildren.
Jim Zimmermann – Pioneer Recipient
Jim Zimmermann attended St. John’s Prep, graduating from there in 1956. While there, he played a variety of sports (which at the time was encouraged and expected), including wrestling, basketball, baseball, and track. Jim continued his studies at St. John’s University, where he was a Math major with an English minor and a Physics Minor. After graduating in 1960, Jim took a job at Owatonna-Marion, a Catholic high school. He was an assistant basketball coach, football coach, and track coach, all volunteer positions. Jim taught English there for two years. In 1962, Jim took a job at Pierz Memorial Catholic School, teaching math and some religion courses. The school was divided into two buildings; in one building, there were two male teachers, one who taught industrial arts and one who taught agriculture classes. In the other building, there were four priests, nine nuns, and Jim. At the time, there was only basketball and baseball offered. Fr. Kinzer approached him and said, “We want to start a wrestling program. We need a coach, and you’re it.” Jim had about 15-20 kids in his first year of coaching wrestling. They didn’t have any equipment. Their “mat” was a bunch of old mattresses taken from the nearby bomb shelter. They did get a mat the second year, and they even wrestled a few schools in the area. Jim coached for two years and was replaced by Bernie Stube from Ely, who had some wrestling experience. Jim began coaching the JV basketball team and eventually became the head basketball coach. Jim taught there for six years before taking a job at Univac in Eagan, MN. His company was eventually purchased by Honeywell, and Jim took a job out in Phoenix, where he worked until retiring in 1997. Jim had two kids (Mary and Tony) and four grandkids with Lois (who died in 1993 due to breast cancer) and then married Pat, and among the two of them, they have 14 grandkids. Today, Jim and Pat reside in Pierz.
Todd Bergeron – Coach
Todd Bergeron attended Oklee High School, graduating from there in 1987. Todd was involved in football and wrestling. He wrestled under the guidance of Hall of Fame Coaches Charlie Bishop and Gary Brantl. Todd was a team captain in his senior year in football, and he was also selected as All-Conference. Todd was a four-time state entrant. In 1985, he went out in the consolation semifinals (what used to be called the “blood round” because the MSHSL only placed four per weight class in both A and AA). In 1986, Todd was the 98-pound Class A State Champion, and in 1987, Todd was crowned the 105-pound Class A State Champion. Todd’s high school record was 135-19-1; he was undefeated in both his junior and senior seasons. Most of Todd’s losses were when he was younger and barely weighed enough to compete at the lowest weight class.
Todd attended UND for a year, then transferred to Mayville State. Todd was a two-time NAIA national qualifier. His collegiate record was 86-39, and he was the team captain for two years. Todd graduated from Mayville in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a coaching minor.
After college, Todd was an assistant coach in Thief River Falls for a year and then taught at the Cathedral in Crookston for two years, where he was an assistant coach for Hall of Fame coach Rodd Olson before moving out to Pahrump, NV. He taught, officiated, and coached for seven years before moving to Greenbush, MN. Todd coached at Badger-Greenbush Middle River High School from 2003 to 2019. His coaching record was 240-78. His teams won the Section 8 title in 2005 (6th), 2012 (4th), and 2019. Todd was selected as Section Coach of the Year three times. His teams were also Section 8 runners-up 11 times. Todd coached 87 state entrants, 34 medalists, and six state champs.
Todd continues to reside and teach in Greenbush. He and his wife, Melinda, have three kids: Ryan, Bailey, and Bryce. Ryan is a Senior Editor for the Annandale newspaper. Bailey is a nurse at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, and Bryce works at BBE High School.
Bruce Olson – Coach
Bruce Olson attended Osage High School (Iowa), graduating from there in 1973. Bruce was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, wrestling, and track. He was a state entrant as a senior, placing fifth at 119.
Bruce earned an A.A. degree from North Iowa Area Community College and a B.S. degree in Social Studies from Minnesota State University- Mankato. He later earned an MS degree in Educational Leadership from MSU-Mankato and an Administrative licensure from St. Cloud State University. He was a three-year college wrestling letter winner and an Academic All-American. In 1978, Olson accepted a teaching and coaching position in Lamberton, Minnesota, and held that position for 25 years. He was then the Principal of Red Rock Central High School for nine years, and he became Superintendent in 2014 and worked there until his retirement in 2019. Bruce’s coaching record was 171-128-8. His 2001 team was the Section 3AA Champion and placed 4th in State. Bruce was named the 2001 Section Coach of the Year. He was also a coach at the Minnesota-Wisconsin All-Star Duels. Bruce coached several state qualifiers, state place winners, and champions in his career. Bruce’s loyalty to the program was evident; this was Bruce’s first and only teaching position after graduating from college. Bruce is married to his wife Susan, and they have three daughters, Natalie, Lindsay, and Sarah and six grandchildren. Bruce and Susan reside in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Efrem Novacek – Coach/Contributor
Efrem Novacek attended Greenbush High School, graduating from there in 1985. The Novacek name was well-known in the northern part of the state as not only being very good wrestlers but also good and hard-working people. Efrem was section champ at 138 pounds in his senior year and advanced to the state tournament. Efrem’s record in high school was 46-27-3, and he was captain of his team his senior year. Efrem continued to wrestle at NDSCS for a year, then returned home to farm. Efrem assisted Hall of Fame Coach Doug Dahl, Nels Onstad, Jesse Nelson, Tim Bowland, Hall of Fame inductee Todd Bergeron, and also his son Isaac, who is currently Badger-Greenbush-Middle River wrestling’s head coach. Efrem was honored as the Assistant Coach of the Year four times in his 36 years as an assistant coach. Efrem had the chance to coach his sons, Isaac (a 5-time state entrant, placed 6th, was a state champion, and placed 3rd) and Owen (a 4-time state entrant, placed 4th and 3rd). Daughter Aunica served as the team manager and is now a PA, giving back by doing the weight certifications. Efrem’s calm demeanor, as well as his wrestling knowledge, went a long way in a very demanding sport. His time, dedication, and kindness were instrumental in the team’s success over the years. Efrem and his wife Tammy reside near Greenbush and have three kids: Isaac, Owen, and Aunica, as well as three grandkids: Jens, Millie, and Blair.
Larry Herm – Coach/Contributor
Larry Herm attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Illinois, graduating from there in 1977. Larry played football, wrestled, and competed in track in high school and was a three-year letter winner. Larry attended Winona State University, where he played football and wrestled. There, he was a four-year letter winner. Larry graduated from Winona in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. He would later earn his Master’s Degree from St. Cloud State University in 2001. Larry took a teaching job at Foley High School in 1982, and he taught and coached there until his retirement in 2017. Larry served in a variety of roles at Foley High School: head football coach, assistant wrestling coach, strength coach, assistant tennis coach, assistant football coach, and assistant track coach. He worked as a cycling instructor as well as taught Driver’s Education. Larry has served as a professional and motivational speaker on numerous occasions. Larry’s football coaching record was 157-109 while acting as the head football coach for 27 years, including a state title in 1998 and a Final Four appearance in 2000. Larry was a part of Foley’s 20 trips to the state team tournament, as well as state titles in 1989, 1993, and 1994. According to former Foley High School Head Wrestling Coach Lyle Freudenberg, “Larry Herm’s name was synonymous with Foley Wrestling for over 30 years. His influence was instrumental in helping Foley achieve incredible success. He had an incredible work ethic. His strength and conditioning system helped to create the well-conditioned wrestlers Foley was known for. He worked to develop great relationships with his athletes and helped to produce not only great wrestlers but great people.” Jeremy Lavigne, a former wrestler for Foley, wrote that “wrestling is a sport recruiting extreme conditioning to succeed and Coach Herm’s commitment to this shows through in the constant improvement of the wrestling program at Foley during his years as a coach.” Shane Keating, a former wrestler, wrote, “Coach Herm approached his work with a passion and intensity that few possess, and he cared as much about your development as a person as your development as an athlete. He was a coach who talked as much about honor, integrity, and sportsmanship as he did about a Granby roll and a cross-face. You cannot talk about Foley wrestling without talking about Coach Larry Herm.” Larry’s assistant football coach, David Dahlstrom, wrote, “One of the things that really sticks with me about Larry is his willingness to continue learning. He understands the importance of learning and implementing the new training methods to best assist athletes.” Larry has received numerous awards in his career, including the Cal Stoll Award in 2021, an award given to a football coach who overcame adversity. (Larry was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017.) In addition, Larry has served as an Elder at his church for over 10 years.
Larry served as the assistant football coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach at Bethel University from 2016 to his retirement in July 2024. Larry and his wife, Susan, reside in Foley and have two married sons with five grandkids: Ryan and Joanna (Jake, Javi, and Fannie,) Eric and Blaire (Ellee and Henry).
Tom Kuisle – Coach/Official
Tom Kuisle attended Stewartville High School, graduating from there in 1968. Tom participated in wrestling for 3 years. His farming dad said he could choose a sport that didn’t cause him to be away from the farm in the Spring planting and Fall harvesting. The choice of wrestling was obvious. Tom attended Mankato State, where he received a degree in Art Education. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Minnesota State, Mankato, in 1996. Tom taught at Tracy High School from 1973-1985, serving as the head wrestling coach from 1981-85. He then took a job at Fairmont, where he served as an assistant wrestling coach in 1986-1987, a junior varsity coach in 1988, and then as the varsity coach from 1989-2018. Tom had a chance to coach some very notable athletes from both schools:
- Scott Snobl, eventual state runner-up and 2-time NSIC champ from Southwest State;
- Jeff Balcom, 1986 State Champ, University of MN wrestler, and a Big 10 Runner-up;
- Tim Shaikoski, state runner-up in 1989;
- Jake Titeje, 1997 State Champ;
- Josh Tietge, State Champ; Mike Wubenna, 5-time state entrant and 4-time place winner;
- Bronson Steuber, 4th in state and eventual state runner-up and 3-time State Champ.
While at Fairmont, Tom coached 27 state participants and 18 state place winners, including two state champs.
Tom also coached track and field as the pole vault coach; one of his athletes (Kirsten Olinger) went on to be an All-American in the hammer throw at Gustavus. Tom has served as a mat official for over 50 years in Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling. He serves on the USWOA Board of Directors and has been a fixture at the local, state, regional, and national levels for years. This includes being the head official of the National Tournament in Fargo (16U FS, 16U Greco, Junior FS, Junior Greco). He was a key leader in bringing AAU, Land O’Lakes, and Federation organizations under the blanket of MN/USA wrestling. He currently serves as MN/USA Wrestling Head Official/Tournament Director, as well as serving on the MN/USA Wrestling Board of Directors. He also serves as the USA Wrestling Officials Association Website Director. Tom, along with other members of the Kuisle family, was honored recently with the Family Legacy Award for Section 1 in Southeastern MN for outstanding contributions to wrestling. United States Olympic Official Sam Julian commented, “Tom has continued to go above and beyond for the sport we all love for many years. He does so much for the United States Wrestling Officials Association behind the scenes and has been instrumental in forming better relationships between coaches and officials. Tom is a key leader on and off the mat. I’m truly lucky to call him a mentor and friend.” United States Olympic official Casey Brennan commented, “Tom has been instrumental in helping develop our referee members, all the while knowing that the advancement of wrestling requires a constant need to find new referees and foster their growth to make wrestling even better than it already is.” Scott Snobl, high school wrestling official and USA Wrestling official, commented, “Tom Kuisle is a pillar of the Minnesota Wrestling Family, and our sport is in a better place due to his influence and efforts.” Rob Crowe, USA Wrestling official, commented that “Tom’s proactive leadership and being willing to facilitate an open dialogue to help coaches and officials come together to set clear expectations for the officials and coach’s conduct has been successful in avoiding negative interactions.” Steve Ricard, high school wrestling official and USA Wrestling official, wrote, “Tom has made a very positive mark on many lives across the country. He is always a “family first” sort of man, and he understands the big picture of what wrestling can do for anyone.” Tom has been married for 52 years to Linda, and they reside near Kellogg, MN. They have two grown sons, Josh and Pete, who are UWW Category 1 International officials. Tom and Linda also take great pride in their three grandkids.
Bruce Wilson – Contributor/Official
Bruce Wilson attended Wheaton High School, graduating from there in 1978. Bruce participated in football, wrestling, and baseball. Bruce won multiple tournament championships and was a two-time District 21 Champion 1977-1978 (and District 21 MVP 1978), a three-time Region 6 champion in 1976-1977-1978, and a three-time state entrant, placing second at 119 pounds in 1976 and 5th at 126 pounds in 1977. Bruce was coached by Allen Kuvaas and Jim Milne at Wheaton. His high school record was 107-24-1. He was a 5-year starter on his high school baseball team and team captain and MVP his senior year. He was a 3-year varsity football player and team defensive MVP his senior year in football. Bruce also received the “Outstanding Male Athlete Award” at WHS in 1978. He continued his wrestling at NDSCS 1980-1982 and was coached by Larry McDaniels and Dale Grosz, where he was a two-time Region 13 Champ and NJCAA National qualifier, also winning several tournament championships, along with being the team captain and being voted the “Hardest Worker” on the team both years he was at NDSCS. Bruce graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management, and his college record was 51-16.
Bruce “gave back” to the sport of wrestling by becoming a high school and college wrestling official from 1983 to 2002. When he started officiating, he was guided under the tutelage of Dave Carlsrud and Dan Unruh. He officiated in ten MSHSL state championships and multiple high school/college duels and tournaments, including the NAIA National Championships 1995-1996. He traveled the states of MN, ND, and SD on a regular basis. Bruce fully enjoyed the friendships and camaraderie that were created with his officiating community, along with the many coaches and athletes he got to know over his 20 years of officiating.
Bruce and his wife, Jennifer (deceased), have a grown daughter, Jordan. Bruce grew up in Dumont, MN, and comes from a family of four brothers and one sister. Bruce now resides in Burnsville, MN, and also spends time in Scottsdale, AZ. He is the owner/operator of Wilson Company Marketing & Promotions, Inc.
Les Plumley – Coach/Contributor
Les Plumley attended Bird Island High School, graduating in 1977. He was a Region 4 champion and a state entrant at 112 pounds in his senior year, placing third while wrestling for Scott Brown. His high school record was 55-5. After graduation, Les attended Granite Falls Technical Institute. He was invited to attend a wrestling practice at Southwest State, where Mike Sterner was the head coach. Les and his brother Lynn both transferred to Southwest State. Les was a three-time NSIC Runner-up, finishing 3rd in 1979 at 126 pounds, 2nd in 1980 at 126 pounds, 1981 at 126 pounds, and 1983 at 134 pounds He was a three-time NAIA All-American, placing 6th at 126 pounds in 1979, 7th at 126 pounds in 1981, (redshirted in 1982), and 3rd at 134 pounds in 1983. Les worked as an assistant coach at Southwest State for Mike Sterner and then at Superior State in Wisconsin under Scott Davis before coaching for Scott Davis at Owatonna. He then coached for Mike Engles at SDSU for three years and then for Rick Kelvington at BOLD High in 1996 and 1997. Hall of Fame inductee Tom Gruhlke wrote, “Les has been a strong supporter and fan of not only his alma mater but the wrestling community as a whole. By far his greatest accomplishments came as a coach and in particular when he was an assistant on the BOLD staff that went to state in 2002 (Consolation Champs) and won the state team title in 2003. Les was tireless in his scouting of opponents. Les earned the respect of his fellow coaches throughout the West Central Area and Minnesota. The accolades achieved pale in comparison to friendships made along the way with coaches and kids.” Les is a retired agriculturalist still living in the Olivia area and has three grown kids: Brittany, Paige, and Connor.
Lynn Plumley – Coach/Contributor
Lynn Plumley attended Bird Island High School, graduating in 1977. He was a Region 4 champion and a state entrant in 1976. An injury on the night of the District seeding meeting prevented Lynn from finishing his senior season. Lynn’s high school record was 94-8. Lynn attended Granite Falls Technical Institute for a year, then decided to, along with brother Les, attend school and wrestle at Southwest State University under Coach Mike Sterner. Lynn finished 2nd in the NSIC in 1979 at 134, 4th in 1980, redshirted in 1981, and was the NSIC Conference Champ in 1982 at 134 pounds and again in 1983 at 142 pounds Lynn was an NAIA All-American in 1983, placing third at 142 pounds Hall of Fame inductee Tom Gruhlke wrote “Lynn led by example. He faced everything with a positive attitude. He served as the Junior High Coach for many years and led that program with a firm but steady hand. Every year, Lynn delivered kids to the varsity level, ready to compete and win. He prepared kids with the ability to wrestle, but they also came to the next level with newfound maturity. His motto was “Work hard, and you will be rewarded.” BOLD benefitted from Lynn Plumley, and I became a better coach because of him.”
Lynn is still actively farming and living in the Bird Island area with his wife, Kelly. They have three grown kids: Shawn, Kathi Jo, and Kory.
Tom Gruhlke – Coach
Tom Gruhlke attended Aitkin High School, graduating from there in 1976. Tom was a state entrant in 1976. He wrestled for Hall of Fame Coach Noel Bailey. Tom‘s record in high school was 65-19-2.
- 1974 District 16 Runner-Up 98 pounds – One Class
- 1975 District 16 Champion 105 pounds – One Class
- 1976 MidState Conference Champion – Voted Outstanding Wrestler
- 1976 Region 5 Runner-Up – Two Class
- 1976 MSHSL State Entrant
Tom attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. He was a 2 Time National Tournament Qualifier in 1979 and 1980 at 142 pounds. Tom was the Head Coach at Bird Island-Lake Lillian from 1980-1984, Buffalo Lake-Hector from 1985-1996, BOLD from 2001-2010, Eden Prairie from 2012-2014 and 2019 – 2021 and Head Coach at Ridgewater College from 2015-2018. Tom was a volunteer coach at Hutchinson from 1996 to 2000 and currently volunteers at Sartell High School. Along with all this, Tom co-coached the Minnesota Senior Wrestlers at the National High School Tournament held in Pittsburgh, PA, for 10 years.
Tom has now coached for 45 years, and his teams have a combined record of 341-318-3, winning a State Team Championship in 2003 and Consolation Champions in 2002 and 2006. He was Section 4A Coach of the Year in 2002-2003, Section 5AA Coach of the Year in 2005-2006, and MN Coach of the Year in 2003. Tom’s leadership as President of the MWCA helped the MSHSL transition to a restructured tournament where the duals are held on Thursday, with the Individual tournament following on Friday and Saturday.
Scott Fransen, insurance agent and former Buffalo Lake wrestler, who has worked with Tom for over 30 years, wrote, “I believe the most impressive thing about Tom is the number of kids he has coached who have, in turn, given back to the sport. I believe Tom’s love and enthusiasm for the sport was contagious, and many of the kids he has coached have, in turn, given back to the sport as volunteers, coaches, and officials. Tom deeply cares for the athletes he has coached. He has helped numerous athletes get into college, find employment and change their lives when they have come on hard times. He has helped kids who have made poor choices find themselves and turn into solid citizens.”
Perry Fink, former Head Coach of Canby, wrote, “What impressed me most about Tom was his willingness to help other wrestlers who were not on his team. I heard Tom often give advice or encouragement to many wrestlers from opposing teams in our section as well as scouting information on their next opponent.”
Justin Kubesh, former BOLD wrestler, wrote, “Tom’s coaching career has been more than just athletic achievement; it embodies compassion and profound mentorship. Tom’s guidance and support helped me to find belonging through wrestling.”
Will Sather, former Eden Prairie wrestler, adds, “Personally, Coach Gruhlke played an instrumental role in my development as a wrestler. Under his guidance, I won my first state title as a Sophomore, a feat that would not have been possible without his unwavering belief in my abilities and his tireless dedication to helping me reach my full potential.”
Steve Wadsworth, former Bird Island-Lake Lillian wrestler, profoundly writes, “I would not have the life I have today if it wasn’t for Tom Gruhlke. Tom saw an awful situation and addressed it head-on on changing my life forever. I feel incredibly lucky and honored to have crossed paths with Tom Gruhlke at a young age. My life will forever be positively impacted by his selfless acts, caring gestures and encouraging spirit. This wrestling community is better because Tom is a part of it and is deserving of this award.”
Today, Tom resides in Victoria, MN, with his wife, Cindy. They have three married children, Brad, Anna, and Leia, and 11 grandchildren who promise to keep him active for years to come!