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 Bakke 1950-2021
Hall of Famer Gerry Bakke passed away on September 25, 2021. He was 71 years old. A native of Albert Lea, Minn., Bakke was a long-time coach at Buffalo High School in Buffalo, Minn. He was inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Dave Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 20218.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter Inducts 9
On Saturday, April 21st the NWHOF Minnesota Chapter held their 16th annual ceremony and inducted nine distinguished members who have contributed significantly to Minnesota Wrestling. The Awards Ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn Austin, Minn.
Inductees/honorees were Tim Penny as Outstanding American from Minnesota. Donny Wichmann received the State Medal of Courage Award from Minnesota. Honorees for the Lifetime Service Award were Gerry Bakke, Dale Benjamin, Gary Hindt, Ted Lelwica, Marty Morgan, John Oxton, and J Robinson.
NWHOF to Induct 9 new members at the Minnesota Chapter Banquet on April 21st
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Minnesota Chapter Banquet will take place on Saturday, April 21st in Austin, Minn.
Inductees/honorees will be Tim Penny as Outstanding American from Minnesota. Donny Wichmann will receive the State Medal of Courage Award from Minnesota. Honorees for the Lifetime Service Award are Gerry Bakke, Dale Benjamin, Gary Hindt, Ted Lelwica, Marty Morgan, John Oxton, and J Robinson.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame to Induct 9 new members at the Minnesota Chapter Banquet on April 21st
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Minnesota Chapter is proud to announce the induction of Tim Penny as their Outstanding American from Minnesota. Donny Wichmann will receive the State Medal of Courage Award from Minnesota. Honorees for the Lifetime Service Award are Gerry Bakke, Dale Benjamin, Gary Hindt, Ted Lelwica, Marty Morgan, John Oxton, and J Robinson.
The Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Saturday, April 21, 2018, at the Austin Holiday Inn Conference Center, right off I-90, Exit 178A. The reception will begin at 2 p.m. and a Silent Auction will be held from 2 to 4 p.m.The banquet and induction ceremonies will begin at 3 p.m. This is an opportunity for you to honor these great individuals and to promote the positive aspects of our oldest and greatest sport – wrestling!