Tag: Hall of Fame

Fr. Otto Weber ’57 to be Honored by NWCA’s Minnesota Chapter Nov. 24

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By Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – When Maury Meyer heard the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Minnesota Chapter was honoring the late Fr. Otto Weber ’57 with its Lifetime Achievement Award, the longtime coach and administrator at nearby Albany High School could not have been more pleased.

The award will be presented to the former coach and employee at both Saint John’s Prep and Saint John’s University in a ceremony to be held on Nov. 24 in the Great Hall.

The event runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The program itself is scheduled to begin at 2. The event is free, but donations are being accepted. Checks can be made payable to NWHOF-MN Chapter.

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The National Wrestling Hall of Fame to Induct 9 new members at the Minnesota Chapter Banquet on April 25th

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The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Minnesota Chapter is proud to announce the induction of Bud Heidgerken as their Outstanding American from Minnesota. Brian Bakke will receive the State Medal of Courage Award from Minnesota. Honorees for the Lifetime Service Award are Tom Beyer, Mary Davis, Larry Goodnature, Mark Jensen, Don Kuusinen, Bill Schmidt, and the late Father Otto Weber.

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Kevin Ahern to be inducted into Simley High School Hall of Fame

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By Matt Krumrie

It’s no secret wrestlers are tough, hardworking, and resilient.

Kevin Ahern was all of those and more as a student-athlete, wrestler, and football player at Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights in the late 1980s. After high school, Ahern went on to become an All-American wrestler at the University of St. Thomas, and for these accomplishments, and more, he is being inducted into the Simley High School Hall of Fame Friday, September 13 at halftime of the Simley football game against North Saint Paul.

Ahern – the 1988 Simley High School Male Athlete of the Year, finished in the top 10 in his class, was a three-time state qualifier, two-time state placewinner, 1988 state runner-up, and key member of Simley’s 1987 and 1988 state championship wrestling teams – the first in school history. He also earned Academic All-State honors in wrestling and finished his career with a record of 102-28-2.

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National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter Inducts 8

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On Saturday, April 27th the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter held their 17th annual banquet and ceremony and inducted eight distinguished members who have contributed significantly to Minnesota Wrestling and beyond. The celebration was held at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Austin, Minn.

Over 300 people were in attendance, including 28 former Hall of Fame inductees.

Paul Marquart was honored as Outstanding American from Minnesota. Inductees for the Lifetime Service Award were Randy Baker, Jim Bartels, Paul Bengston, Paul Cyr, Lyle Freudenberg, Neal Skaar, and Randy Zimmer.

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NWHOF to induct 8 new members at the Minnesota Chapter Banquet on April 27th

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The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Minnesota Chapter will honor Paul Marquart as their Outstanding American from Minnesota. Lifetime Service inductees are Randy Baker, Jim Bartels, Paul Bengston, Paul Cyr, Lyle Freudenberg, Neal Skaar, and Randy Zimmer.

The Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Austin Holiday Inn Conference Center, right off I-90, Exit 178A. Social hour will be from 2:00-3:00 pm. Dinner, silent auction, and program will be from 3:00-6:30 pm.

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Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame Welcomes Two Gophers

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Two former Gopher grapplers, Chad Erikson and Brad Gibson, will be inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame on May 4, 2019.

Erikson (’02), a two-time All-American with 105 career wins, was part of the 2001 and 2002 National Championship teams, the Gophers first two national titles.

Erikson is sixth all-time on the Gophers list with 40 career pins. He previously coached at Apple Valley High School, the home of many former Gophers, and now works at Minnesota Elite.

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