On Saturday, April 25th, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter, held its annual Honors Banquet at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Austin, Minn. The banquet room was packed, and many former Hall of Fame inductees attended.
Jenny Wong was the 2026 Outstanding American Inductee. Matt Clark, Bill Benson, Steve Costanzo, Mike Langlais, Russ Holland, Bruce Moe, Annette and Corey Olson, and Paul Vaith were inducted for the Lifetime Service Award.
Learn about the latest Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductees. The 2026 Induction Dinner will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Austin, Minn. Inductees will be Matt Clark, Bill Benson, Steve Costanzo, Mike Langlais, Russ Holland, Bruce Moe, Annette and Corey Olson, Paul Vaith, and Jenny Wong.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Minnesota Chapter is proud to announce the induction of Jenny Wong as its Outstanding American from Minnesota. Honorees for the Lifetime Service Award are Matt Clark, Bill Benson, Steve Costanzo, Mike Langlais, Russ Holland, Bruce Moe, Annette and Corey Olson, and Paul Vaith.
Joseph and Vaith named MWCA Coaches of the Year
Derrick Cardinal of Forest Lake is this year’s Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling.
The MWCA annually presents the Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler award to the senior that best exemplifies the highest ideals of high school wrestling in Minnesota. Judging is based on past performances, citizenship, academics, leadership, and adherence to MSHSL rules.
State champions in 1996. Runners-up in 1998 and 2007. Three third-place finishes and three consolation championships. Twelve team state appearances. Eighteen conference championships. Numerous all-state wrestlers and countless all-conference. All of those numbers help encapsulate, but come nowhere near defining, the last three decades of excellence by the Hastings Raiders wrestling program. With the exception of one season, the program has been led by two men during that time, both of whom immediately come to mind when Raiders wrestling is brought up: Paul Vaith and Josh McLay. Vaith has coached McLay, McLay has coached under Vaith and now their relationship has come full circle as McLay leads the Raiders with Vaith’s help. Continue reading at www.hastingsstargazette.com