Six new members were inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association (MWCA) Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 30th, 2021 in Benson, Minn.
The new inductees honored were Tom Campanaro, Mark Costello, Tom Gravalin, Gary Heydt, Don Krusemark, and Joel Skillings.
Learn about the latest Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association David Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductees. The 2021 Fall Induction Dinner will take place on October 30th in Benson, Minn. Inductees will be Tom Campanaro, Mark Costello, Tom Gravalin, Gary Heydt, Don Krusemark, and Joel Skillings.
On Saturday, October 3rd the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association held their Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame Banquet. The celebration, originally scheduled for May 2nd, was held in Benson, Minn. Attendance was considerably less than normal because of the current pandemic.
2020 inductees Dave Droegemueller, Loren Hacker, Dan Jinks, Don Kuusinen, and Brian “Buck” Lindberg were present and participated in the inductions. 2020 inductees who have opted to be part of the 2021 induction acceptance speeches are Brian Bakke, Tom Campanaro, Mark Costello, and Bob Mueller.
The 2020 Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association David Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, originally scheduled for May 2nd, is on track to take place October 3rd in Benson, Minn. Inductees will be Dave Droegemuller, Loren Hacker, Dan Jinks, Don Kussinen, and Brian “Buck” Lindberg. Brian Bakke, Tom Campanaro, Mark Costello, and Bob Mueller have elected to be inducted next spring at the 2021 banquet.
Tom Campanaro will never forgot how Neil Jennissen “recruited” him to serve as an assistant coach for the Cambridge-Isanti wrestling program back in 1995.
“When we met, Neil had a six-pack of Schmidt Beer waiting for me,” Campanaro said. “That’s my favorite. Obviously he did his research on me.”
Jennissen, the longtime head coach of program, said his research didn’t prepare him for the man he met.
“Several people had told me of this guy who would play golf at Purple Hawk – by running for nine holes while carrying a few clubs with him,” Jennissen said. “And they said, ‘All he wants to do is talk wrestling.’ When we met, he was totally enthusiastic about working with our kids. It was an easy decision to have him be a part of our program.”
Campanaro has served as an assistant coach for the Bluejackets ever since. And this year the 68-year-old’s service and commitment to the program will be honored when he is inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Continue reading at hometownsource.com
The 2020 Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association David Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, originally scheduled for May 2nd, has been rescheduled to take place October 3rd in Benson, Minn. Inductees will be Brian Bakke, Tom Campanaro, Mark Costello, Dave Droegemuller, Loren Hacker, Dan Jinks, Don Kuusinen, Brian “Buck” Lindberg, and Bob Mueller.