June 28, 2024

Wrestlers pay homage to their past in first-ever Hall of Fame gathering

By Caleb Nelson
Wrestlers and those associated with wrestlers from the 1953-63 high school wrestling teams at an event Saturday night were from left, Mike McDermott (1953), Gerald Kirkland (1953), Gary Vorrath (1954), Darry Chiles (1955-56), Jay Howe (1956-58), Rory Benton for father Marion Benton (1954-57), Leo Herrick (1957-59), Ted Funke (1958-60), Laura Leander for father Denny Leander (1955-56), Ron Hager (1962-63) and John Gruss (1962-65). Next year begins Hall of Fame inductions for this event.

Wrestlers and those associated with wrestlers from the 1953-63 high school wrestling teams at an event Saturday night were from left, Mike McDermott (1953), Gerald Kirkland (1953), Gary Vorrath (1954), Darry Chiles (1955-56), Jay Howe (1956-58), Rory Benton for father Marion Benton (1954-57), Leo Herrick (1957-59), Ted Funke (1958-60), Laura Leander for father Denny Leander (1955-56), Ron Hager (1962-63) and John Gruss (1962-65). Next year begins Hall of Fame inductions for this event. (Caleb Nelson)

The Nodaway Valley/OM wrestling team said thank you to its past members, all the way back to 1953 when the program began, at an event Saturday at the high school.

The Nodaway Valley Wrestling Hall of Fame committee has been formed with the mission of honoring those who have achieved much for the program and/or sport on and off the mat in history. The committee consists of Brad Honnold, Steve McClelland, Logan Queck, Tim Baier and Mike Beaman.

This year’s event honored members of the first 10 teams in program history from 1953-1963. Next year, the committee will induct the first Hall of Fame honorees in an event that will include a meal at Sixteen Oaks in Fontanelle.

The committee is taking nominations for next year’s Hall inductees.

At this year’s event, memories and various tidbits about those first 10 teams were shared, after this year’s team went through an open practice in the gymnasium and were introduced to the crowd.

Caleb Nelson

Caleb Nelson

Caleb Nelson has served as News Editor of the Adair County Free Press and Fontanelle Observer since Oct. 2017. He and his wife Kilee live in Greenfield. In Greenfield and the greater Adair County area, he values the opportunity to tell peoples' stories, enjoys playing guitar, following all levels of sports, and being a part of his local church.