Wisconsin Wrestling Association, 659 Wildfire Lane, Milton, WI (2026)

09/04/2026

50 Stories in 50 Days-Our Proud Past Built Our Promising Future
Celebrating 50 Years of The George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame
Member Spotlight: Ben Peterson (Class of 1977)

Ben grew up in the northwestern Wisconsin farming community of Comstock. At Cumberland High School football and wrestling caught his interest. He finished 2nd in the State Wrestling Tournament. At Iowa State University Ben studied Architecture, was a 2x National Champion in wrestling at the 190 pound weight class and was part of 2 National Championship Teams

This success catapulted Ben into the Olympics where he won a gold medal in Munich Germany in 1972 and silver in Montreal Canada in1976. His brother, John, received silver medal in ’72 and a gold medal in ’76. During Ben’s career he won 5 National freestyle Championships, the Pan Americans and made the 1980 Olympic Team which was boycotted by the US..

In 1973 Ben began coaching at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin where he was Head Wrestling Coach for 28 seasons.

Ben and John began Camp of Champs Wrestling Camps in 1977, the same year he was inducted into the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame. Camp of Champs trained several hundred WI wrestlers each and every year. In 1986 Ben was inducted as a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Thank you for all your contributions to our sport Ben!

09/02/2026

50 Stories in 50 Days-Our Proud Past Built Our Promising Future
George Martin Hall of Fame Spotlight: Bob Olson-Class of 2003

A successful wrestler, coach and advocate for promoting all that is great with Wisconsin Wrestling, tonight's story highlights the contributions of 2003 George Martin Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Olson from New Richmond.

Bob wrestled at UW - River Falls for four years under the direction of Byron James. Bob qualified three times for the national tournament. In 1966 Bob was a quarter finalist and received All-American honors. Bob was a regional champion for the 1968 Olympic trials.

In the fall of 1967, Somerset High School was looking for a mathematics teacher and coach. Bob got the position as the only mathematics teacher, head wrestling coach, and head track coach. Somerset had started a program the previous year. Bob stated they started virtually the same way as he had --- an introduction to wrestling with a coach, who had no previous experience.

A mathematics position and head wrestling position became available at New Richmond High School in the fall of 1972. Bob applied and was awarded the positions. He coached until 1992 and retired from teaching in 1998.

During Bob's 25 years of coaching, his teams earned a dual meet record of 196 - 139 - 4 record with one conference championship. There have been 36 conference champions, 24 state qualifiers, 11 place winners, three state champions and two runners-up.

For 26 years Bob was co-host of the MatTalk program broadcast over WIXK Radio in New Richmond. In its infancy the show was a half hour taped program. It developed into an hour long, live program featuring wrestling in northwestern Wisconsin. Its intent was to promote the wrestling programs of local teams.

Bob has represented the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association (Now the WWA) in many aspects. He was District I representative for six years, Hall Of Fame Chairman for ten years, and on the WIAA Wrestling Rules Advisory Committee for two years. Also, Bob helped develop the portable display to feature the Hall of Fame inductees.

Thank you for all you have done to shape the success of WI Wrestling Bob!

09/02/2026

NEW: 2026 Annual Convention and George Martin 50th Anniversary Celebration Tickets Now Available For Purchase

The registration link for our 2026 Annual Conference and the opportunity to purchase tickets to the 50th Annual Celebration of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame is now live. You won't want to miss this special event, filled with great coaching clinics, networking opportunities and a special celebration planned for the 50th Anniversary of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame. You can register for both on our website at https://wwca.wildapricot.org/Convention

09/02/2026

50 Stories in 50 days-Our Proud Past Built Our Promising Futurre
Celebrating 50 Years of the George Martin Hall of Fame:
Inductee Spotlight-Class of 1983: Rick Lawinger

While at Mineral Point High School from 1966-1970, Rick was a WIAA State Champion, Tri-State Champion and High School All-American. Other accomplishments while at the University of Wisconsin-Madison were three times Most Valuable team member - 1972-73-74, three times Most Dedicated - 1972-73-74, two times Most Takedowns - 1973-74, most falls - 1974, two times Captain - 1973-74, two times Big Ten Champion and a career record of 130-17-1.

In international competition Rick competed in the 1973 World University Games. Rick was a Bronze Medallist in Moscow, Russia.

Rich retired from competition in 1974 and began coaching at River Valley High School. His teams were rated number one both in 1978 and 1979. His team compiled a dual meet record of 65-9. His teams placed in the top 5 three times and earned the runner-up trophy in 1978. He coached eleven state place winners including two-time state champion Dennis Limmex.

You can learn more about how to help us celebrate 50 years of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame at https://wwca.wildapricot.org/GMHoF-50th/

08/31/2026

50 Stories in 50 Days-Our Proud Past Built Our Promising Future
Celebrating the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame
Spotlight: Class of 1979 Inductee Vern Pieper

As we celebrate our proud past and celebrate our promising future, we share the story of the legendary Vern Pieper, a class of 1979 Inductee into the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame

Laverne "Vern" Pieper coached 7 State Team championships along with 20 Badger Conference championships, 28 State Individual champions plus 53 other state place winners. Of those two individuals became silver medalists in the Olympics and both became Big Ten coaches. (Ohio State and Wisconsin)

In 1997-1998 his team scored 140 points in the State wrestling tournament; the highest point total in the 45-year history of state wrestling tournaments, still stands today.

Vern received many accolades throughout his career. Some of which are;
1968 Madison Area Sportsman Award
1975 Wisconsin High School Coach of the Year - Scholastic Wrestling News
1976 Wisconsin Coach of the Year
1977 Wrestlers of WI Award for Being President
1978 Twenty-five Year Coaching Award
1979 WI George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame
1988 Wrestling USA Man-of-the-Year
1994 Stoughton Sports Booster Club President's Recognition Award
1997 Officiated NCAA III Wrestling Championships
1997 Stoughton High School Honorary "S" Club Member
1999 Richland Center Wrestling and Athletic Hall of Fame
2000 Winona State University Athletic Hall of Fame

You can learn more about how to help us celebrate the George Martin Wrestling Hall of fame on our website at https://wwca.wildapricot.org/GMHoF-50th/

08/30/2026

50 Stories To Celebrate 50 Years
2019 George Martin Hall of Fame Inductee-Alyssa Lampe

As we continue to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame, we spotlight another pioneer in WI Wrestling-Class of 2019 George Martin Hall of Fame Inductee Alyssa Lampe.

Alyssa accomplished amazing things in high school boys wrestling that were unheard of at the time. Alyssa was an example of what females could do if given the opportunity. During her high school career, she was 133-21, an .811 winning percentage. In addition to All-Conference honors she was the first female to win Regional and Sectional titles in the state of Wisconsin.

Alyssa was a pioneer for girls across the state and nation. She made history when she became the first female to qualify for boys state her sophomore year and continued all the way to the State finals her senior year. She had the eyes of the state and nation on her. She was also a tremendously successful international competitor, proudly representing our country and placing in the top 3 in multiple competitions between the years 2007-2014. Thank you for all you did in helping grow WI Wrestling into what is today Alyssa!

08/29/2026

MEDIA RELEASE:
Details of WWA's 50th Anniversary Celebration of the
George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame Released

We are excited to share more details about the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame celebration in the media release below. Information about how to sponsor this special event is available on our website at https://wwca.wildapricot.org/GMHoF-50th/

08/28/2026

Our Stories-Our Proud Past-Our Promising Future:
50 years of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame

Inductee Spotlight: Tom McGarvie

As we continue to build the excitement for our celebration of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame, we will be telling 50 stories about our many inductees, honoring our proud past, and celebrating a promising future.

Today's Spotlight: Class of 2011 Inductee Tom McGarvie

Tom has spent a lifetime helping grow the great sport of wrestling and continues to serve the WWA as the Chair of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame committee. A successful wrestler, coach and a person who is known for getting the very best out of each and every individual he works with, Tom's commitment to the betterment of our sport and honoring those who helped wrestling grow in Wisconsin remains unmatched. Thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do Tom!

08/27/2026

NEW-Class of 2026 George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee: Joe Reasbeck

We are pleased to introduce our 7th and final inductee from the Class of 2026 George Martin Hall of Fame Inductees is Joe Reasbeck. Joe has had a profound impact on Wisconsin Wrestling as both a competitor and a coach. Highlights from his many successful contributions include:

As a Coach and Official, Joe proudly accomplished:

* Inducted into the Martins Ferry High School HOF (2002) (Ohio)

* Inducted into the UW Superior Hall of Fame (2008)

* UW Superior 4yr letterman, two-time WSUS Conference Champion, All-University (1963-67)

* Coach of 1st Place Marine team

*Asst. Coach, UW Superior First Place Conference Team (1971-72)

*Head Coach, Superior High School (20 yrs., 1972-1992)

*Directed/Twin Ports Wrestling Classic

*Directed Twin Ports wrestling clinics

* Organized the Superior Wrestling Association

*Directed the Elks State Wrestling Tournament

*Directed Badger State Games Regional

*Coach/All-Star Team for Iron Range Classic

*Directed the Mertz Morterelli Memorial Wrestling Camp

*Head Coach - USA Wrestling Jr. Freestyle (3 yrs.) and Greco (7 yrs.)

*College Wrestling Official for 20 yrs.

*20 Year Coaching Award – Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Assoc.

*Joe also earned thirty national titles as a competitor in each of the three wrestling styles in both Veterans and AAU Masters divisions, most recently in 2014 at the age of 69. Freestyle (1st), Greco-Roman (1st) and Folkstyle (1st) In addition, he has placed 2nd 12 times, 3rd 5 times, and 4th once. Should have ‘retired’ in 2016 he certainly would have had a grand finally, competing in the 2015 Veterans World Championships in Athens, Greece, placing 2nd in freestyle and 4th in Greco.

Congratulations Joe on this well-earned recognition!

08/26/2026

NEW: Class of 2026 George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee: Eric Lehrke

We are pleased to announce our next Class of 2026 George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee is Eric Lehrke. A successful wrestler, coach and official for more than 30 years, the highlights from his strong nomination include:

-1982 WIAA Individual State Runner-Up and member of DC Everest State Championship team that year
-3 year letter winner at University of Minnesota
-30 year head coach DC Everest where he led the team to a 1994 D1 WIAA Team State Runner Up finish
-11 WIAA State Individual Champions, 30 State Place Winners and 42 Conference Champions
-Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Coach and district rep
-30 years of officiating at all 3 levels of NCAA College wrestling

Perhaps equally important is Eric's demeanor. He is humble, selfless and does not seek accolades or recognition for his efforts in growing our sport, but instead merely seeks to have a positive impact on the lives he helps develop through the sport of wrestling.

Congratulations on this well deserved recognition Eric!

Wisconsin Wrestling Association

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