JACKSON - The second group of inaugural inductees for the Jackson
County Wrestling Hall of Fame has been selected. There are 13
individuals and one couple in the initial group.
All of the inductees will be honored at a ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Jackson County Central Performing Arts Center,
prior to the Huskies’ dual meet with Blue Earth Area that night.
In addition to the induction ceremony prior to the match, a
fund-raising supper will be held at the JCC Commons, and a social is
planned for after the dual at Jackson Golf Club that same night.
The inductees will also be introduced between the JV and varsity matches.
Members of the first group of inductees were Wayne Ailts, Jim Hart,
Gary Natterstad, Dean Libra, Rich Benda, Larry Michelson and Bill
Johnson.
Scott Vancura
Vancura was the first Lakefield Panther to qualify for the state
tournament, placing fourth at 98 pounds 1986. He was also the first
state champion for any school in Jackson County, winning the 130-pound
title in 1989 for Heron Lake-Okabena-Lakefield.
He had a career record of 140-20.
He attended the University of Minnesota before transferring to
Worthington Community College, where he was a junior college
all-American for the Bluejays.
Today, Scott and Melonie Vancura, along with their daughters, are involved in farming with Vancura Farms south of Lakefield.
Tim Jansma
Jansma was a three-time state entrant for the HLOL Silver Bullets, placing three times, including two state titles.
He was sixth at 103 pounds in 1990 and then won the 119-pound title in 1991 and the 130-pound crown in 1992.
His career record was 133-33-1.
Jansma is currently working as a lawns superintendent at a golf course in the Twin Cities.
Chad Kraft
Chad Kraft was a four-time state entrant with HLOL, placing four times, including three state titles.
He was fifth at 112 pounds in 1991, then won the state title at 125
pounds in 1992, 140 pounds in 1993 and at 145 pounds in 1994. Also,
Chad was named Mr. Minnesota Wrestler in 1994.
His career record was 195-14-1.
He went on to become a four-time all-American at the University of
Minnesota, becoming the first athlete in any sport to accomplish that
feat.
Chad is employed as a pilot for Northwest Airlines out of Minneapolis.
Matt Kraft
Matt Kraft was a four-time state place winner for the HLOL Silver Bullets and the HLOL/Jackson Jaguars.
He finished third at 103 pounds in 1993, second at 135 in 1995, third at 145 in 1996 and second at 160 in 1997.
His career record was 209-24. He had the second-most wins in state history when he graduated.
Matt is currently working as head groundskeeper at a golf course in Las Vegas.
Gary Huhnerkoch
Huhnerkoch was the head coach at Lakefield High School from 1979-1983.
He started the youth wrestling program in Lakefield where athletes such
as Scott Vancura and Chad Gage, Mike, Greg and Tim Jansma and Chad
Kraft got their start.
His first district champion with the Panthers was Jerel Burmeister.
Gary was also the first president of the Takedown Club (University of Minnesota Booster Club) for head coach J Robinson.
Gary is employed in the photography division of Herff Jones in the Twin
Cities and is also a member of their corporate hall of fame.
Jeff and Martha Johnson
The Johnsons were very active in the 1980s and 90’s, with sons in the wrestling program.
Martha continuously did skin checks, weight certifications and donated
her time and expertise to help with the program’s needs in those areas.
Jeff was very active in promoting the program through video,
photography and physical help. He compiled booklets of memories for the
entire team for three seasons during the state title runs of 1997-2001.
Martha is a physician assistant at the Sanford Clinic Lakefield. Jeff is the veteran service officer for Jackson County.
Terry Wheeler
Wheeler wrestled for Lakefield High School from 1974-1978. He was a
region qualifier and won the team leadership award in 1978, but he’s
being recognized more for his contributions to the program off the mat.
He has contributed countless hours volunteering to play music and serve
as public address announcer at home duals, emceed a number of events
and wrestling banquets, sung the National Anthem, produced videos for a
number of seasons and has been the local voice for radio coverage of
wrestling in Jackson County.
That radio coverage alone has helped countless fans, parents and
grandparents follow area wrestlers in their quest to be a state place
winner or state champion.
Wheeler is a financial service representative at First National Bank in Lakefield.