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For one Wagner native, wrestling has been far more than a sport. It has been a lifelong journey that began in childhood and helped shape the person he is today — a journey that recently led to induction into the South Dakota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

His introduction to wrestling came early. He first stepped onto the mat in second grade, inspired by his father, who had also wrestled. What began as a childhood activity quickly grew into a passion that would define much of his life.

Some of his most meaningful memories from Wagner wrestling center around the team success he shared with teammates and friends. During his time in the program, Wagner captured three state team championships — moments he says remain among the most special of his wrestling career.

“My favorite memories are winning three state team titles,” he said. “It was great because I was able to do it with my teammates and friends.”

The Wagner wrestling room also provided role models who helped guide him along the way. Coach Ernie Valentine played a particularly important role, spending countless hours mentoring him and traveling to tournaments. Teammate Ryan Kocer also left a lasting impression, serving as someone he looked up to in the sport and motivating him to improve.

While the victories stand out, many of his strongest memories come from the work behind the scenes — the countless hours in the practice room alongside teammates who shared the same goals.

“The amount of work you put into this sport is unparalleled,” he said.

Those lessons extended far beyond wrestling. Through years of competition, the sport taught him the value of perseverance, discipline and dedication.

“You work for what you get, just like in life,” he said. “To be successful in wrestling, you have to be dedicated and willing to put the work in, even when you don’t feel like it.”

When he learned he would be inducted into the South Dakota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the honor was both humbling and meaningful. For him, the recognition reflects not only his accomplishments, but also the support system that helped him along the way.

“It was a great honor to be inducted with so many greats before me,” he said. “But it’s just as much for my family as it is for me.”

Being inducted alongside fellow Wagner natives Jay and Dan Swatek made the moment even more special. Seeing their names on the wall in the Wagner wrestling room years earlier served as inspiration during his own wrestling days. The support of the Wagner community also played a major role in his development as an athlete. Wrestling has long been a source of pride in the town, and that encouragement helped fuel his passion for the sport. “The community has always supported wrestling and made it really enjoyable to be a part of,” he said. Today, wrestling remains an important part of his life. From youth wrestling through his college career, the sport shaped his outlook and helped prepare him for the challenges of adulthood. Looking back, he says the journey itself is what he is most proud of. “Through all the ups and downs, wrestling taught me that persistence and hard work can get you to where you want to go in life,” he said.

He now lives in Seward, Nebraska, with his wife Madison and their four children — Klay, Ally, Jack and Emma. While life today looks different from his competitive wrestling days, the lessons learned on the mat continue to influence how he approaches life and family.

For young wrestlers just beginning their journey, his advice is simple: work hard and enjoy the process.

“Wrestling is a tough sport,” he said. “If you’re not having fun, it’s going to be hard to have success. What you put in is what you’ll get out.”

As he reflects on his career and the recognition that comes with it, he remains grateful for those who helped along the way — from coaches and teammates to his family and the Wagner community that supported him from the beginning.