Hall of Fame’s impressive Honors Class of 2018 arrives in Stillwater for induction, with bios of the inductees
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
STILLWATER, Okla. - The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is inducting the Class of 2018 at its 41nd Annual Honors Weekend on June 1-2 in Stillwater, Okla. It is an impressive group of wrestling heroes, leaders and talent, a truly diverse group that has made a huge impact on the sport and life.
“The Class of 2018 is an amazing group of people who have made a tremendous and extremely positive impact on our sport,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “We are excited to be inducting our second female Distinguished Member, Kristie Davis, and to recognize Lee Allen, who played a significant role in the development and growth of women’s wrestling. We are so excited to honor another group that has not only contributed to our sport, but who embodies what wrestling can do to help you excel in life.”
The Class of 2018 inductees are Distinguished Members Stephen Abas, Lee Allen, Henry Cejudo and Kristie Davis. This group includes three Olympians, while all four have competed on the World level for Team USA. Collectively, the group won numerous medals on the international level, and each has contributed to the sport off the mat in many ways. The Hall of Fame has inducted 188 Distinguished Members since it began in 1976.
Stephen Abas was a three-time NCAA Division I national champion and a four-time All-American for Fresno State University, winning titles in 1999, 2001 and 2002. He won a silver medal at the Olympics in 2004 and competed in the World Championships in 2001 and 2003. Abas was also a Junior World Champion in freestyle, and was named to the NCAA’s 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team in 2005
Distinguished Member Stephen Abas complete biography
Lee Allen was one of only four wrestlers to represent the United States at the Olympics in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, competing in freestyle in 1956 and finishing eighth in Greco-Roman in 1960. He was a member of the first United States team to compete in the World Championships, placing sixth in freestyle in 1961. Allen was the head coach of the 1980 Olympic Greco-Roman team. Allen and his wife, Joan Fulp, were instrumental in the development and growth of women’s wrestling. He led the men’s wrestling program at Skyline College in California for 32 years and was head coach of the women’s wrestling team at Menlo College in California from 2001 to 2010 where he coached both of his daughters, Sara Fulp-Allen Bahoura and Katherine Fulp-Allen Shai.
Distinguished Member Lee Allen complete biography
Henry Cejudo was 21 years old when he won a gold medal at the Olympics in 2008, becoming the youngest Olympic wrestling champion in United States history at the time. Cejudo won the Pan American Championships three times, and competed in the World Championships in 2007. Cejudo was a two-time U.S. Open champion, who became the first high school wrestler to win the U.S. Nationals in freestyle since USA Wrestling became the sport’s national governing body in 1983. He won a Junior World silver medal. Cejudo is currently competing in mixed martial arts in the UFC.
Distinguished Member Henry Cejudo complete biography
Davis becomes only the second woman to be inducted as a Distinguished Member, joining four-time World Champion Tricia Saunders. Davis won nine World medals which ties her with Bruce Baumgartner for the most World medals in United States history. She competed in 10 World Championships and was a seven-time finalist, winning gold medals in 2000 and 2003 and silver medals in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2007. She captured bronze medals in 2002 and 2006. Davis helped the United States capture the World Championship team title in 1999
Distinguished Member Kristie Davis complete biography
A high school state champion in Washington, U.S. Army soldier, three-time NCAA All-American for Oklahoma State, four-time Greco-Roman World Team member and six-time UFC world champion, Randy Couture is the epitome of an Outstanding American. After his wrestling career, he was the only competitor to hold titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. Couture became the fourth fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2006, As an actor he has appeared in the hit films The Expendables, The Expendables 2 and The Expendables 3, as well as on television. He recently completed filming Alpha Code, a science-fiction film, and Row, a murder mystery. Couture has his own chain of gyms, Xtreme Couture MMA, and a clothing line, Xtreme Couture MMA Clothing. He also founded and runs the Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, which raises awareness and financially supports wounded veterans.
Outstanding American Randy Couture complete biography
Nancy Schultz Vitangeli has been involved in wrestling since meeting Dave Schultz when the two were attending the University of Oklahoma. They were married in 1982 and were together until 1996 when the Olympic and World champion was killed by John du Pont. Following his death, Schultz Vitangeli founded the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club, which trained athletes in men’s and women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman through 2005. She helped begin the Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017. She also helped create the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 1996
Order of Merit winner Nancy Schultz Vitangeli complete biography
Michael Martinez received the Medal of Courage from the Hall of Fame’s Colorado Chapter in 2016. He,was a 2003 and 2004 Colorado state champion for Pagosa Springs High School. At the
University of Wyoming, Martinez posted a record of 116-43, won three Western Wrestling Conference championships and also wrestled in the 2012 Olympic Trials. In 2013, while working on his family’s 236-acre ranch, Martinez stayed in a motor home. As he lit a match, the propane stove burst into a fireball.
Second- and third-degree burns covered over 80 percent of Martinez’ body. Martinez underwent surgery to graft skin onto his hands while beginning to achieve benchmarks on his way to recovery. He surprised medical professionals when he left the hospital after only 21 days. His body continued to heal, and by the summer of 2013, Martinez was surveying land and working again on the family’s ranch, while helping with the wrestling team at his high school.
.
Medal of Courage Michael Martinez complete biography
In 40 years of officiating, Gary Kessel has refereed 16 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, including 12 finals, and eight NCAA Division III Championships, including eight finals. He has officiated 21 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association championships and 18 Virginia Duals. Kessel has also refereed 39 New Jersey state high school wrestling championships. He has been president of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Officials Association and has worked as a rules interpreter for the state of New Jersey and the Eastern Wrestling League.
Meritorious Official Gary Kessel complete biography
David Carr was a four-time Ohio High School state champion for Perry High School in Massillon, Ohio, and he also won a Kentucky High School state title as an eighth grader. He was a Junior Nationals champion and was named Outstanding Wrestler in 2017. He won a bronze medal at the Cadet World Championships in 2016. David joins his father, Nate, a Distinguished Member inducted in 2003, and his older brother, Nate Jr., a Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner for Georgia in 2006. He will attend Iowa State.
Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award David Carr complete biography
Alleida Martinez was a four-time undefeated California High School state champion for Selma High School. She and teammate Gracie Figueroa made history as the first female wrestlers to win four state championships while also finishing undefeated. In May, she won the 50 kg title at the Women’s Nationals to make the U.S. Junior World Team that will compete in September in Trnava, Slovakia. It is the third World Team for Martinez, who won a bronze medal at the Cadet World Championships in 2016 and was a silver medalist in 2015. She will attend Menlo College.
Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award Alleida Martinez complete biography
Honors weekend began Thursday, May 31, with the State Chapter Conference. Moderated by State Chapter Director Krista Graff, the event allows State Chapter representatives to discuss best practices.
The Presentation of Plaques Ceremony for the Class of 2017 will be at the Hall of Fame & Museum on Friday, June 1, at 7 p.m. There is no charge for the plaque presentations.
On Saturday, June 2, there will be a Honoree Tribute Brunch for honorees in the morning and the 41st Annual Honors Banquet in the evening. Both events require reservations.
“The Class of 2018 is an amazing group of people who have made a tremendous and extremely positive impact on our sport,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “We are excited to be inducting our second female Distinguished Member, Kristie Davis, and to recognize Lee Allen, who played a significant role in the development and growth of women’s wrestling. We are so excited to honor another group that has not only contributed to our sport, but who embodies what wrestling can do to help you excel in life.”
The Class of 2018 inductees are Distinguished Members Stephen Abas, Lee Allen, Henry Cejudo and Kristie Davis. This group includes three Olympians, while all four have competed on the World level for Team USA. Collectively, the group won numerous medals on the international level, and each has contributed to the sport off the mat in many ways. The Hall of Fame has inducted 188 Distinguished Members since it began in 1976.
Stephen Abas was a three-time NCAA Division I national champion and a four-time All-American for Fresno State University, winning titles in 1999, 2001 and 2002. He won a silver medal at the Olympics in 2004 and competed in the World Championships in 2001 and 2003. Abas was also a Junior World Champion in freestyle, and was named to the NCAA’s 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team in 2005
Distinguished Member Stephen Abas complete biography
Lee Allen was one of only four wrestlers to represent the United States at the Olympics in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, competing in freestyle in 1956 and finishing eighth in Greco-Roman in 1960. He was a member of the first United States team to compete in the World Championships, placing sixth in freestyle in 1961. Allen was the head coach of the 1980 Olympic Greco-Roman team. Allen and his wife, Joan Fulp, were instrumental in the development and growth of women’s wrestling. He led the men’s wrestling program at Skyline College in California for 32 years and was head coach of the women’s wrestling team at Menlo College in California from 2001 to 2010 where he coached both of his daughters, Sara Fulp-Allen Bahoura and Katherine Fulp-Allen Shai.
Distinguished Member Lee Allen complete biography
Henry Cejudo was 21 years old when he won a gold medal at the Olympics in 2008, becoming the youngest Olympic wrestling champion in United States history at the time. Cejudo won the Pan American Championships three times, and competed in the World Championships in 2007. Cejudo was a two-time U.S. Open champion, who became the first high school wrestler to win the U.S. Nationals in freestyle since USA Wrestling became the sport’s national governing body in 1983. He won a Junior World silver medal. Cejudo is currently competing in mixed martial arts in the UFC.
Distinguished Member Henry Cejudo complete biography
Davis becomes only the second woman to be inducted as a Distinguished Member, joining four-time World Champion Tricia Saunders. Davis won nine World medals which ties her with Bruce Baumgartner for the most World medals in United States history. She competed in 10 World Championships and was a seven-time finalist, winning gold medals in 2000 and 2003 and silver medals in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2007. She captured bronze medals in 2002 and 2006. Davis helped the United States capture the World Championship team title in 1999
Distinguished Member Kristie Davis complete biography
A high school state champion in Washington, U.S. Army soldier, three-time NCAA All-American for Oklahoma State, four-time Greco-Roman World Team member and six-time UFC world champion, Randy Couture is the epitome of an Outstanding American. After his wrestling career, he was the only competitor to hold titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. Couture became the fourth fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2006, As an actor he has appeared in the hit films The Expendables, The Expendables 2 and The Expendables 3, as well as on television. He recently completed filming Alpha Code, a science-fiction film, and Row, a murder mystery. Couture has his own chain of gyms, Xtreme Couture MMA, and a clothing line, Xtreme Couture MMA Clothing. He also founded and runs the Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, which raises awareness and financially supports wounded veterans.
Outstanding American Randy Couture complete biography
Nancy Schultz Vitangeli has been involved in wrestling since meeting Dave Schultz when the two were attending the University of Oklahoma. They were married in 1982 and were together until 1996 when the Olympic and World champion was killed by John du Pont. Following his death, Schultz Vitangeli founded the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club, which trained athletes in men’s and women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman through 2005. She helped begin the Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017. She also helped create the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 1996
Order of Merit winner Nancy Schultz Vitangeli complete biography
Michael Martinez received the Medal of Courage from the Hall of Fame’s Colorado Chapter in 2016. He,was a 2003 and 2004 Colorado state champion for Pagosa Springs High School. At the
University of Wyoming, Martinez posted a record of 116-43, won three Western Wrestling Conference championships and also wrestled in the 2012 Olympic Trials. In 2013, while working on his family’s 236-acre ranch, Martinez stayed in a motor home. As he lit a match, the propane stove burst into a fireball.
Second- and third-degree burns covered over 80 percent of Martinez’ body. Martinez underwent surgery to graft skin onto his hands while beginning to achieve benchmarks on his way to recovery. He surprised medical professionals when he left the hospital after only 21 days. His body continued to heal, and by the summer of 2013, Martinez was surveying land and working again on the family’s ranch, while helping with the wrestling team at his high school.
.
Medal of Courage Michael Martinez complete biography
In 40 years of officiating, Gary Kessel has refereed 16 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, including 12 finals, and eight NCAA Division III Championships, including eight finals. He has officiated 21 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association championships and 18 Virginia Duals. Kessel has also refereed 39 New Jersey state high school wrestling championships. He has been president of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Officials Association and has worked as a rules interpreter for the state of New Jersey and the Eastern Wrestling League.
Meritorious Official Gary Kessel complete biography
David Carr was a four-time Ohio High School state champion for Perry High School in Massillon, Ohio, and he also won a Kentucky High School state title as an eighth grader. He was a Junior Nationals champion and was named Outstanding Wrestler in 2017. He won a bronze medal at the Cadet World Championships in 2016. David joins his father, Nate, a Distinguished Member inducted in 2003, and his older brother, Nate Jr., a Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner for Georgia in 2006. He will attend Iowa State.
Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award David Carr complete biography
Alleida Martinez was a four-time undefeated California High School state champion for Selma High School. She and teammate Gracie Figueroa made history as the first female wrestlers to win four state championships while also finishing undefeated. In May, she won the 50 kg title at the Women’s Nationals to make the U.S. Junior World Team that will compete in September in Trnava, Slovakia. It is the third World Team for Martinez, who won a bronze medal at the Cadet World Championships in 2016 and was a silver medalist in 2015. She will attend Menlo College.
Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award Alleida Martinez complete biography
Honors weekend began Thursday, May 31, with the State Chapter Conference. Moderated by State Chapter Director Krista Graff, the event allows State Chapter representatives to discuss best practices.
The Presentation of Plaques Ceremony for the Class of 2017 will be at the Hall of Fame & Museum on Friday, June 1, at 7 p.m. There is no charge for the plaque presentations.
On Saturday, June 2, there will be a Honoree Tribute Brunch for honorees in the morning and the 41st Annual Honors Banquet in the evening. Both events require reservations.
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