(Atlantic) The 1974–1975 Atlantic High School Wrestling Team became the first time in school history that an entire team has been inducted into the Atlantic Wrestling Hall of Fame on Friday night, at the Venue in downtown Atlantic.
Coaches Lynn Barnes and Joel Simms guided a talented roster of just over 40 wrestlers during the 1974–1975 season. The varsity squad compiled an impressive 7–3–1 dual record and featured Dr. Kirk Nelson, Paul King, Eric Swanson, Greg Weppler, Dave Harris, Mike Woolsey, Dave Hansen, Lonn Schlueter, Kipp Harris, Greg Nichols, Mike Westering, and Craig Both. The team placed fourth at the Audubon Tournament, third at Tri-Center, and made history as the first Atlantic team to win the Corning Tournament—now the John J. Harris Tournament.
Their postseason run was equally impressive. The Trojans claimed the sectional title with 96.5 points, advancing eight wrestlers to the district tournament: Greg Weppler, Kirk Nelson, Lonn Schlueter, Dave Harris, Greg Both, Greg Nichols, Mike Westering, and Kipp Harris.
Atlantic then captured the district championship, sending six competitors to the State Wrestling Tournament: Greg Weppler, Dave Harris, Lonn Schlueter, Kipp Harris, Mike Westering, and Craig Both.
Coach Duff added, “We only had two state qualifiers before this—Al Wernimont and Bill Hoffman, who both medaled. These six qualifiers in 1975 set the bar high.”
Three members of the 1974–1975 team earned state medals:
- Mike Westering, 185 lbs — 4th place
- Dave Harris, 126 lbs — 6th place
- Kipp Harris, 155 lbs — 6th place
Four team members spoke on behalf of the team.
Lonn Schlueter…
Dr. Kirk Nelson…
Mike Westering…
Kipp Harris…
The depth of talent extended beyond varsity. The junior varsity team posted a dominant 9–2 record, allowing just 180 points while recording 39 falls, to opponents’ 17. JV team members included: Todd McDermott, Dwight Williams, Norman Hoeck, Randy Groves, David Gronewald, David Nelson, Kelly Harris, Mark Karwal, Brian Mewhirter, Bill Sandbothe, Darrell Paulsen, Jeff Riggs, Chris Hoegh, Doug Cooper, David Witmer, Randy Balch, Steve Sandbothe, Brian Masteller, Dana Cooper, Larry Sandbothe, Tony McDermott, Lynn Larsen, Jeff Weppler, Randy Blake, Dan McDermott, Dwight McAllister, Ron Kerr, and Joey Herbert.
The 1974-1975 Wrestling Team joins this group of Inductees:
2011:
Robert Burrows
Coach Lynn Barnes
Former Athletic Director Rollin Dyer
2012:
Garrett South
Tyler Blum
Al Wernimont
2013:
Coach Joel Simms
Brian Follman
2014:
Clarke Gerlock
Kelly Davis
Dale Retallic
Ross Schlueter
2015:
David Kinen
Bernie Nelson
Andy Hensley
2016:
Kipp Harris
Coach Rex Mehrhoff
2017:
Perry Fief
Coach Jim Willett
Jim Kuberski
2018:
Gerald Hayes
Jeff and Shelley Christensen
Joshua Perkins
2019:
Bill Hoffman
Mike Larsen
2020:
Covid unable to Induct
2021:
Coach Chuck Burnett
Kolby O’Brien
2022:
Steve Harris
Clint Bitting
Bradley Schwenke
2023:
Kent Behrends
Keith Behrends
Patrick Williams
2024:
Scott Rhoads
Jeff Riggs
2025:
The 1974-1975 Wrestling Team
