MATH BITZ, BISMARCK HIGH

JAKE MELLMER, DICKINSON

Math Bitz was a three-time state champion for Bismarck High School in 1998, 2000, and 2001. He also placed third in 1999. Math had a 146-19 career record for the Demons and was named Mr. Wrestler in 2001. Math earned All-American honors at the 2001 National High School Championships and was named to the USA Wrestling All-American team. In college, Math started his wrestling career at North Dakota State University before transferring to Minnesota State University-Mankato where he was coached by fellow North Dakota native, Jim Makovsky. He was a natural 141 pounder, but competed at 157 pounds to help the team. He qualified for the NCAA II National Championships and defeated the #1 ranked wrestler in the country twice en route to a third place finish and becoming an NCAA II All-American. Despite off-season shoulder surgery, Math qualified again for the NCAA II National Championships and narrowly missed another All-American finish. Math was also a leader in the classroom, earning Academic All-American status for the Mavericks in 2005. He graduated with honors and became a graduate assistant at Minnesota State for two years while he earned a Masters of Business Administration graduate degree. Currently, Math currently lives in San Jose, California with his wife Courtney and three children Winnie, Cooper, and Teagan. He is being inducted into the Hall of Fame by his high school coaches Scott Knowlen and Jeff Schumacher.

Jake Mellmer, a 2006 Dickinson Trinity High School graduate, wrestling for Dickinson High, won four Individual Class A Titles in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. He was a State Runner-up during his eighth grade season in 2002. He was also a four-time West Region champion and accumulated a career record of 187-26. As a senior, Jake ended his high school career with a fall in the 130 pound finals and was a Mr. Wrestler finalist. He had a school record of 192 takedowns in his 45-0 freshman season. His high school coach, Dave Michaelson says Jake is “arguably the best wrestler to come out of Dickinson High”. Jake had an outstanding Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling career winning a combined 25 ND State titles. Along with his state titles, he won four ND USA Wrestling Triple Crowns. Jake was a two-time USA Junior National Greco-Roman All-American and was named to the USA Wrestling All-American team in 2006. Jake continued his wrestling career for four years at the University of Minnesota where he was a letter winner for the Golden Gophers. Jake was a part of the 2007 Big 10 Championship Team as well as the 2007 NCAA National Championship Team. He was a FILA National Greco-Roman All-American and also placed third in the FILA Junior World Team Trials in 2007. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Wellness from the University of Minnesota, Jake returned to North Dakota to serve two years as a graduate assistant at the University of Mary while pursuing a Healthcare Administration Master’s Degree. Currently, Jake resides in Bismarck with his wife Kelsey and his 2 young sons, Jax and Axel. Upon his return to North Dakoat, Jake has remained actively involved in the youth wrestling community. Currently, Jake volunteers at St. Mary’s High School and is co-head coach with his brother Luke of the Pursuit Wrestling Club in Bismarck. Jake has been employed with Sanford Health for 10 years and is currently an Executive Director. He credits his wrestling success and working career to his mom and dad (Rick and Gloria Mellmer) and his siblings (Erik, Lynn, Marc, and Luke). Jake is being inducted by his high school wrestling coach, Dave Michaelson.

SCOTT SCHILLER, WEST FARGO HIGH

GRADY WOLF, BISMARCK CENTURY

Scott Schiller is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in North Dakota history based on his accomplishments at the collegiate, national and international level. Scott was a three-time state champion for West Fargo High School in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Scott played a key role in the Packers winning their first state championship in school history. Late in the 2006 season, he stepped as an 8th grader in the varsity line-up at 138 pounds and won a wrestleback match by pin that helped propel the Packers to the team title. He capped off his career by helping the Packers to a state dual championship in 2010. During his career, Scott compiled a 165-27 career record, including an undefeated senior season. He was a four-time East Region Champion and was named Mr. Wrestler in 2010. Scott was ranked fourth in the country at his weight class in 2010. Scott continued his wrestling career at the University of Minnesota where he had a 118-22 career record. He was a three-time NCAA All-American for the Golden Gophers, placing fifth in 2013, third in 2014 and fourth in 2015. At the 2015 NCAA Tournament, the 197 pound bracket included future World and Olympic Champion Kyle Snyder, who placed 2nd and future two-time World Champion J'Den Cox, who placed 5th. Scott also had an outstanding freestyle and Greco-Roman Career. He was a five-time USA Wrestling Cadet and Junior All-American in high school. In 2012, Scott competed for the United States in the Pan-American Junior Championships in Guatemala and took home a freestyle gold medal and a Greco-Roman bronze medal. In 2016, Scott was an Olympic Trials Qualifier at 213 pounds and went 2-2. Currently, Scott lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota with his wife, Lauren and son, Jackson. He is being inducted into the North Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame by his high school coach, Kayle Dangerud.

Grady Wolf was a two-time state champion for Bismarck Century High School in 1996 and 1997, going undefeated his final two seasons. He was named Mr. Wrestler in 1997. Grady also placed fourth as a freshman and third as a sophomore for the Patriots. He was a member of the 1995 Bismarck Century North Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame team which included future Hall of Fame wrestlers, Scott Braun, Troy Sabot and Kasey Gillis as Grady’s practice partners . In 1996, Grady was named the outstanding wrestler at the Bismarck Rotary tournament. He also won the prestigious Minnesota Christmas Tournament. In his route to that title, Grady beat the Class A Minnesota Champion in the quarters, the Class AA Champion in the semis, and then the Class AAA Champion in the Finals. Grady continued his wrestling career at North Dakota State University where he was a 2001 NCAA All-American for the Bison, finishing 8th at the NCAA Division II Tournament. He was also a national qualifier in 2000 and a part of the 1998, 2000, and 2001 NCAA Division II National Championship Teams at NDSU. Following his wrestling career, Grady refereed North Dakota high school wrestling for several years including the State Tournament. Currently, Grady works for KLJ Engineering as the Environmental Department Manager and lives in Bismarck with his wife Margo and their two daughters Willow and Raina. He would like to thank his parents for allowing him the opportunity to wrestle, his relatives for taking him along to tournaments and driving him to practices when younger, and all his coaches and teammates for the success he achieved. He is being inducted into the Hall of Fame by his high school coach, Ken Gabriel.

BLAKE BOSCH, SOUTH BORDER

JORDAN DEWALD, NAPOLEON

Blake Bosch was a three-time state champion for South Border who went on to an All-American career at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Blake won individual state titles in 2009, 2012, and 2013 for the Mustangs. He also was a state-runner up in 2010 and 2011 and placed fifth in 2008. He amassed a 240-26 career record setting the state Class B mark for victories at the time. He also had 149 career pins. He finished his career with back to back undefeated seasons and was named Class B’s Mr. Wrestler in 2013. Blake also won five Region titles and earned All-American honors at national high school tournaments eight times. He helped lead South Border to the 2013 State Individual team title along with state dual titles in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Blake continued his wrestling career at MSU- Moorhead where he earned NCAA Division II All-American honors three times. He placed 8th in 2015, 4th in 2016, and was the national runner-up in 2017. He won his Super Regional tournament twice and the Dragon Open three times. He also earned titles at both the Finn Grinnaker Open and the Bison Open during his college career. He is second all-time in career wins at MSU-Moorhead with 115 and was twice named the school’s male athlete of the year. He was also named the NSIC wrestler of the year in 2017 and the Central Super Region wrestler of the year twice. He is being inducted into the Hall of Fame by his high school co-head coaches Dwight Schilling and Josh Hoffman.

Jordan Dewald was a three-time state champion for Napoleon High School from 2005 to 2007 who went on to become a multi-time All-American while wrestling for the United State Marine Corps. He began his wrestling career when he was five-years-old in the Royal Force Wrestling Club and won three three state championships in USA Wrestling during his middle school years. He was a member of the North Dakota Middle School National Dual Team and also won a Folkstyle championship at the National Tournament. Jordan wrestled varsity for Coach Barry McCleary for six years. He was the Region champ five times. In 2004, he placed fifth in State at 152 pounds. He followed that performance with three state championships in a row in 2005, 2006, and 2007 at 160. His record over his last three years of varsity was 116-6 including an undefeated senior season. In 2005, he was a state Triple Crown winner. Jordan wrestled on all six of Napoleon High School’s State Champion dual teams from 2002 to 2007. He was an All-Region running back on Napoleon High School’s 2006 9-man State Championship Football Team. An honor roll student at NHS, Jordan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation where his specialty was aircraft rescue and firefighting. He became a member of the All-Marine Wrestling Team for two and one-half years, becoming a two-time University All-American by placing fifth and sixth at the Greco Nationals. Following his military service, Jordan returned to Napoleon where he coached the Royal Force Wrestling Club for four years. He has been a member of the Barry-Hoof American Legion Post #72 for the past ten years, serving as commander from 2016-2020. Currently Jordan is employed at Central Dakota Frontier Co-op where he is the shop manager. He and his wife Brianna, have six children: Riley, Brynlee, Skyler, Bridger, Bristol, and Haven. He is the son of Janet and the late Jeff Dewald.

TOM IVERSON, OAKES

RICK JORE, WATFORD CITY

Tom Iverson was a state champion for Oakes High School who went on to an All-American career while competing for the University of Jamestown. Tom was a three-time state wrestling finalist, winning the 140-pound state championship in 1999. In his senior season, the Oakes Tornadoes won the first ever state B dual team championship and were runners-up in the individual tournament. Tom graduated from Oakes High School in 2000 where he was a multi-sport athlete. He was a member of the National Honor Society as well as his class president. He received the Wendy’s High School Heisman award and was a finalist for the Class B Mr. Wrestler award. Tom obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Jamestown in 2004. While wrestling for the Jimmies, he was a two-time All-American wrestler, placing in the national tournament in his sophomore and junior seasons. He was a four-time national qualifier, two-time academic All-American, and a four-time DAC 10 scholar athlete who was inducted into the University of Jamestown Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. Tom began his career in public service with the North Dakota Highway Patrol in 2004. He is a 2012 graduate of Leadership in Police Organizations and a 2016 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He also received a master’s degree in management from the University of Mary. He is a past president of the North Dakota Peace Officer’s Association, and holds the rank of Major, serving as the highway patrol’s Chief of Operations. Tom has been a volunteer youth wrestling coach for the Gorilla Wrestling Club since 2013. He currently serves on the North Dakota USA Wrestling Board as the middle school director. Tom and his wife Marisa make their home in Bismarck. They have two children, Grady (13), and Reese (11). Inducting Tom into the Hall of Fame will be Adam Dahlstrom and Collin Kelly.

Rick Jore was a two-time state champion and a five-time state placer for the Watford City Wolves from 1987 to 1991. At State, he placed 3rd at 98 pounds in 1987, 3rd at 103 pounds in 1988, 4th at 119 pounds in 1990, and was a state champion at 112 pounds in 1989 and again at 130 pounds in 1991. He finished his career with a record of 156-13-1 and a dual record of 77-0-1 which included 49 consecutive wins. Rick was a five-time Region champion. He was the first Class “B” Mr Wrestler in 1991. Watford City placed in the top three in the Individual Tournament all five years of Rick’s career and they won the Region four times. Rick has also served in various coaching roles in North Dakota and Minnesota. He was a youth program volunteer coach at Johnsons Corners (in Keene) from 1986 to 1991 and Moorhead, Minnesota from 2001 to 2002. After returning to Watford City in 2003, Rick was a volunteer coach with the youth program from 2003 to 2015. From 2010 to 2015, Rick was an assistant under former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Nathan Brenna, as well as his former head coach, Frank Fish. Rick also coached his son Coleton throughout his entire wrestling career while having his daughter Brea alongside stating a lot of those matches. Rick attended North Dakota State University, earning a B.S. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and worked as an engineer for 22 years. He also served as a volunteer fireman in the Watford City Fire Department and was a member of the McKenzie County Ambulance Service for 16 years as well. Rick now operates his family farm and ranch where he grew up. He and his wife Stephanie of 27 years have two children, Coleton and Brea. Rick is being inducted by his former high school and head coaches Hall of Famers, Frank Fish and Dave Dougherty.

JAYD KITTELSON, VELVA

ERIC PTACEK, OAKES & HILLSBORO-CV

Jayd Kittelson was state champion wrestler from Velva High School who once held the Class B career win record with 215 victories. He wrestled varsity all 6 years under coach Mike Thingstad, and North Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees Cy Kittelson and Robert Finneseth. Jayd was a five-time state placewinner which included two state runner-up finishes along with a state title. He capped off his senior year at 189 pounds with an undefeated, 48-0 season and was voted Class B’s Mr. Wrestler in 2000. Jayd was a six-time Academic All-State wrestler, graduating with a 3.96 G.P.A. He was a four-sport athlete who was a three-time First Team All-State football player for the Aggies and a four-time state placer in track and field. After high school, Jayd played college football for North Dakota State where he was a three year starter at linebacker for the Bison earning all-conference honors along with being named an Academic All-America. Jayd graduated from North Dakota State with Bachelor's degrees in Microbiology and Biotechnology, a Masters of Science in Food Safety, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Food Safety. He also received a Master of Business Administration degree from Purdue University and is currently a Director of Food Safety, Quality, and Regulation for Cargill, Inc. at their Global Headquarters in Wayzata, MN. Jayd has been married to his wife Alissa for 14 years. They have twin daughters, Mallory and Lilyan, who are 9 years old. Jayd credits his success in high school athletics to his coaches, family, and teammates. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame by his uncle and former wrestling coach, Cy Kittelson.

Eric Ptacek, a 1995 Oakes High School graduate, was a two-time state individual champion for the Tornadoes winning the 152 pound title as a junior and the 171 pound title as a senior, going 37-0 that season. He placed sixth as a sophomore at 140 and helped Oakes win their first Individual Team Championship in 1993. Eric had a career record of 130-17-1 including 84 pins. He was the 1995 triple crown winner, a member of the 1995 national champion Junior freestyle team and a part of the runner-up Junior national Greco- Roman team. Eric was coached by Hall of Fame coach Garry Opp, Hall of Fame Coach Rod Garland, and his father Ardell Ptacek. Eric went on to wrestle at NDSU from 1995-1998 and was a member of the 1998 Division II National Champion team. He started his coaching career at Kindred High School with Jeff Weber, followed by 3 seasons with Keenan Spiess at Fargo North. In 2001-2002 Eric accepted an Ag. Education teaching position at Hillsboro High School and started coaching with Hall of Famers Ron Gadberry and Mark McLean. Eric spent 18 years coaching the Burros in many different roles including head, assistant, youth, freestyle, and Greco coach. He coached 78 state place winners, including 10 individual state champions. He was a Region 2 coach of the year in 2006 and helped coach the Burros to five state dual tournaments. Eric would like to thank his parents, brother, teammates, and coaches for all the help to reach his goals while competing. He would also like to thank his wife Grace, the wrestlers, coaches, and officials he had the chance to work with through his many years coaching. Currently, Eric is employed by American Crystal Sugar Company as an Agronomy Manager. He lives in the Hillsboro area with his wife Grace and 4 daughters Morgan, McKenzie, Piper, and Presley. Eric is being inducted into the Hall of Fame by his high school coach Rod Garland and coaching colleague Mark McLean.

LENNY VANNETT, VELVA

JEREMY WOLF, CARRINGTON

Len Dean “Lenny” Vannett was a three-time state champion from Velva in the 1980s under Coach Mike Norland. He reached the state semifinals five times and the state finals four times. He won a state title at 126 pounds in 1980 and followed that with consecutive championships at 132 the next two years. In addition to his state championships, Lenny placed fourth state in 8th grade and was a state runner-up in 9th grade. His overall high school wrestling record was 121-17. He was a five-time Region finalist and won his Region four times. Lenny was selected to the 1982 High School All-American Team by USA Wrestling. Over the years, Lenny has continued to share his passion and commitment to wrestling. He has been a head coach for Simle Middle School in Bismarck, an assistant coach for Bismarck High School, an assistant coach for West Fargo High School and the head coach for West Fargo Middle School. He was a head coach for Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo and coached for Alexandria High School in Minnesota. Lenny resides in Casselton, ND and over the years, has privately coached many young and up and coming wrestlers.

Jeremy Wolf was a three-time state champion for Carrington High School in the late 1980s. He was a four-time finalist, and also 4-time Region Champion. Jeremy’s career record was 117-19-1. He also won multiple freestyle and Greco tournaments throughout his career. He was a member of the National Honor Society at Carrington and was a part of two state team titles for the Cardinals. Jeremy graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck and wrestled for the Marauders. He has taught for the last 27 years in the El Paso Independent School District with his last 18 years at Burges High School. He was an assistant wrestling coach for 10 years when the team won 8 district titles.