Bob Green, Norris
Both of Bob Green’s sons wrestled at Norris and his daughter was a student
wrestling manager. Although he never wrestled himself, watching his sons
wrestle through the years, Bob gained a real interest in the sport. He
noticed there was a need for younger Norris students to have the opportunity
to experience the sport of wrestling at a more regular and competitive level
before they reach junior high school. As he watched his oldest son’s class
wrestle, he felt that they would have benefited from more experience at an
earlier age. He also had his younger son in mind, hoping that he would have
that chance. All other sports seemed to have regular programs for elementary
age students. With wrestling, however; there was only one tournament per
year and it was intramural only.
Bob expressed interest in the idea of having a wrestling club for the
younger students. He brought the issue up to the coaches at Norris. They
were able to put Bob in touch with others that also showed interest in a
club. That’s how Norris Wrestling Club started about 16 years ago. The first
tournament was held in 1994 and in 1999 Norris held the first Auto Bracket
tournament.
Bob has been an active member in the club since the start. He is always
trying to recruit new members and coaches and encourage new ideas. He gives
a lot of credit to everyone involved with the club. Without all their help
and hard work they provide, the club wouldn’t exist.
He enjoys watching the kids gain experience with every tournament and seeing
the club’s progress each year. Bob also enjoys watching the kids wrestle
once they are in high school and finds it interesting to see how they have
improved and to see them use the skills they have learned through the years.
Kent Lopez, Valentine
Kent’s wrestling career started in the spring of 1966 as a second grader,
under the guidance of legendary wrestling coach and Nebraska Hall of Fame
member Mo Tehrani, in a two week after school program for grade schoolers
started by Tehrani. Later on, while still in grade school, he competed in a
statewide program sponsored by the local Jaycee chapter.
In 1973, he cracked the varsity line-up at 138 pounds as a sophomore and
placed third in Class ‘B’ while helping the Badgers of Valentine win their
second state championship, the first since 1969. The win came without the
benefit of any wrestlers advancing to the finals, a task the NSAA would take
care of in later years. The following year as a junior at 138 pounds, he
again placed third as Valentine would win back to back state titles and
their third championship in six years. After a brief stint on the basketball
team as a senior, he returned to the mat to take fourth place at 145 pounds
and become only the third wrestler in Valentine history to place at state
three times in their high school career. While in high school, he enjoyed
working after the season with the same youth program that he had
participated in during his grade school days.
After high school, while attending Kearney State College in the late 1970’s,
he registered to become an active wrestling official with the NSAA. After
twenty-five years as an active official in Nebraska, he retired from
officiating in 2006.
In the early 1980’s, Kent again started to work with the youth of Valentine
in wrestling with an evening program and helped get the current Valentine
Junior Wrestling Club started and registered with Huskerland.
In 2003, after several top finishes in previous years, Valentine tied Duncan
for the team title in Class ‘C’, for a share of their first Huskerland
championship.
Kent has also coached the American Legion baseball teams in Valentine since
1978 and has been the head coach of both teams since 1979.
2008 will be his thirtieth year coaching the American Legion teams for Leo
Brinda Post #90 of Valentine.
Kent is married to Beth and they have a daughter, Sophie.
Randy Prellwitz, Fairbury
Randy Prellwitz became a member of the Fairbury Matmen in 1990 when his
oldest son, Nate was five years old. After the 1993 season he was elected
President. Randy served as President from 1994 through 2001. During his term
as president he was the Tournament Director for the Fairbury Invitational
which is held the 3rd Saturday of February every year. Not only did he serve
as President and Tournament Director, but he also helped coach all the kids
in the club and encouraged them to go to as many tournaments as possible.
It is through the efforts of Randy and his love for wrestling that the
Fairbury Matmen have continually made contributions to the Fairbury High
School wrestling program. The club has purchased an electronic scale,
reconditioned mats, purchased warm-ups and awarded scholarships to
graduating seniors.
Both of Randy's boys were very involved in the Fairbury Matmen from age five
through the 8th grade and are still involved in wrestling. Nate is now a
registered official with NSAA and Eric has been an assistant coach for the
Fairbury High School wrestling program for two years.
The Fairbury Matmen and its directors applaud Randy for his continued
support of the club. He helps with the annual tournament every year without
even a phone call. He has been a leader and a tremendous supporter for
wrestling in Fairbury.
Randy says "I have made many many acquaintances and friends from wrestling
over the years. There are many other deserving people for this honor so I
feel very humbled".
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