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dan stifter Day at the National Wrestling hall of fame
Mark Krier, President of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Minnesota Chapter with new member Dan Stifter.
Dan presented a wonderful acceptance speech at ceremonies in Austin, Minnesota today.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame class of 2025.
Dawn Bailey, daughter of the late Noel Bailey surprised Dan by showing up with brother Lance for the induction ceremonies.
"Awesome, honored, overwhelmed and humbling" Just some of the words new Hall of Famer Dan Stifter used in describing his induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Saturday in Austin, Minnesota. "I look at the people inducted with me and the ones before me and just wonder what I did to get to this point. When I started, I just wanted to be the same kind of person, teacher and coach that my mentors were." Dan thought about his biggest mentor Noel Bailey during the ceremonies too, "When we came to town Noel and his family adopted us and when I think about that I get a little emotional. It's been a little over a year and I wish he could have been here to celebrate with us. When I saw Dawn and Lance and their families it was so wonderful that they were here." Congratulations Dan, trust me, Noel was watching and he's just as proud as we are. Gobbler proud forever!
Some final shots from the State Tournament weekend
Gobbler Head Coach Greg Hills consoles Jacob Williams after his loss in the 3rd place match at the State Tournament.
Jacob Williams celebrates his State Tournament trip with a welcome home at the high school Sunday afternoon.
2025 State Wrestling Tournament--Jacobs Journey
***First Round
Jacob Williams defeated Charlie Witzel of St. Agnes 10-4
Coach Greg Hills, "He wrestled a great match, in control all the way. It was his 150th career win."
***Second Round
Jacob Williams defeated Caleb Kurtti of Goodhue 4-3. The match was tied into the third but Jacob got a takedown late to win his 40th match of the season. That puts him into the semifinals Saturday against Eli Roiko, a sophomore with a record of 36-4 from United North Central.
Jacob after the match, "It was an exciting match. I knew he was a head-locker so I had to stay away from that. He got two escapes, and a penalty point because my knee pad had a hole in it." Coach Greg Hills after the match, "It was a great match, we had a good game plan, and he executed it to perfection."
***Third Round
Jacob lost 4-2 to Eli Roiko, a sophomore who placed last season. Roiko got a takedown in the first period but Jacob was unable to match it and lost for the first time this season. He wrestles Jeremy Blascyk of West Central Area next, and a win would put him into the third place match. Coach Greg Hills on the loss, "He faced a tough kid who placed in the State last season. Hopefully we can get the next one and get to the third place match."
***Fourth Round
Jacob scored a 10-5 win over Blascyk to advance to the third place match shortly after 4pm. Coach Greg Hills, "We were a little more offensive this match and Jacob did a great job. He's wrestling Caleb Kurtti of Goodhue for third place. He is the kid Jacob beat in the second round 4-3." Jacob moved his record to 41-1 with the win.
***Final Round
Jacob lost a tough 2-1 third place match to Caleb Kurtti of Goodhue to end the season at 41-2. That was a great run for the senior. Congratulations young man and thanks for taking us on a great journey with you this season. You are one of the best ever to take the mat at Aitkin. His only comment after his final match, "I would have liked to have finished higher on the podium."