Caledonia Wrestling Club Library
Hall of Fame
MultipleWrestling Hall of Fame Recipients
Leo Simon started his wrestling career at Goodhue, MN. Leo posted a coaching record of 205-49-2 between Goodhue and Caledonia. Leo came to Caledonia in 1970 and began a dynasty of racking up 83 straight duel meet victories. Leo compiled a 175-73-2 record in Caledonia and was a big part of the 1970 State Champion Warrior Team. He also produced numerous state entrants over the years. Leo is currently in sales for Ellingson Motors of Caledonia. He and his wife Marion reside in rural Caledonia.
Ed Ferkingstad was a Head Coach for Caledonia from 1963-1970. In 1963 Ed and Larry Thompson started the Caledonia Wrestling Program. Caledonia’s first undefeated team was in 1967-68. Under Ed, the Warriors went undefeated two more years, with the 1970 season ending with the Warriors bringing home the first Team State Championship in Caledonia’s history. This same year they also sent six wrestlers to State individually, and came home with the first Caledonia State Champion, two wrestlers placing 3rd, one 4th, and one 5th place. Ed’s coaching career record was 58-24-4. Ed is retired and lives in Caledonia with his wife Barb.
Spencer Yohe is one of the most recognized faces in wrestling. Spencer has coached numerous teams over the years as well as some traveling European teams. Spencer runs the Greg Schwartz Memorial Camp, and the Warrior Open Camp every summer. He was inducted into the NAIA in Tulsa, OK and the National Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, OK for the Lifetime Service Award. He has also been inducted into the WSU Hall of Fame, and was the winner of the Presidential Medallion in 2002. Spencer resides in Eitzen where he owns and operates Minnesota Mat Refinishing Co.
Mark Lange is a four time State entrant and two time State Champion winning in 1970 and 1972. Mark held the career win record for many years with a record of 149-11-1. Mark was named to the Dream Team 60 Year MN High School All Star Team, is in the MN Region 1, and the MN Wrestling Hall of Fame. Mark is in the Logging business and farms. Mark and his wife Pat reside in Freeburg, MN.
Caledonia Wrestling Hall of Fame
1970 Minnesota State Championship Team
Front Row: B. Burns, J. Schuldt, R. Goetzinger, C. Wohlers, R. Massman, D. Wohlers, G. Meiners, J. Rostvoldt, M. Nelson, R. Frisch.
Back Row: E. Ferkingstad, M. Lange, M. Ross, D. Wohlers, P. Schutz, H. Heimerdinger, D. Heiller, R. Meiners, B. Lange, J. Denstad, D. Bunge, L. Simon. Not Pictured: L. Thompson
Larry Thompson was an Assistant Coach for Caledonia for Ed Ferkingstad and Leo Simon from 1963-1975 and again from 1982-1985. In 1963, Larry and Ed started the Caledonia Wrestling Program. In 1970 he helped the Warriors bring home the first Team State Championship in Caledonia’s history - along with six individual State entrants and Caledonia’s first State Champion. With Leo Simon, Larry was a big part of the 1984 State Class A Team Runner-Up. Over the years, Larry also helped send numerous individuals to the State Tournament. Larry is retired and lives in Caledonia with his wife, Ann.
Bob Link, in 1974 brought home a State Championship Title in the 180# weight division with a 27-0 record for the season. He was also a State Entrant in 1973. Bob continued to stay in wrestling, coaching at Fillmore Central for several years. He has been employed for many years by Gere Construction. Bob and his wife Jenny reside in Mabel, MN.
Trent Hatlevig brought home the first Individual Wrestling Title in over 20 years in 1997 and 1998. Trent made his first trip to State in 1996 and continued his winning ways with the first consecutive State Championship Titles in the history of Caledonia Wrestling. In 1999 he was State Runner-Up. During Trent’s varsity career he posted a 151-30-0 record. Trent earned High School All American Honors, then went on to wrestle for The University of MN. He is currently based in San Diego, CA as a US Navy Seal.
Kevan Meiners brought home a State Championship Title in 2003 in the 215# weight division. Kevan has a career record of 111-17-0 and 71 career falls. Kevan was also the assistant wrestling coach at John Marshall High School in the 2003-2004 season. Kevan graduated from RCTC in 2004 and now is employed by The Board Store in LaCrosse.
Kasey Meiners was the first wrestler to be a six time State Entrant. In 2001 he placed 3rd, and in 2004 placed 2nd. Kasey holds the Caledonia School Wrestling record for the most wins with a varsity record of 186-45-0. Kasey also holds school records for Most Career Falls with 111, and Most Single season falls with 29. In 2006 Kasey wrestled for RCTC winning the 174# weight division NJCAA National Championship and was also named the Outstanding Wrestler of the NJCAA tournament, pinning all of his opponents. He has since been an assistant coach at Kasson Mantorville and Caledonia and is employed by Winona Controls.
Steve Buttell was instrumental in starting the current Caledonia Wrestling Club. He was the 1st president and continues to be involved today. He is the founder and tournament director for the Warrior Open. Coaching youth wrestling for the past 25 years he has helped develop over 45 varsity state entrants, numerous place winners, 3 state champions, and 1 national champion. Owner of Buttell Lighting and Stephen B. Productions recording studio he resides in Caledonia with his wife Mary.
