Mineral Point High School inducted new members into the Al Bauman Wrestling Hall of Fame Friday, December 8 during the match vs. Fennimore
Russ Kitsemble
Russ’ accomplishments include:
- Richland Center Invitational Champion 1968
- Racine Invitational Champion 1969
- Conference Champion 1969
- WIAA Regional Champion 1969
- WIAA Sectional Champion 1969
- WIAA State Qualifier 1969
- Most Valuable Wrestler 1969
- Team ranked #1 in the State
- Career High School Record 41-10
Russ was the assistant coach for the youth wrestling program in Belvidere, IL. Russ later became the President of the Belvidere Youth Wrestling Club.
Russ and his wife, Linda, of 51 years reside in Machesney Park, IL. They have three children (two sons and a daughter), eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Jerry Olson
On December 10, 1962, a regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Mineral Point Unified School District was called to order by President Hunt. Also present at the meeting were commissioners: Bennett, Buckingham, Goninen, Knudson, Nelson, and Ross.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bennett, and seconded by Commissioner Ross, to adopt a wrestling program as outlined by a man named Mr. Jerry Olson. The motion carried. And with that, Jerry Olson became the first coach and founding father of the storied Mineral Point Wrestling program.
No actual team scores or statistics have been recorded, but wrestlers on that first team recall a scrimmage and possibly two or three actual matches. The chain of events that was about to follow no one could have ever imagined.
Now in its 61st year, Mineral Point has become one of the most powerful and respected programs in Wisconsin wrestling.
To this date, the Mineral Point Wrestling Program has recorded:
- 12 WIAA State Team Championships
- 57 WIAA Individual State Championships
- 7 NCAA College All-Americans
- Wisconsin’s First NCAA Champion
- 1 World Bronze Medalist
Jerry was hired at Mineral Point in 1962 as a Phy Ed Teacher and a JV Football Coach.
Today, Jerry and Pat reside in Green Bay and have four daughters and two sons.