Apple Valley and Alan Rice honored at Greco-Roman Hall of Fame

WATERLOO – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum will recognize the Apple Valley High School wrestling team for its outstanding accomplishments at the Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions ceremony. The event will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at the Christensen Center Commons on the campus of Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn.

Apple Valley has been named the top high school wrestling team in the nation each of the past two seasons. They have also been dominant in their home state of Minnesota, winning 19 state team titles.

The Eagles continually seek out nation-wide competition. Recent tournament titles include The Clash (32-dual team tournament in Rochester, Minn.), The Cheesehead (Wisc.) and the Keith Young Invitational (Cedar Falls, Iowa)

Head coach Jim Jackson is entering his 17^th season at the helm, and has been in the Apple Valley school system for 31 years. He began coaching at the junior level for five years after graduating from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Jackson’s teams have captured 13 Class 3A championships in Minnesota.

“Success breeds success,” said Jackson. “We have a culture where kids pretty much train year round. The commitment from the parents and kids to do the work makes the difference. I’ve got great coaches on my staff.”

Apple Valley won six state championships under previous head coach Bill Demaray, the first in 1983. Demaray now works as an assistant coach and mentor to Jackson.

Alan Rice, namesake of the Hall of Champions, will be honored with the Leadership Award. Rice was instrumental in the development of the American wrestlers in the Greco-Roman discipline for over half a century. He was an Olympian in 1956 and coached the 1972 Greco-Roman Olympic team.

Along with his late wife, Gloria, Alan Rice helped form the Minnesota Wrestling Club. The Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions occupies a significant wing in the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo.

Olympic and World champion Rulon Gardner will become the sixth inductee into this elite Hall. Gardner joins 2009 inductees Steve Fraser, Jeff Blatnick, Mike Houck, Dennis Hall and Joe Warren.

The Jim and Olive Morgan family will receive the first Greco-Roman Legacy Award for their outstanding accomplishments. John, Gordy and Marty Morgan won a combined 10 national Greco-Roman titles and competed in two Olympics and nine World championships.

The evening begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m. then dinner at 7:00 and awards ceremony at 8:00.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at www.dgm-nwhof.ticketleap.com or by calling the Dan Gable Museum at 319-233-0745.