Sunday was a special day for Oklahoma Wrestling, as close to 400 people celebrated the 2025 inductees into the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (NWHOF). The well-deserved recognition took place Sunday afternoon at the 29th annual banquet held at the Edmond Conference Center. Robert Nale was recognized as the Medal of Courage recipient, with Dr. Kelly Laughlin being inducted as an Outstanding American. Lifetime Service to Wrestling inductees were Mac Bentley, Jack Hornbuckle, Michael Lightner, Dan Pettigrew and John Smith. The Roller family were recipients of the Lee Roy & Madalene Smith Family Award.
A.L. Haizlip, who did a masterful job as Master of Ceremonies, opened the banquet by introducing the large number of past inductees, who entered the packed banquet hall in their signature green jackets. Following those introductions, the 2025 honorees were introduced and entered the room to the resounding applause from the crowd. Each inductee was escorted into the room by a family member. Bentley was accompanied by his wife, Becky. Hornbuckle was accompanied by his daughter Jimi. Lightner accompanied by his father, Mike Lightner. Pettigrew was accompanied by his wife, LeAnn. Smith accompanied by his wife, Toni. Laughlin was accompanied by his wife, Miche Laughlin and Nale was accompanied by his daughter Alyssa Aanderud.
Haizlip then introduced collegiate coaches in attendance. Introduced were Tom Carr, head coach from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Joe Renfro from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Nathan Marek from Carl Albert State College, Todd Steidley from UCO, and Roger Kish from OU.
Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the NWHOF spoke next. Smith touched on many wrestling related topics including mentioning the rapid growth of women’s wrestling and the critical significance it has meant to the overall growth of wrestling across the nation.
Hall of Fame coach Eddie Griffin led the prayer prior to dinner being served and following the delicious dinner, Steve Ferguson, President of the Oklahoma chapter of the NWHOF spoke briefly, including strongly encouraging people to nominate deserving individuals for future consideration as honorees for this special recognition.
Ferguson introduced the board members of the Oklahoma chapter of the NWHOF. Members include Vice-president A.L. Haizlip, Secretary Paul Ameen, Treasurer Howard Seay and members Mike Clark, Todd Goolsby, Dr. Robert Hines, Hardell Moore, Melissa Simmons, Lisa Smith, and Mark Kirk.
4X state champion and Bixby High School graduate Jadyn Roller (currently a freshman at OSU and member of the OSU Women’s Wrestling Club) was presented with the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award.
It was now time to recognize the well-deserving members of the Class of 2025. In a format started last year, following the bio being read about each honoree, the honoree would then be seated on the stage with Haizlip, who then conducted a Q&A interview. The questions usually included topics such as who was their mentor that got them started in this great sport and what do they hope their legacy is relating to wrestling.
Following the Q&A interviews, the Roller Family was presented the Lee Roy & Madalene Smith Family Award.
One of the traditions of the banquet is the opportunity for the inductee to include people who have played an important part in their lives to participate in the plaque presentation and jacket presentation. Becky Bentley presented the plaque to Mac Bentley. Jimi Hornbuckle presented the plaque to Jack Hornbuckle with Dwayne Hornbuckle assisting in the jacket presentation. Sammie Henson presented the plaque to Michael Lightner with Rodney Jones presenting his jacket. Dan Pettigrew received his plaque from his son, Blake and received his jacket from his son, Austin. Todd Goolsby presented John Smith with his plaque and Steve Ferguson heled with the jacket presentation. Miche Laughlin presented Kelly Laughlin with his plaque and Mike Henry assisted in the jack presentation. Austin Nale presented the plaque to his dad, Robert Nale, with Howard Seay assisting in the jacket presentation
Listed below are bios over each of the honorees.
Mac Bentley—Lifetime Service: From 1982 until 2004, Mac Bentley provided outstanding press coverage for every level of wrestling as a sportswriter for the Daily Oklahoman. During this 22-year period, he traveled the state and across the nation, writing about high school tournaments, collegiate matches, conference tournaments and NCAA Championships at both the Division I and II levels. He wrote numerous feature stories about wrestlers from the University of Central Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. He chronicled some of the greatest Bedlam matches in the rivalry’s storied history and reported on Olympic greatness from both the Cowboys and the Sooners. In 1997, Bentley received national recognition for his outstanding coverage and dedication to the sport, as he was honored with the Bob Dellinger Media Award, presented by Amateur Wrestling News to the nation’s best wrestling writer.
Jack Hornbuckle – Lifetime Service: Whether as a competitor or coach, wrestling truly has been a life-long passion for Jack Hornbuckle. He was a two-time state champion for Rancho High School in Nevada before heading to Stillwater to wrestle for OSU. Hornbuckle was a member of OSU’s 1968 national championship team, and he was also an Olympic Team Trial Qualifier that same year.
Hornbuckle started his coaching career in Sallisaw and was the head coach for both the junior high and high school teams from 1970 until 1974. In 1974-75, he served as a volunteer coach for the Oklahoma City Athletic Club’s freestyle team and in 1975 was the head coach of the Oklahoma National Junior Freestyle Team. In 1975-76, he coached in Marietta, Georgia, before starting his long and successful career at Poteau.
A name synonymous with Poteau Wrestling, Hornbuckle, was the first head coach for Poteau High School and continued to be an integral part of the program for the next 40 years. Starting in the 1976-77 school year, Hornbuckle served as the head coach for both the junior high and high school teams until retiring in 2007. Although retired, he continued to support the team and returned during the 2009-2010 school year to serve as an assistant coach and then served as head coach from 2010 to 2015.
Following his last stint with Poteau, Hornbuckle remained active in the sport, serving as a volunteer coach at Northside High School in Ft. Smith, AR from 2021-2023. During his 40-year career, Hornbuckle coached 124 state qualifiers with his teams winning 419 duals and 11 conference championships.
Hornbuckle’s coaching went beyond folkstyle wrestling as he earned the USA Bronze Level certification for freestyle and coached several US Open national champions and All-Americans.
His love of wrestling didn’t stop there as he was very successful in U.S. and World Veteran’s Tournaments. He won numerous U.S. Veteran’s national titles and was an eight-time placer at the Veteran’s World Championships, including being a three-time World runner-up and two-time World Champion.
Michael Lightner – Life Time Service: Lightner was a four-time junior high state champion, and four-time high school state champion before going on to become a four-time All-American and national champion at the University of Oklahoma. A graduate of small-school powerhouse Marlow High School, Lightner compiled a 131-1 career record in winning four state titles from 1993-1996 and was named Outstanding Wrestler of the State Tournament in 1994 and 1996.
During his sophomore year, Lightner won the 125 lb. title in the Elite Division at the AAU National Folkstyle Wrestling Championships, which led him to being recognized in Sport’s Illustrated “Faces in the Crowd.” Following his senior season, Lightner won his match in the well-known Dapper Dan Classic in Pennsylvania, earned a runner-up finish at Junior Nationals and was awarded the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award.
Competing at the University of Oklahoma, Lightner became only the tenth Sooner wrestler to earn four All-American finishes. Lightner, a three-time finalist, won the 2001 national title at 141 lbs. to complete the season with a perfect 37-0 record. Lightner was also a four-time Big 12 champion and ended his collegiate career with a 144-16 record.
Following graduation from OU, Lightner earned two top two finishes at the U.S. World Team Trials, including being crowned champion in 2005 and placing 5th at the World Championships.
Lightner coached at OU from 2008-2022 and currently serves as the wrestling coach at Noble High School. While at OU, Lightner coached several All-Americans including national champions Cody Brewer and Kendric Maple and in 2021, helped lead OU to their first Big 12 Conference championship since 2002.
Dan Pettigrew – Lifetime Service: Dan Pettigrew’s dedication, passion, and positive influence helped develop winners on and off the mat during his 40-year career as a coach at Lexington, Madill, and Ada. Pettigrew, a 1979 graduate of Ada High School was a three-time state qualifier and a member of the Oklahoma national team that competed in the U.S. vs Japan dual in 1979. He was a member of the 1980 Northern Oklahoma Junior College team that placed 3rd at the national tournament, before injuries ended his competitive career.
His first coaching position was at Lexington where he coached for three seasons before moving to Madill, where he coached from 1986 until 1991. He then returned to his alma mater Ada, where he coached for over 30 years, before retiring in 2023. At Ada, he was the head high school coach from 1991-2001 and then served as the assistant high school coach and head junior high school coach from 2002-2023.
In 1999, Pettigrew was selected as the All-State Coach for the Large East Wrestling Team. As a head high school coach, Pettigrew compiled a 151-75 dual record, including winning three district titles to qualify for Dual State. Combing his time as a head coach and assistant coach, Pettigrew coached three state champions, eight state runners-up, 27 state placers, 106 state qualifiers and 13 All-State wrestlers.
As a junior high coach, Pettigrew led his teams to a 285-120 dual record and coached 23 junior high state placers, including 10 junior high state champions. Among the wrestlers he helped develop in junior high were four-time state champion Steve Elkins and NCAA national champion, Barry Weldon. Combining high school and junior high duals, Pettigrew coached his teams to 436 dual wins.
John Smith – Lifetime Service: John Smith is considered by most as the greatest American wrestler of all time. From 1986-1992, Smith won six consecutive world championships, something no other American wrestler has ever done.
Smith won on every level he competed. Wrestling for Del City High School, Smith was a two-time state champion and four-time state placer, finishing with a 105-5 career record. Smith dominated his last two years, going a perfect 58-0 in winning two state titles and claiming the Outstanding Wrestler Award in his senior year.
Competing for OSU, Smith was a three-time finalist and two-time NCAA champion. Smith ended his collegiate career with a 90 match win streak and a career record of 154-7-2.
While still competing for OSU, Smith started his amazing streak of world championships. In 1987, Smith won his first NCAA title as well as winning his first World Wrestling championship. In 1988, Smith claimed his second NCAA title and won the gold medal at 136.5 lbs. at the Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.
Smith wasn’t done yet, as he won World titles in 1989, 1990, and 1991 to make it five championships in a row. He capped his amazing run, winning his sixth straight World title and second Olympic Gold Medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Combining his high school, collegiate and international records, Smith compiled a 436-22 record.
In 1990, Smith won the AAU James E. Sullivan Award, presented each year to the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level in the U.S. He was the first wrestler to win this award.
Smith was named the head coach of the OSU wrestling program in the 1991-92 season and guided them until 2024. He led the Cowboys to five NCAA titles while coaching 33 individual national champions and 152 All-Americans. During this time OSU won 21 conference titles and crowned 129 individual conference champions. OSU’s dual record under Smith was 490-73-6.
Dr. Kelly Laughlin – Outstanding American: Before Colonel Kelly Laughlin bravely served our country for over 30 years with the U.S. Army, he was an honor student and standout wrestler for Shawnee High School. Starting his wrestling career in the Shawnee elementary schools, Laughlin was a four-year letterman in high school and co-captain of the team in his senior year in 1986. In that year, he placed third at the State Tournament helping lead the Wolves to the team state championship.
Following graduation from high school, Laughlin excelled at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, graduating in 1991 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Laughlin went on to earn his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 2006 and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Interior Ballistic) from OU in 2008.
Laughlin’s distinguished career includes a long list of command and staff positions. Just to name a few, he was Deputy Commander DCMA Afghanistan, Director of Plans for the Joint Contracting Command in Iraq and Afghanistan, Military Deputy to the Advanced Engineering Technology Board, and Commanding General for the Tank and Automotive Command.
Colonel Laughlin’s Awards and Decorations include the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Award (with four Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with five Oak Leaf Clusters), Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and many other decorations for service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Robert Nale – Medal of Courage: “Let the Tiger Out”, four simple words of encouragement from mom, not only helped inspire Robert Nale, Jr. on the mat, they also saved his life.
Nale was a two-time state placer for Sapulpa High School, placing 4th as a junior and earning a runner-up finish his senior year in 1978. While in high school, Nale also earned a spot on the Oklahoma Freestyle and Greco Cultural Exchange Team. Nale was a team member of the 1982 national championship team for Central State (now UCO), a team that was inducted into the UCO Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018.
Before each of his matches, Nale’s mom would encourage him with the words, “Let the Tiger out when you step on the mat and put him back in when you step off the mat.” Those are words that never left Nale.
Nale graduated from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy in 1989 and shortly after that started his career as a dedicated law enforcement officer. Unfortunately, that all changed on March 28, 1992. Nale was assisting another trooper at the scene of an accident at I-44 and SE 15th Street in Oklahoma City, when his left arm went numb and his head felt like it was going to explode. Nale, unable to speak and with limited movement was able to signal for assistance from others and was transported to the hospital.
Upon hearing the news, Nale’s parents quickly rushed from Sapulpa to the hospital in Oklahoma City. The neurosurgeon showed them an x-ray of the bleeding in his head and said “that he was sorry and that their son would be pronounced dead in fifteen minutes.” Nale’s mom did not accept that answer and pushed her way past everyone, making her way to her son. Leaning into him and whispering the often-used mantra from his wrestling days, “It’s time to let the tiger out!”,she motivated her unresponsive son back to life.
The Roller Family—Madalene and Lee Roy Smith Family Award: The Roller family of Bixby will be honored with the 2025 Family Award. Patriarch Jack Roller, who passed away last November, provided inspiration to wrestlers of all ages as the visionary and tournament director behind the massive World of Wrestling events, including the Tulsa Nationals, the Kickoff Classic and the Reno Worlds. He received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award from the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995.
Roller raised four sons, all of them successful wrestlers for Bixby High School. Keith Roller won the 1988 4A state championship at heavyweight but played football in college. Jimmy Roller won a state title in 1991 and wrestled collegiately for the University of Oklahoma. Michael Roller won two state titles, in 1992 and 1993, and wrestled collegiately for Nebraska and OU. And finally, Shane Roller won four state titles from 1995-1998. He wrestled for Oklahoma State University where he was a three-time NCAA All-American, three-time Academic All-American and Big 12 Conference champion. He was captain of the 2003 NCAA Championship team and served as an assistant coach for three more championship teams.
Shane’s son, Jace, is entering his redshirt freshman season at the University of Missouri. He won three high school state championships for Bixby High School where he broke his father’s pin record with 88 career falls. Jadyn, Shane’s daughter, was only the second female wrestler in Oklahoma to win four state titles, matching her father’s four high school championships. She was awarded the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award for the state of Oklahoma and will continue her wrestling career at OSU.
To nominate someone for future recognition you may go to the NWFOF website (State Chapters page) and complete a nomination form. Send completed forms to: [email protected]. All nominations are due no later than April 1, 2026.
