In a fun and festive atmosphere, a record number of people from the Oklahoma wrestling community celebrated the 2024 inductees into the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (NWHOF). The well-deserved recognition took place Sunday afternoon at the 28th annual banquet held at the Edmond Conference Center. Ricky Stewart was recognized as the Medal of Courage recipient, with Joey Miller being inducted as an Outstanding American. Lifetime Service to Wrestling inductees were Danny Blackshear, Brady Finton, Michael London, Dean Robertson and Rance Stein. The Greg Henning family were recipients of the Lee Roy & Madalene Smith Family Award.


A.L. Haizlip, who did an incredible job serving as Master of Ceremonies, opened the banquet by introducing the large number of past inductees in attendance at the banquet. Following those introductions, each inductee was introduced and entered the room to the resounding applause from the crowd. Haizlip also introduced many special guests, including 2018 national Order of Merit recipient Nancy Schultz Vitangeli, OCU Women’s head coach Nicole Tyson, and John Smith.
Haizlip then introduced Steve Ferguson, President of the Oklahoma chapter of the NWHOF. In his remarks, Ferguson noted that 435 people were in attendance, making it the largest crowd to ever attend this very special event, easily shattering the record established at last year’s banquet. Included in his comments, Ferguson recognized Todd Steidley, head coach of the 2X defending national champion UCO Bronchos along with assistant coach Scott Chenoweth and members of the UCO team in attendance.

Ferguson introduced the 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, and Lisa Smith.
Ferguson then introduced NWHOF Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. Included in Smith’s remarks was the reminder of the mission of the NWHOF to honor the sport of wrestling by 1. Preserving the history of the sport, 2. Recognizing extraordinary achievements, and 3. Inspiring future generations. Smith also cited the importance of people continuing to advocate for the sport. Among those that Smith introduced was Paycom Founder and President, Chad Richison.

Hall of Fame coach Eddie Griffin led the prayer prior to dinner being served and following dinner, it was time to recognize the incredible members of the Class of 2024. In a different format than past years, when introduced each inductee was seated with Haizlip on the stage, who then conducted a Q&A interview with the inductee.
The information in the rest of this article comes from the biographies found on the NWHOF website, from this writer’s attendance at the banquet and from research gathered by this writer.
One of the categories recognized each year is the Medal of Courage. The NWHOF website states that this recognition goes to “a former wrestler who has overcome what appears to be insurmountable challenges, which may be physical, mental or other disabilities that make their achievements all the more uplifting.” The popular and personable Ricky Stewart certainly fits that description.
While all of the inductees received well-deserved standing ovations when they were introduced, the longest and loudest applause was saved for Stewart. The appreciation, love, and support for Ricky Stewart was very evident throughout the event and he returned that love and appreciation in a very emotional presentation.
Ricky Stewart was a 3X undefeated state champion for Duncan (86-0-1 career record), who went on to become a 4X All-American and 2X national champion for OSU. Stewart’s fireman’s carry takedown to a fall over the heralded Dave Schultz to win his second national title is a favorite memory of many OSU wrestling fans. Stewart completed his OSU career with a 118-7 career record with 43 falls and 75 bonus point wins.

In December 2020, Stewart faced a challenge much larger than any wrestling match when he was burned on 74% of his body in an explosion at his home in Texarkana, TX, resulting in losing a leg and fingers on both hands. Ricky spent eight months in an induced coma after the explosion.
Ricky’s determination and grit during his long and painful recovery process was an inspiration to everyone around him and a great example of his character. On his departure from the hospital in March 2022, everyone from the hospital lined the halls to give him a standing ovation. Ricky currently lives in Oklahoma City with his daughter as he continues the difficult rehabilitation and recovery process.

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. Chuck Kearney presented the plaque to Ricky with Ricky’s daughters Amanda Corey and Rikki Jade Stewart assisting in the jacket presentation.
Another category recognized each year is the Outstanding American. From the NWHOF website, “this is given to former wrestlers who are highly successful in other walks of life and use the disciplines learned in wrestling in their profession.” The board was once again spot on with the recognition of the popular Joey Miller. Miller quickly became a crowd favorite with her witty, thoughtful, and heart-felt responses to Haizlip’s questions.
Joey Miller, one of the original trailblazers in girls wrestling in Oklahoma, was the first girl to place in the boy’s high school State Tournament, with 4th place finishes in 2005 and 2008 and was also the first and only female selected to participate in the Boys All-State Wrestling Dual.

Joey went on to wrestle at Oklahoma City University, compiling a 127-27 career record with 72 falls. Miller was a 4X All-American, 3X finalist and national champion in 2012 and 2013. During her time there, she helped lead OCU to three national team titles and one runner-up finish.
In 2018, Miller earned a doctorate of physical therapy degree from the University of Miami. While in school, she was one of two physical therapy students from across the U.S. invited to the White House to advocate for the country’s geriatric population.
She is currently owner of Joey Miller Physical Therapy and serves as the head of the Department of Physical Therapy of the Miccosukee Tribe in Miami, Florida.
Miller shared the moment with her parents, with mom, Novell presenting the plaque and dad, Jerry presenting the jacket.
The final category is the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award, which the NWHOF website states “Given in recognition of 20 years or more of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in the youth through the sport of wrestling.” This year’s recipients were all leaders of the sport and very deserving of this special recognition.
Danny Blackshear has been an official for more than 20 years in both high school and Olympic styles of wrestling. Blackshear has been named Official of the Year, four times by the Oklahoma Wrestling Coaches Association. He has officiated at 12 Oklahoma High School State Tournaments, 14 Oklahoma High School Regional Tournaments, including seven times as the head official.

Blackshear has officiated at every level of freestyle and Greco wrestling, from Kids wrestling to the Senior World Championships and Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. He has officiated five World Cups, three Senior World Championships and was an alternate for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Jerry Kuntz was the plaque presenter for Blackshear and Todd Glasgow was the jacket presenter.
Brady Finton began his officiating career in Kansas in 1998, moving to Oklahoma wrestling in 1991, and into officiating NCAA matches in 1998. Finton has officiated numerous Oklahoma Dual State Tournaments and officiated at 19 Oklahoma High School State Tournaments. He has also officiated the NAIA National Tournament 11 times.
He was honored with the Onions Martin Award in 2021 and is a past recipient of the Oklahoma Wrestling Coaches Association Official of the Year Award.
Zac Finton served as the plaque presenter and Josh Briscoe was the jacket presenter for Finton.
Michael London coached youth wrestling in Tuttle for more than 37 years. London was the founder and head coach for Tuttle’s your wrestling program and instrumental in Tuttle High School adding the sport in 1984. Maybe fittingly, London’s son Trent was Tuttle’s first high school state champion, winning the first of three state titles in 1988.
London coached freestyle and Greco wrestling with the Oklahoma City Athletic Club throughout the 1980s, taking many teams on international tours.
His family has carried his legacy forward with his son, Trent, a 3X state champion and collegiate All-American, serving as the head coach of Tuttle Little League Wrestling and his daughter Dusty, serving as the Little League director.
London shared the moment with his family, with Trent serving as the plaque presenter and daughter Dusty London and grandson Jack Golowenski assisting in the jacket presentation.
Dean Robertson introduced the sport of wrestling to Pryor High School in 1965 and for the next 25 years, served as whatever level was needed to help the program succeed. He was the head coach of the high school from 1965-1968 and from 1973-1979. He was a high school assistant from 1969-1972 and was the junior high coach in 1968.
After coaching, he served as the Pryor Junior High Athletic Director form 192-1999 and was on the Pryor Board of Education from 2009-2023.
The Pryor High School Wrestling Room is name the Dean and Jean Wrestling Room, reflecting the years of service both he and his wife, Jean, dedicated the program.
A large number of family and friends made the trip from Pryor to celebrate the special day with Robertson. Pete Van Zant served as the plaque presenter for Robertson with Mike Robertson serving as the jacket presenter.
Rance Stein served as a high school wrestling official for 30 years and as a freestyle and Greco official for 15 years. Stein was a volunteer coach for Oklahoma City University Women’s Wrestling Team from 2007-2019. During this time the OCU women won four Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association national championships and five national dual titles.

Stein’s contributions off the mat have been equally impactful. He is a longtime member and officer of USA Oklahoma, a former member of the USA Wrestling Board of Directors and has served on numerous committees both at the state and national levels, including a long stint on the USA Wrestling Kids Council. His service to wrestling was instrumental in helping Oklahoma attract national events to the state, including the USA Wrestling’s Junior National Duals and the Women’s University National Tournament.
Kevin Crutchmer assisted in both the plaque presentation and jacket presentation for Stein.
In 2022, the Oklahoma Chapter started a new award, recognizing families that have played a significant role in Oklahoma wrestling. Fittingly, the Lee Roy and Madalene Smith Family received the recognition that year and the award is named in their honor. Madalene, assisted by sons Lee Roy and John, was on hand to present the award to the Henning Family. Long-time Tuttle coach Greg Henning and sons Jeff, Jared, and Ryan were recipients of the award this year.

The Henning family has won a total of 12 individual state titles, with Greg getting it started by winning a state title in 1972 and leading Southeast to the team state championship. Jeff (1995-1998) and Ryan (2001-2004) were 4X state champions and Jared (2000-2002) was a 3X state champion, all wrestling under their dad at Tuttle.
Greg coached five state championship and five runner-up teams at Tuttle, with Jeff, Jared and Ryan being on four of the championship teams and three of the runner-up teams.
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, 2025.