LAGUNA HILLS, CA – For more than two decades, I have had the privilege of covering the sport of amateur wrestling across California. I have documented the triumphs, the heartbreaks, and the relentless grind of athletes on the mat. Yet, despite my deep immersion in this community, I have always preferred to operate behind the scenes. That changed recently when my good friend Scott Glabb extended a personal invitation to attend the National Wrestling Hall of Fame California Chapter Banquet and Induction Ceremony at the Laguna Hills Community Center.

Admittedly, stepping into that building came with a healthy dose of nerves. In the California wrestling community, many people know the name, but far fewer know the face. I am comfortable being the observer, the writer, and the quiet voice in the background. Transitioning from the press table to a formal banquet hall felt unfamiliar.

As I entered the venue and scanned the room to find my table, my initial anxiety was quickly put at ease. My first interaction of the evening was with Seth VanBebber, whose son, Tyler, recently capped off an exceptional freshman season competing for Temecula Valley. Despite having never met me before, Seth extended genuine friendliness and courtesy, instantly making me feel welcome.

The evening only got better from there. I had the honor of sharing a table with Olympian Tim Vanni and Mt. SAC Wrestling Coach David Rivera, both of whom showed me incredible hospitality. Looking around the room and seeing so many familiar faces—athletes, coaches, and figures I have covered over my twenty-plus years in the sport—gave me a profound sense of camaraderie. It felt incredibly rewarding to be surrounded by my peers, not just as a reporter, but as a true member of the wrestling family.

The evening of celebration was moderated by Hall of Fame coach Scott Glabb. Each honoree was introduced with a detailed description of their accomplishments, perfectly balanced by good-natured jokes from Glabb. This year, 11 Distinguished Members were inducted for their lifetime service to wrestling.

Among the incredibly deserving individuals honored that night were:

Arsen Aleksanyan

Aleksanyan competed at Calvary Chapel High under legendary Coach John Azevedo. He was a California Junior College State Champion at Moorpark College before becoming a two-year starter at Michigan State University. He returned to coach at his alma mater, leading the team to five CIF Division team championships, two Masters team championships, and two small school state championships.

Making the jump to the collegiate coaching level as the Head Assistant Coach for Cal Baptist under head coach Lennie Zalesky, Aleksanyan was instrumental in developing elite talent. During his five-year tenure, CBU saw tremendous success, producing 20 All-Americans, three NCAA Finalists, and two National Champions. Following his run at CBU, Aleksanyan built a program from the ground up as the inaugural Head Coach for Life Pacific College (now University) in San Dimas. Today, he continues his impact as the head coach of the Poway Regional Training Center.

Lyndon Campbell

A two-time state champion at Santa Fe High School, Campbell went on to compete at Villanova University. When Villanova discontinued its wrestling program, he transferred to Cal State University Fullerton. Campbell became a three-time Division I National Qualifier and won the Pac-10 Championship during his senior season, finishing in the top 12 of his weight class.

Since 1996, Coach Campbell has been a cornerstone of Temecula Valley High School (TVHS) wrestling. His incredible leadership resume includes 38 consecutive league titles, 40 combined CIF Southern Section team championships (dual meet and traditional), four Masters Meet Team titles, and an astonishing dual-meet record of 534-27.

Scott Craft

Craft wrestled for Rim of the World High School, making history as the school’s first state placer (5th in 1982 and 6th in 1983). He competed collegiately at San Jose State and Cal State Bakersfield before a knee injury ended his competitive career.

Transitioning to coaching, Craft served as an assistant at his alma mater from 1987 to 1999, taking over as head coach from 2000 to 2017. Under his tutelage, the program thrived with a 305-42 dual meet record, two CIF Division titles, and two CIF dual meet titles. He coached 24 CIF individual champions, 37 overall CIF placewinners, and 14 state placewinners, including three-time state champion Scott Chapman. Notably, he also coached Marcie VanDusen, the first girl to place in a CIF tournament while wrestling against boys.

Steve Glassey

Active in the wrestling community for over 40 years, Glassey originally competed for Rubidoux High School in Riverside before becoming a two-time PAC-10 finalist at CS Fullerton. His sprawling coaching career began in 1979 and includes highly successful stints at Sonora High, Santa Ana Junior College, Cerritos College, Mater Dei, Santa Margarita, Brethren Christian, and Sierra College. With over 17 years at the collegiate level, he led NAIA recruiting classes that were twice ranked No. 1 by WIN Magazine.

He founded the So-Cal Wrestling Club in 1985 and hosted the Camp of Champions. More recently, he led Lakeside High to a league title and CIF-SS dual meet title with an 18-0 record in 2023, following it up with another league title in 2024 and CIF dual title in 2025. Between 2009 and 2014 at Santiago/Corona High, he built a powerhouse, notably sending an entire 14-man squad to the Masters meet in 2013 and placing 5th at the state tournament with four placers.

Natalie Hayes

For over 40 years, Natalie has dedicated her life to wrestling—starting in 1984 as a dual-meet statistician and growing into one of the sport’s premier statisticians and tournament operators. She has played a key role at events including the CIF State Championships, CIF Masters, Five Counties, Battle for the Belt, Fargo Junior Nationals, and many more, helping power some of wrestling’s biggest stages from behind the scenes.

Today, she continues that legacy with K&D Productions, bringing unmatched experience to tournaments across the country. Outside the wrestling world, Natalie is a dedicated preschool teacher in the Capistrano Unified School District, encouraging and guiding the lives of many children.

Danny Kida

Kida was a four-time San Diego Section Champion from 1966-1969 at Monte Vista High before becoming a California junior college state runner-up in 1970 for Grossmont College. He went on to compete at San Jose State, where he placed 5th in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 1972, followed by a 4th-place finish in 1973.

His expansive coaching career started at his alma mater, San Jose State (1985-1986). Moving back to San Diego, he served as an assistant at Valhalla High alongside his cousin and Hall of Famer Glen Takahashi from 1989-2000. Kida’s journey included stops at Steele Canyon, Otay Ranch, Grossmont, La Jolla, and West Hills. Serving as head coach at Steele Canyon across multiple stints between 2007 and 2015, he led the team to six Grossmont Hills league titles and an impressive 4th-place team finish at the Masters meet.

Harlan Kistler

Kistler competed at Notre Dame High, where he was a 1st- and 3rd-place finisher at the CIF state tournament. Collegiately, he won the PAC-10 tournament as a freshman for UCLA and became an All-American the following year. When UCLA dropped its program, he transferred to Arizona State and won another PAC-10 title. A final transfer to Iowa saw him win the BIG 10 tournament and placed 3rd at the national tournament for legendary coach Dan Gable.

At ML King High, Kistler’s coaching record speaks for itself: 103 CIF placers, 48 finalists, 29 CIF champions, 45 Masters meet placers, 13 state placers, and 16 national All-Americans (including two national champions). His success in the legal world mirrors his wrestling career; he was recently honored by his peers with the 2025 Attorney of the Year award by the Riverside County Bar Association.

Dennis Piramo

Bringing more than 25 years of coaching and educational experience, Piramo has established himself as one of Southern California’s most respected wrestling mentors. He currently serves as Co-Head Wrestling Coach at Fountain Valley High School, where the Barons have captured 15 consecutive league championships and eight CIF team championships, producing numerous CIF champions, state placers, and collegiate athletes.

Prior to Fountain Valley, he led Marina High and Hilo High (Hawaii), where he guided Hilo to a seventh-place state finish. He also coached Victoria Anthony, who went on to become an international standout and Olympic alternate for Team USA. A former wrestler at Gannon University, Piramo has dedicated over two decades to education as a special education teacher and former Athletic Director, shaping a coaching philosophy centered on accountability, discipline, and servant leadership.

Andy Sepulveda

Sepulveda’s connection to wrestling began as a teenager, influenced by her brother’s youth and high school wrestling career at El Modena High, where she worked alongside legendary coach Alan Clinton. Since 1999, she has served as the beloved head trainer at Northwood High in Irvine.

Almost every athlete at Northwood has visited her office, and the familiar “We want Andy!” chants frequently ring out across campus events. As Northwood’s sole athletic trainer, she expertly manages high-stress scenarios—from complex return-to-play protocols and impact injuries to environmental hazards like heat and lightning—ensuring the utmost safety of the athletes.

Bruce Terry

A notable wrestler from Loara High School in Anaheim, Terry was named to the Wrestling USA Magazine’s High School All-America Team during the 1978-1979 season. He was a two-time CIF state champion with a stellar overall record of 105-7-1, going a perfect 45-0 during his senior year.

Now a Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Terry gave back to his alma mater as an assistant coach from 1979 to 1986, helping Loara win a CIF championship in 1983. Since 1988, he has been a highly dedicated member of the OC Wrestling Officials Association, refereeing the Masters meet, Five Counties, and CIF Southern Section tournaments for over 15 years.

Brad Woodbury

The head coach at Fountain Valley since 2001, Woodbury has built a lasting legacy of success. Under his leadership, the program has produced 100 CIF placers, 24 state placers, 17 league titles, and seven CIF individual team titles.

Before his defining era at Fountain Valley, Woodbury coached at Torrance High (1998-2001), served as an assistant at Fountain Valley (1996-1998), and coached at J. Eugene McAteer High (1994-1995). Alongside his incredible coaching accomplishments, he has dedicated 29 years to teaching physical education.

Watching so many Division I All-Americans, legendary coaches, dedicated officials, and lifelong mentors take the stage was a deeply humbling experience. As I took it all in, I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of my own journey. I was just a kid who initially got involved in wrestling because I fully expected to be jumping off the third rope and dropping flying elbows on my opponents and becoming the next WWE superstar. Instead, I found a sport that demands unparalleled grit, and a community that honors its own with profound respect.

Sitting in that banquet hall, my mind drifted back to my own early days lacing up my wrestling shoes and battling for CIF titles with my teammates, taught me early on that the reality of the wrestling room is far more grueling—and far more rewarding—than anything scripted on television. As I transitioned from the high school grind to competing at the collegiate level, I began to realize that while my days of live competition would eventually end, my lifelong connection to the sport was only just beginning.