Wrestling: Calumet’s Wadkins to enter Hall

Updated: February 17, 2012 10:34PM

This weekend, following the Indiana high school wrestling individual state finals, Calumet graduate and longtime Warriors coach Jim Wadkins will be inducted into the wrestling Hall of Fame.

Wadkins earned three varsity letters wrestling for the Warriors and placed fourth in the 1980 state finals at 177 pounds. He went on to wrestle at Wabash College, earning four letters for the Little Giants and winning three Indiana Little State Championships. In 1984, Wadkins served as co-captain and won the team MVP at Wabash. He was part of a Wabash senior class that compiled a career dual record of 75-3.

Wadkins took the helm at his alma mater in 1990 and, in his 22 years at Calumet, he has amassed a dual record of 304-161-1. Wadkins has coached two state champions, Thurman Stone in 1999 and Andy Trevino, the 1991 140-pound state champ.

Trevino now serves as the Warriors’ “head” assistant coach.

“I’ve seen Jim in two different lights, said former Highland coach and current wrestling official Mike Poynter. “It is impossible that anyone ‘gets it’ more than Jimmy. He is always thinking about the kids.”

Wadkins runs three major wrestling tournaments every year at Calumet, the Chris Traicoff Memorial, which has been called the most grueling day of wrestling in the state of Indiana. Wadkins also hosts the Calumet Sectional and Regional on back-to-back weekends. Just running one tournament a year is daunting enough as they are usually 14-15 hours days.

“Jim Wadkins represents the highest in coaching ethics that you will find in the Calumet region and even in the state of Indiana, said Munster coach Dan Gelarden. “People who compete against him know that he does things the right way for his kids, opposing coaches and teams, and for the sport of wrestling in general. Jim has the total respect of his coaching peers because of always doing the right things.”

“If anyone needed help in any wrestling matter, especially concerning Northwest Indiana, Jim Wadkins is the name you wanted,” Lake Central coach Rod Wartman said.

“I have been blessed with a tremendous family,” said Wadkins. “My wife, Michele, has been great about sharing me with the kids at Calumet High School, especially around the holidays. My two daughters, Megan and Rachel, both honor students in the Crown Point schools, have helped out.

“My wife asked me after our second daughter was born if I was disappointed that she wasn’t a boy. I told her not at all. I have had the privilege of teaching and coaching hundreds of “sons” and now one “daughter” too in Kalia (senior Kalia Clark, the only girl to ever wrestle at Calumet).”

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