Coaches and Philosophy
Hartford Wrestling offers a great championship tradition, a
tough schedule and a quality coaching staff.
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Hartford Wrestling is
committed to developing champions both on and off the mat. We believe a Champion is
one who lives by high ideals, knows how to set realistic goals, and to dedicate themselves
toward achieving them. The goal of the program is to make the wrestling experience
enjoyable, educational, and enriching! Pursuant to this philosophy, we will expect
our athletes, wrestling personnel, and coaches to represent our program and school in an
acceptable fashion at all times.
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Steve Best |
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steve.best@huhs.org |
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High School Experience
1991 Graduate of Hartford High School
High School Sports: Football and Wrestling
2x WIAA State Champion
2x Wisconsin Prep Wrestler of the Year
4x WIAA State Qualifier
2nd at the National High School Championships
College Experience
Attended University of Wisconsin on Wrestling Scholarship
4
year starter for the Badgers
NCAA National Qualifier in 1994
1996 Graduate of UW with a BS in Political Science
1999 Graduate of St. Cloud State with BS in Education (Physical Education)
Educational /Employment Experience
1996-99 Wrestling Graduate Assistant at St. Cloud State
1999-00 Teacher and Head Wrestling Coach at Granger HS, Texas
2000-01 Teacher and Head Wrestling Coach at Flower Mound HS, Texas
2001 Currently employed as a
Physical Education Teacher at HUHS
2001-04 Head Assistant Coach at Hartford Union High School
2004-07 Co-head Coach at Hartford Union
High School
2007
Named Head Hartford Wrestling Coach
Family
Single |
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High School Experience
1981 Graduate of Freeport, Illinois High School
High School Sports: Wrestling, Football
High School Honors: Conference Champion in
Wrestling Senior Year
College Experience
1986 B.S. Degree in Computer Science from
US Military Academy at West Point
1992 M.S. in Secondary Education from Northern Illinois University
Educational Employment Experience
1986-1991 Stationed at Fort Carson, CO
Began in 1992 at Hartford HS
Mathematics Teacher, Assistant
Football,
Assistant Golf and Assistant Wrestling
Family
Wife: Jenny
Children: Samantha (1997), Jack (1999),
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Gabby (2006) |
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High School Experience
1980 Graduate of West Bend East High School
High School Sports: Wrestling, Captain of Team in 1980
State
Wrestling Champion 1980
College Experience
1984 B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from UW-Whitewater
Wrestled one year until knee injury
1992 M.A.T. Degree from Aurora University
Educational/Employment Experience
Began in 1984 at Neosho Elementary School
Began coaching at Hartford HS in 1985
Family
Wife: Nancy
Children: Analese(1994) and Alexander(1995)
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mgehring79@yahoo.com |
High School Experience
1998
Graduate of Slinger High School
High School Sports: Wrestling, Football and
Track
High School Honors:
Wrestling-2x State Placewinner
Track -4x State Qualifier with 2 state
places
Football - Honorable Mention All-State,
played on state finalist team as senior
College Experience
2005 Graduate of UW Stevens Point
B.S. Physical Education
Wrestled two years at Point, Conference
Finalist
Educational Employment Experience
Student
Taught at Addison Elementary and at Hartford
Union High School
Currently
subbing in Slinger and Hartford
Family
Wife: Kate
Children: Abby (2001) and Lily (2004)
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| High School Experience |
| 1995 Graduate of Whitnall High School |
| 1994 and 1995 State Champion @ 112 lbs. |
| 1994 2nd in Greco Junior Nationals |
| Prep Career Record: 144-6-1 |
| Educational Employment Experience |
| Head Wrestling Coach Milwaukee Pius 2002-07 |
| Carpenter by trade |
| Family |
| Wife: Jessica |
| Children: Cael (2007) |
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| Coaches |
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Don Kreuser Retired in 2007
After 32 years in coaching, 28 as Head
*436-106-5 Career Record
*1999 George Martin Hall of Fame Member
*Coached 62 State Placewinners, including
15 WIAA State Champions
*130 State Qualifiers, including 81 Sectional Champs
*1990 WIAA State Team Champions, 2nd in 1989
*2002 and 2005 WIAA State Individual Tournament Champs
*19 WLT Championship Teams and 93 Individual Conference Champions, tops in the history of the WLT
* 5 teams to State Team Tournament
"I have been so fortunate to have had dedicated athletes and coaches, and a school and Wrestling Club that have worked together to make Hartford Wrestling so successful."
Spring 2007 |
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Steve Best, named new Head Coach
*2x WIAA State Champion for Hartford
*NCAA National Qualifier for University of Wisconsin
*Four year starter for the Badgers
*Wrestling Graduate Assistant at St. Cloud State
*Head Wrestling Coach at two Texas High Schools
*In six years back at Hartford the program has won five WLT titlles and the WIAA Individual State Tournament twice
*Coached 2 State Champions and 18 WIAA State Placewinners
*Was Responsible for Technique Planning since returning
*Co Head the past two years
*47-20 Career Record in Wisconsin |
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Head Coaches: |
| Mr. Cliff Robbins |
1957-59 |
| Mr. Robert
Coleman |
1959-64 |
| Mr. John Grandine |
1964-67 |
| Mr. Bob Halsey |
1967-69 |
Mr.
Joe McDaniel |
1969-79 |
| Mr. Don Kreuser |
1979-07 |
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Mr. Steve Best |
2004- |
Assistant Coaches |
| Mr. Miles Kalaher |
1959,60 |
| Mr. Stracka |
1961 |
| Mr. Moren |
1961 |
Mr.
John Grandine |
1962, 69-72 |
Mr.
Bob Halsey |
1965-67 |
Mr.
Jim Dunk |
1968 |
Mr.
Joe Bradley |
1968 |
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Mr.
Joe McDaniel |
1981-1992 |
Mr.
Bill Frederick |
1970 |
Mr.
Tomes |
1972 |
Mr.
Mike Droese |
1973-75, 80-81 |
Mr.
Miller |
1975 |
Mr.
Rick Brown |
1975-79 |
Mr.
Don Kreuser |
1975-79 |
Mr.
Randy Kolberg |
1980 |
Mr.
Phil Grimm |
1986- |
Mr.
John Lonergan |
1989-2000 |
Mr.
Timm McDaniel |
1990-1991 |
Mr.
Mark Purtell |
1991-1995 |
Mr.
Joe Spudich |
1992- |
Mr.
Corey McCauley |
1994-1998 |
Mr.
Mike Cummings |
1997- |
| Mr. Troy Kahle |
1998-2001 |
| Mr. Aaron Casetta |
2000-2002 |
| Mr. Steve Best |
2001-2004 |
| Mr. Mark Arnholt |
2003-2006 |
| Mr. Mitch Gehring |
2006- |
| Mr. John Zelinski |
2007- |
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Learn
More About Hartford |
Hartford High School prides itself as a first
class comprehensive high school. We have an outstanding
grasp of technology with our ratio of computers to students being
less than 4 to 1. We have excellent technology education,
art and music departments in addition to outstanding core
curricular areas. Our wrestling program has a rich
championship tradition and we believe, is one of strongest
programs in the state. We have five contracted coaches and
fifty plus wrestlers out for the sport. If you are looking
for the very best in education and an exceptional wrestling
experience with a quality coaching staff you can find it here.
Hartford won the 2002 and 2005 WIAA State Individual Tournament and
finished 2nd in the 2004 State Tournament
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