Adrian, MI – The Lenawee County wrestling Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized at the 2025 Lenawee County All-Star Tournament tonight at Adrian College’s Merillat Sport and Fitness Center. Here is a rundown of all inductees submitted to 96.5 The Cave and Lenawee TV, including a list of accomplishments on and off the mat.
Sam Mehan wrestled for Sand Creek High School from 2008-2011. Sam placed second in the division 4 state tournament in 2010 and 2012. Sam was Sand Creek’s first state champion, capturing the 160 pound title in 2011.Sam was regional and district champion in 2010, 2011 and 2012. He was also Lenawee county tournament champ in 2012 along with TCC champion in the same year. During his time at Sand Creek Sam also earned all state honors in football and track and field. He continued his academic and athletic career at Oklahoma state, wrestling for the cowboys from 2012-2015. He still lives and works in Stillwater Oklahoma.
Ethan Lambes was a 3-time state qualifier for Onsted High School. He was on the team from 2006-2009. At the state tournament, Lambes placed 7th in 2008, and won the state championship in 2009…pinning his opponent in nine seconds. He still holds multiple records at Onsted, including most career pins, most pins in a season, and most consecutive wins. With a career record of 156-33, he is Onsted’s only state champion in school history. Sadly, Ethan Lambes lost his life in an automobile accident two years ago. Accepting the award for Ethan is his parents John and Denise Lambes.
Jesse Seiler wrestled at Blissfield High School from 2001 to 2004. He was state champion in 2004 and placed fourth as a junior in 2003. Seiler was a three-time captain for the Royals. During his career at Blissfield he won 119 matches and was a multiple time conference and county champion. He was also an all county and all conference football player for the royals. He was also a captain for the 2003 football team which was the first in school history to make the playoffs. Jesse resides in Blissfield where he runs a construction company.
John Ahern wrestled at Tecumseh High School from 2002-2005. John was a 2x state qualifier for the indians. Placing 7th in 2004 and winning the state championship in 2005. John was also a member of three state qualifying teams highlighted by 2004 semi finals appearance. John was a 3x league champion and finished his senior year with a 47-3 record. After graduation John returned to the sport coaching at Tecumseh high school 2007 and 2008, and at Mumford from 2012-2014.
Kevin King wrestled at Madison High School 1973-1975. During his time at Madison he was a 2x state qualifier, winning the state championship in 1974. Kevin was a county champion and regional champion in 1974 also. Kevin was a member of the 1974 and 1975 madison state championship teams. He was also a captain for the 1975 team.
Jeff Kruse wrestled at Madison High School 1973-1975. During his time at Madison he was a 2x state qualifier, winning the state championship in 1974. Kevin was a county champion and regional champion in 1974 & 1975. Kevin was a member of the 1974 and 1975 Madison state championship teams. He was also a captain for both the 1974 & 1975 state championship teams.
This year the committee has chosen the 1974 team from Madison High School. The team was led by hall of fame member Coach Gail Shinall. The team finished the 1974 season with a record of 15-1 defeating Dansville in the state finals 29-27. The team included four individual state champions Jeff Cruz, Kevin King, Rudy Casarez, and Valentine Gutierrez. On their way to the state championship the team won three tournament championships and a regional title. Accepting the award along with the team members is Coach Gail Shinall.
Coach Tim Connors is also being inducted into the Hall of Fame. He started as a wrestler at Tecumseh where he competed in the first county tournament in 1982. Connors went on to be an all state wrestler for the Indians. He was an assistant coach for Tecumseh from 1984-1995, and was the head coach for the Indians from 1996-2008. During his time as head coach, Coach Connors amassed a 277-74 dual meet record. He captured 7 SEC championships, 6 district titles, 5 regional titles, and 2 state semifinal appearances. As individuals his Indians earned 28 county titles, 50 SEC titles, 21 all state wrestlers, and 2 state championships. He has been the recipient of the Lenawee county coach of the year award 4 times and the MWA regional coach of the year award 4 times.
The Hall of Fame was started in 2013 to honor those with outstanding achievements from Lenawee County. The ceremony tonight is scheduled to take place prior to the championship round of matches, at around 6:45pm. The Hall of Fame ceremony and championship matches will be broadcast on Lenawee TV with Jeff Bowman and Jeff Rolland on the microphones.
*featured image is from the 2024 HOF Class*