Soldotna High School wrestling coach Neldon Gardner and former state and national wrestling champion Tela O’Donnell, of Homer, will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Tuesday, November 22nd at Soldotna High School.
Event organizers are encouraging all wrestling fans to attend the National Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., following the SoHi vs Homer wrestling match (5 p.m.) at SoHi.
Neldon Gardner
Neldon Gardner is honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a 2022 member of the Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Service To Wrestling division.
Gardner’s involvement in wrestling, both at a competitive and coaching level, extends over 50 years including individual high school state championships and colligate championships on the mat and state championships as a head coach in Alaska high school wrestling.
Gardner compiled a record of 80-8-1 in a four-year high school run which included Alaska state championships in 1974 (98 lbs.) and 1977 (132 lbs.).
Gardner wrestled collegiately North Idaho College and Brigham Young University.
Coach Gardner’s high school wrestling coaching career spans 40 years with head coaching credentials at Soldotna Middle School, Skyview High School and Soldotna High School.
Beginning in 1982, Gardner coached the Soldotna Stars through the opening of Skyview High School in 1989. The 1989 SoHi team sported four, individual state champions.
As the leader of the Panthers wrestling program, Gardner’s teams won four state championships: 1997,1999,2000, 2001 and recorded three state, team runner-up finishes.
All totaled, Coach Gardner has coached 46 state champions!
Included in the state championship roster are Eli Hutchison, 4-time undefeated Alaska state champion; Seth Hutchison (SoHi and Skyview), 4-time Alaska state champion and Michaela Hutchison, 1st female to win Alaska state championship in boys division (1st in U.S. to win championship in boys division).
Gardner is the current head coach of the Soldotna Stars wrestling program.
Tela O’Donnell Bacher
Tela O’Donnell Bacher is honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a 2022 member of the Hall of Fame in the Outstanding American division.
Tela O’Donnell Bacher, one of America’s most decorated female wrestlers, remains on the wrestling fore-front as a high school coach and through her Wrestle Like A Girl national camps; the 42-year-old lives and coaches in Homer, Alaska.
Tela began her wrestling journey as a four-year member of the Homer Mariner wrestling program. In 2001, Tela became only the second female to place at the Alaska state championships. During her high school years,
Tela in 1999 wrestled to a USGWA National Championship.
Tela O’Donnell Bacher’s wrestling career includes national and international recognition.
2002 US University National Champion
2003 US National Champion
2004 US Olympic Team Trial Champion
2004 Olympic Games – 6th Place
2004 World Cup Silver Medalist in Toyko, Japan
National Wrestling Hall of Fame induction ceremony information
