Two honored in NJCAA Wrestling CA HOF
Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has announced two honorees to be inducted into the NJCAA Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Two student-athletes have been admitted to the honorable 2023 class. Read below for more on Kris Schimek and Michael Kelly.
Kris Schimek | Student-Athlete | Niagara County Community College (NY)
Kris Schimek attended Niagara County Community College where he was captain of the Thunderwolves' wrestling team for two years. During his time at Niagara County, Schimek earned numerous accolades including being named a two-time NJCAA All-American and a two-time Region 3 champion. During Schimek's freshman campaign, the Cherry Creek, NY, native finished as the national runner-up in the 165-pound weight class. As a sophomore, Schimek earned a fourth-place finish at the 2013 NJCAA Wrestling Championships. Schimek concluded his career at the two-year level by setting program records for most near falls in a season, and most points in a career, and ranks second in all-time program wins.
Schimek continued his collegiate career at Ithaca College where he earned NCAA All-American honors in 2014 with a 35-4 record. Schimek is currently a Sargent for the Jamestown Police force and serves as the head of the Jamestown Police Swat team. Schimek has served as the head coach at Jamestown Community College (NY) since 2017.
Michael Kelly | Student-Athlete | Harper College (IL)
Michael Kelly was a member of Harper College's wrestling program during the 1997-98 season. In one season with the Hawks, Kelly earned a sixth-place finish at the 1998 NJCAA Wrestling Championships in the 150-pound weight class. After Harper College, Kelly went on to have an accomplished career in wrestling. Kelly concluded his collegiate wrestling career at NCAA Division I Eastern Illinois University as a captain for the Panthers' program.
He has won numerous medals around the world including gold in both the 2013 Unifight World Championship and the 2016 Pan American Championship. Kelly has claimed the most No-Gi world medals in USA wrestling history and holds the Midland record for wrestling in three different decades.
Kelly has served the wrestling community for many years as an exemplary leader and has coached at the high school, junior college, and four-year college levels throughout his career. In 2021, Kelly was awarded the NHSCA State Coach of the Year and Wisconsin Coach of the Year honors. He also coached the 2022 U17 freestyle World Champion Koy Hopke. Kelly returned to Harper as an assistant coach from 2001-2013. During this campaign, Kelly helped lead the Hawks to three NJCAA national championships in 2001, 2006, and 2010, and three runner-up finishes.
