Former Holton Wildcat, Aaron Meister inducted into NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame. (courtesy of Jim McClintock)

Wrestling has been a passion for years and continues to be for former Holton Wildcat, Aaron Meister who was recently honored by being inducted to the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame at the NJCAA National Wrestling tournament in Iowa. 

After graduating from Holton high school as a four-time State qualifier and two-time State placer Meister went on to compete at the college level on the mats going the junior college route attending Labette Community College. Meister in his two years at Labette qualified for the National NJCAA tournament twice and won the NJCAA title at 174lbs in 2003 finishing the year with a 26-3 record. 

After two years at Labette the former Holton Wildcat transferred to Fort Hays State University where he was a two-time Rock Mountain Conference Champion, two-time NCAA Division II West Regional Champion and two-time NCAA Division II All-American placing fourth and fifth at 174lbs. He also in 2014 won a U.S. Veterans National Championship. 

Meister continues his passion for wrestling in Texas at Wayland Baptist University where he serves as the schools men's and women's wrestling Head Coach. Seven years ago Meister was instrumental in getting the wrestling program started at Wayland Baptist which is the only college in Texas with a sponsored wrestling program. 

While at Wayland Baptist Meister has coached 49 All-Americans, four national champions, 17 World Team Trails qualifiers, one University World runner-up, a U.S. Open Champion, an Olympic Trails Champion and two USA Wrestling National Team members. 

Wayland Baptist competes at the NAIA level and Coach Meister is set to take seven wrestlers to the NAIA National Wrestling Championships on March 3rd and 4th in Topeka after they qualified for the National tournament and Wayland Baptist took second at the South qualifier.