History
Marquette Wresting Superstar
Ringers Wrestling Club History starts with Jim Schmitz. Jim was a standout wrestler at Marquette University Wrestling program. At Marquette Wrestling He was credited with knocking Rudy, the fighting Irish folk ledge's brother, out of the NCAA tournament! One match from All American, Jim continued his wrestling career, competing in the US Open and eventually becoming the head coach at Marquette.
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1987
Rooted in the basements of Marquette University Wrestling. Jim Schmitz had the vision to make Wisconsin wrestling one of the top wrestling states in the US. Jim was a Former Marquette Wrestling superstar who was awarded the head wrestling coach job. Jim knew that to recruit local athletes that could perform at a D1 level Wisconsin needed a Youth wrestling boost so he create Ringers Wrestling Club History .
Ringers = Wrestling
Ringers actually means wrestling in German. While Jim was wrestling over seas chasing his Olympic dreams he thought the Ringers was cool for Milwaukee due to the strong German heritage.
First Absolute Super Star is born
Eric Swick was a prodigy wrestler for Jim. Eric not only won nationally he also racked up victories Internationally. If not due to injury would have most likely been one of Ringers First Olympic Wrestlers. Nice picture of your stop signs Eric!
Legacy is born
1987 - 1992 Dennis Hall
Dennis Hall is known as one of the greatest US Greco Roman wrestlers ever from the United states. Dennis was a 3x high School State Champion from Hartford High School with a record of a 144-1-1. Dennis was so tough he would frequently go and train at Marquette university with Jim and his college athletes.
Dennis Olympic First Olympic Birth
Dennis Hall won a wrestle off but, the US Olympic committee was not going to grant him a spot. After a phone call with Jim Schmitz, Jim reached out to a Marquette Lawyer. Dennis ended up successfully challenging the Olympic committee's decision. Dennis was a 3x Olympian, world champion, and bronze medalist. A 30 year friendship with Ringers continues to this day!
1994 Eric Swick
Eric Swick was a prodigy wrestler for Jim. Eric not only won nationally he also racked up victories Internationally.
2000
Marquette cut wrestling as a sport. It was a terrible decision but, it allowed Jim to focus on Ringers and developing world class youth athletes.
2000 - 2005 Ben & Max Askren
Wisconsin wrestling royalty at it finest! Ben and Max grew up in Ringers Wrestling being coach by our very own Jim Schmitz! Ben accelerated at Ringers. He went on to become Ringers First NCAA Division 1 champion. And Ringers first member to win a Hodge Trophy. Ben went on to Represent the US in the Olympics. Jim helped run fund raisers to help his Olympic Bid! Ben went on to have a successful career in Mixed martial arts and now runs the largest wrestling club in the state of Wisconsin.
John Zelinski
3-time state place winner, two-time state champ. 2nd place at Fargo for Greco. Grew up a long-time member, and now I grew a coach!
Jessie Thielke
4x State Champion, lots more to fill in here.
Alex Deringer
Lots to fill in here!
Nick Becker
High School State champ 3x NCAA D2 National champion, now head coach at UW Parkside
Exceptional Run
Jeff Lemmer State Champion went on to an Ivy League school - Brown University,
Ringers & Higher level Combine
Coach D'alie was a hammer!
2021 Kylie Welker
U20 world champ and Olympic trial runner up. Lots more to add!
Creating an Immortal Legacy of Excellence
Benji Peak
2022 Final X Champ!
Payton Jacobson
Next Generation of Greco Superstars!
2021 Results
Kylie Welker U20 World champ, Bronze U23
2022 Championship Tradition
Notable National Performances
Michal Deliaden 2nd USAW youth Greco
Ian Webber
Jacob Kidder
Max Hay
12 Youth Folkstyle State Champions
Including exceptional performance from:
Maximus Hay, Tristan North, and Ian Webber State Triple crown Winners.